C1076 Accepting a Disciple

Wen Lu suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling with a sudden brightness as if a ray of brilliant sunlight had pierced through the darkness shrouding her heart. An unstoppable smile spread across her lips.

Mia halted, initially unsure as she gazed at Yu Yuan. After a few seconds, her face broke into a sincere smile, genuinely happy for Wen Lu.

Beneath the azure curtain, the Songbird Queen's eyes seemed to twinkle. The glimpse of her exquisitely sculpted jawline hinted at a subtle smile.

Wen Lu's voice trembled as she asked, "Yu, is it really true?"

"Your aptitude for alchemy rivals that of my former apprentices, and with your unique lineage, your potential is boundless," Yu Yuan said, looking at her intently with an encouraging tone. "I understand you're not fond of conflict or skilled in combat. Thus, the path of a herbalist is exceptionally well-suited for you. You can make significant contributions through your work with potions and elixirs."

Her words sent waves of elation through Wen Lu.

Kennard, known as the Children of the Forest, and the Shadowkin elder with the ninth-level bloodline, wore expressions of discontent.

Kennard kept his silence at first.

Elder Selter turned to Mia and asked, "Have you forgotten your duty?"

"What?" Mia responded, taken aback.

"The holy weapon of our clan, remove it," Selter demanded sternly. "She is not of pure Shadowkin blood! The holy weapon, guarded by the High Priest, should be reclaimed by our people to select a new heir."

Mia reflected for a moment, then glanced at Yu Yuan as if drawing courage from him. "The holy weapon has been around Wen Lu's neck since her childhood. This indicates that the High Priest had already decided to entrust it to her. Furthermore, our High Priest has the authority to bestow the holy weapon upon a clan member he deems worthy."

After a brief pause, Mia added, "Besides, Wen Lu has successfully bonded with the holy weapon!"

"How dare you!" Kennard exclaimed, his face contorted with rage.

Yu Yuan let out a sly chuckle, eyeing the so-called Children of the Forest. "The Skyreach Consortium has strict rules against private feuds within the Annihilation Nebula, and certainly within Ionodios."

"I'm well aware. Do you think you'd still be standing here otherwise?" Kennard retorted icily.

"I think you've misunderstood," Yu Yuan said, his voice tinged with frustration. "What I'm trying to say is, if it weren't for the Skyreach Consortium's rules, I would've already put you in your place, you so-called Child of the Forest!"

His words left Kennard, Selter, and even Mia in a state of shock. Kennard was the son of the current Shadowkin patriarch. Where did Yu Yuan find such audacity?

"If your father were here, I might reconsider, out of respect for him. But you..." Yu Yuan shook his head dismissively. "You simply don't carry that kind of weight."

"Mr. Zhou!" he called out sharply.

"Present," came the weary response from the fat old man clutching a horsetail whisk, who reluctantly made himself visible.

Deep down, he had no desire to be dragged into the dispute between Yu Yuan and Kennard, preferring to observe from a distance. He would only intervene if their confrontation escalated into a fight.

"Wen Lu possesses a pure Shadowkin lineage and exceptional talent for medicine. Under my mentorship, she's destined to become a heavenly herbalist. Her Shadowkin heritage also allows her to cultivate rare herbs, enabling even the most elusive flowers to bloom in a fraction of the usual time."

Having set the stage, Yu Yuan continued, "Mr. Zhou, isn't someone with her abilities exactly what your consortium is eagerly seeking?"

Wen Lu disliked conflict, making the Boulderdawn sect an ill fit. The Skyreach Consortium was a far better choice for her.

Mr. Zhou grimaced and replied, "Indeed, it is."

"Excellent," Yu Yuan nodded, turning his attention back to Kennard. "She is my apprentice, destined to be a heavenly herbalist and a member of the consortium."

Kennard's expression turned rigid.

"If you really want that necklace, go back and have your father negotiate with the consortium," Yu Yuan huffed. "Don't make decisions without authorization again. You are not the Shadowkin patriarch; you don't speak for your father!"

Mia's thoughts stirred at his words. Upon reflection, she realized Yu Yuan had pinpointed the crux of the matter. The patriarch operated on a level far above Kennard and would never allow such reckless behavior.

"Please leave. You three are not welcome here." Yu Yuan turned and went back into his house without giving the group another glance.

