CHAPTER 374
The Long Night
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"Shiyao?"
"Hmm?" Li Shiyu, who had been fidgeting with her hands behind them, slowly lifted her head to look at Ye Qinghan, as if asking what was the matter.
"What are you thinking about?"
Li Shiyu glanced at the senior sister standing behind their master and smiled.
"Shiyu was wondering if there's anything delicious to eat in the Northern Realm?"
Perhaps the colors, perhaps the flavors, or perhaps something else entirely.
Li Shiyu couldn't quite grasp why, but her master seemed different.
She didn't dislike it, but she felt a little afraid. Her master had become somewhat frightening.
Yet her master appeared no different from before, smiling as gently as ever. Still, Shiyao felt a sense of dread.
Yet Shiyu didn't know if she should speak up, so she pretended everything was normal.
She feared her master had truly changed, and she feared she herself had changed.
She feared that speaking up would cause her senior and junior sisters to shun him, and equally dreaded that speaking up might harm them.
She didn't want to be disliked by her senior and junior sisters, but equally, she didn't want them to be hurt.
She could imagine that, given her senior sister's devotion to the Master, she wouldn't hesitate for even a second—not just to cut down her junior sister, but even to slay her own father! Mother!
She resolved to stay by her senior and junior sisters' sides to protect them from harm, while seeking a way to cure the Master…
Or help the Master regain her former vibrancy.
"This has always belonged to me."
In the side hall of Ling Shuang Pavilion, the view was splendid. Su Cheng dismissed all disciples and leaned alone against the railing.
"You stole what rightfully belonged to me."
"And I, for one, don't like others touching my things."
Night had fallen. He had spent the entire day accompanying the three disciples.
Many things were beyond her comprehension. The three disciples, who had long since attained the ability to subsist without food, were surprisingly voracious eaters?
Though he had long embarked on the path to immortality, he seemed to behave like a well-behaved child every night, rising early and retiring early…
"Whatever it is—even the smallest thread or needle—I will reclaim it."
Meanwhile, at Lingxian Hall.
Chu Youwei stood at the entrance to the sleeping quarters, blocking Su Cheng who had already changed into fresh clothes.
Ye Qinghan hadn't reported the mission status to Su Cheng as agreed.
If that were all, Su Cheng wouldn't be this frantic.
Now, all three direct disciples were missing, and the spatial anchor points Su Cheng had left on Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao couldn't lock onto their locations!
If Ye Qinghan had merely forgotten to report her safety to her master on time, it might have been forgivable. But now, all three direct disciples were missing!
What exactly were those spatial anchor points?
As long as Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao were alive, no matter where they were—across mountains and rivers, even across countless worlds—Su Cheng could pinpoint their location in an instant and rush to their side!
Yet now, he cannot pinpoint their location, and the Jade Pendant fails to connect with any of the three disciples!
This clearly isn't mere playfulness—something serious has happened!
In Su Cheng's estimation, artifacts capable of suppressing a spatial anchor were few and far between!
To suppress or block his spatial anchor points, one would need at least a先天至宝-level artifact or divine weapon.
If not, then it must be some great terror from another realm.
The only possibility Su Cheng could think of was Shen Rui!
"Youwei, Qinghan, and the others are in danger!"
"Master, this is likely a trap! If the perpetrators are those who harmed you, rushing in like this won't save them—it'll only cost you your life!"
"I promised them I would protect them with my life!"
Chu Youwei was frantic. Her master could barely lift one arm, yet he was rushing to save those three worthless women!
How could she accept this?
She refused to consent!
"Master promised Youwei he would take good care of himself!"
Truth be told, Chu Youwei desperately wanted to show her gentle side before her master. But her master was quite unruly, often requiring constant reminders from her.
But Su Cheng clearly couldn't spare a thought for that now!
“I'll take care of myself, Youwei. Wait for me in Lingxian Hall!”
His face betrayed his fury, as if he could grind his molars to dust!
"How dare you put your claws into my territory, Shen Rui! You're clearly more foolish than I ever imagined!"
Yu Lan rushed forward to block Su Cheng, but at this moment, no one could stop him.
Still, Su Cheng granted them a shred of respect, refraining from flinging their nearly crippled arms away as he stormed out.
Plopping down heavily on the bedside, Su Cheng exhaled deeply, pondering whether he should have acted this way.
But no matter how he looked at it, this was his only option—to call for backup.
Chu Youwei was right—he was no match for Shen Rui. In a direct confrontation, Su Cheng had absolutely no chance of winning!
Even from behind, attempting to take down the Godslayer King alone was clearly a pipe dream!
"Master, why not let Youwei handle it?"
"Indeed! We have so many people here. Just tell us what needs doing!"
Before long, Xu Zhanfeng was summoned by Yu Lan and hurried into the courtyard. Kneeling on one knee, he clearly conveyed his complete devotion and unwavering loyalty.
Even Baitao and Miaomiao, who was reading in the academy, rushed over upon hearing the commotion, peeking cautiously from the doorway to observe the situation.
Miaomiao, clutching a medical text, slipped behind Bai Tao.
"Sister Baitao? What's going on?"
Bai Tao shot a disgusted glance at the men in the main hall, her tone utterly disinterested.
"Who knows? Miao Miao, you'd better stay far away. Men are all no good!"
Su Cheng knew full well they genuinely wanted to help, but alas, this was no enemy they could handle.
Still, he had only himself to blame for this situation unfolding. He should never have let his three direct disciples go searching for him!
Especially at such a critical juncture.
Su Cheng knew countless eyes were watching him, yet he’d inexplicably agreed to Ye Qinghan’s request!
But it was too late for regrets now. Ensuring his disciples' safety was the only correct course of action.
"Master of the Yulan Sect, go find the three young ladies!" With that, Yulan turned and departed, his posture suggesting he was about to take flight!
Su Cheng rarely raised his voice to reprimand anyone. In Lingxian Hall, aside from Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao, no one else would warrant such a tone.
"Halt! Without my permission, no one leaves today!"
Sitting for a long while, Su Cheng carefully pondered the details. At this moment, he knew almost nothing about Shen Rui's plans.
The fact that the other party hadn't come knocking on his door clearly showed they were mindful of the so-called rules of the game.
Instead, they chose to settle their affairs privately with Su Cheng, without disrupting the world order.
But even if Su Cheng racked his brains, he couldn't conceive of any way to deal with Shen Rui.
Though his cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage, the over four million system points he'd just acquired were now dwindling to less than half a million.
A single battle had nearly emptied Su Cheng's pockets.
Su Cheng now found himself utterly helpless. If it were just him, he might still have some room to maneuver. But now, the enemy had captured his three precious direct disciples!
He had no choice but to go. Yet this was clearly a trap—a death sentence, a one-way trip with no return!
"Xiao Ai, come see me."
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