Chapter 387: Four Engagements
Seaward City, Qinglian Sect.
Inside the grand hall of Qinglian Sect, Dai Yao sat at the head of the table. To his left were Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Dugu Bo, while Ning Fengzhi sat to the right with the two Titled Douluo. Numerous elders of Qinglian Sect filled the seats along both sides of the hall, and younger disciples such as Niu Ben and Bai Chenxiang stood respectfully behind them.
Dai Yao took a moment to gaze over the assembly of powerful souls and allies that Qinglian Sect had gathered. Though he held no ambition to conquer the world, he was resolved to protect those he cared for amid the continent's turmoil. And now, with Qinglian Sect's growing strength, he felt secure enough to do so.
Glancing at the elders, he lifted his cup and addressed them solemnly. "Thank you all, elders, for all your hard work developing the sect in my absence. I raise my cup to you."
Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, Bai He, and the others were quick to downplay their efforts, insisting it was unnecessary. Niu Gao raised his own cup and laughed, "Sect Master, if you want to thank someone, it should be Vice Sect Master Dugu Yan and Lady Rongrong. While you were away, they've worked tirelessly to support the sect's growth. We old folks all witnessed their dedication."
At the mention of "Lady Rongrong," Ning Fengzhi's brow furrowed slightly. This formal, almost distant term hinted at an unspoken discomfort. Ning Rongrong, despite her essential role within Qinglian Sect, still bore the title of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's former heiress. And though she was entrusted with the sect's finances, her position remained somewhat ambiguous. While Dugu Yan had both her lineage and support from Dugu Bo's forces, Ning Rongrong often seemed isolated and estranged, even within the sect.
"Rongrong's status here deserves clarity…" Ning Fengzhi thought, watching his daughter in silence.
Dai Yao turned his gaze to Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, who both exchanged soft smiles with him. While he had given them priceless treasures to enhance their strength, he knew his gifts could never truly repay their loyalty or the depth of their feelings for him.
Raising his own cup, he took a sip with them in mutual understanding. Dugu Yan drank gracefully, her soul power bolstering her resistance to the alcohol. Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, began to cough almost immediately, unaccustomed to the drink.
"Rongrong, that's enough for you," Dai Yao said with concern, urging her to stop.
Meeting his gaze, her eyes glowed with warmth. "Dai Yao, I can handle it…" she whispered, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush as she lowered her head shyly. The younger disciples watching felt a pang of envy as their admired Lady Rongrong showed such devotion to another.
Ning Fengzhi, who had observed the scene closely, finally raised his voice, drawing everyone's attention. "Dai Yao," he began with a smile, "I've watched you grow since you were young, and I can hardly believe how far you've come, building this incredible sect. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has stood with Qinglian Sect through many trials. Rongrong has worked tirelessly for you without any official status—don't you think it's time to formalize her place in your life?"
A hush fell over the hall.
Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, Bai He, and the other elders exchanged glances, then cast knowing looks toward Ning Rongrong, whose face turned bright red. While they had long suspected that Ning Rongrong's commitment to Qinglian Sect stemmed from her feelings for Dai Yao, hearing Ning Fengzhi make this statement was nevertheless astonishing. After all, Dai Yao had already pledged himself to others. His long-standing engagement with Zhu Zhuqing made her his official fiancée, leaving any other women as secondary wives at best. And yet, here was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heiress, willing to accept such a position.
Ning Rongrong's face grew warmer under everyone's gaze, feeling both embarrassed and guilty as she glanced nervously at Dugu Yan. After all, it was widely known that Dugu Yan and Dai Yao were close, but they hadn't formalized any engagement. In accepting this proposal, Ning Rongrong couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping in ahead of her friend.
In a near whisper, she spoke to her father, "Father, please… not here."
Yet Ning Fengzhi ignored her plea, his eyes fixed firmly on Dai Yao as he awaited his response.
Dai Yao looked back at Ning Fengzhi, then at Ning Rongrong, whose eyes shone with hope, before glancing over at Dugu Yan. Just as he was about to speak, a sigh broke the silence.
Everyone turned to the source of the interruption and found Dugu Bo shaking his head. After a quick glance at his daughter, he muttered under his breath, "My girl's all grown up now…"
Out loud, he continued, "Dai Yao, let's not forget that Yan Yan also deserves a formal promise. Now that we're discussing an engagement for Miss Rongrong, I think it's only right we settle things for my Yan Yan as well."
A stunned silence fell over the hall once again.
To become betrothed to two young women at once was a rare event, even for nobility. And yet, here were two of the most distinguished young women on the continent—one, the blood heir of Poison Douluo, and the other, the former heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In typical aristocratic circles, multiple engagements were common; after all, such women often lacked influence in their husbands' households. But here, these two women were extraordinary in their own right.
It was even more startling given Dai Yao's existing engagement to Zhu Zhuqing, making them his secondary wives by traditional standards. And yet, neither Ning Fengzhi nor Dugu Bo seemed willing to let their precious daughters be slighted.
Meeting Dugu Bo's unyielding gaze, Dai Yao understood the gravity of their words. He had long known how much Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan had sacrificed for him. They had both given their hearts and unwavering loyalty, even when he could offer nothing in return. But now that he had a place to call home, he could no longer hide behind uncertainty and delay the commitment they deserved.
