83: Demon-breaking Master, three beauties gathered together

Inside the main hall, the surge of excitement from the overwhelming joy lingered for a long time, refusing to subside.

Countless fervent, reverent, and grateful gazes, like a tangible torrent, converged entirely on Lin Gou.

He still maintained his appearance of being severely depleted of Origin Qi and extremely weak, with half his body's weight resting on Zhao Linger beside him.

Zhao Linger's small face was flushed with excitement.

Her hands, supporting Lin Gou's arm, were both firm and gentle, as if she were holding up a hero who supported the entire world.

Her eyes were astonishingly bright, reflecting only Lin Gou's “pale” face.

She could clearly feel her Senior Brother's slightly ethereal body and faint, seemingly intermittent breathing through her arm.

All of this silently spoke of the terrible price he had paid to deduce the “Demon-Shattering Divine Thunder Talisman.”

Only Lin Gou himself knew that he was feeling completely comfortable, his Divine Soul full, and he even felt like humming a tune.

“Great Master Lin is truly righteous!”

“Such magnanimity! We Cultivators are ashamed of ourselves!”

The Grand Elder of the Tianjian Sect's praise pushed the atmosphere to another climax.

The leaders of the other Sects also echoed his words, their expressions already revering Lin Gou as a deity.

“Not at all, not at all. Resisting the Heavenly Demons is the duty of us Righteous Path Cultivators. This Junior has only contributed a small, humble effort.”

Lin Gou's voice was hoarse, and combined with his tottering body, his humble words sounded even more noble in everyone's ears.

He savored the atmosphere of widespread reverence, his inner ledger rapidly calculating: [This performance: Sect safety factor +50%, personal prestige +100%, potential self-destructive opportunity acquisition rate +30%. A huge profit!]

Just at this solemn and fervent moment, a voice that was completely out of place with everything around it suddenly rang out.

The voice, like a silken thread dipped in honey, yet with a subtle, imperceptible hook, gently caressed the eardrums of everyone present.

“Great Master Lin, you are truly extraordinary.”

The voice was not loud, but it instantly overshadowed all the praise and clamor.

The main hall fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.

At the entrance of the main hall, a fiery red figure had appeared at some unknown point.

It was a woman.

She wore a long, fiery red dress that seemed to burn like a blaze, its hem gently swaying with her steps, outlining breathtaking curves.

Her figure was exquisitely graceful, every step seemingly treading on men's hearts, swaying alluringly, born with an enchanting charm.

Her oval face radiated dazzling beauty, especially her pair of limpid, peach-blossom eyes, whose flowing gaze seemed capable of drawing in one's very soul.

She strolled in gracefully, a faint, alluring smile on her face, as if she weren't entering the solemn council hall of the Orthodox Alliance, but rather her own private garden.

Many Disciples present with weaker willpower, after just one glance at her, felt their mouths dry and their hearts pound, quickly lowering their heads, not daring to look again.

Even several Sect Elders couldn't help but frown slightly, secretly activating their Mind-Cultivation Techniques to clear their minds.

This woman claimed to be a Loose Cultivator from a small Sect affiliated with a larger Sect, named “Su Meier,” and had come specifically to observe the ceremony.

Yet, the undisguised seductive aura about her formed a stark contrast with the righteous and awe-inspiring atmosphere of the entire hall.

She ignored the various gazes cast her way and walked directly to Lin Gou, stopping just in front of him.

A peculiar, delicate fragrance aggressively invaded Lin Gou's nostrils; the scent was sweet yet with a hint of spiciness, extremely invasive.

Zhao Linger instinctively furrowed her delicate brows, and her hands, supporting Lin Gou, unconsciously tightened a little more.

Su Meier smiled alluringly at Lin Gou, her red lips parting slightly, her breath like orchids.

“Great Master Lin.”

Her voice was very low, so close that Lin Gou could even feel the warm breath she exhaled as she spoke.

“This humble one… is very interested in your ‘research’ process.”

These words were highly suggestive and full of provocative meaning.

“I wonder... if I might privately seek your guidance?”

As soon as these words were uttered, the already strange atmosphere in the main hall instantly became even more delicate.

Everyone's gaze swept back and forth between Lin Gou, Zhao Linger, and this enchanting woman.

Zhao Linger's cheeks puffed out slightly, her vigilance and hostility almost undisguised in her eyes.

