Chapter 130: Su Can
Five years ago.
The barrier of the Tiannan Region shattered, and countless external forces flooded in, seeking the legendary opportunities rumored to exist within.
It was said that the opportunities in the Tiannan Region were so immense that even immortals from the Celestial Realm coveted them, which was why a top-tier Celestial artifact had sealed the region. However, it seemed that the immortal who sealed the Tiannan Region had encountered some mishap, as they had not appeared for over a hundred thousand years.
Since the Celestial artifact was destroyed, numerous forces had invaded and scoured the Tiannan Region, digging everywhere in search of the legendary opportunities. Yet, they found nothing. In the region's four forbidden lands, many forces suffered heavy losses. Over a dozen Great Ascension cultivators perished, and there were even rumors that a Tribulation Transcension cultivator was devoured by a giant whale in the outer seas.
The Su family, as one of the oldest forces in the Tiannan Region, was approached by external Su family experts the moment the barrier broke.
Although the Su family of the Cangqing Realm wasn't a top-tier force, it still had three Tribulation Transcension ancestors overseeing it. After the barrier broke, several Great Ascension experts from the Su family also took charge, preventing other forces from targeting the Su family.
However, one of the Su family cultivators took a liking to the beautiful Su Qingyu and wanted to take her as a concubine. Fortunately, Li Changsheng had arranged for Mo Chengkong to send Su Qingyu and Ximen Xue to the Void Land before he went into seclusion.
What he didn't expect was that the external Su family would threaten Su Qingyu's family, forcing her to return to the Su family's ancestral grounds.
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In the Su family's ancestral grounds.
The place was decorated with lanterns and streamers, exuding a festive atmosphere.
However, the members of Su Qingyu's lineage, who were supposed to be the family's leaders, were confined to a small courtyard, and most of them wore grim expressions.
"Honestly, Su Qingyu marrying Young Master Long should be considered a blessing. Young Master Long is not only a Great Ascension cultivator but also someone even our Tribulation Transcension ancestors treat with respect. I don't understand what Su Qingyu is clinging to."
"She's caused our entire lineage to be trapped in this tiny courtyard, watching as the resources that should belong to us are taken by the second branch."
A middle-aged female cultivator with a long horse-like face, as if the world owed her a debt, sneered as she glanced at Su Qingyu, who was deep in discussion with Su Zhenghai and Su Quan in the courtyard.
"Exactly!"
"We thought having a Heavenly Spirit Root would bring glory to our lineage, but instead, we've raised an ungrateful wretch."
"What's so great about that Li Changsheng who shares the same name as the Divine Lord? Young Master Long is not only of noble birth but also possesses unfathomable strength. How is he inferior to that waste?"
The words of the horse-faced woman resonated with most of the first branch's members. They had always prided themselves on their noble status and couldn't bear being confined to a small courtyard with hundreds of others.
If it weren't for Su Qingyu breaking through to the Unity Stage in the past hundred years, and Su Zhenghai and Su Quan reaching the peak of the Return to Void Stage, they would have tied Su Qingyu up and delivered her to Young Master Long's bed.
The resentment in their voices was unmistakable, and it reached the ears of Su Qingyu and her grandfather and father.
"Ah!"
Su Zhenghai frowned slightly but ultimately sighed.
They had heard such remarks countless times recently. However, it was true that their lineage's current predicament was largely their own doing.
"Qingyu, there are no Great Ascension cultivators guarding this courtyard. If we fight our way out, and once you find Li Changsheng, there's a chance for you to survive. Your grandfather and I are old, and we're willing to take that risk."
Su Quan glanced at their clansmen outside the small courtyard and whispered to Su Qingyu:
"But what about the others?" Su Qingyu hesitated before speaking, "They are still part of our lineage. If we escape, Su Long will surely take his anger out on them."
"Even though we're from the same lineage, have any of them stood by our side since this ordeal began?" Su Quan said coldly. "If it weren't for the fact that we share the same bloodline, do you think these people would have held high positions in the Su family?"
"Today, Su Long is leaving us no way out. How can we afford to care about them?"
"I've already scouted. Tomorrow is the best time to escape. You'll head south, while your grandfather and I will go north to distract the guards. This will be the last thing we can do for you."
After speaking, Su Quan looked at Su Qingyu with a touch of sorrow in his eyes.
"That's fine as well."
Su Zhenghai nodded slightly.
As long as Su Qingyu survived, their deaths would be worth it.
"Grandfather, Father, there's no need to escape. I believe Li Changsheng will come back for me." Su Qingyu said softly.
Others didn't know Li Changsheng's true identity, but she did.
Even in the Tiannan Region, the legends of the Divine Lord Changsheng had spread far and wide in the past six months. Originally, Li Changsheng had arranged for Mr. Mo to send her and Ximen Xue to the Void Land. If it weren't for Su Long threatening her family's lives, she wouldn't have left the Void Land.
She was certain that Li Changsheng would come back for her.
Once he did, everything would be resolved.
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"The Su family, how bold!"
Li Changsheng stood outside the Su family's ancestral grounds, his eyes cold as he watched the comings and goings of various people.
During his hurried journey, he had already grasped the situation within the Su family.
How dare this insignificant Su family force his woman into marriage?
As Li Changsheng stood outside the ancestral grounds with a cold gaze, a Su family member responsible for welcoming guests spotted him. The man froze, rubbed his eyes, and then showed a look of disbelief.
He quickly walked over to Li Changsheng and whispered:
"Why are you here?"
"If you're here to save Qingyu, go to Fushan Courtyard. She and the clan leader are trapped there. Coming here is suicide!"
The Su family member tugged at Li Changsheng's sleeve, trying to lead him away.
"Are you Su Can?"
Li Changsheng looked at the cultivator in front of him, who had late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation but was no longer young, and spoke after a moment of hesitation.
He remembered that Su Can was one of the younger generation of the Su family a hundred years ago and had been one of Su Qingyu's suitors. Back when he stayed with the Su family, Su Can had challenged him out of dissatisfaction, but the result was predictable—Su Can couldn't even withstand a single move from him.
He hadn't expected Su Can to recognize him at a glance today and even try to pull him away.
"Yes, I'm Su Can."
Su Can sighed, looking at Li Changsheng's unchanged appearance with envy, and whispered:
"I'm not helping you. I just don't want Qingyu to marry that scoundrel Su Long."
"The guards at Fushan Courtyard are sparse now. With your strength, you should be able to save Qingyu."
After Su Long arrived at the Su family's ancestral grounds, Su Zhengdao had curried favor with him, not only sending the young female cultivators of their lineage to Su Long's bed but also targeting the other branches.
Over a dozen young female cultivators from the Su family had already committed suicide because of this.
He didn't want Su Qingyu to meet the same fate.
After speaking, Su Can tried to pull Li Changsheng toward Fushan Courtyard, but Li Changsheng's legs seemed rooted to the ground, unmoving.
"Now's not the time for rash decisions."
"I know your talent is unmatched in the Tiannan Region, but Su Long isn't simple. Even the Tribulation Transcension ancestor of the external Su family respects him. If you barge in now, you'll undoubtedly die."
Su Can urged anxiously.
The longer they lingered, the greater the danger. Li Changsheng had spent a considerable amount of time in the Su family's ancestral grounds, and many people recognized him.
Li Changsheng shook his head slightly and said calmly:
"I'll go to Fushan Courtyard, but only after I take Su Long's head first."