Chapter 339: Conditions

Su Yan had assumed that the Zhou family's ancestral lands would not be too far from the capital, but the carriage did not finally come to a halt until the middle of the night, after traveling for nearly twelve hours.

The moment the carriage doors opened, everyone was impatient to get out and stretch their numb, stiff bodies.

"Su Yan, shall we get out too?"

Once most of the people in the carriage had departed, Ma Chulan stood up from her seat.

After getting out of the car, Su Yan looked up at the towering mountain peak that stood so close; they were currently at its very foot.

Without even asking, it was obvious that the Zhou family's ancestral lands were within this mountain.

Zhou Li performed a head count and, after confirming there were no issues, said, "There is a Zhou family resting place two kilometers ahead. We will rest there tonight and set out early tomorrow morning."

Hearing that they had to walk another two kilometers, a look of helplessness appeared on Ma Chulan's already exhausted face.

"Su Yan, are you alright? Do you need to rest?"

After all, Su Yan had just experienced such an ordeal; her body likely hadn't fully recovered.

"I'm fine."

Two kilometers was indeed simple for Su Yan.

Zhou Li lit a torch to lead the way, and the group marched grandly toward the great mountain.

Kong Nian maintained an appropriate distance from Su Yan at all times, observing her incessantly.

When she saw that although Su Yan's eyes were covered, her movements were not restricted in the slightest, the jealousy in Kong Nian's heart and her covetousness toward Su Yan's eyes reached a peak.

Half an hour later, the group finally arrived at the Zhou family's resting point.

It was a cluster of wooden buildings, numbering over a dozen rooms, looking incredibly sturdy.

Su Yan was not surprised by this. Since this was the site of the Zhou family's ancestral lands, it was only natural that descendants coming to pay respects would need such a place to stay, and the Zhou family certainly had the means to provide it.

The moment the doors were pushed open, a gust of chill swept over them.

Underneath the black cloth, Su Yan's brows twitched slightly.

At that moment, Zhou Li's voice rang out, "This place is usually uninhabited and uncleaned, so it inevitably feels a bit desolate. Please excuse everyone for having to make do here for the night."

Before his words had even finished falling, someone immediately said flatteringly, "Young Master Zhou, what are you saying? We didn't come here for luxury."

Zhou Li gave the person a slight smile, then instructed his subordinates to clean the rooms and start fires for warmth.

Su Yan discreetly surveyed the interior and exterior of the rooms.

"Su Yan, let's go pick our rooms too."

Ma Chulan urged her; with over a dozen rooms, there would naturally be differences in quality.

"You go ahead. I can stay anywhere." Su Yan indeed had few requirements regarding her accommodations.

After all, she had slept in mass graves for a long time.

Seeing Kong Yueqing and the others already moving, Ma Chulan absolutely did not want the Kong family to take the best spots. "Alright, then I'll help you choose."

"Senior Sister Su, come over and have a cup of tea."

Zhou Li had changed his way of addressing Su Yan; calling her "Senior Sister" was enough to bridge the distance between them.

Su Yan did not offer a reaction and walked straight over.

Zhou Li enthusiastically poured freshly brewed hot tea for her and handed it over.

"The weather is already cold, and it's even more necessary to keep warm once we enter the mountains. I noticed Senior Sister's clothing is a bit thin; do you need me to have someone prepare some warmer clothes for you?"

As soon as Zhou Li spoke, he showed concern for Su Yan, and his gaze was sincere.

"No need." Su Yan rejected his kindness without a second thought.

Her relationship with the Zhou family was purely one of interest; there was no need for excessive contact.

Furthermore, her Qiankun Bag contained everything she needed for food and clothing; she truly didn't need anyone else to worry about her.

Despite being rejected, Zhou Li showed no sign of dissatisfaction, his gaze settling on Su Yan's face.

"Senior Sister Su, are your eyes injured?"

"Just a minor issue."

Zhou Li could naturally tell Su Yan was being perfunctory, but the smile on his face grew even friendlier.

"This is the first time I have seen such a powerful exorcist as Senior Sister Su. Even with your eyes covered, you move as if everything is normal."

Su Yan smiled slightly. "This black cloth looks dense, but it's not as if I can't see at all."

Zhou Li seemed to realize something. "I see."

"Su Yan, Young Master Zhou, what are you two chatting about?" After picking out a room, Ma Chulong came back to find Su Yan.

Su Yan said, "Just some casual conversation."

Though she appeared relaxed, the interaction made her more wary of Zhou Li.

This boy was a year younger than her; he looked harmless and kind to everyone, but it was all a facade.

He had deliberately asked about her eyes, nothing more than an attempt to probe her true strength and the rumors circulating outside.

Zhou Li picked up his teacup and took a sip, appearing completely natural.

"Young Master Zhou..."

"Senior Sister Su, you can call me by my name directly, or even 'Junior Brother'."

Su Yan didn't dwell on the title. "Alright, Zhou Li. Actually, I've had a question in my mind."

"Senior Sister Su, please ask. I promise to answer everything I know." The current Zhou Li seemed truly sincere toward Su Yan.

"I heard that over the past few decades, the Zhou family has gone to the ancestral lands wanting to obtain that ancestral treasure, but every time they returned in failure. If that's the case, why don't Clan Leader Zhou or the elders go personally to retrieve it?" As Su Yan spoke, she closely observed all of Zhou Li's expressions.

Zhou Li immediately explained, "It's not that my father doesn't want to go, but there is a special restriction within the ancestral lands. It is also a trial from our ancestors for the Zhou descendants. Any Zhou descendant entering the ancestral lands must be between the ages of 18 and 25. If they exceed this age, no matter how powerful their cultivation is, they will be instantly obliterated if they force their way in."

This reason left not only Su Yan but even Ma Chulong looking astonished.

"There's such a condition?"

Zhou Li nodded firmly. "It is precisely because of this condition that my father and the others cannot go along. Over the past few decades, our Zhou family members have gone in time and time again, but we have never been able to gain the ancestors' recognition. So, in the last dozen or so years, whenever a direct descendant of the Zhou family turns 18, my father invites powerful exorcists to enter together. But even so, we haven't succeeded yet."

At this point, he let out a heavy sigh, a sense of maturity unfitting his age appearing on his face.

Su Yan listened very intently, but what she was thinking about now was: what exactly was the formation in the Zhou family's ancestral lands?

Why had she never heard Granny Li mention such a domineering formation before?

And by what means did the formation discern the age of the person entering?

While she was lost in thought, Zhou Li suddenly changed his tone, saying with great confidence, "However, I am very confident this time, because I have Senior Sister Su and Senior Brother Ma traveling with us."

Being heaped with such high praise, Ma Chulong hurriedly waved his hands.

"We can only do our best; it will still require everyone's collective effort."

(End of Chapter)