I woke up to find myself as the villain's older sister.

“But Xiaoya said you didn’t switch shifts with her.” The woman’s expression was arrogant, and she glanced behind her: “Xiaoya, you tell everyone.”

Following the woman's gaze, everyone noticed a young girl standing behind her, but she was so inconspicuous that everyone naturally overlooked her.

The girl had an ordinary appearance, the kind that you wouldn't recognize if you threw her on the street. However, the few freckles on her cheeks added a touch of cuteness that was unique to young girls.

The girl stepped forward, and all eyes in the room immediately fell on her.

Under the scrutinizing, appraising, or curious gazes of many, the girl's palms were sweaty with nervousness.

"Little girl, quickly tell everyone that Ruan Qi, that liar, never switched shifts with you. She abandoned her post without permission for the competition, disregarding the medicinal herbs in the garden!"

The woman's tone was urging, and her gaze towards the girl carried a hint of warning.

Receiving a warning look from the woman, Xiao Ya steadied herself, stood up straight, and looked at Ruan Qi on the stage.

Ruan Qi lowered her eyes. Even if she was stupid, she should know what had happened. The girl had most likely been threatened and bribed. Today might be the day when she, Ruan Qi, would be ruined.

She didn't care about being disgraced; Ruan Qi unconsciously clenched her hands. However, the sharp reduction in cultivation resources that accompanied the disgrace was what devastated her the most and what she couldn't accept.

She was of average talent, but fortunately, the peak master took care of her and allowed her to become a disciple of the Xuanmiao Sect. Despite her mediocre talent, she was lucky enough to become an outer disciple.

She thought that as long as she practiced diligently, she would one day be able to avenge her mother's death.

Ruan Qi's eyelashes trembled slightly as she suddenly remembered the home she had left years ago, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips.

Looking up at my friend who was sharing cakes yesterday, I wondered if fate was playing tricks on me.

She had been humble and cautious enough, trying her best to play the role of an unambitious, incompetent, and invisible person ever since that young lady arrived, but she still managed to attract the attention of that senior sister.

Seeing Ruan Qi's slightly complicated gaze, Xiao Ya smiled gently at her and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but just loud enough for everyone present to hear: "Ruan Qi did not leave her post without permission. She did switch shifts with me last night, and she had already finished today's work last night. Ruan Qi is not the liar that Senior Sister Ruo Yun said she was."

Over the years, I've had the most contact with Ruan Qi. I know she's a very good person; she's strong, brave, and sincere. On the contrary, some of her fellow disciples are often bullied at the behest of others.

After saying this, Xiao Ya glanced at the woman named Ruoyun.

He then continued, "I have finished speaking. I hope that all sect leaders, peak masters, senior uncles, and fellow disciples will understand."

Xiao Ya's voice is the complete opposite of her appearance. Although she looks ordinary, her voice is clear and bright, like a babbling brook.

"Little Ya, you!" After hearing the whole thing, Ruoyun's expression was a mix of emotions. She never expected that Little Ya would not do what she was told beforehand, especially since her younger brother was still in Miss Gao's hands! Ruoyun glared at Little Ya, her face changing repeatedly, her expression full of disbelief.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were on her. Seeing the knowing expressions and ambiguous looks on everyone's faces, Ruoyun wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Yun Qingyi.

"Alright, now it seems that things are clear. Since Ruan Qi did not disregard the rules of the sect, let's continue the competition."

"As for you..." Yun Qingyi looked at Ruoyun, "Ruoyun, right? Disciple Ruoyun, you have framed a fellow disciple. Your intentions are not righteous. Guards, take her away for questioning and deal with her according to the sect rules."

Yun Qingyi is the sect leader's personal disciple. Regardless of seniority or relationship, Yun Qingyi has a lot of say in the sect. As long as the sect leader doesn't say anything, whatever Yun Qingyi says represents the sect leader's attitude.

So as soon as Yun Qingyi finished speaking, people from the Discipline Hall pulled Ruoyun away.

This farce has come to an end. As for the deeper secrets behind this matter, Yun Qingyi is not interested. After all, the Discipline Hall is not to be trifled with, and she believes that the sect will provide the fairness that is due.

This is a sect under the management of Ci Gui, and she must ultimately trust her master.

Ruan Qi stared at what was happening in front of her, her mind racing, a little confused: Huh?

It took me a while to realize, little girl, she...

He did not betray her.

She stared blankly at Xiaoya, who simply smiled sweetly at her.

I mouthed to her: "Keep it up!"

After saying that, he left the crowd.

Watching the little girl's figure gradually disappear into the distance, it would be a lie to say that he wasn't overjoyed. She finally had another chance to avenge her mother.

But Xiaoya's retreating figure still made her heart sink. Xiaoya hadn't completed the task they had assigned her, and those who had threatened her wouldn't let her go.

Ruan Qi looked around at the people, his gaze sweeping over a figure, and he began to ponder.

"The match continues! Guangyu Peak's Ruan Qi versus Yaoxing Peak's Leng Zhan."

Ruan Qi stood on the martial arts stage, his entire body covered by a gray robe, with only his eyes visible as he warily watched the man opposite him.

The man in front of me was burly and clearly a powerhouse.

Martial arts practitioner. Yun Qingyi looked at the man on the stage and came to this conclusion.

The person she had the most contact with among pure martial arts practitioners was Instructor Li from her family.

Martial arts practitioners are different from ordinary cultivators. Although it is easier for them to get started than for ordinary cultivators, it is much more difficult for them to master martial arts.

Most martial arts practitioners are those whose spiritual roots are insufficient, and who do not want to stop at this point in their cultivation journey, so they embark on the path of martial arts.

But the man on stage...

With his robust physique, judging from his spiritual energy field, he undoubtedly possesses a single earth elemental root. The only explanation for his choice to cultivate martial arts despite having the aptitude for a single elemental root is that, like Instructor Li, this man is a born martial arts prodigy.

There are many ways to cultivate martial arts, and it is clear that Leng Zhan cultivates body refinement.

Leng Zhan is now at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, and is also a specialized body cultivator. In addition, he has the unique advantage of the Earth Spiritual Root. For Ruan Qi to break through Leng Zhan's defense is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

After all, one is at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, and the other is at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining.

Although Yun Qingyi knew that Ruan Qi had made it to the top ten through her own strength, she still found it hard to believe.

Please, this isn't just a difference of one or two levels, it's a whole major level!

If she wins, who will be able to tell her apart from Long Aotian?

Just as Yun Qingyi had expected, Ruan Qi's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat. She looked at the man in front of her with an impenetrable defense and her expression was solemn.

This was the match she was least confident about since the start of the competition. She had both wood and fire spiritual roots, but only the fire spiritual root was worth considering, as the wood spiritual root value was only forty.

Of these two spiritual roots, only the wood spiritual root can slightly control the opponent; the fire spiritual root is completely useless.

Ruan Qi watched as the massive man in front of her was once again bathed in her sea of ​​fire without showing any discomfort, and her heart sank.

Her fire was no ordinary fire, but the Nine Heavens Mystic Fire, the life-giving fire she was born when she was on the verge of death. This fire could annihilate everything; anything that touched it would melt away.

She relied on this fire to win match after match in the past, and she only revealed her trump card that she had kept hidden for many years for this match.

Even a cultivator whose cultivation level is one rank higher than hers could not possibly stand in her fire for so long without reacting.

But... looking at Leng Zhan, who moved freely in and out of the fire, Ruan Qi thought, "He... he's a monster!"