C204 Let's Part Ways Here!

In the Silvermoon Empire's Darkmoon City, all the cultivators who survived the grueling Forbidden Area Trial have returned. Notables such as Yu Feifei of the Yu family, Zhao Yafu of the Zhao family, and Yuan Tine of the Yuan family each found their own fortunes. It's been just over two months since the trial's conclusion.

City Lord Yuan Lianyao, held in high esteem by the Empress, has seen her cultivation soar, with aspirations of advancing to the late Penetrating Stage—a stark contrast to her early-stage standing before the trial.

Zhao Yafu has become the center of attention, having reached the Profound Break Stage. Following Van Ning's death, she rose to prominence as one of the Silvermoon Empire's five new moons.

Rumors swirl around Lim Zhuyun of the Lim family, with some claiming she vanished in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, never to return home. Others whisper that she emerged victorious, taken under the wing of the Cold Yin Sect, and went straight to the Heavenly Source Continent to pursue her cultivation in a new realm.

The Forbidden Area's upheaval has had far-reaching effects. Lim Fengyan perished beside the Soul Transformation Pool, and in the wake of crisis, Lim Hanyu was thrust into leadership as the Lim family's new patriarch. Despite this, the Lim family's vitality has been severely drained by the loss of Lim Fengyan and the mystery of Lim Zhuyun's whereabouts.

Zhan Tianxiang, another trial participant, has garnered attention for his impressive performance. Coupled with the Zhan family's formidable strength, they are poised to potentially usurp the Lim family as the empire's preeminent clan.

Amidst the major families' machinations, the Yu family of Darkmoon City has emerged as an enigmatic figure. This is largely due to a young Yu scion who vanished within the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, leaving his fate unknown.

The younger generation who braved the Forbidden Area Trial—Lee Yu, Zhan Tianxiang, Yan Lu, and not least Zhao Yafu—have all expressed their admiration for Yu Yuan, showering him with accolades.

Empire General Lee Yuchan and Darkmoon's own Yuan Lianyao both had high praise for Yu Yuan.

Yet, the seasoned elders who had reached the Yin God Stage later on held a slew of negative views about him.

Some even claimed that Yu Yuan bore undeniable responsibility for the death of Lim family's patriarch, Lim Fengyan.

These venerable figures criticized Yu Yuan for his self-centered actions within the Forbidden Area, accusing him of neglecting the Empire's interests and fraternizing with the Alien Soul Demon.

Given their influential positions, their assertions carried considerable weight.

Such talk and public sentiment placed immense pressure on the Yu family.

Su Xiangtian, yielding to Su Yan's persistent pleas, had intended for Su Yin to visit Darkmoon City in person to offer an apology to the Yu family patriarch, hoping to mend the strained relations between their families.

However, the Su family elders vehemently opposed the plan upon hearing it.

The newly appointed Su family head, Su Xiangtian, found himself with no choice but to reluctantly shelve the idea.

On the Lim family's side, with Lim Hanyu at the helm, they leveraged their clout to marginalize the Yu family, doing everything in their power to make life difficult for them.

Were it not for Yuan Lianyao and the Zhao family's quiet support, the Yu family would have struggled greatly.

That day,

Su Yan arrived at the City Lord's Mansion, where she was warmly greeted by Yuan Lianyao. The City Lord, resplendent in a red gown, radiated an even more captivating allure.

"Any word on Yu Yuan yet?" Su Yan asked softly, her demeanor serene. "Should he break free, he'd surely make straight for Darkmoon City, wouldn't he?"

"Little Sister Su, you seem quite concerned about him," Yuan Lianyao said with a playful smile. "Just remember, whether Lim Zhuyun is alive or not, his engagement to her hasn't been called off."

"Sister Yuan, why would you say that?" Su Yan retorted with a touch of annoyance, giving her a stern look. She continued in a gentle voice, "One must have a conscience. Yu Yuan protected me a lot in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. Without him, Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, and the rest of us might not have made it out alive."

"We've all been looked after by him at some point, and we owe him a deep debt of gratitude. We're well aware of his formidable power and how intimidating he can be."

