C162 Digging a Pit!

The name Yu Yuan was unknown in the Crimson Sun Empire, yet Lin Zhuyun's betrothed was a topic of widespread conversation. Lin Zhuyun, the treasured daughter of the Lin family, was celebrated alongside Su Yan as one of the two most radiant jewels of the Silvermoon Empire. Selected by the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite, her fate was to be taken to the continent of Euwrea, a destiny that merited the Crimson Sun Empire's attention.

Among the many whispers about her, the most relished tale was that this esteemed daughter of the Silvermoon Empire had been promised in marriage from a young age to a fiancé. Unfortunately, her intended was considered a good-for-nothing, lacking any talent for cultivation and perpetually adrift in a fog of aimlessness.

"Lin Zhuyun's fiancé?" Duan Guanlan paused, his interest piqued. His reaction was more pronounced than Wu Zimo's, his gaze upon Yu Yuan piercing and intense.

Within the Sunlit Order, he had encountered a rumor about a senior brother he admired. This brother was said to require the tempering force of ice power to successfully cultivate a potent Yang spell. This senior brother was a native prodigy of Euwrea, commanding the spotlight.

Similarly, in Euwrea, a cultivator of Winter's Bite with an inherent Yin constitution, whose spiritual energy and vitality shared that same nature, would practice a unique ice spell. Duan Guanlan was aware that Lin Zhuyun, also from Aetherius, had been gifted an extraordinary spell by the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite. This spell was the perfect complement to his esteemed fellow disciple's practice.

In truth, the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite had orchestrated everything well before Lin Zhuyun set foot on Euwrea. All that remained was for Lin Zhuyun to reach the Veil Breaking stage and be brought to Winter's Bite, where an extremely cold pill would be used to enhance her cultivation. Then, she would be introduced to that senior disciple.

Lin Zhuyun was destined to become the cultivation partner of this senior disciple, assisting in the harmonious practice of his fiery spiritual spell.

"How curious," Duan Guanlan mused to himself.

Based on his knowledge of the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite, he was convinced that Winter's Bite would eliminate any threats to ensure Lin Zhuyun could become the cultivation partner of her senior disciple, unblemished and pure.

In other words, Lin Zhuyun's betrothed in the Silvermoon Empire should not have survived to this day.

Their betrothal should have been dissolved long ago.

"Choose your words wisely!"

Lee Yuchan's face turned icy as she glared at Wu Zimo and said, "Regardless of your reasons for coming, if you're here solely to provoke us, we will not stand idly by!"

Unintimidated, Wu Zimo retorted, "Lee, don't you think our forces are equally matched?"

Behind Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo, the stalwart experts of the Crimson Sun Empire stood in silence, their expressions stern.

Lee Yuchan continued, "Once the barrier is lifted, our nation's cultivators will surely enter. Since you refrained from attacking upon arrival, choosing instead to spew distasteful words, it's clear the Sunfire Emperor and the state preceptor have already briefed us."

With that, she regained her composure, "If you're too scared to make a move, what's the point of all this posturing?"

Wu Zimo huffed, "Being direct would be preferable!"

"Haha!"

Yu Yuan burst into laughter, "Miss Wu of the Sunlit Order, correct? With your middle period Veil Breaking cultivation, you might be esteemed in the Crimson Sun Empire of Aetherius."

"But within the Sunlit Order of the Euwrea Continent, you'd likely receive no more than the treatment of an ordinary disciple."

"There must be numerous disciples in the Sunlit Order who surpass your talents."

"Your standing in the Sunlit Order, your invitation to cultivate, in my view, is likely due to the deep ties between the Sunlit Order and the Crimson Sun Empire."

"Without your family's backing and the Crimson Sun Empire's patronage, your prospects in the Sunlit Order would be grim."

"Apologies, but I prefer honesty over empty praise."

Yu Yuan bowed repeatedly.

