Ling Yuan stood rooted to the spot, unmoving for a long while.
Her mind felt as though it had shut down.
Was this really how someone so high and mighty courted a partner—so utterly plain and unadorned?
There had been no warning at all. He could at least have given her a flower.
Gui Mei stood silently in the corner, eyes lowered, like a statue without a trace of emotion.
As if he had read Ling Yuan's mind, Qian Xunji took out the Blazing Sunflower Grass.
"There's no hurry," Qian Xunji said. "You can think it over. I'll still give you this Blazing Sunflower Grass first."
Ling Yuan froze again. Other people gave flowers. He had gone straight for grass.
Even as the Pope, a man who stood above so many others, he couldn't be this hasty.
Ling Yuan did not take the Blazing Sunflower Grass. Instead, she drew a deep breath and asked, "Your Holiness, may I ask a few questions?"
Qian Xunji nodded. "Ask."
Ling Yuan spoke plainly. "First, you said I was suitable because my Martial Soul is a fire-attributed bird, making it compatible with the Angel Martial Soul. But what was the second reason? You said you wanted to 'ensure the birth of someone who can awaken the Angel Martial Soul.' Do you mean you want me to bear your child?"
Qian Xunji did not deny it. "Yes."
Ling Yuan's fingers tightened slightly inside her sleeves.
She raised her head, her amber eyes meeting Qian Xunji's gaze. "Third. Do you feel even the slightest affection for me?"
"No." Qian Xunji answered her without hesitation.
He explained, "I admire and respect you. You are one of Spirit Hall's few female bishops. You are strong, steady of mind, and capable. But affection? I don't feel that for you now."
Hearing that, Ling Yuan felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
"Then I understand." She spoke slowly. "What Your Holiness wants is a transaction. I give you marriage and a child in exchange for a treasure that offers me the chance to reach Titled Douluo."
"You may see it that way." Qian Xunji nodded. "But I won't force you. If you're unwilling, I'll find someone else."
Ling Yuan froze again at his blunt answer.
He wasn't even pretending anymore!
Seeing that she had fallen silent, Qian Xunji said, "If you have questions, ask them all at once. There's no need to hold back."
"Fine." Ling Yuan went on. "You said this was important to Spirit Hall. I want to know just how important it is, and whether it's worth what you're asking of me."
"A good question. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Your loyalty to Spirit Hall is plain for the sun and moon to see," Qian Xunji said. "Yes, this is important. So important that Spirit Hall's survival depends on it."
"I can tell you this: the Grand Worshipper and I received a revelation from the Angel God. My child will become the next Angel God."
"And Spirit Hall will face a calamity in the future. It will need the new Angel God to save it. Tell me, is that important enough?"
Ling Yuan's pupils contracted sharply.
"A revelation from the Angel God?" Ling Yuan stared at him in astonishment. "Your Holiness, are you saying... your future child will become the Angel God?"
"Yes." Qian Xunji nodded. "For now, only the Grand Worshipper, I, and a few core elders know. If you agree, you'll be among those who know as well."
The Angel God.
Spirit Hall had carried on for a thousand years, and the Angel God had always been its highest glory. As a veteran member of Spirit Hall, Ling Yuan was naturally devoted to the Deity it revered.
And now Qian Xunji was telling her that his child would become the Angel God.
What did that mean?
It meant that if she agreed, her child would become the most powerful being in Spirit Hall's history—a Deity.
She might even enter the Divine Realm herself, her status raised by her child as the mother of a Deity.
Ling Yuan drew a deep breath. "Your Holiness, I can agree, but you must promise me one thing."
Qian Xunji said, "Go on."
Ling Yuan said, "I am a woman, but I have my dignity. I don't rely on men to rise through the ranks. I fought my way to where I stand today, step by step."
"So I can agree to marry you and bear your child. But I want to marry you openly, not become your woman in secret."
"Everyone in Spirit Hall must know that I am your wife, the Pope's wife. I want a rightful title and standing."
Qian Xunji looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"And one more thing." She met his gaze. "You said you have no affection for me now. What about later? I don't ask you to care for me now, but I do ask you to respect me. That isn't too much to ask, is it?"
Qian Xunji looked at Ling Yuan, then suddenly smiled.
"Ling Yuan," Qian Xunji said with a smile, "you have more courage than I imagined."
"I'll take that as a compliment from Your Holiness."
Qian Xunji answered at once, "Of course. My woman will have no need to hide. I'll announce it to the world. The whole continent will know you are the Pope's wife."
"And you will lack nothing in treatment, standing, or resources. Once you become a Titled Douluo, you'll have a seat on the Elder Council."
Qian Xunji paused before adding, "As for affection... as I said, I don't feel it now. We'll see what the future brings. But respect is something I can give you right now."
Ling Yuan looked at him, her amber eyes shimmering faintly.
"All right," she said softly. "I trust you."
Qian Xunji held out the Blazing Sunflower Grass. "Here."
Ling Yuan looked puzzled. "This grass?"
Qian Xunji explained, "This is the treasure that will bring you to level 90."
Ling Yuan stared at it. "Just this?"
"Of course," Qian Xunji said. "This is a treasure found through the Angel God's revelation. It's rarer than a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."
"Take it when you get back, then refine it with your Soul Power."
"Once you reach level 90 Soul Power, absorb your ninth Soul Ring, and become a Titled Douluo, we'll choose an auspicious day and announce our wedding to the continent."
"I'll take my leave."
She turned and walked out of the Pope's Palace.
Ling Yuan's steps felt a little lighter as she walked down the corridor, but her thoughts were still churning.
She looked down at her hands. She had joined Spirit Hall in her teens and had never relied on anyone. Step by step, she had made it this far on her own.
Yet now she had agreed to marry the Pope and become his wife.
Before today, the thought would never even have crossed her mind.
"Forget it. I'll go back and absorb this grass first." Ling Yuan drew a deep breath, quickened her pace, and headed for her quarters.
"Perhaps the child the Pope and I have really will be that important."
Gui Mei came to Qian Xunji's side. "Your Holiness, if you wanted to be honest with her, why invoke a revelation from the Angel God instead of telling her about Lin Fan?"
Qian Xunji glanced at him and said calmly, "To Ling Yuan, a revelation from the Angel God is more believable than a story told by someone from beyond this world."
"She belongs to Spirit Hall. She is loyal to Spirit Hall and to the Angel God. If I told her the truth, she might not believe me. But if I told her it was the Angel God's will, she would."
"Besides, Lin Fan is more important than anything else. She has only agreed for now. I won't tell her about him before the wedding day."
Gui Mei said, "I understand. Thank you for teaching me."
Qian Xunji said, "Go find Elder Bing Luoli now and tell him about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"Yes."
Before you continue