Chen Fan, "When did I ever say I wanted to propose marriage to the Spirit Hall Saintess?"

Bibi Dong's face flushed a deep red. "You..."

"You what?"

Chen Fan sneered, cutting her off. "Bibi Dong, you don't actually think you're still that pure and unsullied Saintess of Spirit Hall, do you?"

"Take a look in the mirror. How are you any different from those brothel women now?"

"Except, perhaps... you're just a bit more expensive than them."

After a brief pause, Chen Fan twisted the knife. "After all, something that requires a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring to obtain is truly rare!"

"You!"

Every word, dripping with poison, pierced into Bibi Dong's heart like a blade. Her face turned livid, veins bulging, and the look she shot at Chen Fan seemed ready to spew fire. "Chen Fan, you're courting death!"

As the words fell, she stood up abruptly, seven spirit rings appearing in succession, clearly intending to teach Chen Fan a lesson.

However.

The moment she moved, her legs went weak and she nearly collapsed. She had to steady herself against the wall to keep from falling.

"What, can't handle the anger?"

Facing Bibi Dong's fury, Chen Fan appeared remarkably nonchalant. "Want to kill me?"

"Go ahead!"

"Besides me, who else is going to trade you ready-made hundred-thousand-year spirit rings?"

"Do you still want to take your revenge or not?"

"And what about your precious Yu Xiaogang, the one you're always pining for? Do you still want to be with him?"

"Oh, and what about the massive cost you just paid?"

A few simple sentences instantly froze Bibi Dong's hand in mid-air. Her face cycled between red and white, her lips trembling, but she couldn't find a single word to refute him. She could only glare at Chen Fan with murderous intent.

"What are you staring at?"

Chen Fan chuckled and backhanded her across the face. The blow sent Bibi Dong sprawling to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "If you don't have the guts to act, then stop the noise."

"You'd be better off focusing on how to maintain yourself."

"If you want to become a Title Douluo with nine hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, you'll need to produce at least three or five more."

"I just hope that by then, Yu Xiaogang will still be able to stomach a worn-out shoe like you."

Bibi Dong clutched her face, her rage reigniting at these words!

"Shut your mouth! Xiaogang will absolutely understand me!"

"Sure, sure, I believe you, I believe you."

Chen Fan spoke dismissively, as if coaxing a child.

After tidying up, he clapped his hands, rolled his neck, and yawned. "But you don't need to worry. Once you become a Title Douluo with nine hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, you can do whatever you want. No matter how Yu Xiaogang resists, he won't be able to escape your clutches."

"Even if you're nothing but a used-up streetwalker, he'll have to hold his nose and accept it!"

Bibi Dong's face turned a sickly shade of pale, her fingernails digging so deeply into her palms they nearly drew blood. She stared at Chen Fan, wishing she could shatter him with a single blow.

A level 74 Spirit Saint killing a level 49 Spirit Sect in seconds was indeed an effortless task.

But...

It was exactly as Chen Fan had said.

She had paid such a massive sunk cost; was it worth killing Chen Fan now?

That would be a total loss!

Therefore.

Having calmed down slightly, she stopped the bickering and the impotent rage. Instead, she looked at Chen Fan coldly and said, word by word, "Remember what you said."

Chen Fan shrugged and turned to walk toward the door.

After two steps, he stopped, as if remembering something. He glanced back at Bibi Dong, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "Oh, by the way, Your Highness Saintess."

"That little lover of yours, Yu Xiaogang, is probably getting quite cozy with Liu Erlong right about now."

"Calculating the time, they should be getting married before long."

"If you go in time, you might even be able to snag a cup of wedding wine, or perhaps even sit at the head table!"

Rip!

Bibi Dong's tightly clenched fist dug her nails into her palm, and her face turned deathly pale. "What did you say!?"

Xiaogang is getting married?

How did she not know!?

"You didn't know?"

Chen Fan looked at her in surprise. Her face shifted between green and white, and her voice turned shrill. "I'm warning you, you can humiliate me, but you cannot humiliate Xiaogang!"

"I'm stating facts. If you don't believe me, you can go see for yourself."

"Xiao Gang is absolutely not that kind of person!"

Bibi Dong roared, "He must be waiting for me!"

"Waiting for me to become stronger, waiting for me to take control of Spirit Hall—he will definitely return to my side!"

"You don't know anything!"

Watching the somewhat hysterical Bibi Dong, Chen Fan merely shrugged. He stopped pestering her, turned around, pushed the door open, and headed toward the side hall of the Pope Palace.

After taking a full two and a half minutes to calm herself down, Bibi Dong also left and headed toward the side hall of the Pope Palace.

Almost as soon as the two arrived at the side hall, they heard Qian Xunji's voice from within, "I wonder what other business Senior Chen has for coming here this time?"

Immediately following that was Chen Jianjun's booming voice, "...Aside from paying a visit to your father, I have one other important matter."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"I am here to propose marriage to Bibi Dong, the Saintess of your Spirit Hall!"

