C159 Silvermoon Queen
When the Soulforge Matrix in the Moonfall Sanctuary malfunctioned and the seal over the world was broken, numerous cultivators in the vicinity had already become aware of the change. As Wraith Ape-like alien souls and goasts swarmed through the archway, the majority of the hidden observers had come to a clear understanding of the situation.
On the day the bronze coffin ascended to the heavens with a domineering presence, several experts bore witness to the event. The state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire, for instance, projected his Lunar Spirit and gazed longingly at the stars, watching the departure of the bronze coffin.
The night deepened, and within the dense clouds, a figure in white silently took form. Here, deep within the clouds of the Moonfall Sanctuary, the figure solidified from an ethereal state into the likeness of a distinguished scholar clad in white. Adorned with a jade belt, his fair skin and suave posture lent him an air of effortless charm and sophistication.
A commanding and cold snort emanated from a thick cluster of clouds. The clouds churned wildly, unleashing a terrifying energy field that caused the surrounding clouds to vanish. Suddenly, countless twinkling lights, like a swarm of moths, converged on the tumultuous clouds, as if drawn by a collective consciousness or remnant souls.
The scholar in white waited in silence. Seconds later, a slender figure in silver emerged from the dense clouds. She was a delicate and stunning woman, her silver garments shimmering as if capable of absorbing the very essence of the sun and moon, adorned with maps of mountains and rivers that represented the territories of the great empires across the Aetherius Continent. Her ambition was unmistakable.
The woman's features were indistinct, impossible to discern clearly, and behind her hung a blank canvas that floated and rustled, seemingly imbued with the space magic of a singular space.
"It's been a while," the scholar in white greeted with a warm smile and a respectful bow. "Your Majesty, I have come as the Lunar Spirit to discuss the turmoil between our two nations."
"State Preceptor, what knowledge do you hold of the Moonfall Sanctuary below us?" inquired the queen of the Silvermoon Empire, who had also arrived in her Lunar Spirit form. She regarded Zhou Cangmin of the Crimson Sun Empire with a mix of emotions.
This individual had a meteoric rise within the Crimson Sun Empire, boldly reforming the relationships between the upper sects and the other sects across the continent of Euwrea.
Yet, the Sunfire Emperor had become his close friend without a hint of suspicion.
Under Zhou Cangmin's reforms, the Crimson Sun Empire systematically addressed and eliminated numerous internal and external challenges, leading to a resurgence in national power and the emergence of many formidable cultivators.
In contrast, Zhou Cangmin's own country was overrun with brutes and, although it had its share of powerful cultivators, none could match the control over national affairs exhibited by the man before him, not even Zhou Cangmin himself or the other so-called pillars of the state.
Zhou Cangmin's own cultivation had also progressed rapidly, his newfound edge commanding both respect and fear.
Countless assassination attempts against him were deftly neutralized, often without anyone noticing.
By the time Zhou Cangmin recognized him as a significant threat, he had become so formidable that even Zhou Cangmin felt overwhelmed by a sense of futility, as if he were unkillable.
Fortunately, this individual would not remain in the Crimson Sun Empire much longer, as he was soon to depart for the continent of Euwrea.
Despite her envy and fear of the Crimson Sun Empire's state preceptor, she couldn't help but secretly admire him.
She had more than once publicly acknowledged that the recent rise in power of the Crimson Sun Empire was solely due to the state preceptor's emergence.
"The dossier I covertly sent to Her Majesty the Empress contains all the information I have," Zhou Cangmin said with a radiant smile. "Numerous alien souls and creatures from the Silvermoon Empire have already flooded into the Moonfall Sanctuary. If we don't eradicate them swiftly, they will become a threat to both our nations as they grow in strength."
"I have informed the Sunfire Emperor that our nation is prepared to dispatch cultivators to join you in the forbidden area."
"My only wish is that Her Majesty the Empress will not question our sincerity and refrain from any covert actions that could sour relations between our two nations," Zhou Cangmin stated.
"What is the nature of that bronze coffin?" inquired the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire.
"I am unsure," Zhou Cangmin replied, his expression growing somber. "All I can confirm is that an immensely powerful soul lies dormant within the bronze coffin. He is likely concerned that his emergence would alert the three great upper sects of Euwrea, as well as the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, which is why he is eager to depart."
"If he doesn't leave, he will direct his hostility toward both of our nations."
The state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire spread his hands and bluntly stated, "Both our empires will be destroyed."
"Is it really that terrifying?" the Silvermoon Empire's queen exclaimed in alarm.
