Bo Saixi listened quietly, her long eyelashes trembling ever so slightly as she seemed to think at lightning speed.
When Qian Daoliu mentioned more gods, a look of understanding flashed through her eyes. She asked softly, "You mean... your granddaughter, Qian Renxue, also has a strong chance of inheriting the Angel God's godhood?"
Qian Daoliu didn't give her a direct yes, but the confidence in his eyes said it all. "Though no one can guarantee the outcome of a godhood inheritance, I believe Xiao Xue has the qualifications and potential."
Bo Saixi pressed him further, a faint note of probing in her voice. "Then these two or more gods you mentioned... Apart from those two, have you foreseen the emergence of a third godhood inheritor?"
If there was anyone else in this world who could become a god, it ought to be Tang Hao's son—the one called Tang San. After all, Li Qing's inner thoughts had revealed as much, and they were at least ninety-five percent accurate.
Qian Daoliu shook his head, smiling ruefully as he reminded her, "Bo Saixi, where did your thoughts wander? By 'two or more,' I didn't mean there was a third inheritor. I meant that if these two children really came together, what do you think the offspring of two gods would be like? Would their talent and starting point be merely mortal? They'd very likely be divine from birth! Wouldn't that mean more gods?"
Bo Saixi paused for a moment, then suddenly understood.
So that was what Qian Daoliu was after!
A union between gods!
It was certainly a dazzling prospect.
She fell silent, rapidly weighing the pros and cons.
[An arranged marriage... Qian Renxue...]
Thoughts spun through Bo Saixi's mind.
To be fair, from Sea God Island's perspective, this proposal did offer considerable benefits.
And... Bo Saixi couldn't help picturing Li Qing's childish little face, the one that was always coming up with outrageous ideas, along with his innermost fantasies of marrying her.
[If I arrange a marriage for him, perhaps... it'll make him rein in those ridiculous thoughts of his?]
The thought drifted across Bo Saixi's mind, leaving her with a strange sense of... relief?
She suppressed the odd feeling and focused on the decision before her.
After pondering for a long while, Bo Saixi lifted her eyes to Qian Daoliu, who was waiting for her answer. Her tone returned to its usual elegance and authority. "Qian Daoliu, your proposal... concerns matters of great importance. It affects the future of the Sea God Inheritor, and even the fate of Sea God Island. I cannot make this decision on my own."
A glimmer of hope flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes. "You mean?"
Bo Saixi turned toward the enormous statue of the Sea God behind her, her voice solemn and devout. "I must seek Lord Sea God's guidance. If Lord Sea God approves, Sea God Island will have no objections. If he does not, then this matter is settled and must not be brought up again."
Qian Daoliu was eager, but he knew this step was unavoidable.
He nodded solemnly. "Of course. Then I'll wait on the island for good news."
With that, he inclined his head slightly to Bo Saixi, then turned and transformed into a streak of golden light. He left Sea God Hall for the temporary lodgings Sea God Island had arranged for him.
After watching Qian Daoliu leave, Bo Saixi stood still for a moment, gathering her thoughts and choosing her words. Only then did she slowly walk to the spot directly before the Sea God statue.
She straightened her robes, then sank to her knees on the cold floor with utmost reverence. She clasped her hands before her chest and closed her beautiful blue eyes.
Her red lips parted, and in a clear, respectful voice, she began to speak softly.
She reported Qian Daoliu's visit and his proposal of an arranged marriage to the Sea God, exactly as they had happened, concealing nothing. She included the grand vision he had described of two godhoods joining forces to shape the future.
As she spoke, an uncanny silence settled over Sea God Hall.
Only her clear voice echoed softly through the vast hall.
A moment later, a sudden change came over the hall!
The enormous Sea God statue abruptly burst into a gentle, boundless blue radiance!
The light wasn't dazzling, yet it carried an air of sacred authority, instantly transforming the hall into something like a palace beneath the sea.
A vast, unmatched will—one that seemed to merge with the entire ocean—slowly stirred and descended upon the hall.
