C321 Flying Island
Boom!
A thunderous explosion echoed from the small island at the heart of the lake.
The island, once nestled in the lake's embrace, soared into the sky!
It appeared as though the island had been forcibly uprooted from the water and now hung suspended over the heads of the onlookers.
The underside of the airborne island was blanketed with snow-white stones, and silver dragon tendons, as thick as a child's arm, coiled around it to prevent it from crumbling apart.
These silver dragon tendons radiated the dragon's breath of a seventh-level Silverfrost Dragon.
The entire island seemed to be drenched in the dragon's blood, solidifying the earth beneath.
The island was shrouded in a thick miasma and swirling clouds.
Yang Yinquan of the Abyssal Dawn, along with several others of notable cultivation and refined remnant souls, gazed at the mid-air island, their expressions turning grave.
Shen Feiqing had been the first to reach this island.
After the commander's departure, what caused this mid-lake island to stir so mysteriously?
Yang Yinquan also sensed a terrifying force emanating from the floating island, one that could stifle his three souls.
Yu Yuan looked up at the island.
Connected to his Heart Lake were Yu Zhu, the High Oracle, and Xu Zixi, all of whom were there.
They intermittently summoned him through the Heart Lake, urging him to hasten to their side.
The island, now levitating, had been quietly undergoing refinement by Yu Zhu since her return from the Moonfall Sanctuary.
She channeled various toxic energies from the Forgotten Ruins into it, transforming it into her personal domain.
Bolstered by Bai Shuang's seventh-level Naga blood and dragon tendon, the island had transformed, gaining the ability to navigate the skies.
Although it paled in comparison to the Starmoon Sect's Fallen Star Eyes, which had been honed for decades with extraterrestrial aerolites, the beginnings of a remarkable artifact were already taking shape. If Yu Zhu continued to refine it with the abundant spiritual energy of the Forgotten Ruins, it would one day evolve into a heavenly-grade artifact.
"There's someone above us!"
Bai Shang, who often went unnoticed, unexpectedly interjected.
A wisp of smoke gently descended.
The dark green smoke hissed as it fell, exuding a terrifying odor potent enough to dissolve a mortal soul.
The smoke was drifting directly towards Yu Yuan's position.
Yang Yinquan, Su Xiangtian, and the others quickly sensed that something was amiss and immediately moved out of the way. Yuan Lianyao's face showed a hint of concern as she prepared to launch herself, red lotuses swirling at her feet, toward the encroaching smoke.
Out of nowhere, a hand gently rested on the back of her fair and delicate hand. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her eyes wide with surprise.
The rest of the group turned their attention to Yu Yuan.
Yu Yuan, with a reassuring smile and a relaxed demeanor, shook his head while still holding her hand. "Sister Mayor, I don't need you to protect me."
Lee Yuchan was quick to catch on, letting out a snort before speaking up, "They've come for you, haven't they?"
A wave of astonishment swept through the onlookers.
The floating island and the descending smoke – were they really here for him? What sort of allure did this young man from Asvetaesi possess?
As everyone watched in disbelief, the dark green smoke indeed came to a stable halt right before Yu Yuan. He stepped forward, merging with the smoke.
The dark green smoke, resembling a lotus crafted from emerald, cradled him aloft and carried him toward the floating island.
Those gathered around Yu Yuan were left in a trance, struggling to believe that a mere youth from the modest town of Asvetaesi could be granted such an honor. Whoever resided on that island had to be a person of great significance, possibly someone who could influence the fate of the Forgotten Ruins.
Why would such an individual take such an interest in Yu Yuan?
Before long, Yu Yuan was escorted onto the island by the dark green smoke. The mid-lake island, without any sound of activating rune circles, gracefully departed, heading toward the deepest reaches of the Forgotten Ruins.
"He..." Yuan Lianyao, at a loss for words, rubbed her smooth forehead with her fingertips.
"Don't you see?" Lee Yuchan's expression darkened once more, his voice emanating a chill. "The commander of the Sunblessed Empire, along with the Yin-Yang Acolytes who accompanied him in the Moonfall Sanctuary, are clearly allies! And there are other formidable figures lurking within the floating island!"
"Yu Yuan is one of them!" Her final words not only voiced her suspicions but also echoed a reality that was becoming apparent to all.
Within the Nimbuswing.
The veteran general of the Silvermoon Empire was equally astonished as he watched the floating island drift toward the Forgotten Ruins, his face betraying a kaleidoscope of emotions.
