After hearing everything, Qian Chen's heart trembled. It turned out that his relationship with Zhang Lexuan had remained neither close nor distant, unable to progress further, not only because he had been the Pope in his previous life and did not know how to love or pursue a woman, but also because Zhang Lexuan and Bei Bei actually had a marriage agreement.
But he quickly calmed down and said, "All right, I understand. Guyi, come on. Uncle will take you to a grand hotel in Shrek City to welcome our Guyi and wash away the dust of your journey. We can't leave you out."
"Uncle, I'm not going. I think you should go see Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan. While you were away getting your soul ring these past few days, Eldest Senior Sister treated me very well. I think she's a good person. Since Bei Bei doesn't want her anymore, having her become my aunt would be wonderful too. Uncle, all that's missing between you and Aunt is a single unspoken sentence." With that, Qian Guyi pushed Qian Chen toward the door.
Inside Qian Chen's Sea of Consciousness, Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue also saw everything that was happening. Qian Renxue watched with some envy as Qian Guyi acted spoiled in front of Qian Chen.
She asked Bibi Dong, "Mom, who is this Zhang Lexuan?"
"A genius Soul Master who reached the Soul Douluo level at nineteen. Qian Chen's eighth soul ring, that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, was coaxed and tricked out of this Zhang Lexuan," Bibi Dong explained.
Qian Renxue really wanted to shout, Qian Chen, passing down our Angel Martial Soul requires a powerful mother to bear it. This Zhang Lexuan is a good choice. But when she saw Bibi Dong and remembered the filthy things her father, Qian Xunji, had done to her mother, she lowered her voice again and merely said softly in Qian Chen's direction, "Qian Chen, go see that poor Zhang Lexuan. Perhaps she really can become the best partner for you."
Just like that, through Qian Guyi's and Qian Renxue's urging and pushing, Qian Chen was driven out of his residence.
Qian Chen thought it over. Continuing to shrink back like this was no solution. He had always admired Zhang Lexuan and genuinely liked her as a person, and passing down the Angel Martial Soul also required a powerful partner. If he could be with Zhang Lexuan, it would also be a tremendous help in taking control of Shrek Academy.
He looked toward Zhang Lexuan's nearby residence and walked over.
Knock, knock, knock. The knocking rang out.
"Who is it?" Zhang Lexuan's somewhat weary, hoarse voice came from inside.
"It's me, Qian Chen."
Zhang Lexuan opened the door and saw Qian Chen's familiar face. Trembling, she asked, "Qian Chen, what brings you here?"
"I came specifically to see you. I've already heard what happened last night," Qian Chen said.
Zhang Lexuan felt deeply embarrassed and lowered her head.
"Sister Lexuan, can you tell me how you came to have a marriage agreement with Bei Bei?" Qian Chen asked earnestly. There was not a trace of mockery or disdain for Zhang Lexuan in his eyes; they were filled with sincerity.
Zhang Lexuan lowered her head and stared at the floor. At last, she sighed and said, "Back then, my family was a noble house of middling standing in the Heavenly Soul Empire. Later, a conflict arose between my family and another noble house, and that house joined forces with Evil Soul Masters to wipe out my family."
At this, Qian Chen could not help clenching his fists and murmured, "Evil Soul Masters!"
Zhang Lexuan seemed to sense the fluctuations in Qian Chen's emotions. She paused, then continued, "Back then, I hid among the corpses of my family members for two whole days. Then Mu En happened to pass by. He immediately slew all the Evil Soul Masters and exterminated that noble house for colluding with them. Mu En saved my life and avenged my blood feud. Afterward, he brought me back to Shrek Academy."
Zhang Lexuan took a breath before continuing, "Later, Bei Bei was born. Not long afterward, both his parents met with misfortune and passed away. Seeing that I had good talent, Mu En invoked that debt of gratitude and asked me to look after Bei Bei and marry him once he grew up. To repay Mu En's kindness, I agreed."
