C157 Full of Sincerity

The dense sword scars on the wall of the Soulforge Pool were what triggered the sword light in Yu Yuan's arm bone.

Yu Yuan couldn't discern the meaning behind the intricate sword scars, yet in the moment the sword light flared, he instantly realized something—the sword scars had been etched by the sword itself.

The sword light branded into his arm bone was a sword spell, infused with the essence of the sword's remnant soul.

It was this connection that allowed the sword light to respond, growing faintly warmer once its power was exhausted.

But it was only a slight warmth.

"These sword scars seem quite intriguing," Yu Yuan mused.

Qin Yun, catching his gaze, also turned to the Soulforge Pool. Observing the dense sword scars, he smiled and said, "If you're interested in pursuing swordsmanship, the Midnightshields have a master who has attained the Lunar Spirit level. I'll have him share all his knowledge with you. He should be able to get you started."

Yu Yuan gave him a surprised look. "Mr. Qin, you hold me in such high regard?"

"Absolutely," Qin Yun replied earnestly. "The foundation of the Silvermoon Empire doesn't compare to that of our Crimson Sun Empire. Ever since State Preceptor Zhou Cangmin's rise, the Crimson Sun Empire has taken the lead in every respect. Asvetaesi, where you come from, is at the bottom of the Silvermoon Empire's rankings. Your Yu family probably isn't given much consideration."

"Stepping away from your family constraints and joining the Midnightshields could lead to far greater achievements than you'd find in the Silvermoon Empire."

"I truly believe that with your intellect and talent for cultivation, you're destined to outshine Lee Yu and the so-called five new moons of the Silvermoon Empire! The Midnightshields could really use someone like you."

Qin Yun extended the invitation with utmost sincerity.

"I appreciate your kind offer, Mr. Qin," Yu Yuan said with a smile. "Let's discuss the possibility of me joining the Midnightshields later on."

"Very well," Qin Yun agreed.

Then, just like Yu Yuan, he returned his focus to the sword scars on the wall.

Before long, Yu Yuan saw a look of astonishment wash over Qin Yun's face, and a hint of fear flickered deep within his eyes.

"Mr. Qin? Mr. Qin?" he called out gently.

But Qin Yun seemed lost in his own world, unresponsive to Yu Yuan's voice.

Yu Yuan's face grew increasingly solemn.

Moments later, he noticed an exceptionally distinct fluctuation of Soul Power emanating from Qin Yun.

"Pfft!"

Qin Yun suddenly coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, utterly drained. It appeared as though his soul had sustained an injury.

"Mr. Qin?" Yu Yuan inquired once more.

Regaining his composure, Qin Yun gave Yu Yuan a bitter smile, his face pale. "The sword spirit etched into the pool's wall was horrifying. I only looked at it briefly, but it felt like my soul was being pulled in. It took all my strength to break free, and my Lunar Spirit suffered damage. The scariest part is, I'm not even sure what I saw."

Yu Yuan was taken aback. "I looked at it for quite a while and felt nothing."

"That's because your realm is still very low, and you haven't refined your spiritual sense," Qin Yun explained candidly. "Once you reach the Subtlety and enter the Lunar Spirit state, you'll likely experience what I did."

Yu Yuan, unoffended, nodded in understanding. "I see."

"Swoosh!"

Lee Yuchan, who had advanced to the Lunar Spirit Realm, arrived first at the Soulforge Pool.

"This is the Soulforge Pool?"

After just one glance, Lee Yuchan furrowed her brow. "Where's the monument and the Terra Fiend?"

Yu Yuan repeated the explanation he had given to Qin Yun.

After listening, Lee Yuchan stood quietly beside him and asked, "You're unable to communicate with the sword spirit or wield the forbidden power?"

"The so-called Soulforge Matrix has vanished. Where would I find any forbidden power to manipulate?" Yu Yuan replied with a wry smile.

"And yet you still dare to engage in idle chatter with Mr. Qin?" Lee Yuchan gave him a cold look. "If Mr. Qin decided to take a risk, he could silently obliterate your three souls. And you might not even get the chance to invoke the Dawn Arrow Blood Oath."

