303: Chapter 303 I Won't Agree

The core of the underground "Small World".

After the series of "great battles", this space, already on the verge of collapse, was hit even harder, as if it had been trampled by a giant beast a thousand times over.

The remaining puddles of Heavenly River Weak Water were now faintly tinged with a light pink, as if stained by the sap of newly bloomed cherry blossoms.

Some of the mud on the ground had solidified, still gleaming with a dark red hue.

Ling Hao stood in the center of the ruins, his mind clear, his powerful Divine Sense scanning this completely shattered "Small World".

Hmm? As expected, there was a discovery.

While sweeping over a broken Formation foundation, Ling Hao suddenly discovered a special Jade Slip half-buried under the collapsed divine jade.

He probed it with his Divine Sense.

"Cangwu Ding Control Manual"!

What was recorded in the Jade Slip was none other than the core method for controlling the wu tripod!

The wu tripod, which gathered the Luck of the entire Cangwu Province, was a symbol of the identity and power of the one who sought the tripod.

During the Dingding Ceremony, Ling Hao had repaired the wu tripod, which could be said to have largely restored its power.

The now-repaired wu tripod should have been able to suppress the four Northern Main Rifts within Cangwu Province, but most of its power was still needed to suppress the presence of the Fallen Immortal Ancient Banyan's main roots, and coupled with the lack of a control method, the remaining power was naturally insufficient.

Ling Hao muttered to himself, "With this, perhaps I can try to combine the power of the wu tripod and the world-suppressing monument to Seal the four Northern Main Rifts! It just so happens that the world-suppressing monuments in the northern part of Cangwu Province have also been basically laid out."

"Hmm, why does this feel a bit familiar?"

Comparing it to the "Shuofang Ding Control Manual" he had seen before, Ling Hao discovered something in the "Cangwu Ding Control Manual".

It seemed that there was... a faint connection between the two Cultivation Techniques? Like they were part of some Cultivation Technique System!

However, it was normal for there to be a connection between the nine tripods and between their control Cultivation Techniques.

This piqued Ling Hao's curiosity.

"Interesting."

A sharp light flashed in Ling Hao's eyes. "Nine minus seven... it seems I need to collect the Ding Control Manuals of the other seven provinces? That's an interesting collection goal."

Putting away the Jade Slip, Ling Hao swept his gaze across the surroundings.

Above the ruins lay dozens of sleeping Jade Fox Clan women.

They were in various postures, yet every one of them exuded charm.

Their furry fox ears would occasionally twitch unconsciously in their sleep, and their fluffy, soft fox tails were either curled at their sides or draped casually over their companions, creating a scene full of strange beauty against the backdrop of the broken and crumbling world.

Looking at this group of fox girls who had been "tossed about" quite a bit by him, Ling Hao's lips curled slightly.

He flipped his palm, and an exquisite jade bottle appeared.

Uncorking it, a rich aura of vitality permeated the air.

Facing them, Ling Hao would naturally not be stingy. He flicked his fingers repeatedly, and streams of crystalline spring water containing the power of creation sprinkled onto every sleeping fox girl.

The spring water seeped into their skin, repairing minor injuries and nourishing their weary bodies and minds, making their sleeping faces more peaceful and their auras purer.

When Ling Hao returned to the palace on the ground, he saw Su Fengyi, whose face was as calm as water.

"Supreme!"

"You... you..."

Her eyes swept over the fox girls outside the palace with flushed faces. She wanted to say something to condemn this absurd behavior, but she didn't know where to start, nor could she find a suitable position to do so.

She was neither Ling Hao's Dao Companion nor a senior elder of the Jade Fox Clan.

In the end, she blurted out a sentence that she herself found inexplicable.

"Supreme! Will you take responsibility for them?"

Ling Hao was taken aback by her sudden questioning, but then he nodded frankly: "Of course I will." This was what he had intended all along.

Su Fengyi pressed on: "Then how do you intend to take responsibility?"

"Naturally, by taking them into the Moonshadow Sect, and giving them a home where they can settle down and rely on."

Ling Hao answered as a matter of course, while a trace of oddness flashed through his heart.

This Empress is meddling way too much, isn't she?

He suddenly remembered the Jade Slip that Su Fengyi had sent earlier, with its "sarcastic" wording:

"...I hear that the Sect Master has a thousand Dao Companions and enjoys boundless romantic fortune; it is truly... admirable! Admirable! Admirable!"

Ling Hao's heart suddenly cleared, and he couldn't help but let a playful smile curl at the corners of his lips.

This Empress... could it be that she has fallen for me?

This questioning posture right now looks so much like... jealousy?

"*Sigh*..." Ling Hao sighed inwardly.

My damned charm... No wonder the Jade Fox Clan was jumping down one after another just now, like the Calabash Brothers trying to save their grandfather.

Perhaps the achievement titles rewarded by the System also played a part in this.

For example, things like "Iceberg Melting Snow", which gives +200% attraction to cold/aloof characters, or "First Opening of the Humble Gate", which gives +200% attraction and trust to conservative characters, but it must be more about personal charm—yes, exactly! That's the foundation!

Looking at Su Fengyi, who clearly cared but was forcing herself to remain calm, he couldn't help but want to tease her. He deliberately leaned in a step, lowered his voice, and said mischievously: "If you also want me to take responsibility... it's not impossible, you know?"

"Supreme, you!"

Su Fengyi was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; she instantly bristled, her face turning bright red, and she almost shouted,

"Impossible! I... I would never agree to such a frivolous and dissolute request from you!"

In her haste, even the vulgar slang she only used in private popped out.

Ling Hao chuckled, observing this Empress who had instantly broken her composure with great interest.

Oh? So beneath this dignified and majestic Empress exterior, there hides such a short-tempered and slightly... vulgar Soul?

Seeing the playful smile in Ling Hao's eyes, Su Fengyi was even more ashamed and angry. A surge of spiritual power subconsciously gathered in her palm, but she immediately deflated—she couldn't beat this bastard at all!

Ling Hao knew when to stop. He restrained his smile and said seriously: "Alright, let's talk business. I can break this Formation now."

Su Fengyi's attention was immediately diverted: "Really?"

"Yes." Ling Hao nodded. "But the core of the Formation is deep within this place. Once broken, the power supporting this ruin space will disappear, and the entire underground structure will likely collapse completely."

"Then what are you waiting for? The True Demon Realm army outside..."

Su Fengyi said anxiously.

"No rush." Ling Hao waved his hand, his tone steady. "Don't worry, now that my Moonshadow Sect army has arrived, even without me personally presiding over it, it will be more than enough to wipe out the True Demons of the Northern Main Rift."

His gaze turned once again towards the entrance leading to the underground Small World.

"Let them... rest well for another day."

This remark fell into the ears of Tushan Bailing, who had just walked over.

She looked at Ling Hao's tall, straight back, and feeling the consideration in his words, her heart warmed.

So powerful and yet gentle; she had indeed not chosen the wrong person.

Meanwhile, Su Fengyi, watching the natural expression on Ling Hao's face as he looked towards the entrance, saw her own expression become complex and difficult to decipher.

He seems... not to be the kind of man who pulls up his pants and turns ruthless?

This thought was like a drop of water falling into Su Fengyi's heart-lake, causing ripples to spread across the surface.