Lin Feng frowned.
Bibi Dong chuckled softly, her soul power flowing as she handed Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu each a cup of tea.
With light steps, she descended from the high platform and personally poured a cup of tea for Lin Feng.
"Xiao Feng, you are someone I value highly. If the position of Pope doesn't belong to you, then who else could it belong to?
You have the temperament, the ability, and the talent. You are the best candidate here."
Bibi Dong naturally pulled over a chair and sat down beside Lin Feng.
"Moreover, I've already released the news. If we retract it now, how will the people accept it?
If you were unknown, it might not matter, but with your current reputation, casually revoking your title as Holy Son would have far-reaching consequences.
The Spirit Hall would suffer greatly."
Lin Feng took a deep breath. This was a forced title, wasn't it? It felt like she was forcing him into this!
Qian Renxue, seeing how close Bibi Dong was to Lin Feng, felt the atmosphere was a bit strange.
She pulled her chair over, inserting herself between Bibi Dong and Lin Feng.
"While I'm glad you're willing to give Xiao Feng the position of Holy Son, you shouldn't have released this news without consulting us."
Blocked from view, Bibi Dong looked disappointed. She turned to Qian Renxue, her tone soft:
"Haven't you always wanted me to change?
This is my surprise and apology to you. Did I do wrong again?"
"You..."
Qian Renxue fell silent for a long time before shaking her head:
"I don't know. This situation could have been avoided if we had communicated better."
Bibi Dong's lips curved into a smile:
"Yes, a lack of communication. We'll need to understand each other better in the future."
She then shifted her position slightly to look at Lin Feng, who was behind Qian Renxue:
"So, Xiao Feng, how do you plan to resolve this? If we publicly retract the announcement, it would be a significant blow to both your reputation and the Spirit Hall's credibility."
Lin Feng's eyes flickered. Sometimes, he really couldn't understand what Bibi Dong was thinking. Just handing over the position she valued so much to him?
What was this, a dowry?
He shook his head, lowering his gaze in thought.
At that moment, a familiar, delicate figure emerged from behind the Pope's throne.
Her voice was soft and carried a hint of charm:
"Teacher? You called for me. Did I come at a bad time?"
Seeing the four people in the hall, Hu Liena felt the atmosphere was a bit tense, and her voice grew even softer.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up:
"No, you came at the perfect time. Come here, Nana."
Hearing Lin Feng's voice, Hu Liena quickly walked over to him with small, hurried steps.
"Greetings to the Grand Elder, Teacher, Brother Lin Feng, and Sister Xue'er."
"Hmm."
Qian Daoliu acknowledged her, his eyes narrowing slightly. He hadn't paid much attention to Bibi Dong's personal disciple before, but now it seemed her talent was quite impressive.
Bibi Dong pretended to be annoyed: "Nana, didn't I tell you to wait in the back for a while? Why did you come out on your own?"
"Sorry, Teacher..."
Lin Feng waved his hand:
"Your Holiness, there's no need to scold Nana. I think I've come up with a good solution. The Spirit Hall has the position of Holy Son, and also the position of Holy Maiden.
Since my identity can't be retracted in the eyes of the public, why not train a Holy Maiden to take over the position of Pope?
After all, to truly sit well in the position of Pope, management skills and the ability to understand people are more important.
I think Nana's martial soul has great potential, and she's already a candidate for Holy Maiden and your personal disciple, isn't she?"
Hu Liena's eyes widened:
"Me? Take over? No, I can't..."
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with a hint of excitement:
"But Lin Feng, look at Nana now. Her temperament is nowhere near as mature as yours was at her age. How can she handle this?"
Lin Feng shook his head:
"Abilities can be developed over time. With the Pope guiding her, Nana can grow quickly."
Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena:
"With just me, I'm afraid it won't be enough. I'm still new to being a teacher."
Qian Renxue frowned:
"Then let Xiao Feng teach her. What's Nana's current soul power level?"
Hu Liena swallowed, her voice soft:
"Sister Xue'er, I'm ten years old, a Level 26 Soul Grandmaster with a thousand-year second ring."
"Oh?"
Qian Renxue looked at Bibi Dong.
"Nana has great talent. Of course, I gave her the whale glue."
Bibi Dong smiled.
Qian Renxue nodded:
"I have no interest in the position of Pope, and neither does Xiao Feng. Nana, since that's the case, you will be the Holy Maiden.
Don't let me..."
Halfway through, perhaps feeling that this would motivate Hu Liena more, Qian Renxue changed her tone:
"Don't let your Brother Lin Feng down, okay~"
Hu Liena's heart raced. Brother Lin Feng is now the Holy Son, and I'm about to become the Holy Maiden?
Holy Son and Holy Maiden... Hehe.
Her fox ears turned red at the tips, and she softly agreed.
Bibi Dong chuckled:
"Alright, we'll do as you say. But Nana's current cultivation and abilities are still lacking, and she hasn't achieved much or gained much reputation.
Even if we reserve the position of Holy Maiden for her, she'll need to work hard to earn it."
Hu Liena straightened her back, her eyes burning with determination as she looked at Lin Feng:
"I won't let you down. I will study hard."
