Chapter 935: Chapter 934: Affectionate Family, Smokeless Destination_1
After Ouyang Jing and his companions’ deaths, Qu Wuyan naturally became the head of the Happy Valley, but she despised this place. She only joined to seek revenge.
Thus, she had her confidants secretly record the actions of everyone in the valley and now, referring to the records, she meted out different punishments to different individuals.
For a time, the valley was filled with continuous wails of agony as bodies were carried out to be buried alive. Some had their cultivation disabled and left in despair, while only a very few left unscathed.
It wasn’t that no one wanted to resist, but after Qu Wuyan killed three Ninth Tier Earth Immortals with a single palm strike, everyone became obedient.
A Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor has always been irresistible.
This situation caused great astonishment among the experts from the three major sects outside the valley, and finally, on the third day, they joined forces to break in, only to be stupefied by what they found.
Upon learning that Qu Wuyan was the informant, the Grand Elder of the Flowing Water Sect sneered, "A witch remains a witch, devoid of any intention to return to the Righteous Path. She probably knew Happy Valley was doomed and deliberately staged a play for us."
The other two Void Origin Realm experts were somewhat hesitant.
"Gentlemen, weeds regrow when the spring breeze blows if their roots are not removed."
Before the other two could react, the Grand Elder of the Flowing Water Sect had already rushed toward Qu Wuyan, slashing down a blade of light from midair that brought with it the sound of gurgling water.
Qu Wuyan, severely injured, was nowhere near able to block the attack while her closest aides, led by Shijian, turned purple with anger.
At the critical moment, a sword light suddenly surged, spanning a distance of thousands of meters from behind Happy Valley, shattering the blade light and gently slicing towards the Grand Elder of the Flowing Water Sect.
"Pfft!"
Pushed back tens of thousands of meters and both shocked and furious, the Grand Elder of the Flowing Water Sect’s hand, gripping the blade, was nearly severed, bleeding profusely as he screamed, "Which expert is present here?"
"Leave."
With just two words, indifferent yet carrying an undeniable authority.
The experts from the three major sects, including everyone from Happy Valley, felt as if a sword hung above their heads, ready to strike with thunderous force should they dare to defy that voice.
The Grand Elder of the Flowing Water Sect’s expression fluctuated.
He had only recently advanced to become a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor, benefiting from the change in the natural environment, and was far inferior to a true Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor who had cultivated on his own.
And the person within the valley was undoubtedly a well-seasoned Void Origin Realm Sword Emperor. The Wind Sword Way, the peak prowess of the Divine Barrier Realm deliberately suppressed, would definitely be investigated upon their return to the sect!
"Leave!"
In the end, the people from the Flowing Water Sect retreated as told.
The two Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors from Qizheng Sect and Flying Swallow Pavilion looked at each other, and finally, a brocade-clad middle-aged man from Qizheng Sect stepped forward, folding his fists respectfully, "Predecessor, our attack on Happy Valley was indeed to enforce justice on behalf of Heaven, but many of our sect’s experts have died or been injured. We may not have merits but have put in hard labor. Could we possibly share some of the resources?"
After speaking, the brocade-clad middle-aged man was very nervous.
"I am not a person from this valley; discuss it with Steward Qu."
The reaction from the people inside the valley allowed the two sects to breathe a sigh of relief. With the strength of the other party, if they had been unreasonable, it would have indeed been troublesome.
Behind Happy Valley, amidst the colorful flowers.
Ignoring the matter between Qu Wuyan and the two sects, Shi Xiaole continued to peruse the experience notes for breaking through to the Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor.
Happy Valley only had four Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors, but to his surprise, there were dozens of such notes. Shi Xiaole learned through these that Happy Valley was simply a branch of another sect, the Albizzia julibrissin Sect.
As for the background of the Albizzia julibrissin Sect, he was not clear, and neither was Qu Wuyan. They simply cast it aside.
