"Uh..." Zhao Ling's mouth twitched. He did not even know how to comment on why this girl was so enthusiastic about beating up Yu Xiaogang.
At this point in the original work, she and Yu Xiaogang should have developed feelings for each other and gradually fallen passionately in love.
Yet what had happened? Ever since he had encountered her through Yu Xiaogang, this girl had become increasingly strange, thinking all day about giving Yu Xiaogang a vicious beating and finding new ways to torment him.
Now it had reached the point where, without beating Yu Xiaogang, she could neither enjoy her meals nor sleep well.
Had she really become addicted to beating Yu Xiaogang, and now that she could no longer do it, she was suffering what his previous world called withdrawal? This really had gone beyond the farthest fields of absurdity.
Yue Guan found this even more baffling. Back at the Holy Temple, the young lady had always shown a gentle, modest disposition.
Her tendency to beat people at the drop of a hat seemed to have emerged only after arriving in Suotuo City.
Especially when it came to that fellow named Yu Xiaogang, her desire to teach him a lesson was practically becoming an obsession.
In any case, throughout the past week or so, whenever the young lady failed to see Yu Xiaogang, she would often sigh that her hands were itching and wonder why he had not come out for a beating.
He could not help suspecting that the young lady had inherited Spirit Hall's dissatisfaction with the Upper Three Sects and therefore wanted to amuse herself by beating up Yu Xiaogang, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's second young master.
Seeing this, Ah Yin's lips curved slightly, her beautiful eyes full of amusement.
"Dong'er, I reckon that idiot you're always beating up won't be appearing in Suotuo City anytime soon. Remember how a group of people followed us almost a week ago?
"That was actually Yu Xiaogang bringing a Battle Soul Emperor and five or six useless fellows to make trouble for our husband."
She suddenly laughed, her laughter as clear and melodious as silver bells.
"He thought bringing a Battle Soul Emperor and five or six useless fellows would be enough to deal with our husband, but they never imagined our husband wouldn't even bother activating his martial soul to beat them up.
"He easily slammed their heads into the ground over and over with nothing but his physical strength. Tsk, tsk, those two got beaten so badly that it was simply too awful to watch."
Ah Yin recounted how Zhao Ling had thrashed the brothers Yu Xiaolong and Yu Xiaogang. More importantly, she kept saying "our husband," leaving Bibi Dong terribly embarrassed.
Bibi Dong kept glancing toward Chrysanthemum Douluo nearby, signaling Ah Yin not to speak so carelessly.
She and Zhao Ling had neither consummated a marriage nor become engaged. At most, they had hugged and kissed, but they were not yet at the point where they could call themselves husband and wife.
However, the smiles that occasionally filled her beautiful eyes showed that she had already tacitly accepted the idea that she and Ah Yin shared a husband.
She simply felt that it was better not to be too brazen for now. What if her teacher suddenly flew into a rage over it?
The closer Bibi Dong came to returning to Spirit City, the more apprehensive she felt. She truly feared that the secret chamber incident described in the diary would happen again.
But Ah Yin did not care about all that. She and Dong'er were both lucky women who possessed Zhao Ling's Diary Copy.
Why should she be the one their husband tormented every day until neither heaven nor earth answered her cries?
She had begged Dong'er so many times, yet Dong'er had never agreed to her request.
Now she and her husband were both going to Spirit City. Wasn't her husband still hoping to get Spirit Hall to agree to his relationship with Dong'er?
What was strange about calling him their shared husband ahead of time? If Dong'er was unwilling, why had she kept fighting her over him?
Since she had fought her over their husband, she should just obediently admit it instead of fearing this and that. With their husband protecting her, what the hell was there to fear?
When Chrysanthemum Douluo heard Ah Yin's words, he was first gratified that Zhao Ling had thrashed Yu Xiaogang and his clansmen. This showed that he was not on the Upper Three Sects' side.
