C262 Seas Calming Needle

The earthly soul harbors memories, the heaven soul grants intelligence, and the mortal soul is the cornerstone.

"Soul Forging through Enlightenment" has always refined the heaven soul.

Yu Yuan, not yet having achieved Subtlety and lacking concentrated spiritual sense, relied solely on the extraordinary perceptiveness of the heaven soul. Along with Lei Xiao's overt scrutiny through spiritual sense, he ascertained Lei Xiao's true level – merely at Subtlety, just like Liu Wei.

At Subtlety, one's spiritual sense can perceive the minutiae, yet it remains inferior to the remnant soul.

From the moment he arrived and Liu Wei began to speak, both Lei Xiao and Liu Wei covertly probed him with their spiritual sense.

Spiritual sense cannot be falsified.

With his insight, observing the surge of Lei Xiao's vitality, the creases on his face, and subtle expressions, he could roughly estimate the man's advanced age.

Given his age, and the fact that he had been diligently practicing within the Thunder Sect on the Euwrea Continent, yet was only at Subtlety, it was clear he was no significant figure.

Setting aside his past life.

In this life, having recently undergone the trials of the Moonfall Sanctuary and the trials of the Serpent Spine Mountains, and having encountered numerous alien soul archdemons, Yu Yuan was unimpressed by Lei Xiao's attainment of Subtlety.

"What a sharp-tongued young man!"

Lei Xiao, enraged to the point of laughter, shook his arm, and as his joints clicked, it sounded like thunderclaps.

Crack!

From his chest's middle elixir field, emerald glow lightning mixed with thunder, threatening to burst forth like an electric serpent.

Upon witnessing Lei Xiao's rage, Liu Wei of Winter's Bite opened his mouth as if to speak.

But, seemingly recalling something, Liu Wei abruptly fell silent.

"This is the domain of the Silvermoon Empire, Asvetaesi!"

Zhao Dongsheng, mounted atop a black tiger, leapt down from the beast with a thunderous crash, landing firmly before Lei Xiao.

Positioning himself between Lei Xiao and Yu Yuan, Zhao Dongsheng's eyes, small as soybeans, suddenly emitted a startling brilliance.

His corpulent figure suddenly swelled like a balloon being inflated.

A domineering and almost inconceivable vitality surged within him, like the tumultuous stirring before a volcanic eruption, throwing the surrounding divine force into utter chaos.

Somehow, he had attained the combat strength of the late Veil Breaking period. His seemingly cumbersome body harbored a terrifying power.

"Hmm?"

Lei Xiao, who was an entire level above him, took notice and let out a soft exclamation, his expression growing increasingly grave.

Liu Wei of Winter's Bite paused for a few seconds, then remarked with surprise, "Who would have thought that the little town of Asvetaesi would be such a nest of hidden dragons and crouching tigers? Truly remarkable!"

Behind Zhao Dongsheng, Yu Yuan's eyes also showed a hint of astonishment, evidently detecting something extraordinary.

"Thylethlume is indeed under Asvetaesi's jurisdiction. We'll extend some courtesy to the Yuan family and the Ruby Hand," Liu Wei said with a light chuckle, giving Lei Xiao a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Brother, let's leave it at that."

"If we're not welcome, then so be it." He stepped aside, turning his gaze to Yu Yuan. "The Lin family's young lady has been taken as a hand-chosen disciple by the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite. Our sect has decided to arrange another marriage for her. We hope the Yu family will surrender the marriage contract and consider it null and void."

Yu Yuan responded with a smile, "Have Lin Zhuyun come and speak to me herself."

Liu Wei's smile stiffened. "Must it be this way?"

"If Lin Zhuyun comes in person, I might consider it, depending on my mood," Yu Yuan replied nonchalantly.

"This kid is really asking for trouble!" Lei Xiao fumed once more.

"Enough, enough!" Liu Wei quickly grabbed him and led him away. "Yu Yuan, you're being quite unwise. Hand over the marriage contract and sell the Celestial Ice Crystal to Winter's Bite. Some issues could be easily resolved. Why be so obstinate?"

Yu Yuan remained silent.

Liu Wei didn't press further, and with some effort, escorted Lei Xiao away from Thylethlume.

"Mr. Zhao, when did you start practicing the dark arts of Quiescence's northern region?"

