Chapter 383: Secrets of the Ancestral Land

Zhou Chong's failure left the other eager exorcists frozen in place.

In the face of an absolute disparity in strength, naturally, no one was willing to risk their life.

Zhou Li's eyes glared wildly; for the first time in public, he revealed a violent and ferocious expression.

"Do you want to know the secret within the Zhou family ancestral lands?" Kong Yueqing didn't even change her standing posture. The more others feared, the more excited she became.

"Kong Yueqing, you have fallen into demonhood! Don't think you can sow discord and ruin the reputation of my Zhou family!" Zhou Li growled in fury, while simultaneously issuing a warning to everyone present.

But the more he acted this way, the more it proved there was a problem.

Not only did Su Yan realize this, but Du Jinsong, Ma Chulong, and the others did as well, their expressions turning grim one by one.

"Young Master Zhou, since Kong Yueqing wants to say something to everyone so badly, it wouldn't be too late to let her finish speaking," Su Yan spoke up unhurriedly.

She wanted to see just how many unspeakable secrets these so-called Four Great Families actually held!

Su Yan's prestige was equal to or even greater than that of Zhou Li and Ma Chulong; as soon as she spoke, almost everyone turned their gaze toward Kong Yueqing.

Zhou Li clenched his fists, but he knew he could no longer change what was about to happen.

Kong Yueqing's sinister gaze finally landed on Su Yan.

She harbored resentment toward Su Yan as well. With her current strength, if she wanted someone to die, they had to die. Yet, for some reason, for a fleeting moment, she didn't particularly want to turn against Su Yan immediately.

However, those things were not important right now.

"Actually, you have all been deceived. There is no Zhou family ancestral land, no trial, and no ancestral treasure. It is all fake."

Her words exploded in everyone's hearts like a bolt of lightning.

"What is she talking about? How can it be fake?"

"How can we believe her words? She must be trying to drive a wedge between us and the Zhou family so she can wipe us all out at once."

The scene fell into chaos.

Du Jinsong and Zhang Ximing both frowned deeply. They had some understanding of the Zhou family's situation; over the past hundred years, the Zhou family had entered the ancestral lands numerous times to obtain inherited treasures. This matter was practically common knowledge—how could it be fake?

The two subconsciously looked toward Su Yan, observing her reaction.

Su Yan, however, was listening quite intently. Moreover, Zhou Li's current expression was certainly worth scrutinizing.

He was clearly suppressing his emotions, his entire being wound tight, as if he might launch a fatal strike at Kong Yueqing at any moment.

"Witch! Don't think we will believe your slander!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Kong Yueqing didn't give him the time of day. "It is true that this is the Zhou family's ancestral land, but there is no family heirloom at all. The Zhou family's sole purpose for entering here is to eliminate the malevolent qi that overflows periodically when it can no longer be suppressed. However, they are very clever; they found an excuse that has worked for a hundred years to deceive the public."

If most people had been scoffing at her words just a moment ago, now everyone was trembling uncontrollably, an ominous premonition rising in their hearts.

"How is this possible?" Ma Chulan found it utterly inconceivable.

Why would the Zhou family deceive everyone? And for such a long time?

Kong Yueqing looked at their astonishment with great satisfaction and continued, "Then what are these things here? The Zhou family's ancestral land suppresses countless monsters and demons, but as time passes, the power of the formations left by those old fossils is gradually fading. Every few decades, they need to be repaired and cleaned periodically."

As her voice rang out, the surroundings fell into a deathly silence.

What she was saying was something that everyone, except for Zhou Li and Zhou Chong, was completely unaware of.

However, hearing this, aside from being shocked, they didn't feel the Zhou family had done anything wrong; some even felt a sense of admiration that the Zhou ancestors had made such an important sacrifice for future generations.

Su Yan listened with great interest. Having said so much, it was about time she got to the important part, wasn't it?

Sure enough, the words Kong Yueqing spoke next caused another massive uproar.

"In the beginning, the Zhou family could handle it on their own. But as time went on, they discovered that every time the formations loosened, the evil spirits appearing became more numerous and their hostility grew stronger, requiring them to pay an enormous price. Later, these clever Zhou family members deliberately leaked information to lure more uninformed exorcists to come here. It's a pity that you idiots thought you were getting a great deal from the Zhou family, when in reality, you are merely here to serve as scapegoats for the Zhou family."

By the end, Kong Yueqing clutched her stomach and laughed, mocking these people for their stupidity.

The heir of the Ma family, the gifted new generation of the Kong family—in the end, they were all nothing but a massive joke.

A shadow fell over Ma Chulong's face. Although he couldn't trust Kong Yueqing, his reason told him that everything this woman said might be entirely true.

"Brother, how can this be? You didn't know either?"

Ma Chulan's voice trembled slightly. Even if she were to die here, she refused to be treated like a sacrificial pawn.

Though Ma Chulong did not answer, his gloomy expression said it all.

If he had known, he would never have let the Ma family disciples take such a risk.

Kong Nian, Gan Hua, and Kong Yueling were also breaking down. It turned out their purpose for entering here was to come and die!

"Young Master Zhou, is... is what she said true? This isn't a place of trial, but a place to suppress evil spirits?"

Finally, someone lost their composure and questioned in disbelief.

The two scenarios sounded similar, but the reality was worlds apart.

If looks could kill, Kong Yueqing would have been torn into ten thousand pieces by Zhou Li.

Kong Yueqing laughed until her face turned red, still unable to stop.

"Young Master Zhou, hurry up and explain it to these idiots! It just so happens that I also want to see what kind of treasure your Zhou family hasn't been able to obtain for a hundred years!"

"Kong! Yue! Qing!" Zhou Li forced these three words out of his throat.

Now, it wasn't just Kong Xiang who wanted her dead; even Zhou Li felt the same.

Watching Kong Yueqing succeed in her scheme, Su Yan actually took the initiative to soothe the crowd.

"There is no need for everyone to be concerned. I believe the Zhou family's actions were a desperate measure. Although the Zhou family intentionally deceived people, it was to continue suppressing the evil spirits. Moreover, Young Master Zhou is here, sharing life and death with us, which proves that the head of the Zhou family possesses a heart that guards the righteous path."

The scene, which had been on the verge of a riot, gradually calmed down.

What Su Yan said was indeed true. Even if the Zhou family truly used them as stepping stones, Zhou Li was indeed physically present here.

Zhou Li was the only son of Zhou Xiongfeng and the future head of the Zhou family. Just the sheer audacity of Zhou Xiongfeng was already beyond the reach of ordinary people.

(End of Chapter)