Chapter Twenty-Six: Meeting Three of the Continent's Top Powerhouses

Just as they entered the gates of the Spirit Master Pavilion, Shen Zixuan was so excited that he clung to Su Xue'er's arm, exclaiming, "Mom, look here! Mom, look there!"

Su Xue'er was speechless. Yu Shi quietly said to her, "Are you sure this child isn't one you raised in the wild?"

"I..." Su Xue'er felt a bit guilty and somewhat annoyed at Yu Shi.

After arriving at the Chief's residence, Yu Shi, Su Xue'er, Shen Zixuan, and Tang Ruoyu got off the carriage. The soldiers lined up on both sides of the gate, and Yu Que drove the carriage away.

Shen Zixuan curiously looked around before running inside. Yu Shi asked, "Where should we place him?"

"The closer, the better. Let's have Xiao Xuan stay here," Su Xue'er suggested, pointing to the Chief's residence.

"And Ruoyu too. She should stay here as well."

Yu Shi glanced at Tang Ruoyu, who responded with surprise, "Chief, I can stay wherever you arrange."

Su Xue'er took Tang Ruoyu's hand and said gently, "You're always busy. It would be nice to have Ruoyu keep me company."

Yu Shi had no choice but to agree. "Alright, since you asked, I will agree."

At this moment, Yu Que approached, "Chief, the Elder has something to discuss with you."

"Alright, I'll go over now." Yu Shi then turned to Su Xue'er and Tang Ruoyu, "Xue'er, you handle things here. I'll head off first."

With that, Yu Shi left with his soldiers, leaving Su Xue'er with two soldiers and Yu Que.

Su Xue'er instructed Yu Que, "Yu Que, prepare the left wing for Ruoyu and the right wing for Xiao Xuan."

"Yes, Miss."

Yu Que then led the two soldiers inside.

"Ruoyu, let's go. I'll show you around the Chief's residence."

"Alright."

Su Xue'er took Tang Ruoyu around the Chief's residence, stopping at the back garden. Tang Ruoyu, slightly out of breath, said, "Xue'er, I can't walk anymore. It's too big. I'm tired. I need to rest."

She then sat on a bench in the pavilion.

"You, getting tired after just a few steps," Su Xue'er teased, also sitting down.

"How do you feel about it?" Su Xue'er asked.

"It's big and quite simple. I wonder why the Chief doesn't decorate it more lavishly?" Tang Ruoyu replied.

"He has his reasons. By the way, what is your current cultivation level? And why did Yu Shi say bringing you to the Spirit Master Pavilion was his father's wish?" Su Xue'er asked.

"I'm at the late stage of Spirit Master. I haven't been cultivating much because I've been busy transporting goods," Tang Ruoyu said, pursing her lips. "The Chief's father's wish was to bring me to the Spirit Master Pavilion for training once I came of age."

"Oh, I see. What's the attribute of your spiritual body?"

"Holy Healing Spirit."

"Healing?" Su Xue'er exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, our family has always had healing spiritual bodies, which is why we rely on the protection of the Spirit Master Pavilion," Tang Ruoyu explained.

"Do you know Yun Chuxue?" Su Xue'er asked.

"Of course..." Tang Ruoyu started, then paused. "No, I don't. I've never heard of her."

It was clear Tang Ruoyu was hiding something. Su Xue'er, with a hint of sadness, said, "Do you all really think Yun Chuxue is a bad person?"

Tang Ruoyu pursed her lips and said, "Actually, she is a great benefactor to our family. But because of the Spirit Master Pavilion's pressure, we can't talk about it. Please don't tell Yu Shi."

Su Xue'er chuckled lightly, "I think the same as you. She must not be a bad person. There must be a misunderstanding."

"Ah!" Shen Zixuan suddenly shouted beside Tang Ruoyu, startling her.

Tang Ruoyu, annoyed, said, "What are you doing?"

Seeing this, Su Xue'er quickly called out, "Xiao Xuan, stop being naughty."

"Okay," Shen Zixuan replied obediently, sitting down but still glancing at Tang Ruoyu from time to time.

"Ruoyu, don't be mad. Xiao Xuan is just a bit mischievous," Su Xue'er apologized.

"It's fine," Tang Ruoyu replied.

At this moment, Yu Que approached, "Miss, the Chief is looking for you."

"Alright, I'll go now."

Before leaving, Su Xue'er reminded Shen Zixuan, "Xiao Xuan, don't cause trouble. Be good and wait for me to come back."

