...
"Alright, stop pretending."
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him, though her tone was still somewhat harsh, the cold indifference that kept people at arm's length had disappeared.
She stretched out her finger and gently tapped the jade boxes on the table:
"The Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, and the Wangchuan Qiushui Dew, just as you wish, are to be distributed to Xie Yue, Yan, and Liena.
They are the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall, the face of the younger generation, and they do indeed need to improve their strength."
"but..."
Bibi Dong changed the subject, her gaze falling on the Bewitching Lotus, and shook her head:
"I cannot have this demonic lotus."
"teacher?"
Xuan Hao grew anxious, "This is something I specially made for you..."
"Let me finish."
Bibi Dong raised her hand to interrupt him:
"At my level, the assistance from external objects is negligible.
But for Lena, this demonic lotus is a transformative opportunity."
"She possesses the Heavenly Fox Martial Soul, specializing in mental control.
The spiritual essence within this demonic lotus is perfectly compatible with her; if she can absorb it, her future achievements will be limitless."
"I am her teacher, and I am also your teacher.
The right way is to use resources on those who need them most and who are most suitable for them."
At this point, Bibi Dong's gaze shifted to the last jade box—the Acacia Heartbreak Red growing on the Wujue Stone.
Her gaze became somewhat complex, as if it were a remembrance, or perhaps a self-mockery, before finally settling into a deathly stillness.
"As for this king of flowers..."
Bibi Dong pushed the jade box back in front of Xuan Hao, her voice cold and clear:
"Take it back too."
"Since this thing is said to require a heart full of love to recognize its master, Lena might not be able to remove it now, and as for me..."
Bibi Dong's lips curled into a faint, bitter smile, which vanished in an instant.
"I'm way past the age of romance; such things are not for me."
"Keep it safe."
Bibi Dong gave Xuan Hao a deep look and said meaningfully:
"If you meet someone you truly love in the future, then give it to them."
"That's an opportunity for you young people, I... won't join in."
After saying this, Bibi Dong slowly stood up, straightened her magnificent papal robes, and did not touch the priceless jade boxes on the table.
"Also, don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"You've presented all these things to me all at once, not only to apologize, but also to use this as a pretext to get me to personally bestow these gifts upon them, so that I can win people's hearts and consolidate my authority, right?"
Xuan Hao chuckled twice and scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
That's really what he thought.
After all, the effects of these few magical herbs are too miraculous; whoever gives them away would be doing an immense favor.
Although his current status is special, he is still young.
Letting Bibi Dong do this favor would obviously strengthen her position in the hearts of the Golden Generation.
"However, no need."
Bibi Dong strode past Xuan Hao and headed towards the back of the main hall:
"Since this is a treasure you went through so much trouble to bring back, then you should deliver it."
"This opportunity, which is enough to change their destiny, is enough to make the three of them devoted to you and become your most steadfast supporters."
"teacher?"
Xuan Hao was taken aback, turned around and looked at Bibi Dong's back, "But..."
There are no "buts".
Bibi Dong stopped in her tracks, her back to Xuan Hao:
"Xuanhao, you are already level 42. With your monstrous talent and growth rate, by the time you come of age, you will probably have already broken through to the Soul Saint level, or even higher."
"Your future is limitless."
Bibi Dong turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Xuan Hao out of the corner of her eye.
An unprecedented expectation flickered in her pale purple eyes:
"In a few years, after you break through to the Soul Emperor level, I will formally propose to the Elders that you be named the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall!"
"Holy Son?" Xuan Hao was stunned.
Although everyone calls him that, and there are even rumors about it outside, this is a promise that was officially made by Bibi Dong!
This means that she has already regarded him as the sole and undisputed heir of the Spirit Hall!
"That's right."
Bibi Dong turned around without looking back, and continued walking towards the inner hall:
"The future of the Spirit Hall belongs to you."
"Since this position will eventually be handed to you, it is only natural that you should win over these future team members, these right-hand men who can fight for you, and bestow favors upon them."
"Go, take the things to them."
"Tell them that this was given to them by you, Xuan Hao, not by me, Bibi Dong."
As her voice fell, Bibi Dong's tall figure completely disappeared behind the screen, leaving Xuan Hao alone kneeling in the center of the empty hall, staring at the boxes of radiant immortal herbs on the table, unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
"You're attacking my weakest point..."
