Chapter 278

Chapter 278

The faces of the high-ranking members of the Eight Great Sects instantly turned grim.

Looking at those cultivators who still showed no remorse and had greedy expressions, the head of Zhenwu Sect finally couldn't help but shout, "Don't forget the current situation in the Pleiades Valley! Instead of thinking about the elusive Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map, why don't you think about how to solve the current predicament?"

"Headmaster He's words are indeed wise," the head of Hexin Sect echoed, his eyes sharp as swords, sweeping over the group of greedy people. "If we let this go unchecked, the demonic energy here will spread to the surroundings, and eventually, the Pleiades Continent will turn into a den of demons. Will there be any place for us to survive then?"

"That is indeed the truth."

The heads of the Eight Great Sects spoke up one after another, their faces solemn, their gazes subtly sweeping over the three Emperor Yuan Realm cultivators.

Although the Eight Great Sects were indeed not as powerful as the Four Major Clans now, their foundations were not weak. Compared to the Four Major Clans, they had been residing on the Pleiades Continent for a longer time and had once led the continent. If they truly faced off against the Four Major Clans, they wouldn't lose.

However, they were unwilling to cause unnecessary sacrifices, which was why they had been retreating step by step.

The ancestors of the Shen and Yi families remained silent.

Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, said, "Isn't that better? The demonic energy is more beneficial for our demonic cultivation. If the Pleiades Continent becomes a land filled with demonic energy, we demonic cultivators would only be happier."

His nonchalant demeanor nearly prompted several virtuous cultivators to take action.

Although there were many greedy people, there were also many cultivators concerned about the safety of the continent. They had come along with the people from the Eight Great Sects and were deeply worried upon seeing the state of the Pleiades Valley. However, the current state of the Pleiades Valley was caused by Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, in collaboration with the Four Major Clans. Even if they wanted justice, it was impossible.

Although Shang Yang was injured, his cultivation level was evident, and no one dared to make a move.

The high-ranking members of the Eight Great Sects ignored him and looked at the ancestors of the Shen and Yi families, saying sternly, "Seniors, what are your thoughts?"

The two Emperor Yuan Realm cultivators from the Shen and Yi families exchanged bitter smiles. What could they say?

They naturally regretted their actions now, but since things had reached this point, regret was useless; they could only try to remedy the situation. Unlike Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, who believed everything could be used, even if the continent was destroyed, they could simply find another continent.

Their families and descendants were still on the Pleiades Continent. How could they abandon so many people?

"The most urgent task is to seal the Pleiades Valley," said the ancestor of the Shen family.

Upon hearing this, most of the cultivators present couldn't help but show strange expressions on their faces.

They all remembered fifty years ago when the demonic cultivators attacked the Xiao family to take Su Molan away, resulting in the deaths of many Xiao disciples. The Four Major Clans proposed sealing the Pleiades Valley and exiling Su Molan to the forbidden area to prevent her from falling into the hands of the demonic cultivators. Later, the matter was dropped, but now it was brought up again, and the situation was entirely different.

At that time, they wanted to control the Pleiades Valley to secretly find the Twenty-Eight Constellations Four Symbols Map. When negotiations failed, Su Molan used the attitudes of the Xiao and Shen families to activate the valley's protective array, protecting the Pleiades Valley.

Now, even if they didn't want to protect the Pleiades Valley, they had no choice but to do so.

"How can we seal it now?" asked the head of Zhenwu Sect.

The ancestor of the Shen family replied, "The protective array of the Pleiades Valley has been broken. Only the Xiao family can set up a sealing array."

The Xiao family had risen because of a genius array master, and most of its disciples practiced array formations, making them proficient in array techniques. The family still possessed some treasures left by the genius array master, making the Xiao family the best choice.

The ancestor of the Yi family added, "Exactly. Xiao's expertise in array formations is remarkable. If he hadn't tragically fallen in the demonic lair..."

Everyone agreed, except the Xiao disciples, who looked frightened. Especially Xiao Xiankai, as the head of the Xiao family, knew the situation well. The Xiao family had just lost an Emperor Yuan Realm ancestor, and now the Shen and Yi families were openly bullying them...

Xiao Xiankai couldn't help but look at Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, with pleading eyes.

Shang Yang ignored him, clearly choosing to watch indifferently.

Seeing this, others silently relaxed. They knew the relationship between Shang Yang and the Xiao family. Blood ties could never be severed. As long as Shang Yang had Xiao blood flowing through his veins, his connection with the Xiao family could not be severed. What if he decided to help the Xiao family out of a sudden impulse?

In matters of interest, both the righteous and demonic paths were the same.

The ancestor of the Shen family suddenly said, "Shang Yang, the Demonic Venerable, don't think the spread of demonic energy here benefits you demonic cultivators! We have all delved deep into the Thousand Demon Laire and fought with the demonic beings there. Do you really think demonic cultivators can cultivate using this demonic energy? You are still part of human cultivation, not the true demonic race."

