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

Xiao Fenghuang stood with his hands behind his back, calmly looking at the elder from the Pill Peak, and said indifferently:

"Elder Wang, Lin Fengmian is a disciple of my Snow Bamboo Peak. Even if he has made a mistake, it should be dealt with by my Snow Bamboo Peak. There is no need for you to worry about it."

Elder Wang's expression darkened:

"Master Xiao, you're mistaken. He killed a disciple of my Pill Refining Peak in public—an unforgivable crime! Does your Snow Bamboo Peak intend to protect him?!"

Xiao Fenghuang's expression remained calm:

"Elder Wang, this is the dueling arena. The death warrant has been signed, and each shall accept their fate. Your disciples from Pill Peak are inferior in skill, so their deaths are deserved. If you are not satisfied, you can go to the sect leader to complain to me."

Elder Wang was speechless, his face turning ashen.

Xiao Fenghuang glanced at him and continued:

"As for compensation, my Snow Bamboo Peak will give your Pill Refining Peak an explanation. But I must take the person with me."

After saying that, she turned to look at Lin Fengmian, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

How did this kid get himself into so much trouble on his very first day here?

But she still whispered:

"Let's go."

Lin Fengmian nodded, bent down and put all the bets on the stage—the mountain of spirit stones, spirit herbs, and magic artifacts—into his storage bag, then followed Xiao Fenghuang off the stage.

Elder Wang watched his retreating figure, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then hesitated.

Although Xiao Fenghuang is only a peak master, her strength... ranks among the top in the entire Hehuan Sect.

As an elder of the Pill Refining Peak, he really didn't dare to confront her head-on.

Just then—

"Wait a minute."

A gentle voice suddenly came from mid-air.

Everyone looked up and saw an old man with an air of otherworldly grace standing in mid-air, his robes fluttering in the wind.

It was none other than the peak master of the Pill Peak, True Person Yunhe!

The power emanating from his body was clearly that of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator!

Elder Wang's spirits lifted upon seeing his peak master arrive, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting:

"Peak Master! You've emerged from seclusion!"

His face lit up with surprise, and his voice rose several decibels, "You've come at the perfect time! These disciples from Snow Bamboo Peak have publicly killed two of my Pill Refining Peak disciples, including a core disciple in the late Foundation Establishment stage. You must avenge our disciples!"

Master Yunhe stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below the stage before finally settling on Xiao Fenghuang.

He spoke with a forced smile:

"Master Xiao, your disciple killed two of my peak's disciples, one of whom was even a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Isn't it inappropriate to just take them over like this?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Fenghuang's expression slightly hardened.

Looking at the ethereal figure in mid-air, she secretly lamented her misfortune.

When did this old man break through to the late stage of Core Formation?

No wonder he dared to challenge himself so boldly.

The Hehuan Sect has six main peaks: Pill Peak, Snow Bamboo Peak, Heavenly Sword Peak, Beast Taming Peak, Formation Peak, and External Affairs Peak.

Among them, Snow Bamboo Peak and Pill Pill Peak are of similar strength and have been secretly competing with each other.

Now that Master Yunhe has broken through to the late stage of Core Formation, the strength of Pill Peak has subtly surpassed that of Snow Bamboo Peak.

Moreover, if the Pill Peak becomes a direct disciple peak, its status will rise accordingly, and it will have greater say in resource allocation and disciple recruitment.

This old man is using this opportunity to establish his authority!

Xiao Fenghuang quickly calculated in his mind, but his face remained calm, and he said indifferently:

"Master Yunhe, this matter was indeed inappropriate for a disciple of my Snow Bamboo Peak. However, we did step onto the dueling arena, and a life-or-death agreement was signed; rules are rules. How about this, my Snow Bamboo Peak is willing to compensate Pill Refining Peak with a sum of spirit stones, as a gesture of closure to the family of the deceased disciple. What do you say?"

She wanted to smooth things over and get away with it.

After all, Lin Fengmian was a disciple of her Snow Bamboo Peak, and someone the sect leader had personally entrusted to take care of; she couldn't afford to abandon him.

But Master Yunhe clearly wasn't going to let it go so easily.

He shook his head, his tone still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"Master Xiao, this is not a matter of spirit stones. How can the disciples of my Pill Refining Peak be measured by spirit stones? If this matter is not resolved fairly, I fear the disciples of Pill Refining Peak will not be satisfied."

Xiao Fenghuang frowned slightly, about to say something else—

"So it's Master Yunhe!"

A clear voice suddenly came from behind her.

Xiao Fenghuang was taken aback and turned to look.

Lin Fengmian stepped out from behind her, his face displaying just the right amount of surprise and respect, and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Master, it's been a long time! Since we parted ways in the secret realm, I've always remembered your kindness. It's truly an honor to see you here today!"

His tone was sincere, and his eyes were clear, as if he were truly just a junior meeting a respected elder with excitement and joy.

Upon hearing this, Master Yunhe's gaze fell upon the figure in green robes, and his expression became quite interesting.

His original plan was to take advantage of the opportunity to show off after breaking through to the late stage of Core Formation.

After all, they had been suppressed by Xuezhu Peak for so long, so it was inevitable that they would feel some resentment.

Upon hearing that the disciples of Danyao Peak had been killed, he thought he could take this opportunity to embarrass Xuezhu Peak and establish his authority within the sect.

But he never expected—

The murderer was none other than Lin Fengmian!

This kid turned the tide in the secret realm, single-handedly helping the Hehuan Sect win spiritual herbs far exceeding those of the other two major sects.

My breakthrough to the late Core Formation stage was largely due to the bet I won that time and the rewards from the sect!

Moreover, many people know about this.

If I blame Lin Fengmian now, wouldn't my image of being humble and magnanimous be ruined if word got out?

How can I maintain my image of being a highly respected figure in the sect after this?

Master Yunhe quickly calculated in his mind, but on his face he had already put on a kind smile.

"Haha, so it's young friend Lin!"

He stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing into slits as he smiled.

"I am well aware of your abilities, young friend. It seems you truly miscalculated today. Young people are bound to make mistakes during sparring matches; it's understandable, very understandable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar!

The disciples below the stage looked at each other in disbelief.

What... what's going on here?

They were on the verge of war just a moment ago, how did things change so quickly?

Xiao Fenghuang was also slightly taken aback, feeling quite surprised.

She looked at Master Yunhe's smiling face, then at Lin Fengmian in front of her, her heart filled with doubt.

What exactly is Lin Fengmian's identity?

It's one thing that the sect leader personally instructed us to take care of him, but now even Master Yunhe is treating him so politely.

Even at the cost of contradicting oneself?

But she's also a smart woman; she knows now isn't the time to overthink things.

Now that Master Yunhe has made his stance clear, she naturally won't press the matter any further.

She smiled slightly, cupped her hands, and said:

"Then thank you, Master Yunhe."

Master Yunhe waved his hand and smiled:

"Master Xiao, you're too kind. Young friend Lin is a pillar of our Hehuan Sect, and I cherish him dearly. How could I possibly blame him?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Lin Fengmian, his tone gentle:

"Young friend, if you have time in the future, please feel free to visit my Pill Peak. I have some fine tea there that you may enjoy with me."