Chapter 467: How Could It Be Him?
"This place is the Valley of Heartless Affection?"
In the early morning, high above the misty valley, Chu Caiyi stood upon Caiyu Hou's back. Gazing at the fog-covered mountains below, she murmured softly to herself.
"This is it, Senior Sister. Look, outside the valley—there's even a stone monument. Judging from the formation, it should only belong to a minor, insignificant sect."
Bai Qian pointed toward the stone stele standing outside the valley as she spoke.
"As long as we're in the right place."
Chu Caiyi turned to look at her son. "Xuedao, how do you wish to handle this matter?"
Chu Xuedao said respectfully, "Mother, I only wish to settle my grievance with Liu Jiahui. As for the others, I do not wish to make things difficult for them."
"As expected of my son—kindhearted and clear-minded. Since that's your decision, Mother shall act according to your wishes."
With a wave of her hand, Chu Caiyi enveloped Chu Xuedao in a beam of light and sent him down to the ground outside the valley.
"Mother, are you really letting Brother enter the Valley of Heartless Affection alone?"
Chu Yingying was startled by her mother's decision.
Chu Caiyi said calmly, "Your brother has spent years within sects, yet his temperament still lacks refinement. He doesn't know how to make full use of his own strengths. This time, I'm letting him grow quickly through experience."
Chen Qianqian played with a black chess piece in her hand and smiled. "Don't worry, little junior niece. Senior Nephew Xuedao will be perfectly fine. If I drop this chess piece, the entire Valley of Heartless Affection will be reduced to ashes."
Hearing this, Chu Yingying instinctively looked at her mother. She had never seen the means of an immortal before, and she couldn't help but feel a bit doubtful toward her young aunt, who was only a few years older than herself.
Chu Caiyi said, "Rest assured. With me and your aunts here, your brother will not be in any danger."
Outside the valley gate.
After landing, Chu Xuedao showed no trace of dissatisfaction. His purpose was simple—he came to confront Liu Jiahui and settle their unfinished matters. As for the Valley of Heartless Affection, his mother and the others naturally had the ability to keep it under control.
"This is sacred immortal ground. Trespassers, halt!"
A stern voice came from within the valley. Shortly after, two young men in gray robes, swords strapped to their backs, slowly emerged.
They studied the youth before them, and surprise flickered in their eyes.
This ordinary mortal had actually succeeded in awakening his spirit. Could he be one destined for the immortal path?
Chu Xuedao remained calm under their gaze and cupped his hands respectfully. "Greetings, seniors. Xuedao pays his respects."
"So you're a fellow cultivator. Why have you come here? Could it be that one of our seniors in the mortal world helped you awaken your spirit, and now you've come to pay respects to the valley?"
One of the disciples asked curiously.
Chu Xuedao shook his head. "No, seniors. I've come to find a disciple of the Valley of Heartless Affection to settle the past between us."
The two disciples were taken aback for a moment, then a cold gleam of killing intent surfaced in their eyes.
To come here to 'settle the past'—wasn't that simply offering himself up to be slain?
"I see. And what was your relationship with our fellow disciple before?"
Having spent years among sects, Chu Xuedao immediately noticed the flash of hostility in their eyes.
It seemed the Valley of Heartless Affection truly wasn't a reasonable sect. Talking things through would be useless.
"Three days ago, she was my Dao companion. But now—she is the one who destroyed my clan."
"What?"
The two disciples were dumbstruck, completely unprepared for the young man's brazen words.
One of them shouted harshly, "Boy, are you here to cause trouble?"
Chu Xuedao replied courteously, "Please don't misunderstand, seniors. I've only come to resolve a personal grievance, not to make an enemy of the Valley of Heartless Affection."
"Hmph!"
The disciples of the Valley of Heartless Affection let out a cold snort. "Boy, stop pretending to be innocent. You exterminated the entire mortal clan of our fellow disciple, and now you dare come here seeking her? If this isn't provocation, then are you here to atone for your sins? Today, we'll kill you to sever her ties of affection once and for all!"
As his words fell, a surge of pressure burst forth from him—it was the aura of the late Body Tempering Realm.
The oppressive force made Chu Xuedao's face pale, yet his tone remained calm and steady. "Seniors, I approached you with courtesy and reason. Why must you force me to summon help?"
"Heh."
The Valley disciple gave a mocking laugh. "If you've got someone backing you, call them out. Today, our Valley of Heartless Affection will suppress every last one of you!"
"As you wish."
Chu Xuedao's expression turned cold, and he shouted toward the sky, "Mother, assist me."
Hearing this, Chu Caiyi's lips curved slightly. "This child—so he's not a bookish fool after all."
With that, she pressed her palm gently downward.
"Hahaha…"
The two disciples burst into loud laughter upon hearing Chu Xuedao's cry.
"I thought he'd say something impressive, but he actually called for his mother in front of us! Why don't you call us 'father' instead—maybe we'll even—"
Before they could finish speaking, an overwhelming pressure descended from the heavens.
Instinctively, the two men looked up—and saw a vast palm crashing down upon them.
"No!!!"
Boom!
With a thunderous explosion, both disciples were instantly reduced to ashes, their bodies and souls annihilated.
The tremendous impact immediately alarmed the entire Valley of Heartless Affection.
Even the Supreme Elder, who had been in seclusion at the peak of the Heavenly Origin Realm, suddenly opened his eyes and muttered in shock, "What a terrifying aura… What kind of being dares strike against my Valley of Heartless Affection?"
At the same time, the warning bells of the valley began to toll.
Dong… Dong… Dong…
After nine solemn chimes, all disciples of the valley, including Liu Jiahui—who had only awakened her spirit the day before—gathered at the central square alongside their fellow cultivators.
The Valley Master's powerful voice resounded in every ear. "A powerful enemy approaches! All disciples of the Valley of Heartless Affection, proceed outside the valley to face the foe!"
"Yes!"
The disciples answered in unison and hurried toward the valley entrance.
Master Miejing personally kept Liu Jiahui by her side and cautioned, "Jiahui, stay close to your master. Do not stray, or even I may not be able to protect you."
"Yes, Master," Liu Jiahui replied softly, following closely at her teacher's side.
In less than a moment, several thousand cultivators of the Valley of Heartless Affection had assembled outside the valley. Yet when their eyes fell upon the lone figure standing there—Chu Xuedao—they were all stunned.
Among them, none was more shocked than Liu Jiahui herself. Staring at the familiar face before her, she murmured under her breath, "How could it be him?"
Master Miejing turned to her and asked, "Jiahui, you know this man?"
Liu Jiahui replied, "Yes, Master. He is the one I must sever my affection for."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Master Miejing fixed her gaze on Chu Xuedao, murmuring, "Why didn't you tell me that the one you intended to sever ties with had already entered the Immortal Sect?"
Liu Jiahui's expression changed drastically. "That's impossible! How could he have joined an Immortal Sect? He was merely a martial brute wandering among gangs!"
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