C257 Yu Yuan Returned!

In the heart of Darkmoon City, within the Yu Family's stronghold, a stone room lay buried ten feet underground, utterly impervious to the wind. At its center stood a stone table.

Atop this table rested a distinct transparent glass vessel, cradling a crystal clear in its embrace. This crystal, an irregular polyhedron, radiated a pure azure glow and exuded delicate wisps of icy-blue smoke. The vessel contained the smoke, preventing it from escaping into the room.

Illuminated by the gemstones and pearls embedded in the stone room's dome, the crystal, as large as a human head, shone with an eye-catching brilliance.

"Is this the Ice Soul Crystal from the Nether Abyss?" Yu Lili, having returned with Spirit Stones from the Zhao family's Spirit Treasure Building, gazed at the crystal, mesmerized by its beauty. "It's truly exquisite."

Standing by his side were the venerable Yu Cann, as well as the second generation Yu Wei and Yu Lian. The Yu Family's most pivotal members had gathered in this chamber, their faces etched with solemnity as they observed the crystal.

"Pills, artifacts, and spiritual materials, along with medicinal herbs, are categorized into five tiers: mortal, spirit, earth, heaven, and divine, each tier further divided into nine grades," Yu Cann explained. "To craft Earth Level or Heaven Level pills and artifacts, one typically requires herbs and spiritual materials of corresponding tiers. For instance, forging a Heaven Level pill necessitates at least one Heaven Level herb as the foundation, supplemented by lower-tier herbs to ensure success."

"To forge a Heaven Level sword or other weapons, Heaven Level spiritual materials must serve as the cornerstone, melded with an assortment of fine metals."

"The Ice Soul Crystal, nestled deep within the Nether Abyss, is a rare crystallization of the abyss's intense cold. It's a treasure seldom found in the world."

"Rated as a Heaven Level Seventh Grade spiritual material, the Ice Soul Crystal in our possession is of considerable size, making it an ideal primary component for weapon refinement."

"With just this single Ice Soul Crystal, the Artifact Sect on the Quietus Continent could craft two swords imbued with a bone-chilling aura!"

"Should a Refiner of sufficient skill succeed in forging a sword, its tier will undoubtedly be of Heaven Level!"

At this point in the conversation, the elder's demeanor was charged with excitement.

"Beyond its use in forging artifacts, the extreme cold power within the Ice Soul Crystal can greatly aid in cultivation. For practitioners at the Yellow Court Stage or even the Profound Break Stage who follow a cold-attribute Spiritual Spell, this Ice Soul Crystal can catalyze a dramatic transformation within the Yellow Court Acupoint of their lower dantian!"

"At the Profound Break Stage, this Ice Soul Crystal can be used to purify and temper bones and internal organs, achieving the miraculous effects of bone cutting and marrow washing."

"Take someone like Lim Zhuyun, for instance. If she were to wield this Ice Soul Crystal, she could swiftly overcome the bottlenecks of the Profound Break Stage, reaching its Late Period much sooner and setting her on the path to the Penetrating Stage!"

Yu Can let out a cold snort as he finished speaking.

The news from the Lim family indicated that Lim Zhuyun, who had vanished without a trace in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, was actually discovered by members of the Cold Yin Sect and directly inducted into their ranks.

Now a disciple of the Cold Yin Sect's Great Elder, Lim Zhuyun had already attained the strength of the Profound Break Stage.

This was the reason he brought up Lim Zhuyun as an example.

"Is the Lim family's relentless targeting all for this Ice Soul Crystal?" Yu Lian, of the second generation of the Yu family, frowned at the stunning Ice Soul Crystal and said, "Do they intend to secure this Ice Soul Crystal for Lim Zhuyun?"

"No," Yu Wei shook his head, gazing at his brother with a heavy sigh. "The Lim family's ambitions extend beyond the Ice Soul Crystal; they seek our family's downfall. Even if we relinquish the Ice Soul Crystal, they will not be appeased."

"Then what?" Yu Lian asked, puzzled.

He was unsure why his elder uncle, Yu Can, had urgently summoned the three siblings to this secret chamber.

"It's not just the Lim family; many within the empire covet this Ice Soul Crystal," Yu Can said gravely. "The revelation that our Yu family possesses the Ice Soul Crystal was likely leaked by Lim Hanyu. I'm unclear about the specifics of Little Yuan's actions in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area that drew the ire of numerous formidable cultivators, but as for Little Yuan's current situation..."

As he spoke, the old man's eyes welled up with tears, and he found himself unable to go on.

His grandson had been aimless for over a decade, but upon awakening, he had astounded everyone.

The old man had placed great hopes in Yu Yuan, and Yu Yuan's actions upon awakening filled him with immense pride. Just when he was ready to make his move and propel the Yu family to new heights, the devastating news arrived.

His grandson, dead in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area?

He couldn't bear the thought.

Sunk in despair for a long while, he watched the Yu family's fortunes decline. Due to the targeting from various factions, they were forced to borrow Spirit Stones from the Zhao family just to cover their basic expenses. With no other choice, the old man knew he had to consider other options.

