C221 Send Him on His Way

Gazing toward Gloomhollow, Yu Yuan felt a profound sense of foreboding.

Had that creature truly grown so powerful?

The boy had spoken of it rampaging through the miasma within Gloomhollow.

The human head dragon body and the child before him were beings even more formidable than Zanas, a Lunar Spirit of higher rank.

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

Yet, the fact that it instilled fear in the dragon, the boy, and the many experts of Gloomhollow was deeply unsettling to Yu Yuan.

Creatures like anomalies and venomous insects typically required a lengthy period to mature and gain strength.

It was beyond Yu Yuan's comprehension how, in just three hundred years, it could have become so formidable—unless it had encountered some extraordinary fortune.

"If it has indeed ascended to such a level, the evolution of its life stage must be beyond what I anticipated," Yu Yuan mused. "In that case, are the strategies and trump cards I've prepared still effective?"

"Did it deliberately come to Gloomhollow to draw me in?"

"To eliminate me there, to end future threats, to finally rid itself of me and achieve true freedom and rebirth?"

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

He stood still, refraining from any rash actions.

He ignored Chen Qingyan's inquiries, instead focusing on his next move with great deliberation.

"Yu Yuan? Yu Yuan?"

The black and white-clad boy called out gently, rousing him from his deep thoughts.

"This is not Moonfall Sanctuary. It's unwise to linger here too long," he advised earnestly. "I've sensed danger and have quietly withdrawn from Gloomhollow. Long Xiaotian recently ventured in without heed, and I fear he will soon face dire consequences. The Binders of Shadows believe the valley conceals great treasures."

"Who would have guessed that the Sacred Hands, always aloof from continental strife, would secretly nurture such a malevolent entity!"

"This creature is exceedingly fierce and terrifying. If we don't eradicate it soon, it may well grow into a nightmare for all of Aetherius."

It was evident that he harbored a significant apprehension toward that object.

Yu Yuan pondered for a moment before saying, "I'll stay right here and observe how things unfold. Allow me to mull it over and give it some thought."

The boy gazed at him with an astonished look and, after a pause, said, "Never mind, I won't try to persuade you. Just take care of yourself."

Without further ado, the boy, who hailed from the Moonfall Sanctuary and was originally an artifact soul of the Soul Splitting Staff, transformed into a streak of rainbow light and departed.

"Who was that?"

After his departure, Chen Qingyan inquired once more.

"Much like Long Xiaotian, he's from the Moonfall Sanctuary. I encountered them both while traversing that forbidden area on my way to the Serpent Spine Mountains. We share a bit of camaraderie," Yu Yuan replied nonchalantly.

Chen Qingyan looked at him curiously, "You certainly have a knack for making connections."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," 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 suggested, stroking his chin. "We'll see who else enters and who comes out. We also need time to gauge the strength of the miasma and determine its effect on different tiers of life."

"Judging by your tone, you seem quite familiar with it," Chen Qingyan observed, fixing her gaze on him. "It behaved differently around you. You must understand its nature well; otherwise, you, Bai Shenshen, and the rest would not have survived. Zanas nearly met his end because of your actions."

Yu Yuan remained impassive: "You're overthinking it."

"I hope that's the case," Chen Qingyan sighed softly, her voice tinged with melancholy. "It seems unlikely. If that thing were connected to you, it would be inexplicable and frankly, too unsettling to consider."

Yu Yuan remained silent.

The pair, positioned some distance from Gloomhollow, listened to the eerie howls emanating from the valley, remaining vigilant.

"Someone with weaker cultivation has entered, in the late stages of Subtlety."

"A counselor from the Sacred Hands, with the cultivation of Lunar Spirit, has also stepped into Gloomhollow!"

"Yet another has entered Gloomhollow from a different direction, wielding a tool!"

Chen Qingyan periodically offered reminders, seemingly aided by some unknown force. Whenever a powerful cultivator delved into Gloomhollow from the outside, she could acutely sense their level of cultivation and combat strength. Yu Yuan could catch a faint sense of some, but was completely unaware of others who were more deliberate in their concealment.

On three occasions, individuals who entered Gloomhollow attempted to probe the area with their spiritual sense or remnant soul. Yu Yuan's heaven soul would immediately detect them. In response, Chen Qingyan would subtly release a thread of sword's will. As soon as it manifested, those lurking in the shadows seemed to instantly recognize her identity and ceased their surreptitious surveillance, their spiritual sense and remnant soul vanishing in an instant.

This led Yu Yuan to realize that Chen Qingyan's reputation extended far beyond Aetherius, likely holding significant weight in both Euwrea and the Land of Quiescence. Once her identity was known, the covert observers would retreat without further incident.

"You have a knack for intimidating people," Yu Yuan remarked after another instance when Chen Qingyan's sword's will had sent the spies scurrying away.

"It's not me," Chen Qingyan replied with a smile in her eyes. "It's my master who's truly fearsome."

Yu Yuan grumbled under his breath, "That woman's temper can certainly be daunting when backed by sufficient strength."

"What was that?" Chen Qingyan asked, her voice raised.

"Nothing, just saying your master is quite formidable," Yu Yuan quickly replied.

"Oh."

Some time passed, and with the sound of rustling, Liu Zaihe, Hu Hang, Hu Xuan, Hu Yue, and other counselors of the Hu family eventually made their leisurely appearance.

"Miss Chen!" Hu Xuan greeted her with a respectful and beaming smile from a distance. "I consider myself fortunate to see you once again."

Chen Qingyan nodded in acknowledgment and offered a polite bow, but she remained sparing with her words.

Liu Zaihe's eyes sparkled as he approached swiftly. "I thought we might only encounter you within Gloomhollow. Are you here waiting for us?"

With a smile, Chen Qingyan shook her head and said, "No."

Liu Zaihe felt a touch of embarrassment, struggling to find the right words to continue the conversation.

"So, you're Yu Yuan, right? I had you pegged as someone from the Songbird Empire or Euwrea. Who would've guessed you hail from Asvetaesi and the Yu family?" Hu Yue said, her eyebrows arched in a mix of surprise and scorn.

"My apologies, I hail from a humble background," Yu Yuan said, unfazed. He stepped aside, clearing a path for them. "You're headed to Gloomhollow, right? It seems quite bustling inside. I won't hinder you, so here's to your smooth journey."

"What a spiteful jerk," Chen Qingyan muttered under her breath with an eye roll, a wry smile on her face.

She was well aware of the dangers lurking within Gloomhollow.

For the Hu family and Liu Zaihe, with their current level of cultivation, venturing there was tantamount to a death sentence.

A mere taunt from Hu Yue, and Yu Yuan stepped aside.

Or rather, he was paving their path to doom...

His intentions were sinister to the core!

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