Chapter 30: The Deacon Elder Without Legs
There are two types of elders in the Spirit Hall: honorary elders and deacon elders.
Honorary elders are usually renowned figures across the continent who, for various reasons, cannot fully join the Spirit Hall. For example, Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, is both the sect master and an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.
[Note: According to Chapter 414 of the original novel, "The Life of the Nether White Tiger (Middle)," Ning Fengzhi is listed as an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.]
Another example is Master Yu Xiaogang. Due to his fame in theoretical teachings and his past relationship with Pope Bibi Dong, he also became an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.
In contrast, the position of deacon elder is exclusive to Titled Douluo ranked members within the Pope's Hall.
So, when Bibi Dong announced that the Spirit Hall would soon welcome a new deacon elder, everyone was stunned.
Could it be that someone had advanced to Titled Douluo within the Spirit Hall?
This would indeed be a cause for celebration.
But the celebration turned into bewilderment when a wheelchair was slowly pushed onto the platform after Bibi Dong's words.
In that wheelchair sat a haggard-looking middle-aged man.
His legs were gone—cut cleanly at the roots. More than someone sitting, it looked as if he had simply been placed onto the wheelchair and wheeled up forcibly.
With great difficulty, he turned his head to look at the noble woman beside him. His eyes brimmed with deep, soul-crushing resentment.
But he couldn't speak.
Because just yesterday, as Bibi Dong finalized her plans for today's "performance," she had his tongue cut out.
"Who is that?"
"They brought up a cripple in a wheelchair. And he's supposed to be a Titled Douluo?"
"Is this a joke? Who can tell me how such a waste ended up in the Spirit Hall?"
The crowd erupted into hushed discussions and ridiculing whispers, many pointing at the man in the wheelchair.
However, within the Shrek Academy's team, the atmosphere had turned icy and tense.
"Mom, don't go."
Xiao Wu clung tightly to Liu Erlong's arm, trying to restrain her.
But Liu Erlong's strength was too much. Her eyes were bloodshot, her body trembling as she muttered like a broken record,
"It's Xiaogang…"
"It's really Xiaogang…"
"He's really in the Spirit Hall…"
Flanders grabbed her shoulders tightly and spoke in a hoarse voice,
"Erlong, calm down. This is Spirit City."
Liu Erlong sobbed uncontrollably.
"Xiaogang… He's really in the Spirit Hall…"
Tang San's eyes glinted with complex emotion as he muttered under his breath,
"Could the new deacon elder the Pope mentioned… really be Teacher?"
He glanced at the weeping Liu Erlong and tried to comfort her softly,
"Teacher Erlong, if the Pope is willing to make the teacher a deacon elder, it shows she still values him."
"So don't worry too much. He should be okay."
Liu Erlong fell into a dazed silence after hearing those words.
Although her heart remained tangled, her emotions finally began to settle. She was no longer hysterical.
Meanwhile, in the Heaven Dou Imperial Team…
"It's Yu Xiaogang? What's she trying to pull now?"
Qian Renxue frowned, puzzled by Bibi Dong's sudden move.
"Just a tactic to win public favor,"
Qin Chuan responded calmly.
From the moment he saw Yu Xiaogang being pushed out, he had already guessed Bibi Dong's intention—to squeeze every last drop of value from Yu Xiaogang.
With his reputation as a theoretical master, the announcement of his formal "joining" would undoubtedly boost Spirit Hall's influence.
But what a cruel twist for Yu Xiaogang himself.
His legs had been cut off—there was no way he joined willingly. Qin Chuan figured Bibi Dong had forced his hand again.
And as expected…
Bibi Dong gracefully approached and took over the wheelchair from a palace guard, slowly pushing Yu Xiaogang to the center of the platform.
Wearing a soft smile, she addressed the audience:
"Many of you may not know his name, but he's a man whose reputation echoes across the continent. The Ten Core Competitiveness of Martial Spirits he proposed a few years ago have immensely benefited the soul master world. He is a guiding light for countless spirit masters and educators."
"He is… the Master. A true theoretical genius in our world."
"Today, this man has chosen to officially join the Spirit Hall, determined to continue his mission of serving the soul master world. Isn't that a joyous occasion?"
As her voice fell, murmurs of awe began to spread.
Eyes turned to Yu Xiaogang in the wheelchair, filled with admiration and respect.
"Therefore, this Pope hereby announces an exception: the Master shall be appointed as a deacon elder of the Spirit Hall!"
BOOM—
Thunderous applause burst out like a tidal wave.
Seeing the audience's reaction, Bibi Dong's smile deepened.
Her gaze shifted toward the Heaven Dou Imperial team. She wanted to lock eyes with Qin Chuan—to share this moment with him.
To say, "Look. Under my leadership, the Spirit Hall flourishes."
But to her surprise, Qin Chuan was gone.
So was Qian Renxue.
The heir to the Heaven Dou Empire had vanished.
Yet Bibi Dong wasn't shocked—in fact, the smile on her face became even more radiant, tinged with a trace of pride.
"Ah Chuan, you still care about me,"
she thought to herself, heart fluttering slightly.
Indeed, this entire scene wasn't just for the sake of Spirit Hall's image.
It was also a performance for him.
Bibi Dong wanted to seize back control.
Ever since realizing she might lose Qin Chuan, she had started to reflect.
Could her previous pleading have become a tool for him to manipulate her?
Did Qin Chuan believe she couldn't live without him?
Is that why he hurt her without restraint?
If so—then once Qin Chuan realized that she was no longer desperate for him, everything would change.
He would regret it.
At a hotel suite elsewhere…
"Brother Qin Chuan, the tournament is starting soon. Why did you leave so suddenly?"
Qian Renxue was sprawled lazily on the sofa, her golden hair flowing over her shoulders, framing her alluring curves.
Qin Chuan calmly refilled his cup with water.
"There was nothing worth seeing."
Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully.
"That's true. You're a Titled Douluo—watching a bunch of juniors fight must be child's play to you."
She paused, then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I thought you left because of her."
"Hmm?"
Qin Chuan paused mid-pour, slightly surprised.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because of Yu Xiaogang?"
Qian Renxue suddenly sat upright, intrigued.
"You don't really think that woman did this to boost the Spirit Hall's reputation, do you?"
She scoffed lightly.
"Despite suppression by the aristocracy of the two empires, the Spirit Hall is still revered by commoners and most soul masters."
"Yu Xiaogang joining them is just icing on the cake."
"So why announce it to the entire continent?"
"Why?"
Qin Chuan finally asked.
Qian Renxue grinned mischievously.
"Obviously—for you, Brother Qin Chuan. Are you truly clueless, or just pretending to be?"
"For me?"
Qin Chuan was stunned. He truly didn't get it.
——————
Pump up the power stone