The Lingxiao Hall. Located just to the left of the Lingxiao Altar, nestled between the Qingfeng Hall and the Zilei Hall.

As Nie Kong followed the crowd in, he realized this hall dwarfed the 'Yaoxin Hall' by several times. Forget the sudden influx of over three thousand disciples from Lingyu City; even if that number doubled, the Lingxiao Hall could easily accommodate them with plenty of space to spare.

The arrival of the Lingyu City disciples transformed the formerly quiet hall into a hub of activity, like the incessant buzzing of a million bees, their combined noise echoing thunderously within the vast space.

Miao Ge’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She leaned close to Nie Kong and whispered, "Nie Kong, do you think the results of this 'Six Hall Grand Competition' won't be voided?"

At her question, Tai Ji, Ru Jie, Ye Xinlian, and the others nearby also frowned slightly. If the results of the Six Hall Grand Competition were invalidated, wouldn't all their hard work over that long period have been for nothing? If the results stood, over five hundred people had managed to hold out until the illusionary space sealed itself!

"Probably not."

Nie Kong shook his head and smiled. He also understood one thing: since he retracted the 'Xuelin Tong' and released all the spirit beasts, the competition within the illusionary space had descended into utter chaos.

The Spirit Masters positioned near the middle sections of the illusionary space, even those whose cultivation had reached the seventh or eighth stage of Spirit Fusion, were left with no choice but to use their 'Cuiwen Jade Tokens' to escape when overwhelmed by massive waves of spirit beasts.

If that final, frenzied scene hadn't occurred, their chances of passing the assessment would have been extremely high.

But regardless, the five hundred-plus people who lasted until the end were certainly strong. Otherwise, they would have been forced out of the illusionary space early on by the spirit beasts and the Inner City disciples. If this Six Hall Grand Competition assessment was deemed completely invalid, where would Lingyu City save face?

"I think so too."

Miao Ge seemed to grasp this point as well, nodding with a smile at the lead.

As they spoke, the Lingxiao Hall suddenly fell silent. Nie Kong looked up to see dozens of figures filing in through the main entrance, making their way toward the high platform at the front of the hall. Leading them was a tall, imposing elder with white hair and a youthful complexion; the black mole between his eyebrows was strikingly prominent.

In the next instant, faint murmurs returned to the hall.

"I didn't expect all six Hall Masters to be here!"

Knowing Nie Kong was somewhat less informed, Miao Ge whispered an introduction, "See that one leading the way, the one with the black mole between his brows? That’s Lord Gu Changgong, the Master of Yaoxin Hall. The tallest is Lord Yang Tian, the Master of Zilei Hall. The one in blue is Lord Liancheng, the Master of Qingfeng Hall. The one in the red robe is Lord Bao Long, the Master of Huoyun Hall. The shorter figure is Lord Houtu of Shanhun Hall, and the woman is Lord Rouyun of Shuixian Hall..."

Following Miao Ge's introductions, Nie Kong’s gaze swept over them one by one, causing a slight tremor within him. Looking only at their appearances, the six people in front showed hardly any outward sign of having cultivated spiritual energy. Yet, an aura naturally emanated from them—sometimes mighty, sometimes ethereal, sometimes ferocious, sometimes domineering, sometimes gentle—emanating from within and manifesting without, as if they were the very embodiments of various elemental spirits.

Stepping onto the high platform, Gu Changgong’s eyes, as clear and bright as stars, swept over the assembly from above. His expression was calm, but wherever his gaze passed, the crowd suddenly felt an immense pressure. The Lingyu City disciples in the hall instinctively held their breath and fell silent.

"Everyone!"

After a long pause, Gu Changgong finally spoke, his voice robust, "I have summoned you to the Lingxiao Hall to await important announcements."

Nie Kong’s heart skipped a beat. This voice had echoed several times that day. Each note had been brief, but the sheer, powerful momentum contained within the sound was still fresh in Nie Kong's memory. He hadn't expected that the one issuing orders from the Lingxiao Altar was actually the Master of Yaoxin Hall!

Listening to Gu Changgong, the more than three thousand disciples of Lingyu City secretly speculated, while a few began to feel apprehensive.

"Sha Yan. You speak." Gu Changgong commanded.

"Yes!"

A tall, gaunt figure stepped out from the crowd, moving directly to the front—it was Sha Yan, the Vice Hall Master of Yaoxin Hall. He spoke in a deep voice, "An extremely egregious incident occurred during this 'Six Hall Grand Competition.' Some Inner City disciples dared to violate the rules of the 'Six Hall Grand Competition' and attempted to murder their fellow Outer City disciples within the illusionary space. Although they ultimately failed, this was the very root cause of the chaos in this assessment. Such blatant disregard for the competition's rules cannot be tolerated. Therefore, after deliberation by the Six Hall Masters, it has been decided that these Inner City disciples shall receive severe punishment."

Sha Yan got straight to the point.

The Inner City disciples who were not involved in the incident looked composed, but the others listened with pounding hearts, their faces beginning to pale slightly.

The Outer City disciples, however, collectively gasped in shock.

After exiting the illusionary space, they had all heard reports of the melee that broke out between the spirit beasts and the Inner City disciples in the middle section. They also knew that those spirit beasts had been drawn away by a fellow disciple named Nie Kong. They had initially guessed that the cause was an Inner City disciple attempting to force Nie Kong out of the illusionary space, and when Nie Kong refused, it triggered the massive brawl that involved nearly the entire illusionary space.

Hearing Sha Yan’s words now, they suddenly understood: the root of the matter was not that the Inner City disciples were trying to force Nie Kong out, but that they intended to kill him inside the illusionary space.

