"What? Go see my great-great-grandfather now?" Hearing Qian Chen's words, Bei Bei grew even more apprehensive and did not dare respond.
"Don't you want to be with Junior Sister Tang Ya openly?" Qian Chen asked in return.
Facing Tang Ya, Bei Bei suddenly found boundless courage. "Fine, let's go see my great-great-grandfather! I want him to know that Teacher Xiao Ya is the only person I'll ever love. I don't want anyone else!"
Qian Chen gave Bei Bei a mental thumbs-up. Impressive. I never expected Bei Bei to be this fierce for Tang Ya, even when facing Limit Douluo Mu En.
"Good. We'll go now." As Qian Chen finished speaking, a surge of Soul Power swept out, instantly carrying Bei Bei and Tang Ya onto his Seven Kill Sword.
"Hold on tight," Qian Chen reminded them. Then the Seven Kill Sword carried Bei Bei and Tang Ya toward Sea God Island. Qian Chen himself circulated his Soul Power, relying on his formidable strength as a Titled Douluo to hover in midair and fly.
Seeing Qian Chen flying through the sky without using a Soul Tool, the residents of Shrek City beneath his feet cried out in amazement. "Look! A Titled Douluo! And such a young Titled Douluo!"
Qian Chen had no attention to spare for the astonished cries of Shrek City's residents. A moment later, he had already brought Bei Bei and Tang Ya to the entrance of the Sea God Pavilion. Zhang Lexuan was already waiting outside.
"Lexuan, is Mu En inside the Sea God Pavilion?" Qian Chen asked.
"He is," Zhang Lexuan answered. Then she stepped forward, reached out to take Qian Chen's arm, and reminded him again, "Qian Chen, no matter what Mu En says, you mustn't act rashly. Mu En saved my life. That debt cannot be measured in material things."
Qian Chen nodded. "Lexuan, don't worry. Leave everything to me."
By now, Bei Bei could also see the affection that had already blossomed between Qian Chen and Zhang Lexuan. But he was not angry, because to him, Tang Ya alone was enough.
Tang Ya naturally knew Zhang Lexuan, their eldest senior sister. She did not understand why Bei Bei loved her so madly. Compared with Eldest Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan, she lost utterly in both looks and strength. This made her lower her head, utterly lacking in confidence.
Bei Bei seemed to sense Tang Ya's unease. He took a step closer to her, took her hand, and said, "Don't be afraid, Xiao Ya. I'll always stand by your side."
Only then did Tang Ya nod, seeming a little more at ease.
The four entered the Sea God Pavilion's main hall together. Above the steps sat a hunched old man, none other than Dragon God Douluo Mu En. By now, he already knew the general situation and was in an extremely foul mood, but he still wore a kindly expression as he asked, "What brings all four of you here together?"
As the oldest, Zhang Lexuan was about to step forward and explain, but a hand firmly held her back.
"Let me." Qian Chen looked at Zhang Lexuan, his gaze resolute. Then he stepped forward and said, "Teacher, I've brought Lexuan, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya here today to ask you to grant us something."
Mu En said nothing, his eyes fixed intently on Qian Chen. The presence of a Limit Douluo filled the entire main hall of the Sea God Pavilion.
Qian Chen did not back down and continued, "Teacher, the betrothal you arranged for Bei Bei and Lexuan back then not only failed to bring them happiness, but instead became shackles keeping each of them from pursuing their own happiness. Now Bei Bei has fallen in love with Junior Sister Tang Ya, the sect master of the Tang Sect, and I have fallen in love with Eldest Senior Sister Lexuan. I beg you to agree to dissolve Bei Bei and Lexuan's engagement."
"Qian Chen, do you know why I arranged an engagement between Bei Bei and Lexuan?" Mu En asked coldly.
"Of course. Bei Bei lost his parents when he was little and needed someone to care for and protect him. Lexuan is exceptionally gifted, so naturally she could protect Bei Bei, and their descendants would be stronger as well," Qian Chen explained.
