Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Ning Yuzhou embraced the girl who had thrown herself into his arms, a smile appearing on his face.

Holding the joyful girl in his arms, his gaze shifted from the three assembled stone slabs to Su Molan, who was standing beside them in a daze. The warmth in his eyes gradually deepened with meaning.

Su Molan stood there, lost in thought over Wen Qiao's earlier words. She realized that the two of them came from a place called the "Sacred Martial Continent."

When she snapped back to reality, she met a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes.

Her expression stiffened slightly, unable to read the depths of his gaze and feeling inexplicably reluctant to meet his eyes. However, the unguarded intimacy between the engaged couple still made her feel a bit embarrassed, and she cleared her throat lightly.

After releasing Ning Yuzhou, Wen Qiao went back to examining the three stone slabs, calling for Ning Yuzhou to help redraw the map.

The stone slabs belonged to the Su family, so they couldn't take them away. It would be best to make a copy.

Upon hearing their plan to redraw the map, Su Molan helped move the stone slabs to a more spacious area within the treasure chamber and brought over a table. Placing the three slabs on the table made it easier for them to redraw the map.

Wen Qiao circled around the maps on the three stone slabs. Although she couldn't understand the ancient script or the names of the continents marked on the map, she keenly noticed that the Sacred Martial Continent was located in a very remote area, like an isolated island in the vast ocean, separated from the nearest continent by an extremely wide sea.

Scratching her head, Wen Qiao asked Ning Yuzhou, "Husband, is the Pleiades Continent on this map?"

Su Molan also looked at the three stone slabs, curious about the location of the Pleiades Continent.

Ning Yuzhou extended his hand and pointed in a direction.

The two female cultivators looked in that direction, their expressions turning strange as their gazes darted back and forth between the three stone slabs. They couldn't help but say, "The Sacred Martial Continent and the Pleiades Continent are too far apart, aren't they? They're not even on the same slab."

Indeed, the three slabs formed a single map, yet the Sacred Martial Continent and the Pleiades Continent were on different slabs, indicating just how far apart the two continents were.

"Does this mean we'll have to spend decades or even centuries traveling back?" Wen Qiao frowned, beginning to worry.

She knew the vastness of the Endless Sea, which separated the various continents. Ordinary cultivators found it extremely difficult to cross the Endless Sea, only Sages at the Primordial Saint realm could traverse between continents without being affected. If they were to cross directly by sea, aside from the threat of sea beasts lurking beneath the Endless Sea, the sheer distance alone would be exhausting. Even with long lifespans, cultivators couldn't afford to spend all their years traveling.

Su Molan kindly consoled her, "Don't worry, there will always be a way."

Wen Qiao couldn't help but glance at Ning Yuzhou, knowing he would have a solution.

Sure enough, he said, "We can use the teleportation arrays between continents to shorten our journey."

Su Molan asked curiously, "Young Master Ning, does every continent have a teleportation array, like the one you used to come to the Pleiades Continent?"

"Perhaps," Ning Yuzhou didn't commit fully. "We haven't been to many continents, so I can't guarantee it. We need to see for ourselves."

Wen Qiao felt disheartened, realizing that knowing the direction wasn't enough; there would still be challenges along the way.

Ning Yuzhou reached out to stroke her head, offering comfort.

Fortunately, Wen Qiao wasn't one to give up easily. She quickly rallied and discussed the map-drawing with Ning Yuzhou.

After reaching an agreement, she took out a piece of sea beast hide from her storage bag to draw the map. Ning Yuzhou gathered various materials to prepare the dyes needed for drawing.

With nothing else to do, Su Molan squatted nearby to watch them work.

They had experience in drawing maps, making them efficient and well-coordinated. They hardly needed to ask each other questions, understanding each other's intentions with just a glance, displaying remarkable teamwork.

Su Molan watched enviously.

While romantic love wasn't essential for cultivation, if it enhanced one's journey, it could be a beautiful thing. Having a trusted companion to grow and strengthen together was a rare blessing, something she lacked.

Su Molan sighed softly.

Drawing the map took some time, so Su Molan left to continue her research.

Through these three maps, Su Molan realized the value of the Su family's records, recognizing them as rare treasures in the cultivation world.

She wondered why even continents with Primordial Saints couldn't create complete maps, while the Su family possessed a complete one, passed down since ancient times. This realization emphasized the preciousness of their collection.

Suddenly, her heart raced, and her palms grew sweaty.

If they had the map, did they also have records about the Twenty-Eight Constellations Diagram? Why did the Su family become its guardian? Why did they sacrifice generation after generation to protect it?

