Chapter 263: Tai Su Mountain, Tai Su Sect
Along the way, Yun Che and Su Hengshan chatted with each other. From Su Hengshan's words, he further confirmed that this was indeed the Cang Yun Continent, and the year was also Cang Yun 1999 Xuan Year! When Su Hengshan asked about his background, he casually replied that he and Xia Qingyue had left their sect for training, and not long ago encountered a fierce Xuan Beast attack, which caused Xia Qingyue to be severely wounded and unconscious.
In his previous life, Yun Che was certain that Su Ling'er's family background was extraordinary. She usually wore the simplest clothes, washing his clothes, bathing him, mending, cooking, gathering herbs, preparing medicine, treating injuries... she was more skilled at all these things than any girl from an ordinary family, but the nobility and elegance ingrained in her bones could never be cultivated by a common household. From his conversation with Su Hengshan, he learned that Su Hengshan was the current Sect Master of Tai Su Sect! Su Ling'er was the princess of this Tai Su Sect! In the Jiangdong region of this Fu Su Kingdom, Tai Su Sect was the number one sect, and undoubtedly the foremost hegemon, its status similar to the Xiao Sect branch in New Moon City. Backed by Tai Su Mountain, it possessed immensely rich resources and heritage.
Judging from Su Hengshan's profound aura and the strength of the three black-clad men encountered earlier, the power level of Tai Su Sect should be one or two levels higher than the Xiao Sect branch in New Moon City, but definitely not at the level of the Four Great Sects.
However, in Fu Su Jiangdong, Tai Su Sect was not without rivals, and that was Blackwood Fortress!
As the Sect Master, Su Hengshan displayed more of a gentle, refined temperament rather than the authority and dominance of a sect leader. Even when facing a junior like him, he showed no arrogance befitting the master of Jiangdong's number one sect. His appreciation and gratitude towards him were plainly written on his face, without any pretense or reservation. If Yun Che hadn't heard it from his own mouth, he would never have guessed he was the Sect Master!
With a father like this, it was no wonder he raised such a pure-hearted, intelligent daughter like Su Ling'er.
He wanted to know as much as possible about Su Ling'er. When he asked why the father and daughter had been attacked, Su Hengshan let out a long sigh, a deep anger flashing across his face: "It's all sect grudges. Speaking of it would only make you laugh, young friend Yun... I just never expected they would lay hands on Ling'er! Such beastly behavior is unforgivable!"
Yun Che pondered for a moment, then said: "Senior Su, forgive me for being nosy. You and Ling'er went out for a casual trip, yet encountered such an obviously well-planned ambush. It clearly means someone leaked your and Ling'er's whereabouts."
"Sigh!" Su Hengshan sighed again: "I know this all too well, but I really don't want to suspect anyone around me."
Tai Su Sect was far larger than Yun Che had imagined. At least in terms of sect scale, it far surpassed the Xiao Sect branch he had visited before. With such scale, the sect must have at least tens of thousands of disciples.
"Brother Yun Che, look, this is my home! It's huge, isn't it! This big mountain behind us is also ours!"
Approaching the main gate of Tai Su Sect, Su Ling'er cheerfully and proudly introduced to Yun Che. Throughout the journey, Su Hengshan had been frowning, weighed down with worries, but Su Ling'er, who had nearly faced disaster, was overly optimistic, an innocent and cute smile always on her face, as if she had completely forgotten what happened before... Looking at her sprite-like smiling face, Yun Che's vision blurred... Ling'er, if only you could be this carefree forever, how wonderful that would be...
"Father! Ling'er! You're back!" A young man in his early twenties came rushing over from a distance, exclaiming excitedly: "I heard you were ambushed by Blackwood Fortress. I'm so glad you're safe... Father, Ling'er, are you hurt?"
"It's nothing, just a false alarm, and thanks to this young friend for saving us." Su Hengshan nodded, then introduced to Yun Che: "Young friend Yun, this is my son, Su Haoran. I am forty-six this year and have only this pair of children. It's a bit embarrassing to say, haha... Haoran, this is young friend Yun Che. If not for him saving Ling'er, she would have been captured by those beasts from Blackwood Fortress. Young friend Yun's wife is slightly injured and will be staying with us for a few days. You must take my place in properly thanking and entertaining our guest."
"What! The people of Blackwood Fortress actually laid hands on Ling'er? They're worse than pigs and dogs! Utterly devoid of conscience!" Su Haoran's face was full of anger, then he clasped his hands to Yun Che: "Brother Yun, thank you for saving Ling'er..."
As he spoke, his gaze glanced at Xia Qingyue held in Yun Che's arms. Instantly, his eyes froze completely, unable to look away. His expression became dazed, as if he had suddenly lost his soul.
Yun Che subtly pulled Xia Qingyue closer to his chest, blocking her face from Su Haoran's view, and said with a faint smile: "It was just a small gesture. Brother Haoran, you're too kind."
"Brother." Su Ling'er stood beside Yun Che, calling Su Haoran crisply, but there was no joy on her face, nor much emotion in her voice. This surprised Yun Che slightly. He could clearly sense that Su Ling'er was not close to this brother of hers; in fact, she seemed to have a slight aversion to him.
And the way Su Haoran looked at Xia Qingyue made him very uncomfortable.
Su Haoran finally came back to his senses, lowered his head slightly, and said with an unnatural expression: "Father, the sect already knows about the ambush. Second Uncle and Sixth Uncle are waiting for you in the meeting hall."
