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

These words surprised everyone present.

Even Lin Fengmian was taken aback, looking at the beautiful prefect with some surprise. What was going on?

From aristocratic families to independent cultivators, everyone in Qingyang City was eager to see her make a fool of herself. Why was this prefect acting out of the ordinary and choosing sides instead?

Lin Fengmian's gaze shifted slightly as he sized up the woman before him. Her appearance wasn't the kind that could topple kingdoms, but she possessed a unique charm.

With skin as smooth as jade, clear eyes and a gentle temperament, she is like a clear spring. Just looking at her can calm the mind, dispel restlessness, and give people a very comfortable feeling.

Lin Fengmian has not yet responded.

Zhou Shan, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, opposite him, had already changed color and shouted sternly:

"Lin Peishan! Prefect Lin! What do you mean by this? With the mere military strength of your prefectural governor's office, you dare to wade into these troubled waters? Do you know the consequences?!"

Lin Peishan turned to face Zhou Shan, her official robe sleeves fluttering even without wind. Her voice was soft, yet clear and firm:

"Lord Zhenyuan, as the Prefect of Qingyang County in Fengming Kingdom, it is my duty to protect the peace of this region and uphold the law impartially. Young Master Lin is the husband personally acknowledged by Her Majesty the Empress. Both for public and private reasons, I cannot stand idly by and watch you act so presumptuously here!"

Then, she stepped forward and looked directly at Zhou Shan: "Could it be that Your Excellency intends to rebel?"

"Hahaha! What a fine example of upholding justice! What a rebellion!" Zhou Shan laughed in fury, his voice filled with sarcasm.

"The Phoenix Cry Kingdom is already in dire need of its own survival, yet you still cling to those outdated and corrupt rules. You're utterly stubborn! Since you're determined to die, then today you'll accompany this little beast on his journey!"

Seeing this, Lin Fengmian slowly spoke:

"Prefect Lin, I thank you. However, today's matter is merely a personal grudge between me and them."

His gaze swept over Zhou Shan and the Lieyang Sect members, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I, Lin, can handle this situation myself; there's no need to trouble others."

Lin Peishan said urgently, "Young Master Lin, I have already ordered someone to send an urgent message to Fengming Imperial Capital. Fengming Guards will definitely..."

Lin Fengmian waved his hand gently, interrupting her.

The Phoenix Guard? With that old fox, Grand Preceptor Ling Yuanshan, manipulating things in the palace, such news would probably be intercepted as soon as it left Qingyang City. Relying on reinforcements is less reliable than relying on our own strength.

"You guys just need to watch from the sidelines."

Having said that, Lin Fengmian said no more. With a flick of his wrist, a long whip wrapped in fine purple lightning arcs appeared in his hand.

Thunder Whip!

This whip is an ancient treasure from the spirit world that Li Cheng has kept.

Lin Fengmian devoted himself to research during this period and discovered that it contained a vast and mighty heavenly power, making it no ordinary item.

Combined with his tempered and powerful physique and pure lightning spiritual root, its power is enough to shake mountains and rivers! It is very suitable for group battles!

"Since you're all so eager to come and die—" Lin Fengmian muttered to himself, a fierce glint in his eyes, "then I'll grant your wish!"

Boom!

His aura suddenly erupted! It was no longer the fluctuation of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, but a terrifying pressure that mixed pure Yang blood and violent lightning!

The Thunder Whip seemed to come alive, its body crackling with lightning and emitting a terrifying popping sound!

"Nine Heavens Thunder Prison!!!"

Lin Fengmian let out a long roar and took the initiative to attack! His figure transformed into a blinding bolt of lightning, and he lashed out with his Thunder Whip in mid-air!

In an instant—

Centered on him, the area within a radius of several dozen feet seemed to have transformed into a thunderous inferno! Countless purple lightning bolts, as thick as a child's arm, writhed and struck in all directions like raging lightning snakes!

Wherever the lightning passed, the air was scorched and distorted, leaving behind charred grooves on the ground!

"Kill him! Kill him for me!" Zhou Shan and Elder He of the Lieyang Sect were both shocked and furious, and they gave the order in a stern voice at the same time.

The Black-Armored Mountain-Shaking Guards charged forward in formation, while the disciples of the Blazing Sun Sect also unleashed their magical treasures and cast spells.

Hundreds of attacks converged into a torrent, with flashing blades, fiery ice spikes, poisonous fog, and hidden weapons bombarding the figure in the lightning.

The Yu family members were ashen-faced, and Yu Changhe closed his eyes in despair. Lin Peishan clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white, almost unable to resist reaching out to help.

however--

The next scene, however, was unforgettable for everyone.

Sizzle! Crack! Boom!

The moment the Thunder Prison collided with the torrent of attacks, there was no earth-shattering explosion, only annihilation that swept everything away!

The purple lightning seemed to possess divine power to purify everything in the world.

Those flashing swords, flaming ice spikes, and other magical artifacts melted away like ice and snow the moment they touched the lightning, crumbling inch by inch! The magical treasures that cultivators were so proud of shattered like paper in the lightning, falling to the ground one after another!

Immediately afterwards, the thunder's momentum did not diminish, and it slammed into the crowd!

"ah--!"

"No--!"

Screams echoed throughout the room.

Wherever the lightning struck, the armor of the Black Armor Guards melted instantly, their flesh charred black; the protective flames of the Blazing Sun Sect disciples were devoured by the lightning, and they were sent flying backward, spitting out blood!

Lin Fengmian stood in the center of the Thunder Prison, his black hair dancing wildly and his robes fluttering in the wind. He held the Thunder Whip, and lightning crackled around him, making him look like a thunder god descending to earth!

Those eyes were frighteningly cold; wherever they swept over, no one dared to meet their gaze!

"This...how is this possible..."

Zhou Shan's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

His proud Mountain-Shaking Guards, his carefully cultivated elite troops, couldn't even withstand a single breath in front of this Thunder Prison!

Elder He was also pale-faced, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

He had lived most of his life and had never seen such terrifying lightning magic! This was no Foundation Establishment cultivator; this was clearly a god of death!

Yu Chan'er stood behind Lin Fengmian, looking at his tall and straight back, and at the man who looked like a god amidst the lightning. Her beautiful eyes shone with admiration, which almost overflowed.

This is the man she has chosen!

Stand tall and fearless!

Upon seeing this, Zhou Shan's eyes instantly turned bloodshot.

Those who turned to ashes in the lightning were not roadside minions, but elite disciples whom the Zhou family had painstakingly cultivated over nearly a century, sparing no effort or resources.

Every loss felt like a piece of flesh being ripped from his heart.

Those elixirs, spirit stones, cultivation techniques, and spots in secret realms; that decade-long, decades-long cultivation; those core members who could have supported the future of the Zhenyuan Marquis's mansion...

Now, they didn't even last a single exchange before being reduced to ashes amidst thunder and lightning.

His heart was bleeding, and his lungs were burning.

"You little beast—you'll pay with your life!"

Zhou Shan was filled with grief and indignation. The roar that came out of his throat was no longer a human voice, but more like a ferocious beast driven to the brink of despair.

His extreme anger and heartache made him no longer care about his status, the dignity of a marquis, or the reserve of a Golden Core Ancestor.

His immense cultivation, belonging to the half-step Nascent Soul stage, erupted without reservation.