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The Crimson Sun Empire and the Sunlit Order share a profound connection that is common knowledge.

Despite this, the Sunlit Order's recruitment of disciples is not limited to the Crimson Sun Empire.

The criteria for becoming a disciple of this prestigious upper sect are exceedingly stringent.

Talented youths from Aetherius, the Land of Quiescence, and beyond aspire to join the Sunlit Order.

Take Lin Zhuyun, for instance, who was fortunate enough to gain the favor of Winter's Bite—a significant achievement, considering Winter's Bite is merely one of the seven lower sects in Euwrea.

Whether it's the depth of the sect's heritage, the potency of its spells, or the caliber of its overseeing cultivators, none can match the Sunlit Order.

Disciples from the Sunlit Order, Ebon Star, Sword Sect, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep are the true cream of the crop, the prodigies among prodigies.

Consider the two individuals before us, official disciples of the Sunlit Order, arriving in a golden carriage.

Both are in the Veil Breaking Stage—the man in the late period and the woman in the middle period.

Yet, even peak Lunar Spirit experts like Qin Yun of the Midnightshields must show them deference.

Their esteemed status as Sunlit Order disciples and the exceptional treatment they receive upon entry are only part of the reason for the respect they command; their extraordinary personal backgrounds also play a significant role.

The man, Duan Guanlan, and the woman, Wu Zimo, hail from some of the most prominent families in the Crimson Sun Empire.

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

Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo were identified early on for their exceptional talent and chosen by the Sunlit Order, further solidifying the trust and recognition bestowed upon the Duan and Wu families by the Sunfire Emperor.

It is widely recognized that the imperial family of the Crimson Sun Empire and the Sunlit Order have deep-seated ties.

Upon reaching the Veil Breaking Realm, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo were taken under the Sunlit Order's wing to cultivate in Euwrea, where they were granted access to high-level spells and extraordinary artifacts.

On this occasion, the two had come back to the Crimson Sun Empire for a different matter. Upon learning of the sudden upheaval in the Moonfall Sanctuary, they eagerly volunteered to explore the forbidden area and uncover the truth.

Following them were several formidable members of the Crimson Sun Empire, some hailing from the Duan and Wu families. The others, acting on directives from the Sunfire Emperor and the state preceptor, were tasked with ensuring the safety of the duo within the forbidden area at all costs. These two were considered the jewels of the empire, cherished and heavily invested in by the Sunlit Order; their well-being was paramount.

"I've heard that this year's trial-takers from the Silvermoon Empire have outdone those of the past," Duan Guanlan remarked, scanning the crowd with a hint of disappointment. "But looking at them, they seem rather unremarkable."

Wu Zimo, standing nearby, let out a light laugh and responded, "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."

"The Crimson Sun Empire will eventually annex the Silvermoon Empire," Duan Guanlan stated confidently, as if the matter was already settled in his mind. "Once the state preceptor is ceremoniously inducted into the sect and the heaven soul transforms into the Solar Spirit, given the bond between the state preceptor and the Sunfire Emperor, wouldn't the Silvermoon Empire have to surrender willingly if the state preceptor chose to return for one last battle?"

"The Silvermoon Queen will likely be the first to capitulate," Wu Zimo said with a smile.

At these words, Lee Yuchan, Lee Yu, and the rest of the Lee family members wore icy expressions. Despite being formal disciples of the Sunlit Order, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo usually wouldn't dare to make such bold statements in their presence.

Their current brazenness was undoubtedly a reflection of their substantial strength. Moreover, they were on a mission to assist Lee Yuchan and her companions in their escape from the sanctuary.

Lee Yuchan, known as the female butcher of the Silvermoon Empire, had slain countless individuals from the Crimson Sun Empire, earning the enmity of nearly everyone there. The cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire, though inwardly resistant to the idea, were compelled to follow the orders of the Sunfire Emperor and the state preceptor and thus reluctantly came to their aid.

They arrived and followed orders, but their words remained their own.

"Why would the Crimson Sun Empire be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Silvermoon Empire if not for Zhou Cangmin?" Yan Lu scoffed, the first to speak out. "It's your state preceptor we admire! Without him, the Crimson Sun Empire would still be at the bottom of the Aetherius hierarchy, still overshadowed by the Silvermoon Empire!"

The Crimson Sun Empire's guests darkened at these words.

Zhou Cangmin had risen like a comet, outshining all his contemporaries in the empire—a fact known to all.

While the Silvermoon Empire attributed the Crimson Sun Empire's strength mainly to Zhou Cangmin, within the Crimson Sun Empire, this view was neither held nor expressed.

After all, did Zhou Cangmin's brilliance render his entire generation worthless?

Yet, those cultivators who had come with Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo belonged to the same era as Zhou Cangmin and had been eclipsed by him, making them all the more resistant to such claims.

Even Qin Yun of the Midnightshields fell silent upon hearing Yan Lu's remarks, his expression betraying his discomfort and displeasure.

"Yu Yuan, are you unaware of their identities?"

Su Yan of the Su family whispered to Yu Yuan, who was seated quietly, "Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo were selected by the Sunlit Order years ago. They're only a few years our senior and have been recognized by the Crimson Sun Empire as potential pillars of the nation, capable of emulating Zhou Cangmin's stature."

Yu Yuan chuckled dismissively, "Those two? Can they really match Zhou Cangmin's caliber?"

His tone was unabashedly scornful.

He found it odd. In his view, Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo didn't even compare to Su Yan or Lee Yu in temperament, though their talent for cultivation might be slightly superior.

Such individuals were unlikely to ever reach the heights of Zhou Cangmin, and would probably struggle in the Euwrea Continent in the future.

Though the Sunlit Order was formidable, the Sword Sect and Ebon Star held their own, and the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep of the Land of Quiescence were home to many a mighty figure. Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo's overbearing natures might allow them to strut about in Aetherius and the Silvermoon Empire, but they would hardly be noticed elsewhere.

"What's so funny?"

Wu Zimo was already agitated by Yan Lu's remarks when she caught Yu Yuan and Su Yan whispering. She couldn't miss the derisive look Yu Yuan cast her and Duan Guanlan's way.

"You're fortunate that as an insect of the Soul Awakening Realm, you didn't perish in the forbidden area. And yet, you lack the decorum to remain silent during our conversation. I'm curious which insignificant family you hail from," she said with a scowl.

"Sister, you're not mistaken. I indeed come from the least of families within the Silvermoon Empire," Yu Yuan replied with a calm smile, maintaining his composure. "As for those alien souls swarming at the entrance to our country's forbidden area, we will indeed need your esteemed efforts."

A flicker of curiosity crossed Wu Zimo's eyes. "How did you know we were here to join forces against those alien souls?"

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

"Who is this guy?"

Duan Guanlan was taken aback and pointed at Yu Yuan, turning to Qin Yun of the Midnightshields for an answer.

Qin Yun and Zhao Jian had arrived earlier, having researched Lee Yu and the five crescents in advance—something Duan Guanlan was aware of, prompting his question.

With an awkward expression, Qin Yun replied, feeling quite uncomfortable, "This is Yu Yuan from the Yu family of Asvetaesi, fiancé to Lin Zhuyun."

"Lin Zhuyun's fiancé? That name rings a bell!" Wu Zimo also laughed, her smile bright. "Isn't he supposed to be a good-for-nothing?"

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