Both of Them!

The day after Qian Yaoting left, Qian Shengyuan summoned Li Long to the study.

Morning light slanted in through the window, bathing the documents and maps on the long desk in a pale golden hue.

Qian Shengyuan sat behind the desk in a relaxed posture, holding a cup of tea. When he saw Li Long enter, he raised a hand and gestured for him to sit in the chair beside him.

Once Li Long sat down, Qian Shengyuan asked first, "Level thirty-six. How does it feel?"

"Much smoother than before," Li Long answered truthfully. "The Aptitude Cleansing Fruit's effect of widening my meridians fully showed itself over these two months. It takes nearly a quarter less time than before to complete one cycle of the Guidance Method. After reaching level thirty-six, my total Soul Power has been growing faster than it did at level thirty-five. I estimate the time needed to reach level thirty-seven will be shorter as well."

Qian Shengyuan nodded and set down his teacup.

He watched Li Long for a moment before speaking, shifting the topic. "What do you think of those two girls?"

Li Long froze for a moment.

Qian Shengyuan had said it casually, but Li Long could hear the weight behind the question.

Without waiting for his answer, Qian Shengyuan continued, "Qian Yao and Qian Yue were carefully selected by me from within the clan. I examined their character, talent, and temperament closely. They are worthy of you. You have interacted with them before, so you should already have an idea in your heart."

Li Long fell silent for several breaths.

The morning light outside fell across his profile, and his expression gradually shifted from initial surprise to seriousness.

He thought of how Qian Yao always brought pastries whenever she came to the East Courtyard, her steps light and her eyes sparkling when she spoke. He thought of Qian Yue quietly standing nearby, watching him practice his staff techniques with those calm eyes. He thought of how, upon their first meeting, she had precisely pointed out his weakness of excessive expenditure.

"Both girls are wonderful," Li Long said, his face reddening. His voice was softer than usual, and he stammered slightly. "I like them both quite a lot. Could I... be betrothed to both of them?"

After saying it, he himself felt that it was somewhat abrupt, but once the words were out, he felt more at ease instead.

Qian Yao was lively and cheerful, while Qian Yue was composed and attentive. They had different personalities, but each had her own virtues.

He did not want to choose only one, nor did he want to disappoint the other.

Upon hearing this, Qian Shengyuan was first stunned, then laughed.

His laughter was not loud, carrying an air of just as I thought.

He set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair, tapping the still-open dossier on the desk with his finger. "Not bad, you little brat. At such a young age, you've already learned how to have a foot in two boats."

Li Long did not argue, merely lowering his head slightly.

Qian Shengyuan looked at him, his smile unchanged. "But then again, you are destined to become a strong man. You are my personal disciple, the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, and barring any accidents, the future Pope of Spirit Hall as well. With your status, having a few more wives is no big deal. Forget two—having several more would be normal. A daughter of the Qian Clan marrying you would not be a disgrace."

Li Long abruptly lifted his head. "The future Pope? Won't Senior Brother take the position?"

Qian Shengyuan shook his head, his tone calming. "His aspirations do not lie there. What he pursues is the divine path; the Angel God position is his ultimate goal. If you had not appeared, he would indeed have had to take the position. After all, I will enter the Worship Hall in the future, and someone must sit in the Pope's seat. But now that you are here, he does not need to take over."

Qian Shengyuan lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing, "Besides, he never had much desire for it. Since childhood, he has had little interest in managing Spirit Hall. If you make him review documents, he can sit in front of his desk in a daze for an entire day. But if you let him enter Angel God Mountain for secluded cultivation, he can stay there for three years without coming out. To him, the position of Pope is more of a responsibility than a goal. With you taking it over now, he can finally set down that burden."

Li Long sat in his chair without replying immediately.

He was processing the amount of information in Qian Shengyuan's words.

Pope—the position was even farther away than the most distant goal he had ever imagined.

He had originally thought that becoming a red-robed deacon would already count as climbing very high. Later, becoming the Holy Son had been beyond expectation. Now, Qian Shengyuan was directly telling him that the future position of Pope would also be his.

"But those are matters for the future." Qian Shengyuan's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. "You are only level thirty-six now, so do not think that far ahead. As for Qian Yao and Qian Yue, since you like them both, then settle things with both of them. But do not rush. Matters of the heart should be handled slowly. They are still young too, so waiting a year or two before making things official would not be too late."

Li Long took a deep breath, then nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Master."

Qian Shengyuan waved a hand, signaling that he could leave.

Li Long stood and headed for the door. When he reached it, Qian Shengyuan called after him. "Oh, right. Your Senior Brother told me that he plans to take you out for a trip. I had people scout Sunset Forest in advance. The outer regions are relatively safe, so you just need to mind your limits. If you find anything good, do not hold back. Take whatever you can. That is what the strong deserve."

Li Long's steps paused slightly.

When Qian Shengyuan mentioned Sunset Forest, Li Long's heart stirred. The Icefire Yin-Yang Well was there.

He had originally been wondering what excuse he could use to go to that area. Now Qian Yaoting had taken the initiative to invite him, and Qian Shengyuan had approved it as well. Everything fell into place naturally.

"I understand, Master." After saying that, Li Long pushed open the door and walked out.

Qian Shengyuan remained seated behind the long desk, watching the bronze door slowly close. The smile at the corner of his lips had yet to fully fade.

He picked up the tea on the desk and took a sip, then set it down again and murmured to himself, "This boy certainly has quite the appetite... But that's fine. Only those with ambition can go far."

Li Long walked down the long corridor as sunlight streamed through the latticed windows on both sides, casting neat rows of light and shadow across the stone floor.

Several thoughts churned in his mind: things with Qian Yao and Qian Yue had been settled, his future as Pope now had a direction, and the opportunity in Sunset Forest lay right before him.

The Icefire Yin-Yang Well—every immortal herb within it was something Soul Masters outside would fight desperately over.

He quickened his pace back to the East Courtyard. When he pushed open the courtyard gate, he saw a small oil-paper parcel placed outside the cultivation room, with a note pressed on top.

The handwriting was elegant and neat, the strokes forceful yet unshowy. It was Qian Yue's.

He walked over and picked up the note. There was only one line written on it: "I heard you broke through to level thirty-six. This is a congratulatory gift."

Li Long lowered his gaze to the oil-paper parcel.

He remembered the pale green pastries Qian Yue had previously asked Qian Yao to deliver. This parcel was a size larger than that one, and a simple little tree had been drawn on the oil paper.

He could not help smiling. He carefully put the parcel into his storage ring, then pushed open the cultivation room door and walked inside.

The afternoon sunlight was perfect, and he had yet to complete his cultivation plan for the day.

His level thirty-six Soul Power circulated steadily through his meridians, a little more condensed than yesterday.

The lingering effects of the Aptitude Cleansing Fruit were nearing their end, but he could feel that the widened meridian pathways had become even more stable than before, like a riverbed that had been scoured by flowing water for more than two months and had finally taken shape completely.

The time for breaking through to the fourth ring might be closer than he had expected.