With Ah Yin by his side, Qian Xunji finally departed from the Balak Royal City.
After several days of travel, they finally arrived back at Spirit City.
Looking at the familiar and majestic city standing tall on the vast land, with towering walls forming an unusual hexagonal shape, heavily guarded by patrolling soul masters, and a bustling, lively interior—
Qian Xunji couldn't help but smile with deep emotion and nostalgia on his handsome face.
"We're finally back!"
However, just before entering Spirit City, Qian Xunji gently held Ah Yin's hand and softly reminded her.
"Ah Yin, we're about to go home."
"My father is a Limit Douluo. His personality is a bit rigid and old-fashioned."
"When he sees you, he's definitely going to be very resistant at first and act like he doesn't like you."
"But don't be afraid. Just hide behind me when the time comes—I'll persuade him."
"With your kindness and gentleness, I'm sure he'll come to accept you eventually."
"Mm, Brother Xun, I understand."
Ah Yin tightened her grip on Qian Xunji's hand. Her stunningly beautiful face was filled with nervousness and unease, but she still nodded seriously and resolutely.
As long as she could be with Brother Xun,
no matter the danger ahead, she could endure it.
Besides, she believed in Brother Xun's exceptional wisdom and foresight.
Since he dared to bring her back, he must have been thoroughly prepared.
The man she loved would definitely be able to convince his father!
…
Spirit Hall.
Inside the glorious Angel Temple, covered in gold and jade—
Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship of the Angel God, was sitting cross-legged on a meditation mat.
Facing the solemn and divine statue of the Angel God, he sat in deep concentration, eyes closed in prayer.
Outside the temple, the voice of Golden Crocodile Douluo suddenly rang out.
"Big Brother, His Holiness the Pope has returned!"
Inside the Angel Temple,
hearing that Qian Xunji had finally come back, Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes. He gave a cold snort, then stood up.
"That brat actually knows how to come back!"
"Went out once, saw a woman, and couldn't walk away."
"A dignified Pope of Spirit Hall, and he actually spent several months fooling around outside with a woman, not even returning to Spirit City."
"Even if he established some Secretary Division to handle internal affairs on his behalf, that's still no excuse!"
"As Pope, how can he throw away his responsibilities like this?"
"Besides, little Xue hasn't seen him in months. She's been missing him terribly!"
"He really is an unqualified father!"
Thinking about his granddaughter Qian Renxue not seeing her father for so long and being so heartbroken,
Qian Daoliu, the ultimate granddaughter-lover, gritted his teeth in anger toward Qian Xunji.
As for that unknown "vixen," he disliked her even more.
Although he was the one who had once said Qian Xunji should spread the Qian family line,
if it made his granddaughter sad—then no way!
"Hmph! Golden Crocodile, did that brat come back alone, or did he bring a woman with him?"
Thinking of his heartbroken granddaughter, Qian Daoliu's face turned dark as he stormed toward the temple's doors.
After pushing them open, he asked the waiting Golden Crocodile Douluo,
"Did he bring a woman with him?"
"Uh… yes, he did…"
"Golden Crocodile, what's wrong with you?"
"Why do you seem hesitant, like something's off?"
Noticing the strange way Golden Crocodile Douluo was acting, Qian Daoliu frowned in suspicion.
"Hehe, no, no! Big Brother, you must be overthinking it!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo forced a dry laugh, scratching his head.
But that only made Qian Daoliu feel even more uneasy, though he didn't think too much of it—at first.
It didn't take long before he realized the reason.
Inside the grand, radiant main hall of Spirit Hall—
The moment Qian Daoliu saw Qian Xunji, and Ah Yin sitting nervously beside him on a chair,
he froze in place, like he had seen something unbelievable.
He rubbed his eyes hard—
But when he looked again, nothing had changed.
"Xun'er! Tell me, what is going on here?!"
Qian Daoliu instantly erupted in fury.
The immense pressure of an Limit Douluo's soul power burst forth, filling the hall with terrifying force.
His bloodshot eyes glared at Qian Xunji as he pointed at Ah Yin, roaring in anger.
"She's a transformed 100,000-year soul beast!"
"Don't tell me you've been wandering outside for months instead of coming back… all for this kind of woman?!"
Qian Daoliu never expected—
Qian Xunji didn't bring back some "vixen"…
He brought back a blue silver grass spirit.
The idea that his own son had gotten involved with a 100,000-year soul beast—
that the Pope of Spirit Hall had fallen for a soul beast—
if word got out…
Qian Daoliu was overcome with rage, despair, and disbelief. He trembled with fury.
'Dear God above!'
'How did I raise such a disgrace of a son?!'
'Of all the women in the world, he just had to fall for a 100,000-year soul beast?!'
'Is he trying to destroy the reputation Spirit Hall has built over two thousand years?!'
Faced with Qian Daoliu's terrifying pressure and blatant disgust—
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Ah Yin still turned pale.
Her delicate body trembled with fear as she clung tightly to Qian Xunji's hand,
as if trying to draw some sense of security from his grip.
"Father!"
Facing his father's fury, Qian Xunji frowned, releasing his own soul power to shield Ah Yin from the oppressive force.
Then, he stood up and protectively pulled Ah Yin behind him, clearly dissatisfied.
"Ah Yin was a 100,000-year soul beast, but now she has taken human form. She is the wife I have chosen and the woman I acknowledge. That makes her your daughter-in-law!"
"How can you scare your own daughter-in-law like this?!"
"Disgraceful! Absolutely disgraceful!"
Seeing that Qian Xunji still dared to talk back, Qian Daoliu grew even more furious, his whole body trembling violently, almost on the verge of exploding.
"What wife?! Did I give my consent?!"
"I absolutely forbid a 100,000-year soul beast from stepping into our Qian family household!"
His bloodshot eyes burned with fury as he roared.
"So what if she's in human form?!"
"Taking on a human shape is just a disguise! If she's killed, will she not drop a spirit ring and spirit bone like a soul beast?!"
"She was a soul beast. She'll always be a soul beast!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became. He glared daggers at Qian Xunji and shouted furiously.
"Qian Xunji, you're not young anymore—you're already the Pope of Spirit Hall!"
"Do you realize how much damage it would cause our Hall's reputation if you took a soul beast as your wife?"
"Your actions will make us the laughingstock of the soul master world!"
"You've tarnished everything Spirit Hall stands for!"
"Father! I did this for our Qian family too!"
"Weren't you the one who told me to continue our family line and have more descendants? I'm just following your orders!"
Qian Xunji stood firm, acting innocent as he argued back with confidence.
That nearly made Qian Daoliu's nose twist in anger.