"He's right. You can't just take Wen Lu's necklace by force here in Ionodios," Zhou You said, albeit with a hint of resignation, as he cautioned Kennard, "This includes Peach Madam Hu Caiyun. You must not cause trouble in the Annihilation Nebula. Once she leaves the Nebula, whatever you do is no longer our concern."

At that moment, the Stormcrowned Emperor added, "And if Hu Caiyun is officially accepted by Boulderdawn, consider the consequences before you act."

He followed Yu Yuan into the hall.

Wen Lu waited at the doorway. Seeing that Mia didn't attempt to snatch the necklace and Kennard remained silent with a dark expression, she bowed respectfully to Mia and then turned to go back inside.

With a whoosh, the Songbird Queen vanished.

...

The nest, permeated with a subtle death aura, was the scene of quiet anticipation as President Lyi, Noeyr, and three experts in space magic stood by.

Suddenly, the vast bird's nest erupted in a spectacle of flowing light, reminiscent of a tapestry of meteors weaving into a luminous gateway. The starlight sparkled intensely as the space magic began to stabilize.

After a short time, Luo Yue emerged from the nest, now serving as a makeshift Starway. Upon leaving, she greeted President Lyi with a smile, "It's a pleasure to see you, President Lyi."

Seeing her, President Lyi's anxiety eased, reassured that the Starway was operational again.

"Is Yu Yuan really in Ionodios?" Luo Yue inquired, having decided against addressing him as her master since in her past life, Hong Qi hadn't formally initiated her into the Order of Healing, and Yu Yuan in this life preferred not to be called master.

President Lyi's gaze revealed Yu Yuan's current location within a palace, "He's nearby."

Luo Yue smiled and swiftly departed.

Following her, Ghost Kings Tian Zang, Razses, and Taruer sequentially emerged from the Starway, each boasting a newly refined physique.

Including Luo Yue, a total of four Ghost Kings had emerged in Ionodios.

The Sky Fiends that had broken through the barrier from the extraterrestrial Star River sensed a wave of unrest at the appearance of the four Ghost Kings, prompting them to inquire about what had transpired.

"Why have the four Ghost Kings of the Land of Terror suddenly embarked on a campaign beyond their domain to obliterate the Astral Domain?"

Standing beside the Deathwing Lair, Bai He's eyes drooped as he pondered the death force he had attempted to comprehend. His failure to refine the lair left him feeling quite displeased, as it had inadvertently benefited Chen Qinghuang.

Yet, he was aware that he lacked the power to return the Deathwing Lair to its former state.

"White Bone has ascended to divinity."

Green Willow, an equally formidable archdemon, interjected unexpectedly, "White Bone has risen to become a God of Ghosts within the Land of Terror without claiming a seat among the Supreme Gods. His ascension has emboldened the Ghost Kings, giving them the audacity to venture beyond their realm in search of destiny. As long as they can make it back to the Land of Terror when faced with adversity in the extraterrestrial Star River, they will be safe."

"From now on, White Bone in the Land of Terror will be akin to the Untamed within the Marsh."

"Inside, they are unbeatable, as long as they do not leave. Even the Primordial Spirits and Dark Deities of the five greatest forces would be at a loss, unable to contend with them."

Green Willow revealed the profound intricacies of this development.

"White Bone has become the first God of Ghosts in history!" Zhongli Dapan inhaled deeply, his voice laden with awe, "I never imagined that the legends could become reality!"

"Since the God of Ghosts White Bone was once the Evil King Yu Xi, and is Yu Yuan's ancestor in this life, and considering White Bone's successful ascension was aided by Yu Yuan's desperate efforts," Xi Quan mused with narrowed eyes, "then these four great Ghost Kings in the extraterrestrial Star River will likely be under Yu Yuan's command."

"Tian Zang, the Sky Fiend Youqian, may not fully obey White Bone. However, Yu Yuan is a member of the Boulderdawn, and it seems Youqian shares an unspoken agreement with them," President Lyi mused to himself before nodding affirmatively. "Yes, Yu Yuan should indeed have the capacity to harness the power of the four great Ghost Kings."

The four formidable Ghost Kings, once beyond the Land of Terror, were akin to four Unbound Realm powerhouses.

Yu Yuan, with the ability to harness their strength, had become a force to be reckoned with in Ionodios and even the Annihilation Nebula.

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