C1434 Recollecting the past

Yu Yuan fell silent, lost in thought.

Numerous alchemists emerged from the shadowy recesses of the cavern, their eyes resting on the lifeless, tragically deceased bodies before them. They hesitated briefly before retreating slightly.

Chi Ye's face was devoid of joy; instead, it was etched with fear and concern.

The sight of Qu Yun and the other corpses brought back memories of Yu Yuan's deeds from three centuries earlier. In some ways, Yu Yuan's past cruelty surpassed even that of the deceased Qu Yun.

At least Qu Yun and his group would present some semblance of reason and evidence first.

Yu Yuan of old, however, acted solely on personal whims, his capricious nature leaving everyone unable to fathom his thoughts.

"His return in such a manner might not bode well for the sect," Chi Ye mused to himself. He had observed that the elder alchemists, those who had witnessed Yu Yuan and lived through that nightmarish era, were just as anxious as he was.

Zhong Ying, staggering, was quietly leading her two disciples away.

Her disciples, unaware of Yu Yuan's past actions, were visibly thrilled to have seen Yu Yuan dispatch Qu Yun and the others with such swiftness, constantly craning their necks for another glimpse.

Only the young female disciple, barely in her twenties, had eyes brimming with admiration.

Chi Ye inwardly frowned, thinking to himself that they were truly oblivious to the dangers.

Before long, Lian Hu was the only one left in the vicinity of Yu Yuan and the multitude of corpses.

The demonic figure, with his disproportionately large head and slender body, leaned against a rock, his face a mask of resignation as a whirlwind of complex emotions churned within him.

Upon witnessing Yu Yuan's effortless slaying of Qu Yun and the others, Lian Hu couldn't help but superimpose the images of Yu Yuan and Hong Qi.

"It's just like before..." Lian Hu thought instinctively.

The difference was that previously, Yu Yuan would command them on who to kill, and they would obey.

Now, Yu Yuan, with his formidable personal combat abilities, no longer needed to instruct them. As soon as the intent to kill arose in his heart, he acted with swift decisiveness.

Resolute, brutal, and utterly fearless.

"That, Mr. Hong..."

After a lengthy pause, and seeing the rest of Healing Island's inhabitants looking towards Yu Yuan with terror, Lian Hu couldn't contain himself any longer. "Mr. Hong, what exactly are you planning to do on Healing Island this time?"

His words hung in the air, rendering the already silent island so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Yu Yuan's expression, ever-changing and inscrutable, shifted at Lian Hu's question. The Lunar Spirit retreated back into his consciousness, extinguishing the eerie crimson glow that had made everyone's skin crawl. The Baneblade, too, was sheathed.

Yu Yuan glanced at Lian Hu.

Lian Hu managed a smile more pained than tears, "Don't look at me like that. After your reincarnation failed, like me, most of the counselors recruited by the Order of Healing have perished. I'm lucky to be alive, mainly because I've kept a low profile ever since."

Yu Yuan gave a slight nod, "I'm aware."

From Qu Yun's soul memories, he knew that his former subordinates, his claws and teeth, lacked loyalty. As soon as they learned his soul had dissipated, they shamelessly switched allegiance to their senior brother, Zhong Chichen.

Lian Hu was no different.

Many of them had committed heinous crimes before joining the Order of Healing, acts so vile they enraged both gods and men, making them targets for elimination by the five supreme powers.

Their survival and avoidance of justice were due to their status as counselors of the Order of Healing.

Yet even close to him, they scarcely curbed their ways. Whether acting on their own or under his orders, they committed numerous unspeakable atrocities.

Eventually, Senior Brother and Qu Yun conspired, assigning them tasks that sent them away.

Those with poor self-control, once outside the Order of Healing and active on other continents and in the deep seas, quickly fell silent.

——Secretly taken care of by the Chou family.

Senior Brother feigned ignorance, having released them to satisfy others' thirst for revenge.

Lian Hu had his suspicions, which is why he adamantly refused to leave, never venturing out, staying either within the Order of Healing or hidden on Healing Island.

Decades later, with most of his peers gone, Lian Hu finally risked emerging.

By then, Senior Brother was recruiting counselors again and gradually welcomed him back.