Shang Yang's face instantly turned cold, staring sinisterly at the ancestor of the Shen family.

Demonic cultivators were indeed not the true demonic race, and the demonic energy here was too terrifying for them to use for cultivation, offering no benefit.

Shang Yang's earlier words might deceive cultivators below the Emperor Yuan Realm, but they couldn't fool the ancestors of the Shen and Yi families, who had personally experienced the power of the demonic energy in the lair.

The ancestor of the Shen family said this to force Shang Yang to act together to seal the Pleiades Valley.

Although Shang Yang had rebelled from the Xiao family, he was once the most outstanding disciple of the Xiao family, excelling in array formation techniques. If he could replace the deceased Xiao ancestor and help set up the array, it would be ideal.

Shang Yang knew the ancestor of the Shen family's scheme, which was why he was so angry.

The ancestor of the Shen family continued to provoke him, "It was your suggestion to exterminate the entire Su family back then. We merely cooperated with you."

Hearing this, the cultivators present burst into an uproar.

It turned out that a century ago, the Su family's destruction was not just a demonic plot but also involved the Four Major Clans acting in secret.

The poor Su family had guarded the Pleiades Valley for generations, suppressing the demonic lair, yet ended up in such a tragic fate. The only remaining descendant was controlled by the Four Major Clans and remains missing to this day.

Knowing the Pleiades Valley was in ruins, they understood that no one could survive inside. The claim that Su Molan was hiding in the Pleiades Valley might have been an excuse used by the Xiao family to attack the valley.

The ancestor of the Shen family revealed this, causing not only the cultivators present but also the Eight Great Sects to be shocked and furious.

Finally, the truth was revealed, but the Su family members who died unjustly were gone forever.

People like Jiao Junhao, who finally learned the truth, felt a sense of confusion and sorrow, especially those who had slandered Su Molan based on rumors, feeling immense guilt.

Xiao Minxin, in the crowd, became pale with anxiety, wanting to say it wasn't like that but couldn't speak up in front of all the cultivators.

She anxiously looked at Shen Yuanjin, only to find him standing there, dazed and lost.

Her heart sank, and Xiao Minxin couldn't help but feel terrified, thinking: Could he be regretting it?

Regretting abandoning his fiancée Su Molan and instead falling in love with her? Regretting plotting against Su Molan together? Regretting treating Su Molan that way back then...

Just as the ancestor of the Shen family was being aggressive, trying to force Demon Lord Shang Yang into action, a sharp roar suddenly echoed from the Pleiades Valley, shaking the surroundings.

The roar came from the Pleiades Valley, and some cultivators with lower cultivation levels could not withstand it and fell to the ground.

Everyone looked towards the Pleiades Valley in shock, sensing something ominous, as if something was emerging from there.

Soon, they knew what it was.

As a group of monsters shrouded in black demonic aura rushed towards them, everyone drew their weapons and killed the incoming monsters.

After killing the creatures, they realized that these things emitting demonic aura were actually cultivators.

They were the cultivators who had died outside the entrance of the Pleiades Valley earlier.

Now, these cultivators were enveloped in demonic aura, their skin turned black, and their eyes were red, like mindless zombies controlled by demonic energy, only knowing how to kill, no longer human.

Despite their blackened skin and demonic aura, the people of the four major families still recognized these possessed cultivators as their disciples.

The people of the four major families were heartbroken, never expecting their disciples to die tragically outside the Pleiades Valley and be transformed into such beings after death, their souls destroyed.

Apart from those dead cultivators, there were also some demonic beasts. The demonic aura on them was even more intense than that of the cultivators, making them stronger fighters. They all crawled out of the Thousand Demons Den.

Although the demon lord in the Thousand Demons Den was powerful, it had been suppressed by the Star Map for a long time, weakening its strength considerably. Now that the Star Map had left, the den reappeared on the Pleiades Continent, but the demon lord, lacking full power, could not leave its confinement. It could only send countless demonic beasts to attack the group of cultivators.

Kill them all!

The roar conveyed a bone-chilling intent to slaughter all living beings on this continent.

All the demonic beasts, upon receiving the order, charged at the cultivators, fighting to the death.

***

When Wen Qiao and Su Molan returned from the Bloodthirsty Forest to Heavenly Dragon Town, they both noticed that there were very few cultivators on the road.

"It seems everyone has gone to the Pleiades Valley," Su Molan said, her eyes showing a hint of worry.

Pleiades lay on Wen Qiao's shoulder, occasionally looking towards the Pleiades Valley, equally distracted.

They had just returned from the Bloodthirsty Forest and encountered few people along the way, unsure of the situation at the Pleiades Valley. Both Pleiades and Su Molan couldn't help but feel concerned about the valley; if not for being forced to this point, they wouldn't have chosen this path.

Wen Qiao saw the concern on their faces and thought for a moment before stopping her flying sword.

