Chapter 3 Web of betrayal

**Chapter 3: Web of Betrayal**

Feng Ruoyan had always believed in love and friendship, but in her past life, those very things had become the sharpest blades that cut her down. The ones she cherished most—her fiancé, Li Xuan, and her best friend, Yue Ling—had woven a scheme so intricate that by the time she realized the truth, it was already too late.

It began subtly, with whispered rumors among the disciples. Jealous glares followed her as she walked through the sect, though she had never wronged anyone. Her success, her talent, her fire spiritual root—everything made her a target. And at the heart of it all stood Li Xuan and Yue Ling, their smiles never faltering, their words always laced with concern.

"Ruoyan, you've been working too hard," Li Xuan would say, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You should let others handle things sometimes."

"Ruoyan, are you sure you can trust the sect?" Yue Ling would ask, feigning innocence. "I've heard rumors… someone is after you."

She had been blind. She had trusted them. And so, when the final strike came, she had nowhere to run.

One evening, Yue Ling invited her to the secluded Moonlit Garden, claiming she had discovered something crucial. "It concerns your parents' case," she had whispered urgently. "Meet me alone."

Ruoyan had arrived, only to find Li Xuan waiting as well. A moment later, a group of masked elders emerged from the shadows, their eyes cold, their spiritual energy oppressive.

"Feng Ruoyan, you are accused of conspiring with demonic cultivators," the lead elder declared. "We have irrefutable evidence."

Her blood ran cold. "What—? This is madness! Who would believe such lies?"

Li Xuan stepped forward, his face unreadable. "Ruoyan, just surrender quietly. We can still find a way to save you."

Yue Ling clung to his arm, her eyes filled with false sorrow. "We tried to warn you, Ruoyan. But you wouldn't listen. Now… we have no choice."

It was then that she understood. The two people she loved most had orchestrated everything. They had fed the sect lies, planted false evidence, and poisoned the minds of the elders. She had been nothing but a pawn in their grand ambition.

Betrayed, abandoned, and stripped of her status, Ruoyan was thrown into the sect's forbidden valley, where the cursed flames devoured her body. As her vision blurred, the last thing she saw was Li Xuan and Yue Ling standing above, watching her burn.

But in this life, she would not be fooled again.

She clenched her fists, vowing that when she faced them once more, the flames of her vengeance would be the last thing they ever saw.

---

This time, she would change everything. The engagement with Li Xuan had been arranged by her parents out of respect for the Li family's influence, but she now knew it was nothing but a carefully laid trap.

As she sat with her parents in the quiet courtyard, she spoke with measured resolve. "Father, Mother, I need to talk to you about my engagement with Li Xuan."

Her mother, Lan Yue, frowned. "What about it, Ruoyan? The Li family is powerful. Your engagement strengthens both our families."

Her father, Feng Zhiwei, regarded her carefully. "Have you changed your mind?"

Ruoyan nodded. "Yes. I have seen things… things that made me realize this engagement will only bring harm to our family. Li Xuan is not the person we think he is."

Her father's expression darkened. "You must have good reason for this, Ruoyan."

She took a deep breath. "I overheard something that made me suspicious of his intentions. He and Yue Ling… they are not as loyal as they appear." She couldn't tell them everything—not yet—but she knew her father would investigate if she planted the seed of doubt.

Lan Yue hesitated, looking to her husband. "Zhiwei, perhaps we should reconsider…"

Feng Zhiwei nodded slowly. "I will make inquiries. If what you say is true, this engagement will be dissolved immediately."

Relief washed over Ruoyan. She had taken the first step to changing her fate.