Chapter 182: Shui Yue'er Wants to Secretly Approach Qianrenchuan
Star Dou Great Forest, the Blue Silver Forest. An infinite surge of vitality erupted, shimmering blue light filling every corner of the forest. Each Blue Silver Grass glowed with a faint blue radiance, yet when countless such glimmers converged, they formed a vast ocean of azure.
Right now, Qianrenchuan stood at the center of this sea of light. His body resembled a black hole in a starry sky, emanating immense gravitational force that hungrily devoured the blue glow emanated by the Blue Silver Grass.
A surge of unprecedented warmth rose from deep inside him. At that moment, he neither felt the impact and pressure of such enormous energy nor any sense of swelling in his body. It was as though this power had always been part of him.
Once all those blue sparks had poured into him, they again radiated outward, coalescing into a spirit ring. In his hand, the Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit appeared without a sound, veined in brilliant blue-gold patterns, exuding an invisible aura of life that felt exceptionally comforting. A domain of blue light unfurled around him—the Blue Silver Domain, a domain exclusive to the top-tier plant spirit Blue Silver Emperor.
Within the domain, the Blue Silver Grass across the forest quivered with excitement, growing at astonishing speed. Meanwhile, a portion of Qianrenchuan's golden hair turned a vivid blue, identical in color to Ah Yin's azure tresses. His looks also shifted slightly—one could say he appeared a bit more effeminate.
Ah Yin murmured with pride, "I never expected Xiaochuan's physique to be so robust. His fifth ring should reach thirty thousand years—two or three times what mine was back then."
"Thirty thousand years, is it?"
Qian Xunji likewise muttered quietly. In the original tale, Tang San's fifth ring reached twenty-five thousand years. Here, under Spirit Hall's guidance, Qianrenchuan's ring ended up an extra five thousand years older, which was understandable. After all, compared to Tang San's original experiences, Qianrenchuan lacked the mental cohesion from a mind-focused head soul bone, and the specialized body-forging effect from Fiery Apricot Delicate Vein and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass had been replaced by other immortal herbs.
Still, fortunately, the fifth ring could grow along with his body, so there was no need to lament any shortcomings.
By acquiring a thirty-thousand-year fifth spirit ring, Qianrenchuan's cultivation reached about halfway into rank 52. The newly gained fifth soul skill—a powerful single-target attack called Blue Silver Tyrant Spear—was extremely formidable.
Three days later, at Tianshui Academy, on an open training ground. The Tianshui Team was also making last-minute preparations for the tournament. Qianrenchuan arrived wearing the Tianshui Academy uniform.
"Wow! Brother-in-law, did you dye your hair? It seems like you got even more handsome!"
Shui Yue'er, seeing him, jumped straight into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck with a lovestruck expression. Indeed, Qianrenchuan's appearance had changed slightly, but of all Tianshui Academy's male students wearing the uniform, only he existed.
Qianrenchuan was already used to Shui Yue'er's behavior. Ever since he first joined Tianshui Academy, she had been like this. Shui Yue'er's Martial Spirit was the Sea Dolphin—essentially the "Teddy Bear" of the water attribute. She had zero resistance to handsome male "animals," and on the Continent of Romance, her affections became firmly pinned on Qianrenchuan alone.
"My Blue Silver King Martial Spirit had a second awakening, inheriting some features from my mother's looks, so it changed me a bit."
In a coquettish tone, Shui Yue'er chimed in, "Brother-in-law, how about we both marry you along with my sister? I'm sure Big Sis wouldn't mind. You're so handsome and talented—how could I fancy any other man? And could you really bear to let this adorable little sister-in-law marry someone else?"
Seeing this, the other Tianshui Team girls were brimming with envy. Besides Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er, who else could get so close to Qianrenchuan?
After encountering him in the Soto Great Spirit Arena, they learned he was the son of the Pope and a twin-spirited genius—a prime catch on the entire continent!
