Staring at the calligraphy for a moment, Ning Xuehua said, "I actually think that severing ties with him is a good thing. A person like him... no woman in this world can hold his heart."
Upon hearing this, Wen Ling Zhao snapped out of her complex and dazed thoughts, pursing her lips. "I never liked him in the first place."
Although she said it like that, there was an indescribable melancholy and frustration in her heart.
Previously, she would have been furious—a useless son-in-law using written words to declare a clear separation from her. How absurd was that?
But now, thinking about the various methods Su Yi had displayed earlier, she could only feel a sense of inexplicable loss and regret.
Ever since being forced to marry Su Yi last year, she had focused all her energy on dissolving this marriage. She spared no effort in advancing her cultivation, never allowing herself to slack off even a bit.
Finally, she became the most dazzling successor of Tianyuan Academy, earning the admiration and envy of countless peers.
Many important figures also had high hopes for her, believing that when she turned eighteen next year, she would have a chance to challenge the realm of Grandmaster.
She had always regarded Yu Liu Wang Yue Shi Chan as her target, hoping to become a royal concubine within three years. By doing so, she could negotiate with the Su family in Yujing City and convince them to annul this marriage.
As for Su Yi, she had always treated him as a stranger, never expecting him, a useless son-in-law, to play any role in dissolving the marriage.
As long as he didn't cause trouble, it was enough.
But Wen Ling Zhao didn't expect that after more than a month apart, Su Yi would become an entirely different person when they met again!
The son of the governor, Xiang Ming, was forced to kneel by him.
The elder Chuo Kong Chao was punched to death by him.
Even the sect leader, who had not appeared for many years, unleashed a godlike attack that was effortlessly resolved by him!
Everything was so unimaginable.
He was completely different from the Su Yi she knew, and the terrifying power he possessed created an immense gap that she couldn't describe.
Out of reach, perhaps that was the case!
"Do you want this calligraphy piece?" Ning Xuehua suddenly asked.
Wen Ling Zhao was taken aback, looking up at the black ink characters on the white paper on the rock. There was an indescribable anger in her heart.
After a moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Yes!"
"Are you ashamed of it? Are you willing to endure hardships and strive for self-improvement, only to seek revenge someday, tit for tat?" Ning Xuehua asked with interest.
Wen Ling Zhao took a deep breath, determination shining in her clear eyes. "I just want to prove that I won't be worse than him in the future."
Ning Xuehua didn't mock her, but her eyes showed a hint of pity. She let out a soft sigh and said, "Perhaps miracles will happen in the future too. No one can say for sure."
With that, she picked up the calligraphy piece and walked over to hand it to Wen Ling Zhao, saying, "The meaning behind these characters contains no humiliation or slander. In my opinion, the laws and regulations of this mundane world are simply not worth his attention. If you can choose to let go, it might be a relief for you."
Wen Ling Zhao held the calligraphy piece in her hand, her clear eyes reflecting the bold and vigorous strokes of those eight characters, causing a piercing pain in her heart.
She silently collected the calligraphy piece, holding it tightly in her hand. Her delicate face turned pale, and she murmured, "Palace Master, everyone has their own choices, and this disciple is not willing to bow down like this."
Ning Xuehua observed the girl before her, dressed in white like snow and as beautiful as a painting. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she said, "Are you willing to accompany me in practicing by my side?"
Wen Ling Zhao's dim eyes shimmered with brightness, like a flickering flame emerging from ashes. She replied, "This... would be my honor. May I inform my master first?"
Ning Xuehua said, "Zhu Guqing, right? She won't refuse. It depends on you."
Wen Ling Zhao took a deep breath and firmly said, "I'm willing!"
Ning Xuehua nodded and said, "From today onwards, you will move to my 'Withered Prosperity Hall' to practice."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Why isn't your master here today?"
Wen Ling Zhao explained, "A few days ago, my master received orders to go to Yunhe County... on official business."
She explained the situation, and towards the end, a hint of confusion appeared on her face. "A few days ago, I received a letter from my master, saying that she had set off from Yunhe County. Based on the time calculation, she should have returned two days ago."
"She must have been delayed by something on the way," Ning Xuehua dismissed the matter.
She was about to leave when she noticed Li Fengxing not far away. She said, "The incident that just happened should not be leaked."
Li Fengxing solemnly cupped his fists and replied, "I will follow the Palace Master's command."
"You too," Ning Xuehua added, glancing at Wen Ling Zhao.
Wen Ling Zhao's clear eyes showed a trace of melancholy as she nodded in agreement.
...
At the foot of Autumn Leaf Mountain, Zheng Muyao anxiously waited in front of the carriage, feeling restless and uneasy. Today's events had startled her, and she had a sense of foreboding.
"Miss, since Su Gongzi dared to take action, it must not be a reckless move. You don't have to worry too much," Liao Bowen, acting as the coachman, reassured her.
He had already learned some of the events that had taken place on Shenxiao Peak from Zheng Muyao.
At first, he was shocked by it as well, but after calming down, he believed that with Su Yi's temperament and capabilities, he wouldn't care about killing someone in Tianyuan Academy, especially after beheading the Moon Wheel Sect's elder, Liu Hongqi. Even if he caused trouble, he would have means to resist.
