C1290 They Would Tell Each Other Everything
In the Brugeth, the true world beyond our own, the Lunar Spirit steered the Dragon Slaying Stage, having just taken flight from the rare stone, when Yu Yuan's real body seized it.
Whoosh!
The Lunar Spirit returned to the Mindscape. Yu Yuan, gripping the Dragon Slaying Stage, cautiously used it to detect any surrounding anomalies.
He concentrated, listening intently.
At that moment, the Solar Spirits of the Evil Sect, along with the "Divine Healer" Chu Yao, had taken their leave.
They utilized the special emblems provided by Lin Yan to seek out the moving Starway, eager to depart from the extraterritorial battlefield posthaste.
The only ones remaining were Faang Yao and Yuan Lianyao, still within the cauldron.
Yuan Lianyao's excitement was palpable. Her slender neck, marred with cracks, was held high, her eyes, fiery as Fire Crystals, fixed intently on Yu Yuan.
"Shh!"
Yu Yuan gestured for silence.
Both she and an equally stirred Faang Yao instantly fell quiet.
Moments later, Yu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, having heard no alarming flutter of butterfly wings.
After harnessing the demon energy from the totem-poles through the young Titan Spinosaurus, he refrained from attempting to destroy the totem-poles crafted by the Shadow's Keep.
He avoided further conflict and chose not to slay Lin Zhuyun or the Ghoul King for other considerations.
The inner realm of the rare stone, the Embers Sea, was a creation of the Abyssal Leviathan.
The Abyssal Leviathan had refined most of the totem-poles, with sixteen still incomplete. Notably, the totem-pole corresponding to the Dark Phoenix was beyond the Leviathan's ability to refine.
Crafted by the Dark Phoenix, the totem-pole's fate if subjected to the Dragon Slaying Stage's power was uncertain.
Yu Yuan opted for restraint, sensing that excessive actions might provoke the Dark Phoenix or the Abyssal Leviathan.
Thus, the little world within the rare stone became the arena for a strategic contest between him, the Shadow's Keep, and the Abyssal Leviathan.
He had an intuition that the butterfly's flapping wings had assisted his Lunar Spirit in entering. That was the outcome he desired.
The Voidweaver remained unseen. Deep within the Brugeth, another Origin Gate was open, and the enigmatic Origin Deity seemed poised to intervene at any moment.
Thus, he refrained from further destruction or causing upheaval.
At last, he reabsorbed the Dragon Slaying Stage into his acupoints.
Yet, even then, he couldn't be certain if the Voidweaver was still lurking in the shadows...
"Mr. Hong, what concerns you?"
After a moment, Faang Yao, noticing Yu Yuan's eased tension, drew closer.
"The Voidweaver."
Yu Yuan didn't conceal the truth, casting a glance towards the heart of the Brugeth. He briefly described the oddities within, including how Pei Yuling and a Shadowkin elder had jointly forged an Origin Gate. The Voidweaver's space magic could infiltrate any region of the Shattered Star.
"So that's the reason!"
Faang Yao had an epiphany and shared that Chu Yao, after their meeting, had also spoken of the bizarre occurrences on the massive meteorite.
With the comparison, Faang Yao naturally arrived at a conclusion.
"I'll leave you two to catch up. I won't intrude. But remember, don't linger too long..."
Faang Yao, ever considerate, informed Yu Yuan, particularly stressing that Yuan Lianyao's real body was still in seclusion within the forbidden area of the Ruby Hand, urging Yu Yuan to bear this in mind.
Subsequently, Faang Yao transformed into a colossal ball of fire and soared away.
Yuan Lianyao, stepping off the Red Demon Bell she had refined, emerged from the Crucible of Evil to Yu Yuan's side.
"This demonic bell resembles the Crucible of Evil. I chose it because its shape was akin to your cauldron," she said, her smile radiant.
She appeared unconcerned with the imperfections of the Solar Spirit Body.
The memory of Yu Yuan's frantic rush to her aid, with no hesitation when Lin Zhuyun had held her captive to threaten him, filled her heart with warmth and happiness.
The wondrous Red Demon Bell solidified into a set of dark red armor that she donned.
