Chapter Thirty-Three: The Shattering of the Purple Jade Sword

After several twists and turns, Su Xue'er left, while Yushi continued reading with a face full of happiness.

As Su Xue'er left the study, she headed towards Tang Ruoyu's right side hall, only to find Shen Zixuan not far away.

Slowing her pace, Su Xue'er observed.

At that moment, Shen Zixuan was standing in front of Tang Ruoyu's door, holding a bouquet of flowers and acting obsequiously. The bouquet looked decent but lacked refinement in color coordination.

Su Xue'er smiled bitterly and said, "I guess I'll have to help him out."

Approaching, she softly said, "Xiaoxuan, come here."

Shen Zixuan walked over upon hearing her voice.

"What's up, Mom?"

Su Xue'er took the bouquet from Shen Zixuan's hand and said, "You're quite clueless. If you give this to Tang Ruoyu, she won't like it."

"What should I do then?"

Su Xue'er plucked out the longest red flower from the bouquet and said, "This flower is called the Crimson Fragrance Flower. Give it to Tang Ruoyu and say that my feelings for you are like this flower, forever blooming with the most beautiful side."

"Okay, Mom."

With that, Shen Zixuan happily ran to the door.

Su Xue'er watched from the side. She saw Shen Zixuan knock on the door, and after a while, Tang Ruoyu opened it. Seeing Shen Zixuan, Tang Ruoyu took the Crimson Fragrance Flower he offered and exchanged a few words before he left.

After Shen Zixuan left, Su Xue'er quietly approached and knocked on the door. After a moment, Tang Ruoyu came to open it, saying, "Shen Zixuan, what's the matter again?"

Seeing Su Xue'er, Tang Ruoyu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Oh, it's Xue'er, come in quickly."

After Su Xue'er entered, the two sat at the table. Tang Ruoyu took out the flowers Shen Zixuan had just sent and said with a bitter face, "Xue'er, was this your idea?"

"How is it? Did it work?" Su Xue'er asked.

"You're right in what you said, but you know, I can marry him, but I can't force myself to have feelings for him."

Su Xue'er held Tang Ruoyu's hand warmly and said, "I won't force you to marry him, but can you give him a chance? Give him a chance for you to understand him, okay?"

Tang Ruoyu nodded silently, looking out the window. "Xue'er, tomorrow is the top eight into the top four. Do you have confidence?"

"Among the remaining seven teams, how do we compare to the team led by Gong Sunyan?"

"His talent may not be as good as his two brothers', but he's the most hardworking. He's already at the peak of the Spirit King Realm. His strength shouldn't be underestimated. Then there's the second prince of the Nan Yue Empire, Nan Gongluo, the fourth prince, Nan Gongpotian, and the fifth prince, Nan Gongjiyu, as well as the third prince of the Dong Yu Empire, Yu Wenjue, and the trio from Yun Chugong, Yun Chukunlun, Yun Chushuyuan, and Yun Chuyanlong, the trio from Suoyuelou, Huaxuening, Huayueming, and Huaqixiao, and the duo from Lingxiaoxuan, Shen Wujue, and Shen Mingxing. These are all at the peak of the Spirit King Realm and are formidable opponents."

"How do we compare to Gong Sunyan's team?"

"They're evenly matched. Some of them are on the verge of breaking through to the Spirit Emperor Realm, but they've been suppressed due to the rules of the competition."

Su Xue'er pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "It seems that winning the championship won't be easy."

Seeing Su Xue'er's worried expression, Tang Ruoyu comforted her, "It's okay, Xue'er. After all, they've cultivated for several more years than you. It's normal for their level to be higher. Just do your best and don't force yourself."

"Mmhm."

The next day.

The final battle for the top four had begun, and the platform used for the competition had been successfully cast, leaving everyone in awe of the craftsmanship of the Ling Shi House.

At this moment, the host announced, "The rules for this year remain the same. In the battle for the top four, each of the eight teams can send three or fewer members to compete. Surrendering or jumping off the platform cannot be pursued, otherwise, they will be disqualified on the spot. Now, one member from each team with the number one draw please step forward to draw lots."

