64: The Gu family's revenge and Danwang Valley's assistance

After the disheveled figures of the Gu Family Cultivators disappeared into the Duan Yun Mountains, peace finally returned to the area outside Luoxia Valley.

Liu Shan looked at the three Golden Core Stage Cultivators' corpses on the ground, his brows tightly furrowed. The Qi emanating from these corpses was more condensed than that of ordinary Golden Core Stage Cultivators, clearly indicating they came from a deep-rooted, powerful Family, far superior to Loose Cultivators.

"Dad, we killed their people, the Gu Family definitely won't let this go," Liu Zhi panted, his face still flushed with the excitement of battle, but his eyes held a hint of worry.

Lin Qingxue stepped forward, examining the clothing and accessories on the corpses: "The jade pendants on their waists are engraved with the character 'Gu,' so they should be from the Gu Family, one of the seven Hidden Families of the Central Region. This Family has a Legacy of a thousand years, and it's said to have Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators guarding it, making it extremely powerful."

"Nascent Soul Stage..." Liu Shan's heart sank. His current strength, even with Mo Chu, could barely contend with a Late Stage Golden Core, but against a Nascent Soul Stage, he had no chance of winning.

A solemn look flashed in Mo Chu's snake eyes as it rubbed its head against Liu Shan's arm, conveying the thought, "I will protect everyone."

"First, dispose of these bodies and strengthen our defenses," Liu Shan took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Uncle Wang, you lead people to reinforce the Formation. I'll send a message to Danwang Valley to see if we can ask for their help."

Now, the only ones they could rely on were the Danwang Valley, who were also at odds with Hidden Families.

In the following days, a tense atmosphere permeated Luoxia Valley. The clansmen quickened their pace of Cultivation, and the defensive Formation was reinforced to its maximum. Mo Chu, furthermore, stayed by the valley entrance, its massive body like a black barrier, exuding a daunting pressure.

Liu Shan, meanwhile, diligently Cultivated the Burning Sky Skill day and night, while also attempting to combine the Yun Ding Sect's Fire Control Art with his own spiritual power, hoping to achieve another Breakthrough in a short time. Lin Qingxue also acted as Protector beside him, occasionally offering him pointers, and their cooperation became increasingly harmonious.

On the third morning, a powerful aura, several times stronger than that of Gu Tian and the others last time, emanated from the direction of the Duan Yun Mountains!

"They're here!" Liu Shan's eyes snapped open, a hint of determination flashing within them.

Mo Chu let out a low hiss, its massive body tensing, ready for battle.

The clansmen all picked up their weapons, standing ready behind the Formation. Although nervous, not a single person retreated.

Several streaks of light pierced through the clouds and stopped outside Luoxia Valley. Leading them was an old man in a purple robe, with a dignified face and an unfathomable aura—he was actually an Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator!

Behind the old man followed more than ten Golden Core Stage Cultivators, including Gu Tian, who was glaring at Luoxia Valley with venomous eyes.

"I am Great Elder Gu Xuan, Grand Elder of the Gu Family, and I have come to seek justice for my Gu Family disciples!" The purple-robed old man spoke, his voice like a great bell, causing the valley to hum. "Liu Shan, come out and face your death!"

The pressure of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator was almost tangible, enveloping the entire Luoxia Valley. The lower-Cultivation clansmen's faces turned pale, and they could barely stand steady.

"Grand Elder, the Formation of this Luoxia Valley is a bit strange; forcing our way in might result in losses," Gu Tian stepped forward and said in a low voice.

Great Elder Gu Xuan snorted coldly: "A mere broken Formation from a small valley in the Eastern Region dares to show off before this old man?"

He raised his hand and waved, a surge of majestic spiritual power coalescing into a giant palm. With the force to split mountains and crack stones, it slammed towards the light barrier of Luoxia Valley!

"Not good!" Liu Shan's face changed dramatically. The power of this attack was more than ten times stronger than the previous attack from Gu Tian and the others; the Formation would definitely not hold!

Mo Chu roared, its massive body blocking in front of the light barrier. Its black scales erupted with golden light, attempting to take the blow head-on!

Just at this critical moment, a Pill Fire flew from afar, crashing into the giant palm like a meteor!

"Boom!"

The Pill Fire collided with the palm, erupting in an earth-shattering roar. The two forces canceled each other out, transforming into ripples of energy that filled the sky!

"Who?!" Great Elder Gu Xuan's face darkened as he looked into the distance.

In the distant sky, a group of Cultivators in white robes were rapidly flying over. Leading them was a red-robed old man, holding a Pill Furnace, his aura also that of an Early Stage Nascent Soul—it was the Dan Wang Valley Master!

"Great Elder Gu Xuan, bullying a small valley in the Eastern Region, you've completely shamed your Gu Family!" The Dan Wang Valley Master landed outside Luoxia Valley, facing Great Elder Gu Xuan from a distance, his tone laced with mockery.

"Old Man Dan? Why are you here?" Great Elder Gu Xuan's brows furrowed tightly, clearly not expecting the Dan Wang Valley Master to interfere in this matter.

"The Luoxia Valley Master is a friend of my Danwang Valley; his affairs are my concern!" The Dan Wang Valley Master declared loudly, and the Danwang Valley Cultivators behind him stepped forward, confronting the Gu Family Cultivators.

Great Elder Gu Xuan looked at the Danwang Valley's lineup, his expression shifting between light and shadow—the Danwang Valley's strength was comparable to the Gu Family's; if they truly fought, it would only result in mutual destruction, not worth the loss.

"Good! What a good Old Man Dan!" Great Elder Gu Xuan laughed in anger. "The Gu Family will remember today's events! Let's go!"

He gave Liu Shan a deep look, then turned and left with the Gu Family Cultivators, unwilling but with no other choice.

Seeing the Gu Family Cultivators leave, the clansmen of Luoxia Valley all breathed a sigh of relief, erupting in thunderous cheers.

Liu Shan's anxious heart finally settled, and he quickly stepped out of the Formation, cupping his hands to the Dan Wang Valley Master and saying, "Thank you, Valley Master, for saving our lives!"

"No need to thank me," the Dan Wang Valley Master waved his hand, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I'm also surprised you were able to defend Luoxia Valley. However, the Gu Family won't give up so easily, so you still need to be extra careful."

He took out a communication Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch: "This is my communication Jade Slip. If you encounter danger again, send me a message immediately."

"Thank you, Valley Master," Liu Shan took the Jade Slip, his heart filled with gratitude.

The Dan Wang Valley Master gave a few more instructions, then left with his subordinates—his ability to rush here was already the limit, and there were many other matters in the Central Region that needed to be handled.

Luoxia Valley returned to peace once more, but everyone knew this was only temporary.

The threat of the Gu Family hung over their heads like a sharp sword, ready to fall at any moment.

Liu Shan stood at the valley entrance, gazing in the direction where the Gu Family Cultivators had left, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

He knew that to truly protect Luoxia Valley, he had to possess the strength to contend with the Gu Family.

And there were no shortcuts to improving strength; only diligent Cultivation.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon him, casting his shadow long.

Behind him were the home and loved ones he had to protect.

Ahead were challenges full of unknowns.

But he would not retreat.

Because he was Liu Shan, the Valley Master of Luoxia Valley, and the reliance of Mo Chu and Liu Zhi.

He had to become stronger.