C204 Let's Part Ways Here!

In the Silvermoon Empire, within Asvetaesi City, all trial-takers who had ventured into the forbidden area trial had safely returned. Yu Feifei of the Yu family, Zhao Yafu of the Zhao family, and Yuan Ting of the Yuan family each encountered their own fortunes.

Over two months have swiftly passed since the conclusion of the forbidden area trial. Mayor Yuan Lianyao, held in high esteem by the Empress, has seen her cultivation soar, with the prospect of another breakthrough into the late period of Subtlety on the horizon. Prior to her entrance into the forbidden area, she was merely in the early stages of Subtlety.

Zhao Yafu of the Zhao family has become particularly prominent, having achieved the Veil Breaking level of cultivation. Following Van Le's demise, she lived up to expectations and ascended to become one of the Silvermoon Empire's five moons.

As for Lin Zhuyun of the Lin family, her story is shrouded in mystery. Rumors swirl that she vanished within the Moonfall Sanctuary and never made her way back to the Lin household. Others claim that Lin Zhuyun emerged from the forbidden area, was embraced by Winter's Bite, and chose to forgo returning home, instead venturing to Euwrea to pursue her cultivation in a new realm.

The tumultuous events within the forbidden area have triggered a cascade of repercussions. Lin Fengyan met his end beside the Soulforge Pool, his soul shattered. Lin Zhuyun's father, Lin Hanyu, was thrust into leadership, becoming the new head of the Lin family amidst crisis. Yet, the Lin family remains deeply wounded by the loss of Lin Fengyan and the enigmatic absence of Lin Zhuyun.

Zhan Tianxiang, another participant in the forbidden area trial, has garnered considerable attention. With the Zhan family's formidable power, they are poised to potentially usurp the Lin family as the Empire's most dominant clan.

Amidst the shifting dynamics of the great families, the Yu family of Asvetaesi has emerged as an enigmatic figure. This is largely due to a young lord of the Yu family who vanished in the Moonfall Sanctuary, leaving his fate uncertain.

The younger generation who took part in the forbidden area trial, including Lee Yu, Zhan Tianxiang, Yan Lu, and not least of all Zhao Yafu, have all expressed their admiration and praise for Yu Yuan.

The female general of the Silvermoon Empire, Lee Yuchan, and Yuan Lianyao of Asvetaesi, both held Yu Yuan in high regard.

However, the older generation who had reached the late period of the Lunar Spirit Realm had many negative things to say about Yu Yuan.

Some even claimed that Yu Yuan was undeniably responsible for the death of Lin Fengyan, the head of the Lin family.

These elders criticized Yu Yuan for not considering the empire's interests while in the forbidden area, accusing him of acting selfishly and even colluding with an archdemon.

Given their influential positions, their opinions carried considerable weight.

Such rumors and public sentiment placed a great deal of pressure on the Yu family.

Su Xiangtian, at the repeated urging of Su Yan, intended to send Su Yin to Asvetaesi to offer an apology to the patriarch of the Yu family, hoping to mend the strained relations between the two families.

But the Su family elders vehemently opposed the idea upon hearing it.

Newly appointed as the head of the Su family, Su Xiangtian had no choice but to reluctantly shelve the plan.

Meanwhile, the Lin family, under Lin Hanyu's new leadership, leveraged their influence to marginalize the Yu family, making life as difficult for them as possible.

Without Yuan Lianyao's presence in Asvetaesi and the silent backing of the Zhao family, the Yu family would have faced even greater challenges.

On that particular day,

Su Yan arrived at the Keep and was personally welcomed by Yuan Lianyao. The mayor, resplendent in a red gown, radiated an aura of captivating charm.

"Is there still no news about Yu Yuan?" Su Yan asked softly, her demeanor serene. "If he were free, he'd surely make his way to Asvetaesi at the first opportunity, right?"

