Chapter 34: Toying With the Old Man, Preparing for Marriage

I! Am the Pope!

Qian Xunji's declaration, spoken with solemn determination as though announcing his status, echoed through the study.

The old man Qian Daoliu's face flushed red with rage, and he jumped up, yelling.

"Yes! You're the Pope!"

"But so what if you're the Pope? Aren't you still my son?"

"Now that your wings have hardened, you won't listen to your old man anymore?"

"You're completely out of control!"

Though Qian Daoliu always maintained a gentlemanly and kind image in front of others, no one is without flaws. Every person has negative emotions. In Qian Daoliu's case, things like control and authority were entirely directed at Qian Xunji.

In the past, the original Qian Xunji grew up in this environment and had never dared to resist. But the current Qian Xunji, a transmigrator, wasn't going to let that happen.

This time, Qian Daoliu was trying to scold Qian Xunji again.

In the past, the original body really was incompetent, and Qian Daoliu's rebukes were usually justified. The three worships elders like Golden Crocodile Douluo would always take Qian Daoliu's side, pushing the original to admit fault.

This made the original even more afraid to talk back. After all, if everyone said he was wrong, then maybe he really was wrong. His father Qian Daoliu was the one who was right.

But this time, seeing Qian Daoliu angrily reprimanding Qian Xunji, both Golden Crocodile Douluo and Lion Douluo stood up and spoke.

"Boss, don't scold His Holiness the Pope," Golden Crocodile Douluo said in a low voice. "This time, I think His Holiness did a great job."

"Yes! Exactly!" Lion Douluo echoed, visibly angry.

"That useless Yu Xiaogang from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seduced our Spirit Hall's Saintess—a top-tier genius with innate full soul power and twin martial souls."

"Sure, part of the blame lies with that foolish Bibi Dong…"

"But at the end of the day, Spirit Hall is the true victim here."

"If this story spreads, and we brought people to attack the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, no one would say we were in the wrong."

"We suffered such a huge loss. So what if we demand some compensation?"

"The True Dragon Nine Crowns and a ten-thousand-year Void Spirit Bone may be rare, but is a top-tier genius with twin martial souls worth any less?"

"If all the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has to do is apologize and say a few nice words to make it all go away, then we Spirit Hall would be completely humiliated!"

Qian Daoliu was shocked. He hadn't expected Golden Crocodile Douluo and Lion Douluo to support his son Qian Xunji—and even try to talk him down.

He stared at them, his expression full of disbelief. 'No way… You two have been turned by this brat too?!'

'Was one immortal herb that could evolve your martial soul all it took to buy you off?'

But Golden Crocodile Douluo simply sighed and spoke again, his gaze complicated.

"Boss, I truly believe His Holiness made the right decision this time."

"His Holiness has grown. It's time you let him make his own decisions."

"After all, we're getting old."

Qian Daoliu's body trembled slightly. A swirl of complex emotions surged in his heart. He opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, all his words fell away.

"I can't believe even you two—Golden Crocodile and Lion—you actually agree with this brat."

"Looks like… maybe I've been too soft this time."

"You're right, Golden Crocodile. The kid's grown up. It's time to let him take charge."

He sighed, then turned to Qian Xunji.

"From now on, I won't interfere with the affairs of Spirit Hall. I won't force you to follow my way anymore."

"This time, you did well."

"You were right. You are the Pope."

"From now on, you'll make the decisions in the Hall."

Hearing that Qian Daoliu intended to hand over all authority, Qian Xunji was deeply moved inside.

But it was precisely at this final moment that he had to be all the more serious and respectful.

He put on a look of emotion, eyes turning red, his voice choked as he said:

"Father…"

"I know you're only concerned about me. Afraid that I'll make mistakes and tarnish the dignity of the Pope."

"In the past, I was immature and made you worry too much."

"But now, I've truly grown up."

"I swear, I will do my best to be a competent Pope, and make our Spirit Hall even greater!"

His handsome face, framed by sharp brows and star-like eyes, was filled with determination as he raised his hand and made his vow.

Qian Daoliu felt a deep sense of comfort hearing those words.