"Liao Bo, you don't know, even the Palace Master, who has been in seclusion for years, was alarmed and personally arrived. If a conflict were to occur, the consequences for Uncle Su would be unimaginable," Zheng Muyao anxiously expressed.
Liao Bo fell silent for a moment.
How could he not know about the mystery and strength of Ning Xuehua?
Throughout the entire Gunzhou region, the ruler of Tianyuan Academy could be regarded as unrivaled and incomparable in status!
In the past years, Governor Xiang Tianqiu had attempted several times to visit Tianyuan Academy to meet this mysterious Palace Master, but he was repeatedly turned away without the chance to see her.
However, even so, Xiang Tianqiu didn't dare to be angry.
"What should we do? If my father finds out that it was me who brought Uncle Su to Tianyuan Academy today and caused such a disaster..." Zheng Muyao was about to continue but suddenly froze.
She saw a tall figure walking on the mountain road in the distance.
The figure moved leisurely and calmly, and the green robe he wore stood out amidst the swirling mist in the mountains.
It was Su Yi.
Zheng Muyao immediately showed a pleasant surprise and ran forward excitedly to greet him, "Uncle Su, are you alright?"
"Do I look like there's something wrong?" Su Yi replied with a smile.
He was in a good mood. This trip was not in vain; he had completely severed ties with Wen Ling Zhao and resolved a lingering obsession.
From now on, he didn't have to worry about being manipulated by her.
However, this matter was not truly over.
As Wen Ling Zhao had said, in this mortal world, if the Su family in Yujing City did not give their approval to the marriage contract, those ordinary people would surely still regard him, Su Yi, as a "redundant son-in-law."
Su Yi didn't care much about it anymore.
With the foundation of the Wen family, who would dare to disrespect him?
As for the Su family in Yujing City, he would personally go there in the future to settle everything, including the old grudges.
"I knew Uncle Su would be fine!" Zheng Muyao waved her tender little fist.
"Why are you so excited?" Su Yi shook his head and headed straight towards the carriage.
"Su Gongzi, where are we going next?" Liao Bo respectfully asked, a hint of admiration in his expression.
To kill an elder in Tianyuan Academy and walk away unscathed, who wouldn't be impressed by that?
"Back to Shu Shi Residence," Su Yi replied, boarding the carriage and lying down. As he relaxed, exhaustion flooded his body.
Previously, in order to resolve Ning Xuehua's attack, Su Yi appeared to be at ease, but in reality, he had exerted great effort. He felt a slight weakness in his soul and cultivation.
"Next time we meet, I'll make sure this woman gets a taste of my strength," Su Yi thought to himself.
"Uncle Su, shall I give you a leg massage?" Zheng Muyao walked over, took the initiative, and started busily massaging Su Yi's thigh with her tender and white hands.
...
Tianyuan Academy, Hall of Discipline.
Elder Shang Zhen sat there, silent.
He resembled an elderly person in the twilight of life, aged and with dim eyes.
The atmosphere was heavy and gloomy.
Xiang Ming, Tian Dong, and the others stood there, uneasy and apprehensive.
They didn't understand why Elder Shang Zhen had brought them to this eerie and ominous place like the Hall of Discipline.
Even more puzzling was why Zheng Muyao was allowed to leave immediately while they were left behind.
The Elder didn't provide any explanation either.
Since their arrival at the Hall of Discipline, he had sat there with half-closed eyes, seemingly asleep.
After a while, footsteps suddenly sounded, and the second elder, Han Chong, with hair like a spear, walked in.
At that moment, Shang Zhen opened his cloudy eyes and asked, "How do you think we should deal with them?"
Xiang Ming and the others felt a tightness in their hearts.
Han Chong had an expressionless face as he replied, "They should be confined for a month as a punishment."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiang Ming couldn't help but say, "Elder Han, we haven't done anything wrong. Why should we be punished?"
He was the son of the Governor, and his Master was Vice Palace Master Wang Jianchong. Naturally, he had the confidence to question.
Han Chong's expression remained indifferent as he said, "When you make a mistake, you must pay the price. If you hadn't provoked first, how could you have been suppressed and forced to kneel?"
"This..." Xiang Ming was about to argue.
Han Chong continued, "Your Master has already gone to the Cliff of Reflection to receive punishment. It will be impossible for him to leave there for a year."
Xiang Ming's heart trembled, and his face turned pale. He realized something was amiss.
His Master, Wang Jianchong, was one of the two Vice Palace Masters. To be punished in such a manner, it was self-evident that it was an order from the Palace Master!
Taking a deep breath, Xiang Ming said in a deep voice, "Elder Han, may I go home to see my father and then return to receive the punishment?"
Elder Shang Zhen responded calmly, "At this point, you still expect your father's influence to help you resolve the situation? How naive."
With a wave of his hand, a group of Hall of Discipline enforcers came forward and took away Xiang Ming and the other disciples.
Xiang Ming and the others felt despair and anger, but they didn't dare to struggle or resist. They were quickly taken out of the Hall of Discipline.
"If he were smart, he would understand that since Wang Jianchong has been punished, who the final winner of this conflict will be," Han Chong's gaze became complex.
A trace of astonishment also flickered in Shang Zhen's murky eyes.
For how many years had it been? It was the first time he had seen the Palace Master, who was like a deity, making concessions in such matters!