Van Yan, hailing from the Empire's Van family, had a deep, inscrutable look in his eyes, leaving others to wonder what thoughts were swirling in his mind.
Members of the smaller clans could only offer bitter smiles as they observed the island's departure.
What sort of background could the young lord of Asvetaesi possibly have to warrant such a distinguished figure escorting him away?
Was it truly prudent to antagonize the Yu family?
Beneath the moonlight, Liu Ying, as she gazed upon the Fallen Star Eyes, was rendered speechless.
She rubbed her eyes, which shone brilliantly, and peered at the stone beneath her that resembled a polished mirror. She murmured in awe, "How did the island start to float? And why is the energy emanating from it so breathtaking?"
Despite her efforts to adjust her viewpoint, the Fallen Star Eyes failed to penetrate the mist enshrouding the island to reveal its secrets.
Such an occurrence was exceedingly rare.
From a distance, Wei Wujiang, Wang Jinlin, and several young nobles from the Sunblessed Empire stood dumbfounded, their gaze fixed on the distant sky.
The space rift, once erratic, had gathered around Shen Feiqing as she soared into the heavens, opting for a decisive battle with two Spirit Walk cultivators.
As a result, Wei Wujiang and the others were spared.
Le Baixiong and his fellow Blackfang Legion soldiers focused their relentless pursuit mostly on those concealed within Dragon Lake, and the members of Thunder Sect and Winter's Bite, sparing them from the chase.
Those who had lived through the ordeal dared not venture near the lake again, instead choosing to lie low from afar.
In secret, they awaited the arrival of their sect's reinforcements.
Before their sect elders could arrive, they bore witness to the demise of Jiang Moyan and the flight of Zou Jin, followed by the sight of Yu Yuan being enveloped by emerald clouds and taken to the mid-lake island.
A series of bewildering events left them questioning their own existence.
The moon shone brightly, stars twinkling resplendently overhead.
Upon the island afloat in the void, Zhou Cangmin, clad in white, smiled at Yu Yuan and said, "In the wake of such upheaval, if you were to remain within the Silvermoon Empire, you might even startle Her Majesty the Empress herself. Your notoriety has grown too great. Have you considered leaving altogether to cultivate in a new land?"
Yu Yuan chuckled softly, "High Oracle, are you trying to recruit me into the Ruby Hand?"
"While it may not stand on par with the Devil Palace or Shadow's Keep, the Ruby Hand certainly holds its own in the Everlands," Zhou Cangmin replied with a warm smile. "Most importantly, my word carries weight within the Ruby Hand."
His appreciation for Yu Yuan was evident, and he made no effort to conceal it.
"The Ruby Hand is an excellent option. You should give it some serious thought," Xu Zixi suggested earnestly.
"We can discuss this matter later," Yu Yuan responded nonchalantly.
He then turned his gaze, beaming, toward Yu Zhu, who was frolicking about the island.
"She has been covertly refining this island for quite some time, infusing it with many peculiar items from the Forgotten Ruins," Zhou Cangmin said with a solemn tone. "This island is destined to become the most extraordinary rare treasure of the Forgotten Ruins. Her harmony with the Way of Heaven there, and her quest to incorporate various materials on the island, will prove to be immensely beneficial."
Xu Zixi gave a subtle nod, "It's quite remarkable."
A glint of excitement appeared in Yu Yuan's eyes.
Indeed, he had harbored this intention ever since he had guided Yu Zhu from the Serpent Spine Mountains.
His plan was to leverage Yu Zhu's unique abilities to cultivate and expand the vast flora of the Forgotten Ruins.
Yet, before he could begin planting the medicinal herbs he envisioned, an unexpected shift in the Mysterious Realm occurred, sending many plans awry.
Nevertheless, as he watched Yu Zhu's vibrant figure on the floating island, he realized that this turn of events might not be so unfortunate after all.
"Is there truly a Mysterious Realm?" he suddenly inquired.
"The situation is still unclear," Zhou Cangmin replied, furrowing his brow. "Your friend and Shen Feiqing have Zou Jin cornered. We'll hold off on visiting the Mysterious Realm for now and head somewhere else first."
"And where might that be?" Yu Yuan asked with curiosity.
"We're going to the Ethereal Void Sect, where the teleportation circle is located. Our first step is to halt the operation of that rune circle."
