Qian Yu: She's delivered right to my door-why would I turn her away? Golden Crocodile: It's Bibi Dong's good fortune to marry you!

Faced with Golden Crocodile Douluo's praise, Qian Yu merely smiled.

His modesty was tempered by a confidence that seemed only natural:

"Second Worship, you flatter me.

I was fortunate, and my teacher personally watched over me. That's the only reason I managed to obtain these two Soul Bones."

"You're just too modest."

Golden Crocodile Douluo stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his eyes full of admiration.

The atmosphere in the great hall was warm and cordial. The other Offerings also looked at Qian Yu with satisfaction.

After all, he was the Qian Family's prized child, whom they had watched grow up—the future helmsman of the Worship Hall.

Just then, Qian Daoliu, seated in the place of honor, raised a hand slightly. The laughter in the hall gradually died down.

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Yu warmly, though deep in his eyes was the insight of a man who had seen through the ways of the world.

"Yu'er, I'm very pleased with the progress you've made in your cultivation."

Qian Daoliu spoke slowly, his voice echoing through the spacious hall.

"However, I called you here today not only to see how you're doing after emerging from seclusion, but also to discuss something else."

Qian Yu's expression grew serious, and he bowed slightly.

"Please speak, Teacher."

Qian Daoliu's gaze sharpened as he got to the point.

"The marriage your senior brother Xunji arranged for you—the one where you're to marry Bibi Dong... What do you think of it?"

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the Worship Hall grew somewhat delicate.

What had happened at the Pope Palace over the past three days naturally hadn't escaped the Worship Hall's watchful eyes.

Bibi Dong had tried to elope with that good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang, only for Qian Xunji to catch them in the act and force her to marry Qian Yu.

The Offerings already knew every detail.

At the mention of this matter, Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression darkened. He snorted coldly.

"That good-for-nothing named Yu Xiaogang is nothing but an abandoned son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He can't even break through to level thirty.

"And he dares to lay a hand on the Saintess of our Spirit Hall?

"That girl Bibi Dong must have lost her mind. After all the resources Spirit Hall has poured into raising her!"

"Indeed."

Third Offering Azure Luan Douluo spoke up as well, his tone tinged with displeasure.

"Though Xunji was rather overbearing this time, he did it for the sake of Spirit Hall.

"Bibi Dong's Twin Martial Souls talent is one in ten thousand. We absolutely can't let her end up with outsiders, much less let a good-for-nothing ruin her.

"Still... forcing her on Qian Yu like this has put him in an awkward position."

In the Offerings' eyes, Qian Yu was peerlessly gifted. He was destined to become a Quasi-God, perhaps even ascend to the divine realm.

Bibi Dong's talent was exceptional, but she'd done something disgraceful and reckless by trying to elope. She even had someone else in her heart.

In the end, she wasn't quite good enough for Qian Yu.

Qian Daoliu paid no attention to the Offerings' discussion. He simply watched Qian Yu in silence, waiting for his answer.

"Yu'er, the three-day deadline Xunji gave you has passed."

Qian Daoliu's tone was even, yet it carried an unquestionable protectiveness and authority.

"If you're unwilling, I'll go to the Pope Palace right now and call off this engagement for you.

"My disciple won't be forced into anything by anyone—not even by the Pope."

Qian Yu felt a warmth in his heart as he listened to Qian Daoliu.

He knew that if he shook his head now, Qian Daoliu would go and put Qian Xunji in his place without a moment's hesitation.

Everyone in the hall focused their attention on Qian Yu.

Qian Yu raised his head slightly. Bibi Dong's cool, stubborn gaze, seen in the shadows that night, flashed through his mind.

Then, smiling faintly, he met Qian Daoliu's gaze and those of the other Offerings, and spoke calmly.

"Teacher, Offerings, there's no need to trouble yourselves."

Qian Yu paused. His voice was clear, carrying an air of absolute confidence and composure.

"I accept the marriage."

A brief silence fell over the great hall at Qian Yu's answer.

Qian Daoliu froze slightly, a clear note of surprise flashing through his deep eyes.

In his view, his direct disciple had been nothing but an unrelenting cultivator for the past twenty years.

Cultivation, and nothing but cultivation.

Even among the peerless beauties of Spirit Hall—those young women with powerful backgrounds and heavenly gifts—

Qian Yu had never spared any of them a second glance, as though he were completely immune to matters between men and women.

Qian Daoliu had assumed...

Faced with a woman whom Qian Xunji had forced on him—one who had nearly died for the sake of a good-for-nothing—

Qian Yu, proud to the bone, would reject her without hesitation.

He hadn't expected him to agree.

But after a moment's thought, a look of understanding returned to Qian Daoliu's deep gaze.

Bibi Dong might have acted foolishly, disgracing Spirit Hall by trying to elope.

But setting that aside, her talent was indeed exceedingly rare across the Douluo Continent.

Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power!

Across Spirit Hall, and even across the entire continent,

there was only one woman among the younger generation whose talent could even come close to keeping pace with Qian Yu: Bibi Dong.

Qian Yu had Twin Ultimate Martial Souls, and Bibi Dong had Twin Top-Tier Martial Souls.

If the two were joined, what heaven-defying talent might their children inherit from the union of yin and yang?

Perhaps, as Xunji had said, they really could give the Qian Family and Spirit Hall another peerless genius.

Perhaps even someone capable of inheriting a divine position one day!

And even in the worst-case scenario...

Even if they didn't get along, at least their resources would stay within the family.

Better to bind Bibi Dong—a genius Spirit Hall had invested so much effort and resources in—to the Qian Family and Spirit Hall's cause for good.

That was better than letting her run off with that good-for-nothing from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and needlessly weakening Spirit Hall.

"Yu'er, are you certain?"

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Yu and asked again. There was less authority in his voice now, and more of a senior's pride and concern.

"If you're only agreeing because you don't want to offend your senior brother, you don't have to.

"I told you: if you're unwilling, no one can force you."

Qian Yu met Qian Daoliu's gaze and nodded with a smile, his eyes clear and calm.

"Rest assured, Teacher. I'm not being forced into this."

"My senior brother is right. Bibi Dong's talent is extraordinary. Letting her end up with that good-for-nothing would truly be a waste."

"Since my senior brother has delivered her right to my door, there's no reason for me to turn away such a peerless genius."

"Hahaha!

"Good!

"Well said!"

Hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo burst into hearty laughter again, his voice booming like a bell.

"Just as expected of Spirit Hall's peerless genius. That's the kind of spirit you should have!"

"Love and romance are all empty notions in the face of absolute talent and strength."

"It's Bibi Dong's good fortune to marry you. She'd be lucky to have you in eight lifetimes!"

The other Offerings nodded in agreement, their faces full of approval.

In the eyes of these older generation powerhouses, who revered strength,

Qian Yu's mindset—putting talent and self-interest first, without getting tangled up in romantic entanglements—was exactly what a leader meant to take the reins of Spirit Hall needed.

The smile on Qian Daoliu's face grew even wider.