Qi Lin naturally recognized Shui Bing'er—after all, she was the captain of the Skywater Battle Team.
Beyond that, Shui Bing'er had always been quite popular in the original Douluo Dalu series.
But at this moment, her situation was far from ideal.
Despite possessing a Spirit Power at the fortieth rank, she was being relentlessly hunted by nine Snow Shadow Wolves—each over two thousand years old.
Had she not encountered Qi Lin and Gu Yuena, her fate would likely have been sealed.
Upon hearing her cry for help, Qi Lin slowly raised his hand.
A thought stirred within his mind.
In the very next instant, a deafening boom erupted behind Shui Bing'er. A terrifying shockwave surged outward, striking her back like a surging tide.
Caught completely off guard, Shui Bing'er was flung forward uncontrollably.
She was about to hit the ground face-first—elegance discarded—when Qi Lin's figure flashed before her and he caught her in time.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently. "My strike just now may have been a bit too powerful."
"I-I'm fine!" Shui Bing'er replied, momentarily stunned. Instinctively, she looked up at him.
At such close range, she could clearly see his clean and handsome face. His voice carried a warm tone, and the aura he exuded was equally soothing, wrapping around her like sunlight on snow.
Even more attractive than when seen from afar.
Still, the thunderous sound from behind her and the forceful push on her back stirred her curiosity. Holding back her unease, she turned her head to look.
The moment she did, her eyes widened in shock.
Behind her, a massive palm print—nearly a hundred meters long—was imprinted on the earth.
Three of the Snow Shadow Wolves that had been closest to her had been smashed into a pulp of flesh and fur.
Three purple spirit rings were already floating from the bloodied mess, slowly rising into the air.
The remaining wolves, witnessing the devastating sight, howled in terror and turned tail, fleeing without hesitation.
Stunned, Shui Bing'er turned back to look at Qi Lin. Her delicate face showed visible astonishment.
She clearly remembered—Qi Lin had only lifted his palm slightly just now.
And yet that simple gesture had unleashed such horrifying power?
This warm, gentle-looking young man—was he the one who struck just now?
Wasn't this a little too absurd?
Such casual power… even her teacher, the formidable Teacher Xuehan, couldn't pull that off.
And this boy—how old could he even be?
Could he be… a Titled Douluo in disguise, appearing young due to some secret technique?
With that thought, Shui Bing'er's expression instantly turned respectful.
"Thank you for saving me, Senior. I am deeply grateful."
Even as she spoke, she was quietly wracking her brain.
How should she repay such a powerful figure? Any ordinary gift would surely be beneath him. And anything truly valuable… she didn't even have access to.
Qi Lin noticed her conflicted expression and chuckled, waving his hand nonchalantly.
"No need for that. After all, it would be such a pity for a beautiful girl like you to perish here, wouldn't it?"
Shui Bing'er blinked, momentarily speechless.
Then, her delicate face flushed red, and her mind raced.
Did Senior just… call me beautiful?
Was that… a hint? Was he suggesting that I repay him with… myself?
As soon as the thought emerged, Shui Bing'er couldn't help but sneak another glance at Qi Lin.
That face. That warm smile. Her gaze quickly darted away again.
But her heart was pounding furiously in her chest, her cheeks burning hot.
If it's this Senior… she wouldn't mind giving herself to him!
Off to the side, Qi Lin noticed her increasingly flustered expression. Her racing heartbeat echoed so clearly that even without trying, he could hear it.
"What's going on with her?" he thought, genuinely confused. "Why does she look so weird all of a sudden?"
At that moment, Shui Bing'er shyly raised her head and hesitantly spoke.
"Se-Senior… I… I can agree to offer myself to you… but we can't get married too soon, okay? I still need to wait until I'm of age…"
"Otherwise, my parents wouldn't approve…"
"Eh?" At first, Qi Lin replied absentmindedly.
But then her words registered. He turned toward her, stunned by her shy, determined look.
Wait—was Shui Bing'er always this straightforward?
This development had caught him completely off guard!
Still…
Qi Lin's gaze swept over her. No wonder she was the captain of Tianshui's team.
That appearance. That figure. She was clearly born to dance.
Who wouldn't be attracted to such beauty?
Qi Lin never denied that he was drawn to appearances. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all that special attention.
And now that Shui Bing'er had been so direct, there was no reason to reject her.
Still, he added seriously, "I don't mind if you want to offer yourself to me… but if it's about marriage, you'll have to wait your turn. There are others ahead of you in line."
"If I were to marry you first, it'd have to be alongside them—or I'd need to marry them before you."
"Eh?" Shui Bing'er was at a loss.
There's a line?
Senior already has fiancées?
More than one, even?
She instinctively glanced at the silver-haired girl standing quietly behind Qi Lin—Gu Yuena.
Her features were flawless, a natural beauty beyond comparison.
Only then did Shui Bing'er realize—Oh no. Could she be his main wife?
Still, this beautiful elder sister didn't seem to mind her presence. She was even calm about it.
Could it be that she's used to it already?
Or maybe she doesn't see me as a threat and isn't worried about her place being challenged?
Shui Bing'er's mind was now a storm of thoughts, spiraling into chaotic overthinking.
Somehow, she had already started imagining herself as one of Qi Lin's future brides, without even questioning why he had multiple fiancées in the first place.
In fact, even the absurd idea of needing to queue up for marriage didn't faze her.
Perhaps in her heart, she had already accepted the idea—powerful men could have multiple partners.
And this one in front of her… was not only powerful but also incredibly handsome.
Well… if only he looked just a little more mature, that'd be perfect.
Qi Lin noticed her conflicted look and smiled. "Is it something you can't accept?"
Shui Bing'er quickly shook her head. "No, no! I don't mind at all…"
"I'm just worried… that they won't accept me."
As she spoke, her gaze flicked subtly toward Gu Yuena again.
Qi Lin laughed lightly. "You don't need to worry about that. They're easy to get along with."
Even Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong wouldn't mind if he had a few more women around him—what they really cared about was who would be the main wife.
At that moment, Gu Yuena spoke up, her cold voice calm and clear.
"I'm easy to get along with too."