After they had left, Yu Yuan turned to Zhao Dongsheng with a beaming smile. "Impressive! If I'm not mistaken, you were just at the early Veil Breaking period when we first met. And now, in such a brief span, you've reached the late Veil Breaking period and are on the verge of entering Subtlety. You've truly earned my respect."

In just one year, Zhao Dongsheng leaped from the early stages of Veil Breaking to the late stages. Such a swift advancement in his cultivation level was extraordinary.

The dark arts were far superior to most conventional spells in refining the physical body at the Soul Awakening and Veil Breaking stages. As a result, practitioners of the dark arts often possessed formidable physiques.

During his time in the Moonfall Sanctuary, Yu Yuan had only witnessed Zhan Tianxiang practicing the dark arts. To his surprise, upon returning, he discovered that Zhao Dongsheng had also adopted this practice.

"Well, I came across a different opportunity and decided to switch to practicing the dark arts to strengthen my body. It turns out I'm quite suited for it," Zhao Dongsheng said, scratching his head sheepishly. "Honestly, I owe it to my daughter."

"Little sister Yafu?" Yu Yuan's mind raced.

Zhao Dongsheng gave a slight nod.

Yu Yuan had an epiphany. He surmised that Zhao Yafu must have encountered numerous opportunities in the Moonfall Sanctuary. Given her exceptional talent, she likely attracted the attention of a fearsome archdemon in the northern reaches of the Land of Quiescence or a practitioner of the dark arts, either on her journey back or upon her return to the Zhao family.

If that individual was from Shadow's Keep...

"Congratulations, Mr. Zhao," Yu Yuan offered with a smile.

Zhao Dongsheng realized that Yu Yuan had likely unraveled the enigma. Pointing to the fourth-level black tiger, he explained, "This black tiger's combat prowess is comparable to a Veil Breaking tiger. It arrived in a similar manner."

"I've noticed," Yu Yuan acknowledged, then turned to Ning Ji, who was visibly astonished behind him. "Ning Ji, doesn't Liu Wei from Winter's Bite seem familiar to you?"

"What are you implying?" Ning Ji asked, bewildered.

"The very person who has been eroding your vitality day and night, thwarting your advancement to the Veil Breaking stage, is none other than him," Yu Yuan revealed.

Ning Ji was thunderstruck, his anger flaring as his face quivered. "It was him? Liu Wei from Winter's Bite?"

"Yes," Yu Yuan confirmed, "I sensed a familiar presence emanating from him. Not long ago, when I assisted you in neutralizing the cold current, a peculiar Ice Venom seeped out. The aura from that Ice Venom matches the one from Liu Wei's middle elixir field."

"Liu Wei!" Ning Ji hissed through clenched teeth.

But his anger quickly turned to despair, and he let out a long, defeated sigh.

What good did it do to know?

He couldn't hold a candle to Liu Wei in terms of either cultivation level or background.

The cold current still plagued his lower elixir field within the Golden Sanctum, and it was uncertain when it might act up again. Without advancing to the Veil Breaking Realm, his life would reach its peak and begin to wane.

Liu Wei, meanwhile, had already attained the Subtlety Realm and was on the verge of forming his Lunar Spirit.

Facing such disparity, even knowing Liu Wei was the culprit, was there any hope for retribution?

"Don't worry, the cold current within you will be taken care of. You'll have the chance to step into the Veil Breaking Realm before your life reaches its zenith, once the cold current has subsided," Yu Yuan said with unwavering confidence, reading Ning Ji's thoughts. "Whatever debt I, Yu Yuan, owe you, the Yu family will repay."

Ning Ji's eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

"After your injury, you specifically came to Thylethlume and settled in without a word. Weren't you waiting for me?" Yu Yuan smiled. "Given the trust and expectations you've placed in me, Ning Ji, how could I possibly let you down?"

"I trust you!"

...

"Yu Yuan!"

"You rascal! You've finally decided to return!"

"As long as you're back and unharmed, that's all that matters!"

"What on earth did you do in the Moonfall Sanctuary to earn such enmity?"

Upon his arrival, Yu Cen, Zhao Zhenghao, and various uncles and aunts bombarded him with questions, all rising to their feet in a flurry.

Despite their scolding, smiles radiated from their faces and eyes.

