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The Primordial Yang Sect and the Rainier Empire share a profound connection that is common knowledge.

Yet, the Primordial Yang Sect's recruitment of disciples extends beyond the borders of the Rainier Empire.

Take the upper sects on the Heavenly Source Continent, including the Primordial Yang Sect, which impose incredibly stringent criteria for selecting their disciples.

It's not just on the Profound Sky Continent; across the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents, numerous talented youths aspire to join the Primordial Yang Sect.

Consider someone like Lim Zhuyun, who has garnered the Cold Yin Sect's favor—such fortune is no small feat.

The Cold Yin Sect is merely one of the seven lesser sects on the Heavenly Source Continent.

Whether it's the depth of their sect's heritage, the Spiritual Spell artifacts, or the level of cultivators presiding over them, none can hold a candle to the Primordial Yang Sect.

Disciples from the Primordial Yang Sect, Profound Sky Sect, Sword Sect, Demon Palace, and Devil Palace represent the crème de la crème, the cream of the crop among prodigies.

Take, for instance, the two official disciples of the Primordial Yang Sect arriving in a golden carriage.

Both are at the Profound Break Stage, with the tall man in the Late Period and the beautiful woman in the Middle Period.

Yet, even peak experts like Qin Yun of the Seven Divine Sect, at the pinnacle of the Yin God Stage, must show humility and respect.

Beyond their status as disciples of the Primordial Yang Sect and the exceptional treatment they receive, their extraordinary personal backgrounds also command reverence.

The man, Duan Guanlan, and the woman, Wu Zimo, hail from some of the most prestigious families within the Rainier Empire.

Their families' standing in the Rainier Empire is akin to that of the Yan and Su families in the Silvermoon Empire, second only to the royal lineage.

With their exceptional talents, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo were selected by the Primordial Yang Sect at a very young age, further solidifying the trust and recognition from the Scorching Sun Emperor for the Duan and Wu families.

It's widely acknowledged that the Rainier Empire's royal family and the Primordial Yang Sect have an exceptionally deep-rooted bond.

After reaching the Profound Break Stage, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo were escorted to the Heavenly Source Continent by the Primordial Yang Sect, which bestowed upon them high-level Spiritual Spells and exotic artifacts.

On this occasion, their return to the Rainier Empire was prompted by a different matter. Upon learning of the drastic upheaval in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, they eagerly stepped forward to assess the truth of the situation.

Among the Rainier Empire's experts trailing them, some hailed from the Duan and Wu families. The others, acting on directives from the Scorching Sun Emperor and the National Advisor, were tasked with ensuring the pair's safety within the Forbidden Area at all costs.

These two were considered the empire's jewels, carefully nurtured by the Primordial Yang Sect; their well-being was paramount.

"I've heard that the Silvermoon Empire's turnout for the Forbidden Area Trial has greatly exceeded previous years," Duan Guanlan observed, scanning the crowd with a hint of disappointment. "But looking at them, they seem unremarkable."

Wu Zimo, standing beside him, let out a light laugh. "The Silvermoon Empire has been under our thumb for years. They've finally managed to produce a batch of so-called prodigies. Don't underestimate them too quickly."

"Sooner or later, the Silvermoon Empire will fall within the Rainier Empire's domain," Duan Guanlan stated confidently, as if it were an undeniable truth. "Once the National Advisor is ceremoniously welcomed back into the sect and his soul ascends to the Yang God, given his rapport with the emperor, wouldn't the Silvermoon Empire have to surrender willingly?"

"The first to capitulate will likely be the Silvermoon Queen herself," Wu Zimo added, his smile broadening.

At these words, Lee Yuchan, Lee Yu, and the rest of the Lee family members' faces turned icy. Even as formal disciples of the Primordial Yang Sect, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo would not normally dare to make such bold statements.

Their current brazenness was undoubtedly a reflection of their formidable strength. Moreover, they had been tasked with aiding Lee Yuchan and others in their escape from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

Lee Yuchan, known as the female butcher of the Silvermoon Empire, had slain innumerable citizens of the Rainier Empire, earning the enmity of nearly everyone from the opposing nation.

