C1075 Children of the Forest

"Where is Mr. Yan?"

After realizing that his visitor was the Stormcrowned Emperor, Yu Yuan didn't waste time after a brief exchange of pleasantries and immediately inquired about his friend.

Yan Qiling had vanished without a trace from the Moonfall Sanctuary and hadn't returned since.

Yu Yuan was eager to learn of his whereabouts. The Stormcrowned Emperor had once followed a figure who ascended to the heavens, someone who was also Yan Qiling's former master. Yu Yuan was convinced that the Stormcrowned Emperor must have some insight into the matter.

"Don't worry, he's alright."

The Stormcrowned Emperor stood before the grand hall, observing the continuous flow of visitors entering from the Star River outside the Nirvana Realm. "Ironically, you two just missed each other. Shortly after you departed the Nirvana Realm, he arrived there through a space rift. Isn't it astonishing how you both just brushed past one another?"

Yu Yuan was taken aback. "Is that so?"

"Indeed, quite the coincidence," the Stormcrowned Emperor said, casting a meaningful glance at Chen Qinghuang. After a brief pause, he continued, "On behalf of Boulderdawn, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead," responded Chen Qinghuang, her voice cool and detached.

Her expression, hidden behind the phoenix coronet and beaded curtain, remained a mystery to all.

"Do you have any leads on the third nest of the secular bird?" the Stormcrowned Emperor asked gravely.

Chen Qinghuang had already assimilated the Deathwing Lair and had discussed with President Lyi that once she merged it with her path, she might be able to pinpoint the location of the third secular bird's nest.

This was a matter of great interest to Boulderdawn.

The Stormcrowned Emperor had been sent here not only to meet with Yu Yuan but specifically for this inquiry.

Boulderdawn was actively involved in the grand event hosted by the Skyreach Consortium in Ionodios. However, their experts, adept at liaising with various factions, were not present.

Those who had come were dispersed throughout the desolate reaches of the Annihilation Nebula, only to emerge if chaos ensued in Ionodios.

"I must apologize; my earlier assessment may have been incorrect. Despite my efforts, I have not detected any trace of the third secular bird's nest," Chen Qinghuang stated with an apology, though her tone and demeanor betrayed no hint of regret.

Mr. Yan Qiling has been overseeing this matter recently," said the Stormcrowned Emperor, his expression tinged with despondency. He then addressed Yu Yuan, "He couldn't make it this time because he's entangled in this affair. The existence of the secular bird is a matter of great consequence. We must handle it with the utmost care. If she's still alive, capable of rebirth..."

His voice trailed off as he cast a peculiar glance at Chen Qinghuang.

"I'm aware that if she's still among the living, capable of rebirth, then..." Chen Qinghuang spoke in a seemingly nonchalant tone, "I will perish. Everything I've achieved will be reclaimed by her in the blink of an eye. And I am utterly powerless to oppose her."

"Given that you understand the gravity, I'll spare you further explanation. Simply put, neither the Boulderdawn Sect nor the mighty ones from various clans wish to witness the resurgence of the mythical Death Bird within the Star River," the Stormcrowned Emperor declared his stance.

Shifting the conversation, he inquired, "Yu Yuan, how did you come to endorse Peach Madam's introduction to the Boulderdawn?"

"Is there an issue?" Yu Yuan responded, puzzled.

The Stormcrowned Emperor was about to reply when a series of tender green lights approached, causing him to pause and then smile wryly, "And here lies the problem."

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes and saw Mia of the Shadowkin approaching, accompanied by two venerable ninth-level elders.

Among the trio of Shadowkin ninth-level powerhouses was another man of distinguished presence, considerably younger. He donned an unusual cape adorned with intricate tree patterns, radiating the essence of plants. To Yu Yuan, the cape seemed to encompass an entire lush forest.

Wen Lu, who was meant to remain in the alchemy chamber, stepped out as if drawn by some disturbance. The silver necklace at her throat turned a deep shade of green, activating the hidden strange power within and casting a vibrant glow reminiscent of flourishing vegetation.

This palace was situated in a tranquil corner, away from the bustling trading zones of the Skyreach Consortium. Surrounded by the local flora, the presence of the man's cape and Wen Lu's necklace seemed to breathe new life into the plants, causing them to erupt with a vitality that was nothing short of miraculous.

Wen Lu looked timidly at the young Shadowkin man leading the group. She instinctively felt a force emanating from his unusual cape, as if it were pulling at the necklace around her neck.

She could also sense his hostility toward her.