Li Hanyue, far away in the crowd, also showed a clear flicker of disgust in her cold eyes; her knuckles, gripping the hilt of her sword, turned slightly white.

Lin Gou cursed “ Fairy” (demoness) inwardly, but his face remained that of a composed and profound expert.

He even offered Su Meier a gentle smile.

“Fellow Daoist is joking.”

He gently pulled away from Zhao Linger's support, forcing himself to stand upright, though this made him appear even weaker.

“Slaying demons is a great matter for the world, and even more so, the sacred duty of us Cultivators.”

“If Fellow Daoist has any insights, please speak freely, without being constrained by formality. Gathering wisdom from all sides is the only way to defeat the enemy.”

With a single sentence, he subtly shifted Su Meier's private provocation back to the public topic of “discussing state affairs.”

This both showcased his magnanimity and made any further entanglement from her seem inappropriate.

Su Meier's eyes shifted, seemingly not expecting this sickly-looking young man to react so quickly.

Seeing this, Zhao Linger felt a little relieved.

She didn't speak, but simply took a step forward, standing even closer beside Lin Gou.

Then, she turned and took out a set of exquisite jade tea ware from her Storage Pouch, and began brewing tea with flowing grace.

The spiritual spring water boiled, and a clear fragrance permeated the air.

She held a freshly brewed cup of spiritual tea, radiating a calming and soothing aroma, with both hands, carefully offering it to Lin Gou's lips.

“Senior Brother, your Divine Soul is over-exhausted. Please moisten your throat first.”

Her voice was as gentle as water, her eyes filled only with concern and tenderness for Lin Gou, as if the alluring woman beside them was merely air.

This action silently but powerfully declared her position.

From a distance, Li Hanyue, seeing this scene, let out a cold snort.

The sound was not loud, but it carried a hint of sharp Sword Intent, chilling the surrounding air.

Zhao Linger, gentle as water.

Li Hanyue, cold as snow.

Su Meier, alluring as fire.

Three peerless beauties of distinctly different styles, yet equally stunning, at this moment, for the same man, formed a strange and tense confrontation for the first time in the same space.

In the air, an invisible scent of gunpowder lingered.

Lin Gou held the teacup, feeling the three distinct yet equally intense gazes, with only one thought in his mind.

[Being targeted by these three women together, the death rating must be at least S-rank, right? The rewards must be very generous!]

Seeing that verbal provocation was ineffective, the allure in Su Meier's eyes intensified.

She knew that the man before her was by no means as simple as he appeared.

Her purpose in coming today was to probe his true strength and the real situation of the Heavenly Demon Seal beneath the Qingyun Sect's Demon Suppression Abyss.

She changed the subject, asking in a sweet voice.

“Since Great Master Lin has such profound research into Devilish Qi, then this humble one has a question to ask.”

“As far as I know, the Devilish Qi that erupted this time is quite different from ordinary Devilish Qi recorded in ancient texts. It seems to be... more aggressive and assimilative. What are your insights on this, Great Master?”

This was a rather tricky question.

It directly pointed to the core of this demonic corruption; ordinary Cultivators would not be able to answer it at all.

Everyone's gaze once again focused on Lin Gou.

Lin Gou took a shallow sip of the spiritual tea. Zhao Linger's tea was warm and smooth, carrying a fresh herbal fragrance that slightly eased his taut nerves.

He put down the teacup and looked at Su Meier, his eyes calm and unperturbed.

“Fellow Daoist speaks truly.”

“This Devilish Qi is not of this world; it should be from beyond the heavens, mixed with the lingering will of ancient demon gods, hence its unparalleled tyranny.”

“Its core lies in a ‘pollution’ Law, capable of forcibly reversing Spiritual Qi into Devilish Qi. Ordinary purification methods are like trying to put out a blazing carriage with a cup of water, naturally ineffective.”

His words, combining System knowledge with his personal experience of the “Undying Demon Soul,” were profound yet easy to understand, directly addressing the essence.

Su Meier's eyes finally showed a hint of change.

She hadn't expected Lin Gou to be able to reveal such a profound secret with a single statement.

Unwilling to give up, she continued to press.

“Then, in your opinion, Great Master, is there a possibility of this Devilish Qi mutating? For instance, combining with certain specific Bloodlines or Cultivation Techniques to produce even more terrifying changes?”

This question was even more insidious.

Lin Gou seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled faintly.