Qin Yun chuckled ruefully. "General Lee, please spare me the teasing."

"Mr. Qin, I'm somewhat aware of your tactics within the Crimson Sun Empire and your standing with the Midnightshields," Lee Yuchan said cautiously. "I doubt you'd be willing to let the Dawn Arrow, which is tied to your very life, bear the mark of another for long."

"For the time being, I have no intention of taking action," Qin Yun raised his hand and stated, "Moreover, I'm not inclined to take any risks. A single misstep could spell disaster for me."

Lee Yuchan kept her gaze fixed on him, not taking the situation lightly, and offhandedly inquired, "What's the deal with Lin Zhuyun?"

"What?" Yu Yuan feigned ignorance.

"I encountered her on my way here," Lee Yuchan said with a furrowed brow. "She was so aloof, completely ignoring me as she headed toward the Empire on her own. Doesn't she realize the dangers of that route? Has she forgotten how Van Le died? I called out to her, tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen."

"Just let her go," Yu Yuan shrugged.

"What exactly happened between you two?" Lee Yuchan pressed.

"That girl tried to harm her betrothed, but sadly, her skills were insufficient, and she ended up being invaded by an inner demon," Qin Yun disclosed the truth.

"She wanted to kill you?" Lee Yuchan's expression turned icy. "She's out of her mind. You've been looking out for everyone along the way, and she's seen it all. Yet she still harbored murderous thoughts!"

"That girl really is baffling. She's turned a perfectly good marriage into a complete mess!"

Clearly, Lee Yuchan was more sympathetic toward Yu Yuan than Lin Zhuyun, taking a stand with Yu.

"General Lee, if I've caused any offense in the past, I hope you can forgive and forget," Yu Yuan quickly bowed, adding, "By the way, I've lost control over the restrictions. If you're planning to discipline me, I'm utterly defenseless."

Previously, after Zhao Yafu witnessed her consuming a soul, she had contemplated killing Zhao Yafu.

Yu Yuan nearly activated the restriction, threatening to obliterate her Lunar Spirit with a bolt of lightning, which would have resulted in her death before Zhao Yafu.

This had caused tension between him and Lee Yuchan, leaving both parties displeased.

He hadn't anticipated that with the disappearance of the restriction, she would so clearly take his side over Lin Zhuyun's.

"General Lee isn't one to hold grudges," Qin Yun said with a light laugh. "Yu, remember this: the four Dawn Arrows bear your mark. You have the power to hold me in check."

He glanced at Lee Yuchan and continued, "The sword scars I received earlier have wounded my soul, but thankfully, they haven't damaged the core."

He subtly hinted that if Lee Yuchan truly intended to settle accounts, he would stand by Yu Yuan in battle.

Lee Yuchan was momentarily taken aback. "Mr. Qin, what are you planning?"

"Nothing much. I simply wish for Yu to visit our Midnightshields. If he's willing, it would be wonderful for him to become a disciple of the Midnightshields," Qin Yun stated earnestly, revealing his inner hopes.

"Mr. Qin is thinking too much. In my Silvermoon Empire, I, Lee Yuchan, have room for Yu Yuan!" Lee Yuchan huffed, her gaze suddenly fixed on the sword scars. "Have these sword scars wounded your soul?"

"Don't stare at them!" Yu Yuan commanded.

Yet, Lee Yuchan reacted even quicker than Qin Yun, as if she had been afflicted the moment the remnant soul emerged.

Lee Yuchan was instantly disoriented, unable to hear anything at all.

In the meantime, the sword light branded within Yu Yuan's arm bone began to grow warmer.

Significantly hotter than before!

"Qin Yun, her soul is injured, and now her remnant soul has also merged with it..."

Yu Yuan was bewildered for a few seconds before a realization dawned on him. "These sword scars seem capable of absorbing Soul Power! The increased heat in the sword light on my arm bone after Qin Yun and Lee Yuchan's experiences is clear evidence!"

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