C275 Disaster

In the center of a crystal-clear lake lay a small island where Phaseblossom quietly thrived.

Wisps of colorful smoke drifted lazily in the mid-air.

Daylight faded, giving way to the cloak of night.

The arrivals from Winter's Bite and Thunder Sect, led by Liu Wei and Lei Xiao, had found this place, whether by design or chance.

At the lakeside, Liu Wei scanned the surroundings. Catching sight of the mid-lake island, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

Lei Xiao stood dumbfounded for a moment before realization dawned on him, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Are those... Phaseblossom?"

"What else could they be if not Phaseblossom?" Liu Wei replied with a hearty laugh. "Fortune smiles upon us! To think we'd encounter growing Phaseblossom in such a wondrous place."

The other seven young disciples from Winter's Bite and Thunder Sect buzzed with excitement at the mention of "Phaseblossom."

They gazed longingly at the herbs on the mid-lake island, mentally appraising their worth and considering how many Soul Crystals and Soul Stones they could yield once harvested.

"What's the deal with that smoke?"

Lei Xiao peered into the sky, saying, "I've probed it with my spiritual sense and detected an abnormal power stirring within. Yet, the smoke drifts unpredictably, and despite our efforts, we've been unable to penetrate the miasma surrounding it. Who knows what secrets it conceals."

"Many peculiar places harbor wonders," Liu Wei remarked, unfazed. "Whatever it may be, let's track it and assess the situation. Besides, isn't this an unexpected boon? The Phaseblossom isn't ripe yet, but it's exceedingly rare. In any empire across Aetherius, it can be exchanged for Soul Crystals."

Lei Xiao nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, the cluster of colorful smoke wafted down toward the mid-lake island.

As the smoke settled, it dispersed and vanished without a trace.

A sense of unease stirred in Lei Xiao's heart.

"Thud! Thud!"

The thunderous sound of a giant beast charging erupted from the distance, shaking the very earth.

Liu Wei's face tensed as he called out, "What's happening?"

"It looks like the mount of the Blackfang Legion," Lei Xiao said, alarmed.

...

One by one, dire beasts clad in black heavy armor charged ferociously through the underbrush.

The dire beasts were clad in armor, sporting curved horns atop their heads, and their pupils glowed a deep crimson.

These creatures were known as Blackfang Beasts, and the Blackfang Legion of the Sunblessed Empire owed its fame to these formidable beasts.

Legend had it that the Blackfang Beasts resided deep within the Godsblight Marsh to the east of the Sunblessed Empire, with most ranging between levels three and seven.

The Blackfang Legion did not ride beasts captured in the wild; rather, they had forged an ancient pact with the "Untamed" spirits of the marsh, allowing them to command nearly a hundred Blackfang Beasts.

Each of the dozen or so Blackfang Beasts bore a mighty Blackfang Legion general, armed with halberds, spears, and sabers.

The beasts, driven to a frenzy by the thick scent of blood in the miasma, charged wildly without warning.

In no time at all.

The Blackfang Beasts, carrying the Blackfang Legion generals, burst through the underbrush and surged toward the lakeside.

There, they encountered the astonished members of the Thunder Sect and Winter's Bite.

When foes faced each other, hostility was unmistakable.

The leading Blackfang Legion general stood nearly two meters tall, resembling a formidable bear-man, and his presence exuded such ferocity that it sent shivers down the spines of Liu Wei and Lei Xiao.

With a bloodthirsty grin, the man said hoarsely, "What a stroke of luck."

Upon seeing him, Liu Wei's face twisted into a wry smile as he quickly attempted to clarify, "We haven't encountered Wei Feng. We've only heard that she was taken captive by the mayor of Asvetaesi and has been taken back to the city."

No sooner had he spoken than the towering soldier laughed menacingly, "We've heard that Wei Feng wasn't actually taken back to Asvetaesi. And we're aware that nearly all of our six-man squad fell at your hands."

Lei Xiao's face turned pale.

"Let's settle this with blood!"

The imposing Blackfang Legion general aimed his spear at Liu Wei.

The spear transformed into a broad, crimson river.

Specks of blood sprayed from his chest armor, dropping into the river and causing it to roil instantly.

Every drop of blood refused to blend with the river, standing out like individual Fire Stars.

The flames of war were ignited in an instant!

...

Within the Keep of Asvetaesi.

Yuan Lianyao, having just returned and tasked Le Feng with sending messages and making preparations, was about to take a much-needed rest when she suddenly felt a surge of alertness.

