Chapter 255

Chapter 255

Cultivators continued to pour into the sandy tower to view the bounty notices issued jointly by the Xiao and Shen families. Almost everyone in Jisha City who heard the news rushed there.

The disciples of Zhenwu Sect and Hexin Sect exchanged glances. Even Fan Xiuxiu, who usually couldn't hold her tongue, dared not say anything now.

The two sects left the scene together.

Arriving at an empty alley, they finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Senior Brother, how could it be Younger Brother Ning and Sister Wen?" Ai Jue still looked incredulous.

"The Xiao and Shen families must have made a mistake, right?"

"Young Master Ning and Miss Wen are such good people; there's no way they would attack the disciples of the Xiao and Shen clans for no reason. There must be some misunderstanding."

"Exactly."

Due to the incident on Floating Island, the disciples of Zhenwu Sect and Hexin Sect had a very positive impression of Ning Qiao and Wen Qiao. So when they saw that the two were being hunted by the Xiao and Shen clans, their first reaction was not what the duo might have done but rather that the Xiao and Shen families must have made a mistake.

Jiao Junhao didn't speak, but he was also very puzzled.

However, without knowing the truth, he couldn't jump to conclusions. Jiao Junhao was a stickler for the truth. No matter what he did, he preferred to base his actions on facts. When faced with a situation, he never relied solely on what he saw or others' rumors but sought the truth himself.

Without the truth, no amount of talk could sway him.

Thus, Jiao Junhao didn't immediately conclude anything about the bounty issued by the Xiao and Shen families.

A thoughtful senior sister from Hexin Sect suddenly said, "It says here that Young Master Ning and Miss Wen injured Xiao Minxin and Shen Yuanjin and abducted Su Molan. Do you think Su Molan is Lan Susu?"

"..."

Everyone looked at each other, disbelieving.

Could the disfigured "Lan Susu," whose face was blackened and swollen due to the Black Devouring Scorpion's poison, actually be Su Molan? Although they were reluctant to believe it, the name "Lan Susu" did sound similar to Su Molan. Could the names Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao also be fake?

After a while, Fan Xiuxiu couldn't help but say with a touch of schadenfreude, "That Su Molan has been disfigured. Let's see how she'll deceive male cultivators now!" She glanced at Jiao Junhao, "Senior Brother Jiao, don't you agree?"

Jiao Junhao said sternly, "Junior Sister Fan, we don't know the whole story yet. Please don't jump to conclusions."

Fan Xiuxiu's face stiffened, then turned red with anger and resentment, her voice tinged with tears, "Senior Brother Jiao, you're scolding me again for her sake. What did I say wrong?"

Jiao Junhao furrowed his brow again.

The disciples of Zhenwu Sect who knew Jiao Junhao well feared he might say something hurtful, so Ai Jue quickly interjected, "Senior Brother Jiao is right. Anyway, I don't believe that Sister Wen and the others abducted Su Molan."

"I don't believe it either." The disciples of Zhenwu Sect echoed.

When traveling with Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, they clearly felt that Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao treated Su Molan as a friend. On Floating Island, when facing the Demon Sky Sect, Wen Qiao protected Su Molan very well.

At the time, they wondered why "Lan Susu," who was at the Primordial Spirit Realm, seemed so weak and hid behind Wen Qiao. They assumed it was because of the Black Devouring Scorpion's poison. Now they understood that she didn't dare act rashly to avoid exposing her identity through her martial techniques.

Su Molan was definitely not abducted by Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao; she willingly followed them.

There must be more to this story that outsiders don't know.

After discussing for a while, they decided not to reveal anything about Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao to outsiders.

Jiao Junhao stared at everyone present and said solemnly, "Young Master Ning and Miss Wen saved our lives. We cannot betray them. Everyone must keep this to ourselves and not tell outsiders."

"Senior Brother Jiao, rest assured. We understand."

The disciples of Zhenwu Sect and Hexin Sect all followed his lead and agreed.

Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou had saved their lives. Without them, they would have been killed by the Demon Sky Sect on Floating Island. They owed them their lives and wouldn't betray their saviors.

They pretended nothing had happened and left the alley, finding an inn in Jisha City to stay.

However, as they walked through the city, they overheard many cultivators discussing the matter, which only increased their worry.