"Alas, we're just the younger generation. Our thoughts and desires can't sway the decisions of our elders at the moment. My father has only recently risen to power within the Su family, and being from a collateral line, he lacks adequate support."

"Oh, how I wish my Uncle Su Yin would come and offer an apology, to show where the Su family stands."

"Sadly..."

Su Yan let out a sigh as she spoke.

"Sister Yuan, how's the Yu family faring?" she asked, shifting the conversation with a soft tone.

Yuan Lianyao's smile slowly disappeared, and with a light sigh, she replied, "They're managing to get by."

"Is it because of the Lim and Van families?" inquired Su Yan.

"There are other family powers involved too," Yuan Lianyao admitted with a sense of resignation. "Compared to the Lim and Van families, my position as the minor city lord of Darkmoon pales in comparison. But thankfully, the Yu family is here in Darkmoon, and I still hold the title of City Lord. Plus, I've been summoned by Her Majesty twice recently."

"Otherwise, if the Yu family were in any other city, they might have been expelled."

She was equally astonished that the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire had taken such a sudden interest in her.

The Empress had even alluded to her father, Yuan Qiufang, and his significant past contributions.

What Yuan Lianyao didn't realize was that the Empress had encountered Faang Yao from the Red Devil Sect and, through him, learned that Yuan Qiufang had been drawn into their ranks.

The Empress, now covertly aligned with the Red Devil Sect, naturally saw Yuan Lianyao as a valuable pawn in her game.

"I'll stay in Darkmoon City and wait for Yu Yuan's return," declared Su Yan.

Yuan Lianyao looked at her, astonished. "Really?"

"I'm free anyway, and I can practice my cultivation anywhere. So I might as well make it Darkmoon City," Su Yan affirmed.

Staring at her in disbelief, Yuan Lianyao said, "Young lady, you haven't fallen for that scoundrel Yu Yuan, have you? I'm warning you, even if he's alive, he's not the right choice. I've observed his behavior; he's the type to be fickle and heartless. Don't let yourself be swayed by him."

"Stop spouting nonsense. I'm simply expressing my gratitude and repaying a kindness," Su Yan said with composure. "In Darkmoon City, certain members of my Su family wouldn't dare to cause trouble. You must understand, there are elders in the Su family who have quite a few grievances with Elder Yu."

"It's good as long as there's affection," Yuan Lianyao nodded in agreement.

...

"Your empire resents you for not standing with them at the Soul Transformation Pool and for associating with the Alien Soul Demon. Many of the Yin God elders see you as an outsider."

"Yu, why not join me at the Seven Divine Sect? I assure you, you'll have a place there."

"The Rainier Empire is where you belong; it's the better choice for you."

"You might find this hard to believe, but the Imperial Advisor of the empire has been secretly watching over you."

Qin Yun, disheveled and pale, struggled to catch his breath as he spoke, yet his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he extended his invitation to Yu Yuan.

"Don't play these games with me. You couldn't even bring yourself to kill an old crone from the Ghoul Glyph Sect, and now you expect me to join the Seven Divine Sect?" Yu Yuan shook his head. "Sect Master Qin, had that old woman been dead upon your arrival, I might have given it some thought."

A bitter expression crossed Qin Yun's face. "Chiu Wan is a heavyweight in the Ghoul Glyph Sect."

"You were taken prisoner by the Ghoul Glyph Sect, your Yin God was tortured, and your Azure Yang Arrow was confiscated, yet you lacked the resolve to retaliate." Yu Yuan looked at him with a mix of sympathy and amusement. "As the Sect Master of the Seven Divine Sect, your actions make it impossible for me to accompany you and cultivate there."

He paused before adding, "I've erased the lingering will I left on the last three Azure Yang Arrows."

With those words, his Heavenly Soul stirred into motion.

Three beams of light, invisible to the naked eye, burst forth from the Azure Yang Arrows concealed within Qin Yun's sleeves.

"This is where we part ways."

Yu Yuan offered a formal bow and, without a backward glance, made his way toward another secluded region of the Rainier Empire.

"In my past life, the contingency I buried... I wonder if it remains undiscovered by anyone."

He murmured to himself.

...