162: Chapter 162 Whether we can win or not, we'll only know after we fight.

"Awake?"

Madam Qingli suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Xu Ruyu, her eyes filled with the laziness of just waking up and a hint of natural charm.

"Mm."

Xu Ruyu nodded, his fingers gently stroking her long hair.

"What time is it?"

Madam Qingli asked.

"It's the Hour of Chen." Xu Ruyu looked out the window. "It's time to go to the Law Execution Platform."

Madam Qingli's eyes instantly cleared.

She sat up, the thin quilt sliding off her body, revealing a large expanse of snowy-white skin and alluring curves.

But she didn't care at all, only looking at Xu Ruyu, her eyes full of worry:

"Xiao Yuer, do you really have to go?"

"You know, if you don't want to go, Big Sister can take you away right now."

"Even Xiao Nianyin wouldn't be able to stop us!"

"I have to go."

Xu Ruyu sat up, his tone calm and firm. "Some things cannot be avoided. Especially when it comes to fighting a beautiful woman, I can't be a coward!"

"But..." Madam Qingli bit her lip. "Leng Ningshuang has invited six reclusive Senior Brothers. Including herself, that's seven at the Late Golden Core Stage... Can you win?"

Xu Ruyu smiled, a hint of relief in his expression:

"Can't win? I'll only know that after the fight."

He paused and looked at Madam Qingli with a gentle gaze:

"Big Sister, thank you. These past three days, I've been very happy."

Madam Qingli's eyes reddened.

She threw herself into Xu Ruyu's arms, hugging him tightly:

"Silly boy... you're just a fool..."

Xu Ruyu held her, saying nothing.

After a long while, Madam Qingli released him, wiped the corners of her eyes, and forced a smile:

"Alright, no more crying. Big Sister will see you off."

"Mm." Xu Ruyu nodded.

The two rose and dressed.

Madam Qingli dressed Xu Ruyu in a moon-white robe embroidered with pale green bamboo leaf patterns, making his figure look tall and straight, his temperament elegant.

"So handsome." Madam Qingli straightened his collar, her eyes full of pride. "My Yuer is simply good-looking."

Xu Ruyu took her hand and said softly:

"Big Sister, if I really don't come back today..."

"Don't say it!" Madam Qingli covered his mouth, her eyes shimmering with tears. "You will come back. Big Sister will wait for you, and then... we'll perform Dual Cultivation again."

Xu Ruyu smiled and nodded:

"Okay."

He let go of her hand, turned, and pushed open the door of the bamboo hut.

Morning light flooded in, illuminating his figure.

Madam Qingli stood behind him, watching his back, and her tears finally fell uncontrollably.

She knew that this departure might be a final farewell.

But she couldn't stop him.

This was his path, his choice, his... dignity.

"Xiao Yuer..."

She called out softly.

Xu Ruyu turned back and smiled at her:

"Big Sister, wait for me to return."

Having said that, he stepped out of the bamboo hut, his figure disappearing into the sea of bamboo.

Madam Qingli stood in place, unmoving for a long time.

Then, she wiped away her tears, changed into her most vibrant dress, and carefully applied makeup in front of the mirror.

"Xiao Nianyin..."

Looking at herself in the mirror, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes:

"If anything really happens to Xiao Yuer today..."

"I, Qingli, will make you pay the price even if it costs me my life!"

She pushed open the door and walked out of the bamboo hut, no longer showing even a hint of the tearful, fragile appearance from before—previously, she had only put on a pitiful, delicate act to move Xu Ruyu.

As an Elder of the Taihu Clan, she naturally had her own insights into how to capture a man's heart.

As she stepped out of the bamboo hut, a slender woman with a head full of silver hair appeared beside her.

Seeing this woman, Madam Qingli couldn't help but bow in greeting. "Old Ancestor..."

The newcomer waved her hand, looking Madam Qingli over with a smile. "Just sleeping with your little man a few times and you've had a Breakthrough?"

"You indeed weren't lying; that little man is truly extraordinary..."

