Mother and Daughter's ThoughtsThe entire hall fell silent.
Many female disciples of the Three Elements Academy looked at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu with envy. Dai Yao was not only incredibly strong, but also handsome—truly a perfect man. Although it was said that Dai Yao already had wives and concubines, which powerful figure on the continent didn't have multiple wives and concubines?
Even most of the women at Tianshui Academy were like this.
However, the women who participated in the Soul Master Competition with Shui Bing'er back then, such as Qiu Ruoshui, looked at Shui Bing'er with a hidden pain and pity in their eyes.
It's true that Dai Yao is outstanding; there's no man in the world who can compare to him. However, he has a large harem, and with Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu joining him, how much affection can he possibly have for her? Besides, it's really hard to accept that her two sisters are married to the same man.
Upon hearing Dai Yao's reply, Huo Wu staggered backward, her eyes trembling, biting her red lips, a sense of resentment rising within her for some unknown reason.
It was clearly she who knew Dai Yao first...
"Dai Yao, you did not wrong us. It was because we couldn't bear to leave our classmates in the academy that we did not leave Tian Dou City with you."
Xue Wu took Dai Yao's hand and quickly explained, afraid that everyone would misunderstand Dai Yao.
Feeling the warmth in his palm, Dai Yao was somewhat moved.
He felt deeply apologetic towards the two women. The fault lay with him; he had forcibly taken their bodies. He even once thought they hated him, which is why he refused to go to Hanhai City despite their repeated invitations.
But later, through correspondence, he learned that he was wrong.
Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu not only did not hate him, but also had special feelings for him.
They knew Dai Yao was in a bad state at the time, so they didn't blame him. In the letter, Xue Wu made no attempt to hide her feelings.
In the original novel, Xue Wu doesn't have many scenes. Initially, she and Shui Bing'er could perform a spirit fusion technique together, but later the setting was changed so that Shui Yue'er and Shui Bing'er performed the spirit fusion technique together. Even in many fan fictions, Xue Wu's popularity is far less than that of the other female protagonists.
But this seemingly insignificant woman in the original story waited patiently for him.
All I can say is, this is truly the world of Douluo Continent...
Dai Yao was filled with a myriad of emotions.
As Xue Wu finished speaking, many women cast flirtatious glances at Dai Yao. Dai Yao, it seemed, was indeed not a heartless man. Qiu Ruoshui and the others, however, were somewhat skeptical of the truthfulness of Xue Wu's words, feeling that Xue Wu, with her love-struck mind, was whitewashing Dai Yao. They all looked to Shui Bing'er for answers.
Under the scrutinizing gaze of her companions, Shui Bing'er nodded slightly.
Dai Yao had invited her to leave the Heaven Dou Empire several times, and even sent Ye Lingling to persuade her, but she couldn't abandon her family and leave alone.
Even after the Spirit Empire attacked the Heaven Dou Empire and Heaven Dou City became extremely tense, Dai Yao did not ignore the situation and continued to contact them to meet their needs.
"Over the years, he has never treated the two of us badly."
Shui Bing'er explained softly.
Upon hearing Shui Bing'er's answer, the doubts on Qiu Ruoshui and the others' faces gradually disappeared.
Xue Wu might love a man so much she'd disregard herself, but Shui Bing'er wouldn't. Among them, Shui Bing'er has always been the most rational. Even if she likes Dai Yao, she would never lie to him, disregarding the truth.
The women looked at each other and could only sigh inwardly.
Although Dai Yao did not mistreat Shui Bing'er and the others, it was still a bit unfair that their two best friends married the same man.
Just then, a delicate hand peeked out from behind the tent flap, and Ruoshui's well-maintained face appeared before everyone. After glancing at Dai Yao, she said:
What's all this noise about?
Everyone fell silent immediately, with only the crackling of the campfire breaking the silence. Clearly, the dean of Tianshui Academy held considerable prestige.
Immediately, Ruoshui glanced at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu, sighed, and said:
"Bing'er, Xuewu, and you, Dai Yao, come with me."
Dai Yao took a deep breath, took Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's hands, greeted Qiu Ruoshui and the other women, and then left with Ruoshui.
"Tsk tsk, Ruoshui, that tomboy, let's see how arrogant she can be now. Two genius soul masters from Tianshui Academy, sisters, actually got snatched away by a man. Ruoshui must be furious now."
Watching Ruoshui and the others leave, Huo Rong crossed his arms, raised his eyebrows, and teased Yi Feng.
Yi Feng glanced at Huo Rong and said indifferently:
"You don't believe me when I say you're a big, dumb guy. Although Dai Yao is a womanizer, we've all seen his strength. As expected, he will definitely be one of the strongest in the continent in the future. Even the Martial Soul Empire will have to give him some face. Even if the Heaven Dou Empire is destroyed, Tianshui Academy will still have a place to go."
"Although we have left Tiandou City, Tang thief dares not attack us directly, but we should be prepared for the worst."
······
The light of the campfire gradually faded into the dark forest, and Ruoshui stopped by a stream.
