166: Chapter 166 Could it be that they're settling old scores and destroying the Outer Heavens?

Back when they were still in the Su Family, missions were usually led by Su Changhe or Su Muyu.

They never expected this person to actually take the initiative to attack them.

"What exactly does Teacher want us to do?" Mu Liangyue's expression was solemn.

"Well... the Pavilion Master probably means for you all to decide for yourselves," Yue Qing shook her head gently.

The three women looked grim.

"It seems we must go back for a visit. Now that Teacher is away and hasn't returned, there’s no point staying at the Martial Arts Hall anyway," Mu Liangyue said subconsciously.

All the women: ...

Hey, your little thought can be heard clearly even from across Tianqi City.

"As Senior Sister, I will accompany you on this trip!" A look of eagerness flashed in Sikong Qianluo's eyes.

The struggle for the throne of the Dark River would inevitably lead to great turmoil and excitement.

"No need. This is an internal dispute of the Dark River; outsiders should not interfere." Mu Liangyue politely declined, casually straightening Sikong Qianluo's slightly loose hair ribbon.

"That's true. It is indeed inconvenient for outsiders to get involved." Sikong Qianluo thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Immediately after, Mu Liangyue and the other two turned and left, their figures quickly disappearing outside the hall's gate.

"Then I won't stay long either. The accumulated political affairs of the Great Zhou Dynasty are probably piled up like a mountain now." Su Rui prepared to depart, and Empress Wu naturally had no reason to linger either.

"Good, I'll see you off!" Zhu Yuyan's eyes lit up, and the words burst out.

"Senior Sister should rest. You didn't sleep soundly last night; you were tossing and turning the whole night. You must be very tired." Empress Wu brought up the old matter again, speaking with a teasing tone.

Zhu Yuyan's cheeks instantly flushed.

"Don't worry. If you truly miss me, I will come again after I finish handling state affairs. It will be no more than a month before we meet," Su Rui comforted her gently.

I don't miss you in the slightest! You had better go as far away as possible! Zhu Yuyan roared in her heart.

After teasing her Senior Sister, Empress Wu leaped into the air.

With her current cultivation level, even traversing ten thousand miles across the Great Zhou Dynasty would only take a few days.

Noticing the strange looks cast by the surrounding women, which even included her own daughter and Wanwan, Zhu Yuyan, despite her steady temperament, felt her cheeks burn and her heart race. She hurriedly turned and walked toward the back courtyard rooms.

Watching her hasty retreating figure, Yin Luoxia's expression shifted slightly, seemingly profound.

But when she realized everyone's gaze had turned toward her, she became somewhat flustered.

"Why are you looking at me? I only stayed with Teacher for two nights. The rest of the time, it was all her!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said. Her face changed drastically, and overwhelmed with embarrassment, she hurriedly flew away.

It was likely she wouldn't set foot here again for the next few days.

"Even if Teacher is not here, we cannot slack off." After Yin Luoxia left, Shi Feixuan spoke softly, her tone calm but carrying a hint of reminder.

Jing Ni, standing at the edge of the crowd, watched all of this silently.

When she was in the Net of Heaven, she was a Heaven-rank assassin, but in this Martial Arts Hall, her strength was not considered top-tier.

Furthermore, being new here, she naturally would not easily interject.

Yan Fei was the same, but she differed from Jing Ni.

Jing Ni had genuinely submitted, solely to escape the pursuit of the Net of Heaven; whereas Yan Fei was here under Donghuang Taiyi's orders to investigate Su Rui's background.

But now that Su Rui had gone on a long journey with an uncertain return date, she could only suppress her thoughts and temporarily reside at the Martial Arts Hall.

Meanwhile, at Heaven Beyond Heaven.

Yue Yao stared blankly at the scene before her, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She had traveled a long way to leave this place, yet this Pavilion Master had returned in less than a day.

