"Child, this is the reward you deserve!"
Bibi Dong smiled softly and placed the left arm bone, a product of the hundred-thousand-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit, beside Wang Zhong's left arm.
As soul power surged, the left arm bone emitted a seven-colored, brilliant glow. Bibi Dong's slender, jade-like hand exerted a gentle force, and the soul bone gradually became ethereal, merging into Wang Zhong's left arm.
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
Feeling the warmth and comfort emanating from his left arm, Wang Zhong returned a gentle smile and acknowledgment.
Extending his hands, Wang Zhong prepared to receive another reward from Bibi Dong's hand, the Purple Rank Medal.
The Purple Rank Medal was quite unique within the Spirit Hall; it was always awarded only to students currently enrolled in the Spirit Hall Academy. Once you left the academy, no matter how many merits you earned or how great your contributions, they would be in vain.
If you didn't have it, you simply didn't have it!
The existence of the Purple Rank Medal was less of a reward and more of an acknowledgment of honor and talent.
The reward of a soul bone was tangible material wealth, while the Purple Rank Medal was a form of spiritual encouragement.
However, at that very moment, Bibi Dong hesitated. She gently clasped Wang Zhong's outstretched hand, eventually shook her head, and sighed, "The Purple Rank Medal cannot be given to you!"
This sudden change stunned the teachers and students in the square, their expressions becoming very strange.
Wang Zhong's talent and strength were arguably the strongest in the academy. Even someone like him missed out on the Purple Rank Medal; what level of achievement would one need to attain to receive it, representing the highest honor for the younger generation?
Her slender, slightly cool jade hand holding his, Wang Zhong looked at Bibi Dong with curiosity.
"Surprised, aren't you?"
Meeting Wang Zhong's gaze, Bibi Dong chuckled softly. After Wang Zhong nodded, her calm voice, tinged with emotion, spoke.
"Wang Zhong, joined Spirit Hall Academy at the age of six, entering Class A of the first year with exceptionally high innate full soul power."
"Six months later, his soul power reached level sixteen."
"In the second year, Wang Zhong, aged seven, soul power level twenty-four, defeating a Soul Ancestor despite being nearly twenty levels lower."
"In the third year, Wang Zhong, aged eight, soul power level forty-two, increasing his soul power by eighteen levels within a year, bypassing both the Soul Elder and Soul Ancestor stages."
"And in the same year, as a Soul Ancestor, he defeated a team of five Soul Kings who had achieved a perfect record in team battles."
"Wang Zhong, aged twelve, soul power level fifty-two, increasing his soul power by eight levels in four years, defeating a Class A homeroom teacher who had reached the Soul Sage stage with the strength of a Soul King."
"His second soul ring was a thousand-year one, his third a ten-thousand-year one, and his fourth also a ten-thousand-year one."
Bibi Dong's calm voice echoed across the square, bringing waves of indescribable pressure. This pressure was not from the Pope's majesty, but from the sheer weight of these achievements.
"Each of these accomplishments, whether it be the speed of soul power growth, the configuration of soul rings, or even the victories in those battles, individually, would be enough to amaze and shock anyone!"
"The so-called favored children of heaven, if they could accomplish even one of these, would have reason to be proud."
"But Wang Zhong, he alone, has accomplished every single one of these!"
"The Purple Rank Medal! It is the highest honor for the younger generation of the Spirit Hall! But such an honor is not compatible with you!"
Her jade hand tightened slightly as she held Wang Zhong's palm, and at this moment, it trembled slightly.
"It is not that you, Wang Zhong, are unworthy of the Purple Rank Medal, but rather that this so-called highest honor for the younger generation of the Spirit Hall is unworthy of you!"
Her words stirred a tempest, and everyone present, from teachers to students, regardless of their strength or age, was struck dumb.
In their minds, only one sentence echoed: "The Purple Rank Medal is not worthy of you!"
