Chapter 275

Chapter 275

"Are you two not coming in yet?"

Hearing their Master's words, Jiao Junhao and Ai Jue obediently walked in and bowed to the Master and the elders present.

Everyone gathered here was an Emperor Yuan cultivator of the Zhenwu Sect; they were well aware of the two’s arrival.

In the past, they would naturally not let the disciples know about such matters, as knowing too much would do them no good. However, this time, the actions of the four major families had crossed the line. It was impossible to keep it hidden, and it was better to tell them the truth than to have them hear rumors elsewhere and get involved out of ignorance, risking their lives.

After paying their respects to the elders, the two stood quietly to the side, listening to the Master and the elders discussing the matter at hand.

"The Xiao Family has always claimed to act honorably, treating the descendants of Suzhou Valley and the Su family sincerely, without coveting the treasures of Suzhou Valley. When that girl from the Su family first went missing, they still knew to put up a facade by issuing a bounty notice, asking all cultivators to help find her. But when they found out she was hiding in Suzhou Valley, they threw all pretense aside and tried to force her out. The Xiao Family's behavior is truly despicable."

"They must be afraid that Su Molan will take the opportunity to open the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map. If that happens, they'll get nothing, so they must stop her."

"They've been plotting for years; being anxious is only natural."

"If the four major families obtain the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map and use force to coerce us into helping them, what should we do then?"

"We absolutely cannot collude with them!"

"Then let's come up with a plan."

...

Only after the elders finally left did the Zhenwu Sect's Master rub his temples in frustration and look at his two beloved disciples.

Ai Jue, being impulsive, quickly said, "Master, my brother Ning and sister Wen might still be in Suzhou Valley. What should we do? If the great array of Suzhou Valley breaks, what will happen to them?"

The Master looked at the two worried disciples and sighed, "You now know the situation in Suzhou Valley. With your current strength, how can you help them? You'll only end up getting yourselves trapped. Even if our eight major sects join forces, we might not be able to change the minds of the four major families, and we could end up trapped ourselves..."

Jiao Junhao and Ai Jue fell silent.

They understood the logic and would not risk the sect.

Suddenly, Jiao Junhao stepped forward and said solemnly, "Please allow me to go to Suzhou Valley, Master."

"I'm going too!" Ai Jue quickly added.

The Master frowned slightly, "You want to save them? Nonsense!"

"Please rest assured, Master. I know I'm no match for the four major families, so I won't act rashly. I just want peace of mind," Jiao Junhao said earnestly. "I will act according to circumstances and won't confront them directly."

Ai Jue nodded vigorously, following his senior brother's lead.

The Master knew the nature of his two disciples well. His eldest disciple, though steady, adhered to his own sense of justice due to the sword techniques he practiced. He would persist in what he believed was right, even if it meant sacrificing himself, and would never compromise with the world. Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao had helped them, and he would not easily change his stance even against the four major families.

This character was both reassuring and worrying.

Such righteousness was beneficial for cultivation but could also lead to trouble in certain situations.

Knowing that if he didn’t let them go, they wouldn't stay at peace and might leave secretly, the Master eventually agreed but set strict rules to prevent them from getting themselves trapped.

With the Master's permission, Jiao Junhao and Ai Jue quickly left the Zhenwu Sect and headed towards Suzhou Valley.

Similarly, the disciples of the Hexin Sect made the same choice.

As the beloved daughter of the Hexin Sect's Master, Fan Xiuxiu naturally learned the truth from her elders.

At that moment, she was shocked and felt ashamed for her previous misunderstandings about Su Molan.

She had once recklessly slandered a pitiful female cultivator, joining those ignorant people in condemning her character without knowing the circumstances that forced her into difficult situations.

Those men approached her under the guise of love, ruining her reputation to obtain the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map...

No wonder Senior Brother Jiao had scolded her. She had thought he was like those male cultivators, misled by Su Molan, and had misunderstood him... Senior Brother Jiao probably disliked her even more now.

Feeling dejected, Fan Xiuxiu asked, "Senior Sister, will Senior Brother Jiao and the others go to Suzhou Valley?"

"Perhaps."

Fan Xiuxiu pursed her lips and turned to seek her parents, stating her intention to visit Suzhou Valley.

The disciples of the Zhenwu Sect and the Hexin Sect, who had connections with Ning Yuzhou, rushed to Suzhou Valley to offer their support.

Other sects also sent people to Suzhou Valley, but not to save anyone; they wanted to observe the developments and see if the four major families could really seize the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map and what fate awaited Suzhou Valley.

In a short time, the entire continent's attention focused on Suzhou Valley.

***

The great array of Suzhou Valley, after nearly half a month of attacks, was on the verge of collapse.

