Beneath an innocent expression lay full mockery and a desire to watch the fun.
"Heh."
In response, Li Daoqiang merely smiled calmly, showing no sign of evasion. After a moment's deliberation, he spoke earnestly: "Wanwan, Miss Long hasn't agreed to marry me yet.
Besides, outstanding women always attract countless suitors—that's only natural.
That young chivalrous man you mentioned was before I met Miss Long.
Do you think I'm that narrow-minded?"
"In my eyes, for a truly exceptional woman, the past doesn't matter.
What matters is the future.
I have enough confidence to let them experience the future with me.
I, Li Daoqiang, am their best归宿.
Including you."
His gaze, brimming with confidence, fell on Wanwan. She met it for only a moment before looking away.
A silent 'ugh' echoed in her heart.
Narcissistic. Shameless.
He could even justify breaking up a couple so openly and righteously.
And he wants to include me.
Utterly shameless.
Internally cursing him repeatedly as usual, she shifted the topic with a sweet tone: "The Great Chief is indeed broad-minded.
But since you never force women, Wanwan is curious—how will you make Miss Long willingly marry you?
From my observations today, Miss Long's personality seems quite detached and desireless."
"You don't need to worry about that, Wanwan. Our agreement is about whether you can find evidence that Miss Long wouldn't willingly die for me if she married me.
In simple terms, you need to find proof from Miss Long's character and conduct that she doesn't fit my description. Find it, and you win." Li Daoqiang said calmly, his tone even more confident.
He seemed certain Wanwan wouldn't succeed, filled with trust and affection for Xiao Longnü.
And these words, put more bluntly,
were telling Wanwan to find Xiao Longnü's flaws.
To compare herself with Xiao Longnü.
Leaving aside appearance and temperament, Wanwan currently had the edge in strength.
The remaining comparison was about how they would treat Li Daoqiang's 'sincerity' if they married him.
This point wasn't significant initially, since Wanwan never considered marrying Li Daoqiang.
But with Li Daoqiang deliberately showing more care and favor toward Xiao Longnü, adding a little spark,
the situation changed.
Women's pride and competitive nature would drive Wanwan to actively compare, to find evidence that even if Xiao Longnü married Li Daoqiang, she wouldn't willingly die for him.
Only then could she completely defeat Xiao Longnü, slap Li Daoqiang's face, and save her pride.
That was the essence of this agreement.
Seeming somewhat irrational and childish.
But reality often is that childish.
Women, sometimes, are just like that.
Walking willingly into their own weaknesses.
Men are often the same, though they can restrain themselves a bit more.
Watching Li Daoqiang's confidence and affection, Wanwan couldn't help but snort inwardly.
She knew well that competing with this Xiao Longnü was wrong.
But having come this far, if she backed down, could she still call herself a member of the Holy Sect, the Saintess of the Yinyang Sect?
"Great Chief, Wanwan suddenly feels she's fallen into your trap.
Miss Long hasn't married you yet—everything is hypothetical.
How can Wanwan find evidence for something that hasn't happened?
Even if I find some character flaws, it wouldn't be convincing."
Wanwan said in a helpless tone.
She would still compete, but she couldn't give up favorable terms.
"Don't worry. As long as you find solid evidence, I won't go back on my word.
And soon, you'll have close contact with Xiao Longnü."
Li Daoqiang saw through Wanwan's retreat-as-advance tactic at a glance and assured her.
Wanwan was somewhat satisfied. With these two points, she could proceed.
She continued watching the distant scene, saying no more, silently refining her methods.
Just a mere Xiao Longnü, huh.
Seeing this, Li Daoqiang said nothing more.
He had great confidence in Xiao Longnü.
With him watching over things, it wouldn't be easy for Wanwan to find evidence and completely outshine her.
Let Wanwan fight.
After a few breaths, Li Daoqiang's eyes suddenly lit up, a hint of joy flashing through.
He stared intently at a valley blocking their view.
"Let's go, get closer." Saying this, Li Daoqiang led Wanwan and the others nearer.
Though curious, they followed quietly.
A few breaths later, they all understood, focusing on the surging spiritual energy.
Someone was breaking through!
Thinking of the two in the valley—Zhou Botong and Xiao Longnü—the matter became clear.
Wanwan's usually calm, slightly proud expression tightened.
Xiao Longnü was about to break through!
A sense of gravity rose in her heart. She glanced at Li Daoqiang again, gritting her teeth inwardly.
Had this guy anticipated this?
Wanwan and the others noticed, and the Mongol group outside the valley naturally spotted it sooner.
"Not good. This looks like someone breaking through! Attack."
A middle-aged monk holding a golden wheel frowned and ordered softly.
Leading the way, he charged toward the valley.
Behind him, a few figures hesitated but followed.
As they neared the valley, suddenly, several fist shadows appeared.
As if perfectly timed, or rather, waiting there all along.
These fist shadows carried a mysterious aura, forcing them all back.
The others still showed faint fear.
The leading monk with the golden wheel blocked it, unleashing fierce, unmatched power, his golden wheel even more ferocious.
But the fist shadows seemed soft yet firm, filled with a sense of void.
On contact, the monk's fierce power felt like striking air, extremely uncomfortable.
For no clear reason, he was forced back.
Stabilizing himself, his face darkened. Suppressing his wariness, he glanced at the others and shouted coldly: "Old urchin Zhou Botong, at this point, you still stubbornly resist?
How much longer can your poison hold out?
Come out now, and I, the Dharma King, promise not to harm you or Xiao Longnü."
"Hahaha, you stinking monk, trying to fool me? Do you think you can trick me, the old urchin?
I'm not coming out. If you've got the guts, come in!"
From the valley came a naive, innocent laugh, unmistakably Zhou Botong's voice.
"Hmph, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. Do you really think Xiao Longnü breaking through can save you?"
(A short chapter to adjust my state. It'll improve soon. As for some readers' questions about Murong Qiudi, I only want to say—what has the protagonist given so far?
Isn't Murong Qiudi outstanding enough? A young woman in her twenties, isn't she tempting enough? Aren't the benefits from the Murong family enough? Neither side is clean, and the protagonist has no right to look down on her. That's all I'll say.)
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