"I was the first to receive the Purple Rank Medal, but I am not the last."
"However, if I were to bestow it upon you today, then from this day forward, no one in the Spirit Hall Academy would be able to obtain this honor!"
"Unprecedented, unmatched by any who come after!"
"This honor and prestige are not what the Purple Rank Medal brings you; rather, you have elevated it to a status it should not possess."
Releasing Wang Zhong's hand, Bibi Dong lifted the medal, which countless people regarded as the highest honor for the younger generation, in her palm. Soul power surged from within her, flowing through her meridians to her palm.
As the soul power vibrated, the badge cast from purple gold gradually crumbled and weathered, dissipating into a purple powder in the air, carried by a gentle breeze that had appeared from nowhere, spreading across the entire square, reaching everyone.
The Purple Rank Medal may belong to each of you, but it will never appear on the person kneeling before the Pope on one knee.
The person named Wang Zhong, his six years of study, were more glorious and radiant than the Purple Rank Medal!
With the medal in her hand turning to dust, Bibi Dong's wine-red eyes were filled with boundless warmth and gentleness.
She set aside her scepter and extended her flawless, soft, and tender jade hands, gently cupping Wang Zhong's face. She lowered her crown-adorned head and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
You once kissed my hand in your childhood, showing respect, loyalty, and affection. As you have grown, I kiss your forehead, showing treasured love, tenderness, and protection.
The warmth and coolness on his forehead caused Wang Zhong to press his lips tightly together, his emerald green eyes filled with filial devotion and longing.
"From this day forward, I, Bibi Dong, Pope of the Spirit Hall! Take Wang Zhong as my personal disciple!"
"In the years to come, I will teach him knowledge, impart to him etiquette, instruct him in cultivation, and treat him as my own child!"
"All teachers and students present shall bear witness to this ceremony!"
From amidst the crowd, an explosive clamor erupted. The most supreme Pope of the Spirit Hall had kissed the forehead of an academy student and, under everyone's gaze, announced taking him as a disciple.
As those who had witnessed this soul-stirring scene from beginning to end, they were ignited with boiling passion and excitement by the intense emotions surging within them.
"Zhong! You are the most outstanding." Hu Liena, her naturally captivating face flushed, spoke with excitement from Class A of the second year.
"Ha, Wang Zhong is truly amazing," Xie Yue gave a thumbs-up in his heart.
"His talent is too strong, I can't compare, truly can't compare," Yan sighed lightly, but his somewhat unrestrained face held only joy and happiness.
"Alas, Wang Zhong's talent is indeed enough to move the Pope," Rou Yuzhu from Class A of the fourth year shook her head and sighed.
"Yes, he is truly powerful. Being able to defeat Teacher Ying is enough to prove everything!" Yu Feixue nodded in agreement.
Lu Xiaoshuang could only manage a wry smile. He had once received encouragement from the previous Pope, but Wang Zhong was being taken as a personal disciple; how could that be compared?
Dian Hao helplessly patted the other's shoulder, signaling that one's mindset should be as peaceful as the wind.
Not only them, but Feng Yuansheng, Zhang Shuai, Pei Yan, everyone who had interacted with Wang Zhong in some capacity, displayed their own unique reactions.
Some sighed, some were resigned, some were envious, but there was no hatred!
The talent gap, like a chasm, could not evoke such emotions in them.
While the crowd buzzed with excitement, Wang Zhong seemed detached from it all. He stared fixedly at the gentle-smiling woman before him.
As everyone was immersed in their own stirred emotions, he brought his other knee down to the ground.
First kowtow.
Second kowtow.
Third kowtow.
Kneeling on both knees, the ritual of three kowtows. From this day forward, Your Excellency is you, Teacher is you, and Mother is still you!
I, Wang Zhong, am a subject, a disciple, and a son.
Loyalty, righteousness, filial piety; this sentiment and heart are witnessed by heaven and earth!