C108 Unprecedented Unity
"I'll accompany them!"
Yan Lu of the Yan family flashed a grin, "I'm curious to see what secrets lie deep within the forbidden area. With the Moonfiend awakening, the empire might undergo a change. Who knows what transformations could occur in the depths of the forbidden area?"
With that, he gestured and strode towards Yu Yuan.
Some time had passed, and the injury to his waist had fully healed, restoring him to his peak condition.
He also had this nagging feeling that his breakthrough into Veil Breaking was imminent.
Rumor had it that the forbidden area was fraught with danger and the spiritual energy was wildly turbulent. Without reaching Veil Breaking, navigating it would be fraught with difficulties.
Yan Lu had been contemplating finding a spot within the forbidden area to shatter the constraints of his current level and formally advance into Veil Breaking.
Having fought alongside Yu Yuan and spent time with him recently, Yan Lu had gained a newfound respect for him. He increasingly believed that partnering with Yu Yuan within the volatile forbidden area would significantly boost his chances of survival.
Among those present, Yan Lu, with his restored combat strength, was second only to Lee Yu.
His decision was groundbreaking for many.
"We, too, will join them."
Su Yan of the Su family, her demeanor serene and a gentle smile on her face, turned to Lin Zhuyun. "Lin, what about you? Will the Lin family opt for the safety of the nearest exit back to the empire, or will you take a bolder approach?"
Lin Zhuyun looked uncertain.
If not for the Moonfiend's threat, she would have certainly led her people back to the empire through the entrance they had used to enter the forbidden area.
But now...
No one knew where the most formidable Moonfiend was lurking. What if it emerged suddenly?
"Oh, right."
It was then that Yu Yuan halted and pivoted to address the group. "In fact, there's no need for you to worry about the Moonfiend, not even the most powerful one. I have a feeling that the Moonfiend is now convinced that I am its primary target. To be frank, from the Moonfiend's perspective, your survival or demise doesn't really alter the big picture."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces took on an odd expression.
"I'm not trying to target anyone in particular," Yu Yuan clarified earnestly. "During my trials in the forbidden area, I acquired something. This item allows me to counter the Moonfiend, and it's also the reason the Moonfiend is desperately trying to eliminate me. So, anyone who stays with me is guaranteed to encounter the Moonfiend again. On the other hand, those who part ways with me might not even draw its attention."
"Is that true?" Van Le's eyes sparkled with hope.
He had been standing at a distance, feeling increasingly alienated from the group over the past few days. He sensed that everyone was ostracizing him, subtly keeping their distance. His reluctance to leave stemmed from a fear of becoming a prime target for the Moonfiend's attacks, especially since he lacked a Soul Orb and the capability to defeat the creature.
In light of Yu Yuan's declaration that the Moonfiend was solely focused on killing him, Van Le recalled the previous battle where the formidable Moonfiend had abruptly switched its target. "I am the Moonfiend's primary target. It will use every means at its disposal to annihilate me," Yu Yuan reaffirmed. "Therefore, distancing yourself from me might spare you from its wrath. The further away you are, the less likely you'll encounter the Moonfiend."
"Understood." Van Le nodded, then respectfully bowed to Lee Yu and Yu Yuan. "Farewell."
With his words still hanging in the air, he set off alone towards the entrance of the Silvermoon Empire's forbidden area, resolute and undeterred. He was the first to choose a different path.
Next was Lin Zhuyun. Reassured by Yu Yuan, she decided, "We will return to the entrance we came through."
"I won't be able to accompany you," Su Yan said with a smile. "I wish you a safe and smooth journey."
Lin Zhuyun, leading her family members, gradually disappeared into the distance.
No one else opted to leave; their gazes turned to Lee Yu, whose decision was crucial for the remaining trial-takers from the various cities.
"I'm not sure what's transpired with the empire, but I too sense that there's something amiss deep within the forbidden area," Lee Yu pondered before making up his mind. "I will join Yu Yuan."