Lin Feng nodded:
"We'll be traveling soon and won't be able to return to Spirit City for a while. Nana's training will have to wait."
Bibi Dong's eyes gleamed with an inexplicable light as she smiled:
"That's fine. As long as you can come, it doesn't matter when."
As long as she could tie Lin Feng to the Pope's Hall and Hu Liena, she would have plenty of excuses to interact with him.
Even with just the title of Holy Son, she could use the pretext of having him inspect the Knight Order to spend time alone with him.
A short period of travel was nothing. She wasn't in a hurry.
She would never, ever let him escape. He could only be hers...
Bibi Dong pulled Hu Liena closer:
"Nana, pay your respects to your Teacher Lin Feng."
"Huh?"
Hu Liena was stunned. Pay respects? Become his disciple?
How could this be? If she became his disciple, how could she compete with Sister Xue'er and Sister Ling Yuan? There would be no chance at all!
A master and disciple? If they were together, their relationship would be...
Wait, why did she feel a little excited? What was she thinking? She must have been reading too many of those romance novels Sister Ye Zixin gave her!
"Teacher, how can this be? I've already become your disciple."
Lin Feng also looked at Bibi Dong in surprise:
"Your Holiness, there's no need for this. I'm just giving her some guidance. There's no need to make it so formal, right?"
Bibi Dong shook her head. No need? It was absolutely necessary!
In the Douluo Continent, the title of master and disciple was taken very seriously. Once Lin Feng acknowledged Hu Liena as his disciple, even partially, he would be responsible for her.
The amount of time he would spend in the Pope's Hall guiding Hu Liena would inevitably increase. How could she let this opportunity slip?
"It is necessary. Lin Feng, as the current leading theorist in the spirit master world, your vision and understanding of the fundamental laws far surpass your peers.
In some aspects, you are even more suited to be Nana's teacher than I am."
Hu Liena looked at Bibi Dong weakly:
"Teacher, do I really have to become his disciple?"
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, her gaze filled with warning: "Nana?"
Qian Renxue tugged at Lin Feng's hand and nodded slightly.
Lin Feng sighed:
"Alright, I'll be Nana's half-theory teacher, separate from Your Holiness's combat training."
"Good, Nana?"
Bibi Dong smiled with satisfaction.
"Greetings... Teacher Lin Feng."
"Hmm."
Hu Liena felt a wave of relief. The stone in her heart had finally been lifted. Although she had initially been resistant to the idea of becoming his disciple, once it was said aloud,
she felt that her relationship with Brother Lin Feng had taken on a more subtle change, something strange.
If she could get Sister Xue'er to agree, like she did with Sister Ling Yuan, to let her accompany Brother Lin Feng, then Brother Lin Feng would go from being her teacher to...
What a strange feeling. Let's think about it again!
Hu Liena's face turned red, her gaze distant, lost in thought.
Qian Daoliu, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke:
"It seems the matter has been settled? Then let's leave. Xue'er, Xiao Feng, come with me. I have something to discuss."
Qian Renxue exhaled, pursing her lips: "I look forward to seeing how you change in the future. Give me some time. I'll figure it out."
Bibi Dong smiled and nodded.
You look forward to it? So do I...
Qian Daoliu and the other two returned to the Elder Hall.
Qian Daoliu gestured for Lin Feng and Qian Renxue to sit down while he stood by the window, gazing at the distant horizon. His deep eyes flickered with complex emotions.
"Xiao Feng, Xue'er, what do you think of today's events?" Qian Daoliu broke the silence.
Lin Feng pondered for a moment: "Grandfather, the Pope's decision does have its merits.
But this sudden title of Holy Son has caught me off guard."
Qian Renxue added: "Grandfather, I didn't expect things to develop like this either. But the solution we came up with today is a good one. Having Hu Liena as the Holy Maiden is a fine choice."
Qian Daoliu turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two before settling on Lin Feng: "Xiao Feng, do you know why I value you so much?"
Qian Daoliu's voice was deep: "Your talent, your temperament, your vision—they all show me boundless potential.
More importantly, your pursuit of power isn't for yourself but to protect others. This heart of yours makes me see the future of the Spirit Hall."
Lin Feng's heart stirred: "Grandfather, what do you mean?"
Qian Daoliu smiled:
"Finding a Holy Maiden to replace you is fine, but in my eyes, you becoming the Holy Son isn't a bad thing either.
In the future, you and Xue'er could lead the Elder Hall and the Pope's Hall respectively. That's the future I hope to see.
Traveling the world will eventually tire you out. It's good to experience other aspects of life. Entrusting the Spirit Hall to the two of you gives me peace of mind."
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue exchanged glances:
"Grandfather, if there's ever a time when I need to step up, I will.
But as for the position of Pope, I truly have no interest in it, at least not now."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand:
"Follow your heart. Go on, and remember to leave a few bottles of your seasoning for Qing Luan?
He's been mentioning it to me often lately. That guy is usually so reserved, but this is the first time he's brought up such trivial matters with me."
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue couldn't help but laugh. Was Qing Luan Douluo's aloof persona starting to crumble?