Zheng Muyao was a bit bewildered.
One Su Yi was a useless son-in-law.
Another Su Yi was an immensely respected and transcendent existence in the eyes of her father, Zheng Tianhe.
Who would believe that these two were the same person?
Yet, both of them were somehow involved with Wen Lingzhao, causing people to suspect that they were indeed the same person...
It wasn't until she walked along a long chain bridge connecting two peaks with Su Yi that Zheng Muyao seemed to have realized something and said:
"Uncle Su, across from here is the Shenxiao Peak, the cultivation place for inner disciples. Wen Lingzhao is cultivating in the 'Feiming Pavilion' at the peak of Shenxiao Peak."
Su Yi looked up and saw the surging sea of clouds. There were various palaces and pavilions scattered across the opposite mountain peaks in an orderly manner.
After crossing the chain bridge and arriving at Shenxiao Peak, Su Yi immediately sensed a faint spiritual aura in the air.
"How is Wen Lingzhao's cultivation level now?" he casually asked.
"She's at the later stage of Qi Gathering realm," Zheng Muyao couldn't help but sigh. "I have never seen anyone as diligent as her. She is too harsh on herself. Besides cultivation, she spends her days reading and studying scriptures related to cultivation in the scripture tower."
"Combined with her already exceptional talent, her progress is like a leap forward every day. Even the big shots in the sect can't stop praising her. They believe that she might have a chance to break through to the Martial Grandmaster realm by next year at the latest!"
"If that's true, she will be the genius who becomes a Martial Grandmaster at the age of eighteen, the first in Tianyuan Academy in nearly a hundred years."
Hearing this, Su Yi smiled. He understood why Wen Lingzhao was so diligent in her cultivation—it was nothing more than her desire to resolve her marriage matters as soon as possible.
In this regard, Su Yi approved of her approach.
Zheng Muyao pointed not far ahead and said, "Uncle Su, if you continue forward along the mountain path, you will reach the Feiming Pavilion."
Su Yi raised his gaze and saw a cliff platform about thirty zhang high (around 90 meters). On one side of the cliff platform, there stood a quaint and elegant two-story pavilion.
At that moment, a group of young men and women suddenly approached from afar.
The one leading them was a young man in a silver robe. With his sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, he exuded an extraordinary aura. The other men and women surrounded him like stars encircling the moon, accentuating his exceptional presence.
"Junior Sister Zheng, what are you doing here?" the young man in the silver robe asked in surprise upon seeing Zheng Muyao.
In the face of this person, Zheng Muyao's unruly demeanor subdued a bit as she replied, "Just taking a casual stroll."
The young man in the silver robe glanced at Su Yi, as if lost in thought, then smiled faintly and said, "Alright, I won't disturb you then."
After speaking, he led the group of people and walked away into the distance.
"Uncle Su, this guy is called Xiang Ming, the son of Governor Xiang Tianqiu. He is a prominent figure among the inner disciples of Tianyuan Academy, ranked fifth. His mentor is Vice Palace Master Wang Jianchong," Zheng Muyao quickly whispered in a low voice. "It's widely known in the academy that he is infatuated with Wen Lingzhao. He comes to the Feiming Pavilion every day to greet her. Like the incident with Wei Zhengyang and others, he acted under Xiang Ming's instruction."
Pausing for a moment, she continued, "Therefore, although there are many men in the academy who admire Wen Lingzhao, they all have to yield to Xiang Ming, who is like a stumbling block."
Su Yi nodded in understanding and calmly asked, "Has Wen Lingzhao accepted this admiration from Xiang Ming?"
Zheng Muyao grinned and said, "No, I heard that a while ago, Xiang Ming asked his father to intervene and help resolve Wen Lingzhao's marriage matters, but she refused."
Su Yi remarked, "Knowing that Wen Lingzhao is already married, why would this person still pursue her? Isn't he afraid of tarnishing his own reputation?"
Zheng Muyao glanced discreetly at Su Yi and said, "Uncle Su, you don't know about this. Xiang Ming has been spreading the word that Wen Lingzhao was forced into a marriage without substance, portraying her as a victim. Many people sympathize with her, and many fellow disciples have expressed support for Xiang Ming's efforts to rescue Wen Lingzhao from a difficult situation."
Su Yi chuckled and said, "Using this method to pursue a married woman, he's quite cunning."
Taking the opportunity, Zheng Muyao asked, "Uncle Su, why did you come to find Wen Lingzhao? Do you two have some kind of relationship?"
"We had a relationship in the past, but not anymore," Su Yi replied calmly.
Zheng Muyao became even more puzzled. What did he mean by that?
Just then, there was a commotion in the distance. Xiang Ming and the others stopped talking and their gazes turned towards the Feiming Pavilion, thirty zhang above the mountain path.
A young girl in white emerged from the quaint and elegant pavilion, surrounded by clouds and mist. Her figure was ethereal and otherworldly, resembling a fairy descending to the mortal realm.
Some men showed a dazed expression, while some women had complicated and bitter looks in their eyes.
Wen Lingzhao.
The most renowned successor of Tianyuan Academy, cold as snow, solitary as ice, her elegance overshadowing others!
"Ah, if I were a man, I would surely be infatuated with such a beauty," Zheng Muyao sighed softly with a touch of envy.
"She still maintains that aloof and cold demeanor," Su Yi's gaze showed a slight hint of peculiarity.
