Chapter 272

Chapter 272

When Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou returned from the bottom of Yunying Pond to Chuyun Peak, they saw Su Molan hurrying over.

Seeing the two of them, Su Molan finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, when she noticed their cultivation levels, she was instantly stunned.

"Did you two go to practice?" she asked in surprise, her voice trembling slightly.

Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou both admitted it straightforwardly.

They had received the blessings of the mist from the Valley of Pleiades, which had improved their cultivation levels. There was no need to hide this from the owner of the Valley of Pleiades.

Although the immortal-level cloud beast fell here before the Valley of Pleiades was established, later on, the Valley of Pleiades and the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Diagram chose this place as their home, thus forming a cause-and-effect relationship with that immortal-level cloud beast. Informing the descendants of the Valley of Pleiades about this wasn't a big deal.

"I see."

Su Molan didn’t think much of it and instead felt relieved.

These two suddenly disappeared in the Valley of Pleiades, and no matter how hard she searched, she couldn't find them. She thought something might have happened to them or that they used a teleportation array to leave the Valley of Pleiades.

If they had left using a teleportation array, it would be fine, but she feared something bad had happened. Given Ning Yuzhou’s character, if they were leaving, they would inform the owner. So when she found them missing and couldn't locate them anywhere in the valley, she was very worried something had happened to them.

Now seeing them return safely, she was naturally happy.

As they were talking, another female cultivator appeared, walking down from the waist of Chuyun Peak.

This woman was exceptionally tall, with stunning beauty. As she approached, her striking features exuded a fierce yet alluring aura, drawing everyone's attention. Unlike Su Molan, whose appearance was delicate like a morning glory, this woman was strong-willed, the kind that men would want to conquer.

Wen Qiao looked at her, suddenly feeling a sense of familiarity.

At that moment, the woman spoke, "Young Master Ning, Miss Wen, you're back. It's good to see you safe."

Wen Qiao: "...Grandma Tie?"

Grandma Tie's beautiful face broke into a warm smile, looking at her with a very affectionate gaze. "Ah, Miss Wen doesn't recognize me anymore?"

Wen Qiao said flatly, "No, it's just that your scar is gone, so I'm not sure if it's really you."

Last time, she looked like an old woman on her deathbed, full of wrinkles. Now, she had transformed into a commanding queen. The contrast was too great for Wen Qiao to recognize her immediately.

Grandma Tie touched her right cheek, where a hideous scar once was. With the poison inside her body removed, the scar naturally disappeared.

She was indeed not young, but her talent was excellent, and her cultivation speed was fast. Once a cultivator reached the Emperor Yuan realm, they could transform their body and maintain their youthful beauty without issue.

Grandma Tie was one such example; high-level cultivators were often ageless wonders.

However, some people preferred to maintain an appearance that matched their age.

Grandma Tie noticed that both their cultivation levels had increased. Ning Yuzhou, in particular, had broken through a major realm in just one month, making her almost suspect he had been hiding his true strength.

She knew Ning Yuzhou had no reason to hide his cultivation, so he truly did break through a major realm in a single month, something even in dreams seemed impossible.

Compared to him, the geniuses promoted by the so-called four major families were mere fools.

"Did you absorb the mist?" Grandma Tie asked.

She could only think of the mist in the valley, which provided such a significant opportunity, allowing him to break through a major realm in just one month.

Wen Qiao didn't expect Grandma Tie to react so quickly and admitted straightforwardly, "Yes, the mist in the Valley of Pleiades resonated with my husband's cultivation, allowing him to break through."

Ning Yuzhou stood beside her, smiling gently.

Upon hearing this, Grandma Tie and Su Molan showed little reaction beyond envy.

As residents of the Valley of Pleiades, they knew that the mist contained within the valley bestowed its power selectively. Some spent their entire lives there without receiving any mist, while others absorbed its power in a short time, breaking their limits. It all depended on individual fortune.

Clearly, the mist in the Valley of Pleiades was Ning Yuzhou's fortune.

If Wen Qiao knew their thoughts, she would argue that their greatest fortune was meeting the spirit of the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Diagram. Without the little spirit Su Xing leading the way, they wouldn't have known about the abundant mist beneath Yunying Pond.

Grandma Tie, seeing them return safely, invited them to talk in the medicine room.

"When do you plan to leave?" Grandma Tie asked directly.

Ning Yuzhou replied, "Since your health has recovered, we will leave soon."

Grandma Tie hesitated, looking at Su Molan for a long moment without speaking.

Previously, because she didn't have much time left, she had made the tough decision to have them take Su Molan to another continent to save her life. Now that her injuries had healed, as long as nothing unexpected happened, she could continue protecting Su Molan and couldn't bear to send her away to be a vulnerable wandering cultivator on another continent.

But thinking about what she needed to do next, she hesitated again.

