That Holy Child was her idol.
His very first battle after becoming the Holy Child had him single-handedly defeating all the prodigies from various sects, making him famous overnight and solidifying his authority.
However, in recent years, the Spirit Hall had kept a low profile, and this Holy Child had gradually faded from public view, overlooked by many.
"Teacher Su Yu! You are... that Holy Child?"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes wide and filled with shock.
Su Yu nodded calmly. "Yes, it's exactly as you think."
As he spoke, he retrieved a token from his Soul Guiding Device and gently placed it on the stone table in front of Zhu Zhuqing.
The token was dark gold in color, its design somewhat similar to the Pope Token Zhu Zhuqing had seen in the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
However, the back was clearly engraved with the words "Holy Child," exuding an air of nobility.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the token, then looked up at Su Yu, momentarily speechless.
She had never imagined that the usually gentle and easygoing Teacher Su was actually the legendary Holy Child of the Spirit Hall.
The shock of this revelation left her stunned for a long time before she slowly processed it.
"Zhu Zhuqing, if you wish to annul the engagement, I will help you break it off within six years!"
Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fingers, the shock in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a complex emotion.
"Teacher Su Yu! No, Your Highness! What is the price? I don't believe in free favors!"
Su Yu, seeing the wariness in her eyes, was not surprised. Instead, he showed a hint of approval.
"It's good that you thought of that. The price is you!"
"Me?"
"Yes, I want you to be my woman!"
"Your Highness! This—!"
"Don't rush to refuse. You are indeed very beautiful, but that's not the main reason!"
"My goal has always been to unify the continent. With the vast territory of the Star Luo Empire, I need someone to govern it for me, and you, Zhu Zhuqing, are the best candidate!"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Su Yu in shock. She never expected the seemingly refined and gentle Su Yu to harbor such grand ambitions!
"Teacher Su Yu! No! Your Highness! Aren't you afraid I might betray you?"
"Betrayal? That day will never come. If I can put someone in that position, I can also pull them down!"
"So, Zhu Zhuqing, have you made your decision? Will you continue to fulfill the engagement with Dai Mubai and become the Third Prince's consort of the Star Luo Empire?"
"Or will you follow me, become my woman, and take a gamble to become the first empress of the Star Luo Empire in the future?"
After speaking, Su Yu crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, watching Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing nervously twisted the hem of her clothes, and silence lingered in the air for a long time.
Suddenly, she stood up from the stone stool, the hesitation and uncertainty in her eyes replaced by an unprecedented resolve.
She walked over to Su Yu, gently sat down beside his leg, then lifted her hand to wrap around his neck. Tilting her head slightly, she pressed a light, fleeting kiss on his cheek.
The kiss carried the innocence and determination of a young girl. Looking into his eyes, she said earnestly,
"This is my answer."
A flicker of surprise passed through Su Yu's eyes, but he soon chuckled.
"Good! I knew I wasn't wrong about you, Zhu Zhuqing. Now, give me your hand."
Zhu Zhuqing obediently extended her hand, her wrist slender and fair.
Su Yu gently grasped her wrist, his palm gathering a faint Soul Power.
A subtle yet intricate mark quietly emerged, like an exquisite tattoo branded onto her skin.
"This is the Flying Thunder God Mark. No matter where you are or what danger you encounter, as long as you channel Soul Power into it, I will come to rescue you!"
"Mm! I understand! Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Don't be so formal. If I recall correctly, you're younger than Rongrong and Xue Na. You can just call me brother."
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment, then looked up at him.
Under the moonlight, Su Yu's expression was gentle, the sharpness from when he mentioned his status earlier gone, replaced by a genuinely brotherly warmth.
After hesitating briefly, she softly called out, "Brother Su Yu."
The address was quiet, yet it seemed to break through some invisible barrier.
Su Yu nodded in acknowledgment, naturally reaching out to ruffle her hair:
"Alright, it's getting late. Go get some rest."
Zhu Zhuqing responded with a soft "Mm," stood up, and walked toward her room.
At the doorway, she glanced back. Su Yu was still sitting on the stone bench, the moonlight falling on him, making him appear exceptionally serene.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing enter her room, Su Yu used Flying Thunder God to instantly arrive deep within the Sunset Forest at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
Indeed, right when they reached Soto City, the system had issued a task that perfectly suited his tastes: make Zhu Zhuqing agree to become his woman.
The reward for this task was the Heart of Nature!
According to the system's description, this core containing the essence of life and vegetation could greatly enhance his Wood Release, elevating it to the level of a divine Martial Soul.
Now that the task was complete, Su Yu raised his hand slightly, and a verdant green orb appeared in his palm.
The orb was crystal clear, and upon closer inspection, a tiny figure could be seen curled up inside.
Even more peculiar, the orb pulsed rhythmically, like a real beating heart, radiating vast and pure life energy.
Su Yu then summoned his Wood Release Spirit, another orb appearing in his other hand.
Inside this orb was the shadow of a relatively sturdy sapling—the manifested form of his Wood Release Spirit.
He slowly brought the two orbs closer. The moment they touched, they began to merge as if drawn together.
The verdant Heart of Nature continuously released life essence, flowing into the orb of the Wood Release Spirit.
The sapling's shadow visibly thickened, its branches and leaves unfurling.
The tiny figure inside the Heart of Nature also seemed to intertwine with the sapling's roots, the entire fusion process filled with a wondrous rhythm of vitality.
Su Yu could clearly feel his Wood Release Spirit undergoing a qualitative transformation!
The flowers, grass, and trees in the Sunset Forest seemed to sense this kindred energy and responded in turn.
Whether it was the leaves of towering ancient trees or low-lying herbaceous plants, each condensed a drop of emerald-green liquid.
Ignoring distance, these droplets converged toward Su Yu as if guided.
As these life essences poured in, the Soul Power within Su Yu's body surged wildly!
Bottlenecks shattered like paper—level 79! Level 80!
In just a few breaths, his Soul Power stabilized at the threshold of level 80, the surging energy nearly overflowing.
But this was not the end.
Perhaps sensing that his Soul Power still had shackles after his breakthrough, the remaining emerald green liquid in the air suddenly condensed, transforming into a solid Soul Ring that hovered before Su Yu.