Sitting in the inn's private room, Ai Jue said anxiously, "Senior Brother Jiao, will Younger Brother Ning and Sister Wen be alright? The Xiao and Shen families are powerful, and they are just two wandering cultivators. How can they compete with those two families?"

Jiao Junhao remained silent.

He suddenly understood why Ning Yuzhou and the others didn't travel with them after leaving the Black Wind Desert. They were worried about the reaction of the Xiao and Shen families, which Ning Yuzhou might have anticipated.

"Senior Brother, do you think they'll enter the city? What if someone recognizes them?" Ai Jue asked worriedly.

Jiao Junhao replied, "Young Master Ning is a smart man. He should have anticipated this and won't risk entering the city."

Ai Jue felt slightly relieved.

However, later, things took a turn.

Some cultivators, driven by the bounty, went to the place where the bounty notices were posted in the city and told them that they had seen the cultivators wanted by the Xiao and Shen families. The two indeed had a girl with them, but she was disfigured by the Black Devouring Scorpion's poison.

This revelation caused a stir.

So Su Molan was disfigured by the Black Devouring Scorpion's poison?

"It must be those audacious people who did it to prevent anyone from recognizing Su Molan and disfigured her!"

"Exactly. It's said that Su Molan was incredibly beautiful, attracting the attention of countless male cultivators despite her betrothal. They all vied for her affection... Her beauty must have been extraordinary, but now it's ruined."

"Poor Su Molan. A hundred years ago, her family was massacred, and she managed to grow up under the protection of the Xiao clan, only to suffer this fate."

"Indeed, a beauty with a tragic fate!"

"How despicable those two villains are!"

A group of people lamented the disfigurement of Su Molan, for a beauty with such a tragic fate was indeed pitied by many. They couldn't help but curse those who had kidnapped and disfigured her, their voices filled with scorn.

Ai Jue was so angry he nearly drew his sword to attack the cultivators who were cursing.

"Junior Brother, don't be rash," someone next to him quickly stopped him.

Ai Jue said angrily, "Brother Ning and Sister Wen are not that kind of people. The poison on Su Molan must have nothing to do with them."

In the Blackwind Desert, black scorpions were everywhere, and one misstep could lead to injury. Who could guarantee that everyone who entered wouldn't encounter black scorpions and get stung? Perhaps Su Molan had simply been careless?

Besides being angry at these baseless accusations from the cultivators, Ai Jue was even more furious at the person who provided information about Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou to the Xiao and Shen families.

It was clear that only the cultivators who escaped from Floating Island would know such specific details.

Many cultivators managed to escape Demon Sky Sect's ambush, and although they separated after leaving Floating Island, there were certainly many who evaded Demon Sky Sect's pursuit.

These people owed their safety to Ning Yuzhou and the others, yet they betrayed them for a bit of reward money. It was truly laughable.

Ai Jue felt indignant.

Fortunately, during Demon Sky Sect's attack, everyone was too busy to notice much. Although many saw Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou in the crowd, they didn't know their names or backgrounds. As long as no one spoke up, no one would know their situation.

"Junior Brother, don't be angry. They probably don't know we managed to break through thanks to Young Master Ning's explosive pearls," a senior brother consoled him. "Those who betray others for small gains are not worth associating with. We should avoid them in the future."

"Senior Brother An is right," Jiao Junhao agreed.

The Xiao and Shen families offered rewards to anyone who could provide information about Su Molan, and the lure of profit naturally led some to abandon their conscience and reveal their whereabouts.

Because of this, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao's situation became even worse. It wouldn't take long before the whole Pleiades Continent knew about it.

After discussing, the group decided to stay in Jisha City for a while longer.

Originally, they planned to rest in Jisha City for a few days before returning to their sect, but now that they knew about Ning Yuzhou's situation, they couldn't leave immediately. They were worried that Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao might not know their information had been exposed. What if they were discovered upon entering the city?

If it were just Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, they could disguise themselves and pass unnoticed.

However, Su Molan was disfigured!

The poison from the black scorpion wasn't something ordinary antidotes could cure. If the best opportunity for treatment was missed, she would have to live with her disfigurement unless she found a rare treasure capable of curing the poison. Such treasures were extremely hard to find, and it was uncertain when a cure would be available.

Thus, everyone assumed that Su Molan was now an ugly woman due to her disfigurement.

