Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Spirit Hall, Douluo Hall.

Douluo Hall is located at the very summit of the Sacred Mountain of Spirit Hall, exuding an overwhelming aura as if towering over all. Compared to the Papal Hall, Douluo Hall is much smaller and lacks any luxurious decorations. The entire structure is built from simple, ancient stone.

At the center of Douluo Hall stands a statue of a six-winged Angel God. The statue is over ten meters tall, entirely golden in color. Three pairs of enormous wings stretch out from its back, and it holds a massive golden sword aloft, pointing straight towards the sky.

However, swirling around this golden sword are mysterious golden flames.

Outside the Papal Hall stands a similar statue of a six-winged angel, but compared to the one in Douluo Hall, it seems to be missing something.

If one had to describe the difference, it would be the so-called soul. The Angel God statue inside Douluo Hall is filled with the power of divine light and flames, while the one outside is merely a statue.

To reach Douluo Hall on the Sacred Mountain of Spirit Hall from the Papal Hall, one must ascend over a thousand steps. The closer Bibi Dong got to Douluo Hall, the stronger the feeling of disgust surged in her heart. She was gripped by an urge to tear everything in front of her apart—an impulse fueled by the negative influence of being the inheritor of the Rakshasa God.

The Rakshasa God and the Angel God are opposites. The Angel God represents light and justice. The first Angel God made an oath to wield the Angelic Holy Sword to eliminate all suffering and evil in the world.

In contrast, the Rakshasa God governs the most sinister powers, resentment, and slaughter, controlling all the evils of the world. It also embodies all negative emotions.

Back then, Qian Xunji committed beastly acts against Bibi Dong, causing a monumental shift in her mindset. She devoured Qian Xunji and gained access to the Rakshasa's secret realm, initiating the trials for inheriting the Rakshasa God's position. From that point, her relationship with the Angel Clan was completely severed, which was exactly what the Rakshasa God desired.

The world is not only about justice and light. In fact, the existence of light inevitably gives birth to darkness. While the Angel God seeks to destroy all suffering in the world, the Rakshasa God's purpose is to bring suffering to the world. Bibi Dong exists as the very embodiment of evil, opposing justice.

Her purpose for coming to Douluo Hall this time was simple: to disgust Qian Daoliu and make him aware of the name Tang San. Even though it was she who killed Qian Xunji, what difference did it make? The rumor still blamed Tang Hao.

She had no personal grudge against Tang Hao, but allowing a genius with a blood feud to grow unchecked would lead to unimaginable losses for Spirit Hall. That was something she, Bibi Dong, did not want to see. Unfortunately, she was currently in the middle of her god trials, unable to utilize her full strength.

The elders of her Titled Douluo underlings were also not strong enough. A single mistake could spell disaster if they failed, making things even worse.

Thus, to ensure her power remained intact, Bibi Dong decided to leave the decision to Qian Daoliu. If he wanted to avenge his son, it would be ideal. If he chose not to, it wouldn't affect her either. Either way, the outcome for the Tang father and son was certain: death!

As Bibi Dong and Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan arrived at the gates of Douluo Hall, the originally closed doors swung open with an invisible gust of air. Before the two could step inside, they were overwhelmed by a suffocating wave of spirit power. Yue Guan, whose strength was slightly weaker, immediately dropped to his knees.

"Bibi Dong! Douluo Hall is not a place you can come to as you please. Without the Grand Worshipper's command, you have no right to step inside!"

A voice, as loud as thunder, boomed out as an elderly man with silver hair and a golden robe slowly emerged from within Douluo Hall.

The golden robe symbolized his status as a worshipper. Compared to the black robes of Spirit Douluo or the red robes of elders, this robe was far more prestigious.

"It's the Second Worshipper!" Recognizing the man, Yue Guan, who had been immobilized by the spirit power pressure, broke out in a cold sweat. As a level ninety-five Super Douluo, he could do nothing to counter the oppressive force of Golden Crocodile Douluo, a level ninety-eight powerhouse. There was no comparison. The difference between their spirit power levels, especially after level ninety-five, was like the difference between heaven and earth. The three levels separating them were like mountains—Golden Crocodile Douluo could crush Yue Guan like an ant with ease.

"How dare you! I am the Pope!" Bibi Dong's eyes grew cold. She gripped her golden scepter and slammed it into the ground. A loud "bang" echoed as a force no weaker than Golden Crocodile Douluo's erupted from her body. A wave of white energy blasted outward.

The golden scepter hit the ground so hard that the specially crafted stairs began to crack.

At the same time, an extremely cold wave of spirit power lifted Yue Guan off the ground. Although Bibi Dong could not use her full strength, she would not tolerate anyone disrespecting one of her most loyal followers.

"This woman, Bibi Dong, truly is as the Grand Worshipper said." Golden Crocodile Douluo narrowed his eyes and slowly retracted his level ninety-eight spirit power, coldly stating, "Bibi Dong, what business do you have at Douluo Hall?"

"I'm here to speak with the Grand Worshipper." Bibi Dong's expression was icy. Despite Golden Crocodile Douluo retracting his spirit power, she still felt immense displeasure. This old man was clearly provoking her.

"Heh, the Grand Worshipper is busy. Do you think you can see him whenever you wish?" Golden Crocodile Douluo crossed his arms, his face full of disdain.

As the second worshipper of Douluo Hall, apart from Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile Douluo never took Bibi Dong seriously. If it hadn't been for the Grand Worshipper's insistence, how could she have ever become the Pope?

"You!" Bibi Dong bit her lip, a deep resentment flashing in her eyes. Ever since she became Pope, no one in Spirit Hall had dared to speak to her this way. Now, being humiliated by Golden Crocodile Douluo face-to-face, she couldn't help but feel a murderous rage rise within her.

"This old dog, so loyal to the Angel Clan. Once I ascend to godhood, I'll wipe them all out!"

Though she raged internally, now was not the time to burn bridges. Bibi Dong took a deep breath, ignored Golden Crocodile Douluo's taunts, withdrew her spirit power, and said coldly, "Grand Worshipper, I know you're watching. Aren't you going to let me in?"

Seeing Bibi Dong disregard him, Golden Crocodile Douluo didn't care. His goal was merely to intimidate her. Now that he had succeeded, he turned and returned to Douluo Hall.

"Come in."

At that moment, a gentle voice came from inside Douluo Hall, just as Golden Crocodile Douluo re-entered.

Bibi Dong was momentarily surprised, then tightened her grip on her golden scepter, steadied herself, and walked gracefully into Douluo Hall.

Watching the Pope enter Douluo Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan couldn't help but think, "Has the Pope reached the rumored level?"

That level, reached by only three people on the entire Douluo Continent, represented a height no one could surpass. Two of them were known as the "Twin Peaks" of the Spirit Master world—insurmountable mountains.

As for the third, she was not a land-based Spirit Master but still possessed unrivaled power, earning her the title of "Demi-God" within the Spirit Master world.