Ruoshui turned her head and glanced at Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu's somewhat shy faces. She sighed inwardly, then fixed her gaze on Dai Yao, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed, and said softly:
"Dai Yao, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Although she had already accepted Dai Yao, she still needed to find out how Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu had gotten together with him. She had pressed Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu for answers before, but the two girls wouldn't say a word, so there must be some hidden story behind it.
Dai Yao had anticipated Ruoshui's problem.
Any mother, upon seeing her daughter entangled with another girl and the same man, would surely want to find out the truth, right? Especially since the other girl is not only her daughter's best friend, but also a disciple she values.
"Dai Yao?"
Shui Bing'er looked up at Dai Yao, her purple eyes revealing undisguised worry.
The accident that happened involved an extremely important secret of Dai Yao's. The instigator of that accident was another personality of Dai Yao, and once exposed, it would inevitably expose Dai Yao's second martial soul.
This is why they remain silent when confronted with questions from their relatives.
"rest assured······"
Dai Yao gently patted Shui Bing'er's hand and whispered.
Immediately, Dai Yao turned around and said solemnly:
"Senior, this matter concerns an extremely important secret of mine. Please keep it a secret for me."
Ruoshui was taken aback, then immediately realized that this matter was not simple, and nodded, saying:
"Can."
As soon as he finished speaking, a black light rose from beneath Dai Yao's feet, completely enveloping him. When Dai Yao reappeared, he seemed like a completely different person.
"This is?"
Ruoshui's pupils suddenly contracted.
······
A moment later, Dai Yao's evil personality disappeared, and Dai Yao in his normal form reappeared.
"I see······"
Ruoshui looked at Dai Yao with a slight fright, her voice trembling as she spoke.
The sinister and unbridled manner that Dai Yao had displayed just now truly frightened her.
No wonder Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu refused to say anything; it turns out they had such a secret. Another personality, another martial soul. Although it's a side effect, it's also an opportunity.
Dai Yao's strength is already so formidable using only his first spirit; it's unimaginable how terrifying he would be when his second spirit is fully equipped with spirit rings. Furthermore, Dai Yao loves his daughter and disciple, making them a truly well-matched couple.
"Dai Yao, I already know about your relationship. Bing'er and Xue Wu also like you, and I don't object to it. However, they've been following you without any official status for so long; you have to give them an explanation, don't you?"
After calming down, Ruoshui said seriously.
"Does the senior have any requirements?"
Dai Yao inquired.
Ruoshui gave Dai Yao a deep look before saying:
"My request is very simple: you must marry them properly and give them a grand wedding so that the whole world knows that they are not women who crave wealth and luxury!"
Dai Yao pondered for a moment. All four of his wives had been married in the same ceremony. If he were to hold a separate ceremony for Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu now, it would inevitably cause resentment among Zhu Qing and the others. However, if he didn't hold a ceremony, he wouldn't gain Ruo Shui's approval, which would disappoint Shui Bing'er and the others even more.
Just as he was about to agree, Shui Bing'er stopped him, stepped forward to shield Dai Yao behind her, and said solemnly:
"Mom, you're putting Dai Yao in a difficult position! The whole world knows about Dai Yao's wedding to his four wives. If we were to be married off to the same grandeur by Dai Yao, what would they think of us?"
"If you really care about us, then let us decide our own marriage."
Seeing that Shui Bing'er opposed her plan, Ruoshui became angry:
"You silly girl, do you know that the more you consider his feelings, the less he values you? Only when you make him pay the price and make him feel the hardship will he cherish you more!"
"Dean, Dai Yao isn't that kind of person!"
Xue Wu also defended Dai Yao.
"What do you know?! I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice! I've seen plenty of men like this. The better you treat him, the less he'll appreciate it. Listen to me, you won't go wrong!"
Ruoshui said excitedly.
"Senior, I..."
Dai Yao wanted to defend himself, but before he could finish speaking, Shui Bing'er sternly interrupted him:
"Shut up!"
Dai Yao was suddenly shocked, taken aback by Shui Bing'er's aura. This was Shui Bing'er?
Shui Bing'er turned around, looked at her mother, and said seriously:
"Mom, true love never needs any tests. I believe that if I treat Dai Yao sincerely, he will treat me the same way. Even if he changes his mind in the future, I will not regret my choice now."
Seeing Ruoshui stunned, Shui Bing'er smiled and looked at Dai Yao, saying:
"Alright, let's go."
Looking at the dashing blue-haired woman, Dai Yao felt that he could finally see Shui Bing'er clearly. He nodded and said "oh," bowed to Ruoshui to say goodbye, and then led the two women away slowly.
After a long while, watching the three figures disappear into the darkness, Ruoshui's earlier urgency and anger slowly vanished, and she chuckled:
"This girl..."
She then looked up at the sky, a dark expanse dotted with countless stars. Ruoshui murmured in a voice only she could hear:
"My dear girl, your mother is too weak to be your reliable support. But I can play the villain, using this clumsy technique to highlight your pure love and let Dai Yao understand your feelings. That's all I can do." (End of Chapter)