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

Looking at the stunningly beautiful face before him, Lin Fengmian's heart fluttered slightly.

The intimate scenes of those days with her in the cave are still vivid in my mind.

have to say--

Don't let Xiao Xiyue's usual aloof and unapproachable demeanor fool you; once she starts cultivating...

That contrast is irresistible.

Lin Fengmian felt a sudden dryness in his mouth.

He secluded himself for two months, immersing himself in cultivation and suppressing those sensual thoughts in his heart.

Upon seeing Xiao Xiyue in person, those suppressed desires surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.

His gaze involuntarily fell on her.

Although the moon-white dress was simple and elegant, it could not hide her exquisite figure.

Slender waist, delicate enough to be grasped in one hand

Xiao Xiyue noticed his gaze, and her pretty face flushed slightly.

His gaze was so intense, as if he wanted to see right through her.

She took a slightly awkward half-step back, coughed lightly, and forced herself to remain calm as she said:

"Junior Brother Lin, I'm here to inform you."

"In three days, we will set off for the Great Yan Dynasty."

Lin Fengmian raised an eyebrow, pretending to be stupid.

"The Great Yan Dynasty?" He tilted his head, looking confused. "Senior Sister, what are we going there for?"

As he spoke, he unconsciously leaned forward a little.

The two were so close they could feel each other's breath.

Xiao Xiyue felt his approach and her heart pounded.

Her pretty face flushed red at a visible speed, spreading from her cheeks to her ears, and even her neck was tinged with a light pink.

"You...you didn't know?"

Her voice was somewhat unsteady, trembling with nervousness.

"The Grand Competition of Prodigies in Qingzhou was held in the Great Yan Dynasty."

"That place is very far from our Hehuan Sect. Even by taking the sect's flying boat, it would take more than ten days to get there."

"So we're leaving in three days."

As Xiao Xiyue spoke, she secretly glanced at Lin Fengmian before quickly lowering her head again.

She looked nothing like the icy beauty she usually was.

She is clearly a young girl experiencing her first love.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengmian was secretly delighted.

Are they going on a long trip?

He immediately became interested.

After two months of seclusion, he felt like he was going to rot.

Now that his cultivation has broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he needs a place to showcase himself and hone his newly advanced spiritual power.

not to mention--

He is now penniless.

He consumed all the spiritual herbs in the jade pendant's space, and the spirit stones in his storage bag were almost gone.

If he doesn't find a way to acquire some resources, he'll even have to stop cultivating.

Isn't this Qingzhou Grand Competition a perfect opportunity?

The top talents from various sects participating in the competition must be carrying many valuable items.

Fight a battle, win a match, and the resources will come, right?

Lin Fengmian's lips curled up slightly, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"Senior sister," he asked, "do you have any detailed information about the Heavenly Pride Competition?"

Xiao Xiyue was delighted to see that he had become interested.

She quickly took out a jade tube from her bosom and handed it to Lin Fengmian.

"Junior brother, this contains the details of the Heavenly Pride Competition, as well as the participating forces and members."

She paused, then added.

"I've also included information on some well-known contestants in there."

Lin Fengmian took the jade tube, its surface smooth and warm to the touch.

He didn't rush to look, but first nodded to Xiao Xiyue:

"Thank you, senior sister."

Xiao Xiyue shook her head: "No need to be so polite."

Lin Fengmian then probed the jade tube with his divine sense and began to read its contents.

The information in the jade tube was very detailed.

First, an overall introduction to the competition—

The Qingzhou Prodigy Competition is held once every ten years and is hosted in rotation by the six top sects of Qingzhou.

This year's Great Yan Dynasty, although nominally a dynasty, is in fact no less powerful and influential than a first-class sect.

The competition is divided into three stages:

The first stage is the knockout stage. All participants are drawn into matches, with winners advancing and losers being eliminated.

The second stage is a points-based tournament. The advancing players are divided into several groups and compete in a round-robin format, ranking them according to their points.

The third stage is the final. The sixteen players with the highest scores will compete in an elimination tournament to determine the final rankings.

The rewards are also very generous.

The first place winner will receive a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, a high-grade spiritual weapon, and a spot to enter the "Ancient Secret Realm".

The second through tenth place winners also receive substantial rewards.

Lin Fengmian continued reading.

The number of participating forces was greater than he had imagined.

The six top-tier sects:

Heavenly Sword Sect, Joyful Union Sect, Profound Heaven Holy Land, Spirit Control Sect, Myriad Laws Gate, Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.

These six major sects, known as the six pillars of Qingzhou, are the most prestigious and powerful sects in the Qingzhou cultivation world.

In addition, dozens of second-rate sects and third-rate forces participated in the competition.

In addition, the disciples of various cultivation families—

The total number of participants is expected to exceed three thousand.

Lin Fengmian raised an eyebrow slightly upon seeing this.

Three thousand people?

How fierce must the competition be?

He continued reading and soon noticed a problem.

"Senior Sister," Lin Fengmian raised her head and looked at Xiao Xiyue, "what tier of sect is our Hehuan Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiyue remained silent for a moment.

"In terms of personal connections, our Hehuan Sect can be ranked among the top sects, and even one of the best."

She paused, her tone somewhat complicated.

"But if we're talking about combat strength..."

"Our Hehuan Sect can only be ranked as a second-rate sect, and at the very bottom."

Lin Fengmian's lips twitched.

The difference is just too big!

Top-tier connections, but bottom-tier combat strength?

He thought about it again and immediately understood.

The Hehuan Sect is famous for its dual cultivation method, in which female cultivators receive far greater benefits than male cultivators.

This is why most of the elders, and even the supreme elders, of the Hehuan Sect are women.

And those talented female disciples—

Apart from core disciples like Xiao Xiyue, most others with even slightly outstanding talent would be "selected" by other major sects or great cultivators.

After all, it's a dual cultivation furnace.

Those who remained were either of average talent or, like Chu Qingyi, had family backgrounds and didn't need to rely on others.