Bo Saixi looked at Sea Star Douluo's utterly righteous posture, and her heart nearly burst with laughter.
Perfect.
Hook, line, and sinker.
She nodded with a composed, approving expression—one that radiated "teachable material."
"It's rare to see such loyalty," she said calmly.
"Since that is the case, you will remain as additional manpower to apprehend the traitor, Sea Witch."
The instant those words landed, the solemnity on Sea Star Douluo's face shattered.
Ecstasy leaked uncontrollably from the corners of his mouth.
It's done!
I can stay!
I don't have to go back and eat fish!
But before that joy could fully bloom—
A hand, firm and merciless, landed on his shoulder like an eagle pinning a chick.
"Kid," Qian Daoliu said with a smile that was anything but kind, "your awareness is commendable."
Sea Star Douluo's heart thudded.
"Since you've chosen to stay and help," Qian Daoliu continued leisurely, "then naturally, we must establish proper organization."
He cleared his throat, puffed out his chest, and adopted the unmistakable posture of a man about to announce something extremely official.
"I hereby declare!"
"From today onward, the Feng Ran Pavilion Security Department is officially established!"
He pointed at himself first.
"I, Qian Daoliu—General Captain!"
Then his finger shifted.
It paused.
Then shifted again—awkwardly—toward Bo Saixi, who had crossed her arms and was wearing an expression that screamed this has nothing to do with me.
"She," Qian Daoliu said with forced composure, "Bo Saixi—Vice-Captain, and…"
His voice stalled.
His old face reddened slightly.
Then, as if throwing dignity straight out the window, he raised his chin and declared loudly:
"General Captain's wife!"
Thump.
A crisp knock landed squarely on Qian Daoliu's forehead.
Bo Saixi withdrew her delicate fist, her stunning face flushing crimson as she glared at him.
"So many people are watching! What nonsense are you saying?!"
Qian Daoliu, instead of being offended, broke into a foolish grin. He scratched the back of his head, looking exactly like an old man who'd just been given candy.
Not far away, Qian Renxue—who had silently observed the entire scene—finally smiled.
This sight…
Her grandfather looking this carefree, this unguarded—something she'd almost never seen.
It was good.
Really good.
Her gaze drifted unconsciously to the other side.
Bibi Dong—Spirit Hall's most ruthless Supreme Pontiff—was leaning against Lin Feng's shoulder like a docile cat, her expression soft, her eyes warm, her entire presence radiating happiness.
Qian Renxue's smile deepened.
Yet, somewhere beneath it, an almost imperceptible loneliness flickered—quickly buried under a silent sigh.
Meanwhile—
Sea Star Douluo felt his worldview disintegrate.
He stared at Qian Daoliu.
Then at Bo Saixi.
His trembling finger moved back and forth between them like a broken compass.
His mouth opened… then closed.
Nothing came out.
He turned stiffly toward Sea Horse Douluo, his expression resembling someone who had just discovered ghosts were real.
Sea Horse Douluo met his gaze calmly and nodded once.
His eyes carried the seasoned wisdom of someone who had already suffered through this realization.
Brother… accept it. You'll get used to it.
Then Sea Horse leaned in and whispered casually:
"If nothing unexpected happens, Sea God Island is about to become in-laws with Spirit Hall."
Qian Daoliu's ear twitched.
He shot Sea Horse Douluo a pleased look.
Not bad. This kid has vision.
Then he reached out and pulled Sea Horse closer.
"Sea Horse Douluo—Intern Security Guard—effective today, officially promoted to full member!"
Sea Horse Douluo's back snapped straight.
Promoted.
Full member.
He made it.
Finally, Qian Daoliu turned his gaze toward Sea Star Douluo.
"As for you…"
He dragged the words out mercilessly.
"Newcomer. Start as an Intern Security Guard."
Sea Star Douluo froze.
Intern?
Security guard?
His mind went blank, ears ringing with those two words like a death sentence.
He stared at Qian Daoliu's face—clearly labeled I decide everything.
Then at Bo Saixi, who remained silent—clearly having acquiesced.
Then at Sea Horse Douluo—
That bastard stood proudly, chin raised, smug satisfaction written all over his face like an engraved plaque:
I've been promoted.
Too many grievances.
Too many questions.
In the end, they collapsed into one bewildered shout.
"Why?!"
"We seven sacred pillars are equals on Sea God Island!"
"In terms of strength, how am I inferior to him?!"
Qian Daoliu glanced at him sideways, the look reserved for idiots.
"Sea Horse Douluo," he said calmly, "though newly arrived, has demonstrated outstanding performance."
"He understands initiative. He shares burdens. He actively promotes internal harmony."
He paused, puffed out his chest, and raised his voice deliberately.
"Especially regarding the relationship between the General Captain and Vice-Captain—he played a crucial, positive, and proactive role!"
"He has overall perspective!"
Sea Horse Douluo stood even straighter.
Then Qian Daoliu turned back to Sea Star, eyes cold.
"And you?"
He scanned him top to bottom.
"You burst in shouting—no manners."
"You clung to the Vice-Captain crying to go home—no backbone."
"You cried on the ground because you ate fish for eighty years—no dignity."
He poked Sea Star Douluo's chest.
"The fact that I didn't kick you straight back to Sea God Island to gnaw salted fish, and only assigned you as an intern—"
"Is entirely out of respect for Xi Xi's face."
"You still dissatisfied?"
"What face do you have to be dissatisfied?!"
Sea Star Douluo stood there, stunned.
Every word hurt.
Every word felt targeted.
And yet—
He couldn't refute a single one.
Damn it.
For that one bite of food that shook his soul…
To avoid going back to a lifetime of salted fish…
He would endure.
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