Qian Renxue's Compromise and Helplessness

That's right; he hadn't agreed to this plan at the start. It was Bibi Dong who had proposed it.

Yet, for some reason, Qian Renxue had eventually agreed, and she had even appeared quite resolute about it.

Though the reason remained unclear, it was certain that it had something to do with that woman, Bibi Dong.

Thinking of this, he let out a long sigh, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible exhaustion. "Xue'er, do you think Grandfather hasn't considered what you've said? But you must understand, in this world—especially when it involves the forces inheriting the power of two gods—what kind of alliance is the most unbreakable? Is it interests? Interests change with time. Is it oaths? Oaths can be torn up. Only the fusion of bloodlines, which binds the futures of two factions together, creates a true community of interests and even produces a shared heir; that is the only stable bond!"

He looked at Qian Renxue, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Tell me, aside from a marriage alliance, what other method could ensure that Sea God Island and Spirit Hall, the Angel God lineage and the Sea God lineage, remain on the same front for the long years to come, or even be willing to pay a heavy price for one another? And what other method could make the gods behind us grant their highest recognition and tacit approval to such a partnership?"

Qian Daoliu's series of rhetorical questions struck Qian Renxue's heart like heavy hammers.

She opened her mouth, only to find she could not refute him.

Grandfather was right. In the world of gods, in the game involving the future landscape of the continent, a marriage alliance—especially one between god-level bloodlines—was indeed the most cost-effective, most significant, and most widely recognized method.

Other alliances appeared so pale and powerless in the face of the gods' long lives and absolute strength.

Qian Renxue fell into silence once more. She lowered her head, looking at her somewhat pale face reflected in the mirror-like floor.

It wasn't that she didn't understand these principles, nor did she truly value emotions above all else.

It was just... the thought of accepting a strange boy as her future partner, a younger brother with such a vast age gap, was a hurdle she found difficult to overcome.

She was Qian Renxue, the Saintess of Spirit Hall who had lurked in the Heaven Dou Empire for over a decade with a heart of iron; she was not a doll to be manipulated at will.

Seeing his granddaughter's tightly pressed lips and the struggle in her eyes, Qian Daoliu knew that a hardline attitude would only provoke a stronger sense of rebellion.

The sharpness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deep, earnest affection. He walked over to Qian Renxue and gently patted her shoulder.

"Xue'er..."

His voice was low and gentle as he spoke softly, "Grandfather isn't trying to force you. I am an elder who has walked this path; I see further than you do. Think about it: for the eternal hegemony of Spirit Hall, for the continued glory of our Angel Clan, and for your own future... that boy, Li Qing, is truly an excellent choice—perhaps even the best choice."

He stared into Qian Renxue's eyes, his words striking at the heart of the matter. "Do you really wish to grow old in solitude, never to marry? Or... would you rather marry a man in the future whose talent, strength, and background are far inferior to yours, someone you would even have to lower yourself to accommodate? Grandfather believes that with your pride, you would never be willing."

Qian Renxue's delicate body trembled slightly.

Her grandfather's words had precisely pierced the most secret thoughts deep within her heart.

She was indeed proud and held herself to the highest standards.

While disguised as the Crown Prince in the Heaven Dou Empire, she had seen countless so-called young talents and noble scions. In her eyes, those people were either mediocre, hypocritical, or short-sighted; not a single one had been worthy of her notice.

Even within Spirit Hall, the young elites who had previously fawned over her were, in her view, all unworthy of her, and even less worthy of her Angel bloodline.

If she had to settle, she would rather be alone for the rest of her life.

But... did she really have to marry a twelve-year-old child?

The thought made her feel a sense of absurdity and helplessness.

Seeming to perceive his granddaughter's wavering and her final resistance, a flash of light appeared in Qian Daoliu's eyes as he proposed a compromise. "How about this, Xue'er? Since you still have reservations, let us take a step back. We shall go to Sea God Island together to meet that Sea God successor."

He paused, observing Qian Renxue's expression, and said slowly, "See for yourself what kind of person he is, and whether he is truly as brilliant as the rumors suggest. At the same time, we can sound him out and hear his true thoughts on this marriage. If he has no interest in you, or if the two of you are truly not meant to be, then we shall drop the matter. We can use this opportunity to discuss cooperation with Sea God Island openly and honestly. If we are the ones to propose the marriage and are politely refused, the initiative returns to our hands, and Spirit Hall can occupy a more favorable position in subsequent negotiations. What do you think?"

This proposal gave Qian Renxue a way to step down, avoiding the fierce resistance that a direct forced marriage might cause, while preserving the possibility of the alliance. At the same time, it turned a potential rejection into a bargaining chip—it was a move that achieved multiple goals at once.

After hearing this, the tightly furrowed brows of Qian Renxue relaxed slightly.

This plan at least gave her room to observe and choose, while preserving her dignity and initiative.

Seeing him in person was better than guessing blindly here.

If that Li Qing was truly unpresentable or had no interest in her, she would have sufficient grounds to refuse.

If... he was truly as outstanding as her grandfather described, perhaps...

Chaotic thoughts swirled in her mind.

In the end, she sighed once more, the sound filled with helplessness and resignation.

"Very well, Grandfather."

Qian Renxue looked up, her purple eyes regaining their calm and clarity as she agreed, "I will do as you say. We shall go to Sea God Island first and meet that Sea God successor. Everything... will be decided after I have seen him."

Seeing his granddaughter finally relent, Qian Daoliu breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Good, then it is settled. Rest for two days and adjust your state of mind. In three days, we shall set off for Sea God Island."

Qian Renxue nodded without another word and turned to walk toward her living quarters deep within the Consecration Hall.

Her back remained straight, but her steps felt somewhat heavy.

The radiance of the Angel God statue fell upon her, casting a holy halo over her, yet it also highlighted the chaos and confusion within her heart.

Watching Qian Renxue's departing figure, Qian Daoliu sighed softly, his handsome face filled with helplessness.

Born into such a family, a marriage alliance could be said to be the best, and perhaps the only, way out.

Unless you possess the power and means to suppress everything, there are not many things in life that one can decide for oneself.