Thinking about how Bo Saixi, the woman he had once pursued so earnestly, was now coming to find him of her own accord—how could Qian Daoliu possibly stay seated? He immediately got up and hurried out of the Pope's Palace, running toward the vast plaza.
At that moment, Zhao Ling, who was in the middle of the engagement ceremony with Bibi Dong and Ah Yin, raised an eyebrow in confusion.
He had also heard the woman's voice just now—gentle like the moonlight, clear like a mountain spring. From the sound of her voice alone, Zhao Ling figured this woman must be quite beautiful, certainly not someone plain.
And the fact that she had referred to herself as an old friend of Qian Daoliu made Zhao Ling even more curious about her true identity.
For a brief moment, he suspected the woman might be Bo Saixi. After all, there weren't many women who could claim to be Qian Daoliu's old friend. But he quickly dismissed the thought.
What a joke. Bo Saixi was the High Priestess of Sea God Island—how could she just leave Sea God Island on a whim? Didn't she care about its safety?
If she left without permission and something happened to the island, and if the Sea God found out, even her position as High Priestess might not protect her.
Besides, in the original story, Bo Saixi liked Tang Chen. Why would she come looking for Qian Daoliu?
With that, Zhao Ling stopped pondering and continued focusing on the engagement ceremony with his two fiancées.
Only after the ceremony was completed, and Bibi Dong was officially declared the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall by Qian Xunji, did Zhao Ling, along with her and Ah Yin, follow Qian Xunji to greet the guests.
Meanwhile, in the plaza, Qian Daoliu finally came face-to-face with the beautiful woman who had once haunted his thoughts.
"Bo Saixi, it's really you? I can't believe you came looking for me… I'm so happy."
His words left Ghost Leopard Douluo and Snake Spear Douluo dumbfounded.
What was going on? They had never seen the Grand Worshipper act this way before.
He had always been the ultimate authority in the Spirit Hall. Just standing there would make others feel the urge to worship him.
But now, in front of this woman, he looked... off. More like a love-struck puppy.
Just look at the way he stared at her with such infatuation—it was obvious their relationship was not ordinary. Was she his long-lost lover?
That couldn't be. After the death of his wife, Qian Daoliu had never remarried. How could he have a lover?
And yet, there was no mistaking the adoration in his eyes.
The same curiosity spread among the onlookers in the plaza. Everyone wanted to know what kind of relationship this mysterious, beautiful woman had with the Grand Worshipper.
To them, watching the engagement ceremony of Zhenmo Douluo and Lady Dong'er was interesting—but it couldn't compare to the juicy gossip unfolding here.
Bo Saixi, upon hearing Qian Daoliu's emotional words, remained expressionless and responded coolly, "Qian Daoliu, don't get so worked up. I didn't come here to find you. I came to…"
Just as she was about to say she was looking for a man named Zhao Ling, she suddenly realized—shockingly—that she couldn't say the words. Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
Bo Saixi furrowed her elegant brows. Strange—why couldn't she say Zhao Ling's name?
For nearly half a minute, she tried and failed to speak her true purpose, leaving her extremely frustrated.
What was going on? Why couldn't she say why she was really here?
Qian Daoliu, seeing her mouth moving but hearing no words, assumed she was too shy to admit she had come looking for him. The idea made him feel sweet inside. He had already given up on her, but now she had come all this way to find him—how could he turn her away now?
He moved to take her hand, hoping to ease her embarrassment in front of so many onlookers.
Bo Saixi immediately stepped back and shouted, "Don't come near me. I didn't come to the Spirit Hall to see you. I came to…"
And again, she was silenced. Nearly in tears now, Bo Saixi was on the verge of a breakdown.
What the hell was happening? Why was she losing her voice every time she tried to say she was looking for Zhao Ling?
Could it be that the Sea God didn't want her to reveal it?
Thinking for a moment, Bo Saixi tried to rephrase. "Qian Daoliu, do you know where Tang Chen is? He hasn't returned to Sea God Island in a long time, and I'm starting to feel uneasy."
Finally, she could speak! Bo Saixi sighed with relief. At least she could still say Tang Chen's name.
But Qian Daoliu's reaction was stark. He stepped back, his previously joyful face now frozen.
So... Bo Saixi hadn't come to see him after all.
She had come only to ask about Tang Chen.
So he had been a fool—thinking she had traveled thousands of miles because she realized he was the one she loved.
Feeling crushed, Qian Daoliu could only laugh bitterly at himself.
At that moment, Zhao Ling, having wandered around the Pope's Palace, returned to the plaza with Ah Yin and Bibi Dong.
Seeing the breathtaking beauty not far away—someone whose appearance rivaled his two wives—he quickened his pace.
Whoa, this looked like a major drama was unfolding. Let's go, let's go—gotta get in on the gossip.
The three of them stopped behind Qian Daoliu and curiously observed the interaction between him and Bo Saixi.
Qian Daoliu finally spoke with a bitter smile, "So you came to Spirit Hall just to ask about Tang Chen's whereabouts… I'm sorry, I don't know where he is. I haven't seen him in decades. Sorry to disappoint you, Bo Saixi."
With that, he turned and walked away, defeated.
Looking for Tang Chen, huh?
Zhao Ling glanced at Qian Daoliu's dejected back, then looked at the woman less than ten meters away. He finally confirmed—this was indeed Bo Saixi from Sea God Island.
But now that he was sure of her identity, Zhao Ling felt even more bewildered.
He immediately summoned his diary panel and began to furiously vent his thoughts...