Sure enough, it didn't take long before the square was overwhelmed with people rushing forward — all those who had returned from the various Spirit Hall branches and sub-halls across the Douluo Continent. The scene quickly descended into chaos.
"You must be the Demon Subduing Douluo? As expected, dashing and elegant. I am Mo Fang…"
"Greetings, Demon Subduing Douluo. I am Liu Feng, Grand Bishop of the Longxing City Branch."
"I am Qin Yi, Grand Bishop of Barak City. Greetings, Demon Subduing Douluo."
…
Chaos — pure chaos. Zhao Ling grew concerned that someone might try to take advantage of Bibi Dong or Ah Yin in the crowd.
They were his wives, after all. If someone dared grope them, wouldn't that be a huge loss for him?
Just as Zhao Ling was contemplating kicking aside the overly eager people at the front, Ghost Douluo's stern voice rang out from the perimeter.
"Have you caused enough commotion? Clear a path for the Demon Subduing Douluo! If we miss the auspicious hour, can you afford to take responsibility?"
At his words, those who had been trying to make their presence known quickly backed away, making way for the trio.
Zhao Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Sure, it would've been easy to kick them away, but these were all subordinates of Spirit Hall. Even if Qian Xunji and the other elders said nothing, resentment from the various branch members was guaranteed.
They had traveled thousands of miles just to congratulate the newlyweds. Getting injured for it? What would they think?
With the way cleared, Zhao Ling escorted Bibi Dong and Ah Yin into the main hall of the Spirit Hall.
Seeing him walking in arm-in-arm with both women, Qian Xunji and the other elders and worshippers didn't show any dissatisfaction.
How could they? In just fifteen short years, Zhao Ling had gone from an ordinary person to a Titled Douluo, and even possessed an unprecedented three 100,000-year soul rings.
With talent like that, they wouldn't bat an eye if he were marrying a dozen women today, much less two. As long as Dong'er herself had no objections, it wasn't their place to meddle.
When the trio reached Qian Xunji, Zhao Ling and Bibi Dong both respectfully bowed.
"Teacher…"
Qian Xunji smiled and nodded, then turned his gaze to Zhao Ling. "Xiao Ling, I'll be entrusting Dong'er to you from now on. I hope you treat her well."
"Thank you, Teacher. Please rest assured — I will always cherish Dong'er."
Zhao Ling nodded solemnly and gently brushed Bibi Dong's cheek, looking at her with tenderness.
Blushing under his gentle gaze, Bibi Dong lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Alright, the auspicious hour has arrived, and most guests are here. Let's begin the engagement ceremony," Qian Xunji instructed Chrysanthemum Douluo, and so the ceremony officially began.
Meanwhile, a carriage rolled into Spirit City, carrying a woman with long sea-blue hair, flawless features, and an aura of nobility, grace, and warmth.
As she gazed at the bustling city, she gently furrowed her brows and murmured, "I never imagined Spirit City would be this prosperous — far surpassing Seagod Island. Truly fitting for the main hall of Spirit Hall."
She continued riding through the streets, her tired blue eyes scanning the shops on either side with curiosity.
Upon arriving at the courier station, the woman — Bo Saixi — looked toward the most lavish cluster of buildings in the city, guessing correctly that this was Spirit Hall's headquarters.
Bo Saixi's lips curled into a faint smile. "Qian Daoliu, old friend — I've come. I wonder how you'll react?"
She knew her purpose for coming to Spirit City was clear: to find a man named Zhao Ling. Meeting Qian Daoliu was merely incidental.
Over the past week, Bo Saixi had been traveling without rest, fearful that Zhao Ling might leave Spirit City and become harder to locate.
Driven by urgency, she had pushed herself hard — crossing oceans and then traveling by carriage to arrive here in just over a week. Even as a Level 99 Limit Douluo, the journey left her exhausted.
Still, she couldn't rest. She had to find Zhao Ling and ask him about Tang Chen's whereabouts.
So she forced herself onward and soon arrived at Spirit Hall's headquarters — only to be stopped by more than a dozen guards.
"Hey pretty girl, who are you? This is Spirit Hall — not a place you can just barge into!"
"Whoa, she's stunning! Even on par with Lady Dong'er. Come, let me cop a feel!"
"Unbelievable — to think there's another stunner like her on the continent, besides Lady Dong'er and that other woman brought by the Demon Subduing Elder."
…
A few short-sighted guards, taken in by Bo Saixi's beauty, tried to harass her.
But Bo Saixi, having long been the most revered figure on Seagod Island, was not someone to be trifled with. Without even releasing her martial spirit, she casually slapped the guards to the ground and marched forward.
Even without using her soul power, her Level 99 strength made short work of them — a single slap sending each guard flying.
News of an intruder quickly reached Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu, and the others inside the Pope's Hall.
Not wanting the engagement ceremony to be interrupted, Qian Xunji instructed Ghost Leopard Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo to remove the intruder.
But before they even left the square, the stunning woman had already stepped onto the platform. The guards had no chance of stopping her.
Ghost Leopard and Snake Lance Douluo quickly released their martial spirits — two yellow, two purple, and five black soul rings rising beneath their feet, releasing a powerful pressure.
But Bo Saixi was unfazed. Instead, she called out coldly:
"Qian Daoliu! An old friend has come — won't you come out and greet me?"
Inside the hall, Qian Daoliu, who had been calmly watching the ceremony, froze upon hearing that voice. His whole body shuddered.
It's her? Why… why has she come to find me?
Could it be… she's finally realized I'm the one she truly loves? That I'm the one she should depend on for the rest of her life?
In an instant, the long-dead flame of love in Qian Daoliu's heart suddenly roared back to life…