...
As soon as the words fell, two figures appeared out of thin air in front of Pope Bibi Dong, startling Hu Liena.
"Greetings, Your Holiness," the two individuals slightly bowed and greeted Pope Bibi Dong.
These two people were the elders of the Douluo Consecration Hall in the Spirit Hall, the highest level chamber where only Title Douluo could enter and exit. When they met with the Pope, they didn't need to kneel, just express their respects. After all, they were Title Douluo, the highest honor among Soul Masters.
Every Title Douluo was a symbol of supreme honor.
"Elder Ju, Elder Gui," Hu Liena quickly stood up and saluted the two. Although she was the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall, she still showed her respect to the elders of the Title Douluo level.
One of the black-robed Douluo emanated a grim aura, resembling a ghost. He nodded slightly in response to Hu Liena's salute.
The other person was a man dressed in white, who smiled lightly at Hu Liena and said, "Hehe, it's been some time, Holy Lady, and you've become even more beautiful, like a fairy!"
His voice was delicate and gentle, almost like a woman's voice.
Facing the teasing of the white-robed Douluo, Hu Liena's fair face couldn't help but blush.
"Elder Ju is joking."
These two individuals were the two Title Douluo of the Spirit Hall. The person in the white robe was known as Ju, titled Douluo Yue Guan. The other person emanating a grim aura in the black robe was Gui, titled Douluo Gui Mei.
Both of them had reached the level of ninety-fifth rank in strength.
"Did both elders hear the previous conversation?" Bibi Dong looked at the two and said faintly.
"Yes," the two responded. They had been hiding in the Pope's Hall all along, so they were clearly aware of the content of the meeting.
"So it's Zeng Yi, an interesting little guy," Elder Ju chuckled softly.
"Kekeke, this Chen Xin guy has taken on a good disciple," Elder Gui laughed with an eerie and chilling tone, like a ghost from the netherworld.
"Did the Pope summon us to have us eliminate him?" Elder Gui asked.
"No, there's no need to remove him. On the contrary, I hope this person can become a member of our Spirit Hall," Pope Bibi Dong said.
"Should we go and bring him back then?"
"Hehe, no need. I called you here because I want both elders to represent our Spirit Hall and visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"This..."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged glances but didn't quite understand the intentions of Pope Bibi Dong.
"I intend to have the Spirit Hall form an alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. As for the alliance partner..." Bibi Dong paused and looked at his disciple, Hu Liena, for a moment.
And when Hu Liena heard those words, a knot formed in her heart, making her flustered.
"The alliance partner is none other than our Spirit Hall's Holy Lady, Hu Liena, and the disciple of the Sword Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Zeng Yi."
...
"Yawn~"
Who is calling me handsome again?
Zeng Yi couldn't help but scratch his slightly itchy nose and thought to himself.
Little did he know that he had already been arranged for.
I'm the alliance partner!
...
Although she had prepared herself mentally, when her teacher said those words, Hu Liena's mind went blank, and her whole being turned numb.
Ever since she became her teacher's disciple and became the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall, she had been diligently cultivating, constantly surpassing herself, trying to prove to her teacher that she hadn't made a mistake in choosing her, that she deserved the title of the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall.
That's why she had never thought of pursuing romantic relationships. Although desires for such beautiful emotions naturally existed in the heart of a young girl like her, they were suppressed by her strong will to cultivate. Besides, there was no person of the opposite sex her age who she regarded highly, except for her brother, of course.
But now, she was being forced to enter into a political alliance with a complete stranger. How could anyone accept this? Moreover, this person was younger than her.
"What's wrong? Nana, do you not want to?" Seeing her disciple's pale face and restless appearance, Bibi Dong asked.
Of course, she wouldn't want to! Who would want to marry someone they don't know? If it were you, would you agree?
Hu Liena thought in her heart but didn't dare say it out loud.
"If it's what Teacher wishes, Nana will naturally comply with Teacher's arrangement." Hu Liena didn't refuse. Her current status, honor, and even her strength were all given by her teacher. Without her teacher, she wouldn't have what she had now. If her teacher really wanted her to do this, she would naturally comply with his request.
Even if Bibi Dong asked her to give up her life, Hu Liena would obediently comply, let alone a political alliance.
"Your Holiness, isn't this valuing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan too much?" Elder Yue Guan couldn't help but comment when he saw the situation.
"I also think there's no need for such a step," Elder Gui Mei's eerie voice rang out as he tried to persuade Pope Bibi Dong.
The actions of the two elders moved Hu Liena, and she couldn't help but give them a grateful look.
"Hehe, do you really think this is just a simple alliance?" Pope Bibi Dong said lightly.
"What do you mean, Your Holiness?"
"I need a response from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"A response?"
"Yes, I want to see how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan truly views our Spirit Hall. If it succeeds, it will show that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is willing to submit to our Spirit Hall. By sending our Holy Lady and their sect's genius to form an alliance, we will give them enough face. If it fails, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will have no reason to exist in the future." Bibi Dong's majestic voice resounded in the Pope's Hall, making several people's hearts tremble.
She, Bibi Dong, really wanted to incorporate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan into the Spirit Hall. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower, possessing the world's number one auxiliary soul, was not just for show; it was genuinely powerful. If the Spirit Hall had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower to assist Soul Masters, their strength would definitely greatly increase.
Moreover, Zeng Yi's talent was so monstrous; he was indeed worthy of being the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall.
"I see now, Your Holiness is wise!" Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, the two elders understood her intentions and praised the Pope respectfully.
But Hu Liena felt like crying. The two elders were just speaking to me a moment ago, but now their attitude has completely changed. They are truly vile adults.
Although her teacher had other intentions, it still felt terrible that she had to marry a stranger. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan agreed, she would have to marry that man named Zeng Yi.
Is the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall just a tool?
"Since that's the case, both elders should prepare and leave for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan tomorrow." Bibi Dong said.
"Understood! Your Holiness!"
The two elders clasped their hands and responded respectfully to Pope Bibi Dong. Then their figures flashed and disappeared from the Pope's Hall.
After the two Title Douluo left, the Pope's Hall once again fell silent.
Comparing his gaze to the silent disciple by his side, Bibi Dong's eyes held a hint of complexity as he asked, "Nana, do you resent Teacher?"
"No, if it can help Teacher, Nana is willing to do anything as requested by Teacher." Hu Liena looked at her teacher Bibi Dong and her gaze carried unwavering determination.
Bibi Dong couldn't help but tremble inwardly upon hearing her words, and his hand absentmindedly reached Hu Liena's head, gently caressing her smooth hair. He tenderly said, "You truly are a good child!"
"But you should know, as the Holy Lady of the Spirit Hall, there are many things that are beyond your control!" Bibi Dong sighed and looked up at the ceiling, his eyes wandering as if reminiscing about something.
"However, Nana, if you truly don't want to, tell Teacher. As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, I promise you that I won't force you."
Hu Liena could hear Bibi Dong's genuine feelings in these words. At this moment, she no longer saw her as the majestic Pope but as a caring mentor who loved his disciple.
"No, as long as it's what Teacher desires, your disciple is willing to fulfill your request even if it means facing danger." Hu Liena responded without hesitation. Her current position, honor, and even her strength were all given by her teacher. Without her, she wouldn't have the life she has now. If her teacher truly wants her to do this, she will naturally comply.
Even if Bibi Dong asked her to sacrifice her life, Hu Liena would obediently comply, let alone a mere political alliance.
Seeing her disciple's unwavering and determined expression, Bibi Dong smiled with contentment.
"You truly are naive, my child."