For a moment, a slight cold sweat broke out on everyone’s backs. If they had been in Nie Kong's place, they would likely be dead by now. Along with their relief, their hatred for those Inner City disciples intensified. How could they be let off easily for daring to violate the competition rules in such a manner?

Nie Kong was surprised that Sha Yan brought this matter up first.

In fact, although what Luo Sheng, Xiao Yao, and the others did violated the rules of the Six Hall Grand Competition, if handled skillfully, it would have been hard to detect. Back then, if Nie Kong had died, it would have certainly prompted the higher-ups of Lingyu City to seriously consider changing the rules of the Six Hall Grand Competition, perhaps paving the way for future junior disciples.

Regrettably, after Xiao Yao’s pursuit of Nie Kong failed, the situation completely spiraled beyond what Luo Sheng and the others had originally planned. Nie Kong had drawn spirit beasts from a radius of ten miles. How could the Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters observing the event ignore such an astonishing feat?

Nie Kong guessed immediately that Xiao Yao, the first Inner City disciple he had driven away, must have been questioned by the Hall Master.

With that thought, Nie Kong glanced over toward the area where the Inner City disciples were gathered. After a brief search, he easily spotted Xiao Yao. He had changed into a white robe, but there was none of his former dashing demeanor about him now. His body was covered in bandages, and the clothes were stained in several places by blood seeping through the fabric. His expression was ghastly, as if recovering from a severe illness, and his eyes lacked any sparkle of vitality.

"Luo Sheng!"

Sha Yan’s gaze swept over the Inner City disciples, finally settling on a staggering figure at the very front, and he suddenly roared, his voice booming like thunder throughout the hall.

"Your disciple is here!"

Luo Sheng’s voice was low, and his body, still faintly emitting a strong scent of blood, was also heavily bandaged. When he stood, his legs felt weak, and his posture swayed as if he might collapse at any moment—it seemed the aftereffects of consuming the 'Yuhuo Nieyao' spiritual medicine had not fully dissipated.

Sha Yan snarled, "Luo Sheng, because your brother Luo Teng failed to harm Nie Kong and was instead killed by spirit beasts outside the city, you placed the blame on Nie Kong. Furthermore, you violated the competition rules within the illusionary space due to personal vendettas. You were the source of the great chaos in the illusionary space this time. Such confusion between right and wrong, importance and triviality—what use are you keeping in the Inner City? After deliberation by the Six Hall Masters, you are hereby demoted from an Inner City disciple to an Outer City disciple, tasked with sweeping the grounds of Lingyu City for one year. If you show genuine remorse, you may re-enter the Yaoxin Hall after one year; otherwise, you will be expelled from Lingyu City. Do you accept this?"

"I do not accept!"

Luo Sheng spat out the two words stubbornly.

Sha Yan’s face darkened, and he sneered, "Whether you accept or not is not up to you. Guards! Remove his golden badge, take off his waist token, and send him to the City Supervision Bureau. Instruct the Bureau Chief to personally escort him into the Inner City to complete the procedures. If the Vice City Lord inquires, state that this was the decision of the Six Hall Masters."

"Yes!"

Two middle-aged men flashed into existence like phantoms. They reached out and snatched the waist token and the gleam of gold inlaid on Luo Sheng's robe.

"I don't accept! Nie Kong..."

Luo Sheng turned a venomous glare toward Nie Kong behind him. With just a slight struggle, a hand slapped roughly against his head, knocking him unconscious. Then, one of the middle-aged men grabbed Luo Sheng by the neck, lifting him as if he were a chick being carried by an eagle, and quickly dragged him out of the Lingxiao Hall.

Nie Kong stood there dumbfounded, never expecting Luo Sheng to receive such a severe punishment.

Being demoted from the Outer City to the Inner City, and then expelled back to the Outer City to sweep floors for a year—it was like an ordinary person achieving staggering wealth only to become a penniless beggar shortly after. Such a drastic reversal of fortune would be unbearable for most.

After a moment of stunned silence, Nie Kong inwardly cheered, feeling immense satisfaction. No wonder Luo Sheng and Luo Teng were brothers; they both ended up failing in their attempts to harm others, only to bring ruin upon themselves. The only difference was that Luo Sheng was still alive, whereas his brother Luo Teng was already meeting his Luo family ancestors underground.

Watching Luo Sheng being dragged away like a dead dog, some Inner City disciples trembled in fear, their faces turning ashen. The Outer City disciples, especially those unfortunate ones who had been humiliated by the Inner City disciples and forced out of the illusionary space, felt nothing but extreme elation. If they hadn't been in the Lingxiao Hall, they might have burst into loud laughter. Yet, amidst their exhilaration, they felt a touch of awe toward this lightning-fast, thunderous method of enforcement.

"Xiao Yao!"

Sha Yan’s gaze suddenly shifted to Xiao Yao.

"Your disciple is here!" Xiao Yao responded with a trembling voice.

Sha Yan barked, "You were blinded by greed for a single spiritual medicine promised by Luo Sheng and were the first to violate the rules of the Six Hall Grand Competition. You, too, show no distinction between right and wrong or importance and triviality. You need not remain in the Inner City either..."

"Show mercy, please show mercy, My Lord Hall Master, Vice Hall Master..." Before Sha Yan could finish speaking, Xiao Yao threw himself onto the ground with a thud, his face streaked with tears. "Disciple was wrong, disciple was wrong! Disciple will absolutely never make such a foolish mistake again!"

Note: Second update complete. There will be another update tonight.