Qian Daoliu made his decision on the spot.
He pulled Luo Yu aside, dismissed everyone around, and whispered, "Young friend, I am a straightforward person and won't beat around the bush."
"I have a granddaughter who is of marriageable age. If you agree to reside in our Martial Soul Hall in the future, not only will I accept you as my disciple, I will also promise to betroth my granddaughter to you."
A granddaughter? Where on earth did this old guy get a granddaughter?
Luo Yu was stunned.
I beat Qianxun Ji to a pulp years ago, and Bibi Dong was obviously well-protected, so how could this old guy still have a granddaughter? Could she have sprung from a crack in the rocks?
"May I ask what your granddaughter's name is?"
"Qian Renxue."
"???"
Seeing Luo Yu's odd expression, Qian Daoliu thought he was being disdainful and immediately started to pitch.
"My granddaughter, with a beauty that overshadows the moon and shames the flowers, is rarely seen in this world, and her talent is unmatched by anyone but yourself."
Luo Yu was speechless and felt that the old man's enthusiastic demeanor was akin to that of a pimp.
Qian Renxue probably didn't even know she was being sold off by her grandfather like this.
However, deep inside, he harbored a strong suspicion: Bi Bidong was unharmed, so where did this Qian Renxue come from?
He couldn't help but ask, "Is your granddaughter the real deal?"
Qian Daoliu slapped Luo Yu's shoulder heavily, causing him to stagger, and stared at his eyes, "My own granddaughter!! Could there be any falsehood in that?"
"That's truly strange," Luo Yu murmured.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Luo Yu secretly speculated about what was really going on.
It seemed the child should be Qianxun Ji's, but who her real mother was, that was unknown.
It was certain that he had saved Bibi Dong, no doubt about it.
In fact, he had cut off one of Qianxun Ji's arms back then, leaving him half-dead, barely clinging to life.
In the end, although Qianxun Ji was lying on the ground begging for mercy, Luo Yu didn't plan to soften his heart and let him go.
However, Bibi Dong eventually showed compassion, remembering how she had been orphaned at a young age and how Martial Soul Hall had taken care of and nurtured her or she would have died on the streets long ago. It was then that Luo Yu decided to spare him his life.
Qianxun Ji didn't even dare tell his father, Qian Daoliu, because Luo Yu's terrifying strength at the time drove him to despair and fear to the bone—he would rather die than provoke Bibi Dong again.
Could it be that Qianxun Ji later seduced some other woman in the hall and had the child with her?
Very likely.
Luo Yu wasn't too clear about the process, as he had already returned to the Aquipeia Forest to prepare for his tribulation during that time.
It seemed that he would need to ask Dong'er for specifics later on.
"Young friend, how are you considering?" Qian Daoliu asked with a smile.
Luo Yu's mouth twitched, "You're not trying to make me a live-in son-in-law, are you?"
"No! How could I?" smiled Qian Daoliu, looking like a sly fox, "You just normally marry my Snow, that's all."
Luo Yu spread his hands, "I'm penniless, I don't have any bridal gift!"
"Your presence is enough, what need is there for a dowry! I'll pay and take care of your wedding arrangements," Qian Daoliu shook his head repeatedly, rubbing his hands like a cunning merchant.
Luo Yu was speechless.
He really wanted to ask, don't you feel guilty at all for scamming your granddaughter?
"What have you decided?" Qian Daoliu's eyes sparked with anticipation.
"Well, don't rush, Elder. Marriage is a serious business, and we haven't even met. This is too hasty. Let's meet first, see if there's a spark, and then discuss further."
"I don't think there's a need for that," Qian Daoliu said, only wishing to set things in stone and fully integrate Luo Yu into Martial Soul Hall.
"I think it's necessary!" Luo Yu refused to be arranged into marriage, even if it was alluring.
"Kid, are you insisting on making me force my hand?" Qian Daoliu's countenance soured slightly.
Luo Yu stood his ground, meeting Qian Daoliu's eyes without any hint of fear.
"I believe that love is not a commodity to be traded, and marriage is not a bargaining chip to be sold."
Their gazes locked in a battle of wills, sparking a clash as each held firmly to their position.
Luo Yu decisively rejected the marriage proposal.
Bibi Dong, who seemed calm from a distance but was actually all ears, suddenly patted her proud chest and exhaled softly, her beautiful eyes twinkling with light.
Brother Yu, you've always been quite good... even though sometimes you're a bit lecherous...
Not just Bibi Dong, but in another space, Gu Yuena, with her tense waist, also relaxed, glaring at Luo Yu and clenched her small fist.
If you dare agree to a random marriage, Grandma will jump out now and give you a Firewood Knife!
And chop that old man too!
In the end, Qian Daoliu gave Luo Yu a long look.
Without anger, he laughed and praised repeatedly, "Good! Very good, young friend. With such a temperament, I regard you even higher now. I'll arrange for you to meet Snow soon!"
Luo Yu's mouth twitched.
This old man wasn't asking if he wanted a wife, but was clearly forcing one on him!
Bibi Dong quickly approached, interrupting their conversation, her clear voice ringing like a phoenix's call, "Great Elder, the others have been waiting quite some time, we should start distributing the awards, or it won't be proper."
Qian Daoliu impatiently said, "I'm not done with my business here, let them wait a bit longer."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes hardened, "No way! Your Empress can't wait!"