She had many unanswered questions, hoping the records here could provide answers.

Su Molan delved into the various stone slabs, bamboo scrolls, and jade slips on the shelves, almost losing track of time.

Although the treasure chamber wasn't large, the number of items inside was extensive, accumulated through generations since ancient times. The sheer volume was mentally taxing.

It wasn't until Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou finished drawing the map that Su Molan blinked, realizing they had spent three months in Cangyun Peak's secret chamber.

Upon hearing that the map was completed, Su Molan hurried over. Seeing the freshly drawn map, she was taken aback, "Why are the characters still in ancient script? Can you understand them?"

Wen Qiao confidently replied, "As long as my husband can understand them, it's fine."

Su Molan: "..."

Ning Yuzhou cleared his throat and smiled, "This was Chui's suggestion. The map is very complete and valuable. If it gets lost, we don't have to worry about others deciphering it."

Su Molan's lips twitched, unable to resist saying, "Aren't you worried someone might mistake it for a treasure map?"

This time, both Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao were speechless, "If someone is that foolish, they'd never find the treasure. Only someone who becomes a Heavenly Dao could truly see everything in the lower realms."

Su Molan was left speechless.

However, Wen Qiao's words sparked some speculation, "Young Master Ning, Miss Wen, who do you think created this map?"

"Wasn't it your ancestors from the Su family?" Wen Qiao asked.

Su Molan: "...Our ancestors, no matter how powerful, were at most Primordial Saints. Above Primordial Saints are Immortals, who wouldn't appear in the lower realms and couldn't possibly leave such a map."

"That's something we don't know."

Seeing Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao both uninterested, Su Molan felt somewhat disheartened.

She rubbed her swollen forehead. Perhaps it was because she had been exposed to too many secrets of the Pleiades Continent here recently, seen too much confidential information, yet still couldn't decipher the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map. This left her feeling somewhat frustrated, making her unable to resist trying to uncover the truth.

Suddenly, Wen Qiao reached out and patted her shoulder.

As a physical cultivator, Wen Qiao's strength was considerable, almost knocking Su Molan over. The bones in her shoulder ached, and she couldn't help but say, "Miss Wen, be gentler."

Wen Qiao was puzzled. "I was already being gentle; it's just that your constitution is too weak. Don't you cultivate your body during training?"

Su Molan's face darkened. "Isn't cultivating the body something for physical cultivators?"

"Even if you're not a physical cultivator, you can still cultivate your body. My husband has always done so," Wen Qiao argued confidently.

Su Molan glanced at Ning Yuzhou, feeling even more depressed.

Although Ning Yuzhou still maintained Xu Haofei's appearance, his demeanor remained unchanged. His unparalleled charm transcended mere appearances, revealing the unique elegance of Ning Yuzhou. It was hard to imagine him cultivating his body.

While Su Molan was mulling over whether she should also find a method to cultivate her body, she heard Wen Qiao say, "Not everything needs to be thoroughly investigated. Since we don't have the strength yet, it might be better to remain a bit ignorant."

Su Molan paused, then silently delved back into the vast sea of information.

The map was completed, but they still hadn't left the Su family's treasure room.

There were still many secrets worth exploring here, including information about ancient times that had long been lost. Even Ning Yuzhou, with his inheritance, found this opportunity rare and didn't want to leave too soon.

The Su Star Valley was the only sect they encountered that had been passed down from ancient times, and even more remarkably, the sect did not prevent them from reading its records. Such an opportunity was rare, and missing it would mean losing a valuable chance.

Wen Qiao suddenly remembered what Ning Yuzhou had said back in the Black Wind Desert. Indeed, his prediction had come true.

***

Cultivators could go without eating or drinking, replacing meals and sleep with meditation, but focusing on one thing for too long could still exhaust them, leaving them feeling fatigued.

When the three finally returned to Chuyun Peak, Grandma Tie was taken aback by their appearance.

They had spent half a year in Cangyun Peak, emerging looking like wilted vegetables, which made Grandma Tie chuckle. "What happened to you?"

Su Molan's eyes were bloodshot as she weakly replied, "We've been reading non-stop for half a year, and our eyes are blurry..."

Ah, so they had strained their eyes.

Grandma Tie immediately urged them to rest, telling them to come talk to her after they had rested properly.

The three rested for three full days.

When Wen Qiao woke up, she saw a faint shadow flicker across the ceiling and let out a startled cry, sitting up abruptly.

Her sudden movement woke Ning Yuzhou beside her, who quickly sat up as well.