Su Hengshan nodded: "I'll go right away. Haoran, arrange a guest room for young friend Yun and his wife... oh, put them in Qilong Pavilion."
He turned to Yun Che and said: "Young friend Yun, I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. If you need anything, please feel free to instruct my son. Don't be polite. Ling'er, come with me."
Su Hengshan left hurriedly with Su Ling'er, who kept turning back every few steps, her face clearly showing reluctance to part with Yun Che. Under Su Haoran's guidance, Yun Che carried Xia Qingyue to the Qilong Pavilion that Su Hengshan had mentioned, gently placing her on the only large bed.
Tai Su Mountain was majestic and grand. As one of the twelve immortal mountains of Cang Yun Continent, it contained countless spiritual herbs and spirit stones within. Its abundant resources had nurtured the dominant Tai Su Sect. The guest room Su Hengshan had designated for Yun Che was also extremely luxurious. The name "Qilong Pavilion" was no exaggeration. The various red sandalwood decorations were carved with majestic, imposing five-clawed flying dragons in various poses. This should be the room used to entertain distinguished guests of Tai Su Sect, showing just how grateful Su Hengshan was to Yun Che for saving Su Ling'er.
"Brother Yun and this young lady are... husband and wife?"
"That's right." Yun Che nodded. As he did, he caught a flash of jealousy in Su Haoran's eyes.
"Hehe," Su Haoran gave a dry laugh and said: "Brother Yun is truly fortunate to have married such a fairy-like beauty. Oh, and Brother Yun's talent is also impressive, having already reached the Spirit Profound Realm. Not bad, not bad."
Su Haoran's words were spoken with the tone of a strong person praising a weaker one, looking down from a superior position. He verbally praised Yun Che's talent, but his demeanor was one of lofty arrogance. At twenty years old, his profound strength was already at the fourth level of the Spirit Profound Realm, making him a top existence among the younger generation in Jiangdong. In terms of profound strength alone, he was far above Yun Che's first level of the Spirit Profound Realm... but that was merely profound strength level.
"Brother Haoran flatters me." Yun Che replied casually.
"However, Brother Yun, I don't mean to criticize you, but while your talent isn't bad, going out for training with this level of strength, and bringing your wife along, is really too reckless. There are plenty of people in this world with higher talent than you. Arrogance and self-satisfaction, like a frog at the bottom of a well, is not a good thing. Before you have the ability to protect your family, it's better not to wander around casually. Otherwise, if you encounter danger without enough strength to protect your family, and end up costing your beautiful fairy-like wife her life, it would be a great pity."
As Su Haoran spoke, his eyes kept glancing at Xia Qingyue. With each glance, his fingers would tremble a little more... In his entire life, he had never seen a woman as stunningly beautiful as Xia Qingyue, and he couldn't even imagine that a woman could be this beautiful. Several times, he almost lost control and knocked Yun Che unconscious, then indulged himself with the sleeping beauty.
Yun Che smiled faintly and said: "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Haoran. I have learned my lesson."
Su Haoran extended his right hand, twitching it impatiently, and said: "This young lady is still unconscious, which means she's quite seriously injured. I happen to know some medical arts. Let me examine her and get some spiritual herbs to help her wake up quickly."
As he spoke, Su Haoran slowly stepped forward, making as if to approach Xia Qingyue's bedside.
Yun Che stepped forward, unceremoniously blocking Su Haoran, and said blandly: "No need. I am fully aware of my wife's condition. No need for Brother Haoran to trouble himself. Thank you for your hospitality, but I won't take up any more of your time. Please."
Su Haoran's expression changed slightly, but he had no reason to stay. He shot a glance at Yun Che and said: "Very well, I won't disturb you two. If you need anything, feel free to instruct the servants outside."
Yun Che watched Su Haoran leave, then closed the door tightly, sneered coldly, and muttered under his breath: "How dare you covet my wife... Hmph! You can have the thought, but if you go beyond thoughts, even if you are Ling'er's brother, you won't get off easy!"
Xia Qingyue slept peacefully, completely unaware that she had arrived in another world. Yun Che stayed by her side without leaving, checking her internal breath every half-quarter hour. Feeling her breath becoming more and more stable, he finally felt relieved.
"Mo Li, do you have any way to help her recover faster?" Yun Che asked. Although Xia Qingyue's condition was temporarily stable, her meridians were too severely damaged. Even for him, it would take a long time to fully restore Xia Qingyue. Here, he and Xia Qingyue could only stay for twelve hours. After returning, they could spend at most another half day in the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm. Once they left the Heavenly Lake Secret Realm, the people of Bing Yun Fairy Palace would never let Yun Che touch her again. If she was taken back to Bing Yun Fairy Palace, he didn't believe they could fully restore her.
"Of course there is!"
Yun Che had only asked casually, but unexpectedly Mo Li gave a definite answer: "It's the Bodhi Emperor Heart Lotus that you found together with her!"
"The effects of this lotus are far greater than you imagine! If Heavenly Poison Pearl perfectly refines all the essence of the Bodhi Emperor Heart Lotus and then gives it to her, her body will fully recover in a short time, and her profound strength will step straight into the Heavenly Profound Realm... In your Cang Feng Empire, she would become the first person under twenty to step into the Heavenly Profound Realm... However, all this depends on whether you are willing to part with it!"
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