Meanwhile, on the other side, at the Law Execution Platform.

Leng Ningshuang had been waiting for nearly an hour.

The discussions below the platform grew louder, and the mockery became increasingly piercing.

"It seems he really doesn't dare to show up."

"Haha, I wouldn't come either. Seven at the Late Golden Core Stage besieging one at the Qi Refinement Stage—this isn't a duel, it's a massacre!"

"The Sect Master has really gone too far this time..."

"Shh! Keep it down! The Sect Master is watching from above!"

Leng Ningshuang listened to those discussions, her brow furrowing slightly, but it soon smoothed out.

It's just as well if he doesn't come.

It saves her from having to take action.

Although the Sect Master said that Xu Ruyu must be killed, to be honest, she didn't enjoy killing.

Especially killing someone who... might not have done anything wrong.

But the Sect Master said that Xu Ruyu held something against her, a piece of leverage that was unfriendly to the entire Hehuan Sect.

For the sake of the Sect, she had to act.

"Eldest Senior Sister."

Behind her, argumentos a own suddenly spoke:

"The time is almost up, and that kid still hasn't arrived. Could it be..."

"Wait a bit longer," Leng Ningshuang said indifferently. "The Sect Master said he must be killed openly in front of everyone. If he doesn't come, this performance can't continue."

argumentos a own nodded and stopped speaking.

Another half-stick of incense's time passed.

Just when everyone thought Xu Ruyu wouldn't show up—

The crowd on the east side of the Law Execution Platform suddenly fell silent.

Then, they parted like a tide.

A moon-white figure walked forward slowly.

He walked slowly and steadily, each step firm.

The morning light shone on him, and the robe embroidered with bamboo leaf patterns fluttered in the breeze, highlighting his tall, straight figure and elegant temperament.

He walked to the base of the Law Execution Platform, looked up, and gazed at Leng Ningshuang and the six Senior Brothers on the platform.

His eyes were calm, devoid of both sorrow and joy.

"Xu Ruyu, here to keep the appointment."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it spread clearly across the entire Law Execution Platform.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Including Leng Ningshuang on the platform.

She looked at the youth below, saw his calm eyes and upright posture, and an inexplicable emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.

There was admiration, regret, and... a hint of reluctance.

But she quickly suppressed these emotions, her gaze turning cold once more.

"Xu Ruyu, you are late."

"My apologies." Xu Ruyu nodded slightly. "I was delayed by some matters."

"No matter," Leng Ningshuang said indifferently. "Since you've arrived, come up to the platform."

Xu Ruyu nodded and stepped onto the Law Execution Platform.

He walked to the center of the platform and stood facing Leng Ningshuang.

Between them was a distance of ten zhang.

"Xu Ruyu," Leng Ningshuang looked at him and spoke slowly, "In today's battle, do you have any last words?"

Xu Ruyu smiled:

"Does Senior Sister think I'm certain to die?"

"Otherwise?" Leng Ningshuang raised an eyebrow. "Seven at the Late Golden Core Stage besieging you, a single one at the Qi Refinement Stage. Do you think you have any chance of winning?"

Xu Ruyu shook his head:

"No chance of winning."

"Then why did you come?"

"Because..." Xu Ruyu paused, his gaze sweeping over the six Senior Brothers on the platform, then over the dense crowd below, and finally landing on the floating pavilion at the highest point.

He knew that Xiao Nianyin was watching from there.

"Because there are some things that someone must do."

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Leng Ningshuang, his eyes calm:

"Senior Sister, please."

Leng Ningshuang looked at him for a long time before slowly drawing the luoyun sword imitation from her waist:

"In that case... let the battle begin."

As she finished speaking, the six Senior Brothers behind her stepped forward in unison.

Seven terrifying Golden Core pressures erupted simultaneously, like seven great mountains crushing down toward Xu Ruyu!

On the Law Execution Platform, the wind and clouds changed color!

Below the platform, Zhao Yan clenched his fists tightly, his nails sinking deep into his palms:

"Brother... this time, you've really overplayed your hand..."