"It's my turn to perform!!"
Miss Dongfang got into character in a second, her face full of pain. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't suggested that the Saintess ambush the God of War Hall, she wouldn't have ended up in this desperate situation."
"This isn't your fault!"
Lingxiao Saintess didn't make a scene. Instead, she said calmly, "At the time, my Lingxiao Palace was already completely on the defensive, and your suggestion really could turn the tables. That's why I decided to take the risk. We thought of everything, but failed to account for the wild card that was Yi Tianji. This situation has merely brought the inevitable outcome forward."
"Saintess!!"
Drawing on her memories and Fang Chang's unrequited love, Miss Dongfang threw herself into the Saintess's arms and began to weep sorrowfully.
Tears streamed from her eyes. She looked like a pear blossom drenched in rain, so pitiful and fragile that it seemed as though endless pain had swallowed her whole.
"Saintess!"
The Lingxiao Palace disciples around them began to sob, too. They felt the sorrow of heroes brought low.
"Don't cry!"
Lingxiao Saintess no longer had the vicious aura of a wicked mother-in-law. She stroked Miss Dongfang's little head and spoke gently. "I've made it this far thanks to your ability to anticipate the enemy. I'll go out and draw Long Aotian away. You take the others and escape quickly. Long Aotian is after me, so he probably won't make things too difficult for you."
"Saintess, we won't leave!"
The Lingxiao Palace disciples immediately pledged their loyalty, hurrying forward to kneel before Lingxiao Saintess.
"Don't say such discouraging things. We still have a chance to return to the North Region."
Miss Dongfang lifted her head reluctantly, tears glistening in her eyes like a stubborn little white flower.