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

Just as this delicate atmosphere was quietly building up like spider silk, a furious shout suddenly rang out outside the palace.

"Yu Chan'er! Get out here right now!"

The group was arrogant and disregarded court etiquette, barging directly into Lin Fengmian's bedroom.

The leader was in his early thirties, dressed in brocade robes and wearing a jade crown. His face, which was originally quite handsome, was now twisted into a slightly ferocious expression by his rage. His aura was powerful and surging, indicating that he had already reached the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

Behind him followed several attendants, also dressed in official robes and exuding a powerful aura, each with an unfriendly expression.

This man was none other than Zhou Ye, the General Who Guards the Distant Lands of Fengming Kingdom. The Zhou family had deep roots and flourished in Fengming Kingdom, and they were important military officials.

Zhou Ye himself is exceptionally talented. Taking advantage of the recent resurgence of spiritual energy, he broke through to the Golden Core realm in one fell swoop. He is currently enjoying great popularity and considers himself a leader among the younger generation.

Zhou Ye immediately spotted Lin Fengmian and Yu Chan'er in the room, their posture intimate. Yu Chan'er's exquisite beauty, especially after her elaborate makeup, was like a poisoned dagger piercing his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he pointed at Yu Chan'er, his voice hoarse as if tearing silk:

"Yu Chan'er! You're really here! We were betrothed long ago, you promised to be my Daoist partner, yet now you've stooped so low, consorting with this lecherous scoundrel who's wreaking havoc on the harem! Where do you place me, Zhou Ye?! Where do you place the reputation of the Zhou family?!"

Lin Fengmian was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and his brows furrowed slightly—he was unaware that Yu Chan'er was carrying such an old grudge.

Yu Chan'er's pretty face changed drastically, but she quickly regained her composure, her tone as resolute as a blade:

"General Zhou, I have already made it clear to you that there is absolutely no possibility between us. That marriage agreement was merely a one-sided arrangement by your Zhou family; I never agreed to it!"

"You introduced me to the palace to cultivate, and I have already repaid that kindness with a family-inherited cultivation technique. The debts are settled, and I owe you nothing more!"

Now that His Majesty has personally bestowed me upon you as a concubine, Chan'er will obey your every command for the rest of her life. Please have some self-respect and stop pestering me!

"A gift from His Majesty? Guidance in cultivation? Ha!"

Zhou Ye laughed in exasperation, his laughter filled with almost manic rage. He suddenly turned his attention to Lin Fengmian, his eyes surging with murderous intent like a tidal wave.

"Impossible! How could His Majesty be so muddleheaded?!"

"Lin Fengmian! You despicable scoundrel who relies on the Empress's favor to wreak havoc in the palace! Are you only good at cowering behind women's skirts? Do you dare to act like a real man and fight me to the death?!"

Lin Fengmian touched the tip of his nose, speechless.

How come I keep running into these kinds of aggrieved people wherever I go? It's like stepping in dog poop and I can't get rid of it.

Sure enough, a beautiful woman like Yu Chan'er, with both talent and looks and a bright future, is destined to be surrounded by many suitors.

This week, it's obvious he's after her looks and talent, wanting to possess her and gain her support. I just happen to be in his way.

Alas, karma is inescapable.

Upon hearing this, Yu Chan'er became extremely anxious, grabbed Lin Fengmian's sleeve, and said urgently:

"Young Master, you mustn't! Zhou Ye has already reached the Golden Core stage, and his 'Blazing Sun Battle Technique' is fierce and domineering, extremely brutal in actual combat! This man is narrow-minded and cunning, constantly using the favor of my past introduction to manipulate me. I have already privately given him many resources as compensation, but he is insatiable... repeatedly threatening me!"

Lin Fengmian gently patted the back of her hand. The slight coolness from her fingertips softened his heart, signaling her to relax.

He slowly raised his gaze, landing on Zhou Ye, who exuded an imposing aura and seemed to have victory firmly in his grasp. A faint, almost contemptuous smile slowly curved the corners of his lips.

"A fight to the death? Sure."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning cold, like a blade tempered with frost:

"However—you trespassed into the forbidden area of ​​the inner palace, disturbing my peaceful cultivation, and now you're barking wildly here... Why bother waiting until tomorrow?"

Zhou was taken aback, clearly not expecting Lin Fengmian to not only accept the challenge readily but also dare to launch the first attack!

"Why don't we do it now?"

Lin Fengmian took a step forward, and the air in the palace seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand, even the light dimmed.

"I'm not in a good mood today—your voice is too loud, it's disturbing me."

"Arrogant!"

Zhou Ye flew into a rage, and the spiritual pressure of the early Golden Core stage exploded like a volcanic eruption, with faint phantoms of blazing flames rising and swirling around his body.

"Since you're in such a hurry to be reborn, this general will grant your wish—"

Before he could finish speaking...

Lin Fengmian's figure had vanished from the spot.

There were no flashy lights, no complicated initiation techniques. Only a figure so fast it was almost a blur, and a deep, rumbling sound like thunder cutting through the sky!

The Great Sun Pagoda Manual, Physical Body Chapter: Mastery Realm, Full Power Activation!

Fivefold Mountain-Crushing Force!

All of this is hidden in this simple, straightforward straight punch!

Zhou Ye's pupils contracted sharply, his hair stood on end, and a deadly chill shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

He instinctively activated his protective spiritual light and hastily thrust out a palm strike.

"Blazing Sun Palm!"

In the blink of an eye, a beam of crimson flame hurtled towards Lin Fengmian.

however--

"Snap!!!"

A sickeningly sharp crack of bone breaking was accompanied by the ear-piercing sound of the protective aura shattering like broken glass!

Lin Fengmian's fist instantly pierced through Zhou Ye's fist with overwhelming force, and then, with its power undiminished, it landed squarely in the center of Zhou Ye's chest!

In that instant, time seemed to be stretched into an infinitely long thread.

The ferocity, anger, and horror on Zhou Ye's face flashed by in a very short moment, finally solidifying into a deathly blankness.

A terrifying, destructive force pierced through his body—he clearly heard the crisp sound of his sternum shattering inch by inch, and heard the mournful cry of his golden core on the verge of breaking.

"No... I am a Golden Core cultivator..."

He lowered his head, his eyes unfocused, as if he could never understand what had happened, even in death.

"puff--"

A thick mist of blood gushed from his mouth, blooming into a poignant red flower in the air.

He was sent flying as if he had been struck head-on by an ancient savage elephant, hurtling backwards and crashing heavily into the artificial rock wall in the distance.

Stone chips flew everywhere, the human figure was dented, and then there was no sound.

The entire harem area fell into an eerie silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhou Ye's entourage stood frozen in place, their faces ashen, their eyes filled with pure terror.

The palace maids, guards, and even the cultivators who sensed the commotion from afar were all dumbfounded, their minds blank.

One punch?

Just one punch?!

General Zhou Ye, known among the younger generation for his fearsome reputation and formidable fighting prowess—

He was just blasted to death on the spot by Lin Fengmian's casual punch?!

Isn't Lin Fengmian just a pretty boy who got lucky and was favored by the Empress? How could he have such strong strength?