Xuan Yuan Xun coolly retracted his Overlord Spear, roaring with laughter, "Satisfying! So satisfying! I can't even tell if I was fighting four at once, or if four were fighting me!"
Shen Liuxing said with a proud glint in his eyes, "Of course! What Sister Zi makes is always top-quality."
His proud demeanor made it seem as though the Small Four Symbols Formation was his own creation.
However, he had always been proud of Zi Linling, and there was nothing wrong with that.
Zi Linling shook her head with a smile and said, "This Small Four Symbols Formation was originally the guardian formation of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise Empires on the Tianyuan Continent of the past. Later, when these four empires were destroyed, the formation diagram fell into my hands. I improved it, and that's how it gained its current power."
"No matter what, the current might of the Small Four Symbols Formation is thanks to Miss Zi's efforts!" Shangguan Yulin praised without reservation.
"Indeed! Only the Guild Master could push the Small Four Symbols Formation to such an incredible level!" Rong Guang also lauded her.
"Absolutely! Miss Zi's mastery of formations has reached the pinnacle of perfection!"
Xuan Yuan Xun was equally generous with his compliments.
Only Shen Liuxing, upon hearing Zi Linling mention the Azure Dragon Empire, couldn't help but show a fleeting expression of sadness.
After all, the Shen family of the Azure Dragon Empire was where he was born and raised, and the Azure Dragon Empire was his roots.
Although Shen Liuxing did not resent Zi Linling for destroying the Shen family and the Azure Dragon Empire, it did not diminish his sadness or his feelings for his homeland.
Although Shen Liuxing's sadness lasted only for a brief moment, Zi Linling still caught it.
Zi Linling said with a hint of apology, "Young Master Shen, regarding the Shen family's affairs back then..."
Before she could finish, Shen Liuxing interrupted her.
"Sister Zi, you don't need to explain. I've never blamed you! It was all fate. Who could I blame when my father and the others were ungrateful?"
Zi Linling shook her head and said nothing more.
She knew that although Shen Liuxing spoke with ease, the bitterness in his heart was self-evident.
While Zi Linling felt some regret, she did not regret her actions back then.
After all, she could not tolerate betrayal. Moreover, the Shen family had aided and abetted the enemy, helping the Four Empires of that era kill two hundred thousand troops of the Fengxuan Army. If even Heaven could bear it, who couldn't!
Currently, Zi Linling's only apology was directed towards Shen Liuxing, as he had once helped her without reservation.
Therefore, the best comfort was to not mention it, not to bring up past grievances and affections.
"Alas!"
All the unspoken words turned into a sigh.
Shen Liuxing took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said, "Sister Zi, could you stop addressing me so formally as Young Master Shen in the future? Just call me Liuxing. That way, I'll feel more comfortable."
Zi Linling nodded and was about to say "Liuxing" when Xuan Yuan Xun chimed in, "Exactly! Miss Zi, don't call me Ninth Prince anymore. If you don't mind, call me Xuan Yuan, alright?"
This time, Shangguan Yulin also grew anxious. "Miss Zi, just call me Shangguan directly."
Rong Guang was not to be outdone. "Guild Master, you are the Guild Master. Please don't call me Guild Master Rong anymore. I can't bear it."
Zi Linling was surprised again and nodded. "Alright! If that's the case, then you all shouldn't call me Miss Zi either. Just call me Lin Ling!"
"Good!" Xuan Yuan Xun readily agreed.
Shen Liuxing shook his head. "I won't change. I still prefer calling you Sister Zi."
Rong Guang chimed in, "I'm also used to calling you Guild Master. I won't change either!"
Hearing this, Shangguan Yulin also seemed displeased. "I'll call you Sister Zi too!"
Zi Linling was helpless and could only let them have their way.
Just as they had settled on the new forms of address, they saw a middle-aged man approaching. The five of them immediately became wary.
Zi Linling's gaze turned cold. "Who are you? What business do you have here?"
The middle-aged man's gaze swept past Zi Linling and landed on Shen Liuxing. "I am Shen Yue. May I ask your name?"
Shen Liuxing was taken aback and said with displeasure, "Sir, you are quite rude! Miss Zi has already spoken, yet you ignore her and ask me my name. What is the meaning of this?"
In his heart, any disregard for Zi Linling was a provocation to him.
Shen Yue was stunned for a moment. "I'm not interested in her, so why should I answer her question?"
Shen Liuxing's expression turned grim. "Since that's the case, I'm not interested in you either, so I naturally don't need to answer your question!"
"..."
Shen Yue was left speechless.
He could hear the anger in Shen Liuxing's words, but he had no idea how he had offended him.
Little did he know that Zi Linling was Shen Liuxing's sensitive spot. Offending Zi Linling was naturally offending Shen Liuxing.
The situation became awkward.
Just then, Shen Teng arrived with the members of the Shen family.
Zi Linling and the other four immediately became alert, and the weapons they had just put away reappeared in their hands.
"You must be Miss Zi, correct?"
Shen Teng stopped beside Shen Yue and asked Zi Linling with a smile.
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face.
Since Shen Teng showed no intention of attacking, Zi Linling and the others couldn't simply strike without reason.
"Patriarch Shen?"
Zi Linling's pupils contracted. Though her words sounded like a question, they were filled with certainty.
Her ability to remember everything she saw and heard meant she recognized Shen Teng's voice instantly.
Shen Teng smiled. "Miss Zi has sharp ears! I am Shen Teng, the patriarch of the Shen family!"
Zi Linling nodded. "I assume the Shen family lacks nothing precious. There's no need to wear the hat of a bandit, is there?"
Shen Teng smiled. "Miss Zi misunderstands. We are not here to rob anyone, but for this young master!"
As he said this, he looked at Shen Liuxing. Then he continued, "My second brother was indeed a bit reckless and not good at communicating. If he has offended you, young master, please do not take it to heart."
Shen Liuxing's expression softened slightly. "It's fine if he offends me, but if he offends my Sister Zi, then..."
He deliberately left his words unfinished, as the rest was self-explanatory.
"My apologies!"
Shen Teng quickly apologized to Zi Linling with a smile. "Miss Zi, I offer my apologies on behalf of my second brother!"
With that, he clasped his hands in a solemn gesture.
Then, he turned to Shen Liuxing and said, "Young master, can you tell me your name now?"
Shen Liuxing nodded and said faintly, "Shen Liuxing!"
"So, young master, you are also surnamed Shen. It seems we are truly fated. Perhaps, a thousand years ago, we were even one family!"