C107 The Emperor and the State Preceptor

In the Crimson Sun Empire, a towering crimson peak reached skyward, bathed in golden sunlight. From a distance, the mountain resembled a sword thrusting into the heavens. A regal figure, adorned with a golden crown and draped in a yellow dragon robe, approached silently on a golden cloud. As he touched down upon the peak, the entire mountain seemed to tremble.

Deep within the mountain, spirit animals grew wary, scarcely daring to draw breath.

"Has the Great Emperor come personally due to the anomalies at Moonfall Sanctuary?" A wraith glided from the mountain's heart, halting before the man, transforming into an elegant, scholarly figure clad in white. The scholar was clearly a Lunar Spirit.

"State Preceptor, despite your seclusion for cultivation, you remain vigilant about the happenings at Moonfall Sanctuary," remarked the Sunfire Emperor, whose clandestine visit signified pressing matters. "Of all people, you possess the deepest knowledge of Moonfall Sanctuary. You may even surpass the understanding of the Silvermoon Empire's queen."

The Sunfire Emperor gazed at Zhou Cangmin. "The night grows cold, and the Moonfiend has emerged. Could this be our opportunity?"

"No," Zhou Cangmin replied, gently shaking his head. "I advise caution and observation. We should refrain from engaging the Silvermoon Empire militarily. Moreover, we must deliberately maintain our relationship with them. There's even potential for a late period alliance between our nations to eradicate those malevolent beings."

The Sunfire Emperor, taken aback, asked, "State Preceptor, may I inquire as to your reasoning?"

"I've delved into Moonfall Sanctuary multiple times and pored over numerous ancient texts, leading me to a hypothesis," Zhou Cangmin, still in his Lunar Spirit form, inhaled deeply as if by habit. "The Moon Shards that fell from the sky, along with the Moonfiends that arrived with them, are not the true peril of Moonfall Sanctuary."

"The land itself is the source of terror!"

"I believe the Moon Shards were drawn to that place, not simply fallen by chance," Zhou Cangmin murmured.

"How so?" inquired the Sunfire Emperor, his curiosity piqued.

"An extraterrestrial power, wielding his sword, cleaved the moon, scattering the Moon Shards deliberately toward that forbidden land," Zhou Cangmin explained, piecing together his thoughts. "It seems that an ancient and peculiar rune circle has existed within Moonfall Sanctuary since time immemorial, its presence concealed."

The Moon Shards, celestial fragments, are merely components of an immense rune circle.

These shards arrived to complete the peculiar formation and to contain something within the forbidden area. The Moonfiend, however, was an unforeseen byproduct—a soul concealed within a Moon Shard that inadvertently descended into the forbidden territory.

The Moonfiend, having fallen from the heavens, is not buried deep within the forbidden area but is rather the most likely to escape its bonds.

The grand formation was never intended to restrain the Moonfiend. The architect of the circle hardly regarded the Moonfiend as a threat, deeming it insignificant compared to the entity it was designed to suppress.

Zhou Cangmin had repeatedly scoured the Moonfall Sanctuary, amassing ancient tomes and corroborating numerous facts with allies from the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea, gradually unraveling the mystery.

The Moonfall Sanctuary was once a place of dread and peril in a bygone era.

Somewhere within, or beneath, this forbidden area, there certainly lies a formidable being or an extraordinary object.

The Moon Shard is but a piece of the suppressive array, and the Moonfiend is of little consequence.

After sharing his conjecture, the Sunfire Emperor remained silent for an extended period, processing the earth-shattering revelations.

"Why have you never mentioned this before?" he eventually inquired.

"Previously, I couldn't be certain. It's only recently that I've pieced it all together," Zhou Cangmin replied with ease, addressing the Sunfire Emperor. "Why, you're not upset with me, are you?"

"Upset with you? Far from it," the Sunfire Emperor responded with a wry smile. "Had it not been for my insistence, you would have long since departed Aetherius to join the Sunlit Order. You've sacrificed much for the empire; I have no right to reproach you."

"Leaving is my fate. Our paths are different. You bear the weight of familial duty and the legacy of an emperor, obligations you must fulfill," Zhou Cangmin said with a faint smile. "I, on the other hand, stand alone."

"I understand," the Sunfire Emperor acknowledged.

"Keep a close watch on the Moonfall Sanctuary. During this time, it's best to avoid conflict with the Silvermoon Empire," Zhou Cangmin advised. "And those battle-hungry clans need to be convinced to stay their hand and keep their cool."

"When the forbidden area regains tranquility, we will proceed as instructed."

"If the turmoil is too intense, the empire should deploy powerful allies to join forces and stabilize the situation within the forbidden area. I can't predict the extent of the upheaval if the suppressed forces within are unleashed."

Zhou Cangmin offered his counsel gently.

"Your wise words shall not be forgotten, state preceptor," the Sunfire Emperor acknowledged with a nod. "Your advice has always been invaluable over the years. I trust your judgment and will ensure that the families are kept in line, preventing any covert disruptions."

After a brief pause, he inquired once more, "How much longer until your breakthrough?"

"Not long now," replied Zhou Cangmin.

The Sunfire Emperor let out a quiet sigh.

He realized that Zhou Cangmin's advancement would signal his own departure from Aetherius.

Having known each other since childhood and fought alongside one another for many years, they were not just sovereign and advisor but also dear friends.

The thought of parting was overwhelmingly difficult.

...

Within the forbidden area.

Yu Yuan awoke from his meditation once again, feeling the burning sensation in his arm and the familiar unease pulsating through his heart.

For the past couple of days, Lee Yu, Yan Lu, and the others had been deliberating without reaching any conclusion.

They were not far from the forbidden area's entrance; a swift journey could get them there within a few days.

Yet, if they ventured into the forbidden area's depths as Yu Yuan suggested, to find the passage to the Crimson Sun Empire, it could take months, perhaps even a year.

The perils of the forbidden area's heart were unknown to all.

Yu Yuan had sensed danger near the nearest entrance, but were the depths any safer?

For them, traversing the heart of the forbidden area to reach the Crimson Sun Empire was a gamble of its own.

With dangers unknown on either path, why forsake the near for the far?

Despite endless debate, they remained at an impasse, their discussions unceasing.

Suddenly, Yu Yuan rose to his feet!

Instinctively, all eyes turned to him, their faces etched with inquiry.

"I'm not waiting for your decisions anymore; I've reached my own conclusion." Yu Yuan squinted his eyes, turned on his heel, and declared, "I've decided to head to the entrance of the forbidden area in the Crimson Sun Empire. Now, you just need to decide whether or not you're coming with me."

With those words, he ceased further discussion, pivoted, and strode off.

The tumultuous spiritual energy roared, and the biting wind cut through the air. His retreating figure was the epitome of resolve and pride, as if once his mind was made up, he was impervious to anyone else's influence.

In Asvetaesi, Zhao Yafu, Yuan Ting, and Yu Feifei quickly gathered their belongings and hastened to keep up.

Zhan Tianxiang let out a hearty laugh, casting a glance at his followers, and remarked, "Since it's a trial, we ought to delve deeper. There might just be some unexpected gains."

Encouraged by his optimism, they collectively put their trust in Yu Yuan and decided to join him on his journey.

"And what about you?" Lee Yu inquired of the remaining individuals.

​