Iron Granny looked sternly towards the valley entrance, her eyes filled with pain and hatred.

She turned to the disciples gathered on Chuyun Peak and said, "The protective array of the valley is about to break. From now on, there will be no more Suzhou Valley in this world."

The fifty-nine disciples of Suzhou Valley wore somber expressions.

"But as long as you are here, Suzhou Valley will always exist, in our hearts!" Iron Granny declared firmly, her voice resolute. "Now, follow me and leave Suzhou Valley! As long as I am alive, I will protect you, and Suzhou Valley will be rebuilt. I promise!"

Though the fifty-nine disciples were saddened, their expressions were determined.

They were all disciples of Suzhou Valley, and their loyalty remained unchanged, regardless of life or death.

Seeing the changes in the disciples' expressions, Iron Granny felt a sense of satisfaction. Even if Suzhou Valley was destroyed, it was crucial that those who survived retained their spirit and confidence.

Then, Granny Tie led the fifty-nine disciples of Pleiades Valley to Chuanyun Peak.

In front of the hall on Chuanyun Peak stood three people.

Seeing these three individuals, everyone was somewhat puzzled. Granny Tie did not elaborate further and simply said, "We will leave through the teleportation array."

The fifty-nine disciples of Pleiades Valley showed expressions of joy. Although they were willing to stay in Pleiades Valley and share its fate, if they could survive, they would naturally be happier.

Granny Tie first led those fifty-nine disciples into the hall.

She glanced at the flickering spiritual light in the sky. Once the valley's protective barrier broke, Pleiades Valley truly became history. Despite her immense heartache, she was powerless to stop it. Unfortunately, her cultivation was insufficient to fight those enemies to the death.

"Mo Lan, I'll take them away first," Granny Tie said to Su Molan. "We'll leave through the teleportation array in No Return Sea. Then I'll disperse this group of disciples and hide them. If you return one day, come find us in No Return Sea."

According to the plan, they would act in two groups. Granny Tie would take the fifty-nine disciples of Pleiades Valley to No Return Sea and hide them there. Su Molan, Wen Qiao, and Ning Yuzhou would use the teleportation array to go to Heavenly Dragon Peak and then leave from there.

By splitting into two groups, they could reduce the chances of being discovered by the four major clans.

Su Molan had tears in her eyes as she nodded vigorously, saying, "Granny, you must stay alive. The matter of revenge can wait until I return. I want to take my revenge with my own hands." She feared that Granny Tie might sacrifice herself for revenge, so she couldn't help but remind her.

Although she was currently only at the Spirit Realm level, talking about revenge was premature. However, compared to losing Granny Tie, she preferred to wait until she was powerful enough to seek revenge herself, rather than have Granny Tie perish alongside their enemies.

Indeed, Granny Tie looked hesitant.

"Granny!" Su Molan's expression turned serious. "Listen to me."

Granny Tie reluctantly nodded. "Young Mistress, don't worry. I'll keep an eye on those people. When you return, we'll kill them together!"

"Yes!"

Granny Tie reluctantly gave her a few more words of caution before turning away, deeply bowing to Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao. "I entrust our young mistress to you two."

"Don't worry, Granny Tie. We'll ensure her safe passage to another continent," Ning Yuzhou assured her.

Granny Tie gave them one last long look before turning to enter Chuanyun Hall. After activating the teleportation array, she left with the fifty-nine disciples of Pleiades Valley.

After Granny Tie and the others left, the vast Pleiades Valley was left with only three people.

The spiritual light of the valley's protective barrier still flickered incessantly, and the mist within the valley could barely conceal its brightness.

The hidden Pleiades appeared, floating lightly on Wen Qiao's shoulder. It gazed at the teleportation array inside the hall and asked in a childlike voice, "Are we leaving now?"

Wen Qiao nodded and asked, "Pleiades, what will happen to Pleiades Valley after your main body leaves?"

Pleiades shook its head, looking somewhat uneasy. "I don't know. Maybe... it won't be too good." As it spoke, it secretly glanced at Ning Yuzhou.

The small spirit hadn't yet learned to hide its emotions, so Wen Qiao and Su Molan naturally noticed its actions, which piqued their curiosity.

During this time, Su Molan had been busy handling the remaining matters of Pleiades Valley, while Wen Qiao helped her. Pleiades stayed with Ning Yuzhou, and they didn't know what plans the two had made. They only knew that Pleiades would be leaving with them, but what would happen to Pleiades Valley and Pleiades Continent after its departure remained unknown.

"Will Pleiades Valley... be destroyed?" Su Molan asked softly.

Pleiades remained silent, just staring at Ning Yuzhou.

Ning Yuzhou calmly replied, "Yes."

Su Molan's pupils constricted slightly before quickly returning to normal.