Qianrenchuan, though, could only offer an awkward smile. Pulling her soft arms from around his neck, he said, "Yue'er, stop messing around. I told you, I only see you as a little sister."
Shui Yue'er pursed her lips, looking far from giving up.
"Huh~"
A soft laugh sounded, and only then did everyone notice a mature, stunning woman in blue. She had long azure hair, wearing a lovely dress with a slight resemblance to Qianrenchuan's features. Indeed, she was Ah Yin, who had arrived at Tianshui Academy with him.
"Mom, you…"
Qianrenchuan forced another wry smile. This was precisely the reason he never wanted his parents to drop by the academy—they could be so overbearing in their love, leaving him in embarrassing situations.
"If your sister doesn't mind," Ah Yin remarked softly, "then the two of you can marry my son together."
In an instant, the Tianshui Team reeled, realizing that if Qianrenchuan was the Pope's son, then that made this woman his mother— the legendary top-tier healing and control Titled Douluo. None of them ever thought they'd encounter her at such close range.
Ah Yin had taken this opportunity away from Spirit Hall to help awaken the Blue Silver Emperor for Qianrenchuan and was now visiting Tianshui Academy to meet Shui Bing'er and watch the excitement at the start of the tournament.
"Mother, that's—"
Once again, Qianrenchuan felt like he could dig a three-room, one-hall hole out of sheer awkwardness. Even though "weak water of three thousand, I only drink one ladleful" was his deeply ingrained principle—he planned only ever to be with one woman in his life.
Shui Yue'er, on the other hand, was overjoyed at Ah Yin's words. "Brother-in-law, did you hear? Mother-in-law agrees, so I'm going to marry you!"
Shui Bing'er's mouth twitched. Her younger sister was far too brazen, thoroughly lacking a girl's typical restraint. Had she spoiled Shui Yue'er too much?
Ah Yin approached Shui Bing'er. Though they hadn't met before, she trusted her husband's choice.
"You must be Bing'er?"
Nervously, Shui Bing'er nodded. "I am. Nice to meet you, Auntie."
"Good child."
Ah Yin patted Shui Bing'er's head gently, smiling with kindness. Then she looked at the rest of the Tianshui Team. "My son's time at Tianshui Academy has clearly been well under your care."
They hurriedly shook their heads, insisting Qianrenchuan took care of them. Qianrenchuan, for his part, was mortified. So this is what it felt like—having overprotective parents could be so awkward.
"Aren't you overjoyed, Brother-in-law? Big Sis and I both—"
Shui Yue'er sidled up to Qianrenchuan again, eyes blazing. He pretended not to notice. She pursed her lips, resolute in her desire to be with him. If normal methods like throwing herself at him wouldn't work, maybe doping him and sneaking into his room late at night would. Then she could consummate the marriage, leaving evidence, and he'd have no choice but to accept.
With Qianrenchuan's addition plus a number of precious herbs from the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well, Tianshui Team had improved a bit overall:
Shui Bing'er, Martial Spirit Ice Phoenix, rank 55 assault-type Soul King. Five soul skills: Ice Thorns, Ice Armor, Ice Phoenix's Wrath, Blizzard Storm, Ice Phoenix Snow Demonic Break.
Qianrenchuan, Martial Spirit Blue Silver Emperor, rank 52 healing-type Tool Soul King. Five soul skills: Blue Silver Holy Light, Blue Silver Sword Rain, Blue Silver Holy Cure, Blue Silver Blade, Blue Silver Tyrant Spear.
Shui Wu, rank 43 support.
Yu Hairou, rank 42 assault.
Shui Yue'er, rank 38 agility.
Shen Liuyun, rank 38 assault.
Gu Qingbo, rank 39 agility.
Shui Yue'er, being Qianrenchuan's sister-in-law, had gotten more resources, so she rose by two ranks, while the other four advanced one rank each.
(End of the chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen