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

After all, this represents the sect's reputation, so the pomp and circumstance must be fully displayed.

Lin Fengmian and Xiao Xiyue landed on the square and looked around, quickly spotting several familiar faces.

And those people's eyes locked onto them immediately.

That gaze—

Their undisguised hostility made them wish they could devour Lin Fengmian alive.

It was Xiao Sheng, Chen Qingxuan, and a disciple of the Xiao family.

The three of them stood together, their gazes toward Lin Fengmian colder than those of a venomous snake.

It's true what they say, enemies always run into each other.

Ever since Xiao Sheng was publicly defeated and humiliated by Lin Fengmian in the sect competition, he had harbored a deep grudge. Now, seeing Xiao Xiyue standing shoulder to shoulder with him, the close proximity between them sparking all sorts of speculation, his anger burned even brighter.

This good-for-nothing stole Chu Qingyi, stole Nangong Li, and now he's even going after Xiao Xiyue?!

Chen Qingxuan's face was also gloomy, and he looked at Lin Fengmian as if he were looking at a dead man.

The Xiao family disciple gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush up and tear Lin Fengmian to pieces right now.

Lin Fengmian felt those three gazes that seemed to pierce through him, and he sneered inwardly.

A few of my defeated foes are still jumping around here.

I have now broken through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and my total spiritual power is comparable to that of a Core Formation cultivator. I also have the Jade Bone Rock Technique to temper my body. Even if a Core Formation cultivator comes in person, I dare to exchange a few blows!

Don't even mention you bunch of country bumpkins!

He didn't even bother to glance at the three people, his gaze continuing to sweep across the crowd.

Soon, he saw several familiar faces.

The three Xiong brothers – Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Xiong San.

Three burly, broad-shouldered men stood there like a wall of flesh, making them particularly conspicuous.

The three brothers were arm in arm, laughing heartily, talking about something.

Not far from the three of them stood a familiar figure.

Chu Qingyi.

She wore a light blue dress, her black hair cascaded down her back, her skin was like solidified cream, and her features were exquisitely beautiful.

She stood there quietly, like a blooming blue lotus, pure and aloof, making people dare not defile her.

only--

Her beautiful eyes were now looking in Lin Fengmian's direction, filled with resentment.

That look in her eyes seemed to say, with such a wronged expression:

Where have you been these past few days? Why haven't you come to see me?

Lin Fengmian pretended not to see it and looked away.

Standing beside Chu Qingyi was a woman.

The woman was dressed in a light purple dress, with a beautiful face and a gentle temperament. She was smiling at Lin Fengmian with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Lin Fengmian didn't recognize her, so he simply nodded slightly in greeting and then looked away.

Just then—

A powerful pressure suddenly descended!

The immense pressure was like Mount Tai pressing down, causing everyone present to tremble!

Everyone looked up.

A red figure suddenly appeared in the sky above the square.

It was a woman.

She wore a dignified wine-red robe, made of light and thin fabric, yet perfectly tailored.

Her waist was slender and delicate, easily encircled by a single hand, below which were rounded hips and long, shapely legs.

Standing there, her curves were exquisite and alluring, exuding the charm of a mature woman.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, with exquisitely delicate features that were beyond reproach.

Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, her eyes shone like stars, and her slightly parted red lips exuded an air of composure and authority befitting someone long accustomed to a position of power.

But that air of authority wasn't as serious and rigid as Master Yunhe's; instead, it carried a hint of laziness and casualness, as if nothing in the world was worth her attention.

She hovered quietly in mid-air, like a blooming red lotus, bright and dazzling, making it impossible to look away.

Red Lotus Immortal.

The leader of the Hehuan Sect.

She is known as "Qingzhou's No. 1 Beautiful Mature Woman".

Fake baby, real person.

Lin Fengmian stared at the red figure, unable to look away.

He couldn't help but secretly start making plans in his mind—

As expected of the number one beautiful young woman in the Hehuan Sect, look at her figure and her temperament.

I wonder what it would be like to cultivate with such a fairy...

But thinking of this, Lin Fengmian suddenly woke up.

No, no!

This man is that old witch's confidant!

Sending the other party to lead the team at this time, is it a test to see who is testing us?

Or was he afraid she would run away, so he specifically sent her to keep an eye on him?

Lin Fengmian sneered inwardly.

I don't care whose confidant you are, I'll take you in without hesitation!

You old hag, how dare you try to play these tricks on me?

Just wait and see how I turn her most beautiful eyeliner into my Daoist partner!

If he could really make Master Honglian his Daoist partner, then he could elope with her and make that old hag lose both her wife and her army!

Then we'll see if she still dares to go against me!

-

Master Honglian landed on the plaza and glanced at the crowd.

Her beautiful eyes lingered on each disciple for a moment, finally settling on Chu Qingyi and staying there for a few more seconds.

A subtle, complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

But she quickly withdrew her gaze, her red lips parted slightly, and her voice was clear and cold:

"This time, I will personally lead the team to Qingzhou to participate in the Heavenly Pride Competition."

"You represent the face of the Hehuan Sect, and I do not expect you to be in the top ten."

She paused, her tone flat.

"As long as we don't come in last, it's fine."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Although these words sounded somewhat discouraging, everyone knew that Master Honglian was telling the truth.

The Qingzhou Prodigy Competition brought together the most outstanding young geniuses from all ten kingdoms of Qingzhou.

Although the Hehuan Sect is one of the three major sects in the Zhao Kingdom, it can only be considered as slightly above average in the entire Qingzhou.

Top ten? I wouldn't even dare to dream of it.

Not coming in last place is already the best outcome.

After finishing speaking, Master Honglian waved her red robe and continued:

"Alright, everyone go back and prepare. We'll meet here again tomorrow at 7:00 AM."

"No time limit."

As soon as she finished speaking, she vanished from the spot in a flash.

-

The crowd gradually dispersed from the square.

Just as Lin Fengmian was about to leave, he felt a gaze fixed intently on him.

He turned his head and met Chu Qingyi's beautiful eyes, which were full of resentment.

That look—

A sense of grievance, resentment, and a touch of stubbornness, as if saying:

Why are you ignoring me?

Why don't you even look at me?

Lin Fengmian looked at her and sighed inwardly.

To be honest, he did have feelings for Chu Qingyi.

After all, she was the first woman he had ever been with in this world, and the two of them had been through so much together.