Zhao Ling found it strange. He had not said anything particularly odd, so why had this girl suddenly blushed so deeply? This... this was unscientific.
Her pretty face crimson, Bibi Dong shyly lowered her head, her ten fingers tangled together.
"M-my teacher said he wanted to choose a date himself for our engagement. He also said... he hoped that when we had children, we would leave at least one in Spirit Hall."
"What? What did you say?" Zhao Ling was utterly dumbfounded. An overwhelming impulse made him summon his diary and start ranting in it.
[Holy shit! What's going on? Dong'er actually said that old fellow Qian Xunji wants to arrange our engagement?]
[Is something wrong with my ears, or is something wrong with Qian Xunji's brain?]
[I was all ready to go argue things out with Spirit Hall alongside Dong'er, only for this girl to come running over with a bombshell like this.]
[Sure enough, the butterfly effect I've caused since transmigrating to Douluo is getting worse and worse.]
[Dong'er no longer likes Yu Xiaogang, so Qian Xunji won't imprison her over it. Perhaps she can escape her fate of being violated.]
[That really is good news for Dong'er, but... it might mean Qian Renxue can never be born in Douluo.]
[Sigh... honestly, I couldn't be happier that Tang San can't be born in Douluo now that Ah Yin has become my wife.]
[But I still feel a little regretful that a girl as beautiful and talented as Qian Renxue might never be born in Douluo.]
[Still, the best thing is that Dong'er won't be violated by that bastard Qian Xunji. Whether Qian Renxue can appear will depend on her own fate.]
After finishing his rant, Zhao Ling clicked to upload the diary and received a low-grade mystic-tier magical artifact, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle.
Judging by its description, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle seemed to be a boat that could fly through the sky, covering roughly three thousand li during daylight hours. Although it was considerably slower than the airplanes of his previous life,
it was far faster than the carriages and boats on the Douluo Continent. Just look at his carriage journey from Suotuo City to Spirit City with the Spirit Hall party-it had taken five or six whole days.
Had he possessed the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle before, he probably could have reached Spirit City from Suotuo City in just over a day.
However, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle needed power to fly. It had its own Spirit-Gathering Array and could replenish its power while idle, but the recovery rate was painfully slow.
So if he wanted to use the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, it would be best to supply it with spirit stones. With spirit stones, it was the most useful means of transportation currently available on the Douluo Continent.
Without spirit stones, it could only sit in his storage space most of the time. Zhao Ling knew there probably were not any spirit stones on the Douluo Continent, so obtaining them meant waiting for system rewards.
Zhao Ling was rather displeased about that. This system was stingy. Why couldn't it have thrown in several hundred or a thousand spirit stones when it gave him the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle?
After silently scorning the system, Zhao Ling wrapped an arm around Bibi Dong's slender waist and smiled.
"Let's go. Your teacher must be getting impatient. Since he's treating us so well, we shouldn't be too lacking in manners."
"Mm..." Bibi Dong nodded and nestled against Zhao Ling as they headed downstairs.
At the same time, her beautiful eyes turned toward the illusory Zhao Ling's Diary Copy before her, and she used her thoughts to turn to the latest entry.
Bibi Dong remembered seeing the name Qian Renxue in the diary before. It had apparently said she was the daughter of Bibi Dong and her teacher.
Bibi Dong's feelings were complicated regarding this daughter who might never appear again.
But she could do nothing about it. She only wanted to give herself to someone she loved. She did not want to bear that child after her teacher defiled her body. She could not do it...
Chapter 90: Would You Be Willing to Join Spirit Hall?
Inside the Papal Hall, Qian Xunji sat upright on the Papal Throne.
Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo had all been ordered out of the Papal Hall by Qian Xunji, and the doors had been closed.
Zhao Ling stood less than ten meters before Qian Xunji. They scrutinized each other, neither speaking for a long time.
Ignoring Qian Xunji's probing gaze, Zhao Ling merely summoned his diary system and began ranting in it.
[Hmm, Qian Xunji really is quite handsome. He should be around fifty now, right? Yet he only looks twenty or thirty.]
