Chapter Twenty-Three: Return to Qingyun City

Seeing the men in black rushing towards them, Su Xue'er said to Shen Zixuan, "You protect this young lady. Leave the rest to me."

"Alright, Mom, be careful!"

Shen Zixuan moved Tang Ruoyu to a safe place while Su Xue'er stayed behind to handle the remaining attackers.

"Who are you, and why are you stopping us from killing her?" one of the men in black demanded.

"Who I am is none of your business. You all look like bad guys, so I'm saving her," Su Xue'er replied.

"Such arrogance! Firestorm!"

In an instant, Su Xue'er was surrounded by flames, but they had no real power. Just as she was puzzled, the man in black unleashed his strongest attack, "Fire Burst!"

The flames converged, turning everything in their path to ash. Su Xue'er smiled lightly, "Jade Blood Sword Sea." Blood-red lightning clashed with the flames, nullifying them, and the men in black were caught in the blast.

"How is this possible? So young, yet already a Spirit King?" the man in black was both surprised and fearful, knowing that someone so powerful at such a young age must have a formidable background.

Seeing Su Xue'er emerge unscathed from the flames, the remaining attackers charged at her with their swords drawn. Su Xue'er swiftly dodged all their attacks and, in just a few breaths, they were all dead.

Tang Ruoyu couldn't help but admire Su Xue'er. "She's incredible. I've never seen such a powerful spirit master among my peers."

The man in black was shocked. "Just a Spirit King, yet so strong. If she is allowed to grow, she'll become a major threat."

He began to gather his strength for one final attack, "Explosive Meteor!"

"Ten Thousand Swords as One."

A red meteor formed by spirit power clashed with Su Xue'er's technique, resulting in a massive explosion. The man in black was blasted several steps back, spitting blood.

Seeing Su Xue'er standing unharmed, the man in black looked at her with resentment.

"How is this possible? We're both Spirit Kings, yet you're so much stronger."

Su Xue'er smiled, "A frog in a well knows nothing of the vast sky." With that, she finished him with a single strike.

Afterwards, Su Xue'er went to check on Tang Ruoyu.

"Are you alright?" Su Xue'er asked with concern.

"My name is Tang Ruoyu. Thank you for saving me. If I have the chance, I will repay you."

Su Xue'er smiled, "It's nothing. We were just passing by. I'm Su Xue'er from the Spirit Master Palace. Why were they chasing you?"

"You're from the Spirit Master Palace?" Tang Ruoyu was excited but then hesitated. "But... this..." She seemed reluctant to share her secret.

Seeing her hesitation, Su Xue'er didn't press further. "It looks like you're okay now, so we'll be on our way."

As Su Xue'er turned to leave, Tang Ruoyu spoke up, "If I tell you, will you take it from me?"

"Why would I?" Su Xue'er asked, curious.

"Because I have a key that can unlock the Four Divine Artifacts, something everyone on the continent desires," Tang Ruoyu explained.

Tang Ruoyu had decided to reveal everything, knowing that Su Xue'er and Shen Zixuan were powerful enough to take it from her if they wished.

Su Xue'er looked at Shen Zixuan. "What is this?"

Shen Zixuan explained, "The Four Divine Artifacts were created long ago by a sage to fight powerful beasts. They are the Fire Bow, Water Sword, Metal Zither, and Wind Fan. Each artifact has corresponding spirit techniques of immense power. If a Spirit King possessed one, they could easily defeat others of the same rank. The sage thought they were too powerful, so he sealed them away. The key she mentioned unlocks the seal."

Su Xue'er was surprised by the Four Divine Artifacts. After a moment, she said, "Where are you going? We'll escort you."

Tang Ruoyu asked in surprise, "You're not interested in it?"

Su Xue'er smiled, "People often chase after things that don't really matter to them and forget the true meaning of their lives."

Tang Ruoyu admired Su Xue'er's words. "I'm going to Qingyun City."

"Then we're on the same path. I'm going to Qingyun City too."

Tang Ruoyu asked, "Are you going to participate in the Elite Tournament?"

"I'm going home."

"Thank you, then. I'll properly thank you when we reach Qingyun City."

After waiting for Tang Ruoyu's wounds to heal a bit, they hurried towards Qingyun City.

Upon arriving in Yunkong City, it was evident that the city was much smaller than Shengxing City. The streets, hotels, and other buildings were all noticeably more cramped.

After entering the city, Shen Zixuan mentioned he wanted to explore, so he and Su Xue'er agreed to meet at the west gate the next day. Su Xue'er, though helpless, let him go.

"Miss Su, which family in Qingyun City are you from?" Tang Ruoyu asked.

Su Xue'er stopped, turned around, and leaned close to Tang Ruoyu's ear, teasingly saying, "You'll find out when we get there."

Tang Ruoyu blushed and quickly walked ahead.

Su Xue'er laughed, "Ruoyu, what's the matter with you?"

"Nothing," Tang Ruoyu replied.

That evening, Su Xue'er and Tang Ruoyu found a hotel to settle down in.

In the middle of the night, Su Xue'er couldn't sleep and sat at the table by the window, staring blankly at the moon.

"Miss Su, what's wrong? Can't sleep?" Tang Ruoyu asked upon noticing her.

Su Xue'er turned her gaze to Tang Ruoyu and smiled faintly, "Nothing much, just some worries on my mind."

"Are you worried about your son?"

"That's part of it, but mostly I'm thinking about the past."

"It seems Miss Su isn't as optimistic as I thought," Tang Ruoyu chuckled.

Su Xue'er stood up and walked to the window, saying, "What do you think of Yushi?"

Tang Ruoyu quickly stood up, a bit uneasy, and said, "Shh, how can you speak the Commander's name so casually? If he finds out, we'll be in big trouble."

Su Xue'er was puzzled, "Is he really that terrifying?"

Tang Ruoyu sighed, "He wasn't always like this. After his master died, he changed."

"His master?"

"I don't know much, only that the Commander was very close to his master, almost like a real father and son. As for how his master died, no one knows."

"Has he ever liked any other woman?"

Tang Ruoyu's eyes widened in surprise, "Impossible. The Commander has never shown interest in any woman, including Elder Shen Yue."

"Oh, I see."

Tang Ruoyu suddenly seemed to realize something, playfully tapping Su Xue'er's nose with her finger, "You don't have feelings for the Commander, do you?"

Su Xue'er smiled and leaned in close to Tang Ruoyu's ear, whispering, "I think you suit me better."

Tang Ruoyu's face turned bright red. "I'm not talking to you anymore."

She then ran to the bed and covered her head with the blanket.

Su Xue'er just smiled and turned back to continue gazing at the moon in contemplation.