Chapter Four: Dare to Touch My Woman?

The next day, Yu Shi rose early to attend to matters in the grand hall, leaving Su Xue'er alone in the residence. Yu Shi disliked crowds, so apart from a few maids, there were no additional guards around.

Unable to cultivate, Su Xue'er grew bored in the mansion and decided to take a walk for some fresh air, donning a light-colored, pale white dress. She wandered to the training grounds of the spiritual masters, marveling at the tall buildings.

"The architecture here is so intricate. The large open spaces between each row of tall buildings are used for the spiritual masters' training, making efficient use of every inch of space. Truly fascinating," she mused, admiring the beauty of the buildings.

Not far away, a haughty princess was complaining, "Why should I train with commoners? How could they be worthy?"

Her maid echoed her indignation, "Exactly! How could our noble princess train with those lowly people? Princess, please calm down."

The guards following them remained silent, their duty being solely to protect the princess.

Unknowingly, they approached Su Xue'er.

"Is she a new maid? I haven't seen her before," the princess asked, pointing at Su Xue'er.

The maid looked and respectfully replied, "Your Highness, she must be new. We haven't seen her before."

"Let's go and have a look," the princess commanded, strutting towards Su Xue'er.

At that moment, Su Xue'er was engrossed in watching the training at the grounds and didn't notice the approaching princess and her maid.

"Hey, clean my shoes," the princess demanded.

When Su Xue'er didn't respond, the maid stepped forward and shouted, "Are you deaf? The princess told you to clean her shoes! Did you not hear?"

Su Xue'er turned to look at the maid and then glanced at the princess, realizing she must be a noble given her arrogance.

Ignoring them, Su Xue'er turned to leave.

Infuriated, the princess rushed in front of Su Xue'er, and with a loud "smack," slapped her across the face. Blood trickled from Su Xue'er's lips as she fell to the ground, unable to resist due to the princess's strength as a spiritual master.

"You brazen wench! How dare you defy my orders? Kneel down and don't get up until I say so," the princess screamed.

Su Xue'er was forcibly held down. Each time she tried to stand, she was pushed back to her knees. The princess, seeing Su Xue'er's defiant glare, slapped her again.

"Don't think you can get away with disobeying me just because of your looks. You'll learn the consequences of crossing me," the princess sneered.

"Let's go find some shade and leave her to bake in the sun," she told her maid arrogantly.

Under the scorching summer sun, Su Xue'er knelt, her face pale, lips dry, and knees bleeding from the struggle. Tears slowly fell as she swayed on the verge of fainting.

A familiar voice rang out, "How dare you touch my woman!"

Su Xue'er barely opened her eyes to see Yu Shi instantly by her side. In a blink, the two guards lay dead, bloodless—a testament to the terrifying power of a divine spirit realm master, leaving lesser spiritual masters powerless.

Yu Shi gently lifted Su Xue'er, seeing her swollen face and bloodied knees from the struggle.

With a menacing glare at the princess, he demanded, "Which hand did you use?"

The princess, paralyzed with fear, collapsed to the ground, staring at the floor in terror. She couldn't believe this woman belonged to Yu Shi.

"Someone, come here," Yu Shi called out.

In an instant, four or five attendants stood by his side.

"Cripple her hands and send her back to her palace. Execute the others on the spot," Yu Shi ordered coldly.

"Please, no...!"

"Spare me, Lord Yu Shi...!"

As Yu Shi carried Su Xue'er back to the residence, the air filled with the sounds of desperate pleas and painful screams.

Yu Shi looked at Su Xue'er with deep concern. She was his guest, brought from afar, and he couldn't bear to see her humiliated like this.

"Why didn't you tell them you were with me? They wouldn't have bullied you," he asked.

"I didn't want to cause you trouble," Su Xue'er replied weakly.

Back at the mansion, Yu Shi gently placed Su Xue'er on her bed and took out a healing ointment from his spatial ring, carefully applying it to her swollen face.

"Does it hurt? I'll be more gentle," he said softly.

After treating her face, he took out another small bottle and applied the ointment to her bleeding knees, wrapping them with cloth.

"Xue'er, come to the grand hall with me tomorrow."

"No, I can't. I'll only be a burden," Su Xue'er shook her head, refusing Yu Shi's suggestion.

"Xue'er..."

"I really don't want to go," she insisted.

Seeing her determination, Yu Shi didn't press further.

Su Xue'er, realizing her words might have been harsh, suggested gently, "Can I go to the academy instead?"

Yu Shi thought for a moment, "Alright, you can go to the academy next to the Spiritual Masters' Hall. If anything happens, I can get to you quickly."

"Okay," Su Xue'er smiled faintly.

Seeing her smile warmed Yu Shi's heart. It had been a long time since he felt this way about someone.

"Xue'er, I like seeing you smile," he confessed.

Su Xue'er paused, finally understanding that Yu Shi had feelings for her. She had always wondered if it was love at first sight or mere attraction. Now she knew it was mostly the latter.

If Yu Shi knew her thoughts, he might have fainted on the spot.

"I want to ask, how many factions are there on this continent? How do people cultivate? What do they rely on? Can I still cultivate?" Su Xue'er asked.

Yu Shi calmly explained, "There are top-tier factions, first-tier factions, second-tier factions, and third-tier factions on this continent."

Pointing around, he continued, "The top-tier factions include the Spiritual Masters' Mansion where we are now, and the Four Great Empires: Northern Xu Empire, Southern Yue Empire, Eastern Yu Empire, and Western Yun Empire. First-tier factions are the top sects within the territories of the three empires except the Western Yun Empire. Second and third-tier factions are lesser-known sects and families."

He continued, "Our continent's cultivators derive their spirit bodies from their spirit seas, absorbing external spiritual energy for cultivation."

Then, reaching for Su Xue'er's hand, he explained, "I want to check if your spirit sea can still generate a spirit body."

Su Xue'er hesitated but nodded, letting him inspect her meridians and spirit sea.

After a while, Yu Shi frowned deeply.

"What's wrong? Can't I cultivate?" Su Xue'er asked anxiously.

Yu Shi's answer shocked her.

"I can't sense your spirit sea. My spiritual power can't enter your spirit sea, which means you were once an exceptional master."

Su Xue'er was taken aback.

"But there are very few who can match my power on this continent. I can't imagine who you might be. If you were that powerful, I would have heard of you..." Yu Shi muttered to himself, puzzled.

Hearing his musings, Su Xue'er chuckled, making Yu Shi feel a bit foolish.

"So even the renowned Yu Shi doesn't know everything, huh?" she teased.

Yu Shi felt a bit embarrassed, thinking to himself, you're the first woman to dare to laugh at me, yet I don't mind. Although the question remains unanswered, the truth will reveal itself in time.