Meanwhile, in the distant Spirit City, Pope Bibi Dong was instructing Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing on cultivation techniques. The atmosphere was excellent, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely.
The past month of spending time together has brought the three of them much closer. Bibi Dong made no attempt to hide her relationship with Jun Yi, and openly told them about it.
When the two women heard that Bibi Dong and Jun Yi were really together, they were still shocked, even though they had prepared themselves mentally. They were puzzled; Jun Yi and Pope Bibi Dong had only met a few times, so why were they together?
Could it really be love at first sight?
A golden light streaked across the sky, and a figure appeared in the Papal Palace.
" Zhu Zhuqing, Sister Yanyan, why are you back so soon?"
Jun Yi looked at the two women with curiosity, but his face still held joy. He had missed them just as much as he had missed them after two years apart.
The two women exchanged a glance, said nothing, and went straight forward to hug Jun Yi.
"We all miss you so much, Jun Yi," Zhu Zhuqing said first.
"Why haven't you come to see us on Sea God Island in the past two years?" Dugu Yan asked as well.
Jun Yi was held tightly by the two girls, and joy welled up in his heart like spring buds breaking through the soil. He raised his hand, gently stroking their backs, and said tenderly, "I missed you both too, but I have more important things to do."
Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, her large, watery eyes looking at Jun Yi, and asked, "What is it that prevents you from coming to see us? Is it something more important than us?"
"I don't know how to answer that. You are important, but having the power to protect you is even more important," Jun Yi said slowly.
" Jun Yi, you should still be eating, right? I'll have the kitchen make you something. You two chat for a bit, I'll be back in a bit."
Pope Bibi Dong smiled and said to Jun Yi, then gave him a look, signaling him to spend some time with the two women, before turning and leaving.
As Jun Yi watched Pope Bibi Dong's departing figure, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He turned around, looked at the two women in front of him, and wore a gentle smile.
"For the past two years, I have been diligently cultivating so that I can better protect you," Jun Yi said slowly. "I have already been targeted by some gods. If I were to go to your God Trial grounds, some unexpected things might happen. I was afraid of delaying you, so I didn't go."
The two women released their grip and looked at Jun Yi, their faces filled with concern.
" Jun Yi." Dugu Yan opened her mouth, but found she didn't know what to say, and in the end she just softly called his name.
Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, showed a different reaction. She smiled slightly, then gently hugged Jun Yi, pressed her face against his chest, and quietly listened to his heartbeat.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the whole world fell silent. The three heartbeats intertwined, like a beautiful melody, deeply conveying their emotions to each other.
" Jun Yi, we will always support you." Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, looked into Jun Yi's eyes, and said firmly.
"Yes, we believe you," Dugu Yan echoed, expressing her own determination.
Jun Yi looked at them, a deep sense of gratitude welling up in his heart. He understood that no matter how difficult the road ahead might be, he could not let down these people's trust and support.
He nodded slightly, then gently put his arm around their waists. "Thank you. I will definitely work harder and won't let you down."
" Jun Yi, tonight, will you take us?" Zhu Zhuqing suddenly asked.
"Both together?" Jun Yi asked suspiciously.
"You're dreaming! Are you even thinking of calling Sister Dong'er over so the three of us can serve you together?" Dugu Yan playfully pinched Jun Yi's ear.
"It's not impossible, as long as you're willing, my body can handle it."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan's hand tightened slightly, "So, Jun Yi, you've had your eye on this from the very beginning..."
Just then, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke up, "Alright, let's invite Sister Dong'er over tonight; she's experienced."
"Huh?" Dugu Yan was completely dumbfounded. She turned around and looked at Zhu Zhuqing in surprise. She hadn't expected that her usually quiet and reserved best friend would be so wild and open-minded.
" Zhu Zhuqing, what did you just say?" Dugu Yan asked incredulously. Zhu Zhuqing looked up, her face slightly flushed, but her eyes were unusually firm as she looked at Dugu Yan. "I said, let's call Sister Dong'er tonight. We need her."
"Ahem, Zhu Zhuqing, you really have my best interests at heart. Well then, I'll take the loss and give you all a good lesson tonight."
Pope Bibi Dong suddenly pushed open the door and entered. Her face was slightly flushed, but she still maintained the demeanor of a "first wife".
That night, the moonlight was like water, bathing the entire Papal Palace. The four of them entered Bibi Dong's room one after the other. After Jun Yi entered the room, all the lights in the room were dimmed, leaving only a faint lamplight and flickering candlelight.
The room temperature suddenly rose. Warm light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting several hazy shadows. Then, a pleasant rustling sound of fabric filled the room.
Three beautiful figures gradually approached the handsome man, their eyes filled with infatuation and longing. The lights went out, and no one knew what had happened.
The weather quickly turned cool, Jun Yi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His heart was filled with gratitude and happiness. He understood that the burden on his shoulders had grown heavier, and that his current efforts were not for anything else but to be able to protect the person beside him.
He turned his head and looked at the three women beside him. They were all fast asleep, their soft breathing like gentle music. He gently got out of bed and covered them with the blankets.
Looking at their sleeping faces, he felt a deep sense of emotion. In that moment, he understood what true happiness was. He believed that no matter how difficult the road ahead might be, he would cherish this happiness and persevere.
"However, I didn't expect that Sister Yanyan would actually inherit the Nine Trials of the Water God. This surprised me a bit. Now, the third God Ring on my body has begun to take shape. In a few days, I should be able to reach the Third-Level God. Soul Power is basically useless to me now."
Looking at the golden teardrop-shaped divine mark between Dugu Yan's eyebrows, Jun Yi felt a little relieved. Now, the three women all possessed their own God Trial, so even if Jun Yi died in battle in the future, the three women would have their own way out.
(End of this chapter)