Chapter 300: Group Members: "We love watching women fight."
With a single, indifferent palm strike, the world fell silent.
The remaining members of the Yuan Sect—elders and disciples alike—were instantly annihilated by Lin Dong's terrifying power, leaving not even ashes behind, erased from existence.
The disciples of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace stared, dumbfounded, at the empty sky where their enemies had been.
Was it... over? Just like that?
They looked at Lin Dong's figure, floating in the air, his back to them. Their eyes were filled with a complex mixture of shock, awe, and profound gratitude.
If not for Lin Dong's timely, god-like descent today, the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace would have been extinguished, becoming nothing more than a historical relic in the Eastern Xuan Region.
Countless disciples, their robes stained with blood and tears, began to kneel and worship Lin Dong as a savior.
However, the man they worshipped was currently sweating a little.
Lin Dong slowly turned around, his divine aura fading, replaced by a very human awkwardness.
His gaze landed on two figures.
Ling Qingzhu's gaze, cool and clear as moonlight, went straight past him, landing on Ying Huanhuan.
Ying Huanhuan, who had been standing on a nearby peak, likewise looked at her. Her typically bright eyes held an unusual, deep coldness.
Their gazes intertwined across the battlefield.
In that instant, the air itself seemed to solidify. The chaotic aftermath of the battle, the sounds of weeping and relief—it all faded into an oppressive silence.
Both women possessed an aura of profound coldness.
Ling Qingzhu's was the aloofness of a celestial fairy, a natural result of her personality, temperament, and the Supreme Purity cultivation.
Ying Huanhuan's, however, was a bone-chilling cold that seemed to originate from the primordial winter, a hint of the Ice Master's true nature leaking through.
[Inorin's Note: Ying Huanhuan is the reincarnation of the Ice Master, one of the eight ancient Primal Masters. Her playful personality often conceals a cold, ancient, and immensely powerful consciousness.]
No matter where they were, both were supreme existences that drew everyone's attention.
Now, placed together, their respective radiance and coldness seemed to clash, creating a sharp, invisible confrontation that was more terrifying than the battle just fought.
The entire area was almost frozen by the unique aura emanating from these two women.
The disciples of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, who had just been overjoyed, sensed this strange, suffocating atmosphere. They instinctively shifted their gaze between the aloof Ling Qingzhu and the icy Ying Huanhuan.
Then, they all looked at Lin Dong.
Their gazes were a mixture of sympathy... and intense envy.
Lin Dong felt the temperature drop by twenty degrees. He could face the entire Yuan Sect without flinching, but this... this was a different kind of battlefield.
Seeing the somewhat confrontational stance of the two women, he decisively requested external help.
He frantically opened the chat group interface, his mind racing.
[Lin Dong: "Beep, beep, beep! Is anyone there?! Help! My two women have met and are currently at odds. How do I ease this situation? This is urgent!"]
The group, which had been quiet, instantly exploded.
[Shi Jian: "???"]
[Shi Jian: "No, is your opening line right? Normally, you should start with, 'I have a friend who has this problem...'"]
[Li Changshou: "Haha, Brother Dong is just direct, not pretentious. I admire that."]
[Xiao Yan: "What did you do? You're the one who kept saying you were going for 'pure love'! How do you have two women at the same time...?"]
[Meng Qi: "I love watching women fight the most! Dongzi, start a live stream, quick! I'll guide you on the spot! This is the content I live for!"]
[Fang Han: "What can a Monk like you guide? Pathetic. Start a live stream, and I'll teach you. I just took down Yan Shuiyi not long ago. I have several top-tier Dual Cultivation divine arts here…"]
[Inorin's Note: 'Dual Cultivation' is a practice where cultivators engage in sexual intercourse to cultivate, allowing them to exchange and refine their energies, often leading to rapid advancements.]
