A Battle to Settle Grudges

Cai Lin wore a dark red fitted outfit, her figure tall and slender. She looked at no one, merely idly toying with a small silver token at her waist. Her golden eyes occasionally lifted to sweep across the martial arena before lazily lowering again.

She did not deliberately release any pressure, yet the aloofness and power she exuded invisibly made the patriarchs of several nearby families unconsciously straighten in their seats, not daring to sit too close.

Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin sat somewhat farther back. Both were a little reserved, their gazes moving over the unfamiliar platform and crowd.

Lu Heng was not seated among the spectators.

He stood on a slightly protruding stone platform at the edge of the martial arena, his hands clasped behind his back as his gray-white robe stirred gently in the wind.

His gaze rested calmly on the mountain path shrouded in clouds and mist, as though he had merely come to enjoy the scenery.

Time passed bit by bit.

As the sun climbed higher, the discussions around the martial arena gradually faded, replaced by a breathless silence of anticipation.

Everyone's eyes turned toward the long stone staircase leading to the mountaintop.

Jia Xing Tian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Nalan Jie's fingers, resting on his knee, tapped once lightly.

Yun Shan sat in the sect master's seat with an unchanged expression. Only the fingers holding his teacup tightened slightly.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

The mountain wind swept through the martial arena with a mournful howl.

Just then, a figure appeared at the stone staircase.

The newcomer was very young, dressed in coarse cloth that made him seem somewhat slight.

His footsteps were steady as he climbed the long stone stairs one step at a time.

The mountain wind fluttered his robes