Just as he was lost in despair, about to descend the mountain steps where the Papal Hall stood and rejoin the flow of people in Spirit City—
"Hmm?"
A slightly surprised, then swiftly turning into extreme astonishment, even carrying a trace of disbelief—a hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out before him.
Yu Xiaogang instinctively raised his head.
Below the mountain steps stood an exceptionally tall and burly old man with hair and beard as white as snow, his face carved as if by knives and axes, rigid and stern. The old man wore a simple golden robe, yet the material and style of the garment exuded an indescribable sense of antiquity and nobility. Merely standing there, he was as steady as a mountain, a terrifying Imposing Aura—vast as the sea, heavy as a peak—naturally radiated from him, causing the surrounding air to seem to solidify! Even more heart-palpitating was the old man's seemingly turbid yet occasionally golden-glinting eyes, which were now fixed intently on Yu Xiaogang's face, as if trying to see through him from the inside out!
"It's you... Yu Xiaogang?!" The old man slowly spoke, his voice like a great bell, causing Yu Xiaogang's eardrums to buzz and instantly jolting him out of his daze. A chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head!
He recognized this old man! Or rather, he had once seen a portrait of this old man from afar and heard legends about him! The Elder Hall of Spirit Hall, Second Enshrinement, Golden Crocodile Douluo! A peak-level ninety-eighth rank Douluo! In strength, second only to the legendary Grand Enshrinement, Qian Daoliu! A foundational, peak-level existence upon which Spirit Hall truly stood atop the continent! Why was he here?! And, he seemed... to have recognized him?!
Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned as pale as paper, his body stiffened, and even his breathing nearly ceased. Before such a terrifying existence, he felt as insignificant as an ant! Especially since, from Golden Crocodile Douluo's scrutinizing gaze, he sensed a trace of undisguised... disgust, as well as a sliver of icy killing intent!
"To think that trash like you would dare set foot in Spirit Hall?" Golden Crocodile Douluo looked Yu Xiaogang up and down, a flash of undisguised contempt and scorn in his eyes, as if looking at a pile of garbage. He clearly knew in detail about Yu Xiaogang's past with Bibidong, as well as Yu Xiaogang's reputation of being "theoretically invincible, yet practically worthless in strength," and he evidently held it in extreme disdain.
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled, wanting to say something, but under that vast, sea-like Imposing Aura, he couldn't utter a single word, only feeling boundless fear and despair. Could it be that he would die here today? Because of that unknown past from years ago, because of his subpar strength, he had provoked this supreme Enshrinement?
Golden Crocodile Douluo seemed to have no interest in hearing Yu Xiaogang's explanation either, or rather, in his eyes, Yu Xiaogang was simply unworthy of conversing with him. He merely slowly raised that broad, fan-like right hand covered in calluses, his five fingers slightly curling. A terrifying Soul Power capable of distorting space began to gather in his palm. No dazzling Soul Rings manifested, but that pure, extreme aura of destruction already made Yu Xiaogang feel as if his very soul was wailing! He had no doubt that with this palm strike, he would instantly turn to dust, leaving not a single trace behind!
Just as that destructive palm was about to be unleashed, with Yu Xiaogang closing his eyes awaiting death—
"Stop."
A clear, cold, authoritative, yet strangely magical female voice that seemed to penetrate all barriers abruptly rang out, clearly reaching the ears of Golden Crocodile Douluo and Yu Xiaogang. The source of the voice was precisely the Papal Hall atop the mountain peak!
Golden Crocodile Douluo's hand, which was about to strike, paused slightly. He frowned, looking up toward the direction of the Papal Hall, a flicker of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but ultimately, he did not immediately deliver the blow. He snorted coldly, withdrawing his hand as the terrifyingly condensed Soul Power quietly dissipated. Yet, his gaze toward Yu Xiaogang remained as cold and sharp as a blade.
"Elder Golden Crocodile, if you have matters to discuss, come inside and speak," the clear, cold female voice sounded again, this time directed at Golden Crocodile.
Golden Crocodile's expression darkened. Without another glance at Yu Xiaogang, who lay collapsed on the ground, nearly drained of strength—as if he were merely an eyesore of an insect—his figure blurred, transforming into a streak of golden light. In an instant, he crossed the long mountain steps and disappeared into the side door of the Papal Hall. The suffocating Imposing Aura vanished along with him.
Yu Xiaogang sat slumped on the cold stone steps, gasping for breath in great heaves, his entire body soaked in cold sweat. He felt as though he had just walked through the gates of hell. At that moment, death had been so close. He looked toward the Papal Hall, his gaze complex and inscrutable. Was it her... who saved him? Why? Merely because she did not wish to see him killed before the Papal Hall, tarnishing her dignity? Or...
He dared not think further. Struggling to his feet, he staggered and stumbled down the mountain without looking back, as if chased by primordial beasts. He had to leave this place immediately, leave Spirit City, the farther the better! The cultivation method for Twin Spirits, his unfinished obsession—in the face of life and death, they all seemed so laughable and insignificant.
Papal Hall, Council Chamber.
Unlike the solemnity and humiliation outside the side door, the interior of the great hall was vast and austere. Light spilled down from the high dome, yet it could not dispel the pervasive chill and aura of power.
Bibidong remained seated high upon the papal throne, her expression beneath the Amethyst Gold Crown calm and unreadable. Only her deep purple eyes seemed even more profound than usual. She had just "seen" everything that happened outside the side door and naturally "heard" Golden Crocodile's killing intent toward Yu Xiaogang and her own intervention. At this moment, her heart was undisturbed, as if it were merely an insignificant trifle.
A flash of golden light, and Golden Crocodile's burly figure appeared in the center of the hall. Unlike other elders or bishops who would bow in respect, he merely held his head slightly higher, his gaze sharp as lightning, staring directly at Bibidong on the throne. His voice carried undisguised arrogance and accusation:
"Your Holiness, why did you stop me?"
Bibidong met Golden Crocodile Douluo's gaze calmly, her voice cool. "Elder Golden Crocodile, this is the Papal Hall. Killing here is inappropriate."
"A waste, an insect who has tarnished the reputation of the Spirit Hall—what does it matter if he is killed?" Golden Crocodile Douluo snorted coldly, his tone filled with dissatisfaction at Bibidong's "unnecessary action," and even hinted at a condescending, lecturing tone. "Rather, it seems Your Holiness still harbors... lingering feelings for this person?"
The last four words were spoken with deliberate slowness, laced with undisguised sarcasm and contempt. As an elder of the Elder Hall, with seniority and extraordinary strength, he had always looked down upon Bibidong, this "junior" Pope who had risen through special means. Now, he seized the opportunity to vent his disdain.
Deep within Bibidong's purple eyes, a flash of icy cold light suddenly flickered, yet her expression remained calm. Only her fingers gripping the scepter tightened slightly once more. Ignoring Golden Crocodile Douluo's sarcasm, she asked indifferently, "Elder Golden Crocodile, instead of meditating in the Elder Hall, what urgent matter brings you here?"
"Hmph!" Seeing Bibidong evade the question, Golden Crocodile Douluo grew even more displeased, but he couldn't be bothered to waste more words on a minor figure like Yu Xiaogang. He took a step forward and said gravely, "I have come on the orders of the Grand Enshrinement to deliver a message."
At the mention of "Grand Enshrinement," Bibidong's eyes imperceptibly sharpened.