375. Equal Status

"Oh? Then why are you still standing out here?"

As he spoke, Qian Renjue had already approached the entrance of the Pope’s Hall.

Cardinal Sigma cast a pleading glance at the two gatekeepers, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

Qian Renjue looked at them. Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed gracefully.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Pope instructed us earlier that she wishes to be alone for a while.”

“Is that so?”

Qian Renjue’s brows twitched slightly, and his eyes revealed some doubt.

He turned, raised a hand, and said, “Sigma, give me the documents you’re holding.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Sigma promptly presented them with both hands.

As the Holy Son of the Pope’s Hall and often acting as a deputy pope, Qian Renjue commanded authority that no cardinal or elder dared to challenge.

Qian Renjue quickly flipped through the documents, frowning slightly as he pulled out his Holy Son’s gold seal and stamped it.

Sigma was accustomed to this.

Nowadays, within the Spirit Hall, Qian Renjue’s authority was virtually equal to that of the Pope.

There was little difference between the two in terms of influence, with their words holding nearly the same weight.

“You’ve been approved the funding you requested. I trust it will be used appropriately.”

“Ensure that every penny is accounted for and traceable,” Qian Renjue said as he returned the documents to Sigma.

“Understood, Your Highness. I will handle it properly,” Sigma replied respectfully.

“Good, off you go.”

Qian Renjue waved his hand dismissively.

“Yes! Your Highness, I’ll take my leave now.”

Sigma bowed deeply and retreated carefully, showing no sign of disrespect.

As a Spirit Douluo, Sigma could sense the ever-growing presence and authority radiating from Qian Renjue.

Once Sigma left, Qian Renjue smiled warmly and greeted Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

“Grandpa Ghost, Sister Chrysanthemum, thank you for your hard work.”

“Your Highness flatters us,” Chrysanthemum Douluo said with a smile and a slight bow.

Ghost Douluo offered a faint smile and softly reminded, “Your Highness, Ling Yuan was here earlier.”

“Ling Yuan?”

Qian Renjue froze for a moment, his expression shifting slightly.


---

Inside the Pope’s Hall, Bibi Dong sat on her throne, her delicate fingers massaging her temples. Her stunning face still carried a tinge of redness.

She silently berated herself.

If she’d known things would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have pried into the matter!

How was she supposed to face Ling Yuan—or Renjue—after this?

Tap. Tap.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet hall.

Bibi Dong frowned and, without lifting her head, barked:

“Didn’t I say I wanted to be alone for a while?!”

“Mom.”

A familiar voice rang out.

Bibi Dong froze, then looked up at the doorway. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

“Jue, y-you’re here?”

“Didn’t I mention before that I was preparing gifts for you, Sister, and the Spirit Hall?”

Qian Renjue smiled confidently as he ascended the steps to her throne.

“Gifts?”

Bibi Dong thought for a moment, recalling that he had indeed brought it up before, even mentioning it repeatedly that night.

“By the way, Mom,” Qian Renjue said as he stood beside her. “Cardinal Sigma came to request funds for disaster relief earlier. I handled it.”

Bibi Dong came to her senses, her gaze shifting uneasily away from Qian Renjue’s.

She nodded slightly and waved her hand, producing a blank sheet of paper.

“Write down the amount later so I can keep track,” she said.

“Okay,” Qian Renjue replied, though he couldn’t help but study her expression.

Did Ling Yuan really tell Mom something she shouldn’t have?

A wave of discomfort surged in Qian Renjue’s heart.

For the first time, he felt an urge to escape.



Bibi Dong patted the seat beside her and urged curiously:
"Jue, why are you just standing there? Sit with Mom."

"Alright."

Qian Renjue nodded lightly and sat beside Bibi Dong, on the exclusive throne reserved for the Pope.

Feeling the warmth of him so close, Bibi Dong's heartbeat quickened slightly before settling into a calm rhythm.

She took a deep breath.

It’s really no big deal.

As for Ling Yuan’s startling confession, she just needed to act as though she didn’t know anything!

Bibi Dong raised her eyes and turned to glance at Qian Renjue's radiant face, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

Just as always, she reached out with both hands, wrapping them around Qian Renjue’s arm, leaning closer to his warmth.

The earlier conversation with Ling Yuan left a subtle blush on her fair face once more.

Qian Renjue noticed the soft, delicate body pressed against him and looked down to meet Bibi Dong’s gaze, his expression showing slight confusion.

Bibi Dong pursed her lips and tilted her beautiful face upward, pretending to scold him:
"Why are you looking at Mom like that? Did you do something you’re guilty about?"

"No, not at all."

Qian Renjue quickly looked away, shaking his head.

Guilty? No. But he did feel he might have lost something else.

"Heh."

Bibi Dong chuckled lightly, her breath carrying a faint fragrance, brushing against Qian Renjue’s face and deepening his blush.

Turning his head away awkwardly, Qian Renjue asked hesitantly:
"Mom, why are you laughing all of a sudden?"

"Can’t I be happy just seeing my son?"

Bibi Dong’s smile blossomed like a flower.

Seeing Qian Renjue’s flustered state, her earlier discomfort faded away quickly.

Perhaps knowing isn’t so bad after all. It’s fun teasing him.

"Of course, you can," Qian Renjue replied helplessly, taking Bibi Dong’s delicate hand resting on his chest, feeling slightly tickled.

"Alright, Jue, tell me. What gift are you planning to give Mom?"

Bibi Dong leaned on Qian Renjue’s shoulder, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Talking about serious matters, Qian Renjue temporarily set aside his thoughts and gently squeezed her hand before letting go.

"It’s a self-created soul skill."

"Another self-created soul skill?"

Bibi Dong sat up slightly, her eyes showing surprise.

"Yes, I mastered it a couple of days ago."

Qian Renjue nodded and picked up a pen and paper from the desk in front of him, beginning to write.

Bibi Dong watched as characters appeared on the page.

But as she read them, her breathtakingly beautiful face suddenly turned pale with shock.

Her lips parted slightly, and she gasped:
"This is... the Clear Sky Clan’s Great Sumeru Hammer?!"

"Yes, it’s the complete Great Sumeru Hammer, including its secret art—the Ring Detonation."

When Qian Renjue confirmed it again, Bibi Dong's eyes grew vacant, and she stared at her son in stunned silence.

"Jue, where did you get this?"

She had witnessed the Ring Detonation technique of the Clear Sky Clan before.

Its compatibility with the Clear Sky Hammer produced power that was both explosive and terrifying.

"From Tang Hao."

A smile tugged at the corner of Qian Renjue’s mouth as his pen strokes became increasingly bold and confident.

He glanced back at Bibi Dong.
"So, Mom, how’s this gift? Are you satisfied?"

"Very."

Bibi Dong broke into laughter at her son’s confident demeanor, her eyes shimmering. She opened her arms and embraced Qian Renjue around the waist, smiling warmly.

"Mom is very satisfied. Anything Jue gives, Mom will love."

Bibi Dong leaned against Qian Renjue’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

As expected...

Between Qian Renjue’s usual reserved composure and his current bold confidence, she couldn’t help but prefer the latter.

It makes me want to rely on him even more.