In his past life, he had encountered too many so-called prodigies. He was well aware of the levels of cultivation that were valued at different ages within the three great upper sects of Euwrea.

In that era, the prodigies from the three upper sects who had the privilege of meeting him were each far stronger than the individuals currently before him. Having witnessed greater mountains, the likes of Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo seemed rather unremarkable to him. Yet, these individuals were well aware of their own limitations, understanding that within their own sect, there were peers they could not surpass. Their only option was to strut around the Aetherius Continent, which only served to amuse him.

Wu Zimo's once charming face turned a shade of iron blue. "Where do you get the audacity?" she demanded.

Yu Yuan shrugged nonchalantly. "The Sunfire Emperor and the state preceptor have given their commands, which I'm sure you wouldn't dare defy. You're also aware that you can't lay a hand on me in this forbidden area. If we're merely engaging in a war of words, what do I have to fear?"

"What about after we leave this forbidden area?" Wu Zimo asked, her voice icy.

"The future?" Yu Yuan chuckled dismissively. "What makes you so certain that you'll even survive once those alien souls and evil spirits arrive? With your attitude, even if your cultivation talent is exceptional, the Sunlit Order won't invest in you."

"Because it seems your intellect doesn't quite match up to your cultivation talent."

At his words, the trial-takers from the Silvermoon Empire were inwardly itching to applaud. However, considering the status and current dominance of Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo, they suppressed the urge.

In their hearts, they were all rooting for Yu Yuan.

Even Lee Yuchan's eyes sparkled with approval as she silently nodded in agreement. Regardless of whether Yu Yuan's actions might disrupt the grand scheme of things, his sheer bravery already set him apart from many others present. He was truly fearless.

Before Wu Zimo could respond, Yu Yuan spoke up once more.

This time, he turned his attention to the cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire standing behind Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo. With earnest sincerity, he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, have you noticed the sword scars etched into the walls here?"

"These sword scars hold the essence of swordsmanship. By allowing your remnant soul and spiritual sense to merge with them, you can glimpse the ultimate truth!"

"Our own realms are insufficient to fully grasp the mysteries of these sword scars. Since you've come here as allies on the orders of the Sunfire Emperor and the state preceptor, I see no reason to keep this knowledge hidden from you."

"Those alien souls and goasts won't be able to come anytime soon. This is an opportune moment for you all to delve deeply into understanding them. You may just make significant discoveries!"

Yu Yuan gestured towards the sword scars, his words earnest and grave.

Qin Yun from the Midnightshields instinctively touched his forehead, his face betraying an odd mix of emotions. He had probed the sword scar with his remnant soul, resulting in spitting blood and injuring his Lunar Spirit. He was still far from recovered.

Lee Yuchan wasn't in much better shape. Despite not knowing how she managed to cleanse the sword, she too had sustained serious injuries.

Yu Yuan was well aware of their conditions, yet he deliberately highlighted the intricacies of the sword scars. It was clear he was setting a trap for the cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire to fall into.

But Qin Yun was aware that none could resist the lure.

For cultivators like them, the mere knowledge of the sword scar's profundity was enough to entice them, even if they were warned of the great dangers within. The temptation was irresistible.

The journey of cultivation is fraught with peril and hardship. A single misstep could spell disaster.

Cultivators like him and the others were acutely aware of this and were willing to take the risk.

And so...

As expected, upon hearing Yu Yuan's words, the cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Is this true?"

"The sword scar holds the essence of swordsmanship?"

"Young man, your words may be unpleasant, but your intentions aren't malevolent!"

"Regardless of the dangers of the sword scar, I'll give it a try!"

The cultivators from the Crimson Sun Empire discussed animatedly among themselves. Bypassing Duan Guanlan and Wu Zimo, they surged towards the walls of the Soulforge Pool.

Their remnant souls soared out, one by one, merging with the sword spirit in the wall.

In a flash, the sword light on Yu Yuan's arm bone flared intensely.

"Wonderful!"

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