Qian Daoliu seemed determined to make this "wonderful matchmaking" happen, and he sticked to it stubbornly.
"If you can't accept it now, that's fine. We'll set the engagement first, and then you can slowly get used to it."
"Grandpa, stop!" Qian Renjue raised his hand, signaling for a halt.
Qian Renxue was about to say something but swallowed her words.
"Grandpa, have you even discussed this with the other side?" Qian Renjue exhaled, starting to speak more seriously.
"With Ning Fengzhi's cunning nature, he certainly wouldn't entrust the future of his sect to us."
"Have you figured out how to 'persuade' Ning Fengzhi? By coercion? Or offering benefits?"
Qian Daoliu paused for a moment.
The idea of persuading Ning Fengzhi hadn't fully occurred to him, but indeed, he hadn't thought of a strategy.
Qian Renxue smiled, thinking to herself that Jue was indeed suited to be the Pope.
"Let's not worry about that for now," Qian Daoliu said with a frown, "As long as you agree, Grandpa can guarantee that this deal will be made."
"Grandpa, just my agreement alone isn't enough," Qian Renjue rolled his eyes.
He was already quite close with Ye Lingling and was no longer single.
Plus, he now had a bargaining chip strong enough to make Ning Fengzhi tempted.
Before Qian Daoliu could respond, Qian Renjue took out a jade box from his sleeve.
"Grandpa, take a look at this."
"What is it?" Qian Daoliu asked, puzzled, as he gazed at the box.
"Grandpa, this is the Kirin Golden Pill. Once ingested, it allows one to absorb the essence of heaven and earth, basking in the light of the sun and moon," Qian Renjue explained as he opened the box.
Inside the jade box, golden light shimmered slightly, and a rich fragrance of tulips filled the air.
A golden pill sat within, embedded in red velvet, glowing like a gemstone.
Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes, realizing there was more to this than met the eye.
Qian Renjue clearly had a deeper purpose in presenting this pill.
"Does this have something to do with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" Qian Daoliu asked.
"Of course!" Qian Renjue nodded firmly. "The Kirin Golden Pill can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"What?!" Qian Daoliu's golden eyes widened in surprise.
"Grandpa, Jue is right," Qian Renxue confirmed with a smile. "The girl from the Ye family used this very pill to solve the limitations of her martial soul."
Qian Renjue placed the box on the ground and slid it towards Qian Daoliu.
"With this bargaining chip, Grandpa won't have to struggle so much to negotiate. Just take it directly."
"Haha!" Qian Daoliu laughed heartily. "If that's the case, Ning Fengzhi will be begging me for this pill!"
"Exactly, exactly," Qian Renjue laughed along with him, nodding repeatedly.
Qian Renxue found it hard to suppress her laughter as she watched Renjue's relieved expression.
At the same time, she felt a bit troubled—her brother really didn't seem to lack attention from women.
But the Qian family did need to ensure its lineage continued.
"Huh?" Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, confused as she realized Qian Renjue had grabbed her hand.
Qian Renjue held her soft hand gently, reminding her, "Grandpa, remember that the younger one is when they take this pill, the better the effect."
"Got it, got it," Qian Daoliu said with a smile, nodding as he picked up the jade box.
Taking the opportunity, Qian Renjue pulled Qian Renxue up. "Grandpa, since there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
Before Qian Daoliu could respond, Qian Renjue was already pulling Qian Renxue away.
Qian Renxue giggled and immediately dashed ahead, overtaking her brother, determined to escape this situation.
"Heh, these two kids…" Qian Daoliu shook his head with a wry smile, still holding the pill in his hand.
"Don't blame Grandpa, Xiao Jue. Sometimes, securing a promise requires more than just hope," Qian Daoliu muttered to himself as he put the Kirin Golden Pill away.
With a swift motion, Qian Daoliu disappeared from his spot. His voice echoed throughout the hall, "Golden Crocodile, Luan, Lion... All of you, come with me to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect this afternoon. We have some business to discuss!"
"Yes, big brother."
Standing on the rooftop of the hall, Qian Daoliu watched the two siblings' retreating figures.
He refused to believe that with the Kirin Golden Pill and his exceptionally talented grandchildren, Ning Fengzhi could continue to resist.
Opposing the Spirit Hall would only lead to ruin.
---
"Sis, how are you running faster than me?" Qian Renjue panted, leaning over with his hands on his knees.
"Hmph, can't your sister have some fun?" Qian Renxue fanned herself gently, her delicate lips slightly parted as she caught her breath, her face flushed.
For some reason, it had felt like they were running away from a wedding just now, and that had made it oddly exciting.
Of course, she wasn't about to tell Renjue that.
"Haha, it was fun indeed. But Grandpa seems obsessed, always pushing for marriage," Qian Renjue laughed, feeling a bit exasperated.
"For the sake of the Qian family, of course, he's pushing. Grandpa is thinking about the bigger picture," Qian Renxue said, understanding her grandfather's concerns.
He was probably worried about the upcoming god trials, fearing that he didn't have long to live.
He wanted to secure Jue's future, even if he wouldn't live to see great-grandchildren.
At least having several daughters-in-law around would increase the chances.
"I know that much," Qian Renjue said, but he also knew this wasn't something that could be rushed.
"Ugh—" Qian Renjue suddenly felt a weight on his back.
"Sister?"
"Don't talk. Just carry me down the mountain," Qian Renxue said as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held onto his waist.
Qian Renjue gripped her legs tightly and began walking down the mountain.
"Sister, hold on tight."
"Hmm, I won't let go."
---
At the Pope's Palace, a figure in orange moved quickly, wearing a smile on her face.
Up on the platform, Bibi Dong appeared to be in poor condition, with faint dark circles under her eyes. She looked at the hurried Hu Liena and frowned slightly.
"Nana, why are you rushing? That's not proper."
"Greetings, Teacher," Hu Liena said respectfully, bowing. "Senior Brother asked me to finish my training early and help you with tasks. He'll be here soon."
"Jue?" Bibi Dong paused, her expression softening as she waved her hand. "Then come quickly. Let Teacher rest for a while."
"Yes," Hu Liena nodded, stepping forward to help sort documents.
"Sort these files first. When Jue and Xiao Xue arrive, they can finish the work," Bibi Dong yawned, lazily slumping in her chair.
"Yes, Teacher."
As Hu Liena began sorting, Bibi Dong closed her eyes with a sigh.
She had promised to prepare a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring for Jue, but it seemed she might break that promise. The god trial was proving more difficult than expected.
The spirit ring from the divine gift was still out of reach, and Xiao Xue likely wouldn't be able to get it in time.
Jue might miss his chance as well.
Perhaps they would have to take the elders to the Star Dou Forest for some spirit hunting.
__
New entry: This Danzo Is Weird
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