The Heavenly Sword Sect Plaza.
Although it was just dawn, the plaza was already bustling with activity.
Countless disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes frequently glancing towards the dueling arena, their expressions filled with anticipation.
"Finally, the finals are here! I wonder who will win the championship today, Senior Brother Li Hu or Senior Brother Hu Nan?"
"Isn't it obvious? It'll definitely be Senior Brother Li Hu!"
"Senior Brother Li Hu is incredibly strong. He fought his way through all the challenges to reach the finals; he'll definitely defeat Hu Nan easily!"
"I don't think so. I think Senior Brother Hu Nan has a better chance of winning!"
"Don't forget, when Senior Brother Hu Nan fought Senior Sister Jiang Lijuan before, he defeated her in a single move!"
"And Hu Nan defeated Lin Hao to become the champion of the arena!"
The disciples discussed amongst themselves, dividing into two factions, each holding their own opinion, arguing heatedly.
One faction believed Li Hu would win the final competition.
Another faction believed Hu Nan would win the Heavenly Sword Sect competition.
Of course, besides the competition itself, they were also arguing about the rewards.
Some said the rewards in the treasure vault were the best.
Some said the Foundation Establishment Pill was the best reward.
Others said the magic weapon longsword was the best reward.
And still others said the cultivation technique was the best reward.
Just then, a clear and loud shout suddenly came from the entrance of the plaza, instantly drowning out all the discussions: "Senior Brother Hu Nan is here—!"
This shout, like a thunderclap, instantly silenced the noisy plaza.
All the disciples stopped arguing at the same time, turned around abruptly, and turned their gazes toward the plaza entrance, their eyes filled with astonishment, anticipation, and curiosity.
At the entrance, Hu Nan, dressed in the blue outer disciple's robes, walked toward the arena, wielding the Black Wind Sword.
Along the way, the previously crowded throng instinctively parted to the sides, quickly clearing a wide, flat path leading directly to the dueling arena.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Hu!"
"Greetings, Senior Brother Hu!"
"Senior Brother Hu, you're sure to be the champion!"
Many disciples greeted Hu Nan, some even predicting he would be the champion of this Heavenly Sword Sect Grand Competition.
The disciples looked at Hu Nan with envy.
No one had expected that in just a few days, a previously nameless disciple would become the focus of everyone's attention in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Before the sect competition began, Hu Nan was just an ordinary outer disciple among the many disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, unknown and unnoticed; many disciples had never even heard of the name "Hu Nan."
But after the sect competition began, Hu Nan emerged like a dragon from the sea, astonishing everyone with his sudden fame.
From the preliminary rounds to the semi-finals, he fought his way through, each match clean and decisive, his moves sharp and his expression calm. Especially in the semi-finals, he easily defeated the renowned outer disciple Jiang Lijuan with a single move, utterly shocking the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.
Overnight, Hu Nan's name spread to every corner of the Heavenly Sword Sect. From menial disciples to inner disciples, from ordinary elders to high-ranking members, everyone knew him.
Even neighboring sects had heard of the Heavenly Sword Sect's hidden disciple, who had defeated a powerful enemy in a single move, possessing boundless potential. They all secretly sent people to inquire about Hu Nan.
Hu Nan walked slowly forward, his expression remaining calm despite the greetings and admiring gazes of the disciples on either side. He showed no arrogance or impetuosity, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
As Hu Nan stepped onto the arena, the disciples erupted in enthusiastic cheers.
"Strange, Senior Brother Hu Nan is here, but where is Senior Brother Li Hu?"
"Senior Brother Li, something must have delayed him!"
"Senior Brother Li, he was the first to arrive the last two days!"
Seeing that Li Hu hadn't appeared, many Heavenly Sword Sect disciples were also puzzled.
After all, at this time on ordinary days, Li Hu would have already arrived on the arena.
Half an hour later, more than ten sword lights suddenly flew through the sky.
In the next instant, Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi, Lin Zhentian, Fairy Qingling, Elder Qingxuan, and many other elders appeared on the high platform.
"Greetings, Sect Leader! Greetings, Elders!"
The disciples bowed respectfully to the Sect Leader and elders on the platform.
Xuan Yangzi slightly raised his hand, his voice gentle: "Disciples, no need for formalities."
"Thank you, Sect Leader!" the disciples responded in unison, slowly straightening up.
Xuan Yangzi walked slowly to the main seat in the viewing area and sat down. The elders also took their seats on either side, their gazes all fixed on either side of the arena. On one side was Hu Nan, already seated, and on the other, the empty entrance. Their expressions held a hint of doubt, but they remained silent.
Xuan Yangzi glanced around the plaza and announced, "Today is the final match of the Heavenly Sword Sect's outer sect competition!"
"Please welcome the finalists, Hu Nan and Li Hu!"
However, only Hu Nan stood on the arena after Xuan Yangzi's words.
Li Hu, however, remained absent.
"What's going on? Why hasn't Senior Brother Li Hu arrived yet?"
"Yes, the sect leader has already announced the start of the competition, why hasn't Senior Brother Li Hu shown up? Has something happened?"
"Senior Brother Li Hu is so strong, why is he absent from the final? Is he afraid of Senior Brother Hu Nan?"
"Why would Senior Brother Li Hu be afraid of Hu Nan?"
"Could something have happened to Senior Brother Li Hu?"
The discussions grew louder, and the disciples' doubts deepened. The originally enthusiastic atmosphere gradually became somewhat awkward and strange.
On the high platform, the elders' expressions also gradually became solemn. They exchanged glances, all seeing doubt in each other's eyes.
They all turned to look at Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi, awaiting his signal.
Xuan Yangzi sat upright in the main seat, his face still calm, but a clear hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Xuan Yangzi waved his hand, and soon a trusted aide quickly ran off into the distance.
A few minutes later, the aide returned to Xuan Yangzi.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, I couldn't find Li Hu, only a letter in his room!" the aide handed to Xuan Yangzi.
A flicker of surprise crossed Xuan Yangzi's eyes. He then took the letter, tore open the envelope, and slowly unfolded the letter inside.
The letter contained only a few words, but it clearly explained the reason for his absence from the finals.
It turned out that Li Hu had rushed back overnight due to a family emergency and did not intend to participate in the final competition.
He asked for the elders' and sect leader's forgiveness.
After reading the letter, Xuan Yangzi, though puzzled, still passed it on to the elders.
The elders, after reading the letter, all began to whisper among themselves.
Looking at the elders on the platform, the disciples below were also puzzled.
They were completely confused about what had happened.
Why were the elders and sect leader discussing this?
Why hadn't Li Hu appeared yet?
A moment later, Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi arrived at the center of the plaza. Although his voice was not loud, it carried throughout the entire plaza.
"Due to Li Hu's absence from the finals, the champion of this competition is Hu Nan!"
"Whoa—!"
"What's going on?"
"Why is Senior Brother Li Hu absent?"
"This is the finals of the competition!"
"No need to think, Li Hu must be afraid of Senior Brother Hu Nan!"
"You're talking nonsense! How could Senior Brother Li Hu be afraid of Hu Nan!"
"I think Senior Brother Li Hu has something important to attend to!"
"Senior Brother Hu Nan's victory is what everyone expects!"
Upon hearing the sect leader Xuan Yangzi's announcement, the audience erupted in chaos.
Some felt Hu Nan's victory was unfair.
Some thought Li Hu was afraid of Hu Nan and therefore didn't participate in the competition.
Others felt Hu Nan's victory was what everyone expected.