"That kid, he's got a destiny that's not easily snuffed out. The rumors might not be true," Yu Lili said, trying to console the old man, who was clearly overwhelmed with emotion. "They say he perished in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, but who's actually witnessed it? Without proof, there's always room for doubt. We shouldn't take it at face value."

Yu Lian, under his breath, added, "Everyone else has returned, but he's been missing for so long. Logically speaking..."

"Quiet!" Yu Wei shot him a stern look before turning to his uncle. "What are your plans for this Ice Soul Crystal?"

"We need to find a buyer," Yu Cann replied, his expression forlorn. "The Yuan and Zhao families can't be expected to support us indefinitely."

Yu Lili took a glance at the bag of Spirit Stones Zhao Dongsheng had returned with and said, "Debts must be repaid. 'An innocent man can be blamed for possessing a treasure.' Since the Ice Soul Crystal has brought us nothing but unwanted attention, it's best we sell it sooner rather than later."

"A buyer? Who would that be?" Yu Wei inquired, intrigued.

"The imperial family of the Silvermoon Empire is the only one bold enough to handle this Ice Soul Crystal," Yu Cann stated gravely.

"The Lee family?" Yu Lili asked, taken aback.

"Lee Yuchan sought me out in secret during her last visit to Darkmoon City," Yu Cann revealed.

"The bloodthirsty female butcher?" Yu Lian blurted out, his face paling. "Ever since she advanced to the Yin God Realm in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, she's been leading her troops in battle against the Rainier Empire. She hasn't returned to the Empire in a long time. Would she even care about the Yu family's plight or be interested in purchasing this Ice Soul Crystal?"

"She holds Little Yuan in very high esteem. During our clandestine meeting, she gave me her contact details and insisted I reach out if I ever encountered any difficulties, offering her assistance," Yu Cann mused, perplexed as to why the female general, notorious within the Empire, would take such a liking to Yu Yuan and go out of her way to look after the Yu family on his behalf.

"It might work if she's involved," Yu Lili acknowledged, nodding. "But what about the long term? Without a steady supply of Spirit Stones, the reserves we've acquired by trading the Ice Soul Crystal will inevitably be depleted."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Yu Cann sighed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and resignation.

...

"Sir!"

At the City Lord's Mansion, the captain of the guard, Lih Feng, approached not in his heavy armor but in plain clothes.

Out of the blue, a vibrant red lotus flower materialized in the vast hall.

The lotus blossomed suddenly, revealing at its heart a figure whose very posture was enchantingly graceful, even while seated.

Yuan Lianyao, roused from her meditation, looked on with displeasure and demanded, "What's the matter?"

Lee Yuchan's progression to the Yin God Stage had spurred the City Lord, who had been in deep seclusion since her return from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, to ascend to the late Penetrating Stage!

At the time of her first encounter with Yu Yuan, she was merely at the early Penetrating Stage. Her rapid advancement to the late stage was a testament to her extraordinary experiences in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and the covert support from the Red Devil Sect.

The alliance between the Yuan family and the Red Devil Sect was solidified when Yuan Qiufang was taken under Faang Yao's wing. Following Faang Yao's clandestine visit to Darkmoon City, she made the leap from the middle to the late Penetrating Stage in no time at all.

Yet, the gap to Lee Yuchan's Yin God Stage remained a formidable hurdle. She had long been in a silent rivalry with Lee Yuchan, but given his royal lineage and the privileges that came with it, she had always struggled to match his level of cultivation and combat prowess.

It wasn't until recently that the Yuan family and the Red Devil Sect established a connection. Moreover, her rapid advancement was due to the boon she received from the Soul Transformation Pool within the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

She treasured this hard-won opportunity immensely. Upon her return to Darkmoon City, she made it clear that unless it was a matter of great importance, no one was to interrupt her cultivation.

Lih Feng respected her wishes and kept his distance.

But at the height of her concentration, Lih Feng abruptly showed up, rousing her from her meditative state, which understandably soured her mood.

Lih Feng inhaled deeply before announcing, "Ma'am, Yu Yuan has returned!"

"What?!" Yuan Lianyao was visibly shaken, her eyes sparkling with incredulity. "Are you serious? Has that young man truly come back to Darkmoon City?"

"He's not in the city yet. He's just been spotted in Elfview. It's likely that even the Yu family isn't aware yet," Lih Feng clarified. "They don't have their own dedicated communication array, after all."

In a flash!

Before Lih Feng could complete his thought, he noticed that the enchanting City Lord, who had been in deep seclusion and off-limits to interruptions, had vanished without a trace.

"What exactly is it about Yu Yuan that's so extraordinary?"

Lih Feng paused, shaking his head in wonder.

Yuan Lianyao had made it clear during her seclusion: no summoning her with secret techniques unless it was absolutely critical.

Yet, if Yu Yuan made an appearance, or if there was any reliable information about him, he was to be notified immediately.

Regardless of whether she was in the midst of her seclusion.

...

In Elfview.

"Why are you still here?" Yu Yuan greeted Ning Ji with a warm smile. "Logically, you should have departed by now."

"I've been waiting for you," Ning Ji replied with a gentle smile. "I had faith that you would return alive."

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