C1085 Yu Family's Foundation

Time flew by, and before we knew it, seven days had elapsed. Jun Chen, Zhou You, and other loyalists of the Divine Soul Sect had scoured the Dark Domain for the elusive Frost Well, but to no avail. As the date of the grand event drew near, those in the know within the Chamber of Commerce and the Divine Soul Sect felt a growing sense of unease.

Over the past week, Yu Ying had been a constant presence throughout the Plover Realm. Piecing together overheard conversations and her own inquiries, she finally grasped the extent of her family junior's influence. Her visit to Zhongli and Shen Feiqing led to an encounter with Tan Yuan, a fellow sect member. It was then she discovered Yu Yuan's dual identity as the Medicine God, endorsed by the Divine Soul Sect, and the heir to Nie Qingtian's swordsmanship. Having once wandered the Outland Starry Sky, she was well-versed in the legends of Nie Qingtian. And as for the Divine Soul Sect, she had heard their name so frequently it was practically etched into her memory.

It was only then that she realized the gravity of Jun Chen's parting words. In the Plover Realm, Yu Yuan's standing was even more esteemed than that of Zhongli, both in the Divine Soul Sect and the Chamber of Commerce. When she learned that the Yu family's ancestor had ascended to become the first Ghost King in Horror Land, with Yu Yuan's assistance, Yu Ying was profoundly astounded. "The Yu family has truly become a force to be reckoned with!"

...

In the palace that the Chamber of Commerce had specifically set up for Yu Yuan, Luo Yue gently tapped on the door of the second-floor cultivation room. Upon hearing Ann Ziqing's invitation to enter, she stepped in with a smile. She presented a vial to her. "Miss Ann, these are ten Blood Elemental Pills. Each one contains the life force equivalent to half of an Eighth Level demonic beast."

The Blood Elemental Pills, resembling solidified blood crystals, emitted a gentle luminescence. "Yu Yuan sent me to deliver them," Luo Yue mentioned.

Ann Ziqing, now out of her purple divine armor and dressed in a simple purple gown, had a water tank before her, emanating a potent scent of blood. Engrossed in her Blood Refining Technique, she was distilling pure power from the tank. Sensing the immense vitality within the Blood Elemental Pills, even through the glass bottle, she narrowed her eyes and inquired, "These pellets?"

Canli from the Bright Clan commissioned us to craft a batch of pills that benefit the soul, offering a substantial reward of blood essence from various other races," Luo Yue explained with a smile. "This batch of Blood Elemental Pills was personally crafted by him. He's given you a bottle, another for Yu Ying, and kept some for himself."

"He's not entirely heartless, then," Ann Ziqing remarked dryly, accepting the bottle of the rare Blood Elemental Pills without hesitation.

With a delicate touch, she examined the pills inside the bottle and quickly ascertained that each Blood Elemental Pill contained at least a drop of blood essence from a Ninth Level vicious beast or a mighty warrior from another race. By combining these with lower-grade blood and a blend of more than ten herbs known for invigorating the blood, one could not only rapidly replenish vital energy and blood but also heal severe injuries to internal organs and flesh in a short time.

Each Blood Elemental Pill was certainly of Heaven Level quality. For her, as well as practitioners from the Ancient Desolate Sect and the Evil Sect who prioritize physical strength, or members of the Demon Race, these pellets were exceedingly valuable. In dire situations, they could even be life-saving.

After some thought, Ann Ziqing, aware of the fresh supply of blood and flesh from vicious beasts and other races in the Plover Realm, decided to save the Blood Elemental Pills for later enjoyment and placed them into her Universe Ring.

"He mentioned that you should take one as soon as possible to ensure you have sufficient strength before the grand meeting starts," Luo Yue reminded her.

"The Plover Realm isn't safe?" Ann Ziqing's expression shifted subtly.

She wasn't naive. Luo Yue's comment hinted at a potential threat. With the presence of formidable individuals from the Babel Chamber of Commerce, esteemed cultivators from the Divine Soul Sect nearby, and distinguished guests from various races, Yu Yuan's insistence on her swift recovery suggested an imminent danger.

