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

The feeling was like a dry riverbed receiving timely rain, or like frozen earth welcoming the spring breeze.

The spiritual energy surged through his meridians, several times faster than usual!

Xiao Xiyue became increasingly certain—

This person is the key to my breakthrough in cultivation!

The two remained silent the entire way, each lost in their own thoughts, yet managed to coexist peacefully.

……

Before long, the two arrived at the location of the cave.

It was a canyon surrounded by mountains, with peaks as sharp as swords piercing the clouds. The spiritual energy within the canyon was so dense it was almost tangible; even a deep breath made one feel refreshed.

In the very center of the canyon, a huge crack had appeared on the mountain wall.

Within the crack, an ancient stone gate could be vaguely seen, its surface covered with mysterious runes and radiating a faint spiritual light.

At this moment, the open space in front of the crack was already filled with cultivators.

Disciples from the three major sects, scions of various families, and nearby rogue cultivators thronged the area, creating a dense, bustling crowd of at least several hundred people.

They gathered in twos and threes, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.

Whenever a female disciple of the Hehuan Sect arrives, a sound of slurping saliva can be heard from the crowd.

After all, this is the characteristic of the Hehuan Sect.

Disciples of other sects compete in terms of cultivation level and magical treasures, while disciples of the Hehuan Sect compete in terms of appearance.

Xiao Xiyue's arrival caused an even bigger stir.

She was already stunningly beautiful, and the white dress made her look even more ethereal, like a goddess descending from the heavens.

Her exquisite figure and aloof, noble air captivated many male cultivators present, making them stare wide-eyed and practically drool.

Lin Fengmian jumped off his flying sword and shook his head as he looked at the somewhat bewildered cultivators.

Is this group of people really that serious?

He turned to look at Xiao Xiyue, and in his heart he had to admit—

She is indeed the type of ice queen.

With delicate features and fair skin, a white dress perfectly accentuated her exquisite figure. Especially striking were her clear, cool eyes, seemingly devoid of any impurity, captivating all who looked at them.

She is indeed a rare beauty.

However, Lin Fengming usually ate too well and was surrounded by beauties like Chu Qingyi and Nangong Li, so he was already used to it.

Xiao Xiyue ignored the intense gazes from those around her, or rather, she had grown accustomed to them.

She led Lin Fengmian to the elder in charge of the Hehuan Sect in this area.

He was an elderly man with gray hair, a kind face, and an aura of late-stage Foundation Establishment.

His eyes lit up when he saw Xiao Xiyue, and he greeted her with a smile: "Junior Nephew Xiao, you've also come to participate in the secret realm?"

His tone was somewhat polite.

After all, Xiao Xiyue is a true disciple and a potential Core Formation cultivator within the sect; she still has the respect she deserves.

Xiao Xiyue nodded slightly and exchanged a few words with the elder.

After listening, the elder glanced at Lin Fengmian behind her, feeling somewhat puzzled, but did not ask any further questions.

He took out a jade tube and activated the grand formation set up by the three major sects.

The formation was originally intended to control the number of people entering the cave and prevent a rush that could cause chaos.

At that moment, as soon as the array gate opened, all the cultivators who were still queuing around immediately turned to look at Xiao Xiyue, their eyes filled with envy.

"Holy crap! Is this the treatment of a true disciple? No need to wait in line?"

"I'm so envious... I want to be a true disciple too!"

"Stop dreaming. Your face isn't even worthy of carrying someone's shoes."

Amidst the envious and jealous gazes, Xiao Xiyue turned to Lin Fengmian and whispered, "Junior Brother Lin, let's go quickly."

Lin Fengmian nodded, secretly pleased.

He never expected that traveling with the other party would have such great benefits; he thought he would have to wait in line for ages.

The two walked one after the other toward the crack.

Just before entering, Xiao Xiyue suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lin Fengmian.

She hesitated for a moment, then extended her fair hand and said softly, "Junior Brother Lin, let's hold hands. Otherwise, I'm afraid we'll separate while entering the cave."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

This isn't like entering a secret realm; there will be random teleportation.

Besides, if that's really the case, what's the point of holding hands?

But he didn't expose it.

After all, once you've slept with her, she's your woman.

Lin Fengmian was quite willing to flirt with his woman.

He reached out and grasped that soft little hand.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, slightly cool to the fingertips, and has an excellent feel.

Xiao Xiyue stiffened slightly when he held her hand, but quickly relaxed.

She didn't speak, but kept her head down, her ears turning slightly red.

The two held hands and walked side by side into the crevice, disappearing behind the stone gate.

---

A flash of white light appeared before their eyes, and when they opened them again, Lin Fengmian and Xiao Xiyue found themselves in a completely different world.

This is a cave dwelling.

But its scale far exceeded Lin Fengmian's imagination.

As far as the eye could see, there was a vast underground space with a dome that hung high, dozens of feet high, inlaid with countless fist-sized luminous pearls that emitted a soft light, illuminating the entire space as bright as day.

The ground was paved with whole pieces of green jade, polished smooth as a mirror, reflecting the pearly light on the dome, making it feel like being in a fairyland.

"This..." Lin Fengmian looked around, secretly astonished.

This is no cave dwelling; it's clearly an underground palace!

Compared to this place, the little hut he used to live in was worse than a doghouse.

Moreover, this area has clearly been divided into many zones.

Lin Fengmian's gaze swept over—

In the distance to the left, a place shrouded in spiritual light can be vaguely seen. The spiritual energy is so dense that it is almost tangible, which should be the location of the medicinal herb field.

To the right is a row of stone houses, their doors and windows tightly closed, obscuring what lies inside, yet their ancient and weathered aura is undeniable.

Directly ahead is a straight bluestone path. At the end of the path, a magnificent hall can be vaguely seen. The hall doors are tightly closed and covered with mysterious runes.

Each area was separated by a faint barrier of spiritual light, dividing the entire cave into orderly sections.

These restrictions shimmered with various kinds of spiritual light.

Some are crimson red, like burning flames, with tongues of fire occasionally leaping up, radiating scorching heat.

Some are ice-blue in color, exuding a chilling aura, with thick frost covering the surface of the barrier; getting close enough to feel as if your blood is about to freeze.

Others are dark purple, flashing with lightning and crackling, clearly indicating extreme danger.

Lin Fengmian's gaze swept over the restrictions, and his heart skipped a beat.

These restrictions are not something that ordinary cultivators could set up.

Even if a Golden Core cultivator were to come, they would likely have to pay a considerable price to force a breakthrough.