The Papal Palace
A beautiful woman sat upon the papal throne, her long golden gown fitting her perfectly from head to toe. The dazzling fabric shimmered with hundreds of red, blue, and gold gemstones.
Her nine-curved purple-gold crown shone brilliantly under the sacred light, and in her hand rested a two-meter-long scepter encrusted with jewels.
Her flawless skin and near-perfect features made her beauty almost divine.
Yet what truly set her apart was the intangible aura of holiness that surrounded her — an oppressive nobility that demanded both reverence and fear.
Her eyes gleamed with majestic authority.
This woman was Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
A dark figure appeared suddenly in the vast hall and knelt before her.
He was draped in black, his face pale and expressionless, exuding a cold, deathly aura that seemed to freeze the very air.
It was none other than Ghost Douluo, one of the Pope's most trusted subordinates.
"Greetings, Your Holiness," he said, bowing deeply.
Bibi Dong raised her hand and touched her forehead lightly, brushing aside her pale violet hair. Her movements were elegant, her expression detached.
"Rise," she said softly.
Ghost Douluo obeyed, lowering his head respectfully. "Your Holiness, Qian Ye has awakened a mutated Angel Martial Soul."
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered. "A mutated Angel Martial Soul?"
She leaned back slightly, studying him with calm intrigue.
Ghost Douluo hesitated before continuing. "Qian Ye has awakened the Angel Martial Soul. I believe this matter should be reported to His Majesty."
Bibi Dong frowned. "Logically speaking, Qian Ye was adopted by Qian Daoliu. He shouldn't possess the Angel lineage at all. How could he awaken a mutated Angel Martial Soul?"
"Your Holiness," Ghost Douluo replied quickly, "that angel was completely black, radiating an evil energy. I believe it isn't a true Angel Martial Soul — merely something that resembles one."
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, her amethyst eyes narrowing. "And what of his soul power?"
Ghost Douluo answered immediately, "He seems to have surpassed the twentieth level of the Innate Realm."
At that, Bibi Dong's expression changed. She rose sharply from her throne.
"Surpassed level twenty? That's impossible!"
Her voice echoed through the golden chamber.
She had asked out of curiosity — but the answer startled even her.
Level 20 innate soul power was rare beyond measure. In the entire history of the Douluo Continent, only her daughter, Qian Renxue, had ever achieved such talent.
And yet, this adopted child of Qian Daoliu had surpassed even that?
Bibi Dong paced slowly before her throne, her eyes dark with thought. "Ghost… why do you think Qian Daoliu took in an adopted child?"
Ghost Douluo bowed lower. "This subordinate does not know."
Bibi Dong's lips curved slightly. "Qian Daoliu gave me the papal seat because no one else in the Spirit Hall could bear the weight of it. But now he's found a boy of such monstrous potential…"
Ghost Douluo's eyes flickered. "Your Holiness, do you mean—?"
"Qian Ye is extraordinarily gifted," she said coldly. "Qian Daoliu will surely raise him as his successor — perhaps even to replace me."
A cold gleam flashed in her eyes.
Ghost Douluo's expression hardened. "Your Holiness, should I…"
He made a subtle gesture across his throat.
Bibi Dong laughed softly, a low, cruel sound. "Do you think you can contend with Qian Daoliu himself?"
Ghost Douluo quickly shook his head. "Even if the Grand Elder protects him, there will be moments when the boy is alone. If I—"
Bibi Dong cut him off with a wave. "If he dies, who do you think Qian Daoliu will suspect?"
Understanding dawned on Ghost Douluo's face. He lowered his head. "Yes, Your Holiness. I was rash."
Bibi Dong's voice softened, but her tone remained icy. "If that child dies now, Qian Daoliu will strike back immediately. I cannot match him yet. We'll wait."
"Yes."
Bibi Dong turned her gaze forward, her expression unreadable. "Even if he's talented, he's just a bastard child for now. He won't affect our plans. We'll deal with him later."
Ghost Douluo bowed deeply. "As you command."
A faint, chilling smile crossed Bibi Dong's lips. "Still… since that little bastard has awakened his martial soul, I think it's time I met him myself."
After the ceremony, Qian Daoliu left the Awakening Hall with Qian Ye at his side.
"Father," Qian Ye said softly, "my martial soul is the Dark Angel. Will that cause you any trouble?"
Qian Daoliu stopped and turned toward him, smiling faintly. "Child, do you think your father cares about such things?"
He placed a hand on Qian Ye's shoulder. "There are evil soul masters in this world, yes, but that doesn't mean one with a dark martial soul must be evil. In this world, strength is what matters — not light, not darkness. Justice and evil are decided by power alone."
He paused, his expression softening. "I've already lost one son. No matter what you do in the future, I will stand by your side."
Qian Ye met his father's gaze and nodded quietly. "I understand."
You've given me your trust, Father. I'll treasure it… and one day, use it.
In the distance, a figure appeared, walking slowly toward them.
Trailing her dazzling purple-gold gown, Bibi Dong approached with regal grace.
Qian Ye's eyes flickered, but there was no fear in them. He knew her all too well.
Bibi Dong — murderer of Qian Xunji, my brother in this world. The woman Father tolerates only for Qian Renxue's sake.
If not for Renxue, Qian Daoliu would have killed her long ago.
They smiled politely in public, but beneath that surface lay hatred as deep as the abyss.
And Qian Ye? He despised her.
He had read the original novel in his past life — he knew what kind of woman she was.
Powerful, yes. But twisted. A hypocrite draped in holiness.
Even if Qian Xunji had been incompetent, Bibi Dong was the Pope — a woman of unmatched strength and status.
Yet she debased herself for Yu Xiaogang, a pitiful, talentless fraud.
She ruined herself for a fool… and abandoned her own daughter.
What disgusted Qian Ye most was that Qian Renxue — her own blood — had been treated like a stranger.
Bibi Dong refused to let Renxue call her "mother," forcing her to say "sister" instead.
And when Qian Daoliu took Renxue in, Bibi Dong repeatedly plotted against her.
Such a woman isn't holy. She's diseased.
As Bibi Dong neared, her eyes glimmered with feigned warmth. "Greetings, Grand Elder," she said softly.
Qian Daoliu didn't respond. His expression remained cold, unreadable.
Bibi Dong shifted her gaze to Qian Ye, her smile tightening. "I heard my younger brother awakened his martial soul today," she said sweetly. "May I ask — what kind of martial soul did he awaken?"