Chapter 1254: Chapter 1031: I Won’t Let You Down

"Where is Jianjia Island?" asked Su Yuan.

Li Su replied, "It’s a barren large island near the northern sea area, but strangely, many high stage sea beasts have recently been crawling up onto it. We went to investigate but found nothing special."

Su Yuan took out the Bronze Earth Guide Plate and checked it: "North... hmm, it seems so."

"Mo Fei, Jinghua," Su Yuan called out.

"Master!"

"Palace Master!"

Both responded promptly.

Su Yuan instructed, "When the time comes, you two will lead someone to block off the coast, don’t let unrelated people through."

"Yes!"

The cultivation of the people from Qingming Palace is relatively low, so as long as the surroundings are sealed off, keeping unrelated forces away will suffice.

As for occupying the Dragon Vein, it must definitely be resolved personally.

After making some arrangements, Su Yuan let everyone leave.

Ashley also followed Li Su out, needing to grasp the current development of Qingming Palace quickly and report back to Su Yuan in detail later.

"Ao Shan, Senior Bai and Master Situ Hao, please stay," Su Yuan said, stopping the three.

Yang Aoshan, father and son Situ Bai remained immediately.

Su Yuan took out a scroll and said to the three, "This is a grandmaster array, the Fake Zhou Tainan Star Battle Array.

I have used it before, and its power is considerable. Coupled with the blue grade 108 array flags, it’s one of the more powerful arrays among sixth-level arrays.

And if 108 epic grade array flags can be refined, this array can be elevated to the seventh level... With the power of this array, perhaps it can even hold off King Level for a moment!"

Situ Hao realized: "No wonder a few years ago, Hall Master Li Su returned from Yan Court and instructed us to continuously collect Star Sand from Huo Luo Country; it turns out Palace Master had plans early on."

A few years ago, with the permission of Luo Bingtong, Situ Bai had handed over the position of Artifact Hall Master to Situ Hao, and usually just played chess with Yang Yifeng and went fishing, enjoying ease and leisure~

Su Yuan asked, "Master Situ, how is the collection of Star Sand going now?"

Situ Hao replied, "Palace Master, rest assured, it is almost done."

Su Yuan nodded, "This array can be used as Qingming Palace’s protective great formation. I hope Senior Bai, Master Situ, and Ao Shan can complete this together."

If a seventh-level Fake Celestial Star Battle Array can truly be deployed, then below King Level, Qingming Palace will be nearly unshakable!

"No problem!" Situ Hao nodded immediately in agreement.

Although refining 108 epic array flags might take many years, Situ Hao still agreed without hesitation.

No matter what, Su Yuan and Qingming Palace saved the life of himself and his wife!

Su Yuan looked at Yang Aoshan: "Ao Shan, do you have any issues on your side?"

Yang Aoshan thought for a moment, then shook her head, saying, "My progress on the array path is not small; when the array flags are refined, I should be able to deploy it."

From the summary report by the Array Hall earlier, Su Yuan also roughly understood Yang Aoshan’s current array path accomplishments.

Indeed, a super genius of the array path, the youngest array dao master of Great Flame in a century, she is almost approaching the seventh level.

Su Yuan originally planned to deploy the Fake Celestial Star Battle Array himself.

But if Yang Aoshan is able to deploy this array, she can use it as a step to enter the seventh level array dao master!

Yang Aoshan did not know that Su Yuan himself was already a seventh-level array master, only thinking about how she must deploy this array for Su Yuan.

The group continued discussing details for a while, and Situ Bai’s gaze passed over Su Yuan and Yang Aoshan, then immediately patted Situ Hao’s shoulder.

Situ Hao saw this and understood, rising to bow and saying: "Then Palace Master, my father and I will take our leave."

Situ Bai smiled and said, "Palace Master Su, we’re leaving first, take your time to talk~"

The word "talk" was deliberately dragged out by Situ Bai...

Beside them, Yang Aoshan’s breathing suddenly became a bit more urgent.

Su Yuan nodded with a smile: "Alright."

After Situ Hao left, the spacious Qingming Hall was left with only Su Yuan and Yang Aoshan.

Su Yuan looked at Yang Aoshan, who had her hair tied up and exposed her white neck, feeling somewhat complex.

If the other just casually worked on Qingming Island, it would be fine, but it seems that over the years, Yang Aoshan has been wholeheartedly contributing to the development of Qingming Palace.

Not asking for anything, nor complaining...

Su Yuan understood Yang Aoshan’s thoughts, and it’s precisely because of this that he felt even more guilty.

The air in the hall was a bit quiet, and Yang Aoshan’s long and slender legs shifted slightly uneasily.

But soon, Yang Aoshan secretly took a deep breath, raised her eyes to look at Su Yuan, and with a somewhat relaxed smile, she spoke first: "Su Yuan, after all these years, you’re finally back."

Su Yuan coughed twice, saying: "In these years, the construction of Qingming Palace has been hard on you."

Yang Aoshan shook her head with a smile: "I’m the Array Hall Master of Qingming Palace, am I not?"

Su Yuan sighed inwardly, not knowing what to say.

"After occupying the Dragon Vein this time, are you leaving again?" Seeing Su Yuan silent, Yang Aoshan feared the conversation would end there and quickly continued asking.

Su Yuan thought for a while and said, "This time leaving shouldn’t be too long because the Earth Tribulation is about to end."

"Really?" Yang Aoshan’s eyes immediately lit up.

At that moment, Su Yuan looked at Yang Aoshan and suddenly asked, "Ao Shan, have you considered leaving Qingming Palace and returning to Capitol City to continue being a teacher?"