Luo Yue nodded in confirmation and departed quietly.

Left alone, Ann Ziqing hesitated briefly before carefully taking out a Blood Elemental Pill and swallowing it, focusing intently on assimilating its potent power.

On the eighth day within the Plover Realm, a tumultuous spatial disturbance shook the deep pit housing the Death Nest, revealing five disheveled cultivators sporting dark red mohawks. The group, composed of both men and women, were no longer young. Their robes, adorned with patterns of crimson lightning, marked their seasoned age.

"We're not too late, are we?" inquired the leader, an Unrestrained Stage cultivator, his neck graced by a string of agate beads. Within each bead, red lightning burst forth, seeping into his skin.

"No, there are still two days to spare. Perfect timing," Zhou You replied with a welcoming smile.

He recognized immediately that these five were formerly of the Great Thunder Sky Sect, each a master of lightning and thunder secret arts. Having ventured into the Outland Star River, they founded their own faction, harnessing a peculiar lightning pool to refine the formidable "Heavenly Flaming Lightning," making them feared adversaries of the Outland Devaputra and numerous spectral entities.

Qi Yunhong was their chosen successor from Hao Ran, having been granted a portion of their "Heavenly Flaming Lightning."

"That Qi family lad is definitely here in the Plover Realm; I can detect the scent of lightning," the toothless old woman said with a wide smile. "I've taken a liking to that boy. He's bound to join us eventually! A few years back, I sent him some 'Heavenly Flaming Lightning,' and he actually advanced to the Yang God level."

She, too, was an Unrestrained Stage cultivator and a leader within the Thunder Sect of the Outland Star River.

"You crazy old bat, are you hoping he'll take up your legacy?" the old man with the agate necklace teased with a sly laugh. "His disposition does resemble yours, so it's no surprise you've taken an interest in him."

Before the old woman could respond, her empty sleeve began to bulge as if something within was struggling to break free. However, with a slight change in her expression, she contained it with a sphere of lightning, preventing its escape.

The other four cultivators, experts in lightning and thunder, noticed the anomaly and subtly furrowed their brows.

"It seems our suspicions were correct," the old woman with the missing teeth said, taking a deep breath and glancing at her sleeve. "That thing is connected to the Evil Cauldron. It must be the oddity you mentioned."

"Are you Zhou You? We're looking for Yu Yuan; we need to speak with him," she stated with a grave tone.

"Everyone, are we seeking out Yu Yuan for a good reason, or are we looking for trouble?" Zhou You was well aware that the five individuals before him had been wreaking havoc across the Outland Star River for years, making enemies at every turn. They were notorious for their arrogance and lack of discipline. "Let me be clear from the outset. Yu Yuan is not only closely affiliated with our Babel Chamber of Commerce, but he is also the one specifically named by the owner of the bronze coffin to be under our protection."

"Does the Primordial Divine King value him as well?"

"After the Primordial Divine King emerged from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and unleashed his divine might once again, would he really concern himself with that young man?"

"Could it be that the young man played a role in the Primordial Divine King's return?"

Several evil cultivators from the Thunder Sect, who had established their own factions, marveled at the thought.

Zhou You shook his head, "That's beyond my knowledge."

"Enough speculation. We bear no grudge against the lad. Moreover, I'm aware that Qi Yunhong managed to reconstitute his Yang God." The old woman let out a sinister chuckle, lifting her sleeve. "The item in question may have originated from the Evil Cauldron, which I stumbled upon by chance. I'm seeking Yu Yuan to verify it."

"What exactly is it?" Zhou You's curiosity was piqued.

"It's believed to be one of the Twelve Demons," the old woman revealed without further concealment. "Or at least a fragment of one. It was quite feeble when I acquired it. I've been nourishing it with the essence of ghost spirits, and it has gradually grown stronger. Still, I'm not its true master, and it tends to be unruly."

"And your plan?" Zhou You was taken aback.

"Surely trading with Yu Yuan for some pellets shouldn't pose a problem, right?" the old woman huffed.

"Ha, now I get it."

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