149: Chapter 149 The March Agreement: Only Three Days Left

"Is that so..." A trace of disappointment flashed in Madam Qingli's eyes, but she quickly cheered up. "Never mind, if there isn't, there isn't.

Anyway, your Elder sister has already prepared a way out for you. If we can't win, we'll just run. The world is vast; are you afraid we won't have a place to go?"

She spoke lightly, but Xu Ruyu could hear the worry in her tone.

This seemingly cynical, always smiling beautiful woman was actually sincerely planning for his sake.

"Senior," Xu Ruyu was moved, and his tone softened a bit, "thank you for everything these past few days."

"What's there to thank?" Madam Qingli waved her hand, returning to her charming and casual self. "Elder sister is happy to do it.

Besides, if you really die, where would Elder sister find such an interesting little fellow?"

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something and said seriously:

"By the way, there's something I have to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Your Revered Master..." Madam Qingli paused, observing Xu Ruyu's expression, "Xiao Nianyin, has completely recovered her cultivation."

Xu Ruyu's hand holding the water cup trembled almost imperceptibly.

Slight ripples rose on the water's surface in the cup, then quickly calmed.

"Is that so..." he said softly, his voice so calm that no emotion could be heard, "Then... that's good."

"Good?" Madam Qingli sneered. "What's so good about it? The first thing she did after recovering her cultivation was to kick you out of Ningyin Hall and exile you to this Cold Palace on the Back Mountain.

The second thing was to personally instruct your opponent, Leng Ningshuang, for fear that you wouldn't die fast enough. The third thing..."

She paused, a cold light flashing in her eyes:

"Was to use the opportunity of Situ E's attack to purge those in the Sect who were outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant.

Zhao Wuji, Chen Xuanfeng, and those fence-sitting Elders were all dealt with by her.

Her methods were so ruthless that even I felt alarmed."

Xu Ruyu listened in silence, saying nothing.

He just held the water cup, looking at the candlelight reflected in the cup, his eyes a bit dazed.

Xiao Nianyin has recovered her cultivation...

Mid-Stage Saint Realm, even more powerful than her peak three hundred years ago.

Repelling Situ E with one sword, intimidating the entire field, purging dissidents, and regaining power.

This was her true self.

That woman who would be fragile at night, sob in the dark, and ask him, 'Don't you despise me?'... was just a brief and illusory illusion in her long life.

Or rather, it was his own wishful illusion.

"Xiao Yuer?"

Madam Qingli's voice pulled him back from his daze.

"Hmm?" Xu Ruyu looked up, forcing a smile, "I'm fine."

"It would be strange if you were fine." Madam Qingli sighed and reached out to rub his hair—the action was a bit intimate, but she did it naturally. "Elder sister knows what you're thinking.

But some things must be let go when they should be. Some people... are destined not to walk the same path."

Xu Ruyu lowered his head, looking at his own reflection in the cup.

The youth in the reflection had handsome features, but his eyes were a bit dim.

Yes.

It was time to let go.

Xiao Nianyin was the Sect Master of Hehuan Sect, a Saint Realm Expert, high above, looking down on all living beings.

And he was just a Disciple she took on a whim, a necessary reliance when she was weak, a 'stain' she was anxious to erase after recovering her cultivation.

Between them, there was never any 'deep Revered Master-Disciple bond,' let alone 'sharing trials and tribulations.'

There was only a transaction.

A transaction where he gave his heart, but she only treated it as a bargaining chip.

"Senior," Xu Ruyu spoke softly, his voice a bit raspy, "do you think... I'm very foolish?"

Madam Qingli looked at the undisguised disappointment in his eyes, and her heart suddenly softened.

This youth actually understood everything.

He understood Xiao Nianyin's calculations, understood his own situation, and understood the cruelty of this Three-Month Agreement.

But he still chose to save her, chose to return her power to her, and chose to... do what he thought he should do, even knowing he might be discarded after serving his purpose.

"You're not foolish."

Madam Qingli was rarely serious, her tone gentle:

"You're just... too kind."

She paused and added:

"But in this Cultivation World, kindness is often the least valuable thing.

Especially for someone like Xiao Nianyin, feelings, gratitude, and promises... are all inferior to her position as Sect Master, her Saint Realm cultivation, and her 'pure reputation'."

Xu Ruyu smiled bitterly:

"So, I deserve it?"

"No, you don't deserve it." Madam Qingli shook her head. "You just met the wrong person. But it's okay, Elder sister is here, I won't just watch you be bullied."

As she spoke, she suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards Ningyin Hall.

Under the moonlight, that towering hall was like a crouching beast, silent and cold.

"Three days from now is the Three-Month Agreement."

Madam Qingli's back was to Xu Ruyu, her voice calm:

"Xiao Nianyin will definitely be there.

She not only wants to watch you die but also wants the entire Sect to watch you die—she wants to use your death to completely solidify her position as Sect Master."

Xu Ruyu didn't speak.

He just gripped the water cup in his hand, his knuckles turning white.

"But Elder sister won't let her succeed."

Madam Qingli turned around, the moonlight shining on her face; that charming countenance now had a sense of sternness:

"Three days from now, if you win, that's naturally good. If you lose... even if Elder sister has to risk exposing my trump cards, I will definitely save you."

She walked up to Xu Ruyu, bent down, and looked directly into his eyes:

"So Xiao Yuer, don't be afraid. Even if the sky falls, Elder sister will hold it up."

Xu Ruyu looked at the charming face close at hand, seeing the unmistakable seriousness and determination in those peach-blossom eyes; the coldness in his heart was suddenly replaced by a trace of warmth.

Yes.

He didn't have nothing.

At least Madam Qingli was still there.

And... that Little Girl in the Ancient Hall of Love and Heaven who clamored to learn Cultivation Techniques.

"Senior," Xu Ruyu took a deep breath, light shining in his eyes again, "I won't lose."

Madam Qingli was stunned for a moment, then smiled:

"That's more like it! That's the Xiao Yuer I know!"

She stood up and patted Xu Ruyu's shoulder:

"Alright, it's late, get some rest early. Adjust your state well during these three days, and three days later... fight a good battle for Elder sister!"

"Mhm." Xu Ruyu nodded.

Madam Qingli said no more and turned to leave.

When she reached the door, she suddenly turned back and winked at Xu Ruyu:

"By the way, if that Little Girl comes to find you again, remember to tell Elder sister. Elder sister is... very curious about her."

After saying that, she pushed the door and left, her figure disappearing into the bamboo shadows and moonlight.

Inside the bamboo hut, silence returned.

Xu Ruyu sat by the table, not moving for a long time.

He Looking at the bright moon outside the window， Thoughts surged within me。

Three days...

Only three days left.

Three days later, he would step onto the Life-and-Death Stage, facing Leng Ningshuang of the Late Golden Core Stage, and facing... that Revered Master who was bent on his death.

Could he win?

He didn't know.

But he knew he couldn't lose.

Not to prove anything, nor to redeem anything.

Just to... be worthy of what he had learned in the Ancient Hall of Love and Heaven over these ten days.

To be worthy of the kindness of that 'Little Girl' who taught him everything she knew.

And to be worthy of... his own heart, which hadn't completely died yet.

Xu Ruyu slowly closed his eyes, and deep within his Qi Sea, the Taixu True Qi of Qi Refining Level 9 slowly circulated.

Like a hidden Dragon in the abyss, waiting for the moment when the wind and clouds meet to raise its head to the sky.

And the wind and clouds were already approaching.