From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The night was as dark as ink, and Yan Ruyu's figure hurried along the quiet street.

Her heart was filled with determination, yet also with a hint of unease.

Wherever she went, she carefully observed her surroundings, trying to find any possible clues.

However, the road ahead seemed to be full of thorns.

She arrived at the first sect's headquarters, where the tall gate tower appeared particularly solemn and majestic under the moonlight.

The gatekeeper's face was indifferent, like an ice sculpture, and the long sword in his hand swayed gently in the night wind, making a cold metallic sound.

"Halt!" The gatekeeper's voice was cold yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "This is not a place you can just come and go as you please."

Yan Ruyu paused slightly, a feeling of anxiety and helplessness welling up inside her.

She looked up at the gatekeeper, her clear eyes shining with determination.

"I'm here to find evidence to prove Young Master Xu's innocence," Yan Ruyu said in a deep voice, her tone filled with unwavering determination.

The gatekeeper sneered, a hint of mockery in his cold gaze: "Evidence? There's nothing for you here. Get out of here, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Yan Ruyu felt a chill run down her spine, but she did not back down.

She clenched her fists, her gaze sharp, staring directly at the gatekeeper.

“You have no right to stop me. I am Young Master Xu’s lover, and it is my responsibility to clear his name.” Yan Ruyu’s words were resolute and fearless.

The gatekeeper disciples saw that she was so firm.

Yan Ruyu entered the sect, and the gate immediately slammed shut behind her with a heavy rumble.

She looked around and saw that the houses around her looked desolate and oppressive in the night.

Disciples lurked in the shadows from time to time, their eyes revealing intense hostility.

Suddenly, a dignified voice came from ahead: "Who dares to break into my territory in the dead of night?"

Yan Ruyu looked up and saw an elder in a long robe with a serious face standing not far away.

His gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into her heart.

"I am Yan Ruyu, and I have come to seek evidence to prove Young Master Xu's innocence." Yan Ruyu bowed, his tone pleading.

The elder remained unfazed and coldly replied, "Young Master Xu? He is already an enemy of the martial arts world. Our sect cannot provide him with any assistance."

Yan Ruyu was shocked, but she did not give up.

She straightened her back and looked at the elder with a firm gaze.

“I know this matter is of utmost importance, but Young Master Xu is by no means a bad person. I implore the elder to show some leniency and allow me to investigate.” Although Yan Ruyu’s voice trembled slightly, her tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

The elder frowned and said coldly, "You can investigate, but you must prove that you are qualified."

The surrounding disciples cast mocking glances at him, and several sneered, "You? Don't even dream about it!"

Yan Ruyu was burning with anger, but she did not lose her temper.

She smiled slightly, her eyes sharp, as she looked around.

"I know this is no easy task. But for Young Master Xu, I am willing to give everything," she said firmly, her voice filled with unwavering resolve.

Elder's

"Alright, I'll give you one chance. You can come in now, but if anything goes wrong, don't blame me for being ruthless." The elder's voice was cold and authoritative, yet it also carried a hint of something unpredictable.

Yan Ruyu nodded slightly, thanking the elder for his magnanimity.

She took a deep breath and stepped forward, a faint curiosity stirring within her—was the evidence she sought truly here?

Just then, a faint sound came from behind, as if someone was whispering in the dark.

"You've come..." Yan Ruyu's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes gleaming like those of a cunning little fox.

“Elder, I dare not accept such praise. The layout of this sect seems quite different from the style advocated by Sect Leader Murong. Could it be... that there is some unknown secret between your sect and Sect Leader Murong?” She winked mysteriously, as if to say, “I have seen through everything.”

The elder's previously taut face deflated instantly, like a balloon punctured by a needle.

His eyes flickered, as if Yan Ruyu had touched a sore spot. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. He could only wave his hand helplessly, "Alright, alright, go in and take a look. Don't cause any trouble."

Yan Ruyu chuckled inwardly; this old man was truly arrogant!

She rubbed her hands together excitedly, her eyes shining even brighter, as if she had seen a glittering gold mine.

"Thank you, Elder! This junior will certainly 'appreciate' it properly!" She smiled brightly, like a little fox who had stolen a chicken, and walked briskly into the depths of the sect.

Meanwhile, on the martial arts tournament stage, the atmosphere was tense and ready to fight.

Xu Mubai, dressed in white, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his eyes piercing as he stared directly at the young hero Lin in front of him.

Holding his longsword, Lin Shaoxia was arrogant and his eyes were full of provocation. "Young Master Xu, I think you'd better admit defeat sooner rather than later, lest you lose too badly!"

Xu Mubai snorted disdainfully. His power did not come from himself, but from the figure below the stage who haunted his dreams.

He saw Yan Ruyu in the distance, and he knew that she must be working hard for him. He couldn't let her down.

The audience below the stage craned their necks, eager to see just how powerful this slandered Young Master Xu really was.

They also wanted to see what kind of surprise this young couple would bring them!

Just then, a clear but slightly sarcastic voice entered Xu Mubai's ears, "Young Master Xu, don't expect your little lover to find any evidence. She might be too busy taking care of herself right now."

Xu Mubai frowned, slowly turned around, looked in the direction from which the sound came, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

Miss Gongsun covered her mouth and chuckled, but her eyes and brows revealed an undisguised malice, like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish, beaming with pride.

"Young Master Xu, your little mistress is probably in dire straits herself. You still expect her to find evidence? You're dreaming!" She deliberately raised her voice so that everyone around could hear.

Xu Mubai paused slightly, his knuckles turning white from the force of his clenched fist.

Gongsun's words were like a tiny poison needle, piercing his heart and bringing a sharp pain.

He tried to maintain a calm expression, but a barely perceptible wavering flickered deep in his eyes.

The whispers around him surged like a tide, and the suspicious and mocking gazes scraped across his face like knives, making him feel suffocated.

However, Xu Mubai regained his composure in just a moment.

A confident smile curved his lips as he strode confidently toward the arena, seemingly unaffected by Miss Gongsun's presence.

This sudden reversal froze Gongsun's smile on her face.

Yan Ruyu watched Xu Mubai from afar.

Inside the sect's headquarters, Yan Ruyu held her breath and carefully flipped through the letters in her hands.

These letters, though illegible and cryptic, reveal a startling secret—Sect Leader Murong seems to be colluding with a mysterious organization in the martial arts world.

Yan Ruyu's heart suddenly raced; she realized she might have discovered something incredible.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by, and the letter in my hand vanished.

Yan Ruyu turned around abruptly, but only saw a blurry black figure disappear into the night.

Her heart tightened, and a chill ran from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Anger, tension, fear and other emotions intertwined, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

"Who?!" Yan Ruyu shouted sharply, her voice echoing in the empty room.