That's how he managed to survive.

"Why would you be afraid of me?" Yu Yuan chuckled, "Have you been up to no good behind my back? Lian Hu, I can overlook others, but you were the one I personally saved and brought into the Order of Healing. If you've ever schemed against me, well..."

"Mr. Hong, please don't accuse me unjustly!" Lian Hu protested urgently, "I haven't done a thing! Besides, I've always been scared of you, as you well know! How could I possibly dare?"

"Hong..."

As everyone scattered, the red-bearded Chi Ye, being the senior-most by rank, reluctantly stepped forward.

"Just call me Yu Yuan."

"Alright, Yu Yuan it is."

Without hesitation, Chi Ye descended nimbly from the cave dwelling and soon stood before Yu Yuan, under the watchful eyes of the crowd. "Qu Yun is curtailing the freedom of herbalists. Many who have dedicated themselves to the art of medicine have mysteriously perished."

With a heavy heart, he gazed upon the bodies of his two disciples and said, "The Artifact Sect has managed to stay neutral and maintain its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Why can't we do the same? I'm not sure if it's Mr. Zhong's directive or Qu Yun's personal agenda, but merely visiting Celestial Isle has branded us traitors!"

"Celestial Isle is rich with the magic items necessary for our craft. Cutting ties with the Chamber of Commerce has dealt us a severe blow!"

Chi Ye focused solely on the plight of the Order of Healing, detailing the myriad changes the sect had undergone over the last three centuries.

Had Yu Yuan not become corrupted, Chi Ye would have unwaveringly supported him to the end.

Yu Yuan's philosophy was a reflection of the former sect master's vision: the Order of Healing should always be led by herbalists, with leechcraft reigning supreme over the path of cultivation.

Yu Yuan, unable to cultivate himself, embodied this principle flawlessly. Regardless of his actions, he was always the puppet master.

Even counselors like Lian Hu followed his lead, never daring to cross a herbalist.

When Zhong Chichen took the helm of the Order of Healing and began to favor Qu Yun, promoting Chu Yao, he delved deep into his cultivation, seeking the Unbound state, and neglected the sect's affairs.

His indifference sent a troubling message, encouraging Qu Yun to favor those with innate talents for cultivation.

Chu Yao turned a blind eye.

Over time, skilled alchemists like Chi Ye found themselves marginalized, their influence in the sect's governance silenced.

Even significant decisions within the sect no longer included the consultation of Chi Ye and his peers.

Over time, herbalists seem to have been reduced to servitude for the cultivators. The precious pills they laboriously crafted were either directly consumed by Qu Yun and his ilk or traded to the merchants for magical items and crystals to enhance their spiritual cultivation and combat prowess.

In such a revered sanctuary for alchemy, it's tragic that the herbalists have lost their esteemed status.

How sorrowful is that?

"Elder Chi..."

Yu Yuan began to speak but abruptly fell silent. After a brief pause, he opted to communicate telepathically, "In my past life, my temperament changed drastically, likely due to a poison affecting my soul. Unable to cultivate, my soul was too frail to detect it. This time, I've returned to uncover the truth and to steer the sect back on course."

"I will uphold and advance our Master's legacy and philosophy."

Yu Yuan spoke candidly.

Chi Ye's eyes sparkled, his hands shook, and a radiant glow spread across his face.

Yu Yuan nodded affirmatively and continued, "You will uphold the order on the island. I have some questions for Lian Hu."

"Yes! Absolutely!" Chi Ye nodded vigorously.

Meanwhile, Lian Hu was a bundle of nerves, hastily trying to clear his name, insisting he had done nothing to betray Yu Yuan.

"Let's find a more suitable place to talk."

Yu Yuan flashed a smile, seized Lian Hu's arm, and with him in tow, soared into the air, heading for Celestial Isle. "I remember when the Sky Chariot shattered, you were the one who carried me to safety."

Lian Hu, taken aback, then forced a laugh, "You used to get sick upon landing."

He glanced at Yu Yuan's face and, inexplicably, his anxiety seemed to dissipate.

"Indeed, I got sick because I was too weak back then," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a smile. "But weren't you the one who got even sicker from the spreading poison smoke?"

Lian Hu's complexion turned ashen.

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