Qian Chen understood. So this was simply Mu En using a past kindness to demand repayment. He asked again, "Lexuan, the person Bei Bei loves now is Tang Ya. You and he have already been drifting further and further apart. Since Bei Bei no longer wants this marriage agreement, how about becoming my wife? I'll repay your debt to Mu En for you."
Looking at Qian Chen's sincere face, Zhang Lexuan said, "Qian Chen, a favor from a Limit Douluo isn't so easy to repay. They stand at the pinnacle of this world and lack nothing."
Qian Chen did not wait for her to agonize any longer. He pulled Zhang Lexuan into his arms. Startled, Zhang Lexuan was about to push him away, but Qian Chen had already attained the strength of a Titled Douluo. As a Soul Douluo, she could not move him at all. Qian Chen whispered in her ear, "Lexuan, wait for me."
The next moment, Qian Chen entered his Sea of Consciousness and called, "Xiao Jin."
"Coming!" With a piercing eagle cry, the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle's soul appeared in the Sea of Consciousness.
Qian Chen shared Bei Bei's appearance with the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle through his spiritual power and said, "Find this person for me in Shrek City."
"Yes," the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle replied. Then a giant soul eagle, invisible to ordinary people, spread its wings and flew out of Qian Chen's body. It began circling above Shrek Academy, swiftly searching for Bei Bei.
A moment later, the Golden-Feathered Scarlet Eagle flew back into Qian Chen's Sea of Consciousness and relayed Bei Bei's location to him through their spiritual connection.
Qian Chen turned to Zhang Lexuan and said, "Lexuan, go to the Sea God Pavilion and find Mu En. I'll bring Bei Bei and Tang Ya over. Today, we'll all talk this through together. Lexuan, I don't want you carrying such a heavy debt of gratitude every day, living under so much pressure."
Zhang Lexuan looked at Qian Chen. She had wanted to say, Qian Chen, where could you possibly find Bei Bei and the others on such short notice? But on second thought, she felt she should trust him. Ever since she first met Qian Chen, he had never disappointed her.
"All right." With that, Zhang Lexuan tidied up her haggard appearance and headed for the Sea God Pavilion.
Qian Chen summoned the Seven Kill Sword and lightly stepped onto its blade. The sword moved at his will, carrying him like a streaking meteor toward the hotel where Bei Bei and Tang Ya were.
It was dinnertime, and Bei Bei had once again brought Tang Ya to a luxurious hotel outside the academy. He ordered a table full of delicacies and ate happily with her. Looking at Tang Ya's smile, Bei Bei felt it had all been worth it.
Just as the two were enjoying their meal, Bei Bei felt a powerful gust sweep through the private dining room. He and Tang Ya looked up and saw that another person had suddenly appeared inside: a blond man dressed in white, standing on a flying sword.
"Senior Brother Qian Chen!" Seeing that it was Qian Chen, Bei Bei immediately called out happily.
"Mm, Bei Bei," Qian Chen replied with a nod.
"Senior Brother Qian Chen, let me introduce you. This is Tang Ya, the sect master of our Tang Sect," Bei Bei introduced her excitedly.
Tang Ya stepped forward and dipped her head slightly in greeting to Qian Chen. "Senior Brother Qian Chen."
Qian Chen nodded slightly again and stepped down from the Seven Kill Sword. Seeing this, Bei Bei hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Qian Chen, have you had dinner? Come, join us for a bite."
With that, he called to the servers outside, "Someone, clear this table and bring us a fresh spread of even better dishes."
Qian Chen raised a hand to stop Bei Bei and said, "I didn't come here to eat. When I returned today, I heard about what happened between you and Zhang Lexuan."
Bei Bei lowered his head and said with a somewhat guilty conscience, "Senior Brother Qian Chen, I didn't mean to mention you at the time."
Qian Chen smiled faintly and said, "It's fine. I've liked Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan all along. Since you want to cancel your marriage agreement with her, let's go see Mu En now and settle this."