Chapter 773: Chapter 410: Ji Family Elder_2 "I am not here today to oppose you, but merely to find a girl from my clan." The Ji family elder said as he flung his wide sleeve. "Crash!" In an instant, the small wooden hut where Ji Ziyue and Gu Sheng were hiding shattered into fragments. The explosion froze the two in place, as if even the air had solidified. It took a long time before Ji Ziyue reacted. "E... Elder..." Ji Ziyue revealed an incongruous smile on her face. "You still recognize me as an elder, huh?" The Ji family elder’s expression turned cold as he spoke with chilling disdain. "I do, I do." Ji Ziyue chuckled nervously, clasped her hands in salute, and bowed toward the elder. "Elder." Gu Sheng also called out, copying the clasped-hand salute. "Hmm?" The moment Gu Sheng spoke, the Ji family elder’s face darkened instantly, brimming with hostility toward him. The elder’s gaze was as sharp as an ice blade, fixing coldly on Gu Sheng as if to pierce through him. "Elder, he is my... friend." Ji Ziyue spoke with a tremble in her voice. For from the elder’s stern expression, she could see Gu Sheng’s current situation was extremely precarious. The elder did not respond and simply extended a finger. "Swish!" An invisible force instantly restrained Gu Sheng, lifting him off the ground and suspending him in midair. "Ah... Ah..." Gu Sheng cried out in fear, overwhelmed by the sudden restriction. "Senior, what is the meaning of this?" Li Ruoyu stepped forward to question the elder decisively upon seeing the scene. The elder coldly snorted, "This is a matter of the Ji family. What qualification does an outsider like you have to interfere?" Watching Gu Sheng suffer, Ji Ziyue grew frantic. Helplessly, she fell to her knees with a thud, tears glimmering in her eyes. "Elder, I beg you to let Gu Sheng go. He knows nothing." Gu Sheng struggled in the air, but he felt as if invisible chains were tightly binding him, rendering all efforts to escape futile. "Let me go! Let me go!" Gu Sheng screamed. At that moment, a streak of radiant light sliced through the sky, moving so swiftly that it caught everyone by surprise. The light flickered between Gu Sheng and the elder before disappearing. Instantly, Gu Sheng felt the restraining force vanish, and his body fell back to the ground. Everyone looked up, only to see an elderly man with snow-white hair standing in the air. Despite his age, his face radiated vitality and kindness, and an aura of calm stability emanated from him. "Supreme Elder!" Li Ruoyu exclaimed with surprise. He had not expected the Supreme Elder of the Supreme Mysterious Sect to appear at this moment. The Supreme Elder inclined his head lightly, casting a calm yet powerful glance toward the Ji elder, "So it’s Ji Hong. It’s been a long time." The Ji elder’s expression shifted. Clearly, he hadn’t anticipated the sudden arrival of the Supreme Elder. "Supreme Elder, this is a private matter of the Ji family. Are you intending to interfere?" Ji Hong spoke with a tinge of unwillingness in his tone. The Supreme Elder shook his head gently. "I do not wish to meddle in the Ji family’s affairs, but Gu Sheng is my disciple of the Supreme Mysterious Sect. I cannot stand by and watch him come to harm." Ji Hong remained silent for a moment before sighing. "Since the Supreme Elder has intervened, I will certainly not trouble him. However, there is something that must be clarified." Gu Sheng stood up at this time, casting a grateful glance toward the Supreme Elder. Without the Supreme Elder’s timely intervention, he might have already met a dire fate. Ji Ziyue also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling assured that the Supreme Elder’s presence had, at the very least, temporarily eased the crisis. "What’s the matter?" The Supreme Elder asked. "This boy bears the aura of the Ji family’s Void Scripture. He must have infiltrated the Ji family to steal it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to cultivate this scripture." Ji Hong’s face grew dark as he spoke. Hearing this, the Supreme Elder’s brow lightly furrowed. He was well aware that the Void Scripture was one of the Ji family’s most critical cultivation texts. Ordinary individuals wouldn’t even