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

Her dark hair was styled in a cloud-like updo, with a jade hairpin inserted at an angle. A few strands of her hair hung down beside her ears, making her gentle and jade-like face appear even more dignified and elegant.

Her features are delicate yet understated, with a gentle, watery quality in her eyes and brows, reminiscent of the misty rain of Jiangnan, giving people an indescribable sense of comfort.

She walked beside Lin Fengmian, half a step behind him, her gait composed and her demeanor gentle and graceful, like a well-bred young lady from a prominent family.

It was Xiao Fenghuang.

Just as the two entered, the white-haired elder finished his report.

"...This is the whole story. Please make the decision, Sect Leader."

Honglian Zhenren didn't look at Lin Fengmian, but turned her head to look at Xiao Fenghuang.

Those peach blossom eyes held a languid smile, and her red lips parted slightly:

"Junior Sister Xiao, what do you think of this matter?"

Xiao Fenghuang stepped forward, bowed respectfully, straightened up, and his gaze swept over the elders in the hall before finally landing on True Person Honglian.

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly:

"Killed them, so be it."

His tone was flat, as if he were talking about something completely ordinary.

"My Hehuan Sect doesn't need to be beholden to a Core Formation family like the Yin family, or those third-rate sects."

Upon hearing this, the elders in the hall displayed various expressions.

Some nodded slightly, their faces showing agreement.

Some had furrowed brows and worried expressions.

Others lowered their heads and remained silent, lost in thought.

Upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction flashed in the peach blossom eyes of True Person Red Lotus.

She nodded slightly, waved her hand, and her voice remained languid:

"Alright, let's do it this way."

"That's the end of it."

"Alright, let's do it this way."

"That's the end of it."

Master Honglian waved his hand, his voice languid, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

As soon as she finished speaking, the hall did not quiet down as she had hoped.

The elders below looked at each other, their expressions varied.

Several elders who were on good terms with Xiao Fenghuang nodded slightly, showing their approval. They felt that the sect leader's handling of the matter was swift and decisive, befitting the style of a major sect like the Hehuan Sect.

However, many elders frowned and looked displeased.

They exchanged glances discreetly, their eyes holding a hint of something unspoken.

After all, Xiao Fenghuang was not only the peak master of Xuezhu Peak, but also the personal disciple of the Supreme Elder.

Her meaning largely represented that of the Supreme Elder.

The Supreme Elder, who had been in seclusion for a century, personally stepped in today to help an outer disciple out of a predicament—

This news had already spread throughout the Hehuan Sect through various channels.

Behind Lin Fengmian stands the most outstanding figure in the Hehuan Sect.

With this relationship in place, who would dare to easily touch him?

However, not all elders accepted this explanation.

The Hehuan Sect has been established for a thousand years, with numerous factions and constant open and covert struggles between its various peaks.

Lin Fengmian had only been in the sect for a few months, yet he had already offended quite a few people.

Those who suffered losses, lost face, or had their interests harmed are all holding back their anger.

Now, such a good opportunity is presented to us—the Yin family is putting pressure on us, the White Bone Sect and Black Wind Manor have filed a joint complaint, and the Heavenly Profound Holy Land is eyeing us covetously—if we don't take this opportunity to crush this kid, it will be even more difficult to deal with him once he has grown stronger.

Sure enough, after a moment of silence, an aged voice rang out in the hall.

"Sect Leader, please wait."

An elderly man with white hair and a gaunt face stood up from his seat on the left and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"What insightful opinion does Elder Li have?" True Person Honglian leaned back in her chair, her peach blossom eyes half-closed, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Elder Li straightened up, his gaze sweeping over Lin Fengmian, his voice resounding:

"Sect Leader, please reconsider this matter."

He paused, stroked his beard, and continued:

"This boy's behavior is heinous. He indiscriminately killed innocent people in the secret realm, which has led to a joint accusation from the Yin Family, the White Bone Sect, and the Black Wind Manor. This has seriously damaged the reputation of our Hehuan Sect."

"Furthermore, as far as I know, this young man has a long history of misdeeds within the sect. He has only been in the sect for a few months, yet he has already become entangled with several holy maidens, causing constant disputes among the disciples and spreading rumors everywhere."

"If we let this go so easily, it will likely discourage many disciples within the sect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the elders nodded in agreement.

"Elder Li is right."

"This matter certainly requires careful consideration."

"The Hehuan Sect's thousand-year-old reputation cannot be ruined by an outer disciple."

Master Honglian frowned almost imperceptibly and sighed.

She hated trouble more than anything in her life and originally wanted to find some excuse to get by, but she didn't expect these old guys to be so persistent.

She was about to speak—

"Elder Li is absolutely right."

Another voice rang out, unhurried yet carrying an undeniable weight.

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man in a purple robe with a dignified face stand up from the seat on the right.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his aura deep and unfathomable, clearly at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, only one step away from Core Formation.

Lin Fengmian did not recognize the man, but upon seeing the purple trumpet vine embroidered on his chest, he immediately understood who he was.

Elders of the Passion Peak.

Moreover, judging from this ranking, they are among the top-ranked members of the Inner Peak.

"Elder Xiao." Elder Li's eyes flashed with joy upon seeing this person, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

The middle-aged man in purple robes nodded slightly, his gaze falling on True Person Red Lotus, and he cupped his hands in greeting:

"Sect Leader, Elder Li is right. This matter involves many things. If not handled properly, it could trigger a full-scale conflict between the sect and the Yin family, the White Bone Sect, and the Black Wind Manor."

He paused, his voice softening slightly, but every word was piercing:

"Moreover, I've heard that this boy has a close relationship with the two Holy Maidens, Nangong Li and Chu Qingyi, and even has connections with that girl Xi Yue..."

He shook his head, a look of deep sorrow on his face:

"As a disciple of the Joyful Union Sect, you neglect cultivation and indulge in women all day long, sowing discord between the Holy Maidens. If such behavior is not severely punished, how will the sect be governed in the future?"

These words immediately sparked a murmur among the crowd in the hall.

Lin Fengmian's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly.

It turned out to be the case.

This Elder Xiao, is he probably from the Xiao family?

He had long heard that the Hehuan Sect had a quasi-saint son named Xiao Sheng, who was the most outstanding prodigy of the Xiao family in this generation. He possessed the Xuanming Overlord Body and had exceptional talent, and was highly regarded by the sect.

Xiao Sheng was one of Xiao Xiyue's suitors.

It seems that Elder Xiao is standing up for his junior.

The Xiao family couldn't swallow the fact that the woman their grandson had taken a liking to was now entangled with them.

With Elder Xiao on their side, the significance of the deal immediately changed.

Although Elder Li was highly respected, he was ultimately just an elder of the Enforcement Peak, and his words carried little weight.

But Elder Xiao is different; he represents the Inner Disciples Peak, the core force of the sect.