After more than a week of preparation, everything needed for the engagement was finally ready. The entire Spirit Hall was decorated festively.
Originally, Zhao Ling and Bibi Dong thought that since it was just an engagement, there was no need to make it such a big deal.
But Qian Xunji insisted that his only disciple was getting engaged, and it couldn't be done too plainly. Otherwise, if the two great empires or those noble families heard about it, wouldn't they laugh at Spirit Hall for being poor?
Qian Xunji also said he had already announced to the whole Spirit City that Bibi Dong would be officially conferred the title of "Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall" on the same day as the engagement.
Zhao Ling was a bit stunned—on the day of their engagement, Bibi Dong would be named Holy Maiden?
This timeline was clearly earlier than in the original story, though Zhao Ling wasn't sure by how much. One thing was certain: the butterfly effect from his transmigration was becoming increasingly obvious.
But that was fine. As long as this butterfly effect didn't interfere with Zhao's pursuit of women, he didn't care.
The night before the engagement, due to certain reasons, Zhao Ling didn't stay in Bibi Dong's room but instead stayed in a side hall with Ah Yin.
The next morning, Ah Yin gently helped Zhao Ling tidy his formal outfit with a soft, loving touch.
"Honey, when you stand with Sister Dong later, you need to be the one who takes the initiative. There'll be a lot of people in the hall, and she's still a girl—she'll be shy. Don't be so stiff."
Zhao Ling nodded quickly and agreed, "Understood, my dear wife. I'll definitely take the lead. I won't let Dong'er do everything."
Just then, the sound of high heels "click-clacking" could be heard from outside.
Soon, Bibi Dong entered the room wearing a purple evening gown with gold trim and a crystal crown. Her regal and elegant aura made anyone who saw her feel inferior by comparison.
"Ah Yin, have you finished helping my husband with his outfit?" she asked.
"Mhm, I've finished. He's ready to greet the guests..." Ah Yin nodded and turned Zhao Ling around so Bibi Dong could see him properly dressed.
"Hmm... not bad," Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction before turning her attention to Ah Yin.
"Hey, Yin'er, what's going on? Why aren't you wearing the evening gown I prepared for you? And you didn't do your makeup either—what's the matter?"
She furrowed her brows slightly, looking displeased.
Ah Yin smiled sweetly, "Sister Dong, today's all about you and our husband, not me. The gown you prepared for me looks nearly identical to yours—only the color is different. If I wear it and show up with you two, people might get the wrong idea, like all three of us are getting engaged together."
"They can think what they want. We're both already our husband's women. Why should you worry about people thinking we're all getting engaged?"
"Besides, when I picked that gown for you, I was thinking of the three of us getting engaged together. My teacher didn't say anything about it, so who cares what others think?"
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes, her flawless expression turning stern.
"Go get that dress and put it on right now. I'll help you change. Stop dawdling. If we're late, I'll make sure our husband 'deals with' you for three days and nights straight."
Ah Yin's smile froze, and she quickly fetched the blue-and-gold gown. Bibi Dong began helping her put it on.
But when she saw Zhao Ling watching eagerly from the side, her pretty eyes narrowed in a glare.
"What are you still standing there for? Yin'er is changing—how long do you plan to keep looking?"
Zhao Ling was sadly kicked out of the side hall, his plan to admire his wife's stunning body completely foiled.
About half an hour later, the two breathtaking women stepped out, dressed in nearly identical evening gowns—only the colors differed. Zhao Ling was instantly captivated, even swallowing a bit nervously.
The two women ignored him, each linking an arm through his.
"All right, husband, let's go greet the guests," they said in unison.
Zhao Ling didn't say much—he simply let them escort him toward the Pope's Hall.
Originally used as Qian Xunji's office, the Pope's Hall was now temporarily repurposed as the main hall for hosting the engagement banquet.
Outside the hall, the plaza was packed with people—members from all over Spirit Hall's branch and sub-branches, who had rushed back upon receiving the message via carrier pigeon.
Many small kingdoms and minor clans affiliated with Spirit Hall also sent representatives to congratulate the Pope's only disciple on her engagement.
On the plaza and inside the hall, people dressed in all kinds of finery mingled and caught up with each other. Since many of them were usually stationed far from headquarters, this was a rare chance to socialize.
With Zhao Ling and Bibi Dong's engagement as an excuse, everyone was busy trying to build connections.
Officials from remote branches—deacons, senior deacons, and bishops—were especially eager to network with the elders in hopes of being transferred to more prosperous cities, or even back to headquarters, where their conditions would improve dramatically.
But above all, the one person everyone wanted to approach was the rising star: Zhenmo Douluo (Demon-Suppressing Douluo).
They had heard that he and Lady Dong had only recently met and had fallen in love at first sight.
After bringing him back to Spirit Hall, the Pope and the Grand Priest had instantly approved of him. To prevent other forces from poaching him, they arranged the engagement immediately.
This showed how much importance those two placed on Zhenmo Douluo.
If they could just earn his favor, a single word from him might completely change their fate.
With that in mind, all those deacons, bishops, and so on were anxiously scanning the crowd, desperate to find Zhenmo Douluo and cling to his thigh like mad.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling had no idea that a crowd of people in the plaza and the hall were eagerly awaiting his appearance.
He was happily making his way there, arm in arm with two gorgeous women.
As the three of them appeared outside the Pope's Hall, the stunning beauty of Bibi Dong and Ah Yin immediately caught everyone's attention.
But soon, all eyes shifted to Zhao Ling.
The intense, burning gazes made Zhao Ling feel like something bad was coming…