Zhang Lexuan: Wherever her little brother was, that was where she belonged.

Then Du Busi fussed over Su Chen like a nagging old father, spending ages reminding him of this and that.

At last, he solemnly pressed an ancient-looking Soul Tool Ring into Su Chen's hand.

"Take it! You need to travel well-prepared, so don't shortchange yourself while you're away from home."

Su Chen swept it with his divine sense and immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

Good grief!

There were mountains of Gold Soul Coins, rare high-grade pills, and even several shimmering Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones!

This wasn't just giving him resources. The old man had practically brought him half the treasury of the Body Sect!

You could say that apart from the old bones in his own body, Du Busi had given Su Chen everything he could.

Du Busi soon left. As the sect master, he naturally had to prepare for the ring examination a month from now; he couldn't afford to be careless about it.

Watching Du Busi's burly figure disappear over the horizon, Su Chen felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

After Du Busi had left for good, Zhang Lexuan, who had been quietly standing to one side, finally couldn't help speaking.

Her beautiful eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Xiao Chen, you and Sect Master Du... seem very close?"

Close didn't even begin to describe it.

The rapport and intimacy between them just now had made them seem like a grandfather and grandson reunited after many years apart—or even old friends who had known each other in a past life.

"How could we not be close?"

Su Chen tossed the Soul Tool Ring in his hand, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"If we weren't, would the old man have handed over his coffin money?"

As he spoke, he casually held out the priceless ring to Zhang Lexuan.

"Take a look, sis. See anything you like? Take whatever you want. Don't be polite."

As far as Su Chen was concerned, ordinary resources could hardly tempt him anymore.

Want to increase his Soul Power?

Easy!

He could cosplay as the Ghost Demon Venerable, chop up a few Soul Beasts in Sunset Forest for an all-you-can-eat feast, and let the Pluto Sword absorb them. His cultivation would shoot up in no time.

And if that still wasn't enough, he had yet to use the simulator.

He still had one Simulation attempt in hand. That was his biggest source of confidence.

As for the things in the ring, unless it concealed a Super Divine Artifact, they were nothing but slightly higher-grade junk to him.

"Pfft."

Seeing Su Chen's nouveau riche act, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help covering her mouth as she laughed, her charm captivating.

She reached out a slender finger and gently poked Su Chen's forehead, her voice full of affection.

"Silly boy. What kind of older sister takes things from her little brother? I can't dote on you enough as it is."

She didn't take the ring. Instead, she gently straightened Su Chen's collar.

"But, well... your sister can hold on to the ring for you for now."

Zhang Lexuan blinked playfully. "After all, men get into trouble when they have money. I'll save it for you, and you can use it to marry a wife someday~"

The two then strolled through the quiet courtyard.

Elder Jin had certainly handled things well. The residence he had arranged for Su Chen was every bit as grand as one befitting a sect elder.

Pavilions and towers, little bridges over flowing water, a completely private layout—it ensured both privacy and an air of prestige.

Compared with the cramped, expensive dormitories at Shrek Academy, this place was practically a holiday resort.

Su Chen knew every plant and tree here by heart, while Zhang Lexuan looked around with great interest.

For some reason, walking here made her feel a rare sense of ease and contentment.

She even had the faint impression that this place made her feel more at peace than the Shrek Inner Court...

Just then, Su Chen stopped and spoke as if offhandedly.

"Sis, why don't you stay here? There's no need to go back to Shrek. There's... nothing worth holding on to there."

Zhang Lexuan froze at his words.

She stopped walking, a hint of confusion passing through her beautiful eyes.

Was Shrek a good place?

Honestly, yes.

It was the holy land of Soul Masters across the continent, and more than that, it was the place where she had been given a second life.

Without Mu En taking her in and teaching her, she might have been consumed by hatred long ago, reduced to a walking corpse who knew nothing but revenge. She might never even have had the chance to kill her enemy with her own hands.

That debt of gratitude weighed as heavily as a mountain.

But if someone asked whether she wanted to go back, could she give an unequivocal answer?

Zhang Lexuan found that she couldn't.

Because Su Chen was here.

Because the person she cared about was here.

In her previous life, Su Chen's death had left a scar in Zhang Lexuan's heart that could never heal. It had haunted her through countless nights.

Now, Heaven had taken pity on her and given her another chance—a chance to see Xiao Chen standing before her, alive and well.

As his older sister, as the person who had sworn to protect him for the rest of her life, she instinctively wanted to stand by his side without hesitation.

To protect him, watch over him, and never let him suffer the slightest harm again.

They weren't related by blood, but their bond had long since transcended life and death. They were closer than true siblings.

In the Shrek Inner Court, many outstanding young men had pursued her, promising her a future and a "home."

At first, Zhang Lexuan hadn't understood what "home" meant.

Was it a house? A position? Or something else?

But now, looking at the clear eyes of the young man beside her, she suddenly understood.

Home wasn't a cold building or a lofty title.

Wherever one's family was, that was home.

Wherever her little brother was, that was where she belonged.

Zhang Lexuan's gaze softened more than ever before.

She gently clasped Su Chen's hand, the warmth of her palm flowing through his fingers and into her heart.

They walked side by side along the corridor, admiring the scenery of the Body Sect. After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice carrying a trace of apology but firm all the same.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Chen. Please forgive me, but I can't give you an answer just yet."

"Mu En gave me a new life, and Shrek has treated me well. If I just left without a word, how would I be any different from an ungrateful wretch?"

"Give me a little time, all right?"

Though the memories of her previous life had given her a different perspective on some of Shrek's actions, Zhang Lexuan still acted according to her conscience.

If she left, she would leave with her head held high. She would repay the kindness she owed, then return to Su Chen with a clear conscience.

Looking at Zhang Lexuan before him, burdened with so much responsibility and always carrying a trace of sorrow in her eyes, Su Chen put aside his usual playful grin.

Then he smiled gently and said, "Sis, I respect your choice."

"Whether you stay here to repay your debt or go in search of freedom, I'll support you."

At that, Su Chen's tone shifted. An invisible, domineering aura radiated from him, as if the invincible killer who had swept all before him in the Simulation had descended into the real world.

"The Body Sect's doors will always be open to you."

"This is your fallback—and your home."

"If that day really comes, and you want to leave but those stubborn old fools at Shrek refuse to let you go..."

"Then I'll take the Pluto Sword and pay a personal visit to the Sea God Pavilion."

"Then we'll see whether those people have harder heads, or whether my sword is sharper!"