The cultivators from the Rainier Empire, upon receiving their orders, were inwardly resistant. Yet, they dared not defy the commands of the Scorching Sun Emperor and the Imperial Advisor, and so they reluctantly made their way.

They arrived and followed orders, but they didn't hold back their true thoughts. "If not for Zhou Cangmin's meteoric rise, what chance would the Rainier Empire have to contend with the Silvermoon Empire?" Yan Lu scoffed, the first to voice his opinion. "It's your Imperial Advisor we respect! Without him, the Rainier Empire would remain the bottom-tier empire of the Profound Sky Continent, still under the thumb of the Silvermoon Empire!"

These words cast a shadow over the faces of the Rainier Empire's envoys. Zhou Cangmin's emergence had indeed eclipsed his contemporaries, a fact known to all. While the Silvermoon Empire attributed the Rainier Empire's strength largely to Zhou Cangmin, the Rainier Empire itself would never admit to such a singular dependency, let alone voice it. Was it to suggest that without Zhou Cangmin, the rest of his generation were failures?

The cultivators present, who had come with Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo, belonged to the same era as Zhou Cangmin and felt diminished by his brilliance. They were particularly opposed to this line of reasoning.

Even Qin Yun of the Seven Divine Sect fell silent at Yan Lu's words, his expression betraying his discomfort and clear displeasure.

"Yu Yuan, are you unaware of their identities?" Su Yan of the Su family whispered to Yu Yuan, who sat in contemplation. "That's Duan Guanlan, and the other is Wu Zimo. They were handpicked by the Primordial Yang Sect years ago. Only slightly older than us, they're seen by the Rainier Empire as potential pillars of the nation, capable of reaching Zhou Cangmin's stature."

Yu Yuan snorted softly, his voice laced with scorn. "Those two? Capable of becoming figures of Zhou Cangmin's caliber?" His skepticism was unmasked.

He found it puzzling; in his view, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo didn't even measure up to Su Yan or Lee Yu in temperament, though their innate talent for cultivation might be somewhat superior.

It's highly unlikely that such an individual could ever match Zhou Cangmin's stature. They're bound to face hardships on the Heavenly Source Continent in the future.

The Primordial Yang Sect may be formidable, but the Sword Sect and Profound Sky Sect are no slouches either. The Devil Palace and Demon Palace on the Quietus Continent are breeding grounds for the mighty. Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo's overbearing natures might let them strut around the Profound Sky Continent and the Silvermoon Empire, but they wouldn't stand a chance beyond their borders.

"What's so funny?"

Wu Zimo, already agitated by Yan Lu's remarks, caught Yu Yuan and Su Yan whispering. She couldn't miss the scorn in Yu Yuan's gaze directed at her and Duan Guanlan.

"A mere insect at the Spirit Accumulating Stage, lucky to have survived the forbidden area, and yet you lack the decency to show respect during our conversation. I can only wonder what minor clan you hail from," she said with a frown, chiding him.

"You're not mistaken, sister. I indeed come from the least of the Silvermoon Empire's families," Yu Yuan replied calmly, with a composed smile. "And as for the Alien Soul Demons swarming at the entrance to our nation's forbidden area, we would indeed appreciate your assistance."

A flicker of curiosity crossed Wu Zimo's eyes. "How did you know we're here to join forces with you against those Alien Soul Demons?"

Yu Yuan simply smiled. "I took a guess."

"And who might this be?"

Duan Guanlan, taken aback, pointed at Yu Yuan and turned to Qin Yun of the Seven Divine Sect for answers.

Qin Yun, alongside Zhao Jian, had arrived earlier and were well-prepared, anticipating such a query from Duan Guanlan.

With an awkward expression, Qin Yun replied, "He's Yu Yuan from the Yu family of Darkmoon City, betrothed to Lim Zhuyun."

"Lim Zhuyun's betrothed? That name rings a bell!" Wu Zimo chuckled with glee. "Isn't he just a good-for-nothing?"

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