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

"Ling'er, I've truly not spoiled you for nothing!"

He reached out and patted Xiao Ling'er's shoulder, his eyes crinkling with a smile:

"Come on! I'll take you to see that old scoundrel!"

"Come with me to the Golden Palace to redeem ourselves and see if this newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator can withstand a single sword strike from my Ling'er, the Sword Immortal!"

Xiao Ling'er stood there expressionless, letting the large hand pat her shoulder. Her eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly regained her aloof and unapproachable demeanor.

However, the corners of her mouth seemed to curve upwards very subtly before quickly flattening themselves again.

Yu Chan'er, who was standing to the side, saw all of this.

She watched Lin Fengmian's excited and joyful expression, his bright eyes fixed on Xiao Ling'er.

Looking at Xiao Ling'er, so aloof and ethereal, as if she were born to stand beside the young master—

A sudden pang of sadness welled up in Yu Chan'er's heart.

She bit her lip, her slender fingers clenching gently inside her sleeve.

Yes... Sister Ling'er has an innate sword body and her sword aura is fully developed. She can help the young master when he needs her most, protect him, and accompany him to face the Nascent Soul cultivator.

and I?

I am just an ordinary maid with mediocre talent. If it weren't for the young master's kindness in taking me in, I would probably still be struggling in the mire.

Yu Chan'er lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, but a stubborn flame ignited in her clear eyes.

Yu Chan'er, you have to keep going!

She said it to herself in a soft but firm voice.

Only by diligently cultivating can I be worthy of the young master, and only then can I stand in front of him and protect him like Sister Ling'er when he is in danger.

She clenched her fists tightly, transforming her disappointment and bitterness into a deeper resolve.

Xiao Ling'er, however, seemed completely unaware of all of this.

She remained standing with her hands behind her back, her expression aloof, yet she did not exude any pressure—only a very faint sword chime emanated from her body.

The sound was clear and melodious, like a secluded mountain stream or a sword's cry echoing from the heavens.

Immediately afterwards, an incomparably sharp sword intent silently spread out.

Although it did not erupt, the mere presence of that faint aura caused the air within a radius of several feet to stagnate slightly, as if an invisible sword was hidden in every inch of space.

"Walk!"

Lin Fengmian strode forward, pulling Xiao Ling'er along as they headed towards the Golden Palace.

He strode with great strides, full of vigor, as if he were not going to a treacherous banquet, but to a grand triumphant return.

Yu Chan'er looked at that tall and straight figure, bit her lip, and finally hurried after him.

Outside the Golden Palace.

Dozens of armored soldiers stood solemnly, their iron armor gleaming, their swords drawn, as if facing a formidable enemy.

But when Lin Fengmian strode over, the armored soldiers exchanged glances, and not one of them dared to step forward to stop him.

When their gazes swept over the white-clad figure beside Lin Fengmian, they felt a chill run from their tailbone straight to the top of their heads, as if looking at him any longer would result in their throats being slashed by invisible sword energy.

The armored soldiers silently stepped aside, making way for them.

Lin Fengmian hummed a little tune and swaggered into the Golden Palace.

The moment the palace doors were pushed open—

The once noisy and whispering Golden Palace instantly fell silent.

As if by prior arrangement, all eyes turned towards the doorway.

Those gazes first fell on Lin Fengmian, their expressions varied—some were astonished, some sneered, and some had complex emotions in their eyes, never expecting that Lin Fengmian would actually have the courage to attend this treacherous banquet.

Some people think this kid might have drunk too much fake alcohol and is being arrogant and reckless, looking for trouble. This is going to be quite a show.

But soon—

More eyes, as if drawn by a magnet, were fixed on the white-clad figure beside Lin Fengmian, unable to look away even a fraction.

Xiao Ling'er was dressed in snow-white robes, her black hair cascading down her back, her face breathtakingly beautiful. Her features were exquisitely refined, as if she were one of the most perfect creations of heaven.

Yet, his eyes and brows revealed a coldness and aloofness that had remained unchanged for a thousand years.

She stood quietly half a step behind Lin Fengmian, without deliberately releasing any pressure.

Yet it seemed to possess an invisible aura that kept everyone at bay.

It was a pure and sharp beauty of a sword immortal.

In stark contrast to Empress Su Miaoyun's noble, graceful, and regal beauty, if the Empress is a phoenix soaring above the heavens...

Looking down upon all living beings, Xiao Ling'er is like an unsheathed sword on a towering, solitary peak, its sharpness concealed, yet capable of severing everything at any moment.

She was surrounded by a cold sword intent that kept strangers at bay, and her expression was so indifferent that it was as if the kings, generals, cultivators and powerful figures in the entire Golden Palace were nothing more than dust and grass in her eyes.

But it is precisely because of this that one is drawn closer, wanting to see what kind of scenery lies hidden beneath that cool and aloof facade.

So beautiful.

So ethereal.

Inside the main hall, countless cultivators held their breath at this moment, their Adam's apples bobbing up and down, yet they couldn't utter a single word.

Even Zhao Yuanlong, who was sitting upright in the guest seat with murderous intent, couldn't help but slightly shrink his pupils the moment Xiao Ling'er stepped into the palace.

A hint of undisguised amazement flashed in his eyes—

Then came a deeper, more intense greed!

"This woman... actually possesses a special sword physique?!"

As a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhao Yuanlong had sharp eyes and, with a quick scan of his divine sense, immediately noticed something amiss.

His heart suddenly burned with passion, and even his breathing became slightly rapid:

"Innate Sword Body... such a top-grade cauldron, if we could capture her, we could use the secret techniques of my Blazing Sun Sect to replenish her primordial yin and innate spiritual essence."

"Draw upon her pure and profound understanding of swordsmanship..."

"My Nascent Soul foundation will be incredibly solid, and I might even be able to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage within a hundred years!"

"Such good fortune is truly a gift from heaven!"

His gaze lingered greedily on Xiao Ling'er for a moment, then swept coldly over Lin Fengmian.

He's just a gigolo who climbed the social ladder by relying on women. What makes him think he can possess such a top-grade cauldron?

What a waste! It's an absolute waste!

Zhao Yuanlong's killing intent intensified, but a new layer of calculation emerged—this woman possessed terrifying talent; if she couldn't be used by him, she would surely become a major threat. And since she had a close relationship with Lin Fengmian, today was the perfect opportunity to take her down as well!

Lin Fengmian took in the reactions of everyone in the hall.

In particular, Zhao Yuanlong's disgustingly greedy gaze made him sneer inwardly.

They really aren't afraid of death.

His face still wore that nonchalant smile, as if he were just visiting a relative. He casually cupped his hands in greeting to the Imperial Advisor Ling Yuanshan below the throne, his tone as relaxed as if he were chatting about everyday matters.