"Welcome," Yu Yuan called out, his voice echoing ahead.
The departure of Van Le and Lin Zhuyun was, in a way, a relief for him. Van Le's treacherous nature posed a risk to the group's cohesion. And as for Lin Zhuyun and her family, who had consistently shown animosity, they were somewhat isolated. Should any serious trouble arise in the future, Yu Yuan knew he couldn't count on the Lin family—they might even exacerbate the situation.
"Yu Yuan, do you have a premonition?" Zhan Tianxiang asked, edging closer with a playful grin. "There's got to be some mystery deep within the forbidden area, right? Come on, be honest, do you feel it?"
"I just have a sense that something out of the ordinary might be happening deep within the forbidden area. As for the details, I can't quite put my finger on it," Yu Yuan responded.
For a considerable stretch of time, the group pressed on through the wilderness, guided deeper into the forbidden area by Lee Yu's instructions.
Lee Yu was well-prepared; he had a thorough understanding of the terrain, the directions, and even the details of various pits within the forbidden area.
Without Yu Yuan, and had he not received that ancient sword spirit, Lee Yu would have been the most suitable leader.
The Moonfiend had yet to show itself.
With the Demon Core in his possession, Yu Yuan bravely continued his practice of the Evil Body Refining technique. Night after night, he endured grueling cultivation sessions, harnessing the wild and chaotic spiritual energy to purify his flesh and blood over and over.
He was acutely aware of the expansion of his meridians and the significant hardening of his bones.
The early period of Soul Awakening was crucial for forging the body and transforming the flesh. Yu Yuan had laid a rock-solid foundation at this stage, which would prove immensely beneficial as he advanced toward Veil Breaking.
Several days later, Yan Lu from the Yan family successfully advanced to the Veil Breaking realm after a session of cultivation!
Meanwhile, the others, despite the Moonfiend's daunting pressure and the severe conditions, were also making breakthroughs.
Some had moved from the early to the middle period of the Golden Sanctum.
Others had ascended from the Soul Awakening to the Golden Sanctum realm.
The intense pressure and fear actually spurred everyone on, driving them to cultivate desperately. They even shared tips and insights on cultivation with each other.
Even the typically reserved Lee Yu, when approached for advice, would offer a few helpful pointers.
Following the departure of Van Le and the Lin family members, the remaining survivors banded together in the face of the Moonfiend's menace, showing unprecedented unity.
"Brother, I've run out of Seed of Life," Yu Feifei confessed one night, approaching Yu Yuan with a hint of embarrassment. "I've made a breakthrough too. I'm now in the middle period of the Soul Awakening realm. I need the Seed of Life to assist in refining my body."
"Are you referring to the Seed of Life?" Su Yan, who was nearby, suddenly chimed in.
Yu Yuan turned to her with a puzzled look.
Su Yan rose from her seated meditation and approached Yu Feifei, offering her two pills. "These are the Seed of Life pills crafted by our Su family. They will aid in your swift recovery while cultivating in the Soul Awakening Realm."
Yu Feifei, momentarily taken aback, looked to Yu Yuan for guidance. Only after seeing him nod did she quickly express her gratitude, "Thank you very much, Miss Su."
Internally, Yu Feifei harbored a fear of Su Yan, having long been aware of her reputation and knowing that Su Yan's father was the heir apparent to the Su family leadership.
Historically, the Yu family had tread lightly in their dealings with the Su family, whose representatives always carried themselves with an air of superiority.
The fact that Su Yan was now proffering two Seeds of Life without any expectation of payment was beyond Yu Feifei's wildest dreams.
"There's no need for thanks. Your brother has done so much for all of us. The Seed of Life is but a trifle, hardly worth mentioning," Su Yan said dismissively, then moved closer to Yu Yuan. After a brief pause, she asked in a low voice, "What's the situation with the Yuan family and Zhao family's Seed of Life pills?"
