The twelve-star map on the dome of the Pope's Palace rotated in the morning light, golden light spots passing through the stained glass, casting sacred patterns on the white marble floor.
Shion's voice was as resonant as a great bell, every word striking the hearts of those present.
"The next Pope will be the Aquarius Gold Saint—Li Yu!"
He paused, his purplish-red eyes beneath the Gold Mask sweeping over the Gold Saints on both sides.
"If anyone has an objection, they may raise it now!"
The vast Pope's Palace was silent, only Shion's voice echoing through the hall.
Previously, all the Gold Saints had, more or less, known through various channels that the person most likely to succeed Pope Shion would be the Aquarius Gold Saint, Li Yu!
Although some people in their hearts were not quite able to accept Li Yu as Pope.
But reality was before their eyes; fighting him was certainly out of the question... focused on their cultivation, their strategic vision was also far inferior to Li Yu's.
They knew in their hearts that for all these years, it had been Li Yu, behind the Pope, stirring up the world's affairs.
Through the triennial inspections of the earth, Sanctuary had long since spread its reputation, and leaders of major countries around the globe would visit the Pope at Sanctuary upon taking office, seeking the Pope's blessings.
The Pope of Sanctuary, in Human Realm, was truly second only to a god and above all others.
"Damn it, Li Yu, that guy, the position of Pope still fell into his hands...?"
Deathmask of Cancer, who was most at odds with Li Yu, clenched his fists, gritting his back teeth.
If it weren't for the fact that he was truly no match for Li Yu, he would have jumped out to object.
Anger and a sense of powerlessness churned in his chest, ultimately transforming into a barely audible grunt.
The other Gold Saints, apart from Mu, who was naturally aloof, Shaka, who kept his eyes closed all day, and Saga, who had long known of Li Yu's plan.
Everyone else's hearts, more or less, experienced a ripple.
Previously, Li Yu and they were colleagues; the next moment, he would become their superior, becoming the representative of Goddess Athena in the human world, acting on the will of the gods.
In fact, the position of Pope being handed to Li Yu was also what everyone expected.
If it were anyone else, there would certainly be some Gold Saints who would not be convinced.
Li Yu standing there was a symbol of strength in itself; whoever dared to disagree would be directly frozen for three days, as a warning to others!
Injury was a minor matter; losing face in public, how could one continue to be a Saint in front of many colleagues afterward?
Seeing no objections, Shion nodded slightly.
He slowly descended from the Pope's throne, his Gold Mask gleaming with an ancient luster in the play of light and shadow.
He stretched out his withered hand and placed it on Li Yu's shoulder; that hand, seemingly shriveled, carried immense power, as if it wanted to press the mission passed down for a thousand years into this young body.
"In the name of Athena, in the name of all living beings on Earth, listen to this oath passed down for a thousand years..."
"Since the age of myths, Saints have been the spear and shield of the Goddess, the last line of defense guarding the world!"
"Whenever chaos descends, when darkness devours light, the Goddess's warriors, clad in Cloth, step forward, building ramparts with their hot blood and Cosmo."
"Today, this Saint standing before me, Li Yu..."
Shion's gaze swept over the Gold Saints who were candidates for Pope on both sides; Mu's silver hair trembled slightly, Aiolia's Leo Gold Cloth glowed with a fierce light, and Saga's sea-blue eyes hid unfathomable depth.
These three were also candidates for Pope, but unfortunately, Mu's character was too benevolent, Aiolia's mind was too simple, and Saga had a history of betrayal.
Counting carefully, among all the Gold Saints, only Li Yu was most suitable for the position of Pope.
Aiolos of Sagittarius was also a strong candidate for Pope, but that incident many years ago... Shion sighed, he firmed his resolve, and continued to chant.
"You once tempered your will in the ice fields of Siberia, freezing Hydra with Absolute Zero; your Cosmo has reached the pinnacle of this era, yet you have never lost your original intention of protection, which is the quality a Saint should possess."
Shion looked up at the sky, as if a pair of golden eyes in the endless void were watching the entire scene.
"The Pope of Sanctuary bears not power, but shackles. Wearing this crown, you will lose your name and your self; for the rest of your life, you will only be Athena's representative in Human Realm. From now on, your name is the Pope!"
Indeed, within this crown, Athena's will and shackles were hidden. Once worn, it would be like the monkey wearing the golden fillet, only able to proceed step by step according to fate's arrangement.
Li Yu lowered his head, a slight curve on his lips, not acting yet.
Wait a little longer, it's not time yet!
Shion continued to chant in a singing voice.
"You shall arbitrate the disputes of Sanctuary, lead the Saints to guard the barrier between Human Realm and the Underworld, and spare no effort to protect the safety of humanity!"
Shion took the golden crown from his head.
This crown was made of the same material as the Gold Cloth, with golden olive branches embroidered on its purple velvet surface, and the star gems on its edge refracted broken light in the sunlight.
"Li Yu, are you willing to wear this crown and succeed me as the Pope of Sanctuary?"
The scene was silent, all eyes fixed on Li Yu, who was kneeling on one knee.
According to the normal coronation ceremony, Li Yu should answer at this moment.
"I am willing!"
Shion saw Li Yu waiting silently for the crown like a statue, and his heart greatly relaxed. Regardless of what Li Yu had thought before, as long as he wore the crown, he would be the Goddess's most loyal warrior, with no second thoughts.
He knew this best.
He slowly placed the crown on Li Yu's head, continuing to speak.
"From this moment on, you are the new Pope of Sanctuary. You must remember that the light of the Gold Cloth is never to display power, but to illuminate the path for all beings. The Pope's scepter is never to command others, but to bear a burden that no one else can."
Seeing that the ceremony was about to be completed, the Gold Saints present simultaneously struck their hearts with one hand, knelt on one knee, and bowed their proud heads!
They were about to witness the birth of a new generation of Pope!
Buzz!
The space of the Pope's Palace trembled violently like ripples on water!
A vast and gentle Cosmo descended from the sky, spreading through the Pope's Palace like a golden tide.
A powerful divine might outlined a female phantom holding a scepter in the Pope's Palace.
The hearts of many Gold Saints tightened; they knew this was Athena's divine consciousness descending upon the Pope's Palace, and they dared not look up directly at the Pope's succession ceremony.
Shion's gem-like purple eyes turned deep blue like the ocean.
He showed a merciful expression, placing the infinitely radiant crown on Li Yu... *Crack!*
A crisp sound startled all the Saints; they looked up towards the source of the sound.
The next moment, everyone's pupils contracted to pinprick size.
They saw that Li Yu, who should have been wearing the crown, had nothing on his head; his right hand, covered by the Gold Cloth, gripped Shion's wrist, and their gazes met in the air.
Li Yu's eyes were full of determination and coldness, while Shion's eyes were filled with shock and disbelief!
Li Yu gently released Shion.
Shion stepped back a few paces, his expression gradually changing from surprise to anger.
A clear, deep voice emanated through Shion's vocal cords.
"Li Yu, what is the meaning of this?"
Li Yu's lips curved slightly; he said faintly.
"Your Holiness, Li Yu feels that his talent is shallow and he is not competent for the position of Pope. Please choose someone else!"
The scene erupted in an uproar, and many Gold Saints showed shocked expressions.
The position of Pope, that was the pinnacle of power many people dreamed of, and Li Yu actually... refused it?
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