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

"Young master... I can't hold on much longer."

"I just unleashed my full power in sword intent and sword formation, which drained me too much. My cultivation is only at the early Golden Core stage; a prolonged battle would surely result in defeat... I can only scare him a little."

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengmian's smile remained unchanged, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

Lin Fengmian stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm and composed, with even a faint smile on his lips.

He slightly turned his head and transmitted his voice to Xiao Ling'er, who was still nervous beside him:

"Don't worry, I've already seen through Zhao Yuanlong's true colors. He's all bark and no bite. If he really had the guts to make a move in the Phoenix Palace, he wouldn't have waited until today."

Upon hearing this, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, but he still dared not be careless, his palms already sweating profusely.

In the arena, Xiao Ling'er remained dressed in white, exuding a chilling and piercing aura.

Nine top-grade spiritual flying swords surrounded her, their tips all pointing at Zhao Yuanlong. As the cold light swirled, the sharp energy sliced ​​through the air, emitting a faint hum.

She was like a peerless divine sword drawn from its sheath, exuding a high-spirited fighting spirit, as if the previous attack was just a warm-up and she could fight another three hundred rounds.

"Palace Master Zhao, why have you stopped making moves? Do you still want to continue?"

Xiao Ling'er's voice was cold and devoid of any emotion, yet it carried an undeniable sense of oppression.

Zhao Yuanlong's expression was uncertain, his gaze shifting back and forth between Xiao Ling'er and the nine flying swords.

He was indeed unsure of Xiao Ling'er's true strength, and was even more wary of her mastery of swordsmanship, her nine top-grade flying swords, and her unpredictable sword formation.

Although he only used seven-tenths of his strength in that attack, it was still easily neutralized. This girl has such cultivation at such a young age. He would never believe that she didn't have a master guiding her.

Moreover, this is, after all, the Phoenix Palace.

His original plan was to take advantage of the Empress's seclusion to deliver a fatal blow and end the battle quickly.

But now, not only has Lin Fengmian not been captured, but he has also been delayed for so long by this little girl who suddenly appeared.

If this continues, Su Miaoyun will likely have already sensed something.

He knew of this woman's ruthless methods.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yuanlong took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the arrogance emanating from his body, as well as the anger and killing intent in his eyes.

He stared intently at Lin Fengmian, his gaze as cold and venomous as a viper, as if he wanted to etch that face into his very bones.

"Okay, you're very good."

Zhao Yuanlong spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice low and hoarse, as if squeezed out from between his teeth.

"I will spare your life today for the sake of the Empress."

"Consider yourself lucky today." He flicked his sleeves, which fluttered loudly, and turned to leave.

"Let's go!"

The members of the Lieyang Sect looked at each other, their faces filled with undisguised surprise and resentment, but none of them dared to disobey the Palace Master's order, and could only follow silently.

Zhao Yuanlong's back was as straight as a pine tree, his steps were steady, and he seemed calm and unhurried, but his clenched fists and slightly trembling knuckles revealed the humiliation and murderous intent surging in his heart.

That silhouette was filled with resentment.

Only after the Lieyang Sect group completely disappeared outside the Golden Palace did the tense atmosphere inside relax as if ice and snow were melting.

Ling Yuanshan, who was standing to the side, was already terrified.

He opened his mouth, watching Zhao Yuanlong's departing figure, his mind buzzing, completely blank.

He never expected that what he thought would be the end of Lin Fengmian—that he could eliminate this thorn in his side by using the Blazing Sun Sect Master—would turn out so unexpectedly.

This seemingly menacing Zhao Yuanlong turned out to be a coward! He was scared away by this little girl who suddenly appeared out of nowhere after only exchanging one or two moves!

Lin Yuanshan felt a shiver run through his body, and a chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

He glanced guiltily at Xiao Ling'er, who still hadn't sheathed her flying sword and whose sword aura was still imposing, and then at Lin Fengmian, who looked calm and collected as if nothing had happened. He secretly thought that something was wrong.

Zhao Yuanlong is gone, what am I going to do? Am I doomed? I've really offended this guy to death, I've practically offered my face to be trampled on!

The civil and military officials in the hall, who had just been silent and afraid of being implicated, were now in a completely different state of mind.

The fear and timidity on their faces vanished instantly, replaced by warm and sincere smiles.

In a flash, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, surrounding Lin Fengmian and showering him with praise.

"Young Master Lin is truly a dragon among men, a Red Hare among horses! He remained calm and composed in the face of great calamity, displaying both wisdom and courage. He is a role model for us all!" An elderly minister with white hair squeezed to the front, spitting as he spoke.

"This fairy is also a master of swordsmanship, undoubtedly the number one swordsman in our Phoenix Cry Kingdom! I have lived most of my life and have never seen such an amazing sword genius!" Another minister gave Xiao Ling'er a thumbs up and nodded repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry to have startled Young Master Lin. I've failed to handle things well today, and I'm truly ashamed!" A fat, middle-aged official with a large head and ears squeezed forward, his face beaming with smiles.

"It just so happens that we have a few talented female disciples in the manor. We'll send them over to you later, young master, as a way to calm your nerves and apologize!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I have some too! They're all carefully selected promising talents, and Young Master Bao is satisfied!"

"If Young Master Lin doesn't mind, I also have a pair of twin sisters in my household..."

For a time, flattery and sycophancy filled the air, a stark contrast to the cold indifference and indifference shown earlier.

Of course, there were also many upright officials in the court who stood still and watched from afar.

Some shook their heads and sighed, some looked disdainful, and some silently withdrew from the crowd.

Lin Fengmian looked at this group of guys whose expressions changed faster than flipping through a book and smiled coldly to himself.

He couldn't be bothered with these people, he simply patted Xiao Ling'er's slightly cold hand and softly transmitted his voice to her:

"My dear Ling'er, you've worked so hard. When we get back, I'll definitely reward you handsomely."

Xiao Ling'er turned her head slightly and withdrew her flying sword, somewhat annoyed.

Nine streams of light disappeared into her sleeve one after another, and the sword aura slowly subsided, the sharp and intimidating aura receding like the tide.

She regained her aloof and ethereal appearance, her eyes indifferent, as if that earth-shattering sword strike was nothing more than a casual gesture.

Upon closer inspection, her face was slightly paler than before, and her lips were also slightly pale.

The crisis appears to have been temporarily resolved.

But Lin Fengmian knew that Zhao Yuanlong would never let this go.

Just like Marquis Zhou Hanshan of Zhenyuan, he would definitely give himself a fatal blow if given the chance.

Given Zhao Yuanlong's temperament, he will surely repay today's humiliation a hundredfold in the future.