102: Chapter 102: Not only does it determine superiority and inferiority, but it also decides life and death.

The dark red 'Life and Death Isolation Array' light barrier, like an overturned blood-colored bowl, completely sealed off the entire Law Execution Platform.

Inside the light barrier, the air was stagnant like a swamp, carrying a rusty, murderous aura.

Xu Ruyu stood alone in the center, his moon-white Disciple robes appearing as if soaked in blood under the red light flowing from the Formation.

His figure was straight, his expression calm to the point of indifference, yet his eyes were clear as cold stars, quietly scanning the thirteen figures that had already taken up their positions around him.

Just now, the moment the 'Life and Death Isolation Array' completely closed, Fairy Caidie heard a cold, knife-like voice transmission from her Revered Master, Liu Rurao:

"Find an opportunity... cripple him. If you can kill him in public... even better."

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Fairy Caidie's eyes, and a cruel sneer curled her lips.

She took a deep breath, her hands rapidly forming seals in front of her chest. The vast aura of her Golden Core Stage cultivation receded like a tide, finally stabilizing at Qi Refining Level 9 Perfection—this was the highest level allowed by the rules after suppressing one's cultivation.

"Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters," she said coldly without turning her head, her voice echoing within the sealed light barrier, "As Revered Master instructed, suppress all your cultivation to Qi Refining Level 9 Perfection.

Remember, in this battle—only victory is allowed, no defeat."

"Yes, Senior Sister!"

The twelve Meiying Sect Disciples responded in unison, activating their secret techniques.

For a moment, spiritual energy fluctuations rose and fell on the Law Execution Platform—

A male Disciple in the Late Stage Foundation Establishment Stage flexed his arms, muscles bulging, his True Qi, which could easily split mountains and rocks, now condensed into fine streams; another female Disciple's pink poisonous mist, which had surged like a tide around her fingertips, now shrank to a thin layer, but its toxicity became more subtle and lethal; the Formation patterns under the feet of the five Disciples forming the outer array turned from golden to silver-white, their spiritual energy output precisely controlled at the limit of the Qi Refining Stage...

In just three breaths, all thirteen auras belonging to Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Stages plummeted, finally stabilizing at Qi Refining Level 9.

They moved their steps in tacit understanding, seemingly casual, but in reality, they had formed a perfect encirclement, blocking all possible retreat routes for Xu Ruyu.

The poisoned flying needles held by the four female Disciples on the left side had needle tips with an eerie blue glow, made even more demonic by the red light; the black poisoned darts in the palms of the four male Disciples on the right slowly rotated, the runes carved on their blades surging with dark currents; Fairy Caidie herself slowly drew out a pink soft sword from her waist, thin as a cicada's wing, its blade trembling slightly and emitting a faint hum, as if alive.

Just at this final moment before the battle, Fairy Caidie suddenly took a step forward, a strange smile appearing on her face:

"Junior Brother Xu."

Xu Ruyu looked up, his expression unchanged: "What is it?"

"Since Junior Martial Uncle is so confident, daring to face thirteen alone..." Fairy Caidie drew out her words, "Why don't we make things a bit more exciting?"

Below the stage, through the dark red light barrier, everyone could not hear the specific words, but they could see Fairy Caidie's provocative posture.

Elder Hu frowned, about to speak, when he saw Fairy Caidie's lips part slightly, and her clear voice, through some secret technique, pierced the Formation and spread throughout the entire venue:

"Not only to determine superiority—"

"But also life and death!"

These eight words exploded like thunder!

"What?!"

"A life-and-death battle?!"

Yunhai Square instantly erupted!

The Hehuan Sect Disciples could hardly believe their ears—this had already exceeded the scope of a "spar"!

"They're trying to kill him!"

A Disciple cried out in alarm.

On the high platform, Elder Hu's face turned ashen, and he suddenly stood up: "Fairy Caidie! How can exchanges between Disciples of two sects—"

"Elder Hu," Liu Rurao's lazy voice interrupted him, with a hint of sarcasm, "Young people have their own ways of playing.

Since Junior Nephew Xu is so courageous, my Meiying Sect Disciples will naturally accompany him to the end.

What, are the Hehuan Sect's direct Disciples... afraid?"

The last two words were deliberately drawn out, full of provocation.

Below the stage, many Disciples who had developed a good impression of Xu Ruyu anxiously shouted:

"Junior Brother Xu! Don't agree!"

"It's a trap!"

"They are very experienced; even if you are both at the Qi Refining Stage, you..."

Inside Ningyin Hall, Xiao Nianyin's knuckles were white from clenching her sleeves.

In the water mirror, Xu Ruyu's calm face was clearly visible. An indescribable anxiety surged in her heart: 'Stupid boy... don't agree... absolutely don't agree...'

