Qian Renxue: *I Fucking...*

"Ah..."

Suddenly, Dugu Bo sighed. His expression immediately turned desolate as he lamented, "You know as well that this old man's grandson failed to inherit the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's talent. Ah... His Innate Soul Power is only half a rank. Soul Grandmaster may well be the limit of his lifetime."

"This... Your Excellency, everyone has their own fate. Please try to see it more openly."

"Yes!" Dugu Bo sighed again, then continued along Prince Xue Xing's line of thought. "That is why this old man must also give more thought to the futures of his grandson and granddaughter!"

Upon hearing this, Prince Xue Xing seemed to have guessed something. Joy surged through him as he eagerly waited for Dugu Bo's next words.

Dugu Bo paused for a long while before speaking. "This old man can protect them for a time, but not for their entire lives! Therefore, I wish to secure a future for both Yan'er and Lin'er, ensuring them a lifetime of wealth and honor."

"This... Please enlighten me, Your Excellency!"

Prince Xue Xing felt his heart race. Was Dugu Bo extending goodwill to the imperial family? Were they finally about to win over a Title Douluo as an imperial offering?

After pondering for a long time, Dugu Bo said, "At present, the eldest and second princes are close in age to this old man's granddaughter. This old man... intends to choose one of them to marry Yan'er!"

"What?!"

Thump~ Thump~

Prince Xue Xing was both stunned and wildly excited. He remained dazed for several breaths before coming to his senses and bursting into laughter. "Hahaha~~ Your Excellency, of course there is no problem with that!"

Originally, Prince Xue Xing had thought Dugu Bo had come today to seek a princess's hand for his grandson. He had never expected that Dugu Bo intended to marry off his granddaughter instead. Dugu Yan was a renowned young genius.

With this marriage, the imperial family would gain a young genius and receive a Title Douluo as part of the bargain. The Heaven Dou Empire would be making an absolute killing!

Dugu Bo smiled awkwardly. "Your Highness, this matter will still require you to discuss it with His Majesty."

"Good! This prince will discuss it with His Majesty tomorrow!"

"Then... this old man shall take his leave."

The bait had been cast. Dugu Bo flashed away and vanished directly.

Prince Xue Xing was left seriously considering the matter of marrying Dugu Bo's granddaughter. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. If they could win a Title Douluo's complete loyalty, would that not elevate the entire empire's strength to another level?

As he thought about it, Prince Xue Xing decided not to wait until tomorrow. He headed straight for the imperial palace.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Prince Xue Xing bowed.

"Why have you come? Is there something you need?"

Xue Ye was already advanced in years, and white hair had begun to appear on his head.

It was hard to imagine that on Douluo Continent, where people reached adulthood at an average age of twelve, this old emperor on the verge of the grave had four sons, the oldest of whom was only eleven or twelve!

Even calling it fathering children late in life felt absurd!

Prince Xue Xing said, "Poison Douluo came to this subject's residence today and said that he wished to form a marriage alliance with our imperial family!"

"What? A marriage alliance!"

A flash of delight passed through Xue Ye's eyes as he hurriedly asked, "Are you sure? Does he truly wish to form a marriage alliance with the imperial family?"

"Yes!"

"Did he say which princess he wished to marry?"

When a Title Douluo's grandson awakened his Martial Soul, many people paid close attention.

Therefore, when Dugu Lin had just awakened his Martial Soul in the noble-exclusive Awakening Hall, without deliberately concealing anything, the major powers had already learned of his Martial Soul and the amount of his Innate Soul Power.

At this moment!

Xue Ye's first reaction was to interpret the marriage alliance as Dugu Bo seeking a princess's hand for his poorly gifted grandson, Dugu Lin. He was more than willing to sacrifice a princess in exchange for Poison Douluo becoming an imperial offering.

"Cough, cough~~ Well, Your Majesty, Dugu Bo said he wished to form a marriage alliance with the eldest prince or the second prince."

Xue Ye's delighted motion froze for a moment. He asked uncertainly, "You mean with a prince? Not a princess?"

"This subject is certain! Dugu Bo explicitly stated that his granddaughter was close in age to the eldest prince and second prince, and that he wished to choose one of them for a marriage alliance."

Upon hearing that, Xue Ye furrowed his brow and stroked his beard, pondering for a long time.

It seemed like nothing more than a marriage alliance, but the matter behind it was far from that simple. Once an engagement was arranged, it would mean that the prince in question had the support of a Title Douluo behind him.

In that case, the position of crown prince would practically be decided outright!

This was the sorrow of an empire without a Title Douluo. A level ninety-one Title Douluo could decide far too many things.

"Mm. Discuss this matter further with Dugu Bo and probe what demands he may have."

After saying that, Xue Ye dismissed Prince Xue Xing.

Not long after.

Xue Qinghe's residence.

After receiving word that Dugu Bo wished to form a marriage alliance, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, frowned slightly. After pondering for a long time, she said to Snake Lance Douluo beside her, "I never expected Dugu Bo to interfere at a time like this! Uncle She, spare Second Prince Xue Luochuan's life for now. If Xue Luochuan dies right after word spreads that Dugu Bo wants a marriage alliance, suspicion will fall heavily on us."

"Mm."

Snake Lance Douluo pondered for a moment as well, then said tentatively, "Dugu Bo's intervention at this time is undoubtedly a lifesaving talisman for Xue Luochuan. But for us, it is also an excellent opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Though it sounded like a question, Qian Renxue did not wait for Snake Lance Douluo's answer. She understood what he meant. Precisely because she understood, she was deeply conflicted.

Killing Xue Luochuan was not the right timing!

But if Xue Luochuan became engaged to Dugu Yan, then she would be at a disadvantage in the open struggle for the throne. If she moved against Xue Luochuan after that, suspicion would still be immense!

Therefore, she absolutely could not allow Xue Luochuan and Dugu Yan's marriage alliance to succeed!

Then... only two paths remained. First, make Dugu Bo abandon this marriage alliance. Second, she herself would marry Dugu Yan!

But the marriage alliance had been proposed by Dugu Bo himself. It was obviously difficult to make him abandon the idea.

That left only one path: she, Qian Renxue, would marry Dugu Yan! The benefit was that the position of crown prince could be settled quickly!

But... no matter how she thought about it, Qian Renxue cursed furiously in her heart. She even wanted to send someone to kill Dugu Bo directly.

Unfortunately, killing Dugu Bo was not so easy. Poison Douluo's poison arts were unrivaled in the world. At the very least, it was impossible with the strength, influence, and methods she could reveal publicly! If she truly wanted to move against Dugu Bo, she would have to use Spirit Hall's power, and doing so could very well expose her identity.

That was not something she wished to happen.

She, Qian Renxue, the dignified young mistress of Spirit Hall! And also a woman! Yet she had been forced by the situation into marrying another woman!

Outrageous!