dream of seeing it, let alone hearing of it. Yet now, Gu Sheng was radiating the aura of the Void Scripture. This must involve a deeper reason. At this moment, both the Supreme Elder and Li Ruoyu seemed to grasp why Ji Hong had acted so harshly toward Gu Sheng. "Gu Sheng, when did you learn the Void Scripture?" The Supreme Elder asked. "It was me!" Before Gu Sheng could reply, Ji Ziyue suddenly stepped forward. "Ziyue, stop talking nonsense!" Gu Sheng quickly pulled Ji Ziyue aside before addressing Ji Hong directly, "Senior, it was me. I secretly studied the Void Scripture. Whatever punishment there is, direct it at me. I’ll take full responsibility!" "This has nothing to do with you—it was I who gave it to him!" Ji Ziyue forcefully pushed Gu Sheng aside as she spoke. "You two... What is this..." The Supreme Elder and Li Ruoyu listened, completely baffled, unable to discern the full story. "Ziyue! Do you know the Ji family law?" Ji Hong rebuked sternly. "I know, Elder." Ji Ziyue lowered her head slightly. "Hmph!" Ji Hong let out a cold snort. "Senior, please direct all penalties at me alone. Do not harm Ziyue. She’s innocent!" Gu Sheng stepped forward again, shielding Ji Ziyue fervently. Ji Hong’s face turned even gloomier. His gaze lingered over Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue, seemingly assessing something silently. It was apparent to him that Ji Ziyue held a special affection for Gu Sheng. Although he was an elder, he could see through the minds of juniors. "Gu Sheng, are you aware that admitting to this means challenging the Ji family law?" Ji Hong’s tone carried a faint threat. "Hah..." Gu Sheng took a deep breath, as if deciding something. "Senior, I do not intend to challenge the Ji family; I only wish to protect Ziyue." Gu Sheng’s eyes reflected unwavering determination. An air of resolve emanated from him—all ready to face death for his convictions. Ji Ziyue tugged at Gu Sheng’s sleeve, knowing his willingness to shoulder danger was for her sake. That courage enveloped her in warmth. The Supreme Elder and Li Ruoyu stood silently to observe the unfolding events. They realized the situation had spiraled beyond their ability to intervene easily. "Gu Sheng, your courage is commendable, but the Void Scripture is the Ji family’s Secret Technique. For you to learn it unauthorized is an affront to the Ji family." Ji Hong spoke coldly. "I understand, and I am willing to accept any punishment, so long as the elder spares Ziyue." Gu Sheng nodded earnestly before stealing a glance at Ji Ziyue. "Gu Sheng, are you insane? Don’t you want to live?" Ji Ziyue panicked, almost reaching out to pinch Gu Sheng angrily. "Live? Of course I do." Gu Sheng smiled faintly, his face fearless. Ji Hong pondered silently for a moment, as if deliberating. "Very well, since you’re so insistent, I’ll give you a chance." Ji Hong finally spoke. "If you can withstand three moves of mine, I’ll spare you both." Gu Sheng’s eyes lit up with a flash of hope—this was an opportunity. Though Ji Hong’s strength was unfathomable, at least there was a sliver of chance. "Thank you, Senior!" Gu Sheng expressed his gratitude. "No way!" Ji Ziyue countered vehemently. "Elder, I was the one who gave Gu Sheng the Void Scripture. If there’s punishment, punish me. Why do you insist on tormenting Gu Sheng?" Ji Ziyue mustered her courage to question the elder directly. "Regardless of how he obtained it, anyone who cultivates it must face the consequences." Ji Hong’s tone was icy. As an elder, he bore the duty to uphold the Ji family’s dignity. "Nooo!" Ji Ziyue suddenly threw a tantrum like the spoiled young lady she was. Ji Hong waved his arm decisively. Ji Ziyue’s body suddenly stiffened; she realized she could no longer move. Evidently, Ji Hong had used a technique to immobilize her. "Elder, what are you..." Ji Ziyue’s eyes betrayed a trace of panic. Ji Hong didn’t reply, his eyes glinting with finality. "I’ll see just how capable you truly are." As his words fell, Ji Hong made a subtle motion with his palm. "Swish, swish, swish!" Rays of light crisscrossed in the air, forming a complex pattern. The pattern seemed chaotic, yet as the power built, it began to align into a structured formation.