Because she stopped, Su Molan also stopped, looking at her in confusion.

Wen Qiao said, "Since you're worried, why don't we go take a look?"

Su Molan was startled, while Pleiades' eyes lit up.

However, soon, both of them gave up the idea, "Forget it, we've been out for too long. Let's return to Heavenly Dragon Town first, so Young Master Ning won't worry."

Of course, her husband was more important than anyone else.

Seeing both of them refuse, Wen Qiao didn't insist and continued on their journey.

This made Pleiades and Su Molan somewhat disappointed. If she had persuaded them a little more, they might have succumbed to temptation and agreed to check it out. But she said nothing...

A few days later, they arrived back at Heavenly Dragon Town.

The atmosphere in Heavenly Dragon Town was even more desolate than when they left. Entering the town, they saw only mortals and low-level cultivators, with the highest being only at the Yuan Pulse realm, not a single one at the Yuan Void realm.

Ning Yuzhou was waiting for them at the inn. Seeing them safe and sound, he smiled gently.

Wen Guangun, peeking out from Wen Qiao's waist bag, quickly crawled over and rubbed against Ning Yuzhou's leg, making sounds to express his longing for his brother Ning.

It had been a year since he last saw Brother Ning, and he missed his spiritual pills and delicious food.

Ning Yuzhou didn't even glance at him, moving his foot away to avoid the little beast's affection, and asked, "Is everything alright?"

"No issues, but something happened at the Pleiades Valley," Wen Qiao said, looking at Su Molan and Pleiades.

Ning Yuzhou nodded slightly, "I know about this! Since it's still some time until the black winds in the Black Wind Desert subside, let's go to the Pleiades Valley to see what's happening."

Pleiades and Su Molan's eyes lit up simultaneously.

Wen Qiao nodded indifferently, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "There will be many people from the four major families there. Will the Xiao family use blood essence to find Su Molan again?"

Wouldn't they be walking into a trap?

Su Molan's face stiffened, her expression turning grim.

"Perhaps they're too busy to find anyone right now," Ning Yuzhou said with an enigmatic smile. "The situation at the Pleiades Valley must be quite bad."

Su Molan and Pleiades both showed signs of worry.

Knowing that Ning Yuzhou never acted without reason, if he said so, they needn't worry about the four major families chasing them like mad dogs.

They checked out of the inn and headed towards the Pleiades Valley.

A few days later, they arrived near the Pleiades Valley.

Before they got close, they felt the faint demonic aura emanating from the Pleiades Valley, suffocating them. Additionally, the demonic aura from the Thousand Demons Den was indeed spreading outward, gradually replacing the spiritual energy within the Pleiades Valley.

Seeing the spirit plants around them withered and dead due to the demonic aura, Su Molan felt heavy-hearted.

Pleiades' face also turned grim.

Roar—Roar—Roar—

Several uneven roars echoed, and then several monsters shrouded in demonic aura rushed from the direction of Pleiades Valley, charging at them with fierce momentum.

"Those are demonic beasts!" Su Molan said with a grim expression.

Ning Yuzhou whispered, "These demonic beasts are the lowest-level tainted beasts; the Sun Blaze Bow is their nemesis. Chui, use the Sun Blaze Bow to kill them."

Immediately, Wen Qiao summoned the Sun Blaze Bow, grabbed a spirit arrow with her fingers, and shot it swiftly.

The first demonic beast was struck by the spirit arrow and exploded into a pool of blood and flesh.

Wen Qiao then loaded another arrow, shooting one demonic beast after another, each hit causing an explosion of blood and flesh.

Su Molan's solemn expression eased slightly as she glanced at Ning Yuzhou, secretly admiring his vast knowledge and seemingly endless abilities.

After slaying the demonic beasts, the three walked over to examine the remains on the ground.

They saw black demonic aura seeping from the blood and flesh, which did not dissipate but lingered around, continuing to corrupt the nearby spiritual energy.

Su Molan's face changed as she thought of something.

As they were observing the demonic beasts, a group of cultivators flew over.

Seeing the corpses of the demonic beasts on the ground, they showed surprise and asked, "Did you kill these creatures?"

Ning Yuzhou looked up and recognized Jiao Junhao and other disciples of Zhenwu Sect, almost losing their composure.

"Yes," Ning Yuzhou replied calmly, asking them, "What happened to Pleiades Valley? Is no one managing this?"

The disciples of Zhenwu Sect leaped off their flying swords, letting out a bitter laugh upon hearing his words.

Jiao Junhao said coldly, "The four major families are already working on a solution. They will set up a seal nearby soon to prevent the demonic aura from spreading further."

"Will the seal be effective?" Su Molan couldn't help but ask.

Though she despised the four major families, she did not wish for the entire Pleiades Continent to be destroyed due to the demonic cave. The Pleiades Continent was innocent. She even regretted taking the Star Map away; if the Star Map had remained in Pleiades Valley, it might not have turned into this state.