The Lavish Second Uncle (Seeking Recommendations)

The four members of the Clear Sky Sect left Spirit Hall with their hearts bleeding, cursing Qian Yufeng incessantly in their minds.

The price of trying to swindle Spirit Hall had ultimately cost their sect 10 million Gold Soul Coins.

Had they not shown sincerity in admitting their fault, Qian Yufeng truly would have led the Angel Legion to the Clear Sky Sect to demand an explanation.

Inside the Pope Palace, Qian Xunji was in an excellent mood.

Seeing the Clear Sky Sect suffer a setback was a rare occurrence indeed.

"Second Grandfather, it really takes you to get things done. Those fellows from the Clear Sky Sect couldn't gain the slightest advantage," he said, giving Qian Yufeng a thumbs-up.

"Be more composed. There is no need to maintain high moral standards when dealing with scoundrels."

"If it weren't for me, you likely wouldn't have been able to step down from that situation."

"Remember, your methods for handling matters must be flexible, and your moral standards must be flexible as well. Don't look at your father as if he is always upright; he has mastered the essence of what I just said."

Qian Yufeng spoke with earnest concern; Qian Xunji had suffered precisely because he was too principled.

Qian Xunji nodded. "I didn't expect those fellows to come knocking on our door either. Rest assured, I know what to do if I face such a situation again."

"That is good. Once their compensation arrives, handle it quickly. Those deacons did not sacrifice themselves in vain."

Qian Yufeng sighed softly. The behemoth that was Spirit Hall was moving at an increasingly sluggish pace.

Qian Xunji asked in confusion, "Second Grandfather, what exactly did you go out to do? Shouldn't you have stayed away for half a year before returning?"

He left the rest of his thought unsaid: You should have been enjoying yourself in Tianyong City for half a year.

"You brat, you really have no sense of propriety!" Qian Yufeng naturally saw the strange look in his eyes and decided to give his eldest grandson a little shock.

He took two steps back, and then his spirit rings appeared one by one.

Two yellow, two purple, three black, and two red—nine spirit rings circled his body in sequence.

"A Title Douluo?!" Qian Xunji was stunned.

No, this isn't right!

To break through to Title Douluo at his age, and with a spirit ring configuration even higher than his own—it was truly enough to make one envious, jealous, and hateful!

Qian Xunji rubbed his eyes, confirming repeatedly that he had not seen wrong.

"Second Grandfather, why did you break through so suddenly?"

Qian Yufeng anticipated his question. "Don't you go thinking about bothering me. This Seat is retired now; being a Title Douluo just provides a bit more self-preservation."

"Returning to Spirit Hall this time was also to help you resolve your current financial predicament."

Qian Xunji knew his Second Grandfather would never forget his eldest grandson.

"This is no small sum. It is at least 100 million Gold Soul Coins, and I have only managed to scrape together a third of that so far."

Spirit Hall's monthly revenue was only 100 million Gold Soul Coins, and after deducting various expenses, there was not much left.

The recruitment drive had consumed a massive amount of funds.

This was not a matter of embezzlement; Spirit Hall's welfare subsidies were extremely high, representing a high-investment, high-return strategy.

"100 million Gold Soul Coins? That is a minor issue."

After saying this, Qian Yufeng pulled ten black-gold cards inlaid with crowns from his storage spirit tool.

One crown represented a limit of 10 million, meaning a single card held 50 million Gold Soul Coins!

Ten cards meant 500 million Gold Soul Coins!

"Second Grandfather, where did you get so much money? You didn't empty out your own retirement savings to support me, did you?!"

Qian Xunji exclaimed. To produce 500 million Gold Soul Coins at once—even his father's savings did not amount to that much.

"That is not for you to worry about. This Seat is not counting on you for retirement. You sitting firmly in the position of Pope is the best reward for me."

"Of the 500 million Gold Soul Coins, 400 million are to resolve your current financial crisis, and 100 million is for you to find a partner."

"You are not young anymore. As the Pope, you cannot ignore your own lifelong affairs."

Qian Yufeng changed the subject, catching Qian Xunji off guard.

He had not expected that he, a dignified Pope, would be pressured into marriage.

"I have my own plans for that, so I won't trouble you with it," Qian Xunji said hurriedly.

Although he respected his Second Grandfather's judgment, he preferred to make his own decisions regarding his marriage.

"Jin Yuchan, Ling Jingxin, Mo Yu... those young ladies are all excellent, and they have a good impression of you. Meet with them more often when you have time."

"On the day of your grand wedding, I will give you another surprise."

After saying this, Qian Yufeng handed the black-gold cards to Qian Xunji and left the Pope Palace.

Qian Xunji listened to the names his Second Grandfather mentioned; they were all outstanding students who had enrolled in Spirit Academy in the same batch.

They were all Spirit Douluos with a high probability of breaking through to Title Douluo.

They also came from prominent families within Spirit City, whose ancestors had followed the Six-Winged Angel lineage long ago and taken root in the city.

The marriage of a Pope was, to a certain extent, a union between interest groups.

Qian Daoliu was different back then; after all, with Qian Yufeng around, he was able to make his own decisions regarding his marriage.

Now that Qian Yufeng had relinquished power and retired, he wanted him to consolidate the interests of all parties within Spirit City and unite them against external threats.

One hidden aspect of the financial predicament was that Qian Xunji was not very close to these families.

"Second Grandfather sees things clearly; my marriage really does need to be put on the agenda as soon as possible."

"If I could reach level ninety-five, those old clan heads would support me with all their might. It's a pity..."

Qian Xunji sighed, having no choice but to face this reality.

Spirit Hall currently needed the strong support of these families, and this was the test his Second Grandfather had left for him.

A Pope needed to balance the various factions. Half of the families that had been in power during Qian Daoliu's reign had been replaced by Qian Xunji with people he favored.

The final say remained in his own hands, but their interests had inevitably been affected.

If his strength reached that of a Super Douluo, these families would change their perspective on him.

In terms of talent, he truly could not compare to his father.

"I am the Pope; ultimately, I must consider the future of Spirit Hall. If my child happens to be outstanding, that would be a great contribution!"

After comforting himself, Qian Xunji began to continue processing official business.

On Qian Yufeng's side, he had just left Spirit Hall when he ran into Bibi Dong.

Having not seen her for such a long time, Bibi Dong had grown a few inches taller.

"Hello, Grandfather!" Bibi Dong said very politely, carrying a small food box in her hand.

"Dong'er, are you on your way to see your teacher?" Qian Yufeng smiled. Bibi Dong had truly taken his words to heart before he left.

"Yes, Dong'er brings soup to Teacher every day. Teacher is very happy, hee hee!"

Bibi Dong smiled. That old grandfather was right; Teacher was truly happy with the soup she brought.

"What a good girl. Once you deliver the soup, come to Grandfather's place for a meal."

"The two sisters have prepared a sumptuous feast for lunch!"

Qian Yufeng added, knowing this would be a great attraction for Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong, who harbored a hidden gluttonous streak, saw her eyes light up at these words: "Thank you, Grandfather! Dong'er will go deliver the soup to Teacher first!"

With that, she hurried toward the Pope Palace.

"Such a well-behaved child—how did she end up ruined in the original story?"

With a slight murmur of confusion, Qian Yufeng smiled, turned around, and walked happily toward his residence.

Extra food for lunch today!