If Su Molan appeared with her disfigured face, she would surely be recognized.

It was rumored that cultivators seeking the reward were searching nearby for any female cultivator disfigured by black scorpion venom, checking if she was Su Molan.

Finding Su Molan would bring a generous reward from the Xiao and Shen families.

Many cultivators entered the Blackwind Desert each year, and those disfigured by black scorpion venom were common in Yellow Sand City. Unable to find a cure and unwilling to face the world's judgmental gaze, most chose to hide under cloaks.

Due to this incident, many previously disfigured cultivators faced harassment.

Jiao Junhao and the others in Jisha City also witnessed the harassment of these disfigured cultivators, which made them feel uneasy. Even Fan Xiuxiu, who harbored biases against Su Molan, dared not say anything in public.

Su Molan's disfigurement pleased Fan Xiuxiu, as she believed Su Molan could no longer seduce male cultivators with her face. Her bias toward Su Molan diminished, though she didn't feel sympathy, she no longer added to her troubles.

Compared to Su Molan, Fan Xiuxiu had a much better impression of Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao.

Ning Yuzhou was skilled and handsome, easily winning people's favor.

Although Wen Qiao's beauty posed a threat to female cultivators, her cold demeanor and engagement to Ning Yuzhou made her harmless. Fan Xiuxiu had no reason to target her.

***

"Up ahead is Jisha City," Su Molan told the two of them. Before entering the Blackwind Desert, she had visited Jisha City.

As they approached Jisha City, they noticed many cultivators passing by, all of whom couldn't help but give them a second glance, especially when they saw groups of three.

Wen Qiao and the others also received several glances from passing cultivators.

The combination of a young girl in red silk, a stern male cultivator, and a fresh-faced youth seemed unremarkable, and those who glanced at them quickly looked away.

Su Molan struggled to maintain her smile, feeling a sense of unease.

She had a bad premonition and felt a bit frightened.

Ning Yuzhou remained calm, as if unaware, and said to the two beside him, "Junior Brother, Junior Sister, let's enter the city."

Su Molan and Wen Qiao responded in unison, acting obediently.

Upon entering the city, they saw disciples from Zhenwu Sect and Hexin Sect at the gate, looking around as if searching for someone. Ning Yuzhou glanced at them without showing any reaction and led the two into the city.

Once inside, they finally understood what was happening.

Su Molan looked down at the teacup on the table, listening to the cultivators' discussions in the inn, her hands clenched tightly under her sleeves.

A wave of sadness suddenly washed over her.

Though she grew up surrounded by wolves, she always thought that the Xiao and Shen families would protect her. She remembered the elders Xiao Xiankai and Shen Sheng, who were friends with her parents and watched her grow up, treating her with affection. She thought they cared for her, and even when Xiao Minxin and Shen Yuanjin wronged her, she felt only disappointment, not anger.

Until this moment, she finally saw the truth.

Hearts change easily!

In the face of profit, everything else becomes insignificant.

Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou glanced at her, both of them calmly listening to the gossip in the city as if it had nothing to do with them.

After a while, Su Molan finally composed herself. Apart from the slight moisture in her eyes, her smile remained perfectly innocent and adorable. As someone who had to wear a mask since childhood to grow up properly, she was exceptionally skilled at controlling her expressions, ensuring no one would recognize her as Su Molan.

She also felt relieved inside, grateful that Ning Yuzhou had anticipated this and all three of them had used Shape-Changing Pills to alter their appearances, preventing their situation from becoming even worse.

Still, she felt a twinge of guilt.

It was her fault that they were in this predicament.

"Let's find an inn to rest for a few days and recover our strength before we leave," Ning Yuzhou said.

Wen Qiao and Su Molan both responded, "As you say, Senior Brother."

Ning Yuzhou maintained his stern and serious demeanor, leading his two junior brothers and sister away.

***

"Hall Master, that's what happened!"

In a humble farmhouse, a disciple of the Demon Sect stood before Pei Qiyu, reporting the news he had heard from Jisha City.

Pei Qiyu leaned against a simple railing, his face pale. He lowered his long lashes, concealing his emotions, and murmured almost to himself, "So it really is her..."

"Hall Master?" The Demon Sect disciple looked at him in confusion.

Pei Qiyu spoke coldly, "That's all. You may go."

The disciple acknowledged and silently withdrew.