Since he was not one of the Upper Three Sects' people, Spirit Hall might be able to recruit him. Even if they could not make him an elder of Spirit Hall, they could still win him over as an ally.
Although Spirit Hall was already the greatest power on the Douluo Continent, winning over a Titled Douluo of such unfathomable strength as an ally would undoubtedly be a tremendous help.
Then he felt that Ah Yin treating Zhao Ling as a man she shared with the young lady was not foolish at all, but an exceedingly wise decision.
After all, this woman had little background and not a trace of soul power. Being able to make a Titled Douluo fall for her at first sight through beauty alone showed that she had considerable skill.
But so what if she was resourceful? Her romantic rival was the current Supreme Pontiff's sole disciple, Spirit Hall's future Saintess, and even its future Supreme Pontiff, with all of Spirit Hall behind her.
That alone meant that, unless this fellow Zhao was an idiot, he would choose the young lady as his future wife.
Now this woman was actually retreating to advance. Having already become Zhao Ling's bedmate, she declared that he was the husband she shared with the young lady. That way, even if the young lady and Zhao Ling officially became a couple, the young lady could not drive her away.
After all, this woman had already consummated her relationship with Zhao Ling before then.
In a sense, the young lady was the third party, yet the other woman was willing to accept her generously. This showed just how deeply calculating and forbearing she must be.
Anyone less calculating would certainly have made a huge scene. Yue Guan could not help feeling admiration for this woman named Ah Yin.
Naturally, Ah Yin did not know what Yue Guan was thinking. If she had, she would not have known whether to laugh or cry.
How could she possibly be that calculating? She truly only wanted a few sisters who could stand in the same trench and share her joys and hardships.
Bibi Dong scratched her head with some regret, glanced at Zhao Ling resentfully, and complained.
"So the people following us all those days were Yu Xiaogang and his clansmen? What a shame! If I'd known it was them that day, I would have stayed no matter what and given that fellow a few good beatings."
She had only returned because Zhao Ling had told her to go back to the hotel with her companions. Had she stayed, she might have been able to loosen Yu Xiaogang's muscles and bones properly.
Although Zhao Ling had given that fellow a vicious thrashing, how could that compare to the satisfaction of beating him herself?
Chapter 81: This Poor Baby Had It Rough
"Stop sulking. It was enough that I beat them up. I already thrashed them so badly that day. If you'd been there too, he might really never have woken up."
Zhao Ling raised a hand and gently stroked Bibi Dong's head so she would stop pouting resentfully.
"By the way, what time are we leaving tomorrow? Is there anything else to pack?"
"No, everything that needs packing is already in the Storage Soul Tool." Bibi Dong shook her head, her beautiful eyes, clear as spring water, fixed on Zhao Ling.
"Brother Zhao, are you and Ah Yin really coming to Spirit City with us?"
"Of course. Didn't I promise you long ago? Ah Yin and I have plenty of time. We'll follow your convoy to Spirit City and treat it as a trip."
Zhao Ling nodded without hesitation, then turned toward Ah Yin on his other side, his eyes full of affection.
Feeling Zhao Ling's affectionate gaze, Ah Yin nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"That's right, Dong'er. My husband and I really do want to look around Spirit City and broaden our horizons while we're at it. What, surely you wouldn't refuse to welcome us?"
Although Ah Yin said this, she felt that ever since taking human form, she had been forced to hole up in remote backwaters where Titled Douluo would never go, all to keep herself alive.
Now she had finally gained Zhao Ling's protection, along with a secret technique that could seal her soul power and presence. She was now completely indistinguishable from an ordinary human.
This gave her the possibility of visiting bustling human cities. Even Spirit City, where powerful experts gathered like clouds and which had the most Soul Masters on the Douluo Continent, would pose no problem.
Of course, that did not mean there was absolutely no chance of her being exposed as a Soul Beast after going to Spirit City.
After all, no one could say for certain whether Zhao Ling might suddenly undo the Soul-Sealing Seal on her. He was human, after all.
