For His Child, Qian Xunji Went All Out

Qian Xunji immediately said, "Yes, Father."

Bibi Dong stepped forward. "Grand Worshipper, Teacher, Lin Fan's words may sound a little radical, but once we're ready to act, we truly can't afford to hesitate."

Yue Guan added, "Grand Worshipper, Your Holiness, we can also carry out Lin Fan's proposal to bring the duchies around Spirit Hall under our control. The Heaven Dou Empire has grown so weak in recent years that it can barely keep the four kingdoms and the alliance of duchies beneath it in check. Spirit Hall should start intervening in secret as soon as possible."

Gui Mei spoke up too, a rare occurrence. "I agree. Lin Fan put his finger on the root of why Spirit Hall has wanted to unite the continent but has never managed to act."

Qian Daoliu gave a soft laugh tinged with self-mockery. "I've lived a hundred years, and this is the first time a young man barely in his twenties has pointed at my nose and called me a fool."

"But Lin Fan is right. All these years, Spirit Hall has sent people to awaken Martial Souls for villagers in remote areas, and we have a Sub-Hall in every town. Those efforts have indeed won us considerable support from the people."

"Lin Fan said that Qin State built on the strength left by six generations, and only the seventh completed unification. Spirit Hall has a thousand years of history and deep foundations, but we lack a Qin Shi Huang."

"And the person we lack is the future Angel God!"

"Once we have the Angel God, winning over the duchies, suppressing the Empires, and uniting the continent will all follow as naturally as a boat carried downstream."

Qian Xunji walked up to the Complete Map and studied the continent. "Father, Qian Renxue hasn't even been born yet. By the time she's born, awakens her Martial Soul, grows up, and becomes a god, it will take twenty or thirty years at the very least. What should Spirit Hall do in the meantime?"

"Lay the groundwork," Qian Daoliu said slowly. "The Infiltration Plan is already underway. See it through, and at the very least, bring ordinary children with Innate Soul Power of level five or above into Spirit Hall for training."

"Now that we have a unified strategic goal, we must develop quickly. Double the resources currently allocated to Spirit Hall Academy. Expand what needs expanding and reward those who deserve it. Of course, we must not violate Spirit Hall's principles."

"As for approaching the kingdoms and duchies, there's no hurry. Wait at least until the future Angel God is born and awakens her Martial Soul. For now, strengthen Spirit Hall itself."

Bibi Dong and the others clasped their hands. "Yes, Grand Worshipper."

"Ji'er, I'll leave the rest to you." With that, Qian Daoliu departed.

Qian Xunji returned to the Pope's seat. "Yue Guan, Dong'er, go to Spirit Hall Academy and select a group of talented students. Include Soul Masters with plant-type Martial Souls, and gather them together."

Bibi Dong realized what Qian Xunji had in mind. "Teacher, do you intend to send them to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

"If so, that place isn't very large. It can hold around fifty people at most."

Yue Guan nodded. "Your Holiness, the Saintess is right. They can only stay around the edges; they mustn't approach the center of the springs."

"I also suggest that, besides plant-type Soul Masters, we choose Soul Masters with ice- or fire-attribute Martial Souls. Those three types will benefit the most there."

After hearing him out, Qian Xunji said at once, "Yue Guan, you and the Saintess can arrange the personnel. Once they're assembled, have Elder Bing Luoli, the Ice Douluo, lead them to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

Bibi Dong and Yue Guan bowed together. "Yes, Your Holiness."

The two left the Pope's Palace and went to Spirit Hall Academy to select young Soul Master students.

Qian Xunji turned his gaze to Gui Mei.

"Gui Mei, have you found Ling Yuan?"

Gui Mei answered at once, "Your Holiness, she's waiting in the side hall to be summoned."

"Bring her in."

Gui Mei bowed and withdrew. A moment later, he led a woman into the great hall.

She looked to be in her early thirties, with a slender frame standing about one meter seventy tall. Her dark reddish-brown hair fell loose and short in a practical cut. Her face was cool, and her eyes and brows held an aloofness that kept others a thousand miles away.

Most striking were her eyes. A trace of crimson glowed deep within her amber irises, like two clusters of embers not yet burned out.

"Ling Yuan pays her respects to Your Holiness the Pope." She knelt on one knee and lowered her head slightly, her voice quiet.

Qian Xunji raised a hand. "Rise."

Ling Yuan stood, her hands at her sides.

She was one of Spirit Hall's few female bishops, a Level 89 Soul Douluo. Her Martial Soul was the Blazing Spirit Kite, an exceptionally rare, top-grade fire-attribute bird Martial Soul.

In terms of strength, she was only one step from becoming a Titled Douluo, but that single step had held her back for nearly five or six years.

Qian Xunji looked Ling Yuan over, plainly pleased. "Your records say you're forty-five this year?"

"Innate Soul Power of level eight. You reached Level 89 Soul Douluo at thirty-nine and have been stuck there for nearly six years."

Ling Yuan's lashes stirred, but she did not deny it.

"Yes." She had no idea what Qian Xunji was getting at.

Qian Xunji leaned back in his chair and looked at her. "With your talent, you'll become a Titled Douluo sooner or later. But the longer it takes you to reach that rank, the lower your ceiling will be."

"I currently have a treasure that can help you reach level ninety quickly, and I can help you hunt a Soul Beast at the upper limit of ninety thousand years."

"But I need your help."

"What? A treasure? Titled Douluo?" Ling Yuan exclaimed in shock.

"This subordinate would go through fire and water for Spirit Hall, Your Holiness."

Qian Xunji smiled faintly. "Don't agree so quickly. My request may seem harsh to you, perhaps even impossible to understand."

"Hear me out first, then decide whether to accept."

Qian Xunji rose and walked over to Ling Yuan. "This matter is very important to Spirit Hall. Please think it over carefully."

Ling Yuan froze. She still had no idea what Qian Xunji wanted. "Please tell me, Your Holiness!"

Qian Xunji smiled and said something that left her utterly stunned. "I want you to marry me and become my woman!"

Ling Yuan went rigid.

Her expression shifted from shock to bewilderment, then from bewilderment to disbelief, before settling into something too complicated to name.

She opened her mouth, but it took a long while for any sound to emerge. "Your Holiness... what did you say?"

Qian Xunji looked at her, his expression untroubled. "I said I want you to marry me."

Ling Yuan took half a step back, as though instinctively trying to put some distance between them.

She glanced down at herself, then looked up at Qian Xunji's serious face, confirming that he was not joking.

"This subordinate... doesn't understand." Her voice was quieter than before. Some of its coolness had fallen away, replaced by a trace of panic she herself had not noticed.

"This subordinate is forty-five, already past the age for marriage. If Your Holiness needs heirs, Spirit Hall has plenty of young female Soul Masters—talented ones, ones from good families, beautiful ones. They're everywhere. Why me?"

"You're right. Spirit Hall does have plenty of young Soul Masters," Qian Xunji said. "But you're the only suitable one."

"How am I suitable?" Ling Yuan asked, perplexed.

"Your Martial Soul is the Blazing Spirit Kite, a top-grade fire-attribute bird." Qian Xunji began to explain.

"My Martial Soul is the Angel Martial Soul. It possesses sacred light and fire attributes, and like you, I'm a flying-type Soul Master. The Qian family must find a suitable partner who can also ensure that our child awakens the Angel Martial Soul."

"Now tell me, are you suitable or not?"

For the sake of his future child, the Angel God, Qian Xunji had gone all out and stated his purpose outright.