She knew Liu Rurao's calculations too well.

The so-called "suppressing cultivation" was just a facade.

A Golden Core Stage Cultivator, even if they only used Qi Refining Stage spiritual energy, their Divine Sense strength, combat awareness, and understanding of spells were far beyond what a True Qi Refining Stage Cultivator could compare to.

Moreover, the Meiying Sect's insidious and treacherous killing techniques—those things did not entirely rely on cultivation.

If Xu Ruyu agreed, it would be equivalent to stepping into a certain death trap.

However, on the Law Execution Platform.

After a brief silence, Xu Ruyu suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, but it inexplicably made Fairy Caidie's heart clench.

"Not only to determine superiority, but also life and death..."

He softly repeated these six words, as if a limping martial arts fanatic in a certain movie from his previous world loved to say these words.

Xu Ruyu shook his head, casting away the past memories, then looked up at Fairy Caidie:

"Are you sure?"

Fairy Caidie suppressed the unease in her heart and sneered, "What, scared? You can surrender now. After all... you only have one life."

Xu Ruyu shook his head, his smile deepening: "No, I just want to confirm... if you really want to kill me."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold:

"Coincidentally, I also really want to kill you."

"Since the Meiying Sect is so hospitable, how can I, Xu Ruyu, not oblige?"

After speaking, he turned to face Elder Hu on the high platform outside the light barrier—although his voice was blocked by the Formation, his cupped-fist gesture and solemn expression conveyed everything.

Elder Hu's expression changed drastically, but then he saw Liu Rurao clap her hands and chuckle, "Good! What courage! Then, Elder Hu, please formally activate the life-and-death battle rules!"

Things had come to this, irreversible.

Elder Hu closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, only determination remained. He said in a deep voice, "All Disciples, retreat to a safe area! 'Life and Death Isolation Array'—full power!"

Boom!

The dark red light barrier suddenly became even more solid, with dense, ancient runes appearing on its surface.

This was the highest-level Restriction of the Hehuan Sect's Law Execution Platform—once activated, the Formation would not open unless one party surrendered or died.

At the same time, it completely isolated the inside from the outside, preventing even sound from passing through.

Inside the light barrier, Fairy Caidie and the other twelve Meiying Sect Disciples exchanged glances, all revealing smiles of assured victory.

In their view, this was simply suicide.

Even if they were all at Qi Refining Level 9, which of their thirteen people's combat experience, tacit cooperation, and killing methods hadn't been tempered a thousand times?

And Xu Ruyu? A Qi Refining Stage Cultivator who had been initiated for less than two months, probably hadn't even experienced a true life-and-death struggle.

This "life-and-death battle" was destined from the start.

Below the stage, Ning Caihe, who had already woken up, had a pale face; Liu Rufeng clutched his chest, his eyes filled with worry; Zhao Yan struggled to get up, but was held down firmly by his fellow Disciples.

Just then, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out:

"Xu Ruyu."

Everyone looked over, only to see Leng Ningshuang, who had been silent, had somehow walked to the edge of the light barrier.

Her white robes were like snow, her expression still cold, but her eyes were fixed intently on Xu Ruyu inside the light barrier.

Although her voice could not enter, Xu Ruyu seemed to sense something and turned to look at her.

Leng Ningshuang was silent for a moment, then her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke three words.

Through her lip movements, everyone understood—

Don't, die, yet.

After speaking, she seemed to feel it wasn't enough and added another sentence.

This time, even Liu Rurao narrowed her eyes.

Because Leng Ningshuang said:

"There's still a battle between us."

With that, she no longer lingered, turned, and retreated into the crowd, leaving behind a cold silhouette.

Inside the light barrier, Xu Ruyu looked in her direction, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then transformed into a faint smile.

This woman... is quite interesting.

"Alright," Fairy Caidie impatiently interrupted the momentary silence, "Chatting time is over."

She slowly raised her pink soft sword, its tip pointing directly at Xu Ruyu's throat:

"Junior Brother Xu, please begin."

The other twelve Meiying Sect Disciples simultaneously took a step forward!

On the left, poisonous mist surged; on the right, flying needles were poised; the outer Formation patterns lit up, and Fairy Caidie's sword tip glowed with a cold light—

Thirteen killing intents, like a net cast from heaven and earth, completely enveloped Xu Ruyu.

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and slowly raised his right hand.

His five fingers spread, palm facing upwards.

A wisp of silver-white Taixu True Qi, like a living thing, appeared at his fingertips, flowing and condensing.

His gaze swept over each opponent, finally resting on Fairy Caidie's face.

A cold curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Not only to determine superiority, but also life and death..."

"Then—"

"Begin."

The instant his words fell, the thirteen figures moved!