Chapter 29 – The Pope's Announcement and a Storm of Doubt
"That's right, the master is in the Spirit Hall."
This was the consensus everyone had reached.
After all, if that weren't the case, why would the Pope send back only the master's leg?
Yet despite this grim confirmation, there was still a heavy doubt lingering in their hearts.
Why had it come to this?
Why did the Pope go so far as to sever the master's leg and send it to Qin Chuan?
And most baffling of all…
Who was it that had stomped on the master's leg in the street?
"Third brother, do you know who had a conflict with the master in Spirit City?" Xiao Wu asked softly, feeling the pain that gripped Liu Erlong's heart.
"I don't know the details," Tang San replied, shaking his head. "But I did hear that the person is very young… and extremely powerful."
"Very young and very strong?" Ning Rongrong repeated in a low voice. Her expression subtly shifted.
Oscar noticed her reaction immediately. "Rongrong, did someone come to mind?"
Ning Rongrong's eyes flickered uncertainly. She shook her head, though her gaze instinctively drifted toward the Tiandou Royal Team.
There stood Qin Chuan—tall, poised, his aura as sharp as a sword. Even in the crowd, he was impossible to ignore.
He looked to be only in his twenties, yet his strength as a Title Douluo matched the description.
"Nothing," she murmured, though doubt still lingered.
She didn't want to believe it. Could someone as noble as Qin Chuan really have enmity with the master?
The gap in their strength was too vast to make sense.
"Don't overthink it now," Ma Hongjun muttered coldly, a fierce glint flashing across his chubby face. "Once we see the master, the truth will come out."
"No matter who dared to hurt the master like that… I'll make sure they pay the price."
"Indeed," Flanders added, taking a deep breath to steady his emotions. "But for now, we must focus on the tournament."
His gaze turned to Jiangzhu, who had been silent all this time.
He softened his tone. "Jiangzhu, remember what I told you earlier."
"Once the match begins, listen to Xiaosan's instructions. Follow his lead in the ring."
"Yes," Jiangzhu responded, nodding earnestly.
Time passed quickly, and attention gradually turned toward the grand arena where final preparations were underway.
The atmosphere grew more intense with every moment.
Finally, after a flurry of last-minute arrangements, the Spirit Hall staff cleared the stage.
A sudden stir rippled through the venue.
Bibi Dong, dressed in a resplendent papal robe, made her grand entrance.
With a serene yet majestic bearing, she strode forward under the escort of high-ranking soul masters.
The moment she appeared, the crowd erupted like a tidal wave.
"Greetings to the Pope!"
"Long live the Pope! Long live! Long live!"
The cheers resounded like thunder, echoing across Wuhun City.
To the countless soul masters present, the Pope wasn't just a leader—she was a divine symbol of belief.
Clad in her ceremonial robes and wielding a scepter, Bibi Dong exuded dignity and unattainable grace.
She seemed like a sacred flower blooming atop the highest peak, something to be revered from afar.
But in the Tiandou Royal Team, a figure showed visible disdain.
Prince Xue Qinghe—none other than Qian Renxue in disguise—curled her lips mockingly.
Stepping slightly aside, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Chuan and whispered bitterly, "Look at her, playing the part of the noble saint. Who would believe she's capable of such vile deeds in secret?"
Qin Chuan couldn't help but find her sarcasm amusing.
He knew what she was referring to, and he understood why Qian Renxue had come here today—why she deliberately made such a comment.
But what he hadn't expected was just how far Qian Renxue was willing to go in her deception.
"Didn't she say she would bring some important figure today?" Qian Renxue muttered again. "Where is this so-called heavyweight?"
"She's the Pope. Who could possibly outrank her?"
Qin Chuan said nothing, though it was clear Qian Renxue harbored a deep resentment.
Atop the platform, Pope Bibi Dong finally stepped onto the central stage, surrounded by the fervent cries of worship.
Twelve cardinals took position behind her—six on each side.
She calmly surveyed the sea of soul masters before her. With a subtle raise of her hand, she gestured for silence.
"Everyone, please quiet down," Bibi Dong said gently.
Though her voice was soft, it was amplified through soul power, spreading evenly in powerful sound waves that reached every corner of the stadium.
In an instant, the venue fell into reverent silence.
Thousands of eyes turned to the Pope, filled with awe and passion.
Then, her gaze shifted.
She scanned the teams below until her eyes landed on the Tiandou Royal Team.
More precisely—on Qin Chuan.
Qin Chuan met her gaze with quiet calm.
But Qian Renxue, standing beside him, took a subtle step closer. Her body leaned in slightly, her posture intimate and warm.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed.
That small action pierced straight through her, and her breath caught for a moment. She exhaled slowly, and when she spoke again, her tone had dropped several degrees in temperature.
"By tradition, this Pope would not appear at the opening of this tournament, in order not to burden the participants mentally."
Bibi Dong paused, her expression growing more serious.
"But today… a joyous event must be shared with the entire continent. And for that reason, I've made an exception."
The crowd murmured in surprise.
A joyful event?
What kind of joyous event could prompt the Pope to appear in person?
"Could it be… the Pope is pregnant?" someone whispered nearby.
That suggestion instantly sparked more chatter.
Over a decade ago, Bibi Dong—then still the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall—had gotten married. Though the identity of her husband was kept secret, it was widely speculated and accepted.
And yet, in all that time, there had never been word of a child.
So now, with the Pope hinting at a joyous occasion, many couldn't help but jump to conclusions.
"I bet it's true. What else could it be if not that?"
"No way… Is our Pope really pregnant? My heart's breaking!"
Hearing these whispers, Qian Renxue turned to glance at Qin Chuan, her expression unreadable.
Qin Chuan, too, frowned faintly. Confusion flickered across his features.
"Brother Qin Chuan, you…" Qian Renxue hesitated, her words trailing off uncertainly.
"Impossible," Qin Chuan replied with a shake of his head.
Bibi Dong had refused to consummate their marriage for over ten years. How could she be pregnant?
Unless…
He stopped himself from finishing that thought. No, that possibility was absurd—completely unrealistic.
Qian Renxue clearly had the same suspicion.
Her eyes were now filled with both pity and quiet fury toward Bibi Dong.
"What a vile woman," she muttered under her breath.
"Brother Qin Chuan, don't worry. If she's really done something disgraceful, I'll make sure she answers for it."
Qin Chuan remained silent.
With all his understanding of Bibi Dong, he didn't believe she would betray him in such a way.
The rumors were nothing but wild guesses.
But then… what was this joyous occasion she spoke of?
What was important enough to warrant her personal appearance?
On the stage, Bibi Dong heard the growing buzz and sighed inwardly.
She hadn't expected her vague wording to spark such rumors.
If only she had left Qin Chuan a child back then… maybe things wouldn't be so difficult now.
She coughed lightly, then quickly spoke up to dispel the rising wave of speculation.
"Everyone, please don't let your imaginations run wild."
"The joyous news this Pope brings today is that—from this day forward—the Spirit Hall has gained a new deacon elder."
"And now, let us welcome him…"