If Pleiades didn't leave, once the protective barrier was breached, those people would surely ravage Pleiades Valley in search of her and the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map. The valley would still face destruction either way. Since Pleiades Valley was destined to be destroyed, whether it was by outsiders or itself made little difference.

Moreover, she couldn't force Pleiades to stay just because she didn't want the valley to be destroyed. She was merely a guardian and had no right to command it.

"Let's go," Ning Yuzhou said.

Wen Qiao walked over, took his hand, and called Su Molan to join them in entering Chuanyun Hall.

Standing in the teleportation array, Ning Yuzhou turned to Wen Qiao and said, "Chui, once the teleportation array activates, throw the explosive pearl to destroy it."

"No problem!" Wen Qiao assured him.

Seeing her speak so easily, Su Molan understood that if this task wasn't done well, it could affect them in the teleportation array, requiring precise control. However, she also didn't want to leave the teleportation array behind for the four major clans to discover. If they managed to repair it and deduce their whereabouts, it would endanger Granny Tie and them.

As the teleportation array activated, the familiar pulling force began to draw them away.

Just as they were about to disappear, Wen Qiao threw an explosive pearl.

The explosive pearl erupted with a loud boom, destroying not only the teleportation array but also leveling Chuanyun Hall. Chuanyun Peak was left barren, devoid of any other structures.

Simultaneously, in the square in front of Pleiades Valley, the sudden disappearance of eighteen stone pillars caused the cloud-patterned lustrous stones paving the square to crack. These cracks spread like spider webs, centered around where the stone pillars had been, rapidly extending outward.

In mere moments, the entire square was covered with cracks.

The heavy cloud-patterned lustrous stones shattered and collapsed, revealing a massive black hole beneath.

A wisp of evil black gas surged out from the bottomless black hole, spreading rapidly.

Soon, the black gas enveloped the entire square, causing the surrounding plants to wither and devouring the spiritual energy. The environment turned black.

As the black gas approached nearby cloud peaks, the clouds swiftly gathered, forming a standoff between white clouds and black gas, each refusing to yield.

From deep within the black cave came a sharp roar, echoing throughout Pleiades Valley.

***

Outside Pleiades Valley, five cultivators at the Emperor Yuan Realm continued attacking the valley's protective barrier.

Holding their life treasures, they attacked with their artifacts. Each joint strike sent a mix of spiritual and demonic light crashing onto the protective barrier, causing it to shake violently and weakening its power.

Suddenly, Shang Yang, the Demon Lord, stopped.

The cultivators of the Emperor Yuan Realm from the four major families looked at him with ill intent.

Although the four major families had temporarily allied with the demonic cultivators, it did not mean they fully trusted them. Moreover, since Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, was once a disciple of the Xiao Clan before falling into the demonic path, they were also wary of the Xiao Clan.

The cultivators of the Shen, Chai, and Yi Clans exchanged glances in secret. Although Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, had severed ties with the Xiao Clan, there was still a shared bloodline. If Shang Yang and the Xiao Clan conspired together, they would not be easy to bully.

"Why have we stopped?" The patriarch of the Xiao Clan looked at Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, with dissatisfaction. Although Shang Yang was once a disciple of the Xiao Clan, the Xiao Clan represented the righteous path, and they needed to maintain their stance before the world.

Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, unaware of their varied thoughts, stared at the Xinggu Valley, his expression suddenly turning grave.

"There's a change in the Xinggu Valley," said Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable.

"What's going on?" the patriarchs of the four major families asked hurriedly.

Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, shook his head, his expression still grave. "This Venerable does not know either. The aura of the Xinggu Valley seems to have changed." Despite the Xinggu Valley being a place brimming with spiritual energy and perpetually shrouded in mist, he sensed demonic energy for an instant.

Demonic cultivators are extremely sensitive to the presence of demonic energy. He had visited the Xinggu Valley before and, although not very familiar with it, knew its conditions well. It was impossible for demonic energy to appear there, yet his senses indicated that it had suddenly surged and spread.

The patriarchs of the four major families looked towards the Xinggu Valley, which appeared as misty as usual.

"What change is there?" asked the patriarch of the Chai Clan dismissively, sneering, "Could it be that Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, is afraid?"

Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, glanced at him with eyes filled with demonic energy and coldly said, "This Venerable is afraid? If anything... you should be the ones afraid."

If demonic energy truly appeared in the Xinggu Valley, it would be immensely beneficial for demonic cultivators, possibly giving them another natural cultivation ground. However, it would not be so favorable for spiritual cultivators, who might regret their actions later.

Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, did not warn them but instead felt a great sense of anticipation.

When the protective array of the Xinggu Valley opens, and they see the situation inside, what expressions will they show? Will they be filled with regret?

Thinking about this, Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, became excited.