Zhang Lexuan: Wherever her younger brother is, that is her home.

Afterward, Du Busi acted like a nagging old father, pulling Su Chen aside to lecture him for a long time.

Finally, he solemnly shoved a vintage-looking soul tool ring into Su Chen's hand.

"Take it! A traveler needs money to stay comfortable; don't you dare skimp on yourself while you're out there."

Su Chen swept his divine sense through it and gasped.

Good heavens!

From mountains of gold soul coins to rare, high-grade medicinal pills, there were even several shimmering ten-thousand-year soul bones!

This wasn't just giving him resources; the old man Du Busi had practically emptied half of the Body Sect's treasury!

It was fair to say that, aside from his own old bones, Du Busi had given him everything he possibly could.

Du Busi then departed; as the sect master, he naturally had to prepare for the arena assessment in a month's time, and he couldn't afford to be careless in that regard.

Watching Du Busi's burly figure disappear into the horizon, a warm current surged through Su Chen's heart.

Once Du Busi had completely left, Zhang Lexuan, who had been standing quietly to the side, finally couldn't help but speak up.

Her beautiful eyes shifted with a hint of curiosity: "Xiao Chen, you and Sect Master Du... seem very close?"

Close? That was an understatement.

The way they had acted just now, the rapport and intimacy between them, was like that of a long-lost grandfather and grandson, or perhaps even friends who had known each other in a past life.

"How could we not be?"

Su Chen tossed the soul tool ring in his hand, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"If we weren't close, would this old man have emptied his life savings for me?"

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

"Sister, see if there's anything you like? Take whatever you want, don't stand on ceremony with me."

For the current Su Chen, standard resources were no longer enough to move him.

Want to improve his soul power?

Simple!

Cosplay as the Ghost Demon Venerable, head into the Sunset Forest to hunt a few soul beasts for a buffet, let the Pluto Sword absorb them, and his cultivation would skyrocket.

If all else failed, he still had the simulator he hadn't used yet.

He still had one simulation attempt left in his pocket; that was his greatest source of confidence.

As for the items in the ring, unless there was a super divine artifact hidden inside, they were just a pile of high-grade junk in his eyes.

"Pfft."

Seeing Su Chen's nouveau-riche attitude, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle, looking incredibly charming.

She reached out with slender fingers and gently poked Su Chen's forehead, her tone filled with doting affection:

"Silly brother, what kind of sister would take things from her younger brother? I only want to spoil you."

She didn't take the ring, instead gently straightening Su Chen's collar.

"However... I can keep this ring for you for now."

Zhang Lexuan blinked, teasing: "After all, men tend to go astray once they have money. I'll save it for you so you can use it to marry a wife in the future~"

Afterward, the two strolled through the quiet, secluded courtyard.

Elder Jin was indeed reliable; the residence he had arranged for Su Chen was of a standard comparable to that of a sect elder.

With pavilions, corridors, bridges, and flowing water, the completely independent space design ensured both privacy and prestige.

Compared to the cramped, high-rent dormitory environment at Shrek Academy, this place was practically a vacation resort.

Su Chen already knew every blade of grass and tree here by heart, but Zhang Lexuan found it fascinating.

For some reason, walking here, she felt a long-lost sense of relaxation and comfort.

She even had a faint illusion: this environment seemed even more peaceful than the inner courtyard of Shrek Academy...

Just then, Su Chen stopped in his tracks and spoke as if it were a casual thought:

"Sister, why don't you just stay here? There's no need to go back to Shrek; that place... isn't worth lingering over."

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan froze.

She stopped walking, a trace of confusion flashing in her beautiful eyes.

Was Shrek good?

In all honesty, yes.

It was the holy land for soul masters across the continent, and it was her place of rebirth.

If not for Elder Mu taking her in and teaching her, she might have long been consumed by hatred, becoming a walking corpse that knew only vengeance, and she certainly would never have had the chance to slay her enemies with her own hands.

That debt of gratitude was as heavy as Mount Tai.

However, if asked whether she was willing to go back, Zhang Lexuan found herself unable to give an affirmative answer immediately.

Because Su Chen was here.

Because her attachments were here.

In her previous life, Su Chen's death was a scar in Zhang Lexuan's heart that could never heal, a nightmare that haunted her in the dead of night.

Now, the heavens had shown mercy, granting her a chance to start over and allowing little Chen to stand before her, alive and well.

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

To protect him, to watch over him, and to ensure he would never suffer even the slightest bit of harm again.

Although the two had no blood relation, this bond had long since transcended life and death, surpassing that of biological siblings.

In the Shrek inner courtyard, many outstanding young talents pursued her, promising to give her a future and a "home."

At first, Zhang Lexuan did not understand what "home" truly meant.

Was it a house? Was it status? Or something else?

But at this moment, looking into the clear eyes of the youth beside her, she suddenly understood.

A home is not a cold building, nor is it a prestigious title.

A place with family is a home.

Wherever her younger brother was, that was her destination.

Zhang Lexuan's gaze became softer than ever before.

She gently squeezed Su Chen's hand, the warmth of his palm traveling through her fingertips and straight to her heart.

The two walked side by side along the corridor, admiring the scenery of the Body Sect along the way. After a long while, she spoke softly, her tone tinged with a hint of apology, yet filled with absolute resolve:

"I'm sorry, little Chen. Forgive your sister for not being able to agree to you right now."

"Elder Mu gave me the grace of a second life, and Shrek has treated me well. If I were to just leave without a word, how would I be any different from an ungrateful wretch?"

"Give me some time, okay?"

Although possessing the memories of her past life gave her a different perspective on some of Shrek's practices, Zhang Lexuan acted in a way that allowed her to have a clear conscience.

If she was going to leave, she would do so with her head held high, repaying the debts of gratitude she owed before returning to Su Chen's side with a clean slate.

Looking at Zhang Lexuan before him, burdened by so many responsibilities and always carrying a trace of melancholy in her eyes, Su Chen set aside his usual playful demeanor.

He then smiled slightly and said softly:

"Sister, I respect your choice."

"Whether you stay here to repay your debts or go off to pursue your freedom, I support you."

As he said this, Su Chen's tone shifted, and an invisible aura of dominance radiated from him, as if the invincible god of slaughter from the simulator had descended into reality.

"The gates of the Body Sect will always be open for you."

"This is your retreat, and it is your home."

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

"Then, I will carry the Pluto Sword and pay a personal visit to the Sea God Pavilion."

"When that time comes, I'd like to see whether those fellows' heads are harder, or if my sword is!"