Chapter 368: Chapter 224: Liu Xiuyan: Don’t Believe Me? Try It...

「Qishan Islands.」

The atmosphere in the family’s main Council Hall was oppressive and gloomy.

Patriarch You Qianyun sat on the main seat, her face livid, not uttering a word.

The Patriarch of the You Family was an elderly woman with graying hair at her temples, dressed in an Indigo Blue Magical Robe. Her cultivation was at the Golden Core Peak.

She had suffered grievous injuries in battle during her youth. These old wounds never fully healed, and with her lifespan now nearing its end, she could no longer maintain a youthful appearance.

The family’s high-ranking Elders sat on either side, each with a grim expression, all of them silent.

It all began half a month ago, when a Third Grade Spirit Field on You Family territory was destroyed. Since then, the family’s upper echelon had been trapped in a nightmare, completely at the mercy of their attacker.

No matter how Patriarch You Qianyun planned their response, even personally leading the Elders to hunt down the despicable attacker on multiple occasions, they had failed every single time.

Meanwhile, bad news kept pouring in from all corners of their territory.

One day, it was the Marketplace being looted clean. The next, a key workshop was destroyed. The day after that, some of the family’s Direct Lineage disciples were assassinated... The list went on and on.

This state of being constantly on the defensive and unable to fight back caused the You Family’s leadership immense distress. Panic spread throughout the family, to the point where some of the younger generation disciples didn’t even dare to leave their homes.

To date, the You Family had lost one Golden Core Master, three True Pill Cultivators, and seventeen Pseudo Core Cultivators. The losses among Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation Stage Cultivators were even more staggering.

In other words, any single Golden Core Master who confronted the attacker was basically guaranteed to die, regardless of whether they were at the Middle or Late stage Golden Core.

Even two or three True Pill Cultivators attacking at once were no match for him, to say nothing of Pseudo Core Cultivators.

If this war of attrition continued, it was entirely possible that the You Family’s high-level combatants would be wiped out one by one.

"...Tell me, what do you all think? How should we handle this?"

You Qianyun remained silent for a long time before she finally spoke, her voice heavy.

An old man in golden robes stroked his salt-and-pepper beard. "Perhaps we should try to negotiate," he said. "We could offer him something to make him stop."

It is always easier to destroy than to build.

The You Family had reached its current heights through the tireless efforts and meticulous management of generations. Yet, all this hard-won prosperity could be undone by a single, powerful, lawless marauder.

News of the terrible fate of the Cangyu Islands and the Qi Family had already reached the surrounding powers, and the You Family’s leadership had no desire to follow in their footsteps. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

An Elder frowned. "Even if we want to negotiate, will he be willing? His sole purpose is clearly to wreak havoc. Do you really think he’ll stop so easily?"

None of the You Family Elders were fools. They could naturally see the attacker’s true intention: to prevent them, and the other families in their alliance, from knowing a moment’s peace.

Core Elder You Jin spoke up. "Negotiation isn’t out of the question. We can pay a price—persuade him to go plague the other neighboring powers instead. That would lessen the pressure on us in the future."

Once the family’s strength was severely weakened, there would be no shortage of jackals circling to take advantage of their misfortune—even their so-called allies would be no exception.

That was why You Jin was considering the possibility of diverting this disaster. As long as the surrounding powers also suffered, the You Family’s own security would be guaranteed.

The other Elders also began to voice their opinions. Most of them advocated for appeasement; few were willing to take a hard-line stance to the end.

The Cultivation Realm was just that pragmatic. When you lacked strength, you could only swallow your pride and compromise. When you had enough strength, your word was law.

"That man’s cultivation... he’s at the Golden Core Peak at most, wouldn’t you say? He can’t possibly be stronger than I am!"

Patriarch You Qianyun finally said after a long pause.

"That must be correct."

You Jin nodded. If their opponent were a Nascent Soul True Monarch, the entire You Family would have been wiped out long ago.

You Qianyun sighed. "Although I’m not skilled in Celestial Secret Technique and Divination, I have a feeling that this calamity befalling our family is inextricably linked to that secret alliance we made!"

You Jin looked startled for a moment before he understood. "Patriarch, are you saying... the attacker is from the Ling Family of the Feiyu Sea Region? But he didn’t seem to be one of the Ling Family’s leaders."

"The Ling Family might not act personally, but it wouldn’t be difficult for them to hire an unaffiliated expert to do their dirty work, would it? It’s just a matter of providing enough Spirit Stones."

You Qianyun said coldly. The You Family Patriarch knew that the Ling Family had two Third Rank Alchemists in its ranks; they were hardly short on wealth.

"That does make sense."

You Jin nodded. Although the Patriarch was old and her days were numbered, her mind was as sharp as ever.

"...Patriarch, in that case, what do you propose we do?"

A beautiful, middle-aged woman asked softly.

You Qianyun mulled it over for a few moments, then tapped her cane on the floor and said in a heavy voice:

"We will try to negotiate with him. At the same time, we will publicly announce that the You Family is withdrawing from the secret alliance. From this day forward, we will take no action against the Ling Family of the Feiyu Sea Region!"

She saw the situation with perfect clarity. After this turmoil, the secret alliance was likely finished. It was better to abandon it decisively.

The other powers might be displeased with the You Family, but that was of little consequence. She was the Patriarch of the You Family; her family’s interests had to come first in all things.

"A wise decision, Patriarch!"

The Elders voiced their agreement in unison.

And so, the matter was settled.

After the You Family’s leadership made their public announcement, the mysterious attacker never responded. However, starting the very next day, the attacks on You Family territory ceased completely.

Another dozen or so days passed in silence. The You Family’s leadership finally breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing they had made the right choice.