519: Chapter 519: The word "Senior Sister" says it all.

"Senior Sister Leng, I'm late."

Xu Ruyu's voice was very soft, so soft that only Leng Ningshuang could hear it.

But in those four words, there was heartache, guilt, and a hint of suppressed anger.

He stood before Leng Ningshuang, looking at this Disciple dressed in a Bright Red Wedding Gown, at her reddened eyes beneath the Red Veil, and at her slightly trembling lips; he already understood much in his heart.

Leng Ningshuang's tears welled up and spilled over, but she gritted her teeth and didn't make a sound.

She didn't want to lose her composure before so many people, didn't want to worry Xu Ruyu, and didn't want the fellow Disciples of the Hehuan Sect to see her weak side.

She had endured for so long, enduring from the moment she agreed to the marriage; seeing Xu Ruyu and Xiao Nianyin now, she almost reached her breaking point.

But she still held it back.

She lowered her head, her voice hoarse and slightly trembling: "Sect Master, why are you here?"

Xu Ruyu did not answer.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the hall full of guests, the bright red silks, and the high-hanging lanterns, finally landing on Shen Biyun.

Shen Biyun's expression changed slightly, but she was, after all, the leader of a sect who had cultivated for hundreds of years; what scene had she not witnessed? Soon, a smile spread across her face as she stood up from her throne and warmly came forward to greet them.

"Oh, Sect Leader Xiao, you've finally arrived!" Her voice was sweet and cloying, carrying a forced intimacy. "Please, take a seat!"

"Don't blame me for not waiting for you; these two children just couldn't wait..."

As she spoke, she reached out, wanting to take Xiao Nianyin's hand to affectionately lead her to a seat.

That posture, that tone—it was as if she and Xiao Nianyin were close friends of many years, as if this wedding were a perfectly natural and joyous occasion.

Xiao Nianyin said nothing, nor did she allow her hand to be taken.

She secretly circulated her True Qi, and a soft yet irresistible force radiated from her, gently brushing away Shen Biyun's reaching hand.

Shen Biyun's movements came to an immediate halt.

Her smile froze on her face, and a flash of horror crossed her eyes. It was not

because Xiao Nianyin had rejected her, but because of the intensity of that power—a power that far exceeded her imagination.

She and Xiao Nianyin had known each other for many years, and she knew Xiao Nianyin's Cultivation level like the back of her hand.

The former Xiao Nianyin, while a Saint Realm Expert, was definitely not this strong.

But at this moment, the power she felt was more terrifying than any Saint Realm she had ever seen, even stronger than Tian Jianzi of the Tianshu Sword Sect.

Had Xiao Nianyin's Cultivation actually achieved another Breakthrough?

Stormy waves surged in Shen Biyun's heart, but a smile soon returned to her face.

She was a veteran of the Jianghu; she knew when to smile and when to restrain herself. Xiao Nianyin becoming stronger wasn't necessarily a bad thing for her—at the very least, she hadn't offended Xiao Nianyin.

Xiao Nianyin took a step back, yielding the central position to Xu Ruyu.

Her voice was cold, like the winter wind in the twelfth lunar month: "Sect Leader Shen, I am no longer the Sect Master of Hehuan Sect. Please mind how you address me."

She glanced at Xu Ruyu and continued, "This person is the actual Sect Master of our Hehuan Sect, Xu Ruyu."

Only then did Shen Biyun's gaze fall upon Xu Ruyu.

She looked him up and down, a hint of indifference flashing in her eyes.

Qi Refinement Stage. A brat at the Qi Refinement Stage is worthy of being a Sect Master? The Hehuan Sect has truly fallen on hard times if even someone like this can rise to power.

She sneered inwardly, but an even warmer smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, never mind who the Sect Master is," she said with a grin as she stepped forward, changing her tune. "Today is the auspicious day our Tianyan Sect and your Hehuan Sect unite in a century-long bond.

"Sister, you've arrived late. Please, take the seat of honor first. We can catch up once the two children have completed their bows!"

As she spoke, she actually ignored Xu Ruyu entirely, turning to wave at the Master of Ceremonies, signaling him to continue.

In her eyes, Xu Ruyu was nothing more than a tiny ant at the Qi Refinement Stage.

Even if he was the Sect Master of Hehuan Sect, with such trash Cultivation, he wasn't worth her attention.

The one she wanted to entertain was Xiao Nianyin—the Xiao Nianyin who had once trained and adventured alongside her, the Xiao Nianyin whose Cultivation was now unfathomable.

As for Xu Ruyu? Just let him stand there.

The Master of Ceremonies was stunned for a moment. He looked at Shen Biyun, then at Xu Ruyu, and after a brief hesitation, he raised the red silk in his hand, preparing to shout.

"Bows between husband and wife—"

"Wait."

Xu Ruyu's voice wasn't loud, but this time, he infused it with True Qi.

Those two words exploded in the hall like a clap of thunder, making the flames of the red candles flicker.

Everyone froze, their gazes simultaneously falling upon him.

Xu Ruyu looked at neither Shen Biyun nor the Master of Ceremonies.

He stood there, looking at Leng Ningshuang.

The tear stains on Leng Ningshuang's face were not yet dry.

Beneath the Red Veil, her eyes were red, and her lips trembled slightly.

She kept her head down, not daring to look at Xu Ruyu or anyone else.

Her hands were shaking slightly, clutching the hem of her clothes until her knuckles turned white.

Xu Ruyu's heart sank abruptly.

He knew Leng Ningshuang all too well.

She was the eldest Disciple of the Hehuan Sect, the one known as the World's Number One Senior Sister.

She possessed an unyielding spirit and never bowed her head to anyone.

He had seen her heroic posture on Wangyue Peak taking on four opponents alone, her composure when facing the siege of the Taihu Clan at Tianyin Mountain, and her resilience while protecting her Junior Brothers and sisters on the road of escape.

How could such a woman possibly marry of her own free will? How could she be in tears on her wedding day?

There was only one explanation.

She was being forced.

Xu Ruyu's anger rose from the bottom of his heart.

He didn't lash out; he just looked at Leng Ningshuang, his gaze as calm as water.

But his calmness was more terrifying than a violent rage.

"Senior Sister Leng," his voice was very soft, "raise your head and look at me."

Leng Ningshuang's body trembled slightly. She naturally understood the meaning of Xu Ruyu calling her 'Senior Sister' at this moment—it was a statement to Shen Biyun: This is Xu Ruyu's Senior Sister!

She hesitated for a moment but still raised her head.

Beneath the Red Veil, her eyes were red and swollen, with tears still welling in them.

She met Xu Ruyu's gaze, her lips moving as if to speak, but not a single word came out.

Xu Ruyu didn't ask further.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping across the main hall.

The bright red silks, the high-hanging lanterns, the hall full of guests, all bustling with festive joy.

In his eyes, all of it became an eyesore.