Chapter Eight: Thank You for Believing in Me

Creak~

Shen Yueru walked into Yushi's study, feeling a surge of resentment as she saw Su Xue'er sitting on Yushi's lap. Why did he care so much for a stranger? Buying her the finest clothes on the continent and letting her sit on his lap?

Suppressing her anger, Shen Yueru stepped forward. At that moment, Yushi looked at her.

"How dare you enter without knocking? Who taught you manners?" Yushi banged the table, yelling at Shen Yueru. The sudden outburst startled Su Xue'er, who quickly stood up.

Shen Yueru turned pale with fear, unable to find words.

Seeing Su Xue'er's fright, Yushi immediately turned to her with concern, "Xue'er, are you okay?"

Su Xue'er shook her head. Yushi said, "Xue'er, go back to your room. I have matters to handle."

As Su Xue'er left, she noticed the murderous look in Shen Yueru's eyes.

After she left, Yushi's tone softened slightly as he addressed Shen Yueru, "What's the matter? Do you need something?"

"May I sit down?" Shen Yueru asked.

"Go ahead."

As Shen Yueru looked at Yushi, she felt he had changed, yet he hadn't.

"Senior brother, I have some leads on the matter you asked me to investigate."

Yushi's anger flared, "It's just a small area. You've been searching for three months and only now have some leads?"

Shen Yueru calmly said, "I know where Yun Chuxue is."

Yushi smiled coldly, "Oh? Do tell, where is she?"

"She is Su Xue'er. Su Xue'er is Yun Chuxue," Shen Yueru said firmly, her eyes fixed on Yushi, mocking Su Xue'er inwardly. You? Compete with me?

Upon hearing this, Yushi instantly appeared beside Shen Yueru, slapping her so hard she flew to the door.

Blood trickled from Shen Yueru's mouth as she looked at Yushi in disbelief, "Senior brother, why?"

"Fine, I'll tell you why. First, Yun Chuxue is older than both of us, while Xue'er is a sixteen-year-old girl. Even with disguise techniques, why would she use one to get close to me? What would be her motive? Second, Yun Chuxue is a Spirit God realm expert, whereas Xue'er is only an early-stage Spirit Master. I personally checked. I don't believe there's a way to hide one's cultivation in this world. Third, your evidence is Xue'er's handwriting from the academy? Is this your efficiency? If writing alone is enough to decide, then if I mimic your writing, would that make me Shen Yueru?"

Every word pierced Shen Yueru's heart.

"I've known Yun Chuxue since childhood. I know her handwriting. Have you forgotten who killed our master?" Shen Yueru retorted.

"Enough! I will avenge our master personally. You don't need to worry."

Shen Yueru trembled as she stood up and slowly walked out.

Outside, she saw Su Xue'er standing not far away, having overheard Shen Yueru and Yushi's conversation. She stared blankly at the study door.

Staggering over, Shen Yueru mocked, "What exactly attracts senior brother to you? I find it laughable."

"..."

"You're just a Spirit Master, and I heard senior brother signed you up for the Continental Spirit Master Elite Tournament. Do you think you belong there?"

"..."

"When I was your age, I was the champion of the Continental Tournament. Can you achieve that?" Shen Yueru laughed as she walked away.

Su Xue'er stood there, her mind filled with Shen Yueru's words. Yushi approached, "Xue'er, I..."

"I can."

Yushi was surprised, "What?"

"I can win the championship. I must win," Su Xue'er said with determination, but her eyes betrayed her fear.

Seeing this, Yushi smiled gently, "I understand, but don't push yourself too hard. Just do your best."

As Yushi was about to leave, Su Xue'er said, "Thank you for believing in me."

"Yes, just do your best. Don't force yourself."

"I wasn't talking about that."

"You mean what happened in the study?" Yushi pointed to the study.

"Yes."

Yushi smiled faintly and walked back to the study.

Su Xue'er returned to her room and sat on the bed, beginning her cultivation.

"Now that my spiritual energy is stable, I can start absorbing more."

While Su Xue'er cultivated, Yushi summoned a man in black. The man's face was hidden in the shadows.

"Master."

"Is the task I assigned you completed?"

"Master, after several years of investigation, I found that your master's death had little to do with Yun Chuxue. However, on the day your master was killed, Elder Shen Yueru was not at the Spirit Master Mansion."

Yushi clenched his fists tightly, "Alright, you may leave."

"Yes."

The man in black vanished from the study in an instant.

A Year Later

Within a year, Su Xue'er had stabilized her spiritual energy at the early Spirit Master stage.

Half a year ago, Yushi gave Su Xue'er a cultivation technique called Jade Sword Art.

The Jade Sword Art has three levels: Jade Heart Slash, Jade Blood Sword Sea, and Myriad Swords as One.

Su Xue'er practiced the moves without using spiritual energy for six months but saw no progress.

"This technique is so complex and diverse. I'm exhausted. I need a break."

Wiping sweat from her face, Su Xue'er sat on a stone stool.

Gazing at the Ziyun Jade Sword in her hand, she murmured, "Jade Sword, Jade Sword, why present me with such a challenge?" Su Xue'er sighed.

"Your moves are well-practiced. Try channeling your spiritual energy through your wrist and enveloping the sword," a voice suggested.

Startled, Su Xue'er looked towards the voice and saw Yushi leaning against the wall, watching her with admiration.

Following his advice, Su Xue'er saw good results.

She approached Yushi with a smile, "Thank you."

"No problem. Your cultivation is going well, just stay consistent."

"I don't know."

Yushi gently patted her head, "Recovering quickly shows your talent, but actual combat experience is crucial."

"Yes."

"Now, gather your spiritual energy and strike me with all your might. I want to see your strength."

"Won't it hurt you?" Su Xue'er asked, worried.

Yushi chuckled at her concern, "I'm at the Spirit God realm. You can't hurt me."

"Alright, here I go."

Su Xue'er pointed her sword to the sky, then slowly lowered it, channeling her spiritual energy into the blade. She swung with all her strength.

"Jade Heart Slash."

As the sword energy neared Yushi, he casually waved his hand, dissipating the energy with a profound force.

"Not bad. This strike had the strength of a peak Spirit Master," Yushi said with a smile.

Su Xue'er looked at him in shock, "What? Peak Spirit Master?"