[No wonder Qian Renxue was so beautiful in the original work. She inherited her looks from both Dong'er and Qian Xunji.]
[With looks like his, Qian Xunji could easily have become an A-list actor on Blue Star.]
[I just find it a little strange. Qian Xunji is so handsome, while Yu Xiaogang's looks can only be considered ordinary.]
[Why did Dong'er fall for Yu Xiaogang in the original work rather than the better-looking Qian Xunji?]
[Hmm, was it because Dong'er never considered crossing the line between teacher and disciple... hmm, that doesn't seem hard to understand.]
[In modern society on Blue Star in my previous life, romances between teachers and students were perfectly normal. But in ancient times, such romances seemed to be an offense against heaven itself.]
[Thinking of it that way, it doesn't seem so surprising...]
Before Zhao Ling could upload his diary, Qian Xunji released his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Two yellow, two purple, and five black Soul Rings-nine in total-slowly rose into the air.
His imposing presence as a Titled Douluo erupted, directing all its terrifying pressure at Zhao Ling. Faced with the presence Qian Xunji released, Zhao Ling smiled disdainfully.
He could tell that Qian Xunji's Soul Power was only rank ninety-two. He probably had not been a Titled Douluo for long.
Zhao Ling's own Soul Power had already risen to rank ninety-three, yet this fellow was releasing his Soul Power to test him. Was he an idiot?
Moreover, Qian Xunji's combat prowess was rather pathetic. The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was clearly one of the Douluo Continent's finest Martial Souls, yet in Qian Xunji's hands, its battle record was abysmal.
In the original work, Tang Hao had fought several of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo alone just after receiving Ah Yin's sacrifice and successfully breaking through to Titled Douluo, even hammering the rank ninety-five Qian Xunji into a severely injured state.
With combat prowess like that, Qian Xunji still wanted to test him? Zhao Ling was almost worried he might lose control, toss the Netherworld Demon-Suppressing Pagoda at Qian Xunji, and crush him into dust.
Thus, a gentle smile appeared on Zhao Ling's face as he asked, "What, does His Holiness the Pope wish to test my strength?"
Qian Xunji raised his eyes noncommittally and stared straight at Zhao Ling.
"Of course. Ever since Dong'er accepted me as her teacher, I've raised her as my own daughter. Now that she says she has a man she loves, naturally, I must see whether the man she loves is worthy."
"Oh, in that case, I'll grant your wish."
Zhao Ling was not angry. His gentle smile still felt like a warm spring breeze.
But the next instant, he released his Netherworld Demon-Suppressing Pagoda Martial Soul, and an enormous black pagoda appeared behind him.
Ancient and oppressive, the treasured pagoda seemed to have suppressed countless demons. The instant its body appeared, Qian Xunji felt as though something were pressing heavily against his heart.
At the same time, nine Soul Rings-two purple, four black, and three red-slowly rose into the air. A Titled Douluo's presence erupted, instantly pinning down Qian Xunji's own imposing presence and making his breathing grow considerably heavier.
Qian Xunji's pupils contracted involuntarily. He already regarded Zhao Ling as a freak. Was this some kind of joke? Even this fellow's lowest-level Soul Rings were over a thousand years old, and he had three Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings.
He felt he must have gone mad, or his eyes were playing tricks on him. Even his father, who had received part of the Angel God's inheritance, only had eight black Soul Rings and one red.
And that was only because his father had completed that portion of the inheritance and received a reward from the deity that increased his Soul Rings' ages. Yet Zhao Ling possessed a configuration of three Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings that even his father had never possessed.
Originally, Qian Xunji had doubted some of Bibi Dong's claims. But now that he had personally witnessed Zhao Ling's terrifying configuration of two purple, four black, and three red Soul Rings, he had no reason left to doubt her.
Meanwhile, in the nearby Worship Hall and Douluo Hall, the expressions of the enshrined elders and elders changed one after another.