Moreover, Mia, who had been guiding her away from the Everlands, was surreptitiously signaling to her from behind his back.

"She is the High Priestess, born of the Everlands, and the holy weapon rests upon her neck."

Mia descended gracefully, gesturing toward Wen Lu with reverence before introducing the young man to the Shadowkin. She then introduced him to Yu Yuan, Wen Lu, and the others, "This is Kennard, the son of our current patriarch."

"Sean, Kennard."

Another elder of the Shadowkin, a ninth-level bloodline holder, spoke up in the fluent language of the Everlands, adding, "Aside from the patriarch, he is the most gifted member of the Sean family, hailed as the Children of the Forest."

"Children of the Forest, Kennard," the Stormcrowned Emperor muttered, his face betraying neither warmth nor coldness.

"Her bloodline is impure; she does not deserve to possess our family's holy weapon."

After the introductions, Kennard scrutinized the necklace on Wen Lu's neck with a furrowed brow. "This item is not the private property of the High Priestess and should not be passed down to descendants. Moreover, if there is to be an inheritance, it must go to a pure-blooded successor. With her mixed human heritage..."

Kennard's face twisted with revulsion. "Elder Mia, you should not have brought her back."

"All you should have done was retrieve the holy weapon held by the High Priestess!"

He hummed softly in disapproval.

Mia sighed inwardly, her head bowed, not daring to counter his words.

Kennard's noble status and exceptional bloodline talent gave him a position of high regard within the Shadowkin, comparable to Canli's among the Dawnbringers.

Besides, Kennard's father was in the prime of his life, the patriarch of the Shadowkin and a mighty tenth-level bloodline expert.

She held a deep-seated respect and reverence for him.

Wen Lu kept her head down, silent, her demeanor reflecting her restraint and unease.

She was acutely aware that her early departure from the Everlands was thanks to her Shadowkin lineage, the necklace around her neck, and Mia's protection.

Without the necklace and Mia's care, she would likely find herself without a foothold in the Star River of the extraterrestrial realms.

Currently, even Mia, who had always commanded respect, was wary of Kennard's identity as one of the Children of the Forest, uncertain of how to proceed.

What was she to do?

As this thought crossed her mind, Wen Lu felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She clenched her fists tightly, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

Her nature was gentle and compliant. Mia had brought her from the Everlands to the Star River, a place teeming with formidable Otherkin, leaving her utterly alone.

Especially now, without Mia's protection...

"We ask that you refrain from meddling in the affairs of the Shadowkin."

The Shadowkin elder who had previously supported Kennard with his full name and title abruptly positioned himself before Yu Yuan and the Stormcrowned Emperor, his face conveying a clear warning.

"Elder Mia, please retrieve the necklace first. Then we can discuss other matters," Kennard commanded in a tone that brooked no argument. He then turned to Yu Yuan, "You're the God of Medicine, Yu Yuan? Or is it Hong Qi?"

Yu Yuan was just about to respond...

"I don't care what you're called!" Kennard's demeanor chilled, "That Hu Caiyun, the Peach Madam you mentioned? Are you the one who intends to introduce her to Boulderdawn?"

Yu Yuan couldn't help but smile wryly and nodded.

"I strongly advise against it!" Kennard warned him earnestly, "She has committed unforgivable sins in our Shadowkin's Yogreron! Her arrival has brought untold suffering to the Yogreron, leaving no survivors! This woman is a prime target for elimination by the Shadowkin!"

The Stormcrowned Emperor also gave Yu Yuan a gentle shake of the head, advising him not to antagonize the Shadowkin over Hu Caiyun.

In the eyes of the Stormcrowned Emperor, Hu Caiyun was not trustworthy, nor was she particularly remarkable. Whether or not she joined Boulderdawn was inconsequential.

Beneath her phoenix coronet and beaded curtain, Chen Qinghuang's luminous eyes appeared to be closely observing Yu Yuan.

Yu Yuan materialized next to Wen Lu, casting a glance at her necklace and chuckling softly, "Senior Mia, it was you who implored me to accept her as my apprentice."

Mia, having followed Kennard's command, approached Wen Lu with a rigid expression. She let out a sigh, "Didn't you agree?"

Wen Lu hung her head, her shoulders quivering slightly, too afraid to utter a single word.

She had put in a tremendous effort, diligently studying the art of potion-making, following Yu Yuan's orders and guidance to the letter.

Yet Yu Yuan had not offered a single word of praise. She felt her abilities were lacking, convinced she hadn't been favored.

"Now, she is," came the response.

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