A man dressed in white robes materialized in the hall, supported by towering stone pillars.

Upon seeing him, Yuan Lianyao nearly let out a scream.

She quickly regained her composure, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, state preceptor."

Zhou Cangmin, manifesting as a Lunar Spirit, greeted her with a warm smile and asked, "Has Faang Yao spoken to you about me?"

Yuan Lianyao, not daring to withhold any information, replied honestly, "Before he departed, he instructed me that should I encounter the state preceptor, I was to heed your commands."

After a brief pause, she added, "Between the Queen and yourself, I am to follow your lead."

"Very good," Zhou Cangmin nodded, pleased. He strolled casually around the hall, hands clasped behind his back, and inquired, "Has that youngster from the Yu family returned?"

Yuan Lianyao hesitated before answering, "He has, not too long ago."

"What's he up to?" Zhou Cangmin pressed.

"At the moment, nothing out of the ordinary. He simply intends to alter the current state of the Yu family," Yuan Lianyao responded candidly. "State preceptor, may I ask why you're inquiring specifically about him?"

Zhou Cangmin didn't respond to her question but instead gazed at a stone pillar and pondered, "Where exactly is Wei Feng now?"

Yuan Lianyao was taken aback, "State preceptor, what interest do you have in Wei Feng?"

"I share a past with the commander of the Blackfang Legion," Zhou Cangmin explained with a smile. "Many years ago, he and I ventured into Godsblight Marsh together and encountered the 'Untamed' deity within. It was that very expedition that led the Sunblessed Empire to bring back nearly a hundred Blackfang Beasts from the marsh, giving rise to the Blackfang Legion."

Yuan Lianyao's expression turned to one of astonishment, "The legends claim that the Untamed of the Marsh is an archdemon, correct?"

Zhou Cangmin nodded affirmatively, "A formidable demon indeed, capable of holding its own even against the mightiest archdemons of the Shadow's Keep. The commander of the Blackfang Legion, aware of my recent close dealings with the Silvermoon Empire, has reached out to me, entrusting me with the care of Wei Feng."

Wei Feng should be safe with Yu Yuan for the short term," Yuan Lianyao admitted candidly.

"Why does everything seem to revolve around that kid?" Zhou Cangmin exclaimed in surprise. "First the Moonfall Sanctuary, then Gloomhollow in the Serpent Spine Mountains, and now here. He's a walking calamity. Trouble brews wherever he sets foot. I can't tell if he's incredibly lucky or just cursed."

Yuan Lianyao kept quiet.

"You don't need to be overly cautious. Now that I've spoken with that individual, the Blackfang Legion won't be causing any more disturbances near Asvetaesi," Zhou Cangmin said, turning to face her. "Advise everyone in the city, especially the cultivators, to steer clear of the northern part of Thylethlume for the time being to avoid unnecessary complications."

"Why is that?" inquired Yuan Lianyao, puzzled.

"You'll understand soon enough," Zhou Cangmin replied cryptically before drifting away.

Yuan Lianyao stood there, dumbfounded, for a long time, still unsure of what had just transpired.

Deep within the forest, Yu Yuan and Wei Feng were deep in conversation, sharing much with each other.

From Wei Feng, Yu Yuan learned that the owner of the cast-iron sign had once practiced with the Poison Cult. Due to Zhong Chichen's ascension as the master of the Order of Healing and his subsequent suppression of the Poison Cult and the Binders of Shadows, which had previously been closely associated with him, the Poison Cult had expelled the individual to avoid further issues.

With nowhere to turn, the outcast made his way to the Aetherius Continent and sought refuge in the Godsblight Marsh within the Sunblessed Empire.

Their discussion was interrupted when Bai Shenshen arrived hastily, her voice tinged with alarm. "Yu Yuan, there's dragon's breath!"

"Dragon's breath?" Yu Yuan was taken aback.

"It's moving in our direction; it must be a dragon," Bai Shenshen explained, clutching a pill. "Believe me, this pill is extremely sensitive to dragon's breath."

Yu Yuan glanced at the pill, a dark red orb much larger than the average pill, and his expression shifted subtly. "It seems the Dragon Attendant from Dragon Lake might be operating in the vicinity," he said, concern evident in his tone.

"Dragon Lake?" Ning Ji exclaimed, turning to Yu Yuan. "Are they targeting the Zhao family?"

Yu Yuan nodded in confirmation.

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