"Don't be upset. It's enough that I beat them up. That day, I already gave them a good thrashing. If you had been there too, he probably wouldn't have woken up at all."
Zhao Ling raised his hand and gently patted Bibi Dong's head, so she wouldn't pout with that unhappy little face.
"By the way, what time are we leaving tomorrow? Is there anything else we need to pack?"
"No, everything that needs to be packed is already in the storage soul device," Bibi Dong shook her head, her clear eyes like a mountain spring gazing at Zhao Ling.
"Brother Zhao, are you and Sister Ah Yin really coming with us to Spirit Hall City?"
"Of course. Didn't I already promise you? Ah Yin and I have plenty of time. Tagging along with your convoy to Spirit Hall City is just like going on a trip."
Zhao Ling nodded without hesitation, then turned to look at Ah Yin on the other side, his eyes full of affection.
Feeling Zhao Ling's loving gaze, Ah Yin also nodded without hesitation and echoed:
"That's right, Sister Dong'er. My husband and I really do want to visit Spirit Hall City. We'd like to see the world a bit. What's wrong? Don't tell me you're not welcoming us?"
Although Ah Yin said it so casually, deep down she knew that ever since she took on human form, she had been forced to hide away in remote areas where titled Douluos wouldn't appear, just to stay alive.
Now, under Zhao Ling's protection—and with the secret technique that seals her soul power and aura—she's no different from an ordinary human.
This gave her the opportunity to visit bustling human cities, even one like Spirit Hall City, filled with strong soul masters, without much issue.
Of course, that's not to say she's completely safe from exposure as a soul beast.
After all, who knows? Zhao Ling is still human—he might one day lift her "Soul Seal Mark." If that happened in Spirit Hall City, a place teeming with strong fighters, the soul beast aura would put her in immense danger.
But Ah Yin had never sensed any greed in Zhao Ling for her soul rings or soul bones in his diary. He just genuinely liked her, and was more drawn to her beauty and graceful figure.
So Ah Yin was willing to take the risk and follow Zhao Ling to Spirit Hall City, believing he wouldn't betray her—believing he was someone she could entrust her life to.
"Of course not! How could I not welcome you two? I'm really happy you're coming with me. Otherwise, we'd be parting ways tomorrow," Bibi Dong replied, her eyes sparkling with a radiant smile.
She had once been jealous of Ah Yin, but since Ah Yin persistently treated her as a sister-in-arms, Bibi Dong had gradually accepted this relationship without even realizing it.
Just then, the sound of high heels echoed—da da da—and a slender, graceful figure with delicate features walked past them.
Upon seeing that alluring figure, Ah Yin's eyes lit up. She waved excitedly, "Sister Erlong!"
Then, dragging Zhao Ling along, she eagerly ran toward Liu Erlong.
Bibi Dong was speechless at this. What the hell? Ah Yin used to compete fiercely for Zhao Ling, acting like she'd never give him up no matter what.
Now Ah Yin seemed like a different person, obsessed with dragging more women into the same "trench" and even trying to pull Liu Erlong in.
Bibi Dong really wanted to tell her: Please, Sister Ah Yin, how many women would willingly share their future husband with someone else?
She quickly stood up, walked over, grabbed Ah Yin's hand, and pulled her toward a quiet corner, leaving Liu Erlong and Zhao Ling standing awkwardly face-to-face.
Because Liu Erlong had previously helped pass messages between Zhao Ling and Ah Yin, they had ended up staying at nearby hotels, and had run into each other several times over the past week.
Ah Yin, using the excuse of thanking Liu Erlong, had approached her many times—openly and subtly promoting how gentle and considerate Zhao Ling was (especially when it came to clothing).
At first, Liu Erlong thought Ah Yin was just being territorial and trying to scare her off, so she stayed on guard.
But later, she realized Ah Yin was genuinely trying to convince her how amazing Zhao Ling was, hoping they could become "sisters-in-arms." That's when Liu Erlong began to feel completely overwhelmed.
What made it even crazier was that Zhao Ling then started asking her out to night markets, buying her snacks, fancy dresses, and luxury heels.
Any normal woman would find those clothes irresistible. Though she originally wanted to refuse them, her body ended up accepting them before her mind could.
Eventually, she couldn't help but confront Zhao Ling: wasn't he afraid Ah Yin would find out he was spending so much time with her?
His answer made Liu Erlong question everything.
"I don't have a choice. Ah Yin said, if I can't get you to go shopping with me and accept my gifts, then I shouldn't even think about entering her room. It's breaking my heart…"
Well, that made things clear. Ah Yin really did want Liu Erlong to join the same "trench."
Once, Liu Erlong had sworn she would never fall for someone like Zhao Ling—such a playboy. She had always wanted one true love, a lifelong partner.
But after a week of Zhao Ling's persistent, gentle pursuit, she was already beginning to fall for him without realizing it.
Just yesterday, while shopping at the night market, someone bumped into her, and she fell right into Zhao Ling's arms. The masculine scent made her dizzy and disoriented.
She stayed in his arms for nearly three minutes before she came to her senses, blushed furiously, and fled in a panic.
Now, standing face-to-face with him again, it was incredibly awkward. Thankfully, Zhao Ling had thick enough skin. He reached out, took her soft hand, and said gently:
"So, Erlong, tomorrow Ah Yin and I are heading to Spirit Hall with the others. Do you want to come along?"
Liu Erlong instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but couldn't. She could only let him hold it and replied with a shake of her head:
"No, I've been here for a while now. I want to go home, so… sorry."
Even as she said this, she couldn't help but grumble internally:
Come on, you know I'm from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My father is the clan's second-in-command. If I go to Spirit Hall City and get found out, I wouldn't even know how I died. I'm not dumb enough to walk into a trap like that. If you want to go, go by yourself.