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

For the next half day, Yan Qingyao truly acted as Lin Fengmian's "future Daoist partner," taking the initiative to show him around Qingfeng City.

She seemed to have temporarily forgotten the heavy burden of her family and the grief of her sister's passing. As they walked, she softly introduced him to the sights and sights of Qingfeng City.

From the century-old candied hawthorn skewers at the street-side shop, to the old residence in the west of the city that is said to have produced a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and then to the Moon-Gazing Tower in the east of the city that overlooks the entire city, she knows each place like the back of her hand.

It was as if she wanted to tell him about the city where she had grown up, bit by bit.

Lin Fengmian walked beside her, occasionally cracking a joke or saying something witty, which made her cover her mouth and giggle.

Sunlight filtered through the branches of the old locust tree by the street, casting dappled patterns of light on her fair cheeks. Her slightly upturned eyes reflected the vibrant life of Qingfeng City.

This caused considerable distress for Xiao Ling'er, who was standing nearby.

She followed behind the two like a maid, watching the beautiful couple chatting and laughing ahead.

She felt like an unwanted third wheel. Especially Lin Fengmian, who would occasionally make Yan Qingyao giggle, covering her mouth.

The harmonious atmosphere between the two was almost blinding!

"Damn it...this lecherous thief definitely did it on purpose!"

Xiao Ling'er gritted her teeth in anger.

"Did he bring me out here just to show me how he fools naive young girls?"

She felt like she was being fed a full dose of this silent dog food (a Chinese slang term for public displays of affection).

Several times she wanted to turn around and leave, but when she thought that her soul was still in the other party's hands, she could only force herself to endure it, and her chest felt tight.

Lin Fengmian, in his time with Yan Qingyao, did indeed feel a long-lost sense of ease and excitement.

This girl was pure and innocent, and the occasional hints of dependence and shyness made him feel as if he had returned to his youth, experiencing that pure feeling of being moved.

It was a beautiful feeling, like first love.

This left him with mixed feelings.

But this complexity lasted only a moment before being suppressed by Aquaman's instincts.

"Hey, what are you thinking about!" Lin Fengmian immediately admonished himself in his heart with righteous indignation: "I'm going to be an unparalleled playboy! Keeping the red flag flying at home while colorful flags flutter outside is just a basic principle!"

"Yes, that's right! I, Lin Fengmian, always have a clear goal in mind! Helping her, protecting her, and marrying her are all for that piece of Soul-Nourishing Wood!"

This is a strategic marriage, purely for cultivation purposes! It's definitely not because of romantic feelings!

Yes, that must be it!

One day later.

Lin Fengmian was already familiar with Yan Qingyao.

This woman was stunningly beautiful, with a graceful figure and a pure and gentle nature, like a blank sheet of paper, perfectly matching all his fantasies about his first love.

Now, it's time to meet the parents.

Yan Qingyao led Lin Fengmian and Xiao Ling'er straight to the Yan Family Fortress headquarters.

The three traveled to the depths of Qingfeng City, where they saw a magnificent complex of buildings built against the mountains, stretching for hundreds of miles.

The walls are made of bluestone, the steps of white jade, the houses are arranged in a staggered manner, and the eaves are upturned like phoenix wings.

The mountains are shrouded in mist and spiritual energy, with cranes circling overhead and waterfalls cascading down, creating a magnificent spectacle far beyond that of ordinary cultivation families.

"What a blessed and auspicious place!" Lin Fengmian couldn't help but exclaim sincerely. "It would be difficult for the Yan family not to prosper here, given that they were able to establish themselves and flourish here."

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingyao's lips curved slightly upward, but a barely perceptible hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. She didn't reply, but simply called out softly:

"Let's go, Brother Lin Fengmian, let's go home."

That cry of "Go home," tinged with a hint of dependence and longing, made Lin Fengmian's heartstrings tremble slightly.

He turned his head to look at her and saw the morning light shining on her profile, outlining a soft arc.

Today she changed into a pale yellow long dress, which made her look even more gentle and charming, just like the poem describes: "Leaning against the door, she turned her head and smelled the green plums."

She herself never expected that what she initially thought was a sacrifice for the survival of her family would turn into an attraction to Lin Fengmian’s unique aura during their short day together.

Although he was of average appearance, he was sometimes witty and sometimes gentle, and his calm and unhurried demeanor made her feel inexplicably at ease.

At this moment, she was absolutely convinced that the path her sister had shown her with her life was the best choice.

After all, the Yan Family Fortress's former glory was entirely due to the marriage alliance with the Southern Li royal family, which my sister secured at the cost of her own happiness.

Now that her sister is gone, she can no longer let her father bear everything alone.

The three of them entered the magnificent main hall of the fortress. The hall was extremely high, and dozens of moonstones were embedded in the dome, casting a soft, clear light.

Eight dragon-carved stone pillars stand on both sides, their bodies covered with mysterious runes, faintly emanating bursts of spiritual pressure.

Directly in front, on a large rosewood seat, sat a burly, imposing middle-aged man.

Yan Nantian sat upright in the main seat, his face dignified and his eyes piercing.

He had already received word that his youngest daughter, Yan Qingyao, was returning to the fort today, accompanied by two strangers.

"Qingyao!"

He spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of authority and reproach.

"Why did you sneak out again! How many times have I told you how dangerous it is outside? If something happens to you, how am I supposed to explain it to your sister?!"

After being harshly reprimanded, Yan Qingyao bit her lip and murmured softly:

"Father... I didn't run away, I went to..."

"Where are you going!" Yan Nantian waved his hand to interrupt, his gaze already passing over his daughter and landing on the two people behind her. His tone instantly turned sharp.

"Who are these two? Qingyao, you're becoming more and more ignorant of etiquette. How can you just bring outsiders into the fortress like that!"

Yan Qingyao quickly tugged at Lin Fengmian's sleeve, her eyes filled with a pleading look.

Seeing this, Lin Fengmian smiled slightly, stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Yan Nantian, and said in a manner that was neither humble nor arrogant:

"Senior Yan, I am Lin Fengmian, a disciple of the Hehuan Sect. I apologize for my intrusion in visiting you."

Yan Nantian was taken aback upon hearing this.

"Lin Fengmian? Which Lin Fengmian?"

He knew very well that the Hehuan Sect had recently produced an extraordinary prodigy named Lin Fengmian!

It is said that he single-handedly defeated the combined forces of the Heavenly Demon Sect and Yinshan Palace, showing signs of becoming the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage in Qingzhou!

Rumor has it that this person has a face like jade, is exceptionally handsome, and is the current holy son of the Hehuan Sect!

But the person in front of me... has an ordinary appearance, and although he has a calm demeanor, there is nothing particularly special about him.

Yan Nantian looked him up and down, then shook his head inwardly.

It's probably just a coincidence of names.

Why would such a remarkable person come to my Yan Family Fortress for no reason? And get involved with my daughter?

He was about to say something perfunctory when he saw the young man in the blue robe suddenly smile slightly and step forward.