C221 The Journey

Gazing toward Chilly Wind Valley, Yu Yuan felt a profound sense of foreboding.

Had that creature truly grown so powerful?

The boy's account suggested that within the miasma cloud, it had unleashed a slaughter in Chilly Wind Valley.

Long Xiaotian, with his human head atop a dragon's body, and the boy before him, both surpassed Jin Fann, the Yin God, in strength by an entire tier.

Yu Yuan wasn't surprised that, after three centuries of evolution, it could overpower one of them.

Yet, the fear that gripped Long Xiaotian, the boy, and the other formidable beings of Chilly Wind Valley filled Yu Yuan with trepidation.

Ordinarily, extraordinary beings like strange creatures and venomous insects required extensive time to mature and gain strength.

Even with its exceptional gifts, Yu Yuan couldn't fathom it achieving such might within a mere three hundred years—unless it had stumbled upon some other fortune.

"If it has indeed ascended to such a level, its evolutionary leap in life rank surely surpasses anything I anticipated," Yu Yuan mused. "In light of this, can the contingencies and aces up my sleeve still make a difference?"

"Could it have deliberately drawn me to Chilly Wind Valley as a trap?"

"To eliminate me there, once and for all, to sever its ties with me, and to embrace true freedom and rebirth?"

These thoughts raced through Yu Yuan's mind with electric urgency.

He stood still, refraining from any hasty actions.

He ignored Chen Qingyan's inquiries, instead contemplating his next move with grave consideration.

"Yu Yuan? Yu Yuan?"

The monochrome-clad boy's gentle call snapped him out of his deep reflection.

"This isn't the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area; it's unwise to linger here too long," the boy advised earnestly. "I've sensed trouble and have already withdrawn from Chilly Wind Valley. Long Xiaotian charged in without a care and, I fear, will soon pay dearly for it. And the Ghoul Glyph Sect—they're convinced that the valley conceals a precious treasure."

"Who would have guessed that the Medicine Sect, always aloof from the continent's strife, would covertly nurture such a malevolent entity!"

"This creature is exceedingly vicious and fearsome. If we don't eradicate it promptly, it may well evolve into the Profound Sky Continent's worst nightmare."

It was clear that he harbored a deep wariness of that object.

Yu Yuan pondered for a moment before saying, "I'll stay put right here and observe how things unfold. Let me... mull it over a bit more, think it through properly."

The boy gazed at him with astonishment and after a pause remarked, "Forget it, I won't try to persuade you. Just look out for yourself, I hope."

With no further words, the boy, hailing from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and originally the Artifact Soul of the Splitting Soul Staff, transformed into a streak of rainbow light and vanished into the distance.

"Who was that?"

After his departure, Chen Qingyan inquired once more.

"Much like Long Xiaotian, he's from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. I encountered both of them while traversing that land on my way to the Jade Peak Mountains; we share a certain camaraderie," Yu Yuan replied nonchalantly.

Chen Qingyan looked at him quizzically, "You certainly have a knack for making allies."

"That's generous of you to say," Yu Yuan responded.

"Shouldn't we head over there now?" Chen Qingyan asked.

"No need to hurry, let's just wait and watch," Yu Yuan advised, stroking his chin. "Let's see who else enters, and who emerges. We need more time to assess the strength of the miasma cloud and the level of life it affects."

"Judging by your tone, you seem quite familiar with it?" Chen Qingyan pressed, eyes fixed on him. "I sensed it behaved differently around you. You must know its patterns well; otherwise, you, Sister Bai, and the rest would have perished. Jin Fann's close call was also due to your misdirection."

Yu Yuan remained impassive: "You're reading too much into it."

"I hope I am," Chen Qingyan sighed softly, his voice tinged with unease. "It seems implausible. If that thing had anything to do with you, it would be inexplicable, not to mention utterly astounding."

Yu Yuan offered no response.

Standing at a remove from Chilly Wind Valley, the pair listened to the eerie howls echoing from within, their vigilance sharpening.

"Someone has entered, their realm is relatively weak, merely in the middle to late Penetrating Stage."

"A guest elder from the Medicine Sect has also stepped into Chilly Wind Valley, wielding the power of the Yin God Stage!"

"And yet another has charged into the Chilly Wind Valley from a different direction, commandeering a tool!"

Chen Qingyan periodically issued warnings, seemingly aided by some unknown means. Whenever a powerful individual ventured deep into Chilly Wind Valley from the outside world, she could keenly sense their level of cultivation and combat strength. Yu Yuan managed to detect a few, but the majority, especially those who concealed themselves deliberately, eluded him completely.

On three occasions, intruders in Chilly Wind Valley attempted to probe their location using their Spiritual Sense or Soul Intent. Yu Yuan's Heavenly Soul reacted instantly. In response, Chen Qingyan would subtly release a thread of sword intent. As soon as it manifested, those lurking in the shadows recognized her identity and ceased their covert surveillance, their Spiritual Sense and Soul Intent vanishing as quickly as they had appeared.

This led Yu Yuan to the realization that Chen Qingyan's reputation extended well beyond the Profound Sky Continent, likely holding significant weight in both the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents. The moment the spies identified her, they retreated without further ado.

"You're quite intimidating," Yu Yuan remarked after one such incident, when Chen Qingyan's sword intent had sent the spies scurrying away.

"It's not me," Chen Qingyan replied with a twinkle in her eye. "The one who's truly frightening is my master."

Yu Yuan grumbled under his breath, "That woman's notorious temper is indeed a force to be reckoned with when backed by formidable strength."

"What was that?" Chen Qingyan's voice sharpened.

"Nothing, just noting how impressive your master is," Yu Yuan quickly covered.

"Oh."

Time passed, and with the sound of rustling leaves, Lau Zaihe, Hu Hann, Hu Yang, Hu Yue, and the rest of the Hu family retainers finally made their unhurried entrance.

"Miss Chen!" Hu Yang greeted her with deep respect, his face breaking into a broad grin from a distance. "It's our good fortune to see you once again."

Chen Qingyan acknowledged them with a nod and a polite bow, offering no further comment.

Lau Zaihe's eyes brightened as he approached swiftly. "I thought we might only encounter you within Chilly Wind Valley. Are you here waiting for us by any chance?"

With a smile, Chen Qingyan shook her head and replied, "No, that's not the case."

Lau Zaihe, momentarily taken aback, struggled to find the right words to continue the conversation.

"So, you're Yu Yuan, right? I had you pegged as someone from the Luan Bird Empire or the Heavenly Source Continent. Who would have guessed you hailed from Darkmoon City, of the Yu family?" Hu Yue said, his eyebrows arching with a hint of scorn.

"Excuse me, I come from a humble background, so please forgive any faux pas," Yu Yuan said, utterly unfazed. He stepped aside, clearing the path for them. "Heading to Chilly Wind Valley, are you? It seems there's quite a buzz inside. I won't stand in your way. Here's to your success."

"What a spiteful jerk," Chen Qingyan muttered under her breath, giving him a sideways glance before chuckling to herself.

She was well aware of the dangers lurking within Chilly Wind Valley.

For the Hu family and Lau Zaihe, with their level of cultivation, it was tantamount to marching to their doom.

A few mocking words from Hu Yue were all it took for Yu Yuan to step aside.

Or perhaps, he was giving them just enough rope...

His intentions were sinister to the core!

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