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

The sword light was like a rainbow, its cold gleam was chilling, and it pierced straight towards Luo Jian's back!

It was Qin Lan who had been observing from the rear but ultimately couldn't hold back any longer.

As a cultivator born and raised in the Land of Desolation, Qin Lan understood better than anyone what it meant if this spiritual vein dried up.

That would be an abyss of utter despair, the last vestige of life in the entire Land of Annihilation.

At this moment, she no longer cared about concealing herself; wherever her sword pointed, she would go without hesitation!

"You thief! Stop right there!"

Luo Jian was slightly surprised. He swayed slightly and easily dodged Qin Lan's full-force sword strike.

He turned sideways, his gaze sweeping with a hint of amusement over the beautiful woman before him, whose figure was graceful and whose face was pretty.

His eyes scanned her up and down several times without any attempt to hide it, and a contemptuous smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Tsk tsk, she's not bad looking."

His tone was as if he were evaluating a piece of merchandise, utterly disrespectful, which immediately made people feel disgusted.

"But since you're so blind and insisted on barging in, then you'll stay here forever!"

Lin Fengmian stood with his hands behind his back, not surprised by Qin Lan's appearance. He had long sensed an aura following him, but it was not malicious, so he guessed that it was most likely Qin Lan, sent by the Empress to protect him secretly.

He was too lazy to point it out, treating her like a little follower and letting her do as she pleased.

At this moment, Qin Lan took off the armor she wore all year round and put on a gorgeous everyday dress, revealing her charming figure.

Her exquisite, full, and alluring curves were perfectly outlined beneath the fabric, prompting Lin Fengmian to inwardly sigh in admiration—

"This woman is absolutely amazing..."

He never imagined that beneath that cold armor lay such a devilish physique.

With a prominent bust and buttocks, and a slender waist, she possessed the perfect proportions and toned physique characteristic of someone who had practiced martial arts for many years.

That pretty face, with its blend of heroic spirit and gentle beauty, was a type that Lin Fengmian had never encountered before.

Unfortunately, the other party was already taken and married.

"Unfortunately, I, Lin Fengmian, only have the ambition to be a playboy right now, and I have no intention of becoming that traitor Cao Cao for the time being."

Lin Fengmian shook his head inwardly, but then he thought of something else.

Such a beautiful flower, yet it's stuck in Ling Yuanshan's pile of cow dung, along with those two troublesome sons.

Not long ago, they dared to speak rudely to me... So as punishment, it shouldn't be too much for me to tease their mother a little, right?

Just as his thoughts were drifting, the battle in the valley intensified.

Although Qin Lan was a seasoned veteran with rich experience, the difference in their levels of understanding was simply too great.

After just a few moves, Luo Jian completely seized the initiative on the battlefield. After a few more moves, he seized an opening in Qin Lan's defenses and struck out with a palm. Qin Lan's blood and qi surged, and she was forced to retreat violently, her long black hair flying wildly in disarray.

Her greatest concern wasn't for herself, but for Lin Fengmian's safety.

While forcing herself to stay awake, she quietly transmitted her voice to Lin Fengmian:

"Young Master Lin, you must leave quickly! Go back and report to Her Majesty the Empress! I'll hold this man off!"

Lin Fengmian looked at the figure who was clearly swaying but still refused to take a step back, and suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

"Ugh, women are such a hassle."

He has never been the kind of person who is overly compassionate. He usually doesn't bother with things that aren't his women, since the risks are too high.

But seeing Qin Lan, who was clearly no match for him, gritting her teeth and determinedly buying him time to escape, he could no longer suppress his anger.

Besides, this woman really did fit his aesthetic preferences...

"Damn it, that old man ruined my plans and even bullied my little follower!"

Lin Fengmian, his anger rising, grinned and said, "Fine, let's just consider it doing a good deed for the day and stretching our muscles while we're at it!"

He no longer hesitated.

Just as Luo Jian's thunderous strike was about to severely injure Qin Lan again, a figure in a green robe flashed out and stood between the two!

"Bang—!"

Fist and palm collided, unleashing a muffled, thunderous roar! The shockwave exploded, stirring up fallen leaves across the valley and sending pebbles flying like raindrops.

Lin Fengmian swayed and took half a step back to regain his footing, but a distinct tingling and numbness came from his right arm.

He was secretly alarmed.

"Holy crap! This old guy is a mutated lightning spirit root cultivator? And the solidity of his spiritual power, the foundation of his physical body... it's insanely solid! If he were in the outside world, he would definitely be a peerless genius who could dominate any region!"

This is getting a bit tricky.

Luo Jian was also knocked back half a step by the sudden attack. The contemptuous smile finally faded from his face, and for the first time, a look of seriousness appeared in his eyes.

He scrutinized Lin Fengmian closely. The crackling silver lightning bolts swirling around him made him look like a thunder god descended to earth.

"Boy, you're asking for death." His voice was icy cold, filled with murderous intent.

Lin Fengmian's expression remained unchanged, but in his mind, he once again raised the level of threat level of his opponent.

This old thing's aura is so powerful that I'd believe he was a Nascent Soul cultivator suppressing his cultivation level!

Moreover, within this Fallen Dragon Mountain Range, he seems to be able to actually mobilize a trace of the earth's vein power... This is a huge problem.

Faced with such a formidable enemy, Lin Fengmian was instead spurred on. His eyes sharpened, like a drawn sword!

We have no choice but to put ourselves in a do-or-die situation.

At this moment, Qin Lan, enduring her injuries, staggered to Lin Fengmian's side. Looking at his tall, straight back, her beautiful eyes held a complex mix of emotions.

There was both regret for not being able to persuade him to leave and an indescribable flutter in my heart.

"Young master... you shouldn't have come to save me." Her voice trembled slightly as she sighed softly.

To be honest, at that moment, she felt far more moved than afraid. Even if she died, she would have no regrets.

Back then, Qin Lan watched as her sister risked her life to give birth to two children before being corrupted by terrifying demonic energy and perishing in her arms.

Looking at the two crying, motherless infants, her heart ached.

In order to ensure that they could have a legitimate identity and grow up healthy and safe, she resolutely chose to marry Ling Yuanshan, the high-ranking and powerful imperial advisor, in name only.

Since then, she has severed all ties with love, locked her heart, and never allowed any man to get close to her again.

Therefore, she and the Imperial Advisor Ling Yuanshan were only husband and wife in name, but not in reality.

Over the years, she thought she had become heartless.

Until Lin Fengmian appeared, until he stood up for me, my long-dormant heart was stirred by a ripple.

He was like a blazing sun, the only man in all these years who made her feel safe and warm.

Lin Fengmian was naturally unaware of the turbulent emotions churning within Qin Lan's heart.

He had a vague feeling that the way this dashing female commander was looking at him was... a little too gentle.