At this moment, Su Molan said seriously, "Grandma, I've decided to stay in the Pleiades Continent."

Grandma Tie stared at her in surprise.

"I know you want to avenge my mother, and since you're alone, I'm not at ease. I want to stay and help you." Su Molan smiled bitterly, "I have no family left, only you. If something happens to you, leaving me alone, I don't know how long I can survive..."

Grandma Tie's eyes welled up, and she said hoarsely, "Silly child, what I need to do is dangerous. Moreover, those people haven't given up. Your situation is more dangerous than mine."

"How could it be? We are in the shadows, and they are in the light. As long as we don't expose ourselves, how could they think I'd be hiding in the Valley of Pleiades? Besides, your injuries have healed, and you no longer have that scar, making it easier for us to act."

Hearing this, Su Molan couldn't help but recall a year ago when her face was disfigured by the Black Devouring Scorpion's venom, spreading throughout the continent. She and Grandma Tie shared the same fate. Those people probably still believed they were disfigured women.

Grandma Tie pondered silently, not saying anything.

Knowing the master and servant had more to discuss, Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao excused themselves and returned to their guest quarters to rest.

Just as they returned to the guest courtyard, Su Xing, who had been hiding, appeared in the room and lightly perched on Wen Qiao's shoulder, saying sadly, "You're really leaving?"

"Yes." Wen Qiao patted its head in the air, offering some comfort.

Su Xing was very sad, murmuring, "I don't want you to go."

Wen Qiao said, "There is no feast that doesn't end; consider this departure as a prelude to our future reunion. We will definitely meet again someday."

Su Xing sniffled and responded gloomily, "If only I were guarding the Sacred Martial Continent, then I could stay with you."

Ning Gege's spirit pill was excellent; Wen Jiejie's aura gave it a sense of kinship and security. After they left, it would be alone once more, guarding the Su Xing Valley in solitude forever.

It didn't know what loneliness was before, but after spending time with Wen Qiao, it realized how lonely it had truly been.

Suddenly, Wen Qiao felt a pang of sadness and couldn't help but say, "Su Xing, you should try trusting Miss Su. She is the last descendant of the Su family. What if something happens to her in the future? What will you do?"

"Find another guardian, I suppose," Su Xing said somewhat bewilderedly, then frowned, "But someone told me that if my guardian dies, I would suffer severe damage..."

Wen Qiao became anxious, "Could there be a problem with the original contract between you and the Su family?"

Otherwise, why would the Star Map be affected when the guardian dies?

Su Xing still looked confused, its blank and foolish expression making one feel helpless.

Until Ning Yuzhou, unable to bear it any longer, pulled the pacing Wen Qiao over and said to Su Xing, "You are a spirit artifact. Although mortals cannot become your master, the contract you signed with your guardians must include a protection clause. They protect you, and in turn, you receive their blessings. Therefore, when your guardian dies for you, you are also affected, repaying their kindness."

Su Xing stared at them blankly.

Ning Yuzhou secretly shook his head. Who crafted this spirit artifact, and why is it so foolish?

***

Su Molan came out of Iron Granny's meditation room and sat atop Chuyun Peak, facing the mountain breeze and gazing at the surrounding clouds.

She failed to convince Iron Granny.

Although Iron Granny dismissed the idea of sending her to another continent for safety, she did not want Su Molan to venture out anymore, insisting she stay hidden in the Su Xing Valley while handling matters outside herself.

Iron Granny was an Emperor Yuan, but above her were Emperors Yuan. If they discovered that Iron Granny had left the Su Xing Valley, they would surely pursue her relentlessly.

Su Molan did not want to remain sheltered like a weak little girl. She wanted to do something for the Su Xing Valley to honor the bloodline bestowed upon her by her parents.

Su Molan felt a twinge of sadness.

"Hey, do you want to make a contract with me?"

A childlike voice rang out. At first, Su Molan thought she had misheard, looking puzzled. Then, a semi-transparent figure appeared before her, leaving her stunned.

"What... what are you?" Su Molan stammered.

Su Xing pursed its lips, displeased, "I am not a thing; I am Su Xing."

"Su Xing?"

Still dazed, Su Molan then remembered something and stared wide-eyed at the little child before her.

Su Xing, trying to look serious and dignified to avoid being underestimated by its potential guardian, said, "Yes, I am the Twenty-Eight Mansions Four Symbols Map, also known as the Star Map."

Su Molan remained silent for a long time.

Su Xing did not rush to speak, patiently squatting in front of her, waiting for her to regain her composure.

Finally, Su Molan cautiously asked, "What did you mean by that just now?"

Su Xing, slightly impatient but remembering that this was its guardian and the last descendant of the Su family, softened its tone.

It patiently explained, "My body is in the Su Xing Valley, where I need to guard the Pleiades Continent and cannot leave. But if we make a contract, I can leave the Pleiades Continent with you."

