"He is not only physically powerful. His heart is even firmer.
"He does not care about outsiders' gazes at all. His actions seem free and willful, but in truth, every choice he makes is based on what benefits him most."
Later, Alistair Jewel evaluated Wu Ling in exactly those terms.
That evening, in Wu Ling's home, he and Bibi Dong sat facing each other. They ate a meal Wu Ling had cooked, chatting casually one line at a time.
"Ling'er, how did the final feel?"
Wu Ling's chopsticks did not slow. He picked up a piece of meat, placed it on his rice to cool, and answered casually, "So-so. Its strength was decent, but its agility was lacking. Their coordination was also insufficient, and their reaction time was a little long. In the end, the Netherworld White Tiger is only that much.
"If it were a real life-and-death battle, I would have at least ten ways to kill it through the eyes, neck, abdomen, and other weak points. That is while not using my Martial Soul."
As his strength increased, Wu Ling's confidence grew as well. His attitude when interacting with Bibi Dong had gradually become a little more casual. That said, over the past few years, Bibi Dong and Spirit Hall had given him a great deal of help, including medicinal materials, Soul Beast intelligence and hunts, protection, and more. So even though Wu Ling now had enough strength, he had no intention of leaving.
After all, Rose had almost finished engraving the whole of Spirit City. When that time came...
Bibi Dong had noticed the change in Wu Ling's attitude, but geniuses always received preferential treatment. She did not mind such changes. Instead, she reminded him, "Ling'er, at tomorrow's award ceremony, I will announce that you are becoming the Holy Son. Prepare yourself.
"Also, because of you, Polaris, Star Stripe, and many other powers all sent people to watch this tournament. I plan to use this chance, along with your appointment as Holy Son, to hold a banquet tomorrow night and let you properly show your face."
"Understood, Teacher."
After that, the two ate in silence for a while. Then Bibi Dong suddenly called the steward over and gave him some instructions.
Wu Ling did not ask what she was doing. If it was something the steward could handle, then it probably was not too important.
A little later, the steward returned with a bottle of red wine. He placed a glass before Wu Ling and Bibi Dong, then poured each one about a third full.
"You will be the absolute center of tomorrow's banquet. How can you not know how to drink? Besides, you are fifteen this year. You are old enough to begin drinking.
"There are two major things to remember about drinking. First, rules. Second, knowing your limit. Add the banquet's procedures to that, and I will explain while we drink."
Bibi Dong raised her glass as she spoke. Wu Ling followed and raised his own.
"To the championship."
The next morning, Wu Ling woke from meditation. He had drunk with Bibi Dong for the entire night. Even Bibi Dong had become slightly tipsy, but he had been completely fine. Seeing how good his tolerance was, Bibi Dong finally relaxed about the banquet that evening. After explaining several banquet procedures, she left.
After washing up and eating, Wu Ling arrived before the Pope's Palace. Looking around, he saw that aside from him, the other teams and Spirit Hall's six team members had already arrived. Outside the main area, Alistair Jewel, Xue Qinghe, and several people of high status or great strength were watching.
Wu Ling did not do anything extra after arriving. Under the fervent gazes of the six teammates, he led the rest of Spirit Hall's team to the very center and front of the plaza before the palace.
He nodded to Salas above. Salas answered with a faintly flattering smile. After seeing Wu Ling's strength, he understood just how unfathomable the young man before him was, no matter which angle one looked from.
After a while, when the appointed hour arrived, Salas waved his hand.
"The hour has come. Invite Her Holiness the Pope!"
Amid a burst of light, Bibi Dong appeared above them in her papal robes. Wu Ling naturally stepped forward to receive the award.
"Your performance was excellent. I hope you will continue to work hard and make greater contributions to the Spirit Master world."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong handed Wu Ling a scroll.
Wu Ling knelt on one knee and accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
Everyone present knew the relationship between Wu Ling and Bibi Dong, but the necessary procedure still had to be observed.
"This is a commendation personally issued by the current emperor of the Star Stripe Empire," Salas began explaining to the crowd after Wu Ling took the scroll. "The holder of this order may go to the Star Stripe Empire to be ennobled as a supreme royal duke and receive a territory of his own!"
Hearing that the reward included a royal title and territory, many common-born Spirit Masters below revealed looks of envy. Even some Spirit Masters with family backgrounds were tempted.
Then Wu Ling heard Bibi Dong's voice transmitted to him.
"I have already discussed this with the Star Stripe emperor. You may choose to refuse the royal title and territory, and instead select three items from the Star Stripe imperial treasury."
"Understood, Teacher."
Wu Ling truly understood. If he accepted a Star Stripe title and territory, he would count as half a Star Stripe person. He might only obey commands without submitting to decrees, but in the eyes of outsiders, he would already be in the same boat as the Star Stripe Empire. That was why he had originally planned to discuss this reward with Bibi Dong. In the end, she had already handled it for him.
After that came the Pope's usual encouraging speech. At the end, Bibi Dong said, "Finally, in light of Wu Ling's excellence and with the unanimous agreement of all elders, I now announce that from this day forward, Wu Ling is the Holy Son of our Spirit Hall!"
The team members and the surrounding spectators, who had begun drifting off during the speech, instantly froze when they heard that explosive news. Then they looked at one another as if they had not fully understood it.
Salas had not become a platinum bishop through strength alone. He knew how to read the situation. While the others were still stunned, he cupped his hands toward Wu Ling.
"Congratulations to Your Highness Wu Ling on becoming Holy Son!"
Immediately afterward, the two rows of guards shouted in unison.
"Congratulations to Your Highness Wu Ling on becoming Holy Son!"
With those two cries as a lead, even the competitors below who were unwilling had no choice but to join in.
"Congratulations to Your Highness Wu Ling on becoming Holy Son!"
After that, Bibi Dong mentioned the banquet. Since there were too many people present, each team could only send its captain and vice captain. People like Alistair Jewel and Xue Qinghe, however, naturally received invitations.
On the outside, Alistair Jewel and Xue Qinghe exchanged a glance. Both saw surprise in the other's eyes. Part of it came from Wu Ling becoming Holy Son, and part of it came from Spirit Hall holding a banquet.
Spirit Hall had held banquets before, but most had been internal affairs. This was the first time it had invited so many outsiders at once. After thinking it through, they understood Spirit Hall's intention. It was building momentum for Wu Ling.
They understood, but they would not be foolish enough to say it aloud. Since Spirit Hall had organized a banquet, giving Spirit Hall and its newly appointed Holy Son some face by attending was harmless.
Then, before most people had fully recovered from the announcement, the award ceremony came to an end.