She cursed inwardly; if they waited any longer, her man would be conned into becoming her granddaughter's husband—how could she wait?
Despite the stand-off, Bibi Dong emerged more imposing, and Qian Daoliu, after instructing Luo Yu to wait for him, resolved to call Qian Renxue back soon for a meeting.
The award ceremony officially began.
Awards were distributed according to the level at which the innate soul power had awakened.
Originally, Wang Teng felt the reward he had obtained was quite enticing, and he could even show it off a bit.
But the moment he thought of Luo Yu, he immediately deflated, feeling that everything lost its appeal.
Not only was it no longer appealing, but it also hurt a little, unable to bring any joy.
Everyone was now inevitably speculating about what kind of reward Luo Yu, with his talent, would ultimately receive.
After all, the previous reward ceiling was that reaching Innate Full Level could earn one a soul bone.
What about this heaven-defying Innate Level Forty?
It's a bit frightening to consider, truly a cause for envy!
Some people sighed heavily, feeling the disparity too great, beyond envy.
Finally, the moment arrived for Luo Yu to go up and receive his reward.
A discordant voice suddenly rang out.
The Seventh Elder jumped out with a snort, "Wait a minute!"
People were puzzled, and the Seventh Elder sneered, "This brat, as I have just checked, is not actually one of our Martial Soul Hall, but a foreigner brought in by the goddess acting on her own."
"Boom!"
The whole place instantly erupted into an uproar.
Before a heated debate could start, an explosion sounded, and the Seventh Elder, who was smugly exposing Luo Yu from an elevated position, was kicked flying out.
Qian Daoliu, covered by the Golden Six-Winged Angel, took his place and stood still, his Nine Soul Rings bursting out, dominantly surveying the whole scene, his voice full of murderous intent, "What foreigner? Where is this foreigner coming from?"
"How come I can't see them, could it be that I have become blind? Today, everyone here is one of our own!"
He looked at the other guest elders, "Do you say, is there any foreigner here today?"
"No!"
The other guest elders shook their heads repeatedly, they weren't as naive as the Seventh Elder, and they understood Qian Daoliu's intentions very well.
Who would push away such an excellent talent?
With this kind of talent, you would want to make him one of your own by any means necessary.
How he came in, does that matter?
Obviously, it does not matter!!
Sweeten him up with a sugar-coated bomb and then talk.
Empress Bibi Dong watched all this with a detached gaze, indifferently saying:
"Is it settled now?"
"It's settled, His Majesty will continue with the awards ceremony."
Luo Yu stepped up on stage and stood opposite Bibi Dong.
"For reaching Innate full soul power, the reward is a soul bone."
Bibi Dong handed Luo Yu a soul bone that looked extraordinary, adorned with starlight, and clear and translucent—it was a left leg bone.
Even Titled Douluo, including those present, lusted after it.
Soul bones, they are among the most precious resources in Soul Land, and even Hyper Douluo with a full set of soul bones are few and far between.
In other words, obtaining a soul bone is as difficult as reaching the heavens.
It's only because Martial Soul Hall has deep reserves, yet even they don't have much stock.
Normally, an ordinary Titled Douluo who has worked hard for over a decade couldn't get one. It's just that today is an exceptional case.
Luo Yu just glanced at it and knew the origin of the soul bone—eighty-thousand-year-old Gale White Tiger leg bone, suitable for agile-attack class Soul Masters. Not bad at all.
Everyone thought the award ceremony was over, and Luo Yu thought so too.
But unexpectedly, Empress Bibi Dong cleared her throat again and announced loudly, "The reward for reaching Innate full soul power is indeed a soul bone, but this little friend is far more than just full soul power!"
The crowd was confused, not understanding what the Empress meant.
"Therefore, after much deliberation, since this little friend is at Innate Level Forty, the reward should be four times greater, which means four soul bones are the proper reward!"
Upon hearing this, the whole audience went wild.
"Holy shit! The Empress is so generous."
"Since when has Martial Soul Hall been so magnanimous!"
"He didn't even ask for it, and you're giving away four just like that?"
"Those are soul bones, not cabbages!!!"
The hundred or so people around, at that moment, were envious to the point of crying, and the Elders' faces involuntarily turned green with envy.
Qian Daoliu's face contorted, his skin twitched in pain, bleeding inwardly as he forbore from speaking, only able to curse in his heart.
What the hell is Bibi Dong doing, being so generous with Martial Soul Hall's foundation?!
The Seventh Elder crawled out from the ruins, clutching his chest and shouted, "No, this must not be! This is inappropriate! Soul bones are so precious, how can we give them away so easily?"
Bibi Dong glanced coldly and declared solemnly, "Soul bones are indeed precious, but our Martial Soul Hall has always been as good as our word, fair in our dealings, how can we go back on our word now?"
With this righteous speech from Bibi Dong, people all around opened their mouths wide, unable to refute, but could only admire the Empress's high moral principles.
"But!" the seventh elder grimaced, feeling the pain deeply.
"No buts!"
The Empress conveyed her authority with magnificence, her phoenix eyes sharp and icy.
"I have made up my mind, that's the decision!"
Luo Yu, holding the previous soul bone in his hand, was stuffed with three more decent soul bones into his arms, barely suppressing a laugh.
That's my Dong'er!
You haven't let me down!
At that moment, there was one person with a strange expression—Hulena.
She clearly knew that Luo Yu was a man of teacher Bibi Dong...