Yu Xiaogang's rare show of backbone, coupled with that desperate roar of denial, finally caused a subtle ripple in the overwhelmingly one-sided public opinion of the plaza.
The murmurs of the crowd surged once more, like a restless tide.
"Hiss… when you think about it carefully, something does feel off about this."
A Spirit Master from out of town stroked his chin, lowering his voice as he whispered to the companion beside him.
"Yu Xiaogang might be called 'Grandmaster,' but who doesn't know his Spirit has a fatal flaw? He's been stuck at level twenty-nine his whole life."
"With that kind of strength, forget assassinating Her Excellency the Supreme Pontiff—he probably couldn't even scratch a single strand of her hair, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately struck a chord with many around them.
"That's true! I was thinking the same thing!"
"Rumor has it that Her Excellency the Supreme Pontiff is already a Titled Douluo. Would Yu Xiaogang really be so suicidal?"
"This… this really does seem a little strange."
"Could it be that Spirit Hall is actually… slandering him?"
The eyes of the masses are not always sharp—
But neither are they completely blind.
When something blatantly violates the most basic common sense and logic, doubt inevitably takes root and begins to spread.
Seeing the subtle shift in public sentiment, the brows of Emperor Xue Ye furrowed slightly on the viewing platform.
Spirit Hall… this time, it seems they've pushed a little too hard.
Convicting someone on such an obviously flimsy premise was, at the very least, unconvincing.
However—
As the true orchestrator of this entire affair, Bibi Dong remained calm and composed, her expression utterly unshaken.
She didn't explain.
She didn't refute.
Her amethyst eyes merely flicked, ever so slightly, toward a certain direction behind her.
The next moment—
Two figures rose slowly from the Elder seats of Spirit Hall.
One stood with elegant posture, fingers forming a delicate orchid gesture, a feminine smile playing at the corners of his lips—
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.
The other was shrouded in shadow, his presence ghostlike, exuding a bone-chilling aura—
Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei.
Spirit Hall's legendary "public relations dream team" officially entered the stage.
Chrysanthemum Douluo took light, unhurried steps to the very front of the viewing platform. With a casual flick of his orchid-like fingers, his soft yet piercing voice instantly suppressed the din of the entire square.
"Everyone, please quiet down."
He swept his gaze across the crowd, a half-smile full of subtle mockery on his face.
"It seems some people are questioning whether Spirit Hall would fabricate charges out of thin air and frame an innocent man?"
That faintly sarcastic tone was enough.
The previously noisy plaza fell noticeably quieter.
Many people even subconsciously lowered their heads, unwilling to meet the gaze of this infamous Titled Douluo.
Then—
Ghost Douluo's deep, hoarse voice followed, like coarse sand grinding against stone.
Cold.
Emotionless.
"It is indeed true," he said flatly,
"that Yu Xiaogang is weak."
"And it is also true that he lacks the ability to harm Her Excellency the Supreme Pontiff."
Silence.
The entire venue went still.
No one had expected Ghost Douluo to admit this point so directly.
Even Yu Xiaogang, bound to the cross, felt a flash of hope ignite in his despairing eyes.
But then—
Ghost Douluo continued.
"But this does not mean—"
"That he lacked the guts."
"Nor does it mean that he did not harbor that utterly treasonous and despicable intent."
His voice suddenly rose.
Those cold eyes, sharp as poisoned blades, locked directly onto Yu Xiaogang.
"Weakness is not an excuse."
"Harboring evil intent is the reason he stands nailed to this pillar of shame today!"
The words struck like a heavy hammer, smashing into the hearts of the crowd.
Among those who had just begun to waver, expressions shifted once again.
"Hiss… when Ghost Douluo puts it that way…"
"That actually makes sense."
"That's right! Attempted murder is still wanting to kill!"
"Even if he failed, the intent itself is a crime!"
"Exactly! Weakness isn't a shield!"
At that moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice rang out once more, perfectly timed.
"Besides," he said with a light chuckle, covering his mouth, his narrow phoenix eyes brimming with unconcealed contempt.
"Everyone, think carefully."
"Yu Xiaogang is nothing more than a level twenty-nine piece of trash—someone not even qualified to serve as a Spirit Hall guard."
His tone suddenly sharpened, dripping with arrogance and scorn.
"Do we really need to go to such lengths, staging such a grand spectacle, just to frame a nobody like him?"
The words were venomous.
A classic retreat-to-advance maneuver—
And devastatingly effective.
Indeed.
Spirit Hall dominated the continent.
With their power, why would they bother fabricating lies against a level twenty-nine waste?
Why use a butcher's blade to slaughter a chicken?
It simply didn't add up.
Thus, there could be only one explanation—
Yu Xiaogang truly had done something unforgivable.
Public opinion swung back violently.
Those Spirit Masters who had just begun to doubt now looked at Yu Xiaogang with renewed contempt and fury.
"That's right! Why would Spirit Hall dirty its hands with someone like him?"
"So this 'Grandmaster' is just a hypocrite!"
Just then—
A gentle yet authoritative voice rose from the viewing platform.
"Ahem."
Ning Fengzhi slowly stood up, his demeanor calm and dignified, radiating the aura of a benevolent elder.
All eyes immediately turned toward him.
The Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ning Fengzhi gave a slight bow to the crowd, then spoke with solemn sincerity.
"To be frank with everyone," he said gravely,
"on that day, when Yu Xiaogang lost his sanity and attempted to attack Her Excellency the Supreme Pontiff…"
"This Ning—"
"Was also present."
He paused, his expression filled with restrained sorrow, as though recalling something deeply unpleasant.
"I can testify."
Boom!
Those four simple words detonated like thunder across the plaza.
The crowd exploded.
This time, the matter felt utterly settled.
On the viewing platform, Dai Tianfeng and Emperor Xue Ye's eyes widened simultaneously.
Damn it!
This old fox!
How did he react so fast?!
This was a perfect chance to show loyalty in front of the Divine Lord—and Ning Fengzhi had snatched it first!
Both emperors sprang to their feet almost at the same time, afraid that even a heartbeat's delay would make them miss the opportunity entirely.
"I can testify as well!"
"I was also there!"
They shouted almost in unison.
Then—
They glared fiercely at each other.
Dai Tianfeng's face darkened as he cursed inwardly.
Where the hell is your shame?!
When I was beating Yu Xiaogang half to death, you old bastard hadn't even left the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace!
What are you testifying with—clairvoyance?!
Yet no matter how violently Dai Tianfeng raged inside, the hundreds of thousands in the plaza knew none of these details.
All they saw was this—
After the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School,
Both emperors of Star Luo and Heaven Dou had stood up in succession, personally accusing Yu Xiaogang.
Such a lineup.
Such authority.
At this point—
How could it possibly be false?
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