C287 Don't Come Down!!

Wei Wujiang's expression was grave.

On the deck of the Golden Ship, the spiritual energy glimmered, flowing like resplendent mercury.

He was well aware of the ship's wonders and knew that the rune circles within were operating at full capacity, powered by the soulstones.

He instantly realized that the Golden Ship was hurtling forward at breakneck speed.

In a mere moment of bewilderment, he had been transported from the Nimbuswing to the Golden Ship.

The elegant noblewoman in the silver cape, whom even he held in high regard, stood at the stern, her flowing sleeves whipping through the air.

From the corners of her sleeves, one could barely make out silver-white boas transforming into bolts of lightning, vanishing into the void behind the ship.

The noblewoman's face was etched with seriousness, and the formidable aura she exuded made many of the Sunblessed Empire's cultivators aboard the Golden Ship tense.

After a brief pause, she exhaled deeply and ceased her sleeve-waving.

The Golden Ship's velocity also decreased slightly. Turning to Wei Wujiang, she inquired, "Are you alright?"

"Ms. Xu, I'm fine," Wei Wujiang replied with a sheepish grin. "What just happened?"

Xu Zixi explained, "A powerful being responded to Yu Yuan's call, reversing space to bring you here from the Nimbuswing."

Wei Wujiang's face paled. "Reversed space?"

"Yes, the method used was extremely fearsome," Xu Zixi's slender eyebrows knitted together, her striking face now solemn. "I can't even pinpoint his exact location or where he might be hiding."

"I see," Wei Wujiang nodded, signaling his understanding. "Thank you, Ms. Xu."

"Yu Yuan from Asvetaesi seems to be more than meets the eye," Xu Zixi mused. "Let's hold off on dealing with Wei Feng for now. After Thunder Sect, Winter's Bite, and Dragon Lake have handled her, we'll approach Lee Yuangui. By that time, even if Yu Yuan has a secret guardian, they will pose no threat."

"Agreed," Wei Wujiang responded.

He trusted Xu Zixi's judgment. Since the mysterious figure had an understanding with Yu Yuan and was backing him, and Xu Zixi lacked full confidence, Wei Wujiang saw no rush to engage in battle.

Wei Wujiang was never known to act rashly.

"How is it that you've heard of Yu Yuan from Asvetaesi, Wei?" asked a sweet-faced girl in lavish attire aboard the Golden Ship, her curiosity piqued. "I'm familiar with the Yu family; they're quite insignificant in the Silvermoon Empire. Why would a young master from such a minor family be of any concern to you?"

"Liu Ying, your brother Liu Zaihe vanished in the Serpent Spine Mountains," Wei Wujiang interjected abruptly.

Liu Ying, of the prestigious Liu family of the Sunblessed Empire, nodded gently. "Yes, that's true. But what does his disappearance have to do with Yu Yuan?"

Although Wei Wujiang referred to Liu Zaihe as her brother, Liu Ying addressed him by name without a hint of reverence. This was partly because Liu Zaihe was not her blood brother and partly because her own standing within the Liu family far surpassed his.

Liu Zaihe was merely a collateral member of the Liu family, whereas Liu Ying was a direct descendant. In the strictest sense, Liu Zaihe was not an heir to the King of Wraiths, but Liu Ying was the true progeny of the King of Wraiths of the Sunblessed Empire.

Moreover, Liu Zaihe, whose talents in the path of cultivation were deemed average, had never been recognized by her from a young age. The Liu family consensus was that Liu Zaihe, aware of his limited potential in cultivation, had chosen to pursue alchemy instead.

To everyone's surprise, Liu Zaihe discovered he had a remarkable aptitude for alchemy and thus devoted himself to the craft.

Liu Ying, however, was a different story. Among the Liu family's younger generation, this charming young woman was, like Wei Wujiang, laden with the family's great expectations.

Wei Wujiang had been taken in as a hand-chosen disciple by the master of the Thunder Sect, while Liu Ying was appointed as a direct disciple by the Starmoon Sect of Euwrea from the day of her birth. Legend has it that on the night Liu Ying was born, the skies of the Sunblessed Empire sparkled with stars, showering the Liu family's courtyard with a celestial radiance like a starlit rain.

Half a year prior, the Starmoon Sect had already covertly established themselves within the Sunblessed Empire, convinced that a child of extraordinary talent was destined to be born, one innately suited for the cultivation of the Starmoon Sect's spells.

That child was none other than Liu Ying.

Liu Ying had been the apple of everyone's eye since birth, nurtured under the protective wing of the Starmoon Sect.

There had been no prior connection between the Sunblessed Empire and the Starmoon Sect. And with the King of Wraiths still present on the Land of Quiescence, it seemed unlikely that the Starmoon Sect would take any interest in the Liu family.

Yet, Liu Ying's arrival changed everything, prompting the Starmoon Sect to break numerous precedents on her behalf.

Within the Sunblessed Empire, the significance of Liu Ying, still just a budding talent, even surpassed that of Wei Wujiang.

Wei Wujiang was but one of many hand-chosen disciples within the Thunder Sect.

