It was unclear whether Chu Feng's threat to Bai Xi had done the trick, or whether the Jade Maiden Sect Master's orders had taken effect. Either way, the matter between Yan Ruyu and Chu Feng truly had not leaked to anyone else — not even Li Changqing knew about it.
However, the fact that Yan Ruyu had disappeared was undeniable, and that could not be concealed. So before long, news that Yan Ruyu had left the Lingyun Sect spread far and wide.
When this information reached the public, it caused quite a stir. Everyone was speculating as to why the first disciple of the Jade Maiden Sect — who was supposed to represent her sect at the Hundred Sect Assembly — had suddenly vanished, to the point that even her own sect master had no idea where she had gone.
To outsiders, the whole affair remained a complete mystery. But within the Jade Maiden Sect, people couldn't help but connect the dots and point their fingers at Chu Feng and Yan Ruyu.
Many speculated that perhaps Yan Ruyu didn't want to accept an engagement with Chu Feng, yet didn't want to offend her sect master either, so she had simply fled and escaped the marriage in silence.
Faced with these rumors, Chu Feng had nothing he could say. In truth, the situation was far worse than any of their guesses. For now, all he could do was act as though he knew nothing, because if the real truth came out, it would be bad for him, for Yan Ruyu, and for the Jade Maiden Sect alike.
Meanwhile, the Hundred Sect Assembly had been raging on in full swing over the past few days, and finally, on this day, it was drawing to a close.
Chu Feng and Li Changqing, who had been resting for several days, at last made their first appearance at the Hundred Sect Assembly's combat arena. However, once they stepped onto the field, they were surprised to find that the results of this year's assembly had turned out to be somewhat unexpected.
Following the recent bouts, both the Strongest Sect Master and the Strongest Disciple of this Hundred Sect Assembly had been chosen. As always, both titles had been claimed by the Lingyun Sect.
The Strongest Disciple was the Lingyun Sect's second disciple, Feng Hao, who possessed a cultivation at the sixth level of the Xuan Wu Realm. His first-place finish was entirely well-deserved.
Although Feng Hao was only ranked second within the Lingyun Sect, across all of Qingzhou, apart from Dugu Aoyun, there was truly no other disciple who could match him.
However, compared to the winner of the Strongest Disciple title, the victor of the Strongest Sect Master competition was rather surprising.
It should be noted that the Lingyun Sect Master had not participated in the Strongest Sect Master contest at all — not even any elders had taken part. The one who competed was the Lingyun Sect's first disciple, Dugu Aoyun.
And looking at Dugu Aoyun standing on the Strongest Sect Master combat platform at this very moment, Chu Feng and Li Changqing realized that Dugu Aoyun had genuinely defeated the sect masters of various sects, all while being only a junior, to claim the title of this year's Strongest Sect Master.
This not only proved his personal strength, but also demonstrated the might of the Lingyun Sect — so powerful that they didn't even need sect master or elder-level figures to step in. A single disciple alone was enough to sweep through the other sects.
"Look over there — aren't those two trash bags from the Azure Dragon Sect?"
"They actually dare to show their faces? I figured after disappearing for so many days, they'd already fled in shame."
"Hmph, they're obligated to challenge Dugu Aoyun and Feng Hao now. If they don't, they'll be showered with ridicule."
"Exactly. They used their connections with Qi Fengyang to snag special slots, but now it's clear that Qi Fengyang didn't help them — he screwed them over."
When Chu Feng and Li Changqing stepped into the arena, they were met with countless disdainful gazes. Practically everyone from every sect was looking down on them, waiting to enjoy the show.
Because if Chu Feng and Li Changqing gave up their right to challenge, it would be tantamount to admitting they feared Dugu Aoyun and Feng Hao — and that they were unworthy of the special slots they had been given.