'This brat… has really grown up!'

'I said I wouldn't interfere anymore, and instead of looking thrilled, he actually appreciated my good intentions and understood the weight of his responsibilities.'

'He's truly matured!'

"By the way, Father!"

As if he suddenly remembered something, Qian Xunji's handsome face lit up with a smile.

"You were right before. I'm not young anymore—it's time I settled down."

"I've decided to marry and have children soon."

"What! You've finally come around?!"

Qian Daoliu immediately lit up with excitement.

He'd been envious for years watching his old friends all enjoying time with their grandsons and granddaughters.

The Angel Clan had always been thin-blooded. He himself had loved only once and could no longer accept anyone else.

Just being able to have Qian Xunji was already enough.

But Qian Xunji was still young and strong—he had to take responsibility for growing their clan's numbers!

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Qian Daoliu laughed heartily, clapping Qian Xunji on the shoulder and asking,

"Xunji, is there a woman you're fond of now?"

"If so, tell me—I'll personally arrange the marriage!"

"There is."

Qian Xunji revealed a slightly shy expression and chuckled.

"And she's not far away—she's right here."

As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Ling Yuan beside him.

"Ah!!"

To think His Holiness the Pope actually turned his gaze toward her—Ling Yuan's delicate face instantly flushed a deep red. She couldn't believe it, and covered her mouth in shock and excitement.

"Ling Yuan, is it? Not bad."

"Her spirit, the Blazing Spirit Kite, has a fire attribute. The quality is quite good too, and it complements our Qian family's Six-Winged Angel Spirit very well."

"Ling Yuan, what do you think of Ji'er? Are you willing to marry him and become his wife?"

Seeing that his son, Qian Xunji, had taken a liking to Ling Yuan, Qian Daoliu was somewhat surprised—but then again, not really. He considered Ling Yuan's qualities for a moment and felt quite satisfied. He turned to ask her.

"I—I'm willing!"

Faced with someone like Qian Xunji—noble in origin, strikingly handsome, and gifted in both talent and ability—Ling Yuan's face blushed so deeply it looked like it might start bleeding. Head lowered in shyness, she replied softly in a voice barely above a whisper, like a buzzing mosquito.

She wasn't some brain-dead girl like Bibi Dong, unable to tell good from bad.

Whether it was Qian Xunji's own charm, or the halo of growing up together, or the aura of his identity as the Pope, Ling Yuan had no reason to refuse.

"Good! Wonderful!"

Hearing Ling Yuan accept, Qian Daoliu burst into hearty laughter, clearly overjoyed.

He, Qian Daoliu, would soon be holding a grandchild!

Seeing Qian Daoliu's reaction, Qian Xunji couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Though Qian Daoliu had said he wouldn't interfere with Spirit Hall's affairs anymore, habits built up over such a long time weren't easy to change.

Qian Xunji couldn't possibly entrust everything to just Qian Daoliu's promise.

That was why he had involved Golden Crocodile Douluo and Lion Douluo—to force Qian Daoliu to acknowledge that he had grown up and had no choice but to hand over power.

Of course, after hitting Qian Daoliu with the stick, he had to offer a sweet date in return.

Showing that he was ready to settle down and start a family? That was a brilliant move!

The old man had long been dreaming of holding grandchildren.

By now, his original body had probably already turned into a "Secret Chamber Douluo" and gotten Bibi Dong pregnant with Qian Renxue.

As a transmigrator, he couldn't afford to fall behind!

Once Ling Yuan gave birth in the future, he'd just throw the child to the old man to raise.

By then, even if the old man wanted to meddle in Spirit Hall affairs again, he wouldn't have the time or energy!

In Qian Xunji's eyes, the old man was a gentleman and a good person—but when it came to Spirit Hall, he wasn't exactly a qualified leader.

The old man only knew how to maintain a good reputation. He didn't know how to fight for or expand Spirit Hall's interests.

Let alone lead Spirit Hall into a brand new era.

That responsibility still fell to him, Qian Xunji!

...

Meanwhile, over at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan,

a wedding was also about to take place.