Wen Lingzhao was naturally extremely beautiful, with a picturesque appearance that surpassed worldly beauty.
However, compared to that, Su Yi appreciated Wen Lingxue more. She was in the prime of her youth, pure and radiant, full of vitality—she embodied the essence of a young girl.
Wen Lingzhao's temperament was too cold, with an extreme sense of pride restrained within her.
Of course, this was not a flaw.
To Su Yi, who was equally proud to the core, he understood that Wen Lingzhao's arrogance was a manifestation of her inner strength. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made the resolute choice to leave on the day she was forced into marriage, nor would she have dedicated herself so diligently to cultivation in Tianyuan Academy.
Everything she did was to break free from the constraints of her marriage and take control of her own destiny.
As for this so-called wife, Su Yi couldn't say he hated or rejected her. He just didn't want to carry the derogatory title of a "son-in-law." He couldn't tolerate the risk of being cuckolded while still technically married.
In fact, he and Wen Lingzhao had something in common—they both urgently wanted to dissolve their marriage.
"Lingzhao Junior Sister, are you going to the Scripture Pavilion again today to study ancient texts?" Xiang Ming approached with a graceful and composed demeanor, wearing a humble and warm smile.
Wen Lingzhao nodded but remained silent.
Xiang Ming didn't mind and smiled as he took out a scroll from his sleeve. He said, "Lingzhao Junior Sister, this is 'Feather Flow King' Yue Shichan's personal insights on breakthroughs after reaching the Grandmaster level. It's called 'Feather Flow Notes.' My father obtained it from a master in Yujing City."
Feather Flow King, Yue Shichan!
Everyone gasped in astonishment.
Among the nine kings of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Feather Flow King was undoubtedly the most deserving of the title!
He was also the youngest among the kings!
At the age of fifteen, he achieved the rank of Grandmaster. At seventeen, he entered the Innate Martial Ancestor realm. At nineteen, he was personally summoned and conferred the title of an external king by the current Emperor of Zhou, becoming the most outstanding genius in the Great Zhou Dynasty in over a thousand years.
And all of this happened within just ten years!
He once ventured alone into the territory of the Great Wei Kingdom, defeating nine Grandmaster-level experts of the Great Wei, making a name for himself across both countries and beyond.
He also braved the notorious "Heaven's Trap Mountain," known as the most dangerous place in the Great Zhou, killing twelve Demon Kings and establishing his dominance.
Countless legendary deeds were attributed to him, known to everyone within the Great Zhou, making him a mythical figure.
And now, Xiang Ming actually took out a cultivation journal personally written by Feather Flow King many years ago. How could anyone not be astonished by this?
Wen Lingzhao, who had initially intended to leave directly, suddenly paused, somewhat surprised.
"If you're interested, feel free to take it and read it," Xiang Ming said with a smile when he saw her reaction.
He had heard from others that Wen Lingzhao greatly admired and revered Feather Flow King. That's why he had gone through so much trouble to borrow this book, "Feather Flow Notes," from his father, Xiang Tianqiu.
Wen Lingzhao hesitated for a moment. "This..."
"Lingzhao Junior Sister, no need to be polite. When you're done reading it, just return it to me," Xiang Ming said, somewhat self-mockingly. "It's not that I'm stingy, but this book is too precious. I had a hard time borrowing it from my father, so I can't give it to you as a gift."
Those nearby couldn't help but show envy.
To pursue a woman by presenting her with writings from Feather Flow King, only someone like Xiang Ming, the son of a governor, could pull off such a feat!
"Wow, this guy really goes all out," Zheng Muyao exclaimed, amazed.
Su Yi remained calm, watching from a distance without any fluctuations in his expression.
Just at that moment, under the bewildered and puzzled gazes of everyone, Wen Lingzhao shook her head and said, "Forget it, this book is too valuable. You should take it back."
After speaking, she walked away, her white clothes fluttering, emanating an aura of purity and aloofness.
Everyone was stunned, unable to believe that Wen Lingzhao could refuse such temptation!
Didn't she know that with this book, it would provide immeasurable assistance to her breakthrough into the Grandmaster realm?
Xiang Ming was also dumbfounded, feeling somewhat lost.
He had been full of confidence, thinking that with this book, he could make it impossible for Wen Lingzhao to refuse his goodwill. Once she accepted it, there would naturally be more opportunities for him to get closer to her.
It was like tearing open a gap, creating an opportunity to exploit.
Never did he expect that Wen Lingzhao would reject it!
Zheng Muyao was also surprised but soon sighed and said, "Truly worthy of Wen Lingzhao, she's indeed extraordinary and not someone ordinary can compare to."
Meanwhile, Xiang Ming seemed to have regained his composure and said to the people around him, "Did you see that? This is Lingzhao Junior Sister, the woman I admire the most!"
He wore a face of contentment, his admiration stemming from the depths of his heart.
The more unattainable something is, the more it stirs up one's emotions. Perhaps that's the sentiment he was experiencing.
Suddenly, Xiang Ming noticed that Wen Lingzhao's footsteps abruptly halted, and she turned her head to look at an ancient and verdant pine tree in the distance.
Following her gaze, Xiang Ming saw Zheng Muyao, a charming and beautiful little enchantress in a black dress, along with a young man in a blue robe standing beside her.
At the same time, Zheng Muyao also froze, sensing the clear and watery gaze of Wen Lingzhao, but it wasn't directed at her.
It was directed at Su Yi, who stood beside her!
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.