Lin Hao had been in seclusion for half a month, but his progress i of talismans was slow, and there were no new spells for him to study.

  He wao go to the Sutra Pavilion to find a path to cultivate, but he had used up his free entry opportunities and needed tribution points.

  However, he had never uaken a missions, so he had points.

  Moreover, he couldn't cultivate through normal means, which left him frustrated, prompting him to go out for a walk.

  Using a disguise spell, he transformed his fato a on one and suppressed his cultivation to the Qi Refining stage before leaving his cave dwelling.

  Walking along the mountain path of Great Bamboo Peak, he could see many direct disciples flying on sword light, ethereal like celestial beings, a sight that stirred longing in his heart.

  Furthermore, there were many new disciples walking in pairs on the mountain path, whily added to his irritation.

  It had been nearly a month without any deep iion with female cultivators, and besides the frustration in his cultivation, he was also physically restless.

  Sigh!

  Lin Hao let out a long sigh. Staying in was suffog, but going out was frustrating.

  Truly a dilemma.

  However, a versation among fellow disciples piqued his i.

  The sect had actually taken the lead, joining forces with majhteous sects to host a Demo Hunting petition, invitie disciples from all major sects to participate.

  The Xuan Yi even mahat all disciples without special missions must participate.

  It seemed that the i with the Demon Lock Tower had caused the sect to lose face, and they wao redeem themselves!

  At this thought, a graceful figure fshed in Lin Hao's mind.

  The little fox, a naturally enting woman, whom he hadn't seen in a while, yet her every smile and frown was vividly imprinted in his mind.

  And then there was Cui Qing'er, a woman who had greatly aided his cultivation.

  She erfect helper, eg the dots and tributing herself.

  Unfortunately, she was from the Demon .

  The more he thought about it, the mitated he became, so Lin Hao decided to return to his cave dwelling.

  As for the Demo Hunting petition, he wasn't in the mood and didn't want to participate.

  Lin Hao returo his cave dwelling and was about to hang up the "Do Not Disturb" sign when he sensed someone visiting.

  Shui Ling'er? He frowned slightly. Siheir frontation at the sect master's pace, they hadn't been in tact. What did the woman want this time?

  He couldn't guess what she wanted, but he knew what he wanted.

  He invited her in.

  It had been half a month, and with the Demo Hunting petition approag, Lin Hao still hadn't e to find her, so Shui Ling'er had to e to him.

  "Ling'er, what brings you here?"

  The woman gave him a wistful look and said pyfully, "What, 't I e if there's nothing?"

  Uh... this woman was a bit jealous!

  Lin Hao rubbed his nose and said, "Of course not. I heard the sect is hosting the Demo Hunting petition. Shouldn't you be preparing for it?"

  "I came to see you about that."

  Lin Hao, being clever, immediately guessed her iion. She wao team up with him for the petition!

  But he didn't want to participate, so he said, "I pn to go into seclusion for a while and won't be joining the petition."

  Heh, seclusion, not participating? Shui Ling'er's beautiful eyes were filled with grievance.

  "Why not participate in such a gra?"

  "I told you, seclusion."

  "No, that's not the real reason," Shui Ling'er said.

  Under Lin Hao's surprised gaze, Shui Ling'er tinued, "It's because you like demon women, so you 't bear to kill the Demon ."

  Lin Hao remained silent, unwilling tue.

  "Lin Hao, even if you 't bear to harm the Demon , the sect has rules. Dired inner disciples within the sect must participate in this petition."

  "As long as I don't want to participate, I make it clear to my master, and she will naturally find a way for me not to go."

  Shui Ling'er sighed slightly. His master was the peak master, holding signifit influehin the sed known for being protective.

  If she were willing to vouch for Lin Hao, he could indeed avoid participating in the petition.

  "Lin Hao, you should actually participate in this petition. It could clear any suspis of your ties with the Demon ."

  Lin Hao smiled indifferently.

  Seeing Lin Hao still unwilling to team up, Shui Ling'er guessed some reasons.

  She thought this stubborn man might be disheartened after beiedly betrayed by his women and being a target for the Xuan Yi disciples.

  She believed she uood the man well enough to know he was someone who would seek revenge for the smallest grievand wouldn't tolerate being insulted or sndered.

  To prevent him from tinuing doath of ivity, she made a decision in her heart.

  "Lin Hao, as cultivators, we pursue living as we please. You 't keep your frustrations bottled up, nor you avoid them passively."

  "Those who speak ill of you behind your back, you don't have to make them respect you, but you make them fear you. As long as your strength is high enough, you make them shut up forever."

  Lin Hao looked at Shui Ling'er in surprise, not expeg her to be so eloquent.

  However, he felt she made a lot of sense.

  Shui Ling'er felt uneasy under his gaze and unsciously lowered her voice.

  "Why are you staring at me?"

  "Watg my eak reason."

  You little rascal, always teasing me! Shui Ling'er rolled her eyes and tinued.

  "Those demon womerayed you, but you shouldn't respond with ivity. You should rise above it.

  After all, it's not just them by your side, there's also... me."

  Lin Hao was initially stuheedly asked, "You've agreed to be my Dao panion?"

  Shui Ling'er nodded, somewhat shyly, and said, "I suppose... I suppose so."

  "But the premise is, you have to pull yourself together. The Lin Hao I like is full of spirit!"

  Peerjun