C256 Desolate Medicine Garden

In the Silvermoon Empire's Darkmoon City, the once illustrious Yu family faced decline yet again following the fall of the Huang family. The death of Yu Yuan during the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area Trial was no secret. Initially, figures like Zhao Yafu and Su Yan insisted Yu Yuan was alive, merely in deep cultivation within the Forbidden Area. But as time wore on without any word from him, doubts crept in.

Yu Yuan had managed to make enemies of numerous esteemed cultivators within the Empire during his time in the Forbidden Area, leaving a less than favorable impression. Particularly damning was the claim that Lim Fengyan of the Lim family had died directly because of Yu Yuan. Rumors also linked the downfall of the Van family to him.

Both the Lim and Van families, towering among the Empire's five great families, wielded immense power. Their combined influence, along with the calculated oppression from other families, exacerbated the Yu family's plight.

Those who had been close to Yu Yuan, such as Su Yan, Lee Yu, and Zhan Tianxiang, were either at pivotal points in their cultivation, entering seclusion, or too young to sway their family's decisions. This left the Yu family with scant external support.

In a subsequent turn of events, Lim Zhuyun's mysterious absence from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area was explained; she had been taken by the Cold Yin Sect's masters and had officially joined the Heavenly Source Continent as a core disciple. The details of what transpired with Lim Zhuyun remained unknown, but reports from the Heavenly Source Continent spoke of her relentless cultivation and the emergence of her exceptional talents, earning her significant esteem within the sect.

This development subtly bolstered the Lim family's waning influence within the Silvermoon Empire. The Cold Yin Sect's cultivators made several visits, openly backing Lim Hanyu and bringing with them rare pills and spiritual materials.

Following Lim Fengyan's death, Lim Hanyu, who had hastily assumed the role of patriarch with insufficient experience, was rumored to have made rapid strides in his cultivation. Back in Darkmoon City, knowing full well that his brother's death was heavily tied to Yu Yuan, Lim Hanyu took every opportunity to hinder the Yu family, adding to their mounting tribulations.

The Yu family had long struggled to find buyers for the various spiritual herbs and materials they cultivated. Their foothold in Darkmoon City was maintained solely because Yu Yuan, before his departure, had crafted a batch of Elemental Pills. These pills were traded for a substantial number of Spirit Stones from both the Yuan and Zhao families.

Since Yu Yuan's absence, the Yu family has been unable to produce any more Elemental Pills. With their resources dwindling after several expenditures, they were on the brink of exhaustion.

One day, within the Spirit Treasure Building of the Zhao family, the corpulent Zhao Dongsheng placed a sack of Spirit Stones on a stone table in the courtyard. He addressed Yu Lili, "Here are three thousand Spirit Stones, a loan for the Yu family. Forget about a promissory note; just repay it when you're able."

Yu Lili, with a hint of restraint in her demeanor, eyed the hefty bag of Spirit Stones and murmured, "I truly appreciate this."

Many in her clan were at a pivotal juncture in their cultivation, reliant on Spirit Stones to advance. Yu Feifei, along with numerous other Yu family members, depended on these stones. The reserves they had amassed from selling Elemental Pills had been depleted.

Her presence here was prompted by Zhao Yafu, who, before entering seclusion, had sought her out. Yafu advised that should Yu Lili encounter any hardships, she was to seek aid from her father, Zhao Dongsheng.

Upon Zhao Yafu's return to her family, she experienced a significant leap in her realm and combat abilities. She credited all her successes to Yu Yuan, who had rescued and assisted her on multiple occasions.

Zhao Dongsheng, honoring the past kindness, had discreetly extended support to the Yu family.

Yet he expressed regret, "The one who should be apologizing is me," as he straightened up slightly. "I'm truly sorry. The Zhao family isn't the most powerful in Darkmoon City. We must look at the bigger picture and prioritize our clan's welfare, which sometimes forces our hand."

Yu Lili had previously expressed a desire to trade the family's cultivated medicinal herbs for Spirit Stones. However, the Lim family, the Van family, and others who harbored grievances against the Yu family had made it clear that no one was to engage in private transactions for the Yu family's spiritual herbs and materials.

The current head of the Su family, Su Yan's father, along with Su Yan herself, were nowhere to be found in the Silvermoon Empire.

Rumors swirled that Su Xiangtian had whisked Su Yan away to the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents, likely to enroll her in a sect for cultivation.

With the departure of Su Xiangtian and his daughter, the Su family members began to conspire against the Yu family, worsening their plight.

Amidst mounting pressures, the Zhao family, having purchased medicinal herbs from the Yu family, found themselves unable to resell them. The herbs, left to sit, lost their spiritual essence, rendering them useless.

Since they couldn't distribute the herbs and lacked an alchemist of their own, the Zhao family saw no point in creating unnecessary conflict.

Thus, Zhao Dongsheng politely declined Yu Lili's offer to purchase the Yu family's herbs. Out of respect for Yu Yuan's past kindness, he instead chose to lend Spirit Stones to Yu Lili.

But borrowed stones must be repaid, and without buyers, the medicinal herbs would inevitably wither and die.

Yu Lili, staring at the hefty sack of Spirit Stones, felt a crease of worry form on his brow.

This loan might appease his clan for now, but what of the future?

Could he bear the shame of asking for help again?

Meanwhile, Yuan Lianyao of the Yuan family remained in prolonged seclusion. Despite her instructions to her clan to aid the Yu family, the core issue of unsellable herbs remained unresolved, and chaos was bound to ensue.

...

On the outskirts, in Elfview Town, the domain of the Yu family, their medicinal gardens dotted the landscape.

Currently, the herbs in these gardens were faltering in growth.

Some gardens had been completely abandoned, with no new planting in sight.

Medicine Slaves lounged in the sun, indifferent to the fate of the herbs, their idle chatter filled with defeatism.

For instance...

"Why bother with the herbs if they're just going to die? It's a waste of time."

And since no one was brave enough to buy the Yu family's herbs, they reasoned, why not let the gardens fall into neglect?

The Yu family quickly found themselves without a foothold in Darkmoon City. It was high time we made plans to relocate to other cities and seek employment with families associated with the Su family.

The majority of the Medicine Slaves hailed from Elfview and the neighboring towns, lacking any real allegiance to the Yu family. Their sole duty was to tend to the medicinal gardens, but with the Yu family's own kin paying little heed to these plots, the slaves' concern dwindled even further.

"Many have fallen into disrepair," a voice suddenly echoed amidst the gardens.

A Medicine Slave, lounging in the sun, heard the remark but only glanced over indifferently before resuming his idle conversation.

Yu Yuan surveyed the scene, understanding that the state of the Yu family's gardens was a stark indicator that they were no longer profitable for the clan. It wouldn't be this way otherwise.

Next to him, the once prominent protrusions on the back of the gaunt young girl were no longer visible. Her black dress concealed the carapace across her chest, leaving no trace to the naked eye.

Mimicking Yu Yuan, she scanned the area, her nose twitching, seemingly unimpressed by the surroundings.

"Right now, it's quite uninteresting," Yu Yuan said with a smile. "But give me some time, and it will transform completely. My return is to ensure that the Yu family can continue to thrive even in my absence. By doing so, I'll have fulfilled my obligations and can depart with a clear conscience."

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