For Shi Xiaole, observing more breakthrough notes, accumulating a deep and mysterious foundation for his Vigorous Air Vortex, was what mattered most.
Of course, he did not overlook the secret manuals of Happy Valley, recording them all, and converting them to reward points; he also did not forget to continue studying the top three martial arts, preparing for the future.
...
In another courtyard full of crabapple trees.
Yang Feng and Rong Shu stood under a tree, silent for a long time.
"So, Xiaoyu was just a lie, a figure existing in illusion. Once your plan was fulfilled, she would no longer be necessary."
Each word Yang Feng spoke was like a steel knife, deeply stabbing into Rong Shu’s chest, but she still forced a smile: "I truly admire the swordsman Yang Feng’s resilience. Few could have endured under those circumstances."
Yang Feng slowly turned his head, looking earnestly at her delicate features, his expression sorrowful: "Did you come here today just to say these pointless words?"
"I merely came to check on you for Xiaoyu, to see that you were unharmed, then I could be at ease."
Rong Shu told herself that she was merely a temptress from the Valley of Joy. What did it matter if she remained chaste? If she were together with him, how would his friends regard him?
Besides, perhaps he only liked Xiaoyu, a fictional character.
Having those memories was enough to cherish for half her life. People shouldn’t be too greedy.
With each crossing step, it was the gradual distancing of two hearts, their indifference masking what could not be spoken.
Tears constantly streamed down Rong Shu’s face. She dared not utter those two words, fearing to destroy that beautiful memory, an unbearable pain she could not face.
Yang Feng suddenly burst into a loud laugh, turned around abruptly: "You, so merciless, disguised as Xiaoyu to deceive my feelings, and now you wish to leave suavely! You must be secretly laughing at me, for being moved by a fake person. I laugh at myself, too, hating myself. Rong Shu, please give me an answer, so I can give up on you, and never think of you again!"
Rong Shu paused in her steps, the voice near shouting in her ear, yet it was the most beautiful phrase she had heard in her life, like heavenly music.
She turned around, facing him with her tearful face: "Yang Feng, I can give you an answer. I, I never mocked you. Your words, they make it hard for me to breathe, and the only thing I want to do every day is to remember everything about you."
As their eyes met, the pretense of indifference could no longer block the heat of two passionate hearts.
"Rong Shu, come here!"
Yang Feng reached out his hand.
Like a swallow returning to the woods, Rong Shu rushed without hesitation into Yang Feng’s embrace.
The crabapple flowers bloomed exuberantly in the wind, and the sunlight on that day was exceptionally radiant.
"Brother Yang, I didn’t expect you to have such a tender side."
From the courtyard next door, Shi Xiaole touched his nose. He was happy that his friend had found a place to belong, couldn’t help but take a swig of wine, shook his head, and immediately refocused on his cultivation practice.
Qu Wuyan had reached an agreement with the two major sects, dividing half of the Valley of Joy’s resources between them, and then, in the presence of the two sects’ witnesses, she burned all the secret scrolls, making many spectators’ eyebrows jump.
Some wanted to stop it, but remembering the mysterious person in the back yard, they all behaved themselves.
From then on, the Valley of Joy was dissolved, and the two major sects withdrew one after another.
"Swordswoman Qu, with your status, even if you do good deeds, you may not be accepted by the hypocrites on the Righteous Path. Why not join Nine Heavens Mountain instead?"
Qu Wuyan had planned to wander the Martial World, but Shi Xiaole couldn’t help extending an olive branch to her.
This woman was highly skilled and truly outstanding, a rare talent indeed.
Zhu Ling was certainly formidable, but she was better at internal coordination and arrangements, lacking deterrence. Frankly, Nine Heavens Mountain was presently missing a strong external leader.
Qu Wuyan looked at Shi Xiaole, wanting to refuse, but when her gaze caught the anxious Rong Shu standing by, and Yang Feng, who resembled her younger brother, her heart softened.
Well then, she owed a life-saving debt and could not refrain from repaying it.
"Alright."
