Just as the Qiu siblings argued over who would challenge Ye Chen first, a heavy pressure suddenly descended from above the Wuhun Hall Academy.
In an instant, Qiu Xiaoxiao and Qiu Bin dropped to one knee, their faces turning grim.
"Greetings, Elders!"
The air shimmered as two figures materialized before them. Both exuded an overwhelming aura—so intense it seemed to warp the very air around them.
Ye Chen's expression tightened. Titled Douluo…
One of the newcomers was tall and slender, dressed in a flowing black robe. His most distinguishing feature was the snake-shaped tattoo on his forehead. The other man was large and brawny, with a thick beard and a suit of armor adorned with spikes like a wall of thorns.
"Disciple greets Elder She and Elder Ci!"
The Qiu siblings suddenly became meek and respectful, clearly revealing a hidden connection between them and the two elders.
"Rise," Elder She—also known as the Snake Lance Elder—said coldly, casting a sharp glance at the bloody battlefield.
Then his gaze locked onto Ye Chen.
"You're Ye Chen?"
Ye Chen didn't respond, but the elder's killing intent was already palpable.
"These people you slaughtered were elite academy disciples—future pillars of the Wuhun Hall. And yet, as one of our own students, you dared to kill them!"
His voice grew colder with each word, eyes burning with fury.
But instead of attacking, he turned toward the towering statue at the center of the courtyard and cupped his hands.
"Your Majesty the Pope, I request permission to take this murderer into our custody. The Elders' Hall will judge his crimes."
A sharp laugh echoed from above.
Bibi Dong descended slowly, flanked by Hu Liena, her expression colder than ice.
"'Crimes'? The marriage challenge was decreed by me. Those who stepped forward knew what they were risking. Life or death—those were their choices. If they had killed Ye Chen instead, would anyone hold them accountable?"
Her voice was calm, but the pressure she emitted silenced the entire square. The two elders flinched, pale-faced under her overwhelming might.
Ye Chen leaned toward Hu Liena and whispered, "Senior sister, these two don't seem very respectful to Master."
Hu Liena sighed. "They don't have to be. They're from the Elders' Hall and only answer to the Grand Elder. Even though our teacher is the Pope in name, she doesn't actually control the factions within the Elders' Hall. Most upperclassmen end up working under them after graduation."
"I see... no wonder Master..."
Ye Chen glanced at Bibi Dong, finally understanding her strategy.
What a brilliant move.
She had used the challenge to purge the academy's middle and upper-level disciples—potential future threats—all through Ye Chen's hands.
In the world of Douluo Continent, no one lives forever—not even Titled Douluo. Once the older generation of the Elders' Hall passes, Bibi Dong will hold undisputed control.
No wonder she gifted me that rare spirit ring before I even completed the sign-in mission... Everything was part of her plan.
And Ye Chen couldn't help but admire her all the more.
Such brilliance… truly a woman worthy of my admiration.
"We must insist, Your Majesty," Elder Ci finally spoke. "This boy must be taken to the Elders' Hall."
"Even if we must suffer fire punishment," Elder She added. "It is an order."
Bibi Dong chuckled darkly.
"The Elders' Hall? So what? I said I'm protecting him today. What are you going to do about it? If fire punishment awaits you, then so be it—tell them it was my command."
Without giving them a chance to respond, she waved her scepter and flew off with Ye Chen and Hu Liena, not even sparing the two elders another look.
The elders watched them vanish into the distance, their faces growing darker.
Still, there was nothing they could do.
Bibi Dong was the Pope, after all.
---
Inside the imposing southern chamber of the Elders' Hall, Elder She and Elder Ci knelt before a white-haired old man—Grand Elder of the Hall.
"Grand Elder, we failed to bring Ye Chen back. Her Majesty the Pope personally intervened and ordered us to accept fire punishment," they reported cautiously.
The old man opened his cloudy eyes slowly and murmured, "That girl is growing more audacious by the day. How many died? How badly were the upper-class students affected?"
"Reporting, Grand Elder," Elder She answered. "No casualties among the top class. But the mid-tier students…"
He didn't finish. The Grand Elder waved his hand.
"As long as the advanced students are fine, the others are replaceable. In a few years, lower class students will grow to fill the gap."
Then, after a pause, his eyes gleamed strangely.
"But this Ye Chen… does he really think he's untouchable just because Bibi Dong favors him?"
"He's arrogant, yes," Elder Ci said. "Only Spirit Level 41, but already insolent. If you permit it, Qiu Xiaoxiao and Qiu Bin are more than willing to... resolve the issue."
He made a throat-slashing gesture.
The Grand Elder said nothing. He simply closed his eyes again.
"We shall take our leave then, Grand Elder," they said, bowing low.
---
Outside the hall, the two elders summoned the Qiu siblings.
"Xiaoxiao, Qiu Bin," Elder She said with a smile, "listen well. The Grand Elder has given the order—Ye Chen must die. Do it cleanly and quietly, and you'll be generously rewarded."
The siblings exchanged a glance, smirking.
"Understood. We've been itching to fight him anyway."
With that, the two shot off toward Wuhun Academy, their eyes burning with anticipation.
---