"Chui, what's wrong?" Ning Yuzhou, with his loose black hair, held Wen Qiao's shoulders worriedly.

Wen Qiao blinked and looked at the ceiling again before saying, "I must have been seeing things."

Ning Yuzhou smiled. "After reading for so long, perhaps your mind hasn't fully recovered?"

"No, I'm fine now." Wen Qiao widened her eyes, showing him how alert she was.

Ning Yuzhou believed her and asked what she had seen.

Wen Qiao recounted the shadow she saw when she woke up. "Actually, I couldn't see it clearly. It flashed by like a thin light, so I might have been mistaken."

She then looked outside the bed and noticed the sunlight streaming in through the window, reflecting off the floor and onto the ceiling.

Wen Qiao felt embarrassed and admitted, "Indeed, it was my imagination."

Ning Yuzhou found this amusing.

This was Chuyun Peak, with an Emperor Yuan realm expert nearby. If there had been any movement, Grandma Tie would have sensed it. Even without her, he was confident nothing could escape his notice.

After resting sufficiently, they got up, washed up, and went to find Grandma Tie.

Grandma Tie was still in the alchemy room refining pills. Su Molan had risen earlier and was watching her refine pills.

Grandma Tie seemed to lack talent in alchemy, as she had just ruined another batch of spirit pills, filling the air with a burnt smell.

Nonchalantly, she disposed of the blackened residue, dusted off her hands, and invited them to sit in the adjacent room for tea.

"Did you find what you needed?" Grandma Tie asked tactfully.

Ning Yuzhou clasped his hands and replied, "The Su Star Valley's collection has been immensely helpful. Thank you for your generosity."

Grandma Tie's wrinkled face showed satisfaction. "That's good. What are your plans next?"

Wen Qiao looked at her suspiciously, sensing that Grandma Tie might have some intentions, but she remained silent, maintaining her cold and reserved demeanor. Such social exchanges were best handled by her eloquent husband.

Ning Yuzhou smiled. "To be honest, we wish to return to the Holy Martial Continent. Unfortunately, the journey is long, so we'll first seek inter-continental teleportation arrays and eventually use them to return."

"That won't be easy," Grandma Tie sighed.

Ning Yuzhou remained silent, knowing that despite the difficulty, they must return.

"Do you plan to leave the Pleiades Continent?"

Ning Yuzhou nodded gracefully. "We've gained much here in the Pleiades Continent. It's time to leave."

Without leaving, would they continue to be hunted by those four major families? Wen Qiao thought to herself that leaving was the best option.

Iron Granny lowered her eyes, looking at her hands covered in age spots, lost in thought.

Su Molan called out softly and somewhat uneasily, "Granny..."

It seemed that Iron Granny finally came back to her senses. She glanced at Su Molan, silencing her with a look before turning to Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou, her face serious as she said, "Could you two take Mo Lan with you when you leave?"

Hearing this, both Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao were somewhat surprised, and Su Molan was so anxious that she broke out in a cold sweat, "Granny..."

Iron Granny ignored her and said solemnly, "You have now seen the situation our young mistress is in on the Pleiades Continent. If she stays here, she will eventually become a puppet in their hands until she is forced to bear the bloodline of the Su family. At that time..."

Everyone present understood what would happen to Su Molan then.

Iron Granny closed her eyes slightly, seemingly unable to bear it.

Ning Yuzhou neither agreed nor refused, speaking from the perspective of an observer, "Iron Granny, cultivation is not easy. On other continents, without the support of a sect or family, one becomes a wandering cultivator. The life of a wandering cultivator is tough, as you well know."

Iron Granny gave a bitter smile, "Being a wandering cultivator is better than losing one's life."

Su Molan's eyes welled up with tears, almost crying again, but she quickly blinked them away.

Iron Granny said, "The Pleiades Valley is still peaceful for now. You two can stay here a bit longer, until I... leave."

"Granny!" Su Molan cried out, "Granny, your health really..."

Iron Granny sighed, looking at her affectionately and smiling, "Why cry? Everyone has their time to be born, grow old, and die. I've lived long enough. In the future, I won't be able to accompany you, and the Pleiades Valley won't be able to protect you either. Go to another continent and live well."

Su Molan finally broke down, tears streaming down her face.

Wen Qiao looked at the sorrowful yet resigned Iron Granny and the weeping Su Molan, and couldn't help poking Ning Yuzhou's waist.

Ning Yuzhou caught the mischievous hand around his waist and cleared his throat, "Iron Granny, actually, I can heal your injuries."

Su Molan's crying stopped abruptly.

Iron Granny: "..."