Spirit Hall's diehard loyalist Ling Yuan

In the past, she had not known that Spirit Hall had a young hall master named Qian Renxue.

It was only three months earlier, when Qian Zong became Spirit Hall Young Hall Master, that she learned Spirit Hall had three leaders: Pope Bibi Dong, Young Hall Master Qian Renxue, and Spirit Hall Young Hall Master Qian Zong.

The pope handled day-to-day affairs. The young hall master spent most of the year in the Worship Hall and rarely went out.

The Spirit Hall Young Hall Master's whereabouts were even more mysterious. No one knew where he was.

Qian Renxue stepped forward with a smile and helped Ling Yuan up from her kneeling position. "No need for such ceremony, Ling Yuan Douluo."

So this is the maturity my dear grandson was talking about? I don't see anything particularly special.

Qian Renxue quietly sized Ling Yuan up.

Ling Yuan was tall and wore a close-fitting charcoal-gray combat outfit. Defined lines of muscle traced her lean, taut figure.

Her dark red hair was tied in a high ponytail that fell over her shoulders and back, and her amber eyes had a charm of their own.

But to Qian Renxue, Ling Yuan's figure, face, hair color, and eye color all fell within the ordinary range. Nothing stood out.

Never mind. As long as my dear grandson likes her. Qian Renxue gave it no more thought.

Ling Yuan was fifty-three years old, 170 centimeters tall, and weighed 59 kilograms. Her Martial Soul was the Blazing Spirit Kite, and she was a level 88 agility-type Soul Douluo.

She had joined Spirit Hall at the age of six and devoted her entire life to serving it.

At present, Ling Yuan had yet to reach level 90 or become a Spirit Hall elder. She was merely an exceptionally gifted Soul Douluo.

Once Ling Yuan stood, she asked, "May I ask why you summoned me, Young Hall Master?"

Qian Renxue had heard about Ling Yuan from Qian Zong and knew she had an impatient streak. She smiled and went straight to the point.

"Ling Yuan Douluo, have you married?"

"No, Young Hall Master. I have not."

Qian Renxue continued, "Then is there anyone who has caught your eye?"

"No, Young Hall Master. In this age, no one is worthy of me."

Ling Yuan accepted Qian Renxue's status as young hall master and had shown her the respect due from a subordinate throughout.

But she had become a Soul Douluo at a young age, and pride ran deep in her bones.

Qian Renxue: ...

Qian Zong had told her that Ling Yuan Douluo was talented as a Soul Master, but her ambitions soared far above those of ordinary people. She was also rather impatient for quick success, making it hard for her to accomplish anything great.

Qian Renxue had paid it little mind at the time. It was only natural for a gifted Soul Master to have lofty ambitions.

Now, though, she understood why Qian Zong had gone out of his way to mention Ling Yuan Douluo's pride.

This went beyond pride. Ling Yuan looked down on everyone.

Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment. But she had come all this way and could hardly leave empty-handed, so she nodded and smiled.

"Ling Yuan Douluo, your talent is remarkable. I'm sure it won't be long before you advance to Titled Douluo and become a pillar of Spirit Hall."

Ling Yuan lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, feeling not the least bit embarrassed.

Becoming a mere Titled Douluo? That's as easy as reaching out and taking it.

Ling Yuan dropped to one knee and placed a hand over her chest. "I would gladly die for Spirit Hall!"

She had been born a commoner, and Spirit Hall had taken her in when she was young.

After her Martial Soul Awakening, Spirit Hall had not discriminated against her for being a commoner. Instead, it had devoted every resource to nurturing her, feeding her, sending her to school, and helping her hunt Soul Beasts.

Spirit Hall had given her a new life. She had long since come to regard it as her home.

That was why she had acknowledged Qian Renxue without a second thought upon meeting her.

Spirit Hall's kindness was a debt she had to repay.

