Li Qing's gaze, carrying a hint of ill intent and appraisal, lingered for just a moment on the curve of Qian Renxue's pert backside. But Qian Renxue was exceptionally perceptive.
On top of that, she had just heard Li Qing's outrageous thoughts about spanking her. Now, she was like a startled bird, wary of every glance he sent her way.
She sensed the direction of his gaze almost at once. Her exquisite face flushed bright red, as if the most vivid sunset clouds had been painted across it.
She whipped her head around. Embarrassment and warning mingled in her violet eyes as she glared fiercely at Li Qing, her teeth catching her lower lip. Her expression seemed to say, "You dare?!"
"Ahem..." Caught red-handed by Qian Renxue, Li Qing rarely looked awkward. He hurriedly cleared his throat twice and looked away, pretending to study the Sea God Statue as if he weren't the one who had just been sizing up his future wife's backside.
[Tsk, she's quick to notice.]
He grumbled inwardly: I'll have to watch myself from now on. This woman's senses are sharp.
Qian Renxue: "..."
Hearing his utterly unrepentant inner monologue, her chest rose and fell with anger. There was nothing she could do, though, so she silently added another charge against Li Qing: lecherous gaze, improper intentions, one more count against him!
Just wait until later... Hmph!
Watching the young couple, who had only just made their relationship official and were already exchanging glances, a complicated emotion flickered through Bo Saixi's eyes. She quickly suppressed it.
As Li Qing's only elder, she felt it necessary to bring the conversation back on track.
She gracefully stepped forward. Her gaze passed over Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue before settling on Li Qing. Her voice returned to its usual ethereal warmth as she asked, "Qian Daoliu, now that the engagement is settled and both deities have borne witness, when do you plan to return to Spirit Hall? And when are you planning to hold the children's formal wedding?"
Bo Saixi's question was a practical one.
An engagement was an engagement; a wedding was a wedding.
The deities' arrival had lent this union an unparalleled aura, but the mortal ceremony and all the arrangements that followed still needed to be settled.
At her words, the excitement on Qian Daoliu's face faded somewhat. After a moment's thought, he replied, "There's no need to rush the wedding. The children are still young, especially Li Qing—he's only twelve. We can wait until they're older, their feelings have grown stronger, and their cultivation has improved before arranging a grand celebration. As for returning to Spirit Hall..."
He paused and glanced at his granddaughter. A trace of solemnity crept into his voice. "We probably can't stay on Sea God Island for long. Xue'er has something very important back on the mainland, and it's reached a critical stage. She can't be away for too long."
"Oh? Something very important?" Curiosity flashed through Bo Saixi's beautiful eyes.
Whatever it was, it had to be extraordinary for Qian Daoliu to take it so seriously—even with Angel God's clear declaration and the Godhood Inheritance so close at hand, he still felt Qian Renxue had to handle it herself.
Qian Daoliu hesitated.
The infiltration plan in the Heaven Dou Empire was one of Spirit Hall's highest secrets. By rights, he shouldn't reveal it to an outsider.
But the two families were now joined by marriage, and Bo Saixi was the High Priestess of Sea God Island. In a sense, she was one of their own.
Besides, if the plan succeeded, it would have an enormous impact on the future balance of power across the mainland. As an ally, Sea God Island had a right to know.
He glanced at Bo Saixi, then at Li Qing. In the end, he decided there was no need to keep it secret. Lowering his voice, but making sure all four people in the hall could hear him, he said:
"This concerns the future balance of power on the mainland. Using a special Soul Bone Skill, Xue'er disguised herself. At present... she is the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe."
"What?!" For the first time, Bo Saixi's exquisite face showed undisguised shock.
Her deep blue eyes widened as she stared at Qian Renxue in disbelief.
Disguised as the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire?
A young woman of only twenty had infiltrated the heart of an enemy nation's power and assumed such a crucial role!
What kind of intelligence, courage, and acting ability did that take?
And how immense were the risks?
Bo Saixi had always known that Qian Renxue was supremely gifted and came from a powerful background. But she had thought of her only as a pampered, somewhat proud young genius, carefully groomed by her family.
Only now did she realize just how greatly she had underestimated this girl.
To carry out such a world-shaking plan and maintain the disguise for years without being discovered required patience, intelligence, and skill far beyond that of an ordinary genius!
[No wonder...]
Bo Saixi suddenly understood: No wonder she has a divine-level Martial Soul and such high Innate Soul Power, yet her Soul Power Level is only a little higher than Xiao Qing's. She must have poured nearly all her energy into this breathtaking game of infiltration. Cultivation became the lesser priority.
That realization changed Bo Saixi's opinion of Qian Renxue once again.
This girl wasn't just gifted in body. Her temperament, cunning, and resolve were just as formidable.
Li Qing had complained in his thoughts that she was stupid and made a mess of things. Perhaps he'd been a little unfair.
At least in matters of infiltration, disguise, and political maneuvering, Qian Renxue had shown extraordinary ability.
After the initial shock, Bo Saixi quickly realized what mattered most. She furrowed her brows slightly and looked at Qian Daoliu, her voice touched with concern and caution. "The crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire... It's a brilliant plan, but an extremely risky one. If she's exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable. Now that Angel God has descended and clearly offered her the inheritance, the Godhood Inheritance should be the top priority for this girl. This infiltration plan... could she consider suspending it for the time being, or making other arrangements?"
In Bo Saixi's view, compared to becoming a deity and gaining eternal life and power, the throne of a mere mortal empire was insignificant.
Risking or even delaying a Godhood Inheritance for the authority of a mortal empire would be putting the cart before the horse.
Qian Daoliu didn't answer at once. Instead, he looked toward the heart of the matter—his granddaughter, Qian Renxue. His eyes held a question, but also a willingness to let her decide.
As her grandfather, he naturally wanted her to be safe and become a deity as soon as possible.
But as Spirit Hall's High Priest, he also understood how much the plan meant to Spirit Hall.
More importantly, he respected Qian Renxue's own choices and judgment.
From the very beginning, Qian Renxue had volunteered for the plan. It was a project into which she had poured countless hours of effort.
Feeling her grandfather's and Bo Saixi's gazes, Qian Renxue came back to herself after her earlier exchange of glances with Li Qing.
The serenity returned to her exquisite face, though the blush from her embarrassment and excitement had not yet entirely faded.
She didn't answer Bo Saixi at once. Instead, she turned slightly and looked at the black-haired boy beside her, the one with whom she had just become engaged. Her violet eyes seemed to hold both starlight and wisdom.
A captivating smile, tinged with mischief and curiosity, suddenly curved her lips. Her voice was soft but clear as she asked, "My little husband..."
The form of address made Li Qing's mouth twitch. He wasn't quite used to it, but seeing Qian Renxue's gentle yet challenging gaze, he didn't object.
"What do you think..."
Qian Renxue went on, as if asking a casual question. "What will I do? Will I follow Senior Bo Saixi's kind advice, end the Heaven Dou Empire plan, and return to Spirit Hall to prepare for the God Trial? Or... will I continue my life as crown prince until I achieve my goal?"
Before you continue