403: Chapter 403 Xu Ruyu introduces Xiao Nianyin: Everyone, who is this?

Leng Ningshuang did not speak, her gaze landing on Xu Ruyu.

This young Sect Master could always provide surprises at critical moments.

This time, she did not know what plans he had in store.

Ning Caihe stood to the side, holding his sword, silent.

But his Sword Intent was sharper and more restrained than before.

Even with the sword still sheathed, that sharp aura made people afraid to look directly at him.

He was also at the Soul Transformation Stage!

Qingyan stood behind the three of them, still appearing weak and delicate, but her aura had already reached the Nascent Soul Peak, only a step away from the Soul Transformation Stage.

She looked timidly at Xu Ruyu's back, her small face filled with both worry and trust.

Besides the four of them, there were many Disciples with powerful auras in the crowd—in just half a month, the overall strength of the Hehuan Sect had undergone a world-shaking change!

The Grand Elder walked to Xu Ruyu's side and whispered: "Sect Master, the Disciples' morale is very high. But there are many people outside after all; if we fight head-on..."

Xu Ruyu waved his hand and smiled: "Grand Elder, rest assured, I have a plan."

The Grand Elder looked at him, a trace of gratification flashing in his eyes.

Although this young Sect Master was young, he acted steadily and never fought a battle unprepared.

Since he said so, there must be a reason.

Fifth Elder Hua Xunhuan swayed her waist as she walked over, her peach-blossom eyes sweeping over Xu Ruyu, and she giggled: "Sect Master, you really are putting on airs."

"The people outside are about to scream their throats out, yet you're still so unhurried here."

"What is it? Do you have some brilliant plan?"

As she spoke, she gently fanned herself with the round fan in her hand, her lazy posture making it seem as if they weren't surrounded by powerful enemies, but rather attending a tea party.

Xu Ruyu glanced at her and smiled: "Fifth Elder, don't be anxious, the good show is yet to come."

Hua Xunhuan's eyes lit up. She leaned closer and lowered her voice: "What good show? Tell me about it? Are you going to give those bastards outside a surprise?"

Xu Ruyu smiled mysteriously and did not answer.

Hua Xunhuan pouted, but she didn't press further, simply swaying her waist as she stepped aside, her eyes full of anticipation.

Granny Liu stood behind the crowd, watching everything, a glimmer of light flashing in her cloudy old eyes. She suddenly spoke, her voice hoarse yet clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"The Sect Master has his own plans. What are you rushing for? Everyone, wait quietly."

As soon as she spoke, the whispering voices instantly quieted down.

Although Granny Liu didn't usually speak much, her prestige in the Hehuan Sect was extremely high.

She had been in charge of the Sect's scriptures for many years and was highly respected; even the Grand Elder had to show her three points of respect.

When she spoke, no one dared not to listen.

Xu Ruyu glanced at Granny Liu and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Granny Liu also nodded without speaking, but the trust in her eyes said it all.

Xu Ruyu withdrew his gaze and looked around at the eager Disciples, a sense of gratification welling up in his heart.

Half a month ago, these people were still being bullied by the Taihu Clan Disciples, unable to lift their heads and forced to swallow their anger.

Half a month later, they already had the courage and strength to face powerful enemies directly.

The effect of the "Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art" was even better than he had anticipated.

But he knew this wasn't enough.

Although these people had greatly increased their cultivation, they had experienced very few real life-and-death battles. They needed a battle to verify their strength, and they needed a battle to release the humiliation that had accumulated over this period.

And today, that battle had arrived.

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and said loudly: "Everyone!"

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.

It was a voice enhanced by the "Haotian True Qi Art"; even in a noisy environment, it allowed everyone to hear clearly.

The Martial Arts Arena instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at him in unison, their eyes burning.

Xu Ruyu looked around and spoke slowly: "Do you know why the Taihu Clan is besieging our Hehuan Sect's base?"

The crowd fell silent.

Of course they knew—the Sect Master had killed more than a dozen Taihu Clan Disciples.

But they also knew that the Sect Master must have had his reasons for doing so.

Seeing no one answer, Xu Ruyu smiled slightly, then turned around to look at Xiao Nianyin behind him.

Xiao Nianyin was still bowing her head, standing there quietly, as if all of this had nothing to do with her.

Her hands were folded in front of her, her posture dignified, looking exactly like a competent "Bed-warming maid" should.

Xu Ruyu reached out and pulled her forward.

Xiao Nianyin was slightly stunned. She lifted her head to look at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

She didn't know why Xu Ruyu wanted to push her out at this moment.

Xu Ruyu did not explain; he simply led her to the center of the crowd so that everyone could see her clearly.

Then, he asked: "Everyone, may I ask, who is this?"

The crowd was stunned and looked at each other.

Who is this?

Isn't this Xiao Nianyin? The former Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect, that once high-and-mighty Saint Realm Expert, now the Sect Master's "Bed-warming maid".

But what did the Sect Master mean by pushing her out at this time?

There was a burst of whispering in the crowd.

Someone whispered: "This is... the former Sect Master, right?"

Someone replied: "It's Sect Leader Xiao, who among us doesn't recognize her."

Others muttered: "Why is the Sect Master bringing her up at this time? Is he going to use her as a scapegoat? Surely not, right?"

"How could it be a scapegoat? The Sect Master is not that kind of person."

"Then what does he mean?"

Leng Ningshuang frowned slightly and looked at Xu Ruyu, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Zhao Yan scratched his head, also looking bewildered.

Ning Caihe remained expressionless, but his hand gripping the sword tightened slightly.

Qingyan stood in the crowd, looking at Xiao Nianyin, her eyes full of complexity.

She recalled the things Xiao Nianyin had done to Xu Ruyu back at the Black Water Pool, and felt a bitter taste in her heart.

But she knew even better that the current Xiao Nianyin was no longer that high-and-mighty Sect Master from before.