“All things are in flux, and Devilish Qi is no exception.”

“However, Fellow Daoist need not worry too much. My ‘Demon-Shattering Divine Thunder Talisman’ targets not the ‘form’ of the Devilish Qi, but its ‘essence’.”

“Its core is to use the Law of the ultimate Yang and ultimate rigid ‘Heavenly Dao Divine Thunder’ to destroy the Foundation of its ‘pollution’ Law. No matter how it changes, as long as its essence remains unchanged, this Talisman will always be effective.”

His answer was flawless, and he even drew inferences from it, elevating his Talisman to another level.

He appeared even more profound and unfathomable.

Su Meier was completely speechless. She looked at Lin Gou's calm face and, for the first time, felt that he was a difficult opponent.

This man was like a bottomless ancient well; she couldn't fathom him at all.

Just then, Li Hanyue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

Her voice was like an ice spring dripping onto a jade plate, clear and pleasant to the ear.

“Senior Brother Lin.”

She ignored Su Meier, her gaze directly piercing Lin Gou.

“Hearing about you is not as good as meeting you.”

“Your theories are admirable. But between Cultivators, ultimately, strength speaks loudest.”

“When this matter is concluded, I wish to seek your guidance in a few moves.”

Her challenge was direct and forthright.

Lin Gou inwardly groaned.

One demoness was already a headache, and now another sword fanatic.

He was about to politely decline when the Grand Elder of the Tianjian Sect, who was beside him, suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

“Good! What a Li Hanyue! Truly worthy of being the Qilin girl of my Tianjian Sect!”

He looked at Lin Gou, his admiration and respect clearly evident.

“Great Master Lin, this old man has a suggestion. I wonder if I should speak it or not.”

“Senior, please speak freely.”

The Grand Elder of the Tianjian Sect took a deep breath and said in a booming voice.

“Now, demonic corruption rages, and we are leaderless. Although we have the aid of the Divine Thunder Talisman, without unified coordination, we are but a scattered pile of sand, unable to accomplish great things.”

“And Great Master Lin, you possess not only the supreme wisdom to discern the essence of Devilish Qi, but also the broad magnanimity of putting public good before private interest. You are truly the best candidate to lead our Orthodox Alliance!”

He raised his arm and shouted.

“This old man proposes that Great Master Lin serve as the ‘Chief Strategist’ of this demon-slaying Alliance, responsible for formulating all battle plans! My Tianjian Sect is willing to be the first to obey Great Master Lin's command!”

As soon as these words were uttered, the entire main hall instantly erupted into a clamor.

“I agree! To be able to research a divine item like the Divine Thunder Talisman, Great Master Lin's wisdom far surpasses ours! My Lieyang Valley is willing to obey the Chief Strategist's command!”

“My Hundred Flowers Valley also agrees!”

“Seconded!”

In an instant, voices of support rose one after another, and it was a unanimous vote.

Lin Gou was completely stunned.

Chief Strategist?

You want me, a follower of the Way of the Coward, to be the supreme commander of the allied army?

Are you all crazy?

He instinctively wanted to refuse.

However, before he could finish speaking, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.

Chief Strategist... didn't that mean he had the power to deploy troops and generals?

Then couldn't he... legitimately send himself to the most dangerous places?

To carry out the most perilous “beheading mission”?

To face the strongest demon leader alone?

This... this was simply a perfect opportunity for him to farm rewards for “heroic-level death,” tailor-made for him!

Refuse?

Why refuse!

This was a super big pie falling from the sky!

Lin Gou's expression instantly changed from astonishment to solemnity, finally transforming into a tragic look of “it is my duty, who else but me?”

He bowed deeply to everyone.

“Since all Seniors trust me so much, with the Sect's command and the world in peril...”

“Lin Gou... will not shrink from being smashed to pieces!”

His tragic declaration of “forced appointment” once again won a round of applause.

Standing in the center of the main hall, receiving everyone's reverence and entrustment.

Feeling Zhao Linger's gentle yet proud gaze behind him.

Feeling Li Hanyue's cold yet sharp scrutiny not far away.

Feeling Su Meier's alluring yet scrutinizing gaze at the main hall entrance.

Three distinct yet equally fervent gazes intertwined into an invisible net, firmly enveloping him in the center.

Lin Gou knew that from this moment on, even if he wanted to hide, he couldn't.

He had completely stood at the very center of this storm of the era.