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow but did not push the door open immediately.

Behind him, Bibi Dong had also caught up.

She had just reached the doorway and happened to hear this sentence, causing her footsteps to come to an abrupt halt.

Propose marriage?

Marry me?

Bibi Dong's heart stirred.

Now that she had regained her composure, her brain began to whir at high speed, rapidly analyzing the pros and cons.

If...

If she could marry into the Seven Kill Sect.

Then, she would be able to leave Spirit Hall with a legitimate reason, thereby escaping Qian Xunji's control!

By then!

Relying on the 'Crystal Spirit Ring' in Chen Fan's possession.

She felt that her future prospects would be absolutely brilliant!

Of course!

More importantly, once she became the mistress of the Seven Kill Sect, she could openly obtain resources to grow stronger faster and take revenge on Qian Xunji sooner!

Once that vengeance was served, she would surely become a Title Douluo with nine hundred-thousand-year spirit rings!

When that time came, she would summon her Xiao Gang right in front of Chen Fan, and who would dare to object?

Naturally!

She wouldn't kill Chen Fan; on the contrary, she would keep him around to provide her with a steady stream of those 'Crystal Spirit Rings'!

Although she might not need them, her Xiao Gang certainly would!

Perhaps even their future children would need them!

At the thought of this.

Bibi Dong's heart suddenly burned with fervor. Just as she was about to push the door open, she heard Qian Xunji's cold voice ring out!

"No."

Hearing Qian Xunji's stern refusal, Bibi Dong's heart sank, and she regained a bit of her previous cold-headedness!

Right!

She had forgotten; with the personality of a beast like Qian Xunji, how could he possibly let her go?

Inside the side hall of the Pope Palace.

Seeing Qian Xunji's refusal, Chen Jianjun assumed it was due to insufficient introduction and explained patiently, "Your Holiness, although my Seven Kill Sect is not as grand as Spirit Hall, our foundation is not inferior..."

"No need to say more."

Unexpectedly, Qian Xunji waved his hand, his tone resolute, "This matter is absolutely impossible."

"The Saintess is the future Pope of our Spirit Hall; she cannot be married off."

"Senior Chen, this condition is something This Seat cannot agree to."

At this, Chen Jianjun felt somewhat awkward, and his expression darkened.

His father was of the same generation as Golden Crocodile Douluo, and by all accounts, he was of the same generation as Qian Daoliu. To be rebuffed twice by a junior...

And.

Just then, the door to the side hall was pushed open.

Chen Fan strolled in with a faint smile on his face, "Uncle, wait a moment."

"You are mistaken."

Chen Jianjun was startled, "What?"

Seeing Chen Fan walk in and hearing his words, Qian Xunji frowned. Got it wrong?

What did he mean?

"I'm saying, Uncle, you've got it wrong!"

"When did I ever say I wanted to propose to the Saintess of Spirit Hall?"

As soon as these words left his lips, Chen Jianjun froze.

Qian Xunji was also stunned.

Coincidentally, Bibi Dong had followed Chen Fan into the side hall and heard his statement as well.

She was instantly dumbfounded.

Wait!

Not a proposal?

Then what had she just heard?

"Then you..."

Chen Jianjun started to speak, but Chen Fan ignored him, his gaze sweeping across the hall before finally landing on a Cardinal who had been standing in the corner awaiting orders.

She was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, with a beautiful face, a curvaceous figure, and red hair as dazzling as flames.

Even though she wore the standard Cardinal robe, it could not conceal her well-defined silhouette.

It was none other than Spirit Kite Douluo from the original work!

However, she had not yet reached the level of a Titled Douluo at this time; judging by the fluctuations of her soul power, she was likely only a Soul Saint.

Chen Fan pointed a finger at her, his tone casual. "Uncle, I think this Cardinal is quite good. How about her?"

Chen Jianjun, "?"

Qian Xunji, "?"

Bibi Dong, "?"

Wait, are you picking a concubine or choosing a hostess at a brothel?

Is marriage really this casual?

Off to the side, Spirit Kite, who had been standing by while feeling like there was some gossip to be had, suddenly felt the air grow heavy. She instinctively looked up, only to find that everyone in the side hall had their eyes fixed on her.

She was instantly bewildered, suddenly recalling what Chen Fan had just said...

Almost subconsciously, she scanned her surroundings, only to find the area empty; she was the only one standing there.

So...

Was he talking about her?

No way!

She was just here to watch the drama, and she had been doing it silently—how did it end up involving her?

What did this have to do with her?

You didn't get the Saintess for your marriage, so why are you dumping it on her now?

"This..."

Spirit Kite was stunned!

Chen Jianjun, standing nearby, was also deeply confused and cast a questioning glance at Chen Fan.

However, he did not undermine him. After a brief look at Chen Fan, he turned his gaze toward Qian Xunji, his expression inquisitive.

"Hmm?"

Seeing this, Qian Xunji was also taken aback, not having reacted in time.

Proposing to a Cardinal?

What was going on?