"Susu, you seem quite concerned about him," Yuan Lianyao said with a smile, playfully teasing her. "Just remember, regardless of whether Lin Zhuyun is alive or not, his engagement to her apparently hasn't been called off yet."

"Yuanyuan, what are you implying?" Su Yan retorted with mild annoyance, giving her a stern look. "One must have a conscience. He protected me a great deal in the Moonfall Sanctuary. Without him, Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, and the rest of us might not have made it out alive."

We've all been under his wing at some point. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude and are well aware of his formidable and fearsome nature.

Sadly, we're just the younger generation. Our opinions and desires can't sway the decisions of our elders just yet. My father has only recently risen to power within the Su family, and being from a collateral line, he lacks sufficient backers.

Oh, how I wish my Uncle Su Yin would come and offer an apology, to make a statement on behalf of the Su family.

Unfortunately...

With a sigh, Su Yan let the conversation trail off.

"Yuanyuan, how's the Yu family faring these days?" she asked, shifting the subject with a softer tone.

Yuan Lianyao's smile slowly disappeared as she let out a sigh and responded, "They're managing to get by."

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

"It's not just them; there are other family powers at play," Yuan Lianyao admitted with a sense of resignation. "Compared to the Lin and Van families, my position as the modest mayor of Asvetaesi doesn't carry much weight. But thankfully, the Yu family is here in Asvetaesi, and I still hold the title of mayor. Plus, I've been summoned by Her Majesty twice recently."

"If the Yu family were in any other city, they might have been expelled by now."

She was also quite taken aback by the sudden surge of attention from the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire.

She even hinted at the contributions of my father, Yuan Qiufang, back when he was alive and serving as mayor.

What Yuan Lianyao didn't know was that the Empress had been in contact with Faang Yao from the Ruby Hand and had been informed that Yuan Qiufang had been drawn into their ranks.

With the Empress forging clandestine ties with the Ruby Hand, it was only natural for her to start seeing Yuan Lianyao as a key player in her plans.

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

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

"I've got time on my hands, and I can practice my cultivation anywhere, so why not here in Asvetaesi?" Su Yan stated her stance.

Yuan Lianyao stared at her, bewildered. "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 cold-hearted and disloyal. Don't let yourself be swayed by him."

"Don't talk nonsense; I'm simply expressing my gratitude and desire to repay it," Su Yan said with a composed demeanor. "In Asvetaesi, certain members of the Su family wouldn't dare to cause trouble. You should be aware that some of the elders in the Su family hold quite a few grievances against Old Mr. Yu."

"It's good that there's no affection there," Yuan Lianyao acknowledged with a nod.

...

"Your empire resents you for not standing firmly with them at the Soulforge Pool and for associating with an alien soul archdemon. Many of the older Lunar Spirit powerhouses see you as an outsider."

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

"The Crimson Sun Empire is where you belong; it's the superior choice for you."

"You might find this hard to believe, but the empire's state preceptor has been covertly 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.

"Stop with the games. You couldn't even bring yourself to kill an old crone from the Binders of Shadows, and now you expect me to join the Midnightshields?" Yu Yuan shook his head. "Mr. 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. "Chou Wan is a major figure within the Binders of Shadows."

"You were taken prisoner by the Binders of Shadows, your Lunar Spirit was tormented, and your Dawn Arrow was stripped from you, yet you hesitated to strike them down." Yu Yuan looked at him with a mix of sympathy and amusement. "As the leader of the Midnightshields, such actions make it impossible for me to accompany you and pursue cultivation there."

He paused before adding, "The imprints of my will on the remaining three Dawn Arrows—I'll erase them."

With those words, his heaven soul began to turn.

Three beams of light, invisible to the naked eye, shot out from the Dawn Arrows concealed within Qin Yun's sleeves.

"This is where we part ways."

Yu Yuan offered a respectful bow and then turned to make his way toward another secluded region of the Crimson Sun Empire without a backward glance.

"I wonder if the contingency I laid to rest in my previous life remains undiscovered."

He murmured to himself.

...