"Okay, I'll be good," Shen Zixuan promised.

"Mom is leaving then," Su Xue'er said as she followed Yu Que, leaving Shen Zixuan and Tang Ruoyu in the pavilion.

Before Shen Zixuan could speak, Tang Ruoyu interjected, "Shen Zixuan, I know what you're going to say. We're not suitable for each other."

Tang Ruoyu clearly knew what Shen Zixuan wanted to say, so she preemptively expressed her stance. However, Shen Zixuan responded with a straightforward request, "Can you give me a chance to pursue you?"

"No, not even once," Tang Ruoyu said loudly.

Shen Zixuan fell silent, and seeing his dejected look, Tang Ruoyu felt she might have been too harsh, so she continued, "But you have to promise me one thing."

Shen Zixuan immediately perked up and looked at Tang Ruoyu seriously.

Tang Ruoyu said, "You have to win the continental championship."

"No way," Shen Zixuan immediately rejected.

Tang Ruoyu asked, "No? Why not?"

"I can only take second place."

Tang Ruoyu looked at Shen Zixuan in surprise and continued, "Why second?"

"Because the first place belongs to my mom."

Tang Ruoyu instantly understood and didn't press further. Seeing this, Shen Zixuan added, "Ruoyu, I... I have no choice but to take second. How about this..."

Tang Ruoyu smiled, "If you get second place, I'll give you a chance to pursue me."

"Really?"

"Really."

Shen Zixuan immediately jumped up, as happy as a child, and ran out of the pavilion, hopping all the way to his room, overwhelmed with joy.

Tang Ruoyu watched him helplessly, muttering, "Shen Zixuan, I hope this will discourage you a bit. I wonder when Xue'er will return."

In the Spirit Master Hall, Yu Shi led Su Xue'er to the highest level. After opening the door, Yu Shi said, "Go in. Someone wants to see you."

"Okay."

After Su Xue'er entered, she found the hall empty, with only pillars standing on either side. She slowly walked to the innermost part and found three old men sitting there. The one in the middle had a kind and amiable appearance, the one on the left looked very stern, and the one on the right appeared indifferent and bored.

What Su Xue'er didn't know was that these three men were top powerhouses on the continent—at the peak of the Spirit God Realm. They were here for special reasons.

Su Xue'er bowed and said, "Greetings, esteemed elders."

The old man in the middle said kindly, "Let me introduce us. We are the three brothers of Yu Shi's grandfather. Yu Shi's grandfather is our eldest brother..."

The old man on the left couldn't contain himself and interrupted loudly, "Second brother, you talk too much."

He then turned to Su Xue'er and said, "Young girl, I know you are Yun Chuxue. State your purpose for approaching my grandson."

His voice was so loud that it echoed clearly.

Su Xue'er was startled and replied nervously, "I don't know what you're talking about."

The middle-aged elder slowly said, "Girl, my name is Yu Zhengqing. This is Yu Zhengpo, and this is Yu Zhengfeng. I know you are engaged to Yu Shi, but we must ensure his safety, so just tell us the truth."

Su Xue'er took a deep breath and said slowly, "I lost my memory. I don't know what my name was before, but I heard that Yun Chuxue visited Treasure Valley five years ago. I went there to investigate and confirmed that I was there five years ago. So, I don't know if I am her."

Yu Zhengqing laughed, "You are telling the truth. Aren't you afraid that if you are Yun Chuxue, we might kill you?"

Hearing this, Su Xue'er knelt down and said, "If I am Yun Chuxue, I am willing to take responsibility for what I did before."

Yu Zhengqing looked at his two brothers, then turned his gaze back to Su Xue'er. Seeing her determined expression, he said with satisfaction, "Girl, whether or not you are Yun Chuxue is not for us to decide. Yun Chuxue's past actions offended the interests of other empires and sects. So you must understand, never claim to be Yun Chuxue in front of anyone, unless you are powerful enough. Do you understand?"

"I understand. Thank you, elder, for sparing my life." Su Xue'er bowed deeply and stood up.

"Go on, don't keep Yu Shi waiting."

"Thank you, elder."

After Su Xue'er left, Yu Zhengpo impatiently asked, "Second brother, why did you let her go? Don't you know that almost all of Yun Chuxue's enemies on the continent know she isn't dead?"

"Third brother, every action has its cause and effect. It's not up to you or me to decide her fate. It all depends on her destiny."