Douluo Hall.
After Qian Daoliu turned around and left, Ah Yin's pretty face turned pale. Her delicate hand tightly gripped Qian Xunji's arm as her dainty body trembled—she was clearly terrified.
Golden Crocodile Douluo knew that if he didn't leave now, he'd end up being the third wheel.
"Your Holiness, then I shall take my leave as well!"
After respectfully cupping his fists to Qian Xunji, Golden Crocodile Douluo turned and left.
In the lavishly decorated hall, only Qian Xunji and Ah Yin remained.
"Ah Yin, it's okay now. Don't be afraid. I've already convinced Father."
"He might not be able to fully accept it right away, but in time, he'll come around."
Qian Xunji turned and pulled Ah Yin into his arms. One hand gently caressed her silky blue-silver hair, while the other softly stroked her smooth back, speaking tenderly to soothe her.
"Brother Xun, I'm sorry… I caused you to argue with your father like that."
"If only I were human, not a soul beast..."
After recovering from her fear and panic, Ah Yin's blue-silver eyes were tinged red, her delicate face filled with guilt, sadness, and sorrow.
"Ah Yin, don't ever think that way!"
Qian Xunji firmly held her slender hand, placing it against his cheek. He stared deep into her eyes with heartfelt sincerity and said,
"Whether you're human or soul beast, the one I love is you. It has nothing to do with your identity!"
"Brother Xun!!"
Those heartfelt words moved Ah Yin to tears.
"Come on, I'll take you to meet your Sister Ling Yuan, and also Xue'er."
After comforting Ah Yin, a smile appeared on Qian Xunji's handsome face as he held her hand.
He was about to leave the Douluo Hall to find Ling Yuan and their daughter Qian Renxue in the Pope's Palace.
But just as they stepped outside, a noble-looking woman dressed in a luxurious black gown, with long black hair, a refined and graceful appearance, and regal bearing, appeared, holding the hand of a little girl in a golden dress.
The little girl had shoulder-length golden hair, fair skin, and a lovely face.
It was Ling Yuan and Qian Renxue.
"Daddy!"
As soon as Qian Renxue saw Qian Xunji, her bright eyes lit up with joy and excitement. She shouted gleefully and ran straight at him.
With a leap, she threw herself into Qian Xunji's arms.
"Daddy, you're finally back! Xue'er missed you so much! Wahhh!"
After clinging to him like a little koala, the long separation brought tears to her eyes. She hugged his neck tightly and started crying.
"Good girl, Xue'er! Daddy's back now, isn't he?"
"Don't cry! If you keep crying, you'll turn into a little panda!"
Qian Xunji hugged her tightly, gently wiping her tears while speaking with concern.
"Brother Xun, you're back!"
At that moment, Ling Yuan walked up. When she noticed Ah Yin, who looked a little tense and nervous, her gaze paused for a moment.
She had actually known about Ah Yin for several months already.
Truthfully, she could accept it.
After all, Qian Xunji had repeatedly mentioned that Father Qian Daoliu wanted him to carry on the Qian family's bloodline.
But after giving birth to their daughter Xue'er, she had never conceived again in all these years.
That left her feeling guilty.
So, when she learned about Ah Yin, her heart was bitter, but she came to terms with it.
However, as a Soul Douluo, upon seeing Ah Yin in person, Ling Yuan was shocked to realize that Ah Yin didn't seem human—she appeared to be a 100,000-year soul beast, likely a mutated Blue Silver Grass.
That left her a bit bewildered.
"Ah Yin, this is your Sister Ling Yuan."
Holding Qian Renxue in his arms, Qian Xunji smiled as he introduced Ling Yuan to Ah Yin.
Then he turned to Ling Yuan and said,
"Ah Yuan, this is Ah Yin, your sister."
"You've probably noticed—Ah Yin isn't human. She's actually a 100,000-year-old Blue Silver Emperor in human form."
"But she's really kind. I believe you two will get along very well."
Although Ling Yuan still found Ah Yin's identity a bit strange, she didn't let it show.
For Qian Xunji's sake, she kept a gracious smile on her beautiful face and extended her hand.
"So you're Sister Ah Yin? Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Since Brother Xun accepts you, we're family from now on!"
"Mhm! Hello, Sister Ling Yuan!"
Relieved by Ling Yuan's warmth, Ah Yin smiled sweetly and reached out her hand as well.
"Daddy, Mommy, can I call this Auntie… Auntie Ah Yin from now on?"
Qian Renxue asked curiously.
"But why isn't Auntie Ah Yin a human?"
"Hehe, you're still too young to understand that part."
"But the fact that Auntie Ah Yin isn't human is a family secret. You must never tell anyone outside!"
Qian Xunji laughed as he kissed her on the cheeks and spoke gently.
"Mhm! Don't worry, Daddy! Xue'er is the most obedient!"
Qian Renxue nodded vigorously, her adorable face full of pride and innocence.
In the blink of an eye, night fell.
After bringing Ah Yin back, Ling Yuan had shown her great care and warmth.
But Qian Xunji knew that, deep down, Ling Yuan was probably still feeling a little sour and worried.
So that night, after coaxing Qian Renxue to sleep, he quietly snuck into Ling Yuan's room.
Climbing into bed, he hugged her from behind with a guilty and sighing expression.
"Ah Yuan, today was really hard on you."
"I truly didn't expect things to turn out this way during this trip."
"Honestly, I wanted to spend my life with just you."
"But Father kept urging me to carry on the family line, especially hoping for another grandson!"
[Qian Daoliu: I never said that last part! Don't twist my words!]
"But after you gave birth to Xue'er, you probably lost a lot of your life essence."
"These past few years, we've tried over and over, but nothing has happened."
"I'm just really worried. Even if you recover somehow…"
"If you got pregnant again, the toll on your body could be irreversible."
"During this trip, I met Ah Yin—she's a 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor."
"Ah Yin's life force is extremely powerful, and her spirit is a universal life attribute. The chances of having a child with her are very high."
"With Ah Yin here, you won't have to go through that hardship anymore."
Qian Xunji spoke with deep affection, attributing his pursuit of Ah Yin entirely to Qian Daoliu's wish for a grandson.
He couldn't bear to let Ling Yuan take that risk again.
So, for her sake, he, the Pope of Spirit Hall, risked public disgrace to take a 100,000-year-old soul beast as his wife.
Look at that!
Such a deep, selfless love… what an immense sacrifice!