The armor fit her figure perfectly, accentuating her graceful, alluring silhouette. Her long, straight legs shimmered with a captivating red glow.
Alone and unobserved, she had no reservations as she locked eyes with Yu Yuan.
Moments later, she willingly embraced him, seeking the comfort of his arms.
Cradling her felt like embracing a piece of warm, exquisite jade to Yu Yuan, who savored the preciousness of this hard-won meeting. "You're too impatient for success. Though the dark arts of the Ruby Hand allow for swift cultivation, you..."
With concern etched on his face, he gently distanced himself to examine the crack on her neck. As Yu Yuan's finger traced it, he could feel the heat of escaping flames.
He realized instantly that these flaws would cause Yuan Lianyao's refined flame power to leak continuously.
Her cultivation speed and the tempering of her Solar Spirit would inevitably be compromised.
"Everyone is advancing rapidly. I can't afford to lag behind. Ann from Colddeath has already moved on. Liu Ying, Chen Qingyan—each of these exceptionally talented girls is rumored to be refining their Solar Spirit. How can I afford to relax? I'm deeply worried that it will be a long time before I can see you again."
"My fear is that I'll end up last, trailing behind all of them."
"You're aware that I don't possess their dazzling talents or their impressive family heritage. My favor from the Ruby Hand and Lord Faang Yao is all thanks to your influence."
"I..."
Known as the "blazing red lotus," Yuan Lianyao whispered her innermost thoughts while holding him tightly.
She battled feelings of inadequacy.
Chen Qingyan, Liu Ying, and Ann Ziqing—these three girls with deep connections to Yu Yuan were among the most remarkable figures in the Everlands.
She couldn't help feeling inferior, neither as quick in her cultivation nor as blessed with their formidable backgrounds.
Having finally emerged, she continually heard about Yu Yuan's adventures in the Extraterrestrial Star River, where he kept the company of the First Female Emperor of All Ages for an extended period.
Yuan Lianyao's heart was heavy with sorrow and a sense of powerlessness.
Bound by her allegiance to the Ruby Hand, constrained at every turn, she was overwhelmed by her circumstances...
At this moment, as she embraced Yu Yuan, a sense of gratitude towards Lin Zhuyun welled up within her. She was thankful that Lin Zhuyun had held her captive, using her as leverage against Yu Yuan, allowing her to witness the extent of his actions on her behalf.
It made her realize that she had always held a place in Yu Yuan's heart.
And not just any place, but one of great significance!
She clung to him even more tightly, fearing that if she let go, he might leave her side. Then, for decades, perhaps centuries, they might be worlds apart, with even a single meeting proving difficult.
"You soar so high and so quickly; I find myself... struggling to keep up. The thought of us drifting further apart fills me with such sorrow and a sense of powerlessness," she whispered softly.
Yu Yuan, unsure of how to comfort her, gently and repeatedly patted her back.
...
Within the same Star River.
The Songbird Queen, who had been in a deep slumber, fluttered her long eyelashes.
Yan Qiling, Moore, and Yan Ziyang of the Wraithcult watched her with bated breath, their hearts constricting with a mix of fear and reverence.
Yu Yiyi's brows were furrowed, her mood tinged with anxiety.
After a lengthy pause.
Chen Qinghuang's eyes slowly opened, and the dim Star River was suddenly illuminated by the divine light shining from her eyes, as if two translucent emerald gems had come to life.
"Where is he?" she asked in her characteristically detached tone.
"He had some matters to attend to elsewhere but will return shortly," Yan Ziyang replied, steeling himself as he stepped forward with a bowed waist and lowered head.
Chen Qinghuang cast a casual glance at Yan Qiling.
Feeling the weight of her gaze, Yan Qiling's heart skipped a beat. He chuckled nervously and assured her, "Don't worry, there won't be any issues. He should be back any moment now."
Chen Qinghuang then turned her attention to Yu Yiyi.
Yu Yiyi averted her gaze and declared, "My master is doing very well! Nothing has befallen him, and he has reaped many rewards!"
"Oh," the empress responded, nodding slightly with a cool detachment. "Then have him return. He should continue as planned and head to the meteorite where the Domain Gate is located."
