After being jilted by the saintess at the beginning, why is she crying?

It was Xiao Xiyue!

A gasp of surprise erupted from the audience!

"It's Senior Sister Xiao!"

"What brings Senior Sister Xiao here?!"

"Heavens! Senior Sister Xiao is a true disciple! She usually cultivates with the Supreme Sect Master, how come she's here?!"

Exclamations rose and fell, all eyes drawn to the white figure.

Zhou Hong was also taken aback when he saw who it was.

Immediately, a flash of jealousy crossed his eyes.

It's a woman again!

Why are all the beauties around Lin Fengmian so stunning!

Chu Qingyi, Nangong Li, Yun Caiyue... and now Xiao Xiyue has arrived!

This piece of trash, what right does he have?!

Zhou Hong took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and snorted coldly:

"Senior Sister Xiao, this is a dueling arena. Isn't it against the rules for you to barge in like this?"

Xiao Xiyue didn't even glance at him, but turned to look at Lin Fengmian.

Hidden in those clear, cold eyes was a worry that even she herself was unaware of.

"Why are you here?"

Lin Fengmian looked at her, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

This woman... why is she causing trouble again!

He had just pushed Zhou Hong to the brink of rage; after a few more moves, he could easily kill him with a single sword strike…

And then she showed up again!

Xiao Xiyue did not answer his question, but simply said:

"If I hadn't come, something bad would have happened to you. Hurry up and leave this to me."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hong's face darkened:

"Why should he leave?! This is a dueling arena, and the death penalty has been signed! What right do you have to let him go?! Do you want to break the sect's rules?!"

Xiao Xiyue finally turned her head and glanced at him.

That glance was cold and aloof, carrying a hint of condescending indifference.

"I know the sect's rules better than you do."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hong's expression changed.

Is there such a regulation?

He subconsciously looked at the disciples below the stage, wanting to confirm.

However, the disciples looked at each other blankly, clearly not understanding the rule either.

Xiao Xiyue ignored him, turned to look at Lin Fengmian, and said softly:

"Let's go."

Lin Fengmian looked at Xiao Xiyue and suddenly had an idea.

He turned his head and looked at the disciples below the stage who were craning their necks to watch the excitement. Suddenly, he spread his hands, making a look of disinterest.

"I'm not fighting anymore, I'm not fighting anymore."

As he spoke, he walked toward the edge of the dueling platform, as if he were really going to forfeit and admit defeat.

The audience erupted in uproar.

"What?! You're not fighting anymore?!"

"Hahahaha! I told you! Lin Fengmian is a coward! He acted all high and mighty just now, but when it came to actually fighting, he chickened out!"

"Tch, I thought I was going to see a good show, but this is all?"

"Exactly! They see they can't win and want to run away? They're not going to let that go so easily!"

Laughter and boos rose and fell, like buckets of cold water being poured over Lin Fengmian.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Hong was first taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

He laughed so hard he almost fell over, pointing at Lin Fengmian's retreating figure with a mocking expression:

"Kid! Weren't you pretty arrogant just now?! What, are you scared now?! Trying to run away?!"

He stepped forward, blocking Lin Fengmian's path, his gaze icy:

"Let me tell you, you have to fight this duel today, whether you like it or not! You've already signed the death warrant, you think you can run away? Not a chance!"

Lin Fengmian stopped and turned around, his face showing a hint of annoyance at being "exposed," and his voice rose a few decibels:

"Who, who ran away! I just think this kind of fighting is completely pointless!"

He stiffened his neck, looking like he was trying too hard to save face:

"What's the point of fighting? Fighting to the death? Why not use that energy to earn some spirit stones? I finally succeeded in Foundation Establishment, and I haven't even had a few days to enjoy it. Do you think I'm stupid enough to risk my life here with you?"

Another burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

"Hahaha! If you're a coward, just admit it. Why make excuses!"

"Earn spirit stones? Someone like you, what spirit stones could you possibly earn? Go become a furnace cauldron?"

"This is hilarious! How could the Joyful Union Sect accept such a piece of trash!"

Zhou Hong laughed until tears almost streamed down his face. He wiped his eyes, then suddenly a glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he shouted:

"Alright! You want to earn spirit stones, right? Then let's gamble on spirit stones!"

He looked around, opened his arms, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Everyone here can bet with you! You think you can win? Then show us your sincerity!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience!

"Great idea! That's a good idea!"

"I'll bet one hundred spirit stones that Lin Fengmian will lose!"

"I'll offer two hundred! Why not take advantage of this deal that gives away spirit stones?"

"Haha, me too! Me too!"

In an instant, the crowd was in high spirits, and everyone was as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

In their view, Lin Fengmian was destined to lose.

A newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator facing off against a veteran disciple in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, especially with Zhou Hong's abundant resources and solid foundation at Pill Peak—is there even a question?

Isn't this just blatantly giving away money?

Lin Fengmian looked at the enthusiastic faces below the stage, but he smiled inwardly.

They finally fell for it.

He feigned anger, his face flushed red, and he poured out a large pile of things from his storage bag with a "whoosh"!

"Fine! I'll bet with you!"

His voice carried a hint of exasperation:

"This is the offering I just received, five thousand spirit stones! I'm betting it all!"

As he spoke, he took out several medicinal herbs from his storage bag and placed them on the platform:

"And these too! All gathered from the secret realm! Purple-leaf Ganoderma, century-old He Shou Wu, Ambergris... You wanted to bet? Come on! Who's afraid of who!"

One plant, two plants, three plants...

The medicinal herbs were piled up in a small heap on the platform, shimmering with spiritual light and exuding a fragrant aroma.

The audience was completely mesmerized.

"Holy crap! So many medicinal herbs!"

"This is what he reaped in the secret realm? It's incredibly rich!"

"We've struck it rich! These medicinal herbs are worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones!"

"Quick, quick! I want to place a bet too! Don't stop me!"

Those cultivators who were originally observing could no longer sit still. They took out spirit stones, magic tools, and pills and threw them frantically onto the stage, afraid of missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune.

"I'll offer a top-grade Tier 1 magic weapon! I bet Lin Fengmian will lose!"

"I'll offer three bottles of healing pills! I bet Lin Fengmian will lose!"

"I'll bet two thousand spirit stones! I'll bet Lin Fengmian will lose!"

In no time, the area around the dueling platform was piled high with all sorts of things: spirit stones, magical artifacts, pills, talismans... a dazzling array that made one's eyes spin.

Xiao Xiyue frowned as she watched this scene.

She walked to Lin Fengmian's side, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of urgency:

"Lin Fengmian, calm down! Are you out of your mind?!"

Lin Fengmian turned to look at her, and suddenly his lips moved slightly.

A voice, audible only to the two of them, entered Xiao Xiyue's ears:

"If you believe me, then vote for me."

Xiao Xiyue was stunned.

Looking into Lin Fengmian's clear and determined eyes, she suddenly felt a strange sensation.