C1714 He Had a Noble in His Life

On the Sundering Isles, belonging to the Ruby Hand, Yuan Lianyao gazed out at the sea, her mind drifting back to the time she and Yu Yuan visited Rosy Cloud Island years ago. Having reached the pinnacle of Solar Spirit cultivation and perfected her technique, she now faced a pivotal decision. What would be her next step in the Unbound Stage?

"Yuanyuan, have you ever considered a different path?" Faang Yao, with his shining bald head, and Yuan Qiufang, both in good spirits, approached Yuan Lianyao from behind.

Faang Yao went on to say, "The Pyreheart Incantations you practice follow the Path of Earthfire. It seems the furthest this path can take you is the Unbound Stage. No one, not even its creator, has ascended to divinity with the Pyreheart Incantations. You need to think this through."

Yuan Lianyao snapped out of her reverie and faced them, her captivating eyes reflecting deep contemplation. She asked softly, "What do you suggest?"

"Lord Faang thinks you could try refining sunfire from beyond our world, much like the Sect Master," Yuan Qiufang, whose cultivation was limited to the Spirit Walk Realm, suggested, pointing to the sun overhead. "Your Solar Spirit has been honed by the solar nucleus, imbued with the sun's fiery essence. When you make your breakthrough in the Unbound, focusing on this could allow you to forge a new sacred way."

Yuan Lianyao, taken aback, turned to Faang Yao and inquired, "And you? Weren't you also planning to follow this route?"

Faang Yao, who had recently ascended to the Unbound Realm, had, like Qin Luo, the sect master of the Ruby Hand, chosen to refine himself with the sun's fiery power. He, too, had intended to harness the sun's might in his quest for the ultimate peak.

So why was he encouraging her to embark on this journey?

"I won't make it to the end," Faang Yao admitted with a nonchalant air, unashamed. "Not everyone is destined for the pinnacle. My own talents and potential cap at the Unbound Realm. Frankly, if I ever reach its peak, I would likely decline any encouragement to strive for the primordial spirit."

"I'm going to die."

Before Yuan Lianyao could even voice her question, Faang Yao offered a bitter smile and answered for her.

At his words, Yuan Qiufang froze, then hesitated before speaking, "Lord Faang, this young lady's talents don't seem to surpass yours by much."

He knew his daughter well. In her days at the Silvermoon Empire, Yuan Lianyao's cultivation talent appeared exceptional, but on the grand scale of Aetherius, and compared to the likes of Liu Ying and Chen Qingyan, she paled in comparison.

And there were even more prodigies on the continents of Quiescence and Euwrea, each more gifted than Yuan Lianyao.

Yuan Qiufang genuinely believed that Yuan Lianyao held no significant advantage over Faang Yao.

So why was Faang Yao so adamant about convincing Yuan Lianyao to pursue the sacred way of the sun if he himself felt devoid of such prospects and abilities?

"She has the chance to defy destiny."

A cryptic smile crossed Faang Yao's face as he looked towards the nearby Celestial Isle. "Her initial talents may not have been dazzling, but after undergoing several metamorphoses, she now stands out. I sense that her future holds great opportunities, even the potential to ascend to the pinnacle!"

"Do you mean?" Yuan Qiufang's expression shifted subtly.

Faang Yao nodded, affirming with his eyes, "Her life is graced by a noble patron."

"A noble patron..."

The image of Yu Yuan surfaced in Yuan Lianyao's mind once more. "We meet infrequently, and our allegiances differ. Who knows what the future holds?"

"Opportunities will arise," Faang Yao stated earnestly.

"I'll give it some thought. In any case, I'm not eager to strive for the Unbound Realm just yet," Yuan Lianyao said with uncertainty.

"Right, when he returns to the Everlands, perhaps you can seek his counsel," suggested Faang Yao.

"Who knows when we'll next meet."

...

"Lord Tian Zang!"

"Greetings, Lord Tian Zang!"

Upon Youqian's arrival at the Skyreach Consortium's teleportation circle, numerous associates who recognized him offered their salutations.

"From now on, please refer to me as Youqian. I've severed my ties with the Land of Terror and have long been removed from the ranks of the Ghost King," Youqian clarified.

After Bertain cleansed his devil soul and erased the traces of the Lunar Meridian, he reclaimed his original name.

Within the Boulderdawn, many were privy to the truth, and the higher-ups in the Chamber of Commerce were also in the know.

Yet, the wider membership of the Skyreach Consortium in the Everlands remained in the dark, hence their continued use of the name Tian Zang.

"Understood, Lord Youqian."

The Consortium members stationed at the teleportation circle promptly adjusted their address.

At that moment, Youqian's countenance subtly shifted as he instinctively glanced toward the Land of Terror.

He suddenly sensed the presence of the Root of the Lunar Meridian beneath the Land of Terror—a presence once intimately familiar, now estranged, as if it were clandestinely observing him.

Youqian's brow creased with concern.

Yu Yuan, whose Lunar Spirit was harbored in his arm, detected the change and inquired, "What's the matter?"

"It seems to have grown more active since the old patriarch's departure. I managed to escape its control with his help, which it didn't take kindly to. Yet, when the patriarch was present, I frequented both the Everlands and Ionodios without sensing any resentment," Youqian huffed.

"When Taixu and Taishi were with us in the Everlands, it cooperated peacefully. Now, with no God-King to oversee the Everlands and the Untamed who were once allies having departed for the extraterrestrial, it's showing its displeasure."

"He's now expressing his discontent and making his presence known to me!" Youqian spoke, his voice laced with restrained ire.

"It looks like Bertain's departure to the Abyss has emboldened many who once lurked in the shadows," Yu Yuan responded with a derisive sneer.

"As the Ghost King, I served it diligently. My work in the Moonfall Sanctuary, refining demons and ghosts, also brought it considerable benefit. While I did draw upon its power, I gave back in equal measure—I wasn't idle. We parted on good terms, so if it's deliberately causing trouble..."

Youqian spoke to himself in a low murmur, a message meant for both his own ears and Yu Yuan's.

"Maybe, after some time, it would be wiser for me to leave the Everlands and return to Ionodios."

He harbored a certain apprehension toward the Root of the Lunar Meridian in the Everlands. Without having ascended to the rank of Demon God, and without the protection of a God-King like Taishi, his prolonged stay in the Everlands was indeed precarious.

Simultaneously, Yu Yiyi's inner voice reached Yu Yuan's Lunar Spirit. "Master, cultivators from the Thunder Sect and the Ethereal Void Sect have been spotted near Fiendpeak. I've prevented the Bane from conducting secret patrols and discovered they seem intent on targeting me. It's surprising that no sooner was the threat of the Origin Gate addressed than the Thunder Sect is poised to strike."

"The Thunder Sect and the Ethereal Void," Yu Yuan mused before instructing Youqian, "Inform Shi Jing'er from the Skyreach Consortium to keep an eye on the activities at Fiendpeak. There are individuals from both the Thunder Sect and the Ethereal Void lurking nearby, and it looks like they're up to no good."

"Understood!"

Youqian promptly agreed, then turned to a member of the consortium and said, "Please relay a message to President Shi, stating that I, Youqian, request an audience with her."

"I'll take you to her myself."

The consortium member replied with an obsequious grin, nodding and bowing as he took the lead.

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