However, Qian Xunji had held the position of Pontiff for some time now, and after a moment of thought, a look of realization dawned on him.

It must be that my previous two stern rejections of Chen Jianjun's proposal left him unable to back down gracefully.

So, this young man is deliberately offering a way out so that Chen Jianjun doesn't lose too much face.

After all, Chen Jianjun is a Super Douluo, and if he is slighted time and time again, I fear...

Qian Xunji realized that he had been swayed by his emotions earlier, leading to poor judgment.

Now that he had calmed down and reflected, Qian Xunji understood this point.

Right now, if he were to politely decline this proposal as well, the relationship with the Seven Kill Sect would likely plummet to freezing point.

At present, the Clear Sky Sect was in its prime; if he were to fall out with the Seven Kill Sect, wouldn't that just force the Seven Kill Sect to draw closer to the Clear Sky Sect?

Therefore...

In any case, it is merely a Cardinal; marrying her off is no great loss.

However... this aura from Chen Jianjun!

Thinking this, Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes slightly. This seems even stronger than the rumors suggested.

The slight fluctuation that Chen Jianjun had emitted when his expression darkened earlier had been captured by Qian Xunji.

He felt it.

Such a terrifying fluctuation of soul power was absolutely not the level ninety-seven rumored!

If his intuition was correct, Chen Jianjun's aura... was likely no weaker than that of the Second Elder, Golden Crocodile Douluo!

Thinking of this, Qian Xunji's heart trembled even more. Could it be... that he has absorbed a hundred-thousand-year soul bone?

Aside from this, Qian Xunji could not fathom how a Super Douluo could raise his soul power level in such a short amount of time.

Of course.

Now was not the time to dwell on that.

Currently, he was trying to find a way to deal with the Clear Sky Sect; there was no reason to push the Seven Kill Sect into an alliance with them.

As the saying goes, more friends mean more paths, so...

"Since Senior Chen thinks highly of Cardinal Ling Yuan, this Seat will naturally facilitate this union."

A mere Cardinal; giving her away was no loss, and it would even earn him a favor from the Seven Kill Sect.

But...

Ling Yuan, standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded!

No way!

Your Holiness, you just sold me out like that?

Hey, hey, hey, I just wanted to watch the drama, was that really necessary!?

"Your..."

Ling Yuan instinctively opened her mouth to say something, but upon seeing Qian Xunji's gaze, she swallowed her words.

Since the Pope had spoken, how could a mere Soul Saint dare to object?

"Then many thanks, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Chen Jianjun looked at Chen Fan, who was slightly cupping his hands toward Qian Xunji.

Although he could not understand why Chen Fan had suddenly changed his mind.

Still.

It was not appropriate to ask in front of Qian Xunji, so he could only nod and say, "In that case, this marriage is settled."

"Three days from now, my Seven Kill Sect will send people to deliver the betrothal gifts."

Qian Xunji laughed, "Easily done, easily done. It is Ling Yuan's good fortune to be able to marry into the Seven Kill Sect."

Ling Yuan stood to the side, wearing a smile she could barely maintain, while in her heart, she had already greeted all eighteen generations of Qian Xunji's ancestors.

Wasn't she just on duty and wanting to watch some drama?

Was it necessary to get herself married off just for watching the drama?

But...

Since His Holiness the Pope had spoken, what could she do?

Object?

She didn't have the guts for that!

However, truth be told...

The new Sect Master of the Seven Kill Sect was actually quite handsome?

Chen Fan seemed to sense her gaze, turned his head to smile at her, and revealed two rows of white teeth.

Seeing this, Ling Yuan's face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head, silently cursing herself.

This young man...

Ling Yuan, oh Ling Yuan, you are purely an old cow eating tender grass!

Meanwhile, Bibi Dong, standing at the doorway, saw this scene, and a strange, indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

It was not excitement.

It was not jealousy.

And it was certainly not sadness.

It was just a feeling she herself could not name.

He pondered it carefully; it felt like the sense of loss one would experience if their personal ATM suddenly started serving someone else, and they could no longer withdraw cash from it.

Of course.

Bibi Dong did not know this analogy; she simply felt extremely uncomfortable.

But right now, Qian Xunji had already spoken, so what else could she say?

She could only stand at the doorway with an expressionless face, watching as Chen Fan and Chen Jianjun rose to bid farewell and depart.

Just then.

Qian Xunji noticed Bibi Dong returning to the side hall and said casually, "Dong'er, you've come at the right time. See Senior Chen and Sect Master Chen out."

Bibi Dong snapped back to reality, her voice cold and detached as she replied, "Yes, Teacher."

Chen Fan paused slightly, cast a playful glance at her, but said nothing.

Bibi Dong's hand clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white, yet she remained composed on the surface, merely saying indifferently, "Please!"

After leaving the Pope Palace and entering Spirit City.

Chen Jianjun brought Chen Fan to the sect's station. Once the door was closed, he looked at Chen Fan and asked in a low voice, "Fan'er, why didn't you let me continue to push for it earlier?"