Xuan Hao pursed his lips.
He was also thinking of taking more things so that he could feel at ease.
Is this how you do it?
"Elder Ju!"
Xuan Hao arrived at the entrance of the main hall and called Yue Guan, who was not far away, over.
"Please go to the Martial Soul Academy and call Nana, Xie Yue, and that red-haired Yan over here."
"Why are you calling them?"
You'll find out soon enough.
...
Not long after, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the hall.
"Elder Ju, is there some important task your teacher has summoned us for?"
Hu Liena's voice betrayed a hint of nervousness and anticipation.
"You'll see when you get there."
"Creak—"
The heavy palace doors were pushed open, and Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan straightened their clothes and stepped in solemnly, just about to bow and pay homage to His Holiness the Pope.
However, when they looked up and saw the figure above the hall, the three of them froze instantly.
There, on the high and mighty papal throne, leaned a silver-haired boy lazily against the armrest.
He was toying with the papal jade seal that Bibi Dong used for stamping, and he was looking down at them with a smile.
The main hall was empty; there was no sign of Bibi Dong.
"Xuan...Xuan Hao?!"
Hu Liena's alluring fox-like eyes widened, her usual elegance vanished, and as she pointed at the boy above, her voice trembled:
"You...you want to go to heaven?!"
"You disappeared for months, and now you dare to sit in the teacher's seat?!
Are you trying to rebel?!"
Xie Yue and Yan, standing nearby, also looked terrified, glancing around instinctively, fearing that His Holiness the Pope might suddenly rush out and kill this audacious fellow.
Yue Guan, standing to the side, crossed his arms and looked completely unfazed.
Not to mention the Papal Palace, this kid used to be able to enter and sleep in the Papal Palace whenever he wanted.
In this Spirit Hall, apart from that one position he can't sit in right now, there are basically no other taboos.
"Stay calm, stay calm."
Xuan Hao chuckled as he looked at the three of them, who seemed to have never seen anything like this before.
He then lightly leaped down from the high platform and landed steadily in front of them.
He straightened his clothes, which were free of wrinkles, then put his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and said with a serious expression:
"Let's get to know each other again."
"Just now, the teacher made a solemn promise."
Xuan Hao raised his chin and glanced at the three of them:
"From this day forward, I, Xuan Hao, am the future Holy Son of the Spirit Hall!"
"ha?!"
Upon hearing this, the three of them were completely stunned.
Yan couldn't help but blurt out, "No... buddy, you're only nine years old!"
"This is the Holy Son?!"
"Whether it's the investiture of a Holy Son or a Holy Daughter, doesn't it all require a vote at the Elders' Council meeting, and even a series of rigorous tests?
How come it's just a matter of a word for you?"
"What? You have a problem with that?"
Xuan Hao glanced at him sideways, "The teacher said that given my extraordinary talent, outstanding abilities, and the great contributions I have made to the Spirit Hall, he has made a special exception."
"Of course, the formal investiture ceremony will have to wait until I break through to Soul Emperor a few years from now."
At this point, Xuan Hao suddenly adopted a serious expression, patted Xie Yue and Yan on the shoulders, looked at Hu Liena, and sighed:
"The reason I'm in such a hurry to tell you this is for your own good."
"I was afraid that you might have any ulterior motives regarding my position, so I gave you this advance notice to thwart your ambitions for the throne."
"To save you from racking your brains to compete with me in the future, only to be utterly crushed by me in the end, which would be too damaging to the camaraderie among fellow disciples."
"..."
A deathly silence.
Even Yue Guan, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and rolled her eyes.
A desire to seize the throne?
Can you believe this?!
Who has the guts and the ability to take it from you?!
Putting aside your abnormal talent and your soul power that has reached level 42 at this moment, Bibi Dong's unique indulgence and pampering of you is enough to make everyone hesitate!
Back when Xuan Hao's soul power was low, he could easily defeat all three of them when they joined forces at the academy.
Now this kid went out for a stroll and came back as a Soul Master, and even Qian Renxue was dealt with by him.
How could Xie Yue and Yan possibly argue with him?
As for Hu Liena...
She was indeed favored and was originally the most promising candidate to become the Holy Maiden.
But compared to Xuan Hao, this prodigy, her title of "core of the Golden Generation" seemed rather dim.
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