Qian Renxue felt somewhat helpless. The woman before her was arrogant, but Qian Zong had called her one of Spirit Hall's most loyal pillars, and her devotion was beyond question.

She helped Ling Yuan up once more and explained,

"To tell you the truth, Ling Yuan Douluo, I summoned you today because I wanted to arrange a marriage for you. Have you considered starting a family?"

Before a subordinate, Qian Renxue had resumed her gracious manner toward talented people.

Ling Yuan hesitated, conflict written all over her face.

Since embarking on her path, she had been busy improving her strength so she could repay Spirit Hall for giving her a new life as soon as possible. She had never considered marriage.

Qian Renxue did not rush her. She waited quietly.

Less than two minutes passed before the conflict vanished from Ling Yuan's face, replaced by a resolve unlike any she had shown before.

She had always wanted a chance to repay Spirit Hall's kindness. Now that the young hall master had come to her personally, she had no reason to refuse.

"I'm honored that you think so highly of me, Young Hall Master. I leave this matter entirely in your hands."

Ling Yuan was about to drop to one knee, but Qian Renxue reacted quickly and caught her.

Delighted, Qian Renxue smiled. "There's no need for that, Ling Yuan Douluo. From now on, we can address each other as sisters."

For the moment, Qian Renxue was not sure what she should call Ling Yuan once she became Qian Zong's partner.

Ancestor?

Absolutely not. That's the Worship Hall's greatest secret.

Young Hall Master?

That won't do either. Once we're family, it would sound too distant.

After thinking it over, she could only settle on calling each other sisters for now.

Flattered and alarmed, Ling Yuan waved her hands in refusal. "Young Hall Master, I couldn't possibly. Your status is far above mine. How could I overstep?"

"It's fine. Once you become my dear... brother's partner, we'll be family." Qian Renxue sighed. "But my brother is still young and probably knows little about relations between men and women. You'll need to guide him when the time comes."

Ling Yuan struggled to make sense of it all. But since Qian Renxue had given her an order, she patted her chest and promised,

"Rest assured, Young Hall Master. I'll do everything I can to guide your brother."

No sooner had the words left her mouth than something clicked. Her pupils contracted sharply, and she exclaimed,

"Young Hall Master, don't tell me the person you want to introduce me to is the Spirit Hall Young Hall Master?"

Qian Renxue nodded and explained,

"Zong'er's talent as a Soul Master is extraordinary. He became a Soul King at just thirteen. Even I can't compare to one ten-thousandth of him."

As Qian Renxue spoke, her gaze dimmed, and she gave a soft sigh.

"But heaven envies the gifted. Zong'er encountered a villain while he was away. I'm afraid he'll never be able to cultivate again.

"Grandfather and I no longer ask that Zong'er become a great power. We only hope he can live out his days in peace and happiness."

On hearing this, Ling Yuan did not look down on Qian Zong for being crippled. Instead, anger blazed within her, and fire seemed ready to shoot from her eyes.

She dropped to one knee again and pledged, "I'm honored by your trust, Young Hall Master. I won't let you down. I'll spend my life guarding the Spirit Hall Young Hall Master."

Qian Renxue was astonished. She had thought Ling Yuan would reject the marriage after hearing that Qian Zong's body had been ruined.

"No wonder Zong'er spoke so highly of you." Smiling, Qian Renxue helped Ling Yuan up again. "Ling Yuan Douluo, Zong'er must agree to this as well. Come with me to see him."

"Yes."

Uneasy, Ling Yuan followed silently behind Qian Renxue.

She was loyal to Spirit Hall, but that did not mean she had no thoughts of her own.

Whatever Qian Zong's physical condition, his status and bloodline remained.

If she could marry into the Qian Family, she would have an inexhaustible supply of cultivation resources, to say nothing of wealth and luxury.

Besides, Qian Zong had become a Soul King at thirteen. His talent was nothing short of terrifying.

If she bore Qian Zong's child someday, she could not imagine what astonishing heights that child might reach.