[Fang Han: "My arts will guarantee you make them both so weak-kneed and blissed-out they won't have the energy to fight each other. They'll be too busy fighting over who gets to serve you."]
[Shi Hao: "What's so hard about dealing with a fat woman? If you can beat her, just knock her out, carry her home, and make her your wife who serves you tea and water. If you can't beat her, run."]
[Xiao Yan: "Start a live stream! I also like watching women fight! @Meng Qi, get the popcorn!"]
[Lin Feng: "Amateurs. As long as you level up fast enough and change maps fast enough, there won't be any harem troubles! They can't fight if they can't meet!"]
Lin Dong looked at the flood of messages, feeling a bit speechless. His forehead was practically dripping sweat now.
[Lin Dong: "No, can any of you give some useful advice?!"]
[Fang Han: "I already did. I suggest Dual Cultivation. Once you've thoroughly cultivated her, body and soul, can the person still run away?"]
[Fang Han: "You should learn from the people in my world; they casually have three thousand women in their harem and ascend with all of them. They have three thousand and don't complain, but you're being so wishy-washy with only two! Pathetic!"]
[Fang Han: "After cultivating the secret art I passed on to you, let alone two people, even twenty thousand women won't be able to leave your bed, let alone you."]
[Xiao Yan: "Ahem. I have a friend who wants to inquire about your Dual Cultivation secret art, Brother Fang…"]
[Meng Qi: "Tsk tsk. Aren't you the one going for 'pure love'? Why are you inquiring about Dual Cultivation secret arts…?"]
[Xiao Yan: "That's why I said it's for a friend... understand?"]
[Meng Qi: "Six!"]
[Inorin's Note: 'Six' (or '666') is Chinese internet slang for 'awesome,' 'smooth,' or 'well-played.']
[Li Changshou: "Brother Dong, I think those flashy maneuvers aren't suitable for you. Just go with a direct attack. Be honest. Tell them you want both."]
[Meng Qi: "That's right! Only children make choices; adults want both! Be a man, Dongzi!"]
[Shi Jian: "If it really doesn't work, then call for backup. Have your mother, Liu Yan, come over to conquer them. Once they adapt to the role of daughter-in-law, then it will all feel natural. Mothers are the best at handling this."]
Looking at the chaotic, unhelpful messages in the group, Lin Dong felt a migraine coming on.
Only Shi Jian's suggestion was slightly useful.
His mother, Liu Yan, had indeed met both Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan. And she had even joked that he should bring both of them home...
As for the "direct attack" approach...
Both Ling Qingzhu and Ying Huanhuan were incredibly proud individuals. A direct attack would be too difficult. It might just make them both turn on him.
[Shi Jian: "Specific situations require specific analysis. You need to start a live stream so we can see the situation before giving you proper advice!"]
[Xiao Yan: "Exactly! We don't know anything about the situation, and you're asking us for advice. Do you want us to attack an invisible enemy? We need intel!"]
[Meng Qi: "Start a live stream, start a live stream! I want to see if they'll fight! Will they pull hair? Use cultivation arts? This is better than any spar!"]
Sigh!
Lin Dong felt that these guys just wanted to watch a show and see him squirm.
But... he thought about it and felt that Shi Jian was right. Specific situations require specific analysis.
With so many (mostly useless) people in the group, excluding those few who were just there for the fun, the others should be able to give some reliable advice, right?
After hesitating for a long, painful second, Lin Dong grit his teeth.
[System: Lin Dong has started a live stream.]
The group members also saw Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu clearly for the first time, standing in the ruins of the palace.
[Xiao Yan: "Damn, Dongzi! You have quite the luck with women. Both sisters-in-law are absolute, world-ending beauties…"]
[Fang Han: "Tsk. Both have such cold temperaments. Lin Dong, you're in for it! You won't be able to handle them without my secret art."]
[Li Changshou: "Hiss... I can feel an invisible killing intent emanating between them even through the screen. This is bad. Are they really going to fight?"]
