A New Kind of Bond, Qian Renxue Seals the Deal

"Yes."

Qin Yu smiled and pulled Qian Renxue into his arms.

This embrace meant something entirely different from the one before.

"!!!"

Qian Renxue's heart trembled. The feelings she had buried surged up all at once, filling her with warmth.

She leaned against Qin Yu, breathing in his scent and feeling his heartbeat.

Qian Renxue did not know what had come over her.

She only knew that, right now, she wanted to rest quietly in his arms.

"Qian Renxue."

Qin Yu spoke softly. He leaned close to her ear and smiled. "I won't just think about the times you beat me up. I'll also... think about you."

Boom—

At those last three words, thunder seemed to crash through Qian Renxue's mind, leaving it utterly blank.

Happiness? Delight? Joy?

Words could not describe how she felt.

This must be... what it means to like someone, right? Qian Renxue wondered. Her arms slipped around Qin Yu's waist almost of their own accord.

They held each other once more.

Only this time, something new lay between them—the affection of lovers.

A long while passed.

Qin Yu let go of Qian Renxue and smiled. "Let me see you off."

"Okay..."

Qian Renxue almost agreed, then shook her head. "No. You should stay here."

If Qin Yu walked her out,

she feared she would not be able to stop herself from taking him away by force and keeping him at her side.

Then things would be hard to sort out.

"All right."

Qin Yu nodded with a smile.

"Mm." Qian Renxue turned to leave, then remembered something. She caught Qin Yu by the collar. "Before I go, I'm putting my seal on you."

With that, Qian Renxue kissed the corner of Qin Yu's mouth.

It was a light kiss, and she pulled away almost at once.

A faint blush rose to Qian Renxue's cheeks, but she still gave a proud little huff. "You took my first kiss, so you're mine now."

"I think you took my first kiss." Qin Yu laughed.

Qian Renxue's eyes brightened in surprise.

She had thought that vixen Hu Liena had already stolen Qin Yu's first kiss. As it turned out, she had beaten her to it.

That was an unexpected delight.

Qian Renxue was thrilled, but she still tipped her chin up proudly and declared, "Same difference. You're mine either way."

"I'll let you say that for now."

Qin Yu smiled, then grew serious. "Once I'm stronger than you, it'll be my turn to say it."

"I'll be waiting... Xiao Yu~" Qian Renxue said with a playful smile.

"That day won't be far off."

Qin Yu looked utterly confident.

Seeing him like that, Qian Renxue found herself looking forward to it too.

"I'm going now. Remember to think of me."

"Oh, and that halberd is called Heaven Dragon, after your Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon martial soul. If you don't like it, you can choose another name."

Qian Renxue looked at him.

"Heaven Dragon Halberd... I like it." Qin Yu nodded with a smile. "I'll treasure it."

"Mm."

Qian Renxue smiled back, then left reluctantly.

Qin Yu did not follow. He stood where he was and watched her go until she vanished from sight.

"Phew~"

Qin Yu let out a long breath, wistfulness in his eyes.

Her sudden departure left him feeling a little out of sorts.

They had spent only half a month or so together, but he had indeed developed feelings he had not expected.

They were nothing like what he felt for Hu Liena.

In some ways, Qian Renxue was a lot like him. They had plenty in common, got along well, and could talk for hours.

It'd be a waste to come to a world of romance and never fall in love, Qin Yu thought. He had no objection to it.

Whoosh—

At that moment, light flashed at the courtyard gate, and two figures emerged.

Qin Yu was not surprised to see them.

"Teacher. Grand Worshiper."

Qin Yu stepped forward and bowed to them both.

"Yu'er, there's no need for all that ceremony when it's just us." Golden Crocodile Douluo waved a hand, his face full of smiles.

He and his elder brother had seen everything.

He had watched Qian Renxue grow up.

As for Yu'er, he was his most beloved disciple. Saying he regarded him as his own son would not be far from the truth.

He was delighted to see the two of them together.

Someone else, however, was feeling a little sour.

"You little rascal!"

Qian Daoliu stared at Qin Yu, an instinctive flash of irritation in his eyes.

The granddaughter he had cherished and protected so carefully had been stolen away by Qin Yu just like that. It was infuriating.

If Qin Yu had not been so outstanding, he would have liked to cut him down with a sword.

"Hah!"

Qian Daoliu took a deep breath and fixed Qin Yu with a stern look. "Brat, if you ever let Xiao Xue down, you'll have me to answer to!"

Things had reached this point, and he could hardly tear them apart.

For one thing, Qian Renxue had never had friends growing up. Qin Yu was not only her first friend, but also the only boy she had ever liked.

As her grandfather, he could not bear to ruin that bond and break her heart.

For another, Qin Yu and Qian Renxue were both rare talents. They made a fine match in looks and ability, and their standing was equal too.

Besides, when he was gone, Qian Renxue would need someone by her side.

He could rest easy if that person was Qin Yu.

"I won't."

Qin Yu shook his head, his expression firm. "Grand Worshiper, I know exactly what I'm doing, and I know what I need to do in the future."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, his expression easing, though he still found it hard to look kindly on Qin Yu.

It could not be helped. Anyone would feel a twinge of resentment at seeing his precious granddaughter leave with someone else.

"Enough. You don't need to call me Grand Worshiper anymore. Call me Grandpa, like Xiao Xue does," Qian Daoliu said.

"Grandpa Qian."

Qin Yu said it with a smile.

Qian Daoliu nodded and tossed Qin Yu a golden token. "This is the Angel Token. It holds the same rank as the Papal Token."

"The difference is that the Angel Token lets you command everyone in the Worship Hall, even the other Worshipers."

Now that Qin Yu was his future grandson-in-law, he had to give him something.

Besides, as the Holy Son, Qin Yu ought to have some token of his standing.

"Command everyone in the Worship Hall?" Qin Yu repeated, then asked with a grin, "Does that include you?"

"You've got nerve. Would you dare give me orders?" Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes.

"Of course."

Qin Yu chuckled and said with a perfectly straight face, "A hundred years old? You're in the prime of your working life."

"You brat! I ought to give you a beating!"

Qian Daoliu's face darkened. His brow twitched as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to do just that.

Qin Yu reacted at once, darting behind Golden Crocodile Douluo. "Teacher, your disciple is only a Soul Grandmaster. I can't survive a beating from a Peerless Douluo."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth twitched. He felt utterly helpless.

He wanted to say, Yu'er, forget you—I'm not sure even your teacher could survive it.