LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 99: Chapter 99
**Chapter 99: Crazy Clinging to the Legs**
After more than a week of preparation, all the arrangements for the engagement were complete. The entire Spirit Hall was festively decorated, adorned with flowers and banners.
Initially, Zhao Ling and Bibi Dong had wanted to keep things simple. After all, it was just an engagement ceremony, not a grand wedding.
But Qian Xunji would have none of it.
"My only disciple is getting engaged," he had insisted. "It can't be too shabby. If the royal families or the influential clans hear about it, they'll mock the Spirit Hall for being miserly!"
He went further, declaring to the entire Spirit City that, on the day of the engagement, Bibi Dong would also be officially canonized as the 'Saint of the Spirit Hall'.
Zhao Ling was a little surprised at this announcement. In the original storyline, Bibi Dong's canonization happened much later. While he wasn't sure exactly how much earlier it was this time, he recognized the butterfly effect his presence was having on events.
'As long as this butterfly effect doesn't interfere with my plans to pick up girls, I'll roll with it,' Zhao Ling thought with a sly grin.
---
The night before the engagement, Zhao Ling did not stay in Bibi Dong's boudoir. Instead, for certain reasons, he spent the evening in the side hall with Ah Yin.
The following morning, Ah Yin helped Zhao Ling adjust his evening attire, her delicate hands moving with care. Her gentle smile added warmth to the task.
"Husband, when you stand with Sister Dong'er later, you need to take the lead," she advised. "There will be so many people in the hall, and Sister Dong'er might feel shy. Don't let her bear all the attention alone."
"I understand, my wife. I'll definitely take the initiative and make sure Dong'er isn't uncomfortable," Zhao Ling replied earnestly, nodding.
As they finished, the rhythmic sound of high heels echoed from the corridor. Moments later, Bibi Dong entered the room. She wore a stunning purple evening gown trimmed with gold, a crystal crown resting atop her flowing hair. Her noble and elegant aura was enough to make even the most confident onlookers feel unworthy.
"Sister Yin, have you helped your husband with his attire?" Bibi Dong asked, her gaze sweeping over Zhao Ling.
"Yes, he's ready," Ah Yin replied, gesturing for Zhao Ling to turn around.
"Hmm... not bad," Bibi Dong said with a nod of approval. Her expression then shifted as she turned to Ah Yin, her brows furrowing slightly.
"But Sister Yin, what's this? Why haven't you put on the evening dress I prepared for you? And no makeup either? What's going on?" she asked, her tone carrying a touch of reproach.
Ah Yin smiled softly. "Sister Dong'er, today is about you and our husband, not me. The dress you chose for me is so similar to yours, just in a different color. If I wore it and stood with you both, people might think the three of us were engaged together!"
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes. "Let them think what they want! We're already sharing the same husband, so why does it matter?
"Besides, when I chose that dress, I fully intended for the three of us to look like we were engaged together. Even my teacher didn't object—why should we care what others think?"
Her stern tone left no room for argument. "Hurry up and get that dress. I'll help you put it on. And don't dawdle—if you make us late, I'll have our husband torment you for three days and three nights!"
Ah Yin's cheeks turned crimson, and she quickly fetched the blue-and-gold evening dress Bibi Dong had prepared. With a mixture of reluctance and obedience, she allowed Bibi Dong to help her get dressed.
Zhao Ling, watching from the side with a grin, found the scene enchanting. That is, until Bibi Dong noticed his lingering gaze and shot him a sharp glare.
"Get out!" she barked. "Sister Ah Yin is changing. What are you still standing here for?"
Reluctantly, Zhao Ling left the room, his plan to admire his wives' alluring figures thwarted.
Half an hour later, the two women emerged, both clad in stunning evening dresses of similar designs but different colors. Their combined beauty left Zhao Ling momentarily speechless, and he swallowed hard as he stared at them.
Neither Bibi Dong nor Ah Yin seemed to notice his reaction. They simply walked to his side, each taking an arm.
"Come on, husband," they said in unison. "It's time to greet the guests."
Zhao Ling offered no objections, allowing the two women to escort him toward the Pope's Palace.
---
The Pope's Palace, usually reserved for Qian Xunji's work, had been transformed into a grand reception hall. Outside, the palace square was packed with people—representatives from branch halls, small kingdoms, and allied families.
Many of them had traveled great distances to witness the engagement of the Pope's only disciple and the mysterious "Demon Suppressing Douluo". For those from remote branch halls, this was also an opportunity to reconnect with the Spirit Hall's headquarters and forge valuable connections.
The engagement was more than a celebration—it was a political and social networking event. Deacons, bishops, and other officials from distant regions hoped to seize this chance to curry favor with higher-ups. For some, even a single word from the influential "Demon Suppressing Douluo" could lead to a transfer to a more prosperous city or even the main hall itself.
Amid the crowd's chatter, one figure stood out as the center of attention. Zhao Ling's reputation had preceded him—rumors abounded that he had not only won Bibi Dong's heart at first sight but also gained the Pope's and High Priest's approval. His engagement to Bibi Dong was seen as a strategic move to ensure his loyalty to the Spirit Hall.
As the guests speculated about him, Zhao Ling was blissfully unaware of the fervent interest surrounding his arrival. For now, he was simply content to be led into the palace by the two beautiful women at his side.
---
The trio's entrance did not go unnoticed. The moment they appeared outside the Pope's Palace, the eyes of the crowd turned to Bibi Dong and Ah Yin, both radiating unmatched grace.
But soon, all eyes shifted to Zhao Ling. His sharp features and calm demeanor, coupled with his rumored strength and influence, made him the object of both admiration and envy.
Feeling the weight of their stares, Zhao Ling couldn't help but feel uneasy. 'Why are they looking at me like that? It's like they're planning something…'
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(End of this chapter)