"Leave the Pleiades Continent? Why do you want to leave?"

"I want to go outside with Ning Gege and the others," Su Xing said sadly, truly reluctant to part with Wen Qiao.

Instantly, Su Molan understood that "Ning Gege" referred to Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou. Her heart was filled with shock, causing her reactions to slow down.

Before she could fully process this, the Su Xing Valley suddenly shook violently.

Su Molan's expression changed, and she quickly stood up, looking towards the entrance of the valley.

Su Xing's face turned extremely serious, its eyes sharp and cold, devoid of any childish innocence.

A figure darted out from inside.

Iron Granny, with a face full of rage, glared towards the valley entrance, her teeth grinding audibly.

Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou rushed out and saw Iron Granny standing in front of Chuyun Peak. They asked, "Iron Granny, what happened?"

Iron Granny's face was unusually cold and cruel. Her jaw twitched slightly, and her words seemed to be squeezed through clenched teeth, "Someone is attacking the valley's protective barrier."

"Could it be the four major families?" Wen Qiao exclaimed in surprise.

Iron Granny did not respond.

Immediately afterward, several more tremors shook the valley, startling all the disciples guarding the Su Xing Valley.

Some disciples panicked, unsure of what was happening;

Others, however, showed signs of joy, believing that the attacking families would break through the protective barrier, allowing them to leave the Su Xing Valley and escape their confinement.

Everyone gathered at the valley entrance, watching the protective array.

The protective array flickered with spiritual light, which was extremely bright, indicating that the cultivator attacking it had considerable cultivation.

Grandma Tie also arrived at the valley entrance.

However, she had deliberately disguised herself, and a hideous scar reappeared on her face. Her cold and grim appearance made the disciples of Su Xing Valley dare not look directly at her, so they naturally did not notice any changes in Grandma Tie.

Grandma Tie looked out at the people outside the valley with a grim expression.

A cultivator of the Emperor Yuan Realm was attacking the protective array, and behind him stood a group of cultivators numbering in the tens of thousands.

"Shang Yang, Demon Venerable!"

Grandma Tie enunciated each word, the deep-seated hatred causing the surrounding disciples of Su Xing Valley to show fear, and they couldn't help but quietly move back, lest they be killed by her in a fit of rage.

After this group moved away, a man and a woman standing close to Grandma Tie became particularly noticeable. Everyone recognized them as the two disciples whom Grandma Tie had called to serve on Chuyun Peak a year ago.

Some people turned their thoughts, realizing that these two had managed to win Grandma Tie's trust, thus being able to stay by her side. They admired their skills, indeed proving that one should not judge a book by its cover. Even someone as dull and uninteresting as "Wen Yashu" could be favored by the stubborn and difficult Grandma Tie, showing their remarkable abilities.

Just as Grandma Tie was extremely angry, a voice sounded: "Grandma Tie!"

Grandma Tie's expression froze, though her face still showed intense anger, her mind had calmed down considerably.

Su Molan hurried to Grandma Tie's side. She subtly glanced around, noticing that all the disciples guarding Su Xing Valley had gathered here. Realizing that this was not the time for rash actions, she did not ask any questions but pretended to stand beside Grandma Tie, observing the situation outside the valley.

Su Xing Valley was always shrouded in mist, making it impossible for those outside to see inside, while those inside could see outside clearly through the protective array.

They could clearly see the situation outside the valley through the protective array.

The one attacking the protective array was none other than the Emperor Yuan Realm demon cultivator from the Demon Sect—Shang Yang, Demon Venerable.

This Shang Yang Demon Venerable was the patriarch of the Demon Sky Sect. He had orchestrated the destruction of Su Xing Valley years ago, driven by his desire to obtain the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map.

His obsession with the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map was closely tied to his identity.

He was once a righteous spirit cultivator, the most promising disciple of the Xiao family. However, due to certain reasons, he betrayed his family, fell into the path of demons, and cultivated an extremely powerful demonic art, eventually breaking through to the Emperor Yuan Realm and becoming the youngest Emperor Yuan Realm demon venerable in the Demon Sect.

It was this person who had plotted the massacre, leaving only one bloodline descendant of Su Xing Valley.

Shang Yang Demon Venerable attacked the protective array of Su Xing Valley without hesitation. Behind him were both demon cultivators and righteous spirit cultivators.

Under his attacks, the protective array flickered with spiritual light, causing Su Xing Valley to tremble.

After dozens of consecutive attacks, Shang Yang Demon Venerable burst into laughter and declared loudly, "This Venerable knows that the last descendant of the Su family has hidden in Su Xing Valley. Since this girl is too cowardly to come out, this Venerable will break through this protective array and destroy Su Xing Valley."

Grandma Tie's eyes instantly turned bloodshot.