"Yes, he is the most formidable entity within the Everlands," Zhou Cangmin affirmed with a slow nod. "Such ancient beings, whether gods or devils, are beyond our current power and realm. However, there's no need for us to be alarmed. The fact that he fled into the Star River with a massive bronze coffin upon his emergence suggests he too fears something or someone."
The Silvermoon Empire's queen reflected deeply before turning to look behind her.
With a gesture of her hand, a five-colored divine light began to sketch upon the blank scroll.
The scroll suddenly burst forth with a dazzling divine light, and the mysterious force of the space was imbued within it.
In an instant, Lee Yuchan, Yu Yuan, and many other trial-takers from the Silvermoon Empire materialized on the scroll.
Even Qin Yun from the Midnightshields was visible in the distance.
Unaware of their projection by this miraculous item, the figures on the scroll continued in their own worlds, some studying the sword scars, others like Yu Yuan, deep in meditation.
"The Silvermoon Empire's Heavenly Brahma Painting is indeed enigmatic," Zhou Cangmin remarked with an easy smile, his interest piqued by the evolving scenes on the scroll. "Your Majesty, this generation of your empire is truly remarkable. It's just unfortunate that Qin Yun, who bravely volunteered to go inside, seems to have run into bad luck, encountering a disturbance in the forbidden area."
At the mention of this, a pang of sorrow struck the Silvermoon Empire's queen.
She recalled a past generation of trial-takers, radiant as the stars, in whom she had placed great hope.
Some of those promising young talents could have reached the status of Lunar Spirit if not for their untimely demise.
Instead, Zhou Cangmin, having lain in wait within the Moonfall Sanctuary and evaded the Veil of Illusions, emerged to ruthlessly eliminate many of the empire's gifted seeds and made a clean getaway.
Zhou Cangmin's victory had catapulted him to fame, nearly wiping out the empire's so-called geniuses of that era.
The major families of the empire, already deeply wounded, had sought vengeance in the Crimson Sun Empire multiple times, only to fall into Zhou Cangmin's traps and suffer further losses.
The decline of the Empire seemed to have begun with that trial, marking the start of Zhou Cangmin's bloody ascent from that very battle.
Years later, the Empire was once again graced by divine favor and fortune's gaze. Lee Yu, a figure of great renown, ventured into the forbidden area for another trial, only to encounter unforeseen peril.
"Your Majesty, why not come in person and bring them back yourself?" Zhou Cangmin inquired softly.
"Why haven't you come here yourself?" the Empress countered.
"The enchantments of the great formation have only recently been lifted. Whether there are lurking perils within, I cannot say," Zhou Cangmin replied with a smile. "I value my life too much to gamble it away without clear knowledge. Even though the bronze coffin has departed, should there remain any alien souls within, weaker though they may be, I am not equipped to confront them."
The Empress of the Silvermoon Empire let out a soft sigh, "The unknown dangers are indeed the most fearsome."
She dared not descend in the flesh, opting instead to project the "Divine Sky Pattern" and manifest as a Lunar Spirit in the firmament, her concerns mirroring those dangers.
With the seal's power dissipated, alien souls and goasts hidden in the shadows might be roused by the world's tumultuous changes. Without a force to subdue them, they could emerge from the darkness.
To enter rashly is to court uncertainty of safe return.
Moreover, could the vanished seal be a trap?
Those in high positions must consider the bigger picture, avoiding impulsive actions. Thus, both the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire and Zhou Cangmin prudently sent others to investigate the Soulforge Pool first.
"The alien souls and goasts appear to be converging over there," Zhou Cangmin noted, pointing directly at the Soulforge Pool on the scroll, where Yu Yuan and company were located.
The Empress of the Silvermoon Empire gazed intently at her sister and Lee Yu within the "Divine Sky Pattern," her heart tinged with worry.
From her elevated vantage, aided by the "Divine Sky Pattern," she could faintly discern the potent auras and remnant souls, like streaks of light fleeting through the void, converging on the Soulforge Pool.
The Wraith Ape, the azure-robed lad, the crescent pendant, and other formidable archdemons were all present.
These vicious alien souls were by no means weak. Once they had all arrived, it was likely that the survivors near the pool would perish.
Even Qin Yun of the Midnightshields would struggle to escape with his life unless he managed to break free immediately.
"Your Majesty, who is that individual from your Silvermoon Empire?" Zhou Cangmin inquired, nodding toward a solitary figure seated in the corner of the Soulforge Pool, holding a White Paper Fan. "During his cultivation, your sister, along with everyone else, seemed to be watching him, either deliberately or inadvertently."
The Empress appeared slightly taken aback and responded with curiosity, "Is that so?"
"You should observe more closely," Zhou Cangmin suggested with interest. "For some reason, I have a feeling that this young man could be an unpredictable factor."
