Qian Renxue fell silent.
Her grandfather's analysis was well-reasoned and irrefutable.
Someone so highly regarded by a god, an Inheritor with boundless potential—trying to kill him before he came into his own had little chance of success, while the cost could be more than they could bear.
"Then... are we just supposed to watch him grow up and become our greatest enemy?" Qian Renxue asked unwillingly. A flash of irritation passed through her violet eyes.
"Of course not."
Qian Daoliu's tone suddenly turned firm, with a strange note beneath it. "I have an idea. One that might turn an enemy into an ally, and even transform this crisis into a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for Spirit Hall and the Qian Family. But... this idea may require you to make a sacrifice, Xiao Xue."
Make a sacrifice?
Qian Renxue paused, her brows knitting unconsciously as a trace of wariness rose in her heart.
Whatever could make her grandfather use the words "make a sacrifice" was no small matter.
Looking at Qian Daoliu's solemn expression, she asked, "What is your idea, Grandfather? You can tell me."
Qian Daoliu drew a deep breath. His eyes gleamed as he looked at his most outstanding granddaughter, and he spoke each word distinctly: "A marriage alliance."
"A marriage alliance?" Qian Renxue first froze, then seemed to understand. Realization dawned on her face, and a faint smile even tugged at the corner of her mouth. The words slipped out before she could stop them. "Oh! I get it. You mean between you and Senior Bo Saixi, the Sea God Douluo? If so, that really would be a wonderful thing. Senior Bo Saixi is peerlessly beautiful, and she's a peak powerhouse of our time, just like you. If the two of you married, it would do a great deal to ease tensions between our sides and shape the future of the continent. If you're interested, Grandfather, just go propose! Your granddaughter wholeheartedly approves. I have no objections at all!"
She spoke easily, as if this were truly a cause for celebration. A mischievous glint even flashed in her eyes, as though she thought her grandfather had finally come to his senses.
But when Qian Daoliu heard her, his expression stiffened instantly before turning pitch-black. The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and a vein seemed to throb at his temple.
He glared at Qian Renxue in exasperation. "You little rascal! What nonsense are you talking about? If I could form a marriage alliance with Bo Saixi, would I have summoned you all the way back from Heaven Dou City to discuss this?!"
"Uh..." The smile on Qian Renxue's face froze, then vanished as quickly as a receding tide.
Looking at her grandfather's exasperated expression, a far more absurd and unbelievable suspicion wound around her heart like a cold serpent.
Her pupils shrank to pinpoints!
Her violet eyes filled with utter shock and disbelief!
Her delicate body trembled despite herself, and even her voice quivered faintly.
"Grand... Grandfather... you... you don't mean... you want me... to form a marriage alliance with Sea God Island?!"
The moment the thought occurred to her, it spread through her mind like wildfire!
No wonder!
No wonder Grandfather had urgently summoned her back with such solemnity!
No wonder he'd said she might have to make a sacrifice!
No wonder he'd spent so long laying out that Sea God Inheritor's talent and potential!
So... the people involved in the marriage alliance weren't Grandfather and Bo Saixi at all, but... her and that twelve-year-old boy she'd never met?!
Seeing his granddaughter stare at him as if struck by lightning, Qian Daoliu sighed inwardly.
He knew how deeply this decision would affect his proud granddaughter.
But he didn't back down. Meeting Qian Renxue's shocked gaze, he nodded slowly and firmly.
"Precisely. That is what I have in mind. I want you to become betrothed to the Sea God Inheritor."
"Boom!"
Though she'd already suspected it, hearing her grandfather confirm it in person still felt like a thunderclap exploding in Qian Renxue's mind. Her head spun, and she nearly lost her balance.
She instinctively took half a step back and shook her head frantically. Her exquisite face was filled with resistance and disbelief.
"No! Grandfather, this won't do! Absolutely not!"
Qian Renxue's voice rose with agitation. "I... I'm already twenty-one! He's only twelve! There's a full nine years between us! Th-that age gap is far too big! How could this possibly work?!"
She, the Saintess of Spirit Hall and the crown prince who had spent over a decade undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, was supposed to form a marriage alliance with a twelve-year-old boy?
It was simply... the most ridiculous joke under heaven!
Where would that leave her pride?
Watching his granddaughter's fierce reaction, Qian Daoliu remained unusually calm. His tone even carried a hint of dismissiveness. "It's only nine years. What's the big deal? Haven't you heard the saying, 'A woman three years older, and you gain a gold brick'? You're nine years older than him, so that means you gain three gold bricks. That's a good thing—a blessing!"
"Pfft—"
Qian Renxue nearly spat up blood at that.
Th-three gold bricks?!
Grandfather, where did you hear such twisted logic?!
How could those possibly be the same thing?!
She stared at Qian Daoliu's matter-of-fact expression, utterly speechless. She opened her mouth, only to realize that for once, she couldn't find the right words to refute such absurd logic.
Seeing his granddaughter's utterly aggrieved, near-tearful expression, Qian Daoliu felt a pang of pity. But his resolve, born of far-reaching plans, was stronger.
His face grew serious and solemn again. His voice softened, taking on a heartfelt quality.
"Xiao Xue, don't rush to refuse. Hear me out. I'm not asking you to marry him on a whim, nor to humiliate you. There are several far-reaching reasons behind this—not just the future of Spirit Hall, but also... your own prospects and future!"
He paused, then began laying out his calculations point by point.
"First, I went to see that boy myself. Setting aside his age, his looks, bearing, talent, and potential are all exceptional. He's a true dragon among men, with absolutely nothing to fault. If you were to be with him, it would never be beneath you."
"Second, and most relevant to your situation right now. You and I both know that woman, Bibi Dong, has spent years building her influence in Spirit Hall and has many followers. Her disciple, Hu Liena, in particular, has become increasingly popular. Though you're my granddaughter and the rightful successor of the Angel God, there are still too few top powerhouses and young talents within Spirit Hall who support you without reservation! With such shallow roots, how can you stand against her? How can you reclaim the Papal throne that was yours to begin with?"
Qian Daoliu's voice turned cold. "But if you join with the Sea God Inheritor, everything will change! You'll have all of Sea God Island behind you, along with the unfathomable Bo Saixi and the future Sea God! With their support, dealing with Bibi Dong and reclaiming power will be child's play!"
"Third, and most important in the long run."
Before you continue