But for the Starmoon Sect, a prodigy like Liu Ying, born under auspicious signs and perfectly attuned to their spells, was unique. She stood alone in her potential.

"Your brother was forced by Chen Qingyan of the Sword Sect to enter Gloomhollow," confirmed Wei Wujiang. "At the time, the scene was witnessed by many from outside the valley. And as Chen Qingyan led your brother into Gloomhollow, someone spotted Yu Yuan already inside."

"It was later verified that numerous Lunar Spirits and Subtlety masters perished within Gloomhollow. Two individuals from the Ebon Star Sect and the Sunlit Order vanished. Even the Mark of the Celestials from the Ebon Star Sect went missing, its whereabouts unknown."

"Soon after, Yu Yuan was seen in the Silvermoon Empire, and Chen Qingyan was spotted elsewhere."

"As for your brother, there has been no further news."

Wei Wujiang stated.

"He's probably dead," Liu Ying remarked without a hint of sorrow. "He was so determined to go to the Sacred Hands in the Serpent Spine Mountains to prove himself and win the approval of the Order of Healing. It's such a shame that he met his end in Gloomhollow without any accomplishments to his name."

"Liu Wei suspects that Yu Yuan had a hand in your brother's death," Wei Wujiang added.

Liu Ying scoffed dismissively.

"He's still Lin Zhuyun's fiancé, the one who just arrived in Euwrea and received a grand welcome from the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite," Wei Wujiang said with another smile. "Liu Wei is held in high esteem by the Chief Elder at Winter's Bite. His mission to lead disciples on a training pursuit of the Blackfang Legion likely includes helping Lin Zhuyun by dealing with the nuisance that is Yu Yuan."

"Lin Zhuyun..." Liu Ying's lips curled into a disdainful smirk. "If she can't break free from her fate and prove her worth, she's nothing but a puppet."

Xu Zixi interjected suddenly, "Compared to the lofty figures of the three great upper sects, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep, who isn't a puppet?"

At her words, Wei Wujiang and Liu Ying fell into a sudden silence.

...

A hush fell over the Nimbuswing.

Wei Wujiang, who had arrived with such presence, vanished quietly without a trace.

The Golden Ship that had brought such a powerful sense of awe, along with the striking noblewoman adorned with seven pythons, disappeared as if they had never been there at all.

Van Yan, who had vociferously blamed Yu Yuan for endangering his safety, was now oddly quiet.

The envoys from the Silvermoon Empire exchanged bewildered glances, still trying to make sense of the events.

Old General Lee Yuangui, after a brief moment of contemplation, had deduced the truth.

His gaze upon Yu Yuan carried a hint of reproach. "If you had the power to command that individual, why keep it a secret and let us worry needlessly?"

At his words, even Yan Yu let out a soft huff of agreement.

Yan Qiling, once the artifact soul of the Soul Splitting Staff, had mentioned that during the early stages of his spiritual wisdom's recovery, he was only accompanied by himself, which fostered a special trust in his own abilities.

Yet, she was unaware of the discussions between Yu Yuan and Yan Qiling.

She didn't know that Yan Qiling had always been lurking in the shadows.

The nature of the understanding and the schemes between Yan Qiling and Yu Yuan were completely unknown to her.

"Old General, now that Wei Feng's restrictions have been lifted, please escort us down," Yu Yuan said, sidestepping Lee Yuangui's question with a sincere request. "The people from the Sunblessed Empire may not let this go so easily. Once the Blackfang Legion's commander is apprehended or killed by the combined forces of the Thunder Sect, Winter's Bite, and Dragon Lake, they will likely return."

Lee Yuangui hesitated.

"Let the Nimbuswing land," Yan Yu suddenly declared.

Lee Yuangui glanced at the others on the ship, pondering the situation. If Yu Yuan was right, and they were to wait for the Sunblessed Empire to regroup and return, everyone present would still be in danger.

With Wei Feng present, could the Nimbuswing truly hold its ground once back in Asvetaesi?

"Are you certain you want to bring this girl along?" he asked gravely.

Yu Yuan nodded emphatically.

"Very well."

Lee Yuangui ceased his objections. At his signal, the Nimbuswing descended, hovering above the dense forest.

He methodically withdrew the spiritual energy constraints from Wei Feng.

Yu Yuan went even further, unbinding Wei Feng's wrists and leading her off the Nimbuswing. "Old General, rest assured. I intend to survive without causing any trouble for the empire."

Lee Yuangui's face twisted into a wry smile, thinking to himself that even with the enigmatic child's covert protection, what could Yu Yuan do once the Sunblessed Empire's forces rallied?

He feared that ultimately, he might have to surrender Wei Feng to avoid disaster.

Ning Ji disembarked as if it were second nature.

To everyone's surprise, Bai Shenshen of the Sacred Hands gathered her skirt and prepared to disembark with them.

"Bai Shenshen, you shouldn't come down!"

Yu Yuan, now on the ground, sneered, "Sorry, but we're heading into a perilous situation. I don't want someone with divided loyalties by my side!"

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