On the continent of Douluo, there exist two incomparably powerful empires: the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire.
For nearly a thousand years, these two great empires have stood tall on the continent, dividing it into three parts. One part belongs to Star Luo, another to Heaven Dou, and the third is the Star Dou Great Forest, inhabited and frequented by countless spirit beasts.
Within the Star Dou Great Forest reside countless spirit beasts of immense power. Even the two great empires dare not claim it as their own.
Aside from the Star Dou Great Forest, the entire continent is under the control and dominion of Star Luo and Heaven Dou. As the rulers of these two empires, the Star Luo Emperor and Emperor Xue Ye can rightfully be called the rulers of the continent, the most powerful and esteemed individuals.
Even the Titled Douluo, known as the strongest and most noble on the continent, must show respect before these two Emperors.
The Spirit Hall stands on the continent, situated at the junction of the two empires. Yet, much like the Star Dou Great Forest, it remains independent of the rule of the two empires.
In fact, when faced with certain actions by the Spirit Hall, even the two empires can only adopt a policy of appeasement, or even yield to them.
One can only imagine how terrifying and awe-inspiring the authority and power of the Spirit Hall are.
As Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, her status is not merely supreme within the Spirit Hall. Even considering the entire continent, situated between the two empires, she remains exalted, supreme, and most noble.
To put it bluntly, even the two Emperors would pale in comparison to her!
Yet, such an existence, in front of the entire faculty and student body, knelt down, bringing her gaze level with Wang Zhong's.
Your talent makes the Pope kneel!
At that instant, everyone on the square's eyes widened, and they fell silent, none daring to breathe loudly.
Her slender, long jade-like hands, fair and flawless, as if the most perfect creation of a deity, were slightly cool and carried a faint fragrance. Gently, they caressed Wang Zhong's slightly sweaty and tender little face.
Wang Zhong's body suddenly stiffened. In his panic and bewilderment, he stammered, "Your Holiness... the Pope... you..."
At this moment, Bibi Dong's expression became peculiar—a mix of pride and self-satisfaction, of helplessness and vexation.
In the hushed silence of the venue, she spoke with a complex tone.
"Little fellow, do you know that defeating a Soul Ancestor of level forty-one with the strength of a Great Soul Master of level twenty-four is something no one on the entire continent has ever achieved before!"
"Your talent, intelligence, and strength surpass all on the continent! Looking back through the continent's history of a thousand years, you are truly one of a kind."
To this, Wang Zhong could only force a stiff smile. The pressure emanating from Bibi Dong, who was on his level, was unimaginably immense.
"As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, I am exhilarated to see a prodigy like you within our ranks, and I feel unparalleled pride in your achievements."
"I can even foresee that in twenty to thirty years, a peerless genius, unmatched and astonishing, will emerge from the Spirit Hall and shock the world."
"I have high hopes for your future and eagerly anticipate that day."
Bibi Dong's hands continued to stroke Wang Zhong's small face. Her beautiful face, smooth as jade, held deep expectation and a touch of faint sorrow.
"But I am not only the Pope of the Spirit Hall; I am also the Dean of the Spirit Hall Academy."
"Your talent and abilities dictate that no one among your peers will be your match! Even those much older than you, your seniors, will inevitably be caught up to and surpassed by you in a very short period!"
"Your astonishing talent delights me, but it also troubles me. As Dean, how should I guide you, how should I educate you, and what should I do to ensure that your talent is fully unleashed without any waste? This truly puzzles me."
"Without opponents, there is no pressure. Without pressure, there is naturally no motivation. Countless easy victories bring not just confidence, but also arrogance, complacency, laziness, and stagnation."
Bibi Dong's calm words made Wang Zhong purse his lips. At this moment, he thought of the Blazing Serpent in the simulated training environment, and the Mimicry Worm that had become his second spirit ring.
They were both millennium-level spirit beasts, but aside from their millennium-level spirit power, their ferocity and methods were far inferior to millennium spirit beasts in the outside world.
Wang Zhong had no doubt that if the Blazing Serpent and the Mimicry Worm were thrown into the outside world, they would even be torn apart by hundred-year spirit beasts.
The absence of natural enemies dictated that their growth would be stagnant, and the growth of spirit masters was much the same.
Her jade-like hands gently withdrew. Bibi Dong sighed softly and slowly stood up, walking towards the high platform.
Wang Zhong felt the coolness on his face disappear. He looked up at Bibi Dong's tall, slender, and almost perfect silhouette against the sunlight, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
The two kisses on the back of his hands, their sudden encounter by the river, and now this conversation, devoid of any pretense—he realized.
So, the so-called Pope was not as aloof, stern, and noble as he imagined. She also had a gentle and peaceful side.
Standing at the foot of the stairs, Bibi Dong turned around. The sorrow and expectation on her face vanished at this moment, replaced solely by nobility and majesty.
It was as if the gentle, worried scene from just moments ago had never occurred.
"All faculty and students of the Spirit Hall, listen carefully."
"Now, I am going to announce a school rule that exists solely for Wang Zhong!"
"Whether you are a teacher or a student, whether you are Wang Zhong's senior or junior, if you can defeat Wang Zhong consecutively in the annual grade-wide competition once a year for five years, and win for three consecutive years, then I will bestow upon you unprecedented rewards!"
As this statement was made, the entire venue erupted. A school rule existing for a single person—this was even more outrageous and shocking than Wang Zhong defeating Lu Xiaoshuang.
"A school rule created solely for Wang Zhong, what astonishing words!"
"The Spirit Hall has never had such a precedent, has it?"
"Remarkable, truly remarkable, it makes one's blood boil!"
"I wonder why His Holiness the Pope has established such a school rule! And what kind of reward will be given for defeating Wang Zhong three times!"
"No need to guess, it must be something incredibly extraordinary! Perhaps His Holiness the Pope will offer the Violet-Ranks Medal as a reward."
"Idiot, the Violet-Ranks Medal is proof of the highest honor for the younger generation! His Holiness the Pope is offering rewards unprecedented even for teachers, so how could it possibly be the Violet-Ranks Medal!"
"You scoundrel, you've been calling me an idiot since the competition began! Since you're so smart, why don't you tell us what His Holiness the Pope will offer as a reward? If you can't come up with anything, I'll make sure you spill blood on the arena today!"