[Shi Jian: "Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu both have relatively strong, proud personalities. If you want to take them both down, you need to be even stronger and more assertive than them."]
[Meng Qi: "It feels like they're about to fight! Dongzi, you can add fuel to the fire. Provoke them into fighting, then jump out at the crucial moment to stop them. It's best if you get injured by them while protecting the other one, then play the victim card. You'll definitely win them over!"]
[Xiao Yan: "You'd better be giving advice, not just shamelessly admitting you want to watch women fight!"]
[Luo Feng: "Why does this feel... a bit exciting?"]
[Yang Qi: "666"]
...
While the people in the group were brainstorming, the two women in front of Lin Dong finally ended their silent standoff.
Ying Huanhuan was the first to move. She first glanced at Lin Dong, her icy gaze lingering for a moment, before turning back to Ling Qingzhu.
A slight, polite smile touched her lips. She gracefully extended a hand. "Dao Sect's Ying Huanhuan. I think we've met once before, Senior Sister Qingzhu."
A rare, fleeting trace of a smile also appeared on Ling Qingzhu's exquisite, flawless face. She extended her own jade-like hand and shook Ying Huanhuan's.
"Ling Qingzhu. Miss Huanhuan's name is now, I fear, known to everyone in this Eastern Xuan Region."
The two women greeted each other, a simple handshake signifying they had formally met.
Then, Ying Huanhuan did something that made the chat group explode.
She said nothing more to Ling Qingzhu, only turning her eyes back to Lin Dong.
Then, in front of everyone—in front of Ling Qingzhu, in front of all the disciples of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace—she walked forward.
Like a little wife, she stepped right up to Lin Dong and began to gently tidy his clothes, which were slightly rumpled from the non-existent fight.
Her voice, which had been cool, suddenly softened, laced with concern and affection. "You two talk. When you're done, come back to the Dao Sect. I'll be waiting for you!"
With that, she did not linger. She gave Lin Dong one last, soft look, completely ignoring Ling Qingzhu.
She turned and left, her figure disappearing into a streak of light.
Ling Qingzhu saw her intimate actions, her hand pausing in mid-air for a moment. She remained silent, her expression unreadable.
Then, she suddenly spoke, her voice calm: "Miss Huanhuan is very good to you."
Lin Dong heard this and his blood ran cold. He didn't know how to respond. He quickly, desperately, looked at the live stream's bullet comments.
[Xiao Yan: "Damn! That was a power move! Ying Huanhuan's move is good; she directly declared her sovereignty! She put on the air of the main wife! Ahem, just like Xun'er... the Xun'er in the original plot, of course…"]
[Meng Qi: "What are you explaining? What are you hiding? We all know what you mean!"]
[Luo Feng: "Indeed, six…"]
[Lin Feng: "Don't respond to that! Change the subject, you idiot! Discussing one woman with another is a massive taboo, especially when both women are involved with you!"]
Lin Dong looked at the bullet comments, his mind clearing. He thought about Ying Huanhuan's actions just now. It really was a declaration of sovereignty.
Her actions, her tone... if someone didn't know better, they would have thought she was his little wife.
He saw Lin Feng's words and latched onto them like a drowning man. After some thought, he fixed his gaze on Ling Qingzhu, ignoring her loaded statement.
"You... you went to the Great Yan Dynasty before? My mother mentioned that she saw you!"
He changed the subject so awkwardly it was painful, but it was indeed effective.
A faint, almost imperceptible blush seeped onto Ling Qingzhu's fair, cool cheeks. "I happened to have some business in the Great Yan Dynasty... and I... I paid a visit to your parents."
[Xiao Yan: "She's flustered! She's flustered! Quickly, press the attack! Don't let her recover!"]
[Meng Qi: "It's decided! Go, Lin Dong's mother! Use 'Summon Mother-in-Law'!"]
