Chapter One: The Injured Woman

Last year's snowfall in the Heavenly Spirit Continent was exceptionally heavy. People joyfully built snowmen and had snowball fights, immersed in the fun. They said it was the biggest snowfall in decades, with some even claiming it was the largest they'd seen in their lifetime.

After the snow melted, flowers and plants flourished, and the spiritual masters began their rigorous training while the common people started sowing their fields. In this era of peace, a new year began.

Spiritual masters on this continent advance their training through the awakening of their spiritual bodies. The origin of these masters lies in the Spirit Masters' Residence in Qingyun City, located in the Xiyun Empire. After generations of decline, the Spirit Masters' Residence had stabilized under the leadership of Yushi, becoming one of the top powers on the continent.

The sound of hoofbeats echoed through the air as a troop of spirit masters made their way to Xilu City. The white-clad army marched in strict formation, their banner bearing the large character "Yu." The luxurious carriages and the high-quality armor of the spirit masters indicated their status and power.

"Uh..."

Suddenly, a woman's moan was heard. The leading soldiers immediately dismounted, signaling the rest to surround the carriage and stay alert. Despite the sparse trees and abundant shrubs, their vigilance reflected their rigorous training and high alertness.

"What's happening? What's the matter?" came a voice from inside the carriage.

"Reporting, my lord, there is a disturbance nearby..."

"Do I need to teach you how to handle this?" the lord interrupted sharply.

"Understood, my lord," the guard responded quickly.

"Uh..."

The guard led a few men toward the sound. They cut through the shrubs with their swords and found a young woman, about sixteen years old, lying there in tattered clothes, bleeding from several wounds and barely clinging to life.

"Watch her and don't act rashly. I'll report to the lord," the guard instructed before heading back to the carriage.

He respectfully approached the lord, who was sitting inside, and reported, "My lord, there is a suspicious woman, gravely injured, in the bushes. I await your instructions."

"Do I need to teach you how to handle such matters?" the lord's voice was frighteningly sharp, causing the guard to tremble and break into a cold sweat.

"My lord, I understand."

As the guard turned to leave, the lord said, "Wait, I'll go and see for myself. Let's see who dares such audacity."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard led the lord to the injured woman, pointing to her as he said, "My lord, it's her. Should we take any precautions? She might be an assassin. Please be careful."

The lord squatted down to turn the woman over and see who dared to be so bold. Upon seeing her face, with sapphire blue eyes, he was taken aback.

Such beauty! The onlookers couldn't help but exclaim, "Is there really such a beautiful woman in the world? She looks like a celestial being."

"Yes, indeed."

"Hmm?" The lord glared at them, silencing their whispers.

The lord stood up, removed his cloak, and covered the woman, then gently lifted her in his arms. The guard started to protest but was silenced by the lord's sharp gaze.

Seeing a handkerchief fall from the woman, the guard quickly picked it up and handed it to the lord. "My lord, this fell from the woman."

The lord examined it and asked, "What's written on it?"

"There's a character 'Xue' (Snow), my lord."

The lord pondered for a moment. "Snow? Is her name related to snow?"

"How far are we from Xilu City?"

"Less than ten kilometers, my lord."

"When we reach Xilu City, investigate all women whose names contain 'Xue.' I want a complete list."

"Yes, my lord."

Upon arriving at the most luxurious hotel in Xilu City, Ran Yi Hotel, the lord carried the woman to the top floor. Nobles greeted him with respectful nods, acknowledging his renowned contributions to the continent and his unparalleled strength. In a world where might rules, he commanded respect and fear. The entire top floor had been cleared, leaving only his party.

The lord gently laid the woman on a bed and covered her with a blanket. "Summon someone!"

The same guard who had first responded entered the room. "My lord, what are your orders?"

"Qu Qi, forget about investigating for now. Buy some clothes for a girl around sixteen, the best you can find. Then, find a few maidservants and station more guards outside. Don't let even a fly enter."

Seeing the lord's urgency, Qu Qi replied, "Yes, my lord."

The lord sat beside the woman, gently touching her face. "Such beauty! And a name related to snow. Interesting."

As he was about to leave, a cold hand grabbed his sleeve. He turned to see her awake, looking at him with a soft expression.

"Where am I?" she asked in a low, hoarse voice.

"This is Ran Yi Hotel in Xilu City," he replied gently, his tone far removed from his earlier harshness.

"Xilu City? What is Ran Yi Hotel?"

"Rest now. We'll talk later." His voice remained tender, and she nodded before closing her eyes again.

In the evening, after she woke up, maidservants gently cleaned her wounds, applied medicine, and dressed her in new clothes. When the lord returned, he found her sitting on the bed, looking much better than when he had first found her.

"You're awake?" he asked with a gentle smile.

"Yes, thank you."

The lord sat down on the bed, looking at her. "May I ask you a few questions?"

"Yes."

"What is your name?"

She shook her head.

"Do you remember how you got injured?"

She shook her head again.

"You don't remember anything?"

She nodded.

He reached out to check her spiritual energy, causing her to wince in pain. "Sorry, I just wanted to see if you had any spiritual power left."

"..."

"This handkerchief fell from you. Does it look familiar?"

She examined it but shook her head.

"Thank you for saving me. Can you tell me your name?" Her sweet, delicate voice stirred something in him.

"I am Yushi," he replied, his tone unusually soft. He had never spoken to anyone like this before.

"Do you know my name?"

"No, but there is a 'Xue' character on your handkerchief. It might be related to your name."

She found the character and, with a darkened expression, said nothing.

"Since you've lost your memory, would you like me to give you a new name?"

She nodded.

After a moment of thought, Yushi suggested, "How about Su Xue'er?"

"Okay," she agreed, her expression cold and distant.

"Where would you like to go now?" Yushi asked kindly.

"I don't know."

"Why don't you stay with me for now?"

She looked at him in surprise, then at the handkerchief in her hand, and nodded.

Yushi, filled with joy, watched her closely, though Su Xue'er, looking down, missed his expression.

"Are you feeling better? Shall we go for a walk?"

"Yes."

Yushi stood and helped Su Xue'er out of bed. She tried to put on her shoes, but Yushi knelt down to help her. She didn't object. Once she was dressed, her new clothes highlighted her beauty, though some details were off.

Seeing this, Yushi adjusted her clothes, making her blush slightly. "Sorry, I noticed your clothes were a bit off. I just wanted to help."

Turning to the doorway, he barked, "These useless servants can't even dress someone properly. They must be tired of living."

"I dressed myself."

No wonder it wasn't perfect. But now those servants were in even more trouble.

"Let's go for a walk."

Supporting Su Xue'er, Yushi led her down from the top floor. Along the way, many were stunned by her beauty.

"Who is that woman with the commander? Such elegance!"

"Indeed, she is remarkable."

...