Yang Aoshan, young and in her prime, entrusted by Su Yuan, left behind an infinity promising teaching position at Capitol Capital College to come alone to this remote and wild Western Desert and managed to build up the Array Hall...

In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed, nearly a quarter of Yang Aoshan’s own lifespan.

Thinking back now, her initial demand really was rather excessive...

If she truly wanted to return, perhaps he could still offer her some small compensation.

"...No need!" Yang Aoshan’s joy faltered momentarily, and she shook her head immediately, "No need, there are many matters in the Array Hall that require my oversight, and there’s also this Fake Celestial Star Battle Array..."

"If you’re worried about the Star Battle Formation, I can handle it," Su Yuan said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Aoshan’s pupils trembled, and a hint of panic suddenly surfaced in her eyes.

If she truly went to teach in the Capitol City, it would indeed become difficult to have any further connection with the person in front of her!

"Do you... not need me anymore?" Yang Aoshan suddenly asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Su Yuan looked at Yang Aoshan, who was looking straight at him, her eyes filled with tension and uncertainty. His heart seemed to be struck by something, an unexpected tremor.

Though she was so outstanding, she had silently and without complaint dedicated herself to him for so long, and yet in the end, she still remained so cautious...

Su Yuan opened his mouth but found no words to say.

After a brief thought, Su Yuan stood up, walked over to Yang Aoshan, and gently touched her cheek.

Yang Aoshan’s body trembled, her hands on her lap suddenly clenched, and her fair face, along with the neckline exposed by her tied-up hair, visibly flushed.

"Rest assured, Qingming Palace... and I, will not let you down," Su Yuan said.

Yang Aoshan’s pupils suddenly widened, her eyelashes trembling, and in less than two seconds, her bright eyes quickly became moist as she hurriedly lowered her head.

"...Mm!"

A soft response came from Yang Aoshan’s mouth.

Su Yuan smiled, gently caressed her jet-black hair, and then left first.

Only after Su Yuan had completely exited did Yang Aoshan raise her head.

Crystal-clear tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping continuously onto her legs wrapped in black stockings.

Yet on Yang Aoshan’s face was a happy and radiant smile.

The unsettled and anxious heart seemed finally to have found a tiny resting place.

Not needing much, she just needed a little corner...

Outside the hall, Situ Hao, who hadn’t gone far, perked up his ears slightly, and couldn’t help but smile, nodding quietly to himself.

Situ Hao wore a look of resignation; since his old man wasn’t leaving, he could only wait alongside him.

At this moment, Situ Hao suddenly noticed Su Yuan silently walking out of the hall, and his expression immediately tensed.

Seeing his old man still eavesdropping with his ear pressed, Situ Hao quickly called out loudly, "Palace Master Su!"

"Ahem, ahem!" Situ Bai jerked upright, guilty, stood straight with a cough or two, and greeted, "Palace Master Su!"

Su Yuan smiled and said, "Senior Bai staying here, it seems you still have something to discuss with me?"

"Indeed, there’s something, something...," Situ Bai stammered, momentarily unable to find an excuse.

Situ Hao felt a line appear on his face; getting caught like this was truly embarrassing, a colossal loss of face.

But since it was still his old man, Situ Hao quickly mused, "Palace Master Su, with your current influence, perhaps we can also attract some Refining Masters from Huo Luo Country and Xunyang Domain to expedite the refining of the Array Flags.

And not just the Array Hall; the other three halls could also leverage your reputation to attract talents. I wonder, would you mind?"

Su Yuan nodded with a smile and said, "Of course, that’s a good idea. I’ll leave that to you, Master Situ."

"Great!" Situ Hao’s eyes lit up, then he looked at Situ Bai and said, "Palace Master Su, then we shall take our leave first."

Situ Hao was about to drag his old man away right then.

But after a few steps, Situ Bai suddenly returned.

Situ Bai restrained his smile, pondered slightly, then bowed to Su Yuan:

"Palace Master Su, though it’s not my place as an outsider to comment much, I still dare to venture a few words."

Su Yuan hurriedly helped him up, saying, "Senior Bai, you overstate. You are both my teacher’s friend and have contributed greatly to Qingming Palace; please speak freely."

Situ Bai nodded, then slowly said, "As fellow Masters of the Four Arts Hall, Master Yang, despite being a woman, has borne the mainstay of the Array Hall alone.

Over the years, Master Yang dedicated herself wholeheartedly, personally managing everything big or small, better than any of us.

Master Yang truly considers Qingming Palace her home...

Situ Hao also nodded in admiration, "This Master Yang, though young, handles everything beautifully."

Situ Bai looked at Su Yuan and continued, "This girl Ao Shan, gentle by nature, never competes with others. I boldly request the Palace Master not to disappoint her sincere heart..."

Masters of the Four Arts Hall, Yang Aoshan, and Situ Bai were both grandmasters invited by Su Yuan, responsible for various affairs of the Four Halls from the start.

Yang Aoshan handled things meticulously and sincerely, being kind and courteous to everyone, thus winning the affection of Situ Bai and even Yang Yifeng. Privately, they both treated her as their adopted daughter.

Situ Bai knew well that Yang Aoshan was too considerate, unwilling to cause trouble for others and certainly reluctant to demand anything.

That was why at this moment, Situ Bai spoke on her behalf.

Su Yuan heard this and nodded solemnly, "Don’t worry, Senior Bai, I understand."

Situ Bai nodded, "Then I shall take my leave."

Situ Bai knew it wasn’t appropriate to say much more on such matters, so after bowing once more with Situ Hao, he left.

Su Yuan pondered for a moment, lifting his hand with a faint lingering scent of hair.

Turning to look inside the hall at Yang Aoshan, Su Yuan couldn’t help but smile.

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