Su Xue'er stepped forward to draw lots and immediately picked a card with a number one on it before showing it to the host and stepping down.

Tang Ruoyu asked, "Xue'er, what number did you draw?"

"One. What does that signify?"

"The order of appearance. One means your team will go first."

After a moment, the host began the announcement. When Su Xue'er saw that their team was matched with the Second Team of the Bei Xun Empire, she smiled bitterly and said, "It seems fate is against us."

"Xue'er, be careful with Gong Sunyan. Although his talent isn't high, his abilities are extraordinary," Tang Ruoyu warned.

"Got it."

After the announcement, the host declared, "The two teams that drew number one please send one member each to the stage."

Gong Sunyan and Su Xue'er leaped onto the platform simultaneously. Gong Sunyan looked at the fragile Su Xue'er in front of him with a hint of mockery and said, "You're Su Xue'er? I don't think much of you. I wonder if my two brothers are incompetent or waterproof."

It was a provocation, blatant and unmasked. Su Xue'er ignored him and, wielding the Purple Jade Sword, launched a direct attack towards Gong Sunyan.

With a disdainful snort, Gong Sunyan dodged to the side and counterattacked with his Blood Moon Greatsword.

While Gong Sunyan was slow in speed and lacked agility, Su Xue'er quickly realized this. However, he possessed great strength and had a blocking technique that thwarted each of Su Xue'er's attacks effortlessly.

Gong Sunyan said, "Su Xue'er, let's settle this with one fight. Do you dare?"

Su Xue'er immediately responded, "I dare."

With that, they exchanged blows for several rounds. In a moment of defense lapse from Gong Sunyan, Su Xue'er unleashed the second layer of the Jade Sword Technique, the Jade Blood Sword Sea.

At that moment, Gong Sunyan jumped into the air, "Wrath of the True Dragon." He landed a palm strike, shattering the Jade Blood Sword Sea, and sneered, "Your attacks are nothing special. Let me show you my True Void Furious Slash."

Accompanied by a roar of a dragon, Gong Sunyan pointed his sword to the sky. At that moment, a golden dragon hovered over his blade. Meanwhile, Su Xue'er had prepared the One Sword Unification.

"Boom!"

The collision of their energies created a deafening sound. Gong Sunyan was already spitting blood at this point, struggling to stand. Su Xue'er, too, was bleeding from her mouth, but she managed to hold herself up.

"You do have some skills, but I haven't used my last trump card yet," Gong Sunyan said.

He stabilized himself, and spiritual energy converged around his body. "I possess the Sacred Fire Attribute Spiritual Body, the power of extreme speed."

With that, his speed increased dramatically, and he wielded the Blood Moon Greatsword towards Su Xue'er. Su Xue'er hurriedly blocked the attack with the Purple Jade Sword.

"Clang!"

The Blood Moon Greatsword clashed with the Purple Jade Sword. However, Su Xue'er, exhausted, found herself being pushed backward by Gong Sunyan. Just when she was about to fall off the platform, she noticed that the Purple Jade Sword was on the verge of shattering. With a quick thought, she instantly released and retracted the Spatial Domain. Gong Sunyan couldn't even notice it. In that instant, she forcefully broke the Purple Jade Sword. As Gong Sunyan recovered from his confusion, his momentum pushed him forward, and Su Xue'er seized the opportunity to kick him off the stage.

The audience erupted into a commotion.

"I can't believe this! I really didn't expect it. I thought Su Xue'er was going to lose."

"It seems like the competition isn't just about strength. Sometimes, it's about intelligence too. Haha."

...

Su Xue'er looked at Gong Sunyan below the stage and said coldly, "You lost."

"I see. There's a reason why you defeated the Fifth and Sixth Brothers. Haha," he said and walked away.

"Now, it's announced that the Ling Shi House team wins."

The host's announcement was followed by Tang Ruoyu and Shen Zixuan going up to support Su Xue'er. Su Xue'er looked at the shattered Purple Jade Sword, her disappointment evident on her face. Tang Ruoyu slowly picked up the fragments, stored them in a spatial ring, and helped Su Xue'er off the stage.