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

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Punch after punch.

Lin Fengmian only stopped when he had beaten the Heavenly Sword Sect's Holy Son so badly that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him.

He stood up, dusted off his hands, tilted his head to look at the puddle of "mud" on the ground, and suddenly realized:

"Oh—so you're admitting defeat?"

"You should have said so earlier!"

Jian Tianyi collapsed to the ground, his entire body covered in so much flesh that not a single inch of his flesh was intact.

His face was bruised and swollen, his eyes were dark circles, blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were tattered...

The scene was utterly tragic.

Lin Fengmian nodded in satisfaction, stood with his hands behind his back, and said calmly:

"I accept your surrender."

Jian Tianyi was so angry that he trembled all over, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Looking at him like this, Lin Fengmian felt completely calm.

He may be spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape punishment.

This time, I will crush your Dao heart and dignity before the eyes of all the geniuses of the Southern Region—

It will be more painful than killing you.

Jian Tianyi, this is the price you pay for provoking me, Lin Fengmian!

……

In the stands.

The elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect breathed a long sigh of relief.

Although Jian Tianyi was badly beaten, at least his life was not in danger and his cultivation was not damaged.

"This kid... has ruthless methods."

An elder said in a deep voice, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"To destroy his Dao heart instead of killing him is more cruel than killing him."

Another elder sneered, "The Heavenly Sword Sect will remember this grudge."

But all they could do was write it down.

In the grand competition, life and death are disregarded.

That's the rule.

If they were to make a move, they would be breaking the rules.

not to mention--

The Seventh Prince, Yan Jiuxiao, sat upright on the high platform, his gaze sharp as he watched everything unfold.

……

The entire central square was initially deathly silent.

immediately--

"boom--!"

A deafening clamor erupted!

"Heavens! The Heavenly Sword Sect's century-long undefeated myth... has actually been broken!"

"Lin Fengmian! From this day forward, his name will resound throughout the entire Southern Region!"

"A peerless genius who, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, defied the odds of mastering the sword path! What a monstrous talent!"

"Little Beast King! Little Beast King! Little Beast King!"

Countless eyes were focused on the young man on the stage.

Those previously questioning and disdainful looks have now all turned into awe and worship.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, strength is the best passport!

The disciples of the Hehuan Sect were so excited that they burst into tears, hugging each other and laughing and crying.

"We won! Senior Brother Lin won!"

"Our Hehuan Sect has finally stood tall!"

"Senior Brother Lin is awesome!"

……

Soon, the final rankings of the Grand Prix of Talents spread throughout the venue.

Lin Fengmian is ranked number one in individual strength!

The Hehuan Sect also won third place among sects!

When the news reached the Hehuan Sect's headquarters, all the elders and disciples were overjoyed.

"For so many years... our Hehuan Sect has finally been able to hold its head high!"

"Lin Fengmian is mighty! The Hehuan Sect is mighty!"

Even the usually composed elders were moved to tears:

"Quickly! Send a message back to the clan immediately! Let the entire clan celebrate!"

This moment—

Lin Fengmian's name spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of southern Xinjiang.

……

The awards ceremony was solemnly held under the auspices of the Seventh Prince, Yan Jiuxiao.

On the high platform, Yan Jiuxiao stood with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face.

"This year's Southern Region Prodigy Competition has come to a successful conclusion!"

"Top in Individual Strength Ranking—Lin Fengmian of the Hehuan Sect!"

"Third in the overall ranking of sects—the Joyous Union Sect!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole audience cheered.

Lin Fengmian walked up to the high platform and received the storage ring symbolizing the top spot from the Seventh Prince.

The ring was dazzling and much more luxurious than an ordinary storage bag.

Although he had no shortage of storage treasures, this honor was of extraordinary significance.

"Brother Lin, congratulations." Yan Jiuxiao smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Seventh Prince." Lin Fengmian cupped his hands in thanks.

The rewards of pills and spiritual herbs were piled up like a mountain, but Lin Fengmian only glanced at them before storing them in his storage ring.

These rewards, though generous, were merely icing on the cake for him.

The real gains were the experience gained from this competition, and—

That qualification to enter Huangji Tianchi.

but……

Lin Fengmian thought for a moment, then made a special request to the Seventh Prince:

"Seventh Prince, I wonder if these rewards could be converted into the Soul-Nourishing Wood I mentioned earlier?"

He remembered Li Cheng's words.

The Soul-Nourishing Wood can warm and nourish the soul, which is of great use to Li Cheng.

It might also be useful to the mysterious woman inside the jade tube.

That senior had helped him a lot, and Lin Fengmian always distinguished between gratitude and resentment; if he could help, he would definitely do so.

The seventh prince was taken aback upon hearing this, but then understood and readily agreed:

"Brother Lin, rest assured, our Great Yan Dynasty will do everything in its power to search for the Soul-Nourishing Wood for you!"

Thank you.

Lin Fengmian bowed in thanks.

……

Cheers had already erupted from the Hehuan Sect seats.

Chu Qingyi stood quietly in front of the crowd, a faint smile blooming on her usually aloof face.

That smile was like the first melting of ice and snow, and a hundred flowers blooming.

Lin Fengmian's heart skipped a beat upon seeing this.

What the hell!

This plant that looks like a second chance... the more I look at it, the more my heart is drawn to it?

Are we really going to follow Nangong Li's plan and go back to this old flame?

"Hey! Lin Fengmian!"

A sweet, charming voice interrupted his thoughts.

Su Zhenzhen skipped over, proudly raising her little face and putting her hands on her hips:

"You finally didn't embarrass me! Now you're barely good enough for me."

"..."

Lin Fengmian's lips twitched.

This girl is still as narcissistic as ever.

Yang Yuxian, standing behind her, covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her gaze towards Lin Fengmian full of admiration, clearly looking at him as a prospective son-in-law.

Lin Fengmian shivered and quickly looked away.

Princess Yan Yiyi waved her handkerchief and shouted excitedly:

"Brother Lin Fengmian, you're amazing! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

"..."

Lin Fengmian rubbed his forehead.

This guy's luck with romance is just too good!

……

Meanwhile, on the arena, Jian Tianyi was carried off by disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

He was covered in wounds and his face was unrecognizable, but the worst wound was not in his body, but in his heart.

His moral compass was destroyed, and he lost all face.

From this day forward, Jian Tianyi will have no place to stand in the Southern Region.

And all of this is because of that man named Lin Fengmian.

Jian Tianyi gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with hatred.

Lin Fengmian...

I'll remember you.

……

Even the Crown Princess Yan Qingluan, who was in the stands, had a similarly dazed look in her eyes.

Her beautiful eyes swept over Lin Fengmian, her delicate hands gripping her dress tightly, and she inwardly exclaimed in admiration:

Lin Fengmian... I and Yan Family Fort are now in your hands to save us.

Deep within those beautiful eyes, shimmering light and surging undercurrents were present.

Seeing so many beautiful women surrounding Lin Fengmian, Honglian Zhenren felt both helpless and bitter.

This little devil... he's bound to attract a lot of women in the future.

She shook her head, looked away, and pretended to look elsewhere.

But out of the corner of her eye, her gaze still involuntarily drifted toward the figure in the green robe.