If Zhao Ling lost his mind and undid her Soul-Sealing Seal, her Soul Beast presence would probably bring her endless danger in a place like Spirit City, where powerful experts gathered like clouds.
But she had never sensed any desire for her soul ring or soul bone in his diary. Instead, he liked her and coveted her beautiful face and graceful figure even more.
Thus, Ah Yin was still willing to take a gamble and follow Zhao Ling to Spirit City, trusting that he would not betray her and that he was someone she could entrust herself to for life.
"Of course not. How could I not welcome you? I'm very happy you're willing to return to Spirit City with me. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd have to part with you tomorrow."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes shone with a brilliant smile. She had originally enjoyed fighting with Ah Yin over Zhao Ling, but because Ah Yin begged her every day to become a sister in the same trench, she had unknowingly accepted that relationship.
Just then, the clicking of high heels rang out, and a slender figure with exquisite features walked past them.
Seeing that graceful figure, Ah Yin's eyes lit up, and she waved enthusiastically. "Erlong..."
With that, Ah Yin eagerly pulled Zhao Ling to his feet and ran toward Liu Erlong.
Her enthusiasm left Bibi Dong speechless. What was this supposed to mean? Previously, Ah Yin had often fought with her over Zhao Ling, looking as though she would never give him up even if beaten to death.
Yet now Ah Yin seemed like a different person, extremely enthusiastic about pulling more sisters into the same trench. Luring her into that trench was one thing, but she wanted to lure Liu Erlong in too.
Right now, she really wanted to tell Ah Yin, Please, Ah Yin, how many women are willing to hand their future husbands over to someone else? And how many are willing to share a husband with you?
So Bibi Dong stood up as well, hurried toward the three of them, took Ah Yin's hand, and led her toward an empty corner, leaving Liu Erlong and Zhao Ling speechless for a moment.
Because Liu Erlong had previously run over to warn Zhao Ling and Ah Yin, and their hotels were very close, they had run into each other quite a few times over the past week.
Using the excuse of thanking Liu Erlong, Ah Yin had sought her out several times, openly and indirectly promoting how gentle Zhao Ling was and how good he was at understanding people-and undoing their clothes.
At first, Liu Erlong had mistakenly thought Ah Yin feared she would seduce Zhao Ling and was repeatedly coming to make trouble for her, so she had grown wary.
Once she realized that Ah Yin was constantly recommending Zhao Ling's virtues because she wanted them to become sisters in the same trench, Liu Erlong felt utterly numb.
Even more absurdly, afterward Zhao Ling began occasionally inviting her to browse the night market, buying her delicious food, exquisite but understatedly luxurious dresses, high heels, and such.
To an ordinary woman, those clothes were ridiculously pretty. She had wanted to refuse, but her body had honestly accepted them.
Because of this, Liu Erlong could not help questioning Zhao Ling. Visiting her every few days like this, wasn't he afraid Ah Yin would find out?
Zhao Ling's answer made Liu Erlong question her entire life on the spot.
"I can't help it. Ah Yin said that if I couldn't get you to come shopping with me or get you to accept my kindness, I could forget about entering her room. This poor baby has it rough..."
Well, Liu Erlong understood now. Ah Yin genuinely wanted her as a sister in the same trench.
Back then, Liu Erlong had sworn she would never fall for a pig like Zhao Ling, a philandering radish. She still preferred pursuing a lifetime with one person.
But after Zhao Ling's persistent coaxing over the past week, she had unknowingly begun to fall.
Yesterday, while browsing the night market, someone had jostled her, sending her tumbling headfirst into Zhao Ling's arms, where his overwhelming male hormones had left her dizzy and bewitched.
Only after lingering in his arms for nearly three whole minutes had she come to her senses, covered her scarlet face, and fled without watching where she was going.
Now, standing face-to-face was extremely awkward. Fortunately, Zhao Ling was quite thick-skinned. He reached out, took Liu Erlong's delicate hand, and smiled gently.