Su Rui's arrival made the members of the Demonic Cult feel as if they were facing a great enemy.

Although not everyone had participated in the Northern Li War, many masters and Disciples had just returned from that direction and had already heard of this powerhouse's formidable reputation.

Now that he had personally arrived here, was he perhaps here to settle old scores and annihilate Heaven Beyond Heaven?

None of the Elders dared to show themselves; instead, they secretly planned to withdraw quietly.

Only White-Haired Immortal and Marquis Ziyi dared to come forward to meet the enemy.

After Yue Yao left previously, the two of them temporarily shared control over the sect's affairs.

They were deeply worried about the Young Miss's solo trip to Northern Li, yet they dared not dispatch masters to accompany her—that would only expose their tracks more easily.

While they were anxiously waiting, and before there was any news from Yue Yao, a Giant Roc suddenly appeared in the sky, hovering above the Demonic Cult's station.

Seeing this, the two were already prepared to meet their deaths.

The Disciples who came out with them numbered only a few dozen, and the true masters among them were merely three, all with mediocre cultivation.

Although Mo Qixuan and Marquis Ziyi felt regret that other powerhouses were hiding, they could not blame them.

Facing a figure like Su Rui, if the opponent truly intended to act, coming out would only result in needless casualties.

The Giant Roc dissipated, and the three landed.

When they saw Yue Yao standing safely beside Su Rui, White-Haired Immortal and Marquis Ziyi were instantly stunned.

How could the Young Miss be traveling with him?

Could it be that this trip not only resulted in a safe return but also successfully won this person over?

Thinking of Yue Yao's world-shaking beauty when she dressed as a woman, the two exchanged a look, and a glimmer of hope actually flashed in their eyes.

If they could truly gain this person's protection, even with their current depleted numbers, the Holy Cult could still rally and become the number one great sect outside the borders once more!

As the thought arose, the two hurriedly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Young Miss!"

After bowing to Yue Yao, they then bowed deeply to Su Rui.

"Greetings, Mr. Su!"

"No need for formalities."

Su Rui swept his gaze over the two faintly, his eyes lingering on White-Haired Immortal's face for a moment—this person was the Demonic Cult leader who had previously led the siege against Snow Moon City.

However, he had no intention of pursuing the matter now.

"Please, Mr. Su, come inside and sit for a while."

Yue Yao took the initiative to speak.

Su Rui turned his head to look at Li Hanyi; seeing she had no objection, he nodded in assent.

The Demonic Cult Disciples behind them watched, dumbfounded.

Isn't he here seeking revenge?

Judging by the situation, the acting Sect Master actually knows this legendary powerhouse?

The group entered a secluded courtyard within the Demonic Cult's station, where Su Rui and Li Hanyi were seated in a pavilion.

"They always say the outer regions are desolate and harsh, but I never expected this place to be so pleasant." Li Hanyi looked around and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"That's not strange. Judging by the location, this place is indeed south of Snow Moon City. Although Snow Moon City relies on Cang Mountain, enjoying mild weather and spring all year round, this area is not much inferior either," Su Rui smiled slightly, his tone calm.

"I see. Then why has this region always harbored designs on Northern Li? I heard years ago that the various states repeatedly invaded Northern Li's borders."

"Simply because the outer regions are vast and boundless! Where there are beautiful landscapes, there are naturally barren and perilous lands as well," Su Rui sighed softly, his meaning profound.

The serving maid standing nearby kept her eyes lowered, her expression respectful, as if the surrounding conversation had nothing to do with her.

"What Mr. Su says is absolutely correct." Yue Yao's voice sounded softly.

Su Rui turned to look; the person before him had changed out of her male attire. The elegant skirt she wore accentuated her transcendent temperament.

Her features were as exquisite as a painting, completely different from when she was disguised as Moon Invitation earlier.

Especially her fair calves, slightly revealed beneath the hem of her skirt, looking like carved jade, making people unable to help but look twice.

