From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The clamor of the dock surged in like a wave, engulfing the two of them.

Stepping into the martial arts tournament venue, the view suddenly opened up, but it also made Yan Ruyu and the male protagonist Xu feel a tightness in their hearts.

In the vast square, flags fluttered and people thronged. Disciples from various sects, dressed in distinctive costumes, came and went like a giant kaleidoscope.

In comparison, the two of them were like a drop in the ocean, insignificant and unremarkable.

The air was filled with a peculiar smell of various herbs mixed with sweat, and the clanging of weapons clashing and the clamor of the crowd mingled together, creating a deafening noise.

Yan Ruyu felt her heart beat faster, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on Xu's hand.

Xu felt the warmth from her palm, squeezed it back, and gave her a reassuring look.

On the surface, he still maintained his calm and elegant demeanor, but a hint of tension flashed deep in his eyes.

After all, his purpose in coming here was not really to compete for the title of martial arts alliance leader, but to uncover a shocking secret hidden in the martial arts world.

Just then, a loud voice boomed across the square like thunder: "Young Master Xu, your presence is truly an honor to our humble abode!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall, middle-aged man in fine clothes striding towards them. He was none other than Murong Fu, the leader of the Murong Sect.

He wore a fake smile, but his eyes gleamed with a chilling light.

"Sect Leader Murong, you're too kind," Xu replied calmly, his tone completely unfathomable.

Murong Fu walked up to the two men, his gaze lingering on Xu for a moment before he suddenly raised his voice, pointing at Xu and shouting, "Heroes, today I will reveal a shocking secret! This man, Xu, practices a heretical martial art!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Everyone turned their attention to the male lead, Xu, and whispers rose and fell.

"An evil martial arts technique?" The male protagonist frowned, puzzled.

He has never practiced any evil martial arts; Murong Fu is clearly framing him!

Yan Ruyu also sensed something was amiss. She gripped Xu's hand tightly, her gaze sweeping coldly over the surrounding crowd as she secretly devised a plan.

"Sect Leader Murong, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!" Yan Ruyu said coldly. "What evidence do you have to prove that my husband practices heretical techniques?"

Murong Fu sneered, "Evidence? Hmph! Let this old man..." Before Murong Fu could finish speaking, an old and authoritative voice interrupted him: "Wait!"

The crowd parted automatically, and a sprightly old man with white hair and beard slowly stepped out.

He was dressed in a simple gray robe, with an ancient long sword hanging at his waist; he was none other than the renowned martial arts master, Xiao Daxia.

His piercing eyes swept across the entire room, seemingly able to see right through people's hearts. An invisible pressure emanated from him, causing everyone present to involuntarily hold their breath.

Master Xiao's face was as serious as an iron plate. Every wrinkle on his deeply lined face seemed to tell the story of the vicissitudes of time and the righteousness of the martial arts world.

"Sect Leader Murong, this matter is of great importance. We cannot draw conclusions without solid evidence. Young Master Xu is a rising star with considerable reputation in the martial arts world. How can we allow you to slander him like this?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Murong Fu's face, but he quickly regained his composure and argued, "Hero Xiao, I'm only thinking about the safety of the martial arts world..."

"Safety and security? I think you're just trying to take this opportunity to eliminate your rivals!" Master Xiao interrupted him mercilessly. "I will personally investigate this matter. Before the truth comes out, no one is allowed to make wild guesses or disrupt the order of the martial arts world!"

With Xiao Daxia's decisive move, the surrounding discussions gradually subsided.

Xu, the male protagonist, and Yan Ruyu exchanged a glance and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This sudden turn of events was like riding a roller coaster—thrilling and exciting. Fortunately, with the chivalrous Xiao upholding justice, we were able to escape a calamity for the time being.

Yan Ruyu felt her palms were sweating. The tense atmosphere just now made her feel a little breathless. Now she could finally relax, take a deep breath, and feel that the air was much fresher.

The male protagonist's gaze fell on Yan Ruyu, his deep eyes filled with trust and reliance, as if to say: Don't be afraid, I'm here.

Yan Ruyu returned a firm look, her lips slightly upturned, as if to say: I believe you.

The surrounding noise seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them, their reflections shimmering in each other's eyes.

A warm current flowed between the two, as if an invisible force was supporting them and making them stand together more firmly.

"Ahem..." An untimely cough broke the warm atmosphere.

A woman dressed in a pink dress walked over; it was Miss Gongsun.

She wore a seemingly concerned smile, but her tone was sarcastic: "Young Master Xu, are you alright? Sect Leader Murong is only doing this for everyone's good..."

Miss Gongsun covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with smugness.

She glanced at Yan Ruyu, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of sarcasm: "Young Master Xu, you're always so secretive, and the martial arts you practice are so strange. No wonder Sect Leader Murong suspects you..." As she spoke, she secretly observed the male lead's reaction, secretly pleased with herself: Let's see what you do now that you've been pretending!

Yan Ruyu's face instantly darkened, like dark clouds before a storm, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

She glared at Miss Gongsun, her eyes sharp as knives, wishing she could tear her to pieces.

"Miss Gongsun, watch your mouth! I know my husband better than you do!" she said through gritted teeth, each word seemingly squeezed out from between her teeth.

Some people around, unaware of the truth, began to whisper among themselves, and their gazes toward Xu, the male protagonist, became more suspicious and wary.

Some people who were originally on good terms with Xu have also quietly distanced themselves, fearing that they might be implicated.

Suddenly, Xu, the male protagonist, seemed to become the target of everyone's criticism, isolated and helpless.

An indescribable sadness permeated the air, making it feel suffocating.

However, contrary to everyone's expectations, the male protagonist Xu did not panic and make excuses. Instead, he remained unusually calm, his deep eyes as still as an ancient well.

He glanced around, taking in everyone's reactions, and a barely perceptible smile curved his lips.

When the sect leader and others saw Xu's calm reaction, they couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

Does he really have some trump card up his sleeve?

Or is it that he simply doesn't care about these accusations?

Looking at Xu's calm and composed demeanor, Yan Ruyu was filled with admiration and respect.

She knew that the male lead, Xu, must have his own plans, and all she needed to do was silently support him.

As night fell, the martial arts tournament venue gradually quieted down.

Yan Ruyu decided to personally go to the various sects' headquarters to look for clues and prove Xu's innocence.

She quietly left the venue, her figure disappearing into the night.

A dark figure silently followed, hiding in the shadows like a venomous snake, waiting for its chance to strike.

Yan Ruyu sensed something was amiss, paused slightly, and looked around warily, but found nothing.

She took a deep breath and continued walking forward, but a vague sense of unease lingered in her heart.

"Come out!" Yan Ruyu suddenly shouted, turned around sharply, and stared intently at the shadow behind her.