"Well, Erlong, Ah Yin and I will be going with those Spirit Hall people tomorrow. Would you like to come?"
Liu Erlong instinctively tried to pull her delicate hand out of Zhao Ling's large one, but found she could not withdraw it at all. She could only let him hold it as she shook her head.
"No. I've been here for some time, and I want to go home, so I'm sorry..."
Although she said that, she inwardly grumbled resentfully, Please, it's not as if you don't know I'm an outside bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and my father is the clan's second patriarch.
If I follow you to Spirit City and they discover my identity, I won't even know how I died. I'm not stupid enough to walk straight into their net. Go yourself if you want.
Chapter 82: Nothing but Humblebragging
"So that's how it is? What a shame. But don't worry. I remember you said you lived in Heaven Dou Imperial City, right? Once I return from Spirit City, I'll come to Heaven Dou Imperial City to spend time with you."
Zhao Ling wore such a sincere smile that Liu Erlong felt her cheeks burning as she looked at him.
She certainly did not believe that, after returning from Spirit Hall, Zhao Ling would visit Heaven Dou Imperial City merely to spend time with her. Wasn't he simply lusting after her and trying to court her?
Sure enough, he was still that lecher who wanted to give every beautiful woman in Douluo one warm family together. She despised him...
After pulling Ah Yin away, Bibi Dong shot her an irritated glare.
"What's going on? Dragging me into this and calling us sisters every day is one thing, but why are you pulling her in too? You used to fight with me over him all the time, and now you practically can't wait to share Zhao Ling?"
Hearing Bibi Dong's disgruntled questioning, Ah Yin's face twisted into a mask of suffering.
"What else can I do? Every day, once our husband returns to the room, he starts tormenting me. I've begged you so many times, but you still won't agree to let him wreak havoc on you.
"I really can't take it anymore. Dong'er, do you know how I've survived this past week or so? If I'd known, I wouldn't have courted disaster myself. Boohoo, I'm so miserable."
"..." Bibi Dong was momentarily speechless. She simply thought Ah Yin's reasoning was absurd.
She had only ever heard of oxen dying from exhaustion, never of fields being ruined by plowing.
So what if Zhao Ling was a Titled Douluo? Even with a physique enhanced to three times that of a Titled Douluo, how formidable could he be? She simply thought Ah Yin must be exaggerating to frighten her.
"Ah Yin, I can overlook what happened before, but don't do anything this ridiculous again. I know you love Zhao Ling, but we also have to think about our own happiness.
"If he has more and more women around him, won't we sisters end up keeping empty rooms every day? You need to think carefully."
With that, Bibi Dong raised a hand and patted Ah Yin's shoulder, speaking earnestly.
"I don't care. Unless you let our husband go to your room today, I want a proper rest today."
Ah Yin shook her head like a rattle drum. In any case, she could not bear it anymore. Now she felt that keeping an empty room every day would be far happier than having her husband pester her lately. After all, she had barely had a few good nights' sleep during this time. It was simply inhumane.
Other people came to the Great Soul Arena to watch matches. She essentially came to catch up on sleep. The noise inside the Great Soul Arena could not disturb her desire to rest at all.
"All right, all right, stop showing off, Ah Yin. It's not that I keep turning you down for no reason. I have my own concerns too.
"If Zhao Ling successfully gains my teacher's approval and we're allowed to be together, I definitely won't refuse."
Bibi Dong raised her hand and patted Ah Yin's shoulder again, a flash of envy crossing her eyes.
Lately, she had seen it every day: once Zhao Ling and Ah Yin arrived at the Great Soul Arena, Ah Yin would nestle in his arms and sleep soundly. Clearly, she had not rested well at night.
But to Bibi Dong, being able to nestle in the arms of a man as powerful and handsome as Zhao Ling and sleep soundly every day was a kind of happiness too. Others might want it, but they were not even qualified.
Now Ah Yin looked so pitiful, as though every day was miserable. Wasn't this nothing but humblebragging?
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