92: Chapter 92 Grand Competition Champion

Heavenly Sword Sect Square.

Although the sun had just risen, the square was already filled with a cacophony of voices and was exceptionally lively.

Countless Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples gathered in small groups, talking in low voices and occasionally glancing at the martial arts stage with expressions full of anticipation.

"Finally, the finals are here! I wonder who will take the championship today between Senior Brother Li Hu and Senior Brother Hu Nan?"

"Do you even need to ask? It's definitely Senior Brother Li Hu!"

"Senior Brother Li Hu's strength is immense; he has cut through all opposition to reach the finals. He will surely defeat Hu Nan with ease!"

"I don't think so. I feel Senior Brother Hu Nan is more likely to win the title!"

"Don't forget, when Senior Brother Hu Nan faced Jiang Lijuan, he defeated her in a single Move!"

"And Hu Nan was the one who defeated Lin Hao to become the Master of the Arena!"

The many Disciples chattered and argued, splitting into two factions, each holding their ground and debating until they were red in the face.

One side believed Li Hu would win the final championship of the Sect Competition.

The other side believed Hu Nan would become the champion of the Heavenly Sword Sect competition.

Of course, besides the competition itself, these people were also arguing about the rewards.

Some said the rewards from the treasure vault were the best.

Some said the foundation establishment pill reward was the best.

Others said the longsword Magical Artifact was the best reward.

And some said the Cultivation Technique was the best reward.

Just then, a crisp and loud shout suddenly came from the entrance of the square, instantly drowning out all the discussions: "Senior Brother Hu Nan is here—!"

This shout was like a clap of thunder, instantly silencing the noisy square.

All the Disciples stopped their arguments in unison and turned around abruptly, their eyes fixed on the entrance of the square, filled with astonishment, expectation, and curiosity.

At the entrance, Hu Nan was dressed in the blue robes of an Outer Sect Disciple, walking toward the arena with the black wind sword in hand.

Along the way, the originally crowded masses subconsciously backed away to both sides, quickly clearing a wide, flat path leading directly to the martial arts stage.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Hu!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Hu!"

"Senior Brother Hu, you will definitely be the champion!"

Many Disciples greeted Hu Nan, and some even asserted that Hu Nan would be the champion of this Heavenly Sword Sect competition.

The looks these Disciples gave Hu Nan were full of envy.

No one had expected that in just a few days, a previously unknown Disciple would leap to become the center of attention in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

One must know that before the Sect Competition began, Hu Nan was just the most ordinary among the many Outer Sect Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, obscure and unknown; many Disciples had never even heard the name "Hu Nan."

But after the Sect Competition started, Hu Nan was like a hidden dragon emerging from the sea, making a stunning debut.

From the preliminaries to the semi-finals, he cut through his opponents, winning every match cleanly and decisively with sharp Moves and a calm demeanor. Especially in the semi-finals, where he easily defeated the famous Outer Sect Disciple Jiang Lijuan with just one Move, thoroughly shocking the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.

Overnight, Hu Nan's name spread to every corner of the Heavenly Sword Sect, from Utility Disciples to Inner Sect Disciples, and from ordinary Elders to the Sect's high-ranking officials; everyone knew him.

Even several neighboring Sects had heard that the Heavenly Sword Sect had such a hidden Disciple who defeated a strong enemy in one Move and possessed infinite potential, leading them to send people to secretly gather information on Hu Nan.

Hu Nan walked slowly. Facing the greetings and admiring gazes of the Disciples on both sides, his expression remained calm, without a trace of pride or impulsiveness, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment.

As Hu Nan stepped onto the arena, many Disciples erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

"Strange, Senior Brother Hu Nan is here, but why haven't we seen Senior Brother Li Hu?"

"Senior Brother Li is probably delayed by something!"

"Senior Brother Li was the earliest to arrive for the past two days!"

Seeing that Li Hu had not appeared, many Heavenly Sword Sect Disciples were somewhat confused.