Almost simultaneously, they sensed two Titled Douluo presences erupt in succession from the direction of the Papal Hall. One was very familiar: His Holiness the Pope's.
The other unfamiliar presence that suddenly erupted undoubtedly belonged to another Titled Douluo powerhouse.
This unfamiliar presence was exceptionally fierce and overbearing, its foundations extraordinarily profound. It swiftly suppressed His Holiness the Pope's presence.
Even Golden Crocodile Douluo could not compare to such exceedingly profound Soul Power. Probably only the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu, could rival it to some extent...
Qian Daoliu instinctively turned his gaze toward the Papal Hall, his heart full of confusion.
What was going on? Why had a Titled Douluo with such fierce, overbearing, and incomparably profound Soul Power suddenly appeared in the Papal Hall?
After exchanging a glance, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo intended to head to the Papal Hall together to investigate. But before they could step through the Worship Hall's doorway, that fierce, overbearing presence vanished.
What... what was going on now? Without saying anything more, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo headed straight for the Papal Hall.
Inside the Papal Hall, Qian Xunji returned to his senses and stared at Zhao Ling in shock. But he soon recovered and burst into hearty laughter.
"Good, very good! It seems your talent is even more terrifying than Dong'er described. Would you be willing to join our Spirit Hall? If you agree to join, I can make you the next pope."
Originally, Qian Xunji had thought that if Zhao Ling's talent really was as heaven-defying as Dong'er claimed, he would grant the pair his blessing and arrange their engagement.
That would make Zhao Ling half a member of Spirit Hall. Once Dong'er inherited the position of pope, Zhao Ling would surely support her.
But now that he had seen how Zhao Ling's talent was far more terrifying than Dong'er had described, he wanted Zhao Ling to join Spirit Hall outright. He could simply pass the position of pope directly to Zhao Ling in the future. Why bother passing it to Dong'er?
Hearing Qian Xunji's words, Zhao Ling's mouth twitched, and he shook his head like a rattle-drum.
"No, no, no. I'm used to living freely and have no interest in becoming pope. You should still pass the position to Dong'er. Once Dong'er and I are married, what difference would there be between her becoming pope and me becoming pope?"
Zhao Ling was not lying. He had no desire to remain in Spirit Hall forever. There were so many beautiful girls on the Douluo Continent. How boring would it be if he could only stay in Spirit Hall?
Zhao Ling still dreamed of giving all the beautiful girls in Douluo one shared, warm family. How could he let himself be trapped in Spirit City?
Chapter 91: What the Hell Does That Have to Do with Me?
"Ah, if you're unwilling, then I won't force you as your teacher. You're right. As long as Dong'er becomes pope, it's no different from you becoming pope."
A trace of regret appeared on Qian Xunji's face. He rose from the Papal Throne, slowly approached Zhao Ling, and gently patted his shoulder, looking at him with a "kindly" gaze.
"From now on, I'm entrusting Dong'er to you. Both her parents died when she was very young, leaving her an orphan. I hope you'll cherish her properly and never let her suffer the slightest grievance..."
At first, Zhao Ling nodded repeatedly, but he soon realized something was wrong.
Never mind marriage-he and Dong'er were not even engaged yet, and Qian Xunji was already calling himself his teacher. The way he so readily seized the advantage made Zhao Ling want to hit him.
But on second thought, this fellow was Dong'er's teacher and had worked hard to raise her.
As long as he did not harbor improper desires toward Dong'er as he had in the original work, Zhao Ling supposed he ought to show him some respect. After all, he was the one lusting after Dong'er's body...
Just as Zhao Ling was struggling to resist the urge to give Qian Xunji a savage beating, the hall doors opened.
Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo pushed the doors open and entered, only to see Qian Xunji patting Zhao Ling's shoulder with an approving expression.
The two were rather stunned. They had assumed that even if no battle had broken out inside the Papal Hall, the situation would at least be one of drawn swords and bent bows.
Who could have imagined that Qian Xunji would be looking at the unfamiliar man beside him with a face full of smiles? How could they not be puzzled?
However, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo soon regained their composure. They approached Qian Xunji and Zhao Ling together and spoke in a probing tone.
"Ji'er, who is this man? Was he the Titled Douluo whose presence surpassed yours just now?"
Qian Daoliu did not beat around the bush, directly voicing his doubts.
Qian Xunji nodded slightly to Qian Daoliu and pointed at Zhao Ling as he explained.
"Yes, Father. This man is Dong'er's... fiancé. Although he and Dong'er haven't known each other long, it could be called love at first sight. I intend to choose an auspicious date and personally hold their engagement ceremony."
"What..." Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo both found it hard to believe. Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's only disciple. He had practically doted on her throughout her childhood; saying he had raised her as his daughter would not be an exaggeration.
Yet this daughter had barely grown up before some pig from outside had rooted her up, and Qian Xunji was not angry?
However, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo soon thought of the reason. This unfamiliar man looked extremely young, certainly only around thirty.
Becoming a Titled Douluo at that age meant that his potential could only be described as terrifying. In the not-too-distant future, he might obtain a deity's inheritance, pass its Divine Trials, and become a new god.
By arranging his engagement to Bibi Dong now, Qian Xunji was establishing a connection. Even if Zhao Ling truly became a god later, he would count as half a god of Spirit Hall. If Spirit Hall encountered danger, could he really stand aside with his hands tucked into his sleeves?
Moreover, Bibi Dong's own aptitude was excellent, and she possessed two extremely powerful Twin Martial Souls. Qian Daoliu knew his own talent could not compare to hers.
Perhaps Bibi Dong would also have a chance to become a god someday. Imagining a future in which Spirit Hall had two gods under one roof, Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo could understand Qian Xunji's thinking.
Thus, Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. "Very good. Since they love each other, grant them their wish. I'll leave this matter to you."
While they conversed, Zhao Ling also turned his attention to the man Qian Xunji had addressed as Father. He looked thirty or forty, with handsome features and a faint smile on his face.
Zhao Ling had to admit that the serene, tranquil air the man exuded felt very comfortable. Although he released no presence at all, Zhao Ling could instinctively sense the danger he posed.
Zhao Ling continued ranting directly on the Diary Panel he had yet to upload.
[Sure enough, Qian Daoliu, Qian Xunji, and Qian Renxue are a whole family of outstanding beauties. Just look at old Qian Daoliu. He's almost a hundred, yet his looks are still top-notch.]
[I'm pretty handsome myself. After all, the system's boost brought my appearance score up to eighty-eight. But either Qian Daoliu or Qian Xunji could easily score over ninety.]
[Huh, that makes me wonder. Qian Daoliu is clearly much more handsome than Tang Chen, so why did Bo Saixi prefer Tang Chen over Qian Daoliu back then?]
[Was there something wrong with Bo Saixi's eyes? Never mind anything else-among women in my previous life, eight out of ten liked handsome men, right?]
[Or was Bo Saixi's taste different from everyone else's? She didn't like handsome men, just men built like double doors.]
[Hmm, that's not impossible. With his inherited Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul, wouldn't Tang Chen have easily trained himself into a double-door physique with eight-pack ab~s? Maybe Bo Saixi just liked men with eight-pack ab~s?]
[What a shame, though. Bo Saixi and Tang Chen won't be able to end up together. Tang Chen fell for that sneaky bastard Rakshasa God's scheme and was parasitized by the Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King. He lost his sanity and degenerated into the King of Slaughter.]
[Restoring Tang Chen would be no small challenge. Even if he recovered, he probably wouldn't be far from death. But what the hell does that have to do with me?]
After finishing his rant, Zhao Ling clicked to upload the diary. This entry received an A+ rating, earning him an eighty-thousand-year External Soul Bone, which swiftly merged into his body.
Zhao Ling's eyes lit up when he saw the reward. It had not been easy. After all his efforts, he finally had a complete set of Soul Bones. But why were none of them particularly high-quality?
His two highest-quality Soul Bones had dropped in a burst of good luck when he hunted the three Qian Jun Ant Emperor brothers.
Before you continue