The flying boat pierced the clouds, and the valley holding the Demon-Subduing Ancient Land soon vanished behind them.
The gray-haired elder did not question them immediately. Instead, he first had the three take medicinal pills. The other elder kept watch on their rear, only turning to enter the cabin after confirming that neither sect had followed.
With Su Yu holding off the peak third-level Demon, Xiao Yue and Shen Ningshuang had suffered injuries, but nothing too severe. Their main problem was excessive true essence consumption. Both were Half-Step Venerables, after all, with recovery abilities far beyond ordinary Sea Breaking Realm martial artists. After taking the pills and regulating their breathing for a few cycles, their complexions improved considerably.
By comparison, Su Yu's injuries were much more serious. To cover their retreat, he had weathered several ferocious attacks from the Demon alone. Even with his powerful physique, his internal organs had suffered considerable damage from the impacts.
Fortunately, the Indestructible Sutra had been circulating all along. His blood vitality and true essence continually repaired the damaged areas, and his injuries gradually improved. A complete recovery, however, would still take some time.
Only after their auras stabilized did the gray-haired elder sit down across from them.
"There are no outsiders here now. What exactly happened inside? Tell us from the beginning."
At the elder's question, Shen Ningshuang recalled the sight of Gu Changfeng collapsing into her arms, and her chest tightened. She pressed her lips together, wanting to speak, but something seemed to lodge in her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Xiao Yue glanced at her. Suppressing his grief and fury, he looked up. "Elder, Changfeng and Tingchuan weren't killed by Demons."
The gray-haired elder's expression changed.
"Not by Demons?"
"The Scarlet Firmament Sect and Black Peak Sect joined forces. They wanted