Their conversation lightened the mood considerably, as if Yu Yuan's return had blown away the dark cloud looming over the Yu family.

"Golden Sanctum! Have you truly reached the Golden Sanctum?"

The current head of the Zhao family's eyes suddenly sparkled with clarity as he exclaimed in amazement, "Impressive! When you entered the Moonfall Sanctuary for your trials, you were merely at the Spirit Channel level! How much time has passed since then?"

"Golden Sanctum? Yu Yuan, have you ascended to the Golden Sanctum?"

"It truly is the Golden Sanctum!"

The Yu family erupted in astonished and joyful exclamations, their cheers ringing out as if in celebration of the New Year.

"Come, tell us all about your experiences in the Moonfall Sanctuary!" Yu Lili demanded with a huff. "The rumors outside are a mix of truth and fiction; we want to hear it straight from you."

In Yu Yuan's absence, a myriad of rumors about him had circulated throughout the entire Silvermoon Empire.

Some claimed he had conspired with an alien soul, leveraging external powers to slay Lin Fengyan of the Lin family, seeking revenge for their past grievances.

Others whispered that numerous cultivators of the Silvermoon Empire fell to the rune circles of the Moonfall Sanctuary because of him.

There were even whispers that he had been overtaken by an alien soul and devil, explaining his sudden awakening after seventeen years of dormancy, followed by a calculated move to enter the Moonfall Sanctuary.

Some speculated he was an alien soul and devil intent on wreaking havoc within the Moonfall Sanctuary.

And then there were those who believed he was a pawn of the Crimson Sun Empire, having secretly pledged allegiance to the Midnightshields and becoming a disciple of their leader, Qin Yun. They said he feigned madness, covertly mastering Qin Yun's spells, and seized the chance to enter the Moonfall Sanctuary, aiming to eliminate empire prodigies like Van Le.

These rumors spread like wildfire through the empire's cities, their veracity ever in question.

Younger members of the empire, such as Su Yan, Zhao Yafu, Lee Yu, and Zhan Tianxiang, lacked the influence to sway opinions due to their youth.

Over time, the rumors only grew more entrenched and widely believed.

As a result, the Yu family's reputation in Asvetaesi and across the Silvermoon Empire suffered greatly.

Thus, when powerful families like the Lin and Van families targeted the Yu family, the public saw it as justified.

"Here's the situation..."

Amidst the pressing inquiries, Yu Yuan gave a brief account of his experiences in the Moonfall Sanctuary. He deliberately omitted any mention of his travels to the Serpent Spine Mountains and Gloomhollow, and kept many secrets to himself.

"Let's not delve into the rest. I simply found the environment of the Moonfall Sanctuary more conducive to my cultivation, so I chose to extend my stay."

Without allowing time for the crowd to digest his words, he swiftly shifted the conversation. "Is the family planning to sell the Celestial Ice Crystal?"

Yu Cen, who had been standing, let out a sigh and took a seat. With a sense of resignation, he explained, "A family's vitality is sustained by an abundance of soulstones. We've lost our very foundation and can't see any other way forward for now. Our only option is to put the Celestial Ice Crystal on the market to tide us over this rough patch."

"The Zhao family can offer some assistance," Zhao Zhenghao interjected.

"Still, it's not a sustainable solution," Yu Lili lamented.

"Are we talking about herbs that can't find a buyer?" Yu Yuan asked with a congenial smile. "Now that I've returned, I intend to tackle this issue at its core and resolve it once and for all!"

"But I aim to do more than that. I want our Yu family to be bustling with activity, to have those families who purchase herbs clamoring to get into Thylethume!"

"And not just from the Silvermoon Empire!"

Every word from Yu Yuan was spoken with emphatic confidence.

Yu Cen and the others stared at him, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and awe at his assertive declarations.

Could this really happen?

That was the question on everyone's mind, yet no one voiced their doubts to challenge Yu Yuan.

"Just give me a little time. You'll see the results. You'll see that it won't just be the Silvermoon Empire, but people from other empires and even the herbalists from the Sacred Hands will make their way to Thylethume!" Yu Yuan proclaimed.

"The Sacred Hands, too? Are you serious, Yu Yuan?" Yu Lili asked in astonishment.

"Just wait and see."

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