chapter 26
26. Beautiful Girls’ Open and Hidden Conflicts
Though Han Xiangjun’s words made him feel awkward, he still had to maintain appearances.
Lin Dongming said, “Senior Sister Han misunderstands. Little junior sister and I are just chatting casually, nothing more.”
“Is that so?” Han Xiangjun’s resentment remained strong. “I thought Junior Brother Lin was quite the charmer.”
Little junior sister was also a bit unhappy, but Lin Dongming just patted her head. Having been Han Xiangjun’s lapdog for several years, Lin Dongming knew she was just being anxious—her opponent today was Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s third-ranked cultivator, whose strength might be comparable to hers.
Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s second and third ranks weren’t that far apart anyway. If Han Xiangjun lost to the second-ranked, that would be acceptable, but losing to the third-ranked would earn her a severe scolding from the Grand Elder.
Plus, she’d lived too smoothly and had been frequently irritated recently, so seeing Lin Dongming naturally made her anger flare up. Little junior sister was completely an innocent victim.
“Don’t be nervous, Senior Sister Han.” Lin Dongming said, “I heard that Senior Sister Lingshuang from Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s third rank has deep knowledge in formations, but her reactions in combat aren’t quite up to par. If Senior Sister Han gathers her spiritual energy before the match and seeks a quick victory without giving your opponent breathing room, your chances of winning should be much higher.”
Han Xiangjun wasn’t stupid and quickly understood the key points. Besides, the Seven Absolute Heaven Sword was naturally suited for quick victories—clearly Lin Dongming had considered her situation.
“Hmph! I would do that without you telling me.” Han Xiangjun’s tone softened considerably. “But I’ll thank you anyway.”
—Hmph! You obviously still like me! You even investigated my opponent so seriously, so why do you keep hanging around Bai Zhiqing!
Han Xiangjun couldn’t understand at all. But actually, Lin Dongming had originally investigated for Bai Zhiqing’s sake, only Bai Zhiqing wasn’t selected in the end. The first of the younger generation was undoubtedly Yuan Jianyi, the second was arguably Han Xiangjun, and the third was highly contested. Some said Bai Zhiqing, others said Song Yumian—several candidates were competing for the third position.
Just like Lin Dongming’s previous life university rankings, where two schools both claimed to be first, four or five claimed to be third, and dozens claimed to be in the top ten.
—That night she also chased after me out of worry, then got hit by the thunder. I wonder if she was injured. I should find a chance to give her some pills later.
“Of course.” Lin Dongming smiled helplessly. “I just like to talk and show off. Please don’t mind me, Senior Sister Han.”
Then Lin Dongming lowered his voice: “If the opponent has hidden a scroll or two and some backup formations, Senior Sister Han should break through with force. Even if you have to force your way through, don’t lose your momentum. The Seven Absolute Heaven Sword especially emphasizes moving forward relentlessly.”
“I’ll do that without you reminding me.” Han Xiangjun’s anxiety seemed to lessen considerably.
“Alright, Junior Sister Han, Junior Brother Lin isn’t a playboy, so don’t make things difficult for him.” A familiar voice came over—Lin Dongming was a bit surprised to encounter Song Yumian here.
Though Song Yumian, Bai Zhiqing and others were all competing for Tianji Sword Sect’s third position, Song Yumian’s chances were relatively weak.
But Song Yumian’s intervention only stimulated Han Xiangjun’s jealousy again: “Oh? Junior Brother Lin’s connections are really good—even Senior Sister Song is speaking up for you.”
Lin Dongming truly didn’t know if Song Yumian was helping or making trouble. He’d almost smoothed things over, but with Song Yumian’s arrival, Han Xiangjun would definitely get jealous again.
And Song Yumian, who excelled at social maneuvering, couldn’t possibly be unaware of this. So Lin Dongming often suspected Song Yumian might just be a complete troublemaker.
“Senior Sister Han overpraises me.” Lin Dongming sighed helplessly again. “Senior Sister Song and I have only met a few times. She’s just kindly helping to mediate because she cares for junior disciples.”
“Really?” Han Xiangjun asked doubtfully.
“More importantly, I suggest Senior Sister Han quickly prepare for the match. The Grand Elder is already somewhat displeased.” Lin Dongming reminded her.
Only then did Han Xiangjun reluctantly leave. After all, the Grand Elder’s intimidation was still quite effective.
“I also heard Junior Brother Lin’s advice just now.” Song Yumian smiled lightly. “Since Junior Brother Lin understands this match so well, why not give your senior sister some advice too? So I can also fight more easily.”
Lin Dongming showed a very polite smile: “Senior Sister Song has deep cultivation and extremely rich combat experience. You surely don’t need this junior brother’s superfluous advice. I won’t embarrass myself here.”
—You came over to stir up trouble and still want me to give you advice? Don’t even think about it!
Lin Dongming rolled his eyes countless times internally. Though giving Song Yumian the advice originally intended for Bai Zhiqing wouldn’t be troublesome, since Song Yumian chose to be a troublemaker, Lin Dongming didn’t mind letting her suffer a bit. Besides, Song Yumian would probably win anyway, just more difficultly.
“Is that so?” Song Yumian’s eyes carried a hint of resentment. “Could Junior Brother Lin be holding a grudge because I didn’t intervene in time? I thought Junior Brother Lin was a magnanimous person.”
Lin Dongming didn’t even bother to act seriously anymore, his spring-breeze fake smile becoming a skin-deep fake smile: “How could that be? I’m grateful Senior Sister intervened in time—how dare I hold a grudge? But Senior Sister got one thing wrong.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m actually quite petty. Whether good or bad.” Lin Dongming narrowed his eyes.
Little junior sister beside them looked bewildered: “…I really don’t know if you two get along well or poorly.”
“Alright, Ziyu, Dongming, stop making noise. Come here quickly, we’re about to enter the main hall.” Zhaoyue glanced at Lin Dongming.
“Yes, Master.” Lin Dongming nodded and walked past Song Yumian. Little junior sister Zhong Ziyu followed closely behind.
Entering Weiyang Hall’s main hall meant the competition would begin soon.
Lin Dongming secretly glanced at their sect master and Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s sect master—they gave completely different impressions. The former was a typical cultivation world immortal with flowing white beard, giving no sense of profound cultivation. Except for his somewhat sharp gaze, everything else seemed very ordinary.
Wenxin Heavenly Sect’s sect master, however… was unexpectedly very tall and mighty, powerfully built. Rather than a scholarly sect master who “substitutes culture for martial arts,” he looked more like a pure body cultivator who could punch a Fusion stage cultivator to death.
—Don’t these two seem like they should switch appearances to better fit their positions?
Lin Dongming didn’t quite understand.
But cultivators at the Fusion stage could change their appearance for limited periods, let alone Tribulation Crossing stage. Most people just didn’t want to waste the spiritual energy and maintained their original appearance.
—It would be great if I had a chance to see the sect master fight. But probably not today. Unless Bihai Blade Sect replaced Wenxin Heavenly Sect.