Lin Dong felt a surge of confidence, believing he had grasped the rhythm of the conversation. He no longer looked at the live stream's bullet comments and spoke freely:
"My mother said she really likes you. She said it would be great to bring all of you back to visit sometime!"
Ling Qingzhu's face grew even redder upon hearing this praise from his mother. But she was, after all, Ling Qingzhu. She sensitively noticed a key word.
She raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze returning. "'All' of us?"
Lin Dong looked at that perfectly arched eyebrow and immediately felt his headache return. His confidence shattered.
No. Is she that meticulous? She can even pick up on such a small, subtle word?
He felt like he couldn't handle it again.
[Lin Dong: "Help! She noticed! How should I respond?!"]
[Xiao Yan: "Keep changing the subject! Pivot! Pivot!"]
[Fang Han: "Why are you chickening out now? What's wrong with 'all of you'? Just tell her directly, 'Yes, all of you.' Be assertive, damn it! Don't be a coward!"]
[Luo Feng: "So… I'm learning that the best way to avoid a harem conflict is... not to have a harem."]
[Li Changshou: "Brother Luo, you don't have a harem, but your romantic storyline is practically nonexistent…"]
[Lin Dong: "…"]
Lin Dong looked at the bullet comments and felt his confidence return, this time mixed with a dose of Fang Han's shamelessness.
He smiled, exhaling slowly. He then looked directly into Ling Qingzhu's beautiful, questioning eyes. "Yes. All of you."
He spoke very directly, his gaze fervent, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
His stare was so intense, so full of possessive desire, that Ling Qingzhu, who should have been angry upon hearing these words, instead felt her heart flutter. Her face blushed, and she unconsciously lowered her head, avoiding his burning gaze.
Lin Dong decided to press the attack. He would combine all the suggestions from the group!
Both changing the subject and attacking assertively!
"But before that... it's time to bring this all to an end."
Lin Dong looked at the blood-red setting sun, his expression turning cold and serious. He slowly said:
"Three days from now, we will have a decisive battle with the Yuan Sect and completely eradicate them from the Eastern Xuan Region. Them, and the Demonic Beasts they collude with."
[Inorin's Note: The Yuan Sect are the primary antagonists of the Wu Dong Qian Kun story within the Eastern Xuan Region, having deep-seated grudges with both Lin Dong and the Dao Sect.]
"Once peace returns to this land... I'll take you all home."
Upon the mention of the Yuan Sect, Ling Qingzhu's romantic embarrassment vanished, replaced by a cold, resolute determination.
The Yuan Sect's attempt to annihilate the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace this time... although Lin Dong arrived in time, the Palace still suffered grievous losses. The mountain was almost reduced to ruins. Some of her fellow sisters and elders were severely injured or killed.
The two great sects were now in a state of endless, mortal hostility.
Dealing with the Yuan Sect. That was what Ling Qingzhu wanted to do most right now.
...
"Mm."
A barely perceptible sound entered Lin Dong's ears. The sound was very soft, almost imagined.
But Lin Dong, with his powerful senses, had indeed heard it clearly.
A victorious smile appeared on his lips.
He quietly closed the live stream. The situation was completely under control.
He no longer needed help from these chaotic group members.
[Lin Dong: "Small harem conflict. Already conquered. Thank you for your (useless) advice."]
He shut down the stream.
[Xiao Yan: "Six!"]
[Li Changshou: "Brother Dong, you just wait and see. This doesn't even count as a harem conflict. Ying Huanhuan left early; it only counts as a conflict when both are present."]
[Meng Qi: "Both sisters-in-law are foolish; they gave you a chance to defeat them one by one. This is a rookie mistake!"]
[Lin Dong: "What sisters-in-law? Those are your sisters-in-law!"]
[Xiao Yan: "Indeed, both sisters-in-law separating gave you a chance. When they were both there just now, why didn't you dare to even fart?"]
