Zhao Ling never would've imagined that in just four rounds of chess, Bibi Dong would go from being completely outmatched and defeated… to utterly crushing him.
Starting from the fifth game, Zhao Ling barely managed to win a single match. By the time they reached the twelfth round, he could no longer hold it in.
What the hell was going on? Dong'er's learning ability was way too terrifying!
Even though his chess rank wasn't that high before transmigrating, he had still reached level seven. And even if he hadn't played with others since arriving in the Douluo Continent, he had spent a lot of time analyzing strategies on his own.
And yet… Dong'er had picked it up in just three or four games—and beat him so badly, he was starting to shut down emotionally.
It was true what they say: people really aren't created equal. Dong'er was worthy of her original title in the novel—the cunning, ruthless, and scheming Pope. There was no comparison. None at all.
So Zhao Ling figured he'd try his luck with Ah Yin, assuming she'd be the "soft persimmon" he could finally crush.
Unfortunately, he soon discovered that Ah Yin, too, was an exceptionally intelligent woman. While he had been playing those dozen or so matches against Bibi Dong, Ah Yin had been quietly studying the game—and had already figured out the rules and strategies of chess.
As soon as their second game started, Zhao Ling could feel it: he was in trouble.
If Bibi Dong's style was aggressive and decisive—fast, sharp, and unpredictable—then Ah Yin's playstyle was more like gentle water conquering stone: calm and composed, but with hidden traps and deadly surprises. Steady, but ruthless.
In short… Zhao Ling got completely wrecked again, to the point where he quietly gave up his seat and went to sulk in a corner, staring at the wall in silence.
That evening, Zhao Ling and Ah Yin checked out of their hotel. Bibi Dong had arranged rooms for them in a side palace of the Spirit Hall.
Now that Zhao Ling had earned the recognition of both Qian Xunji and Qian Daoliu, father and son, he was considered a half-member of the Spirit Hall.
Even though he brought Ah Yin with him into the Hall, Bibi Dong didn't object—so Qian Xunji, as the teacher, said nothing either.
More importantly, Zhao Ling's talent was downright terrifying. He only awakened his spirit at age 16, yet in just 15 years, he had become a Titled Douluo.
Not only that—his last three spirit rings were all red 100,000-year soul rings. Even Qian Daoliu, who had partially inherited the divine test of the Angel God, didn't have such an absurd setup.
Given that, Qian Xunji thought it completely reasonable for Zhao Ling to have multiple women. If possible, he even hoped all of Zhao Ling's wives and future descendants could become part of the Spirit Hall.
That way, Zhao Ling would be deeply bound to the Hall—and when he eventually became a god, he wouldn't be able to walk away from them.
Thinking about that made Qian Xunji feel brilliant—his decision was just too wise.
As for Ah Yin, she didn't feel nervous at all about living in the side palace of the Spirit Hall.
She was completely confident that as long as Zhao Ling didn't remove the Soul Seal he placed on her, no one in the Hall would be able to sense her soul beast identity—not even the many Titled Douluo living there.
Living under their noses, surrounded by danger, actually felt exhilarating. Way more exciting than hiding in some remote village like before.
Plus, she still had the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles that her husband gave her. If anyone dared to mess with her, she could let loose a round and leave them begging for mercy.
Since Zhao Ling had promised not to "bother" Ah Yin that night, she stayed in the room Bibi Dong had arranged for her, resting peacefully.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ling followed Bibi Dong to her private chamber. As soon as she closed the door, she felt a pair of large hands wrap around her waist.
But Bibi Dong didn't resist. Instead, she turned around and wrapped her arms around Zhao Ling's neck. The two locked eyes—and then fell into a deep, passionate kiss.
After more than a minute, they finally parted. Zhao Ling scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
Bibi Dong's cheeks turned bright red. She suddenly felt nervous. Could it be that what Ah Yin had described was… actually true?
No way. Definitely not. She quickly tried to calm her wildly beating heart.
But before long, she realized the awful truth: Ah Yin's descriptions were far too mild. There was no way just the word "scary" could describe what her husband was capable of…
—
By noon the next day, Zhao Ling woke up, looked at the stunning beauty lying next to him, and felt his desire rise again.
Bibi Dong, who was only pretending to sleep, jumped in shock. She quickly scooted away from him, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
When Zhao Ling reached out to pull her into his arms, Bibi Dong raised both hands defensively:
"H-Husband… don't come any closer! Please, I beg you… go find Ah Yin instead!"
"..." Zhao Ling gave an awkward smile. He had just been rejected by his own wife. So tragic.
Seeing the panic in Bibi Dong's eyes, he quickly tried to explain:
"Dong'er, don't worry. Since you haven't recovered, I won't do anything to you. I swear—I just wanted to hold you for a bit, nothing else!"
"Cut the crap. Put your clothes on and leave the room!" Bibi Dong pointed firmly at the door, completely serious.
"Come on, Dong'er, there's no need to be so harsh. I really just want a hug—just a hug!" Zhao Ling said with a sheepish grin.
"Are you going or not? If not, I'll leave myself."
Saying that, she made a real move to climb out of bed.
Zhao Ling didn't dare let her walk out in her current state. He immediately nodded.
"Okay, okay! I'm going, I'm going! I'll have someone bring you food right away!"
Then he quickly threw on his clothes and fled the room like a man escaping death.
As soon as he left, Bibi Dong's serious expression collapsed into a pained grimace.
"Wuwuwu… It's all that damn system's fault! Giving husband a triple physique bonus—does it want to kill me!?"
To make matters worse, not long after, the door opened again—and Ah Yin strolled in, grinning wickedly.
"Heehee~ Sister Dong'er~ How does it feel to be wrecked by husband? Isn't it just… blissful? Do you finally understand why I wanted more sisters to help share the burden?"
Bibi Dong glared at her through her pain and snapped:
"Understand? Of course not! He was your man first—he should've stayed with just you. I shouldn't have had to suffer through that…"
Ah Yin wasn't about to let that slide.
"Oh please! Husband obviously likes you even more—he should torment you every day, not me!"
Still wearing her "mask of suffering," Bibi Dong huffed:
"Nonsense! Husband clearly likes you just as much! Don't you try to push him onto me alone!"
Outside the door, Zhao Ling—pushing a food cart—heard the two women bickering and just stood there in silence.
Just a few days ago, they were both fighting for his affection.
Now that they've had their fill of "fun," they're just tossing him back and forth like a hot potato?
What kind of twisted world was this…?