170: Chapter 170 was revealed to the public, causing an uproar.

"This battle is unfair! The Sect Master is hiding something from the entire Sect!"

Leng Ningshuang's voice was like an icy blade, tearing through the air that had congealed above the Law Execution Platform.

The icy crystal shards from the shattered barrier were still slowly drifting down, reflecting the piercing morning light.

She stood in the center of that shattered light, her white clothes stained with blood, her long hair disheveled, and the tear stains on her face yet to dry. But in those ice-blue eyes, a resolution bordering on madness was burning.

The entire field was deathly silent.

So silent that one could hear the rustling of wind through the bamboo forest, the flapping wings of birds in the distance, and the "thump-thump" of everyone's racing hearts.

Then—

"Boom—!!!"

The sound of discussions, cries of surprise, questions, and angry rebukes erupted like a long-suppressed volcano!

"What?! The Sect Master is hiding something?!"

"What does Senior Sister Leng mean by that?!"

"Could there really be a hidden story behind Xu Ruyu's matter?!"

"Impossible! How could the Sect Master..."

On the east side of the spectator stands, Zhao Yan stood up abruptly.

He stared fixedly at the blood-stained figure in white on the platform, a dry voice coming from his throat: "Senior Sister Leng... she really..."

The veins on the back of Ning Caihe's hand holding his sword bulged. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Her Dao Heart is shattered, but... her heart has become clear.

I'm afraid she'll have to change her path of cultivation in the future."

Qingyan covered her mouth, not knowing what was happening.

On the west side, Su Mei, who was leaning against the railing, slowly stood up straight.

The lazy smile on her face completely vanished, replaced by a solemn scrutiny.

She looked at Leng Ningshuang standing with her sword on the platform, then at the motionless Xu Ruyu. Her red lips parted slightly as she silently mouthed two words: "Interesting."

And at a higher place—

Inside the Suspended Pavilion, the teacup in Xiao Nianyin's hand finally shattered completely.

Porcelain shards flew out with a "crack," and the scalding tea splashed onto her ice-blue Sect Master robes, spreading into a dark stain.

But she was completely oblivious, staring fixedly at the stage below, at the Disciple who had publicly shouted "The Sect Master has kept secrets."

There was no expression on that peerlessly beautiful and cold face.

But in those eyes, a killing intent surged that was enough to freeze heaven and earth.

"Leng. Ning. Shuang."

She spoke each word deliberately, her voice so low only she could hear it, yet it contained a heaven-toppling rage and... a hint of panic that even she hadn't noticed.

This Disciple, whom she had let the Sect nurture for sixty years and regarded as the sharpest blade, had actually turned against her at the most critical moment!

Not only did she turn, but she also publicly tore open the curtain that she had gone to great lengths to hide!

"Good... very good."

Xiao Nianyin slowly closed her eyes. The Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art circulated frantically within her body, transforming all the surging emotions—anger, killing intent, panic, shame—into cold calculations.

After three breaths, she opened her eyes again.

Her eyes were already cold as ice.

She raised her right hand and lightly tapped her index finger in the void.

An invisible ice-blue ripple spread out, piercing through the pavilion walls and accurately falling into the ears of the Grand Elder in front of the Law Execution Platform.

A secret voice transmission order.

Only two words:

"Activate."

In front of the Law Execution Platform, the Grand Elder's withered body trembled slightly.

He looked up at the Suspended Pavilion high above. A flash of complex emotion passed through his cloudy old eyes—helplessness, a sigh—but in the end, it returned to a state of calm.

He slowly stood up.

This movement was very slow and light, but amidst the chaotic noise of the entire field, it inexplicably attracted everyone's gaze.

Because he was the Grand Elder.

The oldest and highest-ranking Elder in the Hehuan Sect, who exercised the authority of the Sect Master when she was in seclusion or absent.

At this moment, his standing up represented the attitude of the Sect.

"Silence."

The Grand Elder spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it was like the tolling of an ancient bell, instantly suppressing the surrounding noise.

All Disciples and Elders looked at him in unison.

The Grand Elder's gaze swept across the field, finally landing on Leng Ningshuang standing with her sword on the platform, his voice calm and rippleless:

"Disciple-Niece Leng, do you know what you are saying?"

Leng Ningshuang looked up, her ice-blue eyes meeting the Grand Elder's directly, without flinching:

"This Disciple knows."

"You know?" the Grand Elder said slowly. "Slandering the Sect Master and publicly questioning the Sect's decisions—according to the Sect rules, what is the punishment?"

"Cultivation base abolished, expelled from the Sect," Leng Ningshuang answered quickly, clearly having thought through the consequences. "In severe cases... execution."

"Then why do you still say it?"

"Because what this Disciple Cultivates is 'Ice Heart Reflecting the World'." Leng Ningshuang's voice began to tremble, but it remained firm. "The Mirror Heart is shattered, but the fragments reflect the most authentic parts.

This Disciple saw the truth—this battle is unfair, and the Sect Master has something to hide.

If I die for this, this Disciple... has no regrets."

The Grand Elder fell silent.

He looked at the shattered yet bright light in her eyes, the piercing bloodstains on her white clothes, and her hand holding the sword, which trembled slightly but refused to let go.

After a long time, he said slowly:

"You say the Sect Master has something to hide. What is it?"

Leng Ningshuang took a deep breath.

She knew that once the next words were spoken, there would truly be no turning back.

But she spoke them anyway.

"The Sect Master taking Xu Ruyu as a Personal Disciple was not because she valued his talent, nor was it due to external pressure." She spoke each word deliberately, her voice spreading clearly across the field, "It was because... the Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art the Sect Master Cultivates requires a special Physique to harmonize the backlash.

Xu Ruyu's Physique happens to be the right match."

"Boom—!"

The crowd below exploded again!

"Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art? Isn't that an extremely Yang and firm Cultivation Technique?"

"Harmonizing the backlash? What does that mean? Could it be that the Sect Master..."

"Dual Cultivation?! The Sect Master and Xu Ruyu?!"

"Impossible! The Sect Master is pure and untainted, how could she..."

As Disciples of the Hehuan Sect, who among the people here wouldn't know what the so-called "the Mystic Maidens Sun-Stealing Art the Sect Master Cultivates requires a special Physique to harmonize the backlash, and Xu Ruyu's Physique happens to be the right match" meant.

It was just that this information was too shocking and world-shaking.

That pure and untainted Sect Master was actually with Xu Ruyu...

No one dared to think any further, because everyone sensed the aura of danger...