[Lin Dong: "So what if they were both there? I would still dare to speak even if they were both there!"]
[Xiao Yan: "So you admit they're sisters-in-law?"]
[Lin Dong: "Get lost!"]
...
Ignoring the trolling messages in the chat group, Lin Dong felt he had truly grown. He was now an emotional Great Master.
A small, insignificant harem conflict. Directly conquered.
Perhaps, besides the Martial Ancestor's Legacy, he could also write another book in the future. A book describing emotional conquests.
"Martial Ancestor Teaches You How to Date"
"The Harem Conflicts the Martial Ancestor Experienced in Those Years"
...
While thinking about various random, self-congratulatory things, Lin Dong turned back to the now-composed Ling Qingzhu.
He suggested, "Your Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace has suffered considerable losses. The mountain is in ruins. You should bring your disciples and come with me to the Dao Sect first, to avoid the Yuan Sect launching another sneak attack."
"Then, we'll regroup our forces and directly head to the Yuan Sect for revenge."
Ling Qingzhu hesitated upon hearing this. Going to the Dao Sect... it felt a bit like being under someone else's roof.
Lin Dong saw her concerns, smiled, and then said gently: "You are now the Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, and I am the... well, a high-ranking member of the Dao Sect. Your going to the Dao Sect… what's the difference from going home?"
Ling Qingzhu clenched her jade hand, her heart shaking slightly at his words. Finally, she nodded.
Subsequently, Ling Qingzhu went to organize the surviving forces of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace.
Lin Dong, meanwhile, his ego at an all-time high, went to find Ying Huanhuan again.
"Huanhuan…"
Looking at the familiar, slender figure waiting for him on a distant peak, Lin Dong walked towards her, a confident smile on his face.
The emotional Great Master, Lin Dong, was preparing for some simple micro-management.
He had already taken down the difficult Ling Qingzhu, so how could he not take down an Ying Huanhuan?
Especially with Ying Huanhuan's attitude just now, acting just like his little wife. This would be a piece of cake.
Lin Dong smiled warmly as he looked at Ying Huanhuan.
However, upon seeing him, Ying Huanhuan's expression, which he expected to be soft and welcoming, turned cold. All traces of her previous wifely demeanor were gone, replaced by an icy sarcasm.
"'With me here, no one… can hurt you!'"
Ying Huanhuan said to him, her tone a perfect, mocking imitation of his own.
Lin Dong was stunned, his smile freezing on his face.
These words... were clearly what he had shouted with heroic passion when he saved Ling Qingzhu just now.
"Huanhuan, you…"
Lin Dong wanted to say something, but he was interrupted by Ying Huanhuan once again.
"'With me here, no one… can hurt you!'"
This time, Ying Huanhuan's tone was full of dramatic intonation, mimicking him exactly.
Lin Dong was completely dumbfounded. Is this right? What happened?
Lin Dong suddenly recalled some silly animations he had watched in Luo Feng's Swallowed Star world before. Reportedly, they were animations passed down from before the Great Cataclysm.
There was a line in one of them that Lin Dong remembered deeply.
"Arigato... Meiyangyang-san…"
[Inorin's Note: This is a reference to a Chinese meme from the cartoon Pleasant Goat and Big Bad Wolf (Xi Yang Yang). It became a meme to sarcastically thank a character, similar to 'Thanks, Obama' in English.]
Back then, he watched the animation without understanding much, just finding it a bit funny.
But now, he couldn't laugh. This was the exact same energy.
"Ahem... The current situation of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace isn't very good. I want them to stay at the Dao Sect for a while, what do you think?"
Lin Dong took a deep breath and shamelessly tried his ultimate technique: changing the subject.
"I think…"
Ying Huanhuan rolled her eyes at him, a frosty smile on her lips. And then…
"I think... 'with me here, no one can hurt you'..."
Lin Dong: ???
No! Why isn't my topic-changing technique working?!
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