The four members of the Clear Sky Sect left Spirit Hall with their hearts bleeding, endlessly cursing Qian Yufeng in their minds.
The price of trying to squeeze Spirit Hall had ultimately cost their sect ten million Gold Soul Coins.
If they did not show sufficient sincerity in admitting their mistake, Qian Yufeng really would lead the Angel Legion to the Clear Sky Sect to demand an explanation.
Inside Pope Palace, Qian Xunji was in an exceptionally good mood.
Seeing the Clear Sky Sect suffer a setback was a rare sight indeed.
"Second Granduncle, it still takes you stepping in. Those Clear Sky Sect fellows did not gain even the slightest advantage." He gave Qian Yufeng a thumbs-up.
"Be steadier in temperament. When dealing with shameless people, do not hold yourself to overly high standards."
"If it had not been for me, you probably would not have been able to save face."
"Remember, your methods of handling matters must be flexible, and so must your moral standards. Do not be fooled by your father's solemn appearance—he has deeply grasped the essence of these words."
Qian Yufeng spoke earnestly. Qian Xunji had suffered precisely because he was too civilized.
Qian Xunji nodded. "I did not expect those people to come knocking on our door themselves. Do not worry. The next time I face something like this, I will know what to do."
"That is good. Once their compensation arrives, handle it quickly. Those Deacons must not have died in vain."
Qian Yufeng sighed softly. The enormous behemoth that was Spirit Hall was advancing ever more slowly.
Qian Xunji asked in confusion, "Second Granduncle, what exactly did you go out to do? Were you not supposed to stay away for half a year before returning?"
There was one thing he did not say aloud: You were supposed to spend half a year enjoying yourself in Tianyong City before coming back.
"You brat, you have no respect for your elders!" Qian Yufeng naturally noticed something off in his gaze and decided to give his great grandson a small shock.
He took two steps back, and Soul Rings began appearing around him one after another.
Two yellow, two purple, three black, and two red—nine Soul Rings circled his body in sequence.
"A Title Douluo?!" Qian Xunji was dumbfounded.
Was this even right?!
At such an advanced age, he had broken through to become a Title Douluo, and his Soul Ring configuration was even better than Qian Xunji's. It was enough to make anyone envy him to death!
Qian Xunji rubbed his eyes, repeatedly confirming that he had not seen wrong.
"Second Granduncle, why did you break through so suddenly?"
Qian Yufeng immediately saw through him. "Do not even think about troubling me, brat. This old man is retired now. Becoming a Title Douluo merely gives me a little more ability to protect myself."
"I returned to Spirit Hall this time to help you resolve your current financial difficulties."
Qian Xunji knew it. His Second Granduncle would never forget his great grandson.
"This is no small sum—at least one hundred million Gold Soul Coins. At present, I have only raised one-third of it."
Spirit Hall's financial income was only one hundred million Gold Soul Coins each month. After all the various expenses were deducted, very little remained.
This recruitment effort required an enormous amount of money.
This was not about lining anyone's pockets. Spirit Hall's benefits and subsidies were extremely generous, a case of high investment bringing high returns.
"One hundred million Gold Soul Coins? That is a small matter."
After saying that, Qian Yufeng took ten Black Gold Cards inlaid with crowns from his storage Soul Tool.
One crown represented a limit of ten million, while one card held fifty million Gold Soul Coins!
Ten cards meant five hundred million Gold Soul Coins!
"Second Granduncle, where did you get so much money? Do not tell me you took out your retirement savings to support me?!"
Qian Xunji exclaimed. Taking out five hundred million Gold Soul Coins in one go—his father's savings did not even amount to that much.
"That is not something you need to worry about. This old man has no intention of relying on you in my old age. If you sit firmly in the Pope's position, that will be the best repayment you can give me."
"Of those five hundred million Gold Soul Coins, four hundred million are for resolving your current financial difficulties, while one hundred million are for finding yourself a partner."
"You are not young anymore. As the Pope, you cannot neglect the matter of your lifelong marriage."
Qian Yufeng abruptly changed the subject, catching Qian Xunji off guard.
He had never expected that, as the dignified Pope, he would be urged to marry.
"I have my own plans for that, so I will not trouble you to worry about it," Qian Xunji said hurriedly.
He understood his Second Granduncle's discerning eye, but it was better for him to decide his own marriage.
"Jin Yuchan, Ling Jingxin, Mo Yu... those girls are all quite good, and they have favorable impressions of you. Make time to see them more often."
"When your wedding day comes, I will give you another surprise."
After saying that, Qian Yufeng handed the Black Gold Cards to Qian Xunji and left Pope Palace.
As Qian Xunji listened to the names his Second Granduncle had mentioned, he recalled that they had all been outstanding students from the same intake at Spirit Academy.
All of them were Soul Douluo, with a great chance of breaking through to become Title Douluo.
They also came from prominent families within Spirit City. Their ancestors had followed the Six-Winged Angel Lineage long ago and put down roots in Spirit City.
To a certain extent, the Pope's marriage was also an alliance between groups of interests.
Qian Daoliu had been different back then. With Qian Yufeng around, he had been able to decide his own marriage.
Now that Qian Yufeng had delegated authority and retired, he wanted Qian Xunji to consolidate the interests of all parties within Spirit City and unite them against external enemies.
One hidden reason behind the financial difficulties was that Qian Xunji was not particularly close to these families.
"Second Granduncle truly sees things clearly. My marriage really should be put on the agenda as soon as possible."
"If I reached level ninety-five, those old patriarchs would fully support me. What a pity..."
Qian Xunji sighed. He could only face reality.
Spirit Hall now needed the strong support of these families. This was the test his Second Granduncle had left for him.
The Pope needed to balance all factions. Half of the families that had held positions during Qian Daoliu's time had been replaced by people Qian Xunji favored.
The final say still rested in his own hands, but their interests had also been affected.
If his strength reached that of a Super Douluo, these families would change their opinion of him.
In terms of talent, he truly could not compare to his father.
"I am the Pope. In the end, I must consider Spirit Hall's future. If my child turns out to be exceptional, that would be a great contribution too!"
After comforting himself, Qian Xunji resumed handling official business.
Qian Yufeng had just left Spirit Hall when he ran into Bibi Dong.
After not seeing her for so long, Bibi Dong had grown a little taller.
"Greetings, Grandfather!" Bibi Dong said politely, carrying a small food box in her hand.
"Dong'er, are you going to see your teacher?" Qian Yufeng smiled. Bibi Dong had truly taken his words before he left to heart.
"Mm. Dong'er brings Teacher soup every day. Teacher is very happy, hehe!"
Bibi Dong smiled. This old grandfather had been right—her teacher really was happy whenever she brought soup.
"Dong'er is such a good girl. Once you deliver the soup, come to Grandfather's place for lunch."
"The two older sisters have prepared a feast for noon!"
Qian Yufeng spoke again. This was tremendously tempting to Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong, secretly a little glutton, immediately brightened at the words. "Thank you, Grandfather! Dong'er will deliver Teacher's soup first!"
After saying that, she hurriedly ran toward Pope Palace.
"What an obedient child. How had she been raised so poorly in the original story?"
Mildly puzzled, Qian Yufeng turned with a smile and cheerfully headed toward his residence.
There would be extra dishes for lunch today!
Before you continue