Chapter Six: Pure Stalking!

Just as Wen Qingyun was caught in a swirl of anxiety and uncertainty, Su Yi suddenly smiled and glanced toward Su Yunqiao beside him.

“If her personal fate were to be decided by me, that would be too cruel for her. I think it’s better to let her decide her own destiny.”

With that, ignoring the astonished gazes from the crowd, he looked at Su Yunqiao.

“Yunqiao, this person is the Sacred Maiden of the Jade Pool Sanctuary. Are you willing to follow her and become a disciple of the Jade Pool Sanctuary? If you agree, you may go with her; if not, you may return with me to the sanctuary. The choice is yours.”

Su Yunqiao did not hesitate much. She looked at Su Yi with gratitude.

“Yunqiao wishes to become a disciple of the Jade Pool Sanctuary.”

She had already learned of Su Yi’s identity—the Saint Son of the Tianyuan Sanctuary, a position of immense honor. Staying by his side might grant her protection, but in truth, it would only widen the gap between them, leaving no chance for her to repay him.

Having endured hardship alongside her brother, she understood well the saying: poverty does not quench ambition.

Therefore, she would never choose a life like a caged bird.

Su Yi was somewhat surprised by Su Yunqiao’s resolute gaze and the absence of any hesitation.

Following him would mean bidding farewell to her old life forever. He would undoubtedly protect her wholeheartedly. For someone who had just lost their family and was utterly alone in the world, such an offer was a profound temptation. Yet she showed no wavering.

This only deepened his interest in the young girl, for he saw an indomitable spirit burning in her eyes.

“Very well, I respect your choice.”

Perhaps fearing Su Yi might misunderstand, she quickly explained, “Though I do want to follow Brother Su, if I do, I’m afraid there will be no chance for me to repay you in the future. I... I don’t want that...”

Su Yi chuckled heartily.

“I knew that even if you didn’t say it.”

Su Yunqiao blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

This exchange instantly changed Fang Xiyue’s impression of Su Yi. She hadn’t expected the Saint Son to respect a mortal woman’s decision so sincerely. Her expression softened.

“I truly didn’t expect Saint Son Su to be so respectful of a mortal woman’s choice. What I’ve seen today makes Xiyue feel ashamed. Rest assured, Saint Son, as long as Xiyue remains in the sanctuary, this girl will surely be well cared for!”

Her smile was genuine, not a mere formality, but as gentle and flowing as spring waters, brimming with tenderness.

Wen Qingyun’s eyes widened, for he had never seen such a smile before.

It was simply breathtaking.

---

“Then I will leave it to the Sacred Maiden.”

Su Yi smiled faintly and averted his gaze, inwardly sighing at how enchanting this girl truly was.

He had encountered countless female disciples on the mountain, boasting a reputation of passing through thousands of flowers without a trace.

He had long thought himself steady and unshakable, but her radiant smile unsettled him. One could imagine how vulnerable someone with weaker resolve would be in her presence.

The members of the Jade Pool Sanctuary witnessed this scene with softened eyes.

Since the Jade Pool Sanctuary had no men and was entirely female, how could anyone dislike such a man who treated women with such respect?

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Fang Xiyue and her group boarded the divine vessel. Fang Xiyue turned to Su Yi and cupped her hands in salute.

“Thank you, Saint Son, for your kindness. Xiyue will repay this greatly in the future!”

Su Yi returned a faint smile and a soft hum in response. Su Yunqiao took several hesitant steps, glancing back at Su Yi with reluctance, unsure how long it would be before they met again.

But only by choosing this path could she change her own fate and repay him.

Following him would mean living under his protection, merely being exploited, with no chance to express gratitude.

That thought steeled her resolve once more.

Su Yi watched the divine vessel depart, then withdrew his gaze.

His earlier words had been deliberate; his original intention was to control Su Yunqiao, fearing unforeseen accidents.

But when Fang Xiyue came down, a realization struck him, and he changed his mind.

If he took Su Yunqiao back to the sanctuary, while she would be safe from sudden death, her fate would diverge greatly from the original path. Yet the system was clearly aligned with the original course of her life.

Now that tasks involving Su Yunqiao had already appeared, if he caused major deviations in her fate, it would disrupt the original plan.

Though uncertain, he dared not act rashly. The system was already quite flawed; if he caused more problems, would it break completely?

If the system had any intelligence, it would be smaller than a fruit kernel. Therefore, Su Yi decided to let events unfold as originally intended.

After all, some rewards for these tasks were quite enticing—such as ascending spiritual roots or gaining new skills.

If reckless actions caused these rewards to vanish, it would be a complete waste.

So even if Su Yunqiao said she wanted to follow him, he would find a way to make her change her mind.

But now, that was unnecessary.

Su Yi turned around and saw Wen Qingyun staring blankly toward the departing divine vessel, evidently lost in thought. He couldn’t help but shake his head.

“Stop staring, senior brother. Come back to the sanctuary with me.”

---

Yet Wen Qingyun seemed not to hear him, still gazing toward the vessel.

“Senior brother!”

Only then did Wen Qingyun snap out of his trance. Su Yi thought he would come back, but unexpectedly, Wen Qingyun began muttering to himself.

“Yes, with so many eyes watching earlier, the fairy must have been uncomfortable with my good intentions. She probably refused me to avoid gossip. How foolish of me to not consider her feelings!”

“The fairy’s journey is long, and the ship is mostly women. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be there. The fairy truly has thought everything through...”

Su Yi’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected the same person to twice shatter his understanding in such a short time.

Suddenly, Wen Qingyun’s expression hardened, as if he had made a difficult decision.

“In that case, I shall secretly follow her! Protect her well—that will do.”

He turned to Su Yi.

“Junior brother, you should go back first!”

With that, he rose and flew off in pursuit.

Su Yi stared blankly after him, his eyes hollow.

He suddenly felt that perhaps the sanctuary’s reputation didn’t need so much guarding after all.

Because sooner or later, this guy would just throw it all away!

Protecting him—is that really needed? It’s just pure stalking, yet he talks about it so nicely.

Su Yi helplessly rubbed his forehead, beginning to understand why his master had skipped over the Nascent Soul stage and chosen him as the Saint Son instead.

If Wen Qingyun became the Saint Son, who knew what kind of farce would unfold?

Some things are truly beyond repair.

Yet such a fellow was his senior brother.

Su Yi deeply regretted not having come to this world first and become senior brother himself, so that he could have the honor to give him a well-deserved kick.

Well, whatever—no more thinking about it. Better to return first.

He only hoped Wen Qingyun wouldn’t be discovered, or else he’d be labeled a pervert, and Su Yi would be the junior brother of a perverted senior brother...