Dai Yao took a deep breath and organized his thoughts, then addressed the gathering, his voice clear and steady. "Since childhood, I've roamed from one place to another. First, I left the Star Luo Empire, then the Heaven Dou Empire, and finally I joined the Spirit Hall. Despite my talents, I've never truly had a place to call home, which is why I couldn't make any promises until now."
He paused, locking eyes with Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, who both held their breath as they waited for his next words.
"But today," he continued, "I finally have a place to return to, no matter where I go. I am ready to make a promise, though I must confess that my words may sound a bit selfish…"
Dai Yao took another deep breath and said:
"Yan Yan, Rong Rong, will you marry me?"
Everyone present was stunned. Proposing to two people at the same time? Was that even considered a proper proposal? Despite the oddity, all eyes turned to Dai Yao's intended fiancées: Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong.
Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong exchanged a brief glance. Ning Rongrong, blushing deeply, nodded shyly. Dugu Yan let out a small sigh before also nodding in agreement.
In Dugu Yan's heart, she had already given herself to Dai Yao easily. While she didn't regret it, every woman dreams of a romantic proposal. Being asked under such circumstances left her feeling a slight pang of disappointment, though she ultimately accepted willingly.
Ning Fengzhi watched as Ning Rongrong nodded her agreement and let out a soft sigh of relief. This officially settled Ning Rongrong's status. Within the Qinglian Sect, she now had a defined and honorable role.
Turning his gaze to Dai Yao, Ning Fengzhi's expression grew complicated. It wasn't just because Dai Yao was now his son-in-law while still maintaining entanglements with other women—it was because he finally understood what Dai Yao truly sought.
He realized why, no matter how much effort he put into recruiting Dai Yao in the past, Dai Yao had refused.
What Dai Yao needed was a hand to pull him out of the mud of his youth in the Star Luo Empire. And it was Spirit Hall that had extended that hand.
"We were a step too late. If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had saved Dai Yao back then, none of this would be happening now…" Ning Fengzhi thought regretfully.
Hearing both Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong accept his proposal, Dai Yao couldn't help but smile. To have the sincere love of these women was the result of many coincidental events and fortunate circumstances. At the same time, he felt some guilt—he couldn't give each of them his undivided love.
Back in Spirit Hall, two other women were waiting for him with unwavering devotion. He couldn't forget about them just because they weren't here. Taking a deep breath, he spoke seriously:
"Uncle Ning, Senior Dugu, Yan Yan, Rong Rong, I have something to say."
Everyone turned to look at Dai Yao. Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and said, "Go ahead."
Rubbing his fingers together and with a solemn expression, Dai Yao said, "Yan Yan, Rong Rong, I will not fail you. But I also cannot fail Zhuqing and Wutong. I am engaged not only to the two of you but also to Zhuqing and Wutong. To me, there is no distinction between you; you are all my wives."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. By orchestrating the engagement between Ning Rongrong and Dai Yao, he had already tacitly accepted Dai Yao's relationships with the other two women.
He had assumed Dai Yao wouldn't bring up Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, given that Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong had powerful backing, while the other two came from relatively modest circumstances.
Yet Dai Yao chose to openly acknowledge Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, showing a rare integrity that left Ning Fengzhi both comforted and disheartened.
The comfort came from knowing Dai Yao would treat Ning Rongrong equally even if she lacked her family's influence.
The disheartenment stemmed from the realization that Dai Yao now had four wives, which meant Ning Rongrong would face far more competition and sacrifices in her marriage.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's unabashed joy, Ning Fengzhi felt a pang of frustration. If not for decorum, he would have asked Sword Douluo to give Dai Yao a good beating!
The flames of Dai Yao's ambition burned brightly, and Ning Rongrong's unwavering devotion only fanned them. Her adoring gaze lacked any trace of criticism, replaced entirely by an exasperating acceptance of the situation. Even Ning Fengzhi's exceptional patience was wearing thin as he closed his eyes and muttered, "It's her decision. If she's happy, so be it."
Ning Rongrong, still lost in the shy thrill of her engagement, seemed almost dazed, as if steam were rising from her head. If this hadn't been a formal setting, she might have already fled in giddy excitement.
Dugu Yan cast a sidelong glance at Ning Rongrong, clearly unimpressed. Dai Yao only needed a few words to completely sweep this naïve girl off her feet.
This girl is far too easy to please, she thought.
Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong had already accepted that Feng Wutong and Zhu Zhuqing had long been with Dai Yao. They had prepared themselves to share their lives with the other women. After all, they were the latecomers. Dai Yao mentioning Wutong and Zhuqing now was clearly his way of securing official recognition for them.
However, in the presence of their elders, they couldn't explain the full truth, as doing so would embarrass their families.
Dugu Yan spoke softly, "Dai Yao, we understand your intentions. We've already prepared ourselves."
The elders exchanged glances, silently marveling at Dai Yao's finesse. He had managed to win the hearts of so many stunning women, and they even seemed to coexist harmoniously.
The younger disciples of the Qinglian Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were envious of Dai Yao, while many of the young women felt indignant. Both Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong were their paragons of perfection, yet they had willingly accepted such an arrangement. It was heartbreaking to see their idols humble themselves in this way.
Meanwhile, Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Poison Douluo exchanged a knowing look. They had silently agreed to give Dai Yao a "lesson" in the coming days. Of course, it would be framed as part of his "training."
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