After all, at this time in the past, Li Hu would have already arrived on the arena.

More than an hour later, over a dozen streaks of sword light suddenly flew across the sky.

In the next instant, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, Lin Zhentian, Fairy Qingling, Elder Qingxuan, and many other Elders appeared on the high platform.

"Greetings, Sect Head! Greetings, Elders!"

Many Disciples bowed to the Sect Head and Elders on the high platform.

Xuanyangzi raised his hand slightly and spoke in a gentle tone: "Disciples, you may rise."

"Thank you, Sect Head!" the Disciples replied in unison, slowly straightening their bodies.

Xuanyangzi walked slowly to the main seat of the viewing area and sat down. The Elders also took their seats on both sides. Their gazes turned toward the sides of the martial arts stage—on one side was the already positioned Hu Nan, and on the other was the empty entrance. Their expressions held a hint of faint confusion, though they said nothing.

Xuanyangzi looked around the square and said, "Today is the final of our Heavenly Sword Sect's Outer Sect Competition!"

"I invite both finalists, Hu Nan and Li Hu!"

However, after Xuanyangzi's words fell, only Hu Nan stood on the arena.

Li Hu, however, failed to show up.

"What's going on? Why hasn't Senior Brother Li Hu come yet?"

"Yeah, the Sect Head has announced the start of the match. Why hasn't Senior Brother Li Hu appeared? Could something have happened?"

"Senior Brother Li Hu is so strong, why would he miss the finals? Could he be afraid of Senior Brother Hu Nan?"

"How could Senior Brother Li Hu be afraid of Hu Nan?"

"Could Senior Brother Li Hu have met with an accident?"

The discussion grew louder, and the Disciples' confusion deepened. The originally enthusiastic atmosphere gradually became awkward and strange.

On the high platform, the Elders' expressions also gradually became grave. They looked at each other, seeing the same confusion in each other's eyes.

They all turned to look at Sect Leader Xuanyangzi, waiting for his signal.

Xuanyangzi sat in the main seat, his face still calm, but a clear flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.

Xuanyangzi waved his hand, and soon a trusted aide quickly ran off into the distance.

A few minutes later, the aide returned to Xuanyangzi.

"Reporting to the Sect Head, your subordinate did not find Li Hu, but only found a letter in his room!" The aide handed the letter to Xuanyangzi.

A flash of surprise crossed Xuanyangzi's eyes as he took the letter, tore open the envelope, pulled out the paper inside, and slowly unfolded it.

Although there were only a few words on the paper, they clearly explained the reason for his absence from the finals.

It turned out that due to a change in his family circumstances, Li Hu had already rushed back overnight and did not plan to participate in the final competition.

He asked the Elders and Sect Head for their forgiveness.

After reading the letter, although Xuanyangzi was very puzzled, he still passed the letter to the other Elders.

The many Elders read the letter and all began to discuss it in low voices.

Looking at the Elders on the high platform, the Disciples below also became confused.

They completely didn't understand what was happening.

Why did the Elders and Sect Head need to consult?

Why had Li Hu still not appeared even now?

A moment later, Sect Leader Xuanyangzi came to the center of the square. Although his voice was not loud, it reached every corner of the square.

"Since Li Hu is absent from the finals, the champion of this competition is Hu Nan!"

"Whoosh—!"

"What's going on?"

"How could Senior Brother Li Hu be absent?"

"This is the final of the competition!"

"No need to think about it, Li Hu must be afraid of Senior Brother Hu Nan!"

"Bullshit, how could Senior Brother Li Hu be afraid of Hu Nan!"

"I think Senior Brother Li Hu has something important to deal with!"

"Senior Brother Hu Nan winning the championship is what everyone expected!"

Upon hearing Sect Leader Xuanyangzi's announcement, the crowd below instantly exploded.

Some felt Hu Nan's victory was undeserved.

Some felt it was because Li Hu was afraid of Hu Nan that he didn't come to participate.

Others felt that Hu Nan's victory was well-deserved and expected by all.