Sensing his gaze, Yue Yao's cheeks flushed slightly, but she still walked forward slowly with her personal maid.

"Sect Master."

The maid who had been serving nearby bowed in greeting.

"You all may withdraw first. Do not come unless summoned."

"Yes."

The several maids replied softly and quietly retreated.

"It is truly rare for the outer regions to nurture a figure like you," Su Rui remarked with feeling.

"Sir overpraises me. Compared to the one beside you, I am merely the light of a firefly."

As soon as she said this, Li Hanyi's slightly guarded gaze immediately softened.

"Although our Heaven Beyond Heaven cannot compare to the spiritual beauty of Snow Moon City, we are still a rare haven in the outer regions. Back then, when my father founded this place, he put immense effort into finding a suitable stronghold," Yue Yao sat down on Su Rui's other side, slowly speaking while pouring tea for the two.

"You are referring to... Yuefeng City?" Su Rui took a small sip of tea and nodded.

"It seems Mr. Su has also heard something about my father's affairs?" A spark flashed in Yue Yao's eyes.

"Actually, the original Foundation of Heaven Beyond Heaven was established by the surviving subjects after the fall of the Northern Que Kingdom."

Mentioning childhood memories, her expression dimmed, as if the shadows of past warfare flickered across her mind.

"Many people in Northern Li do not understand why we always make moves against Northern Li, even calling Heaven Beyond Heaven an aberrant sect of the Evil Path." A look of pain surfaced on her face.

"But Northern Que was destroyed by Northern Li! We were just a small kingdom in the outer regions. Back then, when Northern Li conquered Western Chu, the flames of war spread, and Northern Que was not spared—the country was ruined overnight."

Li Hanyi listened, stunned, her eyes wide open; she clearly had never heard of this matter.

If this were true, then Heaven Beyond Heaven's stirring up trouble in Northern Li for so many years would not be surprising.

That was an enmity etched into their very bones.

"So... Yuefeng City is truly gone?" Su Rui suddenly spoke, his voice calm but unavoidable.

"Father passed away long ago. Although the Void Thought Skill is incomparably powerful, it is extremely easy to suffer Qi Deviation, and the deeper the cultivation, the greater the danger. Back then, he sensed signs of losing control and voluntarily entered seclusion to seek a solution. Unfortunately... the arrival of Sect Master Ye ultimately shattered that last sliver of hope."

Yue Yao's tone was calm, but the sorrow in her eyes could not be concealed.

She was not surprised that Su Rui would ask about this—it was a problem that had to be faced sooner or later. Even if he hadn't mentioned it, she had planned to make things clear.

"Ye Dingzhi was lured here, for the sake of his Martial Veins, and to save your father's life," Su Rui looked directly into her eyes.

Yue Yao was startled, then nodded silently.

"Sir is correct. It is precisely because of this that my father passed away later, and Sect Master Ye took control of Heaven Beyond Heaven, gathered forces, and moved to counterattack Northern Li."

"Forget it, I have no intention of delving into these old matters," Su Rui shook his head slightly, seemingly unwilling to speak further.

In his view, all of that was long irrelevant to him.

Who knew that before his words faded, Yue Yao suddenly stood up, bent her knees, and knelt before him, looking up at him.

"Yue Yao is willing to become a Disciple of the Martial Arts Hall. I beg Mr. Su to grant my wish!"

This scene was unexpected even to Su Rui.

Although his Martial Arts Hall was now famous throughout the world and had many Disciples, he had never expected someone to insist on joining upon first meeting.

"Why?" His expression was indifferent; he only asked one question.

Li Hanyi was also full of doubt, her gaze shifting between the two.

"I... am willing to offer everything, including myself." Yue Yao's voice was not loud, but it exploded like a thunderclap.

Li Hanyi's face instantly grew grim.

"Say that again, why?" Su Rui questioned again, his tone still steady.