C13 The Situation Turned Around!

They found a cave, unsure if it belonged to some wild beast. Su Qianxun used talisman paper to clean it up, and green strips of paper hanging at the entrance made it quite hidden.

Inside, everyone looked sorrowful. Seeing this, Su Qianxun said, "Let's heal first. If the beast returns, we'll be in for another tough fight."

Their expressions tugged at Su Qianxun's heart, but given the situation, they couldn't afford to waste time on grief.

Each person took a healing pill and sat cross-legged with their eyes closed. Su Zimo also woke up and began healing.

Su Qianxun took a few pills and woke up early. He sealed the cave entrance with fire talisman paper and used a concealment talisman to hide their presence. With the green strips as additional cover, it was a safe spot unless the beast came back.

He glanced at the others still meditating and went out to gather some fresh fruit, also taking the opportunity to scout the area.

As night fell, the brothers and sisters in the cave gradually woke up. Silence filled the air, heavy with sadness. Su Yue couldn't bear the atmosphere and began to sob quietly. Su Rou held her shoulder, whispering words of comfort.

At that moment, Su Zimo opened his eyes and exhaled deeply. "Zimo, how are you feeling?" Su Ruyan asked softly.

Su Zimo replied calmly, "I'm getting there."

After a long pause, he added, "It's my fault. I couldn't protect everyone, and now we're in this mess. And Dongzhuo..." Mentioning Dongzhuo brought a wave of sorrow over the group.

Su Zimo buried his head in his knees, clutching his head in regret. Su Changyi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

When Su Qianxun entered the cave, she immediately sensed the heavy sadness in the air. She approached the group and said, "Have something to eat." She took out some freshly picked fruit from her bag and offered it to Su Tingzhi.

Su Tingzhi, who hadn't moved for a while, suddenly knocked the fruit from Qianxun's hand, leaving her wrist red and swollen from the force.

"Dongzhuo is gone, and only someone as heartless as you would think of eating..." Tears streamed down his face. Whoever said men don't cry just hadn't faced true heartbreak.

Su Tingzhi's eyes burned with anger as he glanced at Su Qianxun, then he buried his head in his knees, sobbing.

Seeing someone cry was the breaking point for the others. Soon, the cave was filled with the sound of weeping, even Su Changyi's eyes were moist.

Su Qianxun quietly approached the entrance of the cave, munching on a piece of fruit. It wasn't that she was cold-hearted; she had just grown accustomed to these farewells of life and death. Her resilient heart no longer stirred to tears.

Su Changyi came to her side and sat down. "Don't take it to heart. Tingzhi didn't mean it."

She smiled at him. "I'm not upset with him."

Offering a fresh piece of fruit to Su Changyi, she asked, "Want some?"

He gently took her hand, surprising her. Su Changyi carefully applied a healing balm to the spot where Tingzhi had hurt her.

Her heart fluttered inexplicably, and she pulled her hand back, pretending to be indifferent as she looked outside, continuing to eat her fruit. Su Changyi stayed silent, quietly keeping her company.

After a long while, the sound of crying gradually faded until it disappeared completely.

Su Qianxun placed some fresh fruit in front of them. "Now that you've cried it out, it's time to be strong. We are the elite disciples of the Su family, the hope of our family. If you let these small challenges defeat you, how will you face the elders of the Su family when we return?"

Her words cut deep, like a knife, but they were necessary. They each took a piece of fruit and began to eat, and only then did Su Qianxun and Su Changyi feel at ease.

"I just checked out the area. It's relatively safe here. No sign of any beasts coming back late at night, which means this is an abandoned cave. We can rest here for a while and work on improving our skills."

"Even though we don't know the situation with the Su family, with the leader and elders there, the Zhao family probably won't push too hard. We just need to take care of ourselves. No matter what happens to the Su family, at least we still have each other, right?"

"This path of escape is also a path of growth. The dangers we'll face in the future will be even more perilous than today. So, we need to become stronger. Only with great strength can we protect the Su family and Fallen Mountain City."

Every word came from Su Qianxun's heart. She knew these kids were truly gifted; they just needed more experience.

"Junior Sister Qianxun, you've saved me twice, both times from life-threatening situations. I, Su Rou, can't repay your kindness, even if I were to go through fire and water. From now on, I'll follow your lead without question." Su Rou's eyes were filled with determination as she looked at Su Qianxun, completely focused.

Su Qianxun smiled, "There's no need for that, Senior Sister Su Rou. If you really want to repay me, then just survive. Live to the very last moment."

"I'm sorry, Junior Sister Qianxun. I was too rude earlier," Su Ting apologized, bowing his head, unable to meet Su Qianxun's gaze.

"It's alright. Anyone facing such a situation would lose control. It's okay," Su Qianxun reassured, patting his shoulder.

Once everything was sorted, everyone began to train intensely, fueled by a newfound belief that replaced the emptiness they once felt.

In Fallen Mountain City, the Zhao family was in turmoil. Zhao Fuming returned gravely injured and went into seclusion to recover, while Fuqi, rarely seen with a frown, pondered their next move.

Zhao Fuming sought advice on their next steps, and Fuqi, narrowing his eyes, replied, "Use others to do our bidding."

Su Qianxun also spent two weeks recuperating in the cave, during which everyone's skills improved. Su Qianxun successfully advanced to the third level of the Qi Refining Stage, while Su Zimo, though still at the seventh level, was close to reaching the eighth.

At this time, family factions across the South Domain were frantically searching for Su Qianxun and the others. Rumors spread that a Su family elite had taken off with the family's treasure, a legacy worth a fortune, built over thousands of years.

Overnight, this ignited a frenzy among countless families, all eager to seize the treasure. Su Baihan was as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof, worried about the Su family disciples on the run.

The siege on the Su family lifted with Murong Mingyue's departure, but now all factions turned their attention to the Su family disciples rumored to hold the treasure.