Chapter 2000 - 1997: Inciting Public Outrage

As soon as Xu Wendong stepped into the small town, he keenly sensed numerous gazes piercing him like arrows.

He instinctively turned his head to look at Zhao Ying’er and Li Jiayin beside him, instantly understanding he had become the target of public criticism.

It is commonly said that beauty can bring calamity; these two heavenly immortal beauties beside him were undoubtedly the flames of jealousy and anger in others.

But so what?

Xu Wendong’s lips curled slightly into an unruly smile, boldly extending his arms to hold Zhao Ying’er’s shoulder, naturally and intimately.

Then, he strode over to Li Jiayin, bent slightly, and gently lifted her, pulling her close to his embrace.

In that moment, the entire town seemed to have been pressed mute, followed by a chorus of gasps of disbelief.

"Bastard! He should die!" shouted a disciple of the Fire Lotus Saint Sect, his face flushed, eyes wide with anger, as if ready to devour Xu Wendong alive.

"Our goddess, simply embraced by him?" muttered a disciple of the Divine Yin Hall, filled with unwillingness and despair.

"Senior Sister Jia Yin, blink if you’re under threat!" someone called urgently from the crowd, voice laced with anxiety and concern.

Disciples from both factions glared furiously, eyes seeming to spit fire.

Yet Xu Wendong was indifferent, his grin widened, smile more radiant.

"Junior, what you’re doing will anger the masses." Li Jiayin’s cheeks tinged red, but her gaze overflowed with happiness and contentment.

As Xu Wendong held her so dominantly, warmth flooded her heart.

For a moment, her eyes sparkled like a love-struck fan.

These past days with Xu Wendong had thoroughly won her over to his charm.

"So what?" Xu Wendong laughed heartily, voice bright and bold: "Since you’re my women, I should provoke outrage, let everyone envy us."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ying’er and Li Jiayin’s cheeks reddened further, like ripe apples.

Zhao Ying’er huffed lightly, feigning anger: "Who’s your woman? I’m not."

Though she said this, her eyes hinted at a touch of shyness and sweetness.

Hearing this, Li Jiayin’s lips curved slightly into a teasing smile: "Fine, you’re not, but I am, so step aside, don’t disturb me and my man."

Though her voice was low, within this noisy yet subtle atmosphere, some people captured her words.

Everyone was stunned, looking at Li Jiayin in shock, as if she was a stranger.

Was this really that distant, ice-cold Senior Sister of Heavenly Nether Sect?

Even Zhao Ying’er couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.

She hadn’t expected Li Jiayin to be so bold and forthright.

Had she been completely conquered by Xu Wendong?

Watching this scene, Li Lingtian nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face.

He felt secretly pleased; his daughter had finally seen reason.

As he saw it, keeping talents like Xu Wendong was worth any price.

Meanwhile, the Fire Lotus Saint Sect’s senior brother Qi Huan was livid.

He clenched his fists, knuckles white from force, staring daggers at Xu Wendong, as if trying to see through him.

Soon, he stepped forward aggressively, standing before Xu Wendong, his cold gaze like daggers, ready to slice Xu Wendong apart.

"Kid, release Li Jiayin." Qi Huan growled through clenched teeth, each word dripping with anger and authority.

As Qi Huan spoke, Li Jiayin’s demeanor instantly cooled, her gaze regaining its usual icy aloofness.

Her eyes glacial, she stared at Qi Huan like an untouchable iceberg.

"Qi Huan, what are you trying to do?" Li Jiayin’s voice was bone-chilling, radiating winter’s chill.

"Jiayin, this brat dared to molest you, your sect won’t act, so I will!" Qi Huan forced a stiff smile, trying to appear amiable.

But the heavy yin energy he emitted made him seem unreliable.

Seeing Qi Huan, Xu Wendong felt a surge of disgust and his eyebrows knitted slightly.

"Me holding my woman is none of your damn business." Xu Wendong boldly retorted, eyes filled with disdain.

"Exactly, we are his women, he can do as he likes, none of your concern." At the crucial moment, Zhao Ying’er stood firmly beside Xu Wendong.

She glared at Qi Huan with displeasure, her eyes carrying a hint of contempt.

Then, she leaned closer to Xu Wendong, whispering introductions: "Lin Mo, this is the Fire Lotus Saint Sect’s senior brother, quite strong, he fought Duan Yuan once but unfortunately lost."

"However, he’s not to be underestimated; he wields a Fifth-grade Treasure, incredibly sharp."

Hearing this, Xu Wendong’s eyes brightened, he marveled internally: A Fifth-grade Treasure? What a valuable item!

"Hmph, shut up, you don’t have a say here." Qi Huan glared fiercely at Zhao Ying’er, eyes filled with loathing.

He had no interest in Zhao Ying’er, his focus solely on Li Jiayin.

"You may be his woman, but Jiayin isn’t." Qi Huan declared firmly.

"Why can’t I be?" Li Jiayin furrowed her brows, a hint of puzzlement in her voice, veiled with a trace of dissatisfaction.

"Because you can only be mine!" Qi Huan stood with hands behind his back, head held high, full of arrogance, as if the world lay beneath his feet.

As he uttered this, Xu Wendong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

He had seen confident people, but one as arrogant as Qi Huan was rare indeed.

"Does the Fire Lotus Saint Sect specialize in raising oddballs like you?"

"Or are you just an oddball yourself?" Xu Wendong’s lips curled into a mocking smile, studying Qi Huan closely.

He activated his soul power, keenly sensing Qi Huan’s aura.

Qi Huan’s cultivation level had reached the Fifth Layer Peak of Tongyou Realm, certainly a standout among the younger generation.

Even Wu Tianxiong paled in comparison.

Perhaps only Duan Yuan in the Heavenly Nether Sect could measure up to him.

Yet, Xu Wendong knew that cultivation level wasn’t the sole measure of strength.

If he could effortlessly axe Wu Tianxiong, he might handle Qi Huan similarly.

"Courting death!" Qi Huan roared in fury, veins bulging on his forehead like angry centipedes.

He suddenly raised his palm, a blazing fireball forming in his hand, launching it fiercely at Xu Wendong!