From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The blood-red "eye" mark stretched all the way, eventually leading Yan Ruyu and Xu Mubai to a secluded valley.

Before you even get close, a chilling aura hits you, as if the air itself has frozen.

Ancient trees towered into the valley, blocking out the sun. Only a few pale moonlight pierced through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled light spots on the ground like ghostly eyes, sending chills down one's spine.

"Something feels off here." Yan Ruyu couldn't help but shiver and subconsciously tightened her grip on Xu Mubai's hand.

Xu Mubai took her hand in return, offering her silent comfort.

His sharp gaze swept across his surroundings, his brows furrowed, and his handsome face filled with vigilance.

As the saying goes, something unusual must be a sign of trouble. The eerie atmosphere permeating the valley filled him with a strong sense of unease.

Suddenly, a strong wind swept in from all directions, rustling the leaves like the howling of ghosts and wolves.

Immediately afterwards, a group of men in black descended from the sky and surrounded the two.

They were all masked, revealing only a pair of cold eyes, and their hands held sharp blades that gleamed with a chilling light; it was clear at a glance that they were up to no good.

"Looks like we're surrounded." Yan Ruyu sneered, her eyes showing no fear, but rather a burning desire for battle. "Let me see just who these guys are!"

Without wasting words, the man in black launched an attack.

The air was thick with the glint of swords and the chilling aura of the blades; every move was deadly.

Xu Mubai shielded Yan Ruyu behind him, his long sword flashing so fast it was impenetrable, blocking all the attacks.

He was light and agile, his movements swift, like a dragon playing with a phoenix.

Yan Ruyu was not to be outdone. She moved nimbly among the men in black, her dagger like the forked tongue of a venomous snake, each strike precise and impossible to defend against.

The fierce fighting made the atmosphere in the valley even more tense. Trees were broken by the sword energy, leaves fell and dust rose on the ground, obscuring the view.

"Heh, this is interesting." Yan Ruyu's lips curled into a cold smile, a sly glint in her eyes. "Looks like I'll have to show you some real skills!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly exuded a powerful aura, like a sleeping beast finally awakening.

Suddenly, her eyes turned a dazzling gold, and she was surrounded by golden light, like a goddess descending to earth, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at her.

Yan Ruyu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a wicked smile: "It's time to show you what a 'true queen's arrival' really means!"

She quickly formed hand seals and chanted incantations. A powerful energy erupted from her body, forming a golden shockwave that spread outwards.

Caught off guard, the man in black was blasted away by the powerful energy, crashing heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string, letting out screams of agony.

"Ahhh! What the hell is this!?"

"My eyes! I can't see!"

"Run! This woman is a monster!"

The men in black were terrified and fled the valley in disarray, abandoning their armor and weapons, leaving behind only a scene of carnage and wailing, a veritable hell on earth.

Seeing this, Xu Mubai was stunned. His eyes were filled with shock and surprise, as if he were meeting Yan Ruyu for the first time.

He had never seen her with such power, nor had he ever seen her with such domineering presence.

"Yu'er, you..." he couldn't help but speak, his voice trembling slightly.

Yan Ruyu withdrew her skill, and the golden light gradually dissipated. She turned to look at Xu Mubai, her eyes full of smiles: "How was it? Weren't you amazed by me?"

Xu Mubai strode up to her, pulled her into a tight embrace, his eyes filled with worry and affection: "Yu'er, you scared me to death! Are you alright?"

Yan Ruyu leaned against his chest, feeling his warm embrace, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

She gently patted his back and said softly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

The valley returned to calm, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the sound of their heartbeats.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from afar...

The footsteps approached from afar, carrying a hint of ill intent.

Then, Miss Gongsun, dressed in a gorgeous dress, walked out with a smug smile on her face, like a venomous snake that had finally found a weakness.

A group of people followed behind her, each with an expression of anticipation, as if they were looking forward to a spectacular farce.

"Oh, isn't this our glamorous Miss Yan? What, you've already colluded with some mysterious force so quickly?" Gongsun's sharp, sarcastic voice shattered the brief tranquility of the valley.

Yan Ruyu frowned, her eyes burning with anger, but even more so with helplessness.

She knew that this woman was definitely here to cause trouble again; she was like a persistent ghost.

Xu Mubai also looked displeased. He held Yan Ruyu's hand tightly, seemingly suppressing his anger.

People around them began to gossip. They were misled by Gongsun's words, and some even started pointing and whispering about Yan Ruyu and Xu Mubai's "crimes".

The feeling of being wronged made Yan Ruyu feel as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, a loud voice rang out, like a thunderclap, shocking everyone present.

"enough!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Master Xiao, dressed in a gray robe with a serious expression. His appearance was like a pillar of strength, instantly stabilizing the situation.

When Miss Gongsun saw Master Xiao appear, her face immediately froze, and her arrogant demeanor instantly subsided.

She knew that this Master Xiao was known for his impartiality, and it wouldn't be easy to distort the truth in front of him.

Master Xiao glanced at the crowd and said in a firm and resolute tone, "No one is allowed to draw any conclusions before the matter is thoroughly investigated! I will personally investigate this matter and reveal the truth to everyone." His words were firm and unquestionable, causing everyone to shut their mouths and dare not say another word.

Yan Ruyu and Xu Mubai exchanged a glance. They knew that it was fortunate that Master Xiao had appeared in time, otherwise things would have been difficult to resolve today.

Just as everyone gradually quieted down, Yan Ruyu keenly sensed that something seemed to be hidden deep in the valley.

She pulled Xu Mubai along and quietly walked towards the depths of the valley, wanting to find out what was going on.

Deep in the valley, the entrance to a hidden chamber appeared silently before us.

The entrance was surrounded by traps and mechanisms, including swords, spears, halberds, poisoned arrows, and hidden weapons, making it a place that inspired fear.

A dangerous aura permeated the air, like a ferocious beast with its jaws wide open, waiting for its prey to walk into its trap.

Yan Ruyu and Xu Mubai looked grave. They knew that this secret chamber must contain a major secret related to a mysterious force, but it also meant that new dangers were about to descend...

"Be careful, here..." Before Yan Ruyu could finish speaking, she saw a flash of cold light in front of her, and the two of them instinctively held their breath.