Mu En glanced at Qian Chen again. "Since you know, this matter cannot be changed."
Qian Chen was about to continue when Bei Bei stepped forward as well. "Great-great-grandfather, I don't love Sister Lexuan. She's looked after me since I was little, and I'm very grateful to her. In my heart, she's my own elder sister, an elder of my own family. I don't have any romantic love for Sister Lexuan. If you insist on forcing me to marry her, I won't lay a single finger on her for the rest of my life. Please consider this carefully!"
Mu En felt like killing someone, but he still put on a kindly expression and asked, "Lexuan, what about you? I've always treated you as my own granddaughter. All I want is for you to marry Bei Bei."
Zhang Lexuan's presence weakened. She truly could not bring herself to refuse the man who had saved her life. But she knew she had to make things clear now. "Mu En, before coming here, if Bei Bei had still been willing to honor the engagement, I would have been willing to stay by his side forever, look after him, and bear his children. But Mu En, you've seen it yourself. Bei Bei cannot possibly love me. And by coming here today, I've already made my decision. Since Bei Bei won't love me or fulfill our engagement, I can only pursue my own happiness."
Bei Bei jumped in again. "Exactly, Great-great-grandfather! I also want the sister who's looked after me for over a decade to be happy. Besides, Senior Brother Qian Chen is one of us, so Sister Lexuan wouldn't be marrying outside the family!"
Mu En turned to Tang Ya. The sight of her angered him. Compared with Zhang Lexuan, Tang Ya fell far too short. "Tang Ya, do you know what your problem is?"
Tang Ya jumped in fright and said in a trembling voice, "Mu En, I... I... Bei Bei loves me and wants to be with me, so I'll be with him."
Hearing Tang Ya's final answer, Mu En knew that Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan's engagement could not be preserved today. His allotted time was nearly up; at most, he had six or seven years left to live.
He could only extract as much as possible from Qian Chen, this future Limit Douluo. Naturally, the benefits he wanted were not things like Soul Bones or pills. "Qian Chen, I can agree to dissolve Bei Bei and Lexuan's engagement. But you must agree to three conditions." Mu En knew that as long as Zhang Lexuan was still around, Qian Chen would not go back on his word once he agreed.
"Please tell me, Teacher," Qian Chen replied at once when he saw Mu En relent.
"First, I originally arranged Bei Bei and Lexuan's engagement so that Lexuan would protect Bei Bei once she had grown strong. Since their engagement is being dissolved, I don't want the agreement to protect Bei Bei to simply end like this. You must take over the responsibility of protecting Bei Bei and help him unconditionally whenever he is in trouble," Mu En said.
"Agreed. I can protect Junior Brother Bei Bei. But if Bei Bei commits crimes or wrongdoing first, I won't help him evade punishment," Qian Chen said.
"Good. Second, when Bei Bei reaches the Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo realms, you must help him hunt for two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings," Mu En added.
"No problem, Teacher. I agree. Please state your final condition," Qian Chen said with ironclad resolve.
Mu En took a breath. He now felt utterly weary at heart. He continued, "As for the final request, I won't state it myself. I'd like Bei Bei to name that condition himself in the future. What do you think?"
"Agreed," Qian Chen answered firmly for Zhang Lexuan's sake.
Zhang Lexuan looked at Qian Chen, both aching for him and moved. She felt she had not misjudged him.
Mu En said, "Good. Since you've agreed to everything, Qian Chen, swear upon your Martial Soul."
"Very well. I, Qian Chen, swear upon my Martial Soul today that I will fulfill Mu En's three conditions in the future," Qian Chen swore solemnly.
Hearing that Qian Chen would definitely fulfill a condition Bei Bei named in the future, Tang Ya felt a surge of joy. Qian Chen was a mighty Titled Douluo. An idea gradually took shape in her heart. She simply did not dare voice it now. She could only find a way to bring it up with Bei Bei later and get that condition from him.