"What's wrong, Dong'er? Why have you been looking at your teacher so strangely?"
Qian Xunji grew more and more convinced that something was off with his disciple ever since they returned from Soto City to Spirit Hall. Her guarded, even fearful expression made him inexplicably uneasy.
"N-nothing," Bibi Dong forced a smile, trying to appear natural.
But just thinking about the things written in the diary that her teacher might do to her made her expression involuntarily stiffen.
Though Qian Xunji noticed her strange behavior, he didn't suspect anything and simply asked in a probing tone,
"Dong'er, that man named Zhao Ling—how much do you know about him? Do you know which sect he's from?"
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong recalled Zhao Ling's face— not particularly handsome, but with a mischievous charm. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she replied,
"Brother Ling doesn't seem to belong to any sect. At least he's never mentioned one. I just know he's 31 now. He never became famous on the continent before because he'd been cultivating deep in the mountains. He only came out after reaching the rank of Titled Douluo…"
"Wait a minute…" Qian Xunji's brows furrowed deeply, his eyes locked onto Bibi Dong with disbelief.
"Did you just say he's 31 years old? Are you sure you're not lying to me?"
"Yes, he's 31. On our way back to Spirit Hall in the carriage, I asked him multiple times. He always said he was 31. Is there something wrong with that?"
Bibi Dong tilted her head deliberately, looking at her teacher with a curious expression. Inside, she was amused—this was a well-played move on her part.
Normally, anyone who becomes a Titled Douluo by the age of 50 is already considered a genius. But Brother Ling reached that level at 31—such an achievement would certainly shock her teacher.
She knew about Zhao Ling's feat from the copy of his diary, but leaking that directly to her teacher wouldn't be easy.
So during their journey back, she had purposefully asked Zhao Ling many personal questions: his age, when he became a Soul Master, Soul Grandmaster, etc.
Zhao Ling had no reason to hide these things from Ah Yin and Bibi Dong.
After all, he planned to marry both of them. As future spouses, there shouldn't be secrets.
Besides, awakening his martial spirit at 16 and becoming a Titled Douluo in just 15 years was a feat Zhao Ling was proud of—worthy of some bragging. So he told them openly.
That's why when Bibi Dong mentioned his age now, the system didn't silence her.
Her words left Chrysanthemum Douluo completely stunned. He had assumed that even if Zhao Ling looked young, he'd at least be in his 50s.
Who could've imagined he was only 31? Such talent was not just unprecedented—it was likely never to be seen again.
They hadn't realized Zhao Ling's talent was this extreme. If they could bring him into Spirit Hall, he could easily become a divine-level powerhouse in the near future.
Ghost Douluo and Qian Xunji were equally shaken, though Ghost Douluo's face was hidden in the shadows, revealing no expression.
As for Qian Xunji, the disbelief on his face quickly turned into fervent excitement.
"Amazing. A Titled Douluo at 31—this Zhao Ling's talent is terrifying! Probably even surpasses my father's! If he joins Spirit Hall, our future will be glorious!"
Seeing the unrestrained fervor in her teacher's eyes, Bibi Dong finally relaxed. It seemed her teacher was very pleased with Zhao Ling's excellence.
Still, Bibi Dong didn't think the reveal was shocking enough yet. With a hint of pride in her voice, she added,
"Teacher, do you think 31 is already unheard of? What if I told you that due to special reasons, Brother Ling didn't even awaken his martial spirit until he was 16?
That means from awakening to becoming a Titled Douluo, he took only 15 years. If he had awakened at 6, how old would he have been when he became a Titled Douluo?"
Boom—it was as if Qian Xunji, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo had all taken a blow to the head. To rise from nothing to Titled Douluo in just 15 years—that level of talent was monstrous.
Had he awakened at a normal age, he might have become a Titled Douluo at just 21.
This level of talent was terrifying. After exchanging glances, the three agreed—they must win him over. Whether he joined Spirit Hall or simply became their most loyal ally, either way would be acceptable.
As for the idea of killing him if they couldn't win him over… they quickly gave that up.
Someone who became a Titled Douluo in 15 years could easily become godlike in the future.
If they failed to kill him and made him their enemy instead, Spirit Hall could face devastating retaliation—even Qian Xunji's father might not survive.
After all, what kind of madman would stay in the mountains training non-stop until reaching Titled Douluo level?
Zhao Ling must be insane—truly insane. That kind of endless isolation would have driven anyone else mad. Qian Xunji, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo all admitted they couldn't have done it.
Thankfully… Qian Xunji looked at Bibi Dong. Thankfully, Zhao Ling liked his disciple. Even if they couldn't bring Zhao Ling into Spirit Hall, making him an ally through marriage would be just as good.
Of course… this was all just Bibi Dong's side of the story for now. He planned to summon Zhao Ling tomorrow and test him personally.
If it turned out Zhao Ling really had such terrifying talent, Qian Xunji wouldn't mind marrying off his only disciple to him.
Thinking this, Qian Xunji looked at Bibi Dong with satisfaction and praised her without hesitation.
"Dong'er, you've done well. Tomorrow, personally bring Zhao Ling to the Pope's Hall to see me. If everything is as you said, I'll personally choose an auspicious date and arrange your engagement.
As for the wedding day, you and Zhao Ling can decide that yourselves. I won't pressure you to marry immediately. Understand?"
What? E-engagement?!
Bibi Dong was completely stunned. H-how did it get to engagement so quickly?
According to the diary, when she fell in love with Yu Xiaogang, her teacher had tried everything to stop her—even locked her up and ruined her purity.
But now that her target was Zhao Ling, not only did her teacher not oppose it, he even wanted to personally arrange their engagement?
Why was there such a vast difference in treatment between Zhao Ling and Yu Xiaogang?! One was treated like the heavens, the other like dirt!