Chapter 690
Ren Xue
The moment Dai Chengfeng sensed that oppressive aura, his soul power circulated automatically, and a layer of pale golden light quietly appeared on his body, dissolving the mountain-like pressure into nothingness. He didn't pause at all; instead, he gripped Qian Renxue's hand even tighter and walked straight into the depths of the courtyard.
Qian Renxue turned her head to look at him in surprise. Seeing that he looked normal, she was slightly relieved, but the tension in her heart did not lessen in the slightest.
The two walked through the courtyard and arrived at an elegant flower hall. The hall doors were open, revealing the antique furnishings inside. In the center of the hall, Qian Daoliu sat upright on a rosewood chair, his silver hair meticulously combed, his face calm and expressionless. He held a cup of tea in his hand, slowly skimming off the foam, seemingly unaware of their arrival.
But Dai Chengfeng knew that the oppressive aura that locked onto him originated from this level 99 Limit Douluo, the Grand Elder of the Spirit Hall, and the guardian of the Angel God.
"Grandpa." Qian Renxue released Dai Chengfeng's hand, quickly walked a few steps into the flower hall, stood in front of Qian Daoliu, and bowed her head slightly.
Qian Daoliu then raised his eyes, his gaze lingering on Qian Renxue for a moment. A complex and unfathomable look flashed in his deep eyes, which seemed to see through everything. He then turned to Dai Chengfeng at the door and calmly said, "You're back."
His tone was flat, revealing no emotion, but the oppressive aura locking onto Dai Chengfeng grew even heavier.
Dai Chengfeng stepped inside and bowed respectfully to Qian Daoliu, saying, "Junior Dai Chengfeng greets the Grand Master."
"Hmm." Qian Daoliu put down his teacup, the clinking sound particularly clear in the quiet flower hall. He didn't let Dai Chengfeng get up, his gaze sweeping over him as if it were a tangible thing. "Four days."
He only said those two words, but the meaning behind them was self-evident.
Qian Renxue's heart tightened, and she hurriedly said, "Grandpa, it's me..."
“Xue’er,” Qian Daoliu interrupted her, his tone still calm but carrying an unquestionable authority, “go back to your room and rest first.”
"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue frowned, wanting to say something more.
"Go back." Qian Daoliu's voice deepened slightly.
Qian Renxue bit her lip and looked at Dai Chengfeng with concern. Dai Chengfeng gave her a reassuring smile and nodded gently, indicating that she didn't need to worry.
After hesitating for a moment, Qian Renxue turned and left the flower hall, but she didn't go far. Instead, she stopped at the corner of the corridor, concealing her presence and listening intently. She knew that her grandfather wouldn't really do anything to Dai Chengfeng, but she still felt uneasy.
After Qian Renxue's figure disappeared, the air in the flower hall seemed to freeze even more.
Qian Daoliu finally spoke again, his gaze sharp as lightning as he stared directly at Dai Chengfeng: "Do you know how many people have come to see Xue'er in these four days? How many matters have piled up waiting to be dealt with? She, the young master, was even absent from the routine meeting of the Hall of Offerings." Dai Chengfeng straightened up, calmly meeting Qian Daoliu's gaze: "I understand the Grand Elder's reprimand. But Xue'er is not one to neglect her duties; she had already arranged the important matters before leaving. As for her absence from the meeting, I think that given Xue'er's usual diligence, the other elders and offerings should be able to understand if it happens only once."
"Consideration?" Qian Daoliu tapped his fingers lightly on the back of the chair, making a rhythmic sound. "You certainly think of everything for her. But do you know how many rumors have circulated in Wuhun City these past few days about the young master's missing whereabouts?"
Dai Chengfeng remained unmoved: "Rumors stop with the wise. As the young master of the Spirit Hall, Xue'er doesn't need to explain her whereabouts to everyone. Besides, it's time for some things to be known."
Qian Daoliu's eyes narrowed slightly: "Oh? What are you referring to?"
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Xue'er and I are mutually in love and wish to be married to each other and spend our lives together. This trip is for this very purpose. I hope the Grand Master will grant our request."
As soon as he finished speaking, the flower hall fell silent. Qian Daoliu didn't speak, but just looked at Dai Chengfeng, his gaze seemingly trying to see right through him. Time passed second by second, and an invisible pressure filled the air. The several Soul Master guards standing in the hall were already drenched in cold sweat, not daring to breathe.
When Qian Renxue, who was hiding in the corridor, heard Dai Chengfeng directly clarify their relationship, her heart jumped into her throat and her hands unconsciously clenched her sleeves.
After a long silence, Qian Daoliu slowly leaned back in his chair, breaking the silence: "Dai Chengfeng, the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, fifteen years old, soul power..." He paused, seemingly recalling, "...if the intelligence is correct, it should be level fifty-three. His talent is indeed outstanding, no less than Xue'er's back then. But..."
His tone shifted abruptly, turning icy: "The relationship between your Star Luo royal family and my Spirit Hall has always been delicate. Your father, Emperor Dai Tianfeng, is a man of great talent and ambition, and in recent years he has imposed numerous overt and covert restrictions on my Spirit Hall's branches within Star Luo territory. Your eldest brother, Davis, and second brother, Dai Mubai, are no ordinary men either, and the struggle for the throne is brewing beneath the surface. How can I believe that there is no political motive involved in your proposal to marry my Spirit Hall's young master? No calculations by the Star Luo royal family?"
These words were sharp and to the point, laying bare the most fundamental obstacle between the two.
Dai Chengfeng was not stumped by the question. Instead, he stepped forward and said frankly, "What the Grand Elder said is very true. The Star Luo and the Spirit Hall, the Empire and the Soul Master organization do have different positions, and friction is inevitable. Father has his considerations, and elder brother has his plans. This is the politics of the Empire and the norm of the royal family."
“But,” he said firmly, “I, Dai Chengfeng, stand here today to propose to Qian Renxue in my own name, not as the Third Prince of Xingluo seeking a marriage alliance with the Spirit Hall. My feelings for Xue'er are as clear as day, unrelated to power or profit. These feelings sprouted in Xingluo and have only grown stronger after our brushes with death in Spirit City. If the Grand Elder is concerned that this matter will involve the powers of both nations, I hereby swear that my relationship with Xue'er will never be used as a political bargaining chip. If one day our positions clash, I, Dai Chengfeng, will first and foremost be myself, Xue'er's husband, and only secondly a prince of Xingluo!”
His voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the flower hall, carrying a resolute determination.
A barely perceptible ripple flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes, but his expression remained calm: "Oaths are easy to make, but the world is unpredictable. Your status often leaves you with little choice. You speak so lightly now, but what if your father issues a decree one day, and the Star Luo Empire needs you? How will you face that? How will Xue'er face that? Will you drag her into the Star Luo royal family's vortex with you? Or will you let her turn her back on the Spirit Hall?"
"This junior will not put Xue'er in a dilemma," Dai Chengfeng replied without hesitation. "My future with Xue'er is up to us. I have no interest in the throne of Xingluo. If necessary, I'd rather not have this princely status." (End of Chapter)