C287 Don't Come Down!!
Wai Wujiang's face was etched with gravity.
The spiritual light within the seams of the gilding treasure ship's deck flowed like dazzling, slow-moving mercury.
He was well-acquainted with the ship's marvels and knew that the accelerating arrays inside were being driven to their full potential by the Spirit Stones.
He realized in an instant that the gilding treasure ship was surging forward at breakneck speed.
Lost in a brief reverie, he had been transported from the Cloud Sail to the gilding treasure ship.
The resplendent noblewoman in the silver cape, whom he held in high esteem, stood at the stern, her flowing sleeves whipping through the air.
Thin, silver-white pythons emerged from her sleeves, transforming into bolts of lightning that vanished into the void beyond the ship's end.
Her demeanor was serious, and the formidable aura she exuded caused many of the Divine Might Empire's cultivators aboard the treasure ship to tense up.
After a moment, she exhaled deeply and ceased her sleeve-flinging.
The treasure ship's velocity eased slightly. Turning to face Wai Wujiang, she inquired, "Are you okay?"
"Aunt Xu, I'm fine," Wai Wujiang replied with a sheepish grin. "What just happened?"
Xu Zixi explained, "A powerful being answered Yu Yuan's call and reversed the fabric of space, bringing you here from the Cloud Sail."
Wai Wujiang's face paled. "Reversed space?"
"Yes, the method employed was profoundly fearsome," Xu Zixi said, her delicate brows knitting together, her striking face turning serious. "I'm unable to pinpoint their exact location or where they might be concealed."
"Understood," Wai Wujiang nodded, signaling his comprehension. "Thank you, Aunt Xu."
"Yu Yuan from Darkmoon City seems to be more than meets the eye," Xu Zixi mused thoughtfully. "Let's hold off on dealing with Wai Feng for now. Once the Thunder Sect, Cold Yin Sect, and Hidden Dragon Lake have handled her, we'll approach Lee Yuangui. By that time, even if Yu Yuan has a hidden protector, they won't pose a threat."
"Very well," Wai Wujiang conceded.
He trusted Xu Zixi's assessment. Given that the unseen ally had a rapport with Yu Yuan and stood behind her, and considering Xu Zixi's lack of full confidence, he too felt there was no rush to engage in battle.
Wei Wujiang was never one to act rashly.
On the gilded treasure ship, a sweet-faced girl dressed in opulence curiously inquired, "Brother Wei, how have you come to know of Yu Yuan from Darkmoon City? I'm familiar with the Yu family; they're quite insignificant in the Silvermoon Empire. Why would a minor young master from such a family draw your attention?"
"Lau Ying, your brother Lau Zaihe vanished in the Jade Peak Mountains," Wu Wujiang interjected abruptly.
Lau Ying, hailing from the Divine Might Empire, nodded gently. "Yes, what about it? Is there a connection between his disappearance and Yu Yuan?"
Wu Wujiang spoke of Lau Zaihe by name without a hint of reverence. This was partly because Lau Zaihe was not her blood brother, and partly because her own standing within the Lau family far surpassed his. Lau Zaihe was merely a collateral member of the Lau family, whereas Lau Ying was a direct descendant. In strict terms, Lau Zaihe was not an heir to the Mighty Spirit King, but Lau Ying was indeed the direct progeny of the Mighty Spirit King of the Divine Might Empire.
Moreover, Lau Zaihe, whose innate talent for cultivation was unremarkable, had never been recognized by her from an early age. It was a common belief within the Lau family that Lau Zaihe, aware of his limitations in cultivation, had sought an alternative path in alchemy. To his own surprise, he discovered a natural aptitude for it and became deeply engrossed in the practice.
Lau Ying, however, was a different story. Among the Lau family's younger generation, this charming young woman was, like Wei Wujiang, the bearer of great familial expectations. Wei Wujiang had been taken as a personal disciple by the master of the Thunder Sect, while Lau Ying was designated as a true disciple by the Silver Moon Sect of the Heavenly Source Continent from the day of her birth.
Legend has it that on the night Lau Ying was born, the skies of the Divine Might Empire were ablaze with stars, showering the Lau estate with a celestial cascade. The Silver Moon Sect had even dispatched their adepts to secretly observe the Divine Might Empire six months prior, convinced that a child with exceptional potential was destined to master the Silver Moon Sect's spiritual spells and secret arts.
The child in question was Lau Ying.
From the moment of her birth, Lau Ying was adored and doted upon, nurtured under the protective wing of the Silver Moon Sect.
There had been no prior connection between the Divine Might Empire and the Silver Moon Sect. And with the Mighty Spirit King residing in the Quietus Continent, the Lau family wouldn't typically draw the Silver Moon Sect's favor.
Yet, Lau Ying's birth changed everything. For her, the Silver Moon Sect bent rules they had never before considered breaking.
Within the Divine Might Empire, even as a mere sapling, Lau Ying's significance eclipsed that of Wai Wujiang.
Though Wai Wujiang was but one of the Thunder Sect's direct disciples.
