160: Chapter 160: The three-month period ends; some are worried, some are gloating.

Hehuan Sect, Law Execution Platform.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the lingering resonance of the Morning Bell still echoed through the valley, but the spectator stands around the Law Execution Platform were already bustling, packed densely with people.

This was the most anticipated duel in the Hehuan Sect in nearly ten years.

Three months ago, during the Outer Sect Disciple entrance examination, Sect Master Xiao Nianyin took the unprecedented step of taking a male Disciple as a Personal Disciple and announced publicly: anyone who was dissatisfied could challenge Xu Ruyu in three months. If Xu Ruyu lost, he would lose his status as the Sect Masters Personal Disciple.

When these words were spoken, the entire Sect exploded.

After all, the Hehuan Sect had historically only accepted female Disciples; this had been the rule for thousands of years.

The Sect Master suddenly taking a male Disciple was already perplexing, let alone pushing it through against all opposition, even going as far as arguing with several Elders for his sake.

For three months, rumors about Xu Ruyu had never ceased.

Some said he was the direct descendant of some hidden expert with an incredible background, so the Sect Master had no choice but to take him.

Some said he possessed a special Physique that would benefit the Sect Master's Cultivate, which is why she made an exception.

Others said... he was just a lucky kid who used his face to bewitch the Sect Master.

But no matter which rumor it was, it couldn't change one fact—

Today was the day the Three-Month Agreement expired.

Whether he's a mule or a horse, it's time to take him out for a walk.

"There are so many people..."

On the east side of the spectator stands, Zhao Yan, carrying his signature large wine gourd, squeezed through the crowd. Looking at the dense mass of people before him, his brow furrowed deeply.

Standing beside him was Ning Caihe, still in his green robe with a long sword on his back. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of gravity in his eyes.

"Do you think Junior Brother Xu will come?" Zhao Yan took a swig of wine and asked in a low voice.

"He will," Ning Caihe replied simply and firmly.

"I think he will too," Zhao Yan nodded. "That kid looks gentle, but he's stubborn to the bone. He couldn't possibly miss a scene like this."

But he immediately sighed again:

"But what if he does come? Qi Refining against Golden Core... isn't that just seeking death?"

Ning Caihe remained silent.

How could he not know this?

Three months ago, on the Law Execution Platform, Xu Ruyu had withstood Fairy Caidie with his Qi Refinement Stage cultivation and even set up the Acetylene Great Array to incinerate ten Disciples of the Meiying Sect, which indeed stunned everyone.

But that was by relying on the power of a Formation; it was a clever trick.

Today's duel, however, was a real arena battle—a comprehensive competition of cultivation, Cultivation Technique, and combat experience.

Qi Refinement Stage against the Late Golden Core Stage...

The gap was too large.

So large it was despair-inducing.

"Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Ning."

A crisp voice came from behind them.

The two turned around to see Qingyan squeezing through the crowd to join them.

Today she wore light pink martial attire, her hair tied in a neat ponytail. The usual innocent playfulness was gone from her face, replaced by a look of worry.

"Junior Sister Qingyan," Zhao Yan nodded in greeting.

"Has Senior Brother Xu... not arrived yet?" Qingyan looked at the Law Execution Platform; it was empty.

"Not yet," Zhao Yan shook his head. "That kid, surely he isn't scared?"

"He won't be scared," Qingyan bit her lip. "Senior Brother Xu isn't that kind of person."

"I don't think he is either," Zhao Yan sighed. "But... sigh."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was clear.

Coming meant seeking death.

Not coming meant being a coward.

Either way was a dead end.

"Actually..." Qingyan suddenly lowered her voice, "My Master said that if Senior Brother Xu is truly in danger, she will step in."

Zhao Yan's eyes lit up:

"The Fifth Elder really said that?"

"Mm," Qingyan nodded, but then her face fell again. "But my Master also said she can only intervene once, and she can only guarantee Senior Brother Xu's life, not his victory, nor his continued stay in the Sect."

The light in Zhao Yan's eyes dimmed again:

"Once... is enough. As long as he doesn't die, there's always a chance."

Ning Caihe suddenly spoke:

"He's here."

The two followed his gaze and saw the crowd on the west side of the Law Execution Platform suddenly part as Leng Ningshuang, dressed in white, slowly walked onto the stage.

She was dressed very simply today, her white clothes as pure as snow and untainted by dust. Her long hair was held up only by a jade hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead and cold features.

In her hand, she held an ice-blue long sword—it was the luoyun sword replica bestowed upon her by Xiao Nianyin. Although it lacked the power of the original, it was still no ordinary item.

She walked to the center of the Law Execution Platform, stood still, and her calm gaze swept over the dense crowd below before finally landing on the empty space opposite her, a flash of coldness in her eyes.

"Look, it's Leng Ningshuang!"

"Eldest Senior Sister is here! Where's Xu Ruyu?"

"Could it be he's too scared to show up?"

"Hahahaha! A Qi Refinement Stage challenging a Late Golden Core Stage is just suicide anyway! I wouldn't come either if I were him!"

A flurry of whispers erupted in the crowd—expectancy, mockery, and gloating.

Hearing those harsh words, Qingyan's face flushed with anger. She wanted to argue back but was held by the shoulder by Zhao Yan.

"Don't be impulsive," Zhao Yan said quietly. "Words are useless now. When Junior Brother Xu arrives, let his strength do the talking."

Qingyan grit her teeth and held back.

Just then, the crowd on the east side of the Law Execution Platform also suddenly parted.

But it wasn't Xu Ruyu.

Instead... six figures slowly walked onto the stage.

They were six men, all around thirty years old, wearing various styles of clothing—some in green, some in black, some in gray.

Their appearances were different, but their temperaments were surprisingly similar—all possessed the kind of deep cultivation and sharp, hawk-like gazes that come from years of experience.

They walked onto the stage and lined up behind Leng Ningshuang.

The entire Law Execution Platform instantly fell silent.

Even the wind seemed to have stopped.

In the spectator stands, everyone's eyes widened and mouths hung open, looking at the six figures on the stage in disbelief.

"That... that is..."

Someone spoke with a trembling voice.

"It's Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Fang, Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Zhang... Haven't they been in seclusion for decades? Why... why have they come out?!"

"My god... these six Senior Brothers are all at the Late Golden Core Stage! Some have even touched the threshold of the Nascent Soul!"

"Leng Ningshuang actually invited them out?!"

"Wh-what is this for? Wasn't it supposed to be a one-on-one duel?"

The crowd erupted into a frenzy.