Chapter 19: Successor

If only Elders Su Chang and Su Ruosu had engaged Guo Chudong, it might have been uncertain whether they could match him. But with the medicinal garden's layered formations in place, even a first-order earth master at the ninth layer of the Qi Refining Realm like Guo Chudong would be trapped here until death.

Outside the garden, Lin Kui led the Lin Family cultivators in an assault on the garden's defenses. Though they could shake the protective barrier, sending ripples through its surface, their efforts fell far short of breaching the formation to rescue Guo Chudong and Lin Hai.

Lin Kui's face twisted with rage and fear as he roared, "Su Chang, I know you can hear me! Release Lin Hai, and I swear the Lin Family will cease all enmity with the Su Family. We'll never claim this first-order spirit vein again!"

"I, Lin Kui, stand by my word!"

After a long moment, no response came from within the formation. The surrounding mountains lay deathly silent, devoid even of birdsong - an eerie stillness that hung heavy in the air.

Lin Kui's fury erupted. "Su Chang, if you dare harm Lin Hai, don't blame the Lin Family for waging eternal war against the Su Family!"

"If you want to die, then make your move!"

Lin Kui raged outside the medicinal garden, having tried every possible tactic. Yet those within the formation paid him no heed.

As time stretched on, Lin Kui finally turned away with a dark scowl, his teeth grinding. "We're leaving!" he growled. "Return to the Lin Family!"

We've been outwitted.

A murderous glint flashed in Lin Kui's eyes, even toward Guo Chudong—the very earth master they'd brought with them.

He suspected this might be a conspiracy between Guo Chudong and the Su Family, aimed at striking against the Lin Family.

But then he reconsidered. If Guo had conspired with the Su Family against them, he would have let all of them enter the garden. That way, multiple layers of ambush could have devastated the Lin Family.

Yet only Lin Hai had fallen into the trap. Though the Lin Family had lost an elder, it wasn't a fatal blow.

Therefore, Guo Chudong likely hadn't betrayed the Lin Family.

But then what was happening?

Didn't Guo claim the earth rock rat demon beasts beneath the spiritual vein had already attacked the Su Family?

"Could their garden's formation suppress so many beasts? Impossible. A few dozen might be manageable."

"But that was hundreds of demonic beasts. Even if Su Chang activated the grand array and drained all his magical energy, he could only eliminate a small portion."

Lin Kui couldn't comprehend it. "Moreover, that Guo bastard claimed he had already tampered with the Su Family's medicinal garden array."

"Logically, they should have been forced to handle the earth rock rat demonic swarm themselves."

If that were truly the case, the Lin Family's alliance with Guo Chudong should have easily crushed the Su Family.

So why was the Su Family completely unharmed?

Their array remained intact without any damage.

Lin Kui and his men naturally couldn't imagine that the earth rock rat demonic swarm - which they considered the greatest threat - had been subdued by a Su Family junior using mere medicine.

Not only did the Su Family suffer no losses, but they also gained nearly two hundred captured demonic beasts.

Lin Kui led the Lin Family forces in retreat.

Within the medicinal garden, Guo Chudong - trapped but unflustered - engaged in conversation with Su Chang and the others.

"So my provocation of the earth rock rat demonic swarm actually helped you?" Guo Chudong asked in astonishment.

With such a thing available, why didn't you clear out the earth rock rats beforehand? What the hell were you keeping them around for?

Guo Chudong felt somewhat frustrated.

He hadn't anticipated this development, which was why he'd schemed against the Su Family in the first place.

After waiting for over two hours, Su Peng—the patriarch of the Su Family—arrived personally with reinforcements. Alongside several Su Family elders, they swiftly captured Guo Chudong trapped within the formation and secured him.

At the Pharmaceutical Hall, Su Peng listened to Su Chang recount the events, his heart still racing with fear.

If Guo Chudong and the Lin Family had succeeded, the Su Family would have suffered catastrophic damage. Not only would they have lost their medicinal garden, but their very existence would have been threatened.

In such a scenario, they would likely have needed to flee Jiang City entirely to preserve the Su Family's seed.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Su Peng's gaze softened as he looked at Su Yu. Having learned from the Third Elder about her temperament and character, he said, "Little Yu, what reward would you like? Name it, and as long as the family can manage it, it's yours."

Su Yu shook her head. "There's no need for such formality, Patriarch. I am a member of the Su Family, raised by the family since childhood. When our family faces threats, it's only natural for me to protect it with all my strength."

"Ah."

Su Peng interrupted, "I'm pleased you think this way, but merit is merit. Rewards must be given where due; the clan cannot abandon its principles."

"First, consider carefully what you desire."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Yu said, "My cultivation should break through to the fourth layer of the Qi Refining Realm within a year or two. At that time, I wish to apprentice under a master of dan alchemy. I hope the patriarch will grant this request."

Su Peng, Su Chang, Su Ruosu, and the other elders were taken aback.

What... was this supposed to be a reward?

Su Peng studied Su Yu intently before saying, "Very well. We'll discuss the reward matter with the elders when the time comes."

"As for your desire to learn dan alchemy, you may speak with the Third Elder about it later. This matter is of no great importance."

He waved for Su Yu to withdraw.

Su Peng looked at the clan elders with a helpless smile. "This lad's a clever one. By not asking for a reward, he's given us a headache instead."

Su Chang chuckled, "Patriarch, remember how he provided the formula for Beast Attracting Powder? The drug's effectiveness is unmatched. Even enraged late-stage earth rock rats can't resist its allure. They collapse instantly after consuming it."

"I've never heard of this medicine before," Su Changyu said. "That means none of the families in the Yun Jian Sect's vicinity possess this formula."

"Yet earth rock rats, those demonic beasts, can be found in nearly every spiritual vein—"

Su Peng, Su Ruosu, and the others' eyes sparkled at these words.

This prescription must be incredibly valuable, they thought.

But considering this, the question of how to reward Su Yu became even more vexing.

After a prolonged silence,

Su Ruosu suddenly spoke: "Su Zhi has her own path to follow within the Yun Jian Sect. Returning to the family would be unwise."

"Then... who will succeed in our Su Family?"

Su Yu returned to his residence and discussed matters with his master Su Changyu and three senior brothers. All four were utterly astounded by Su Yu's performance during the crisis.

Though initially shocked, Su Changyu felt genuine joy for Su Yu's achievements.

He now understood clearly that Su Yu was no ordinary disciple—his future accomplishments would far surpass his own.

Perhaps one day, Su Yu might even become a member of the family's elders.

At this thought, Su Changyu felt quite pleased. After all, having an elder disciple would bring great honor to him as a teacher.

After Su Changyu and his group left, the sky began to lighten with dawn.

Su Qingyi found Su Yu, his expression complex as he said, "Now I see that you hold no fewer secrets than I do."

Su Yu laughed without explanation. "You didn't come to discuss this, did you?"

Su Qingyi nodded. "I planned to wait a few more days, but today's events changed that. I've secured an apprenticeship at Yunshan Market's Pill Pavilion for dan alchemy. I'll leave at the end of the month."

"That's good news," Su Yu said, genuinely happy for his friend.

The two had once taken the Yun Jian Sect's entrance trials together. One remained to cultivate within the sect, while the other achieved goals through his family's support.

As for himself, he followed his own path in cultivation. Each had their own journey, each their own brilliance.