Unique to the Silver Moon Sect, Lau Ying emerged with a natural phenomenon, making her exceptionally suited to mastering their celestial techniques. She stood alone in this regard.
"Your brother was forced by Chen Qingyan of the Sword Sect to enter Chilly Wind Valley," Wai Wujiang confirmed with a nod. "There were many witnesses just outside the valley. And as Chen Qingyan led your brother in, someone spotted Yu Yuan already lurking within."
"It was later verified that numerous Yin Gods and Penetrating Stage masters perished in Chilly Wind Valley. Two individuals from the Profound Sky Sect and the Primordial Yang Sect vanished. Even a Heaven Palace Seal from the Profound Sky Sect was lost without a trace."
"Soon after, Yu Yuan surfaced in the Silvermoon Empire, and Chen Qingyan was seen elsewhere."
"Your brother, however, vanished without a trace."
Wai Wujiang declared.
"He's likely dead," Lau Ying stated without a hint of sorrow. "He was so set on proving himself at the Medicine God Sect in the Jade Peak range, hoping to gain their recognition. It's truly unfortunate—his untimely death in Chilly Wind Valley left him without any legacy."
"Lau Wei believes Yu Yuan played a part in your brother's demise," Wei Wujiang remarked.
Lau Ying scoffed.
"He was also Lin Zhuyun's betrothed—the one who just entered the Heavenly Source Continent and received a grand welcome from the Great Elder of the Cold Yin Sect," Wai Wujiang added with a smile. "Given Lau Wei's esteemed status with the Great Elder, his mission to mentor disciples and pursue the Tusk Troops likely includes an ulterior motive: to eliminate the nuisance that is Yu Yuan, on behalf of Lin Zhuyun."
"Lin Zhuyun?" Lau Ying's lips curled in disdain as she spoke, "If she can't break free from her fate and prove her value, she's nothing but a puppet."
Xu Zixi cut in abruptly, "Compared to the lofty figures of the upper sects, the Demon Palace, and the Devil Palace, who isn't a puppet?"
At that, Wei Wujiang and Lau Ying fell into a sudden silence.
...
A hush fell over the Cloud Sail.
The once imposing Wei Wujiang, who had descended with such force, was now nowhere to be seen.
The gilding treasure ship, along with the striking noblewoman entwined with seven pythons, had vanished as if they had never been there at all.
Van Yan, who had been vocally critical of Yu Yuan for the sake of his own safety, was now oddly quiet.
The envoys from the Silvermoon Empire exchanged glances, still trying to piece together what had just transpired.
Old General Lee Yuangui, after a brief moment of contemplation, had surmised the truth.
He looked at Yu Yuan with a trace of reproach in his eyes, "If you had the power to command that person, why keep it a secret and let us worry needlessly?"
Yan Yu let out a soft huff at his words.
Yan Qiling, who had once been the Artifact Soul of the Splitting Soul Staff, had mentioned that during the early stages of his sentience, he had only trusted himself. That trust was special.
Yet, she was in the dark about what Yu Yuan and Yan Qiling had discussed afterward.
She was unaware that Yan Qiling had always been lurking in the shadows.
The nature of the understanding and the plans between Yan Qiling and Yu Yuan were a complete mystery to her.
"Old General, now that Wei Feng's restrictions have been lifted, please escort us down," Yu Yuan requested, sidestepping Lee Yuangui's question. "The people from the Divine Might Empire are unlikely to let this go. Once the commander of the Tusk Troops is taken down by the combined forces of the Thunder Sect, Cold Yin Sect, and Hidden Dragon Lake, they will surely return."
Lee Yuangui hesitated.
"Let's bring the Cloud Sail down," Yan Yu interjected suddenly.
Lee Yuangui glanced at the others aboard the ship, pondering the possibility that they could still face danger if the Divine Might Empire regrouped and returned, just as Yu Yuan had suggested.
As long as Wei Feng is present, could the Cloud Sail truly hold its ground, even if it returns to Darkmoon City?
"Are you certain you want to bring this young lady along?" he asked with grave concern.
Yu Yuan nodded emphatically.
"Very well."
Lee Yuangui ceased his objections. At his signal, the Cloud Sail descended, hovering above the dense forest.
He methodically lifted the spiritual power restrictions placed on Wei Feng.
Yu Yuan went a step further, swiftly releasing the bindings on Wei Feng's wrists and led her off the Cloud Sail. "Rest easy, old general. I intend to live a good life and not bring any trouble to the empire."
Lee Yuangui's face twisted into a wry smile, thinking to himself, 'Even with that enigmatic youth secretly watching over you, what will you do when the forces of the Divine Might Empire converge?'
'In the end, you'll likely have to willingly surrender Wei Feng to avoid disaster.'
Ning Ji disembarked as if it were second nature.
To everyone's surprise, Bai Shenshen of the Medicine Sect began to lift her skirt, ready to join them in descending from the Cloud Sail.
"Sister Bai, please don't come down!"
Once on the ground, Yu Yuan sneered, "I'm sorry, but this journey is fraught with peril. I have no wish to be accompanied by someone whose heart isn't in it!"