A deep, resonant voice, as if imbued with the power of endless waves, rang directly in the depths of Bo Saixi's soul, its authority unchanged since time immemorial:
"Bo Saixi, why have you summoned me?"
Bo Saixi's heart tightened. She pressed her forehead gently to the icy floor and repeated her report with even greater reverence.
The Sea God's will fell silent for a moment. The vast blue light rippled faintly, as though weighing and calculating the matter.
After a few breaths, that deep voice spoke again, delivering an unquestionable verdict:
"Approved."
That single word made Bo Saixi's delicate frame tremble slightly. Unconcealable astonishment appeared on her exquisite face.
She hadn't expected Lord Sea God to agree so swiftly! It was even quicker than the smoothest outcome she'd imagined!
As if sensing Bo Saixi's surprise, the Sea God spoke again, calmly explaining as though he saw through the ways of the world. "An alliance through marriage with Spirit Hall is no bad thing. The Angel God's godhood inheritance gathers the fortune of the mainland. If that child joins with Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, then my Sea God lineage will also share in the mainland's fortune. This will benefit the consolidation and expansion of my faith, and extend the influence of the ocean's power over the mainland. It can do no harm. This is a matter where both sides stand to gain."
Bo Saixi understood, but couldn't help reminding him, "But, Lord Sea God, decades ago, Spirit Hall launched a massive invasion of Sea God Island, causing many casualties. The two sides have harbored a longstanding grudge. To agree to a marriage alliance so readily—is that wise...?"
Before she could finish, the Sea God interrupted her with a soft chuckle. His laughter carried an openheartedness and profundity beyond the mortal world. "Bo Saixi, as High Priestess of Sea God Island, you've wielded authority over these lands for nearly a century. Surely you understand this principle?"
The Sea God's voice grew stern. "In this world, there are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends. Only eternal interests form the foundation of any relationship. Why does Qian Daoliu want this marriage alliance? It's simply because he sees Li Qing's potential and the value of the Sea God's godhood. He wants to use this opportunity to bind Spirit Hall and Sea God Island together and pursue a greater future. If he has something to gain, why shouldn't Sea God Island ride this wave and secure what it needs?"
"Look farther ahead. Past grudges can be resolved when set against sufficient benefits and a shared future. Clinging to old disputes with a narrow outlook will only make you miss an opportunity and shut yourself away from the world. Do you understand?"
The Sea God's words rang in Bo Saixi's heart like the morning bell and evening drum.
She knelt there, stunned, turning over the deeper meaning of his words.
Yes. As High Priestess, she bore responsibility for the rise and fall of all Sea God Island. Her personal likes and dislikes, and the grudges of the past, should indeed take second place before the greater interests of her people and faith.
She drew a deep breath, then bowed again, her voice utterly firm and reverent. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Lord Sea God, for showing me the way. I'll follow your divine decree and make the necessary arrangements for the marriage alliance with Spirit Hall."
"Mm."
The Sea God's voice seemed to carry a note of approval. "You are to handle this matter in full. Remember, the interests of Sea God Island come first."
As his voice faded, the blue radiance surrounding the Sea God statue slowly receded, until it vanished completely. The hall returned to its former stillness and solemnity.
The vast will departed as well, as though it had never appeared.
Bo Saixi remained kneeling quietly for a moment before slowly rising to her feet.
She looked up at the statue, now silent once more, her beautiful eyes filled with complicated emotions.
The Sea God's decision had been both unexpected and entirely reasonable.
And yet, for some reason, when she thought of binding that unpredictable little rascal, who occasionally blurted out outrageous things, to the young mistress of Spirit Hall—a girl he had never even met—an indescribable, peculiar feeling stirred in her heart.
She shook her head gently, dispelling the inexplicable emotion.
Since Lord Sea God had issued his divine decree, all that remained was to carry it out.
As for Li Qing... how should she bring it up to him, and how could she ensure that this sudden marriage arrangement went smoothly? She would have to think it through carefully!
Before you continue