C331 A Pitiful Person

The sun blazed high in the sky.

The Nimbuswing, once cutting through the void at breakneck speed, had begun to slow.

The Silvermoon Empire's seasoned general stood at the ship's prow, gripping the railing so tightly that his veins bulged.

His heart raced, his excitement causing his shoulders to tremble slightly.

Messages from Bai Shang streamed into his Heart Lake, one after another.

He knew they were nearing their destination.

"General Lee."

Su Xiangtian's soft call drew the general's attention, ensuring he was noticed.

Lee Yuangui inhaled deeply, his gaze vacant as he turned to face the rising star of the nation. "What is it?"

The white-haired Su Xiangtian, with his carefree demeanor and handsome, troubled face, spoke up, "Old General, my daughter and I visited the Abyssal Dawn Sect and have only just returned. I've heard rumors that the Empire has secretly allied with the Ruby Hand?"

"Those are baseless rumors; don't give them credence," Lee Yuangui replied, dismissing the notion with a wave of his sleeve.

He then cast a cold, warning glance at Yuan Lianyao.

Yuan Lianyao felt bewildered, having received a personal promise from Faang Yao and a secret audience with Zhou Cangmin.

Could it be that Faang Yao and the state preceptor would deceive her?

If there was no issue with those two sect Mighty, could there be one with the trusted old general of the empress?

"I've spotted Yu Yuan."

At that moment, Lee Yuchan, who had been maintaining her Lunar Spirit, called out softly.

Many on the edges of the ship narrowed their eyes, scanning a ruined cityscape for any sign of Yu Yuan.

Those whose abilities were insufficient to harness the Lunar Spirit saw nothing at all.

Yang Yinquan, Lee Yuangui, and a handful of others fixed their gaze on Yu Yuan as soon as Lee Yuchan spoke.

"The Crimson Sun Empire, Zhou Cangmin!"

"The state preceptor is there too!"

"Zhou Cangmin, his Lunar Spirit roaming afar, is actually at Yu Yuan's side!"

"And who is that? The Python Queen Xu Zixi?"

"The Python Queen from the newly risen Sunblessed Empire?"

"..."

Exclamations of astonishment erupted from within the ship.

Lee Yuangui had ushered a diverse group of cultivators onto the sailboat, each belonging to different nations and factions, who were now engaged in animated discussions.

In the midst of the crowd, Wei Feng stood alone, her face the picture of indifference, seemingly oblivious to the chatter around her.

Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu of the Zhao family were close by, casting curious glances toward Wei Feng now and then.

Zhao Yafu, having gained the favor of the Moonfang Tiger and received the emblem that signified her status, was already considered part of Shadow's Keep.

Zhan Tianxiang, who had been privy to the secret teachings of the Golden Elephant God from a young age and practiced the orthodox dark arts, was a disciple of Shadow's Keep as well.

It was rare for humans to practice the dark arts.

Yet, those with exceptional talent and bodies of rare quality who could practice the dark arts without succumbing early on were often individuals of great fortitude and fortune.

Among humans in Shadow's Keep, there were those who had achieved the status of archdemon.

Both Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu had cultivated the dark arts and earned the recognition of Shadow's Keep. Eventually, they would formally set foot in the Shadow's Keep within the Land of Quiescence and delve deeper into their advancement.

They must have detected the extraordinary aura within Wei Feng and sought to get closer to her.

After observing her for a while, Zhan Tianxiang broke into a sly grin and chuckled, "It's said that conflict breeds familiarity. I truly didn't expect that we are cut from the same cloth."

Wei Feng gave him a cold glance and huffed dismissively.

"I'm not one to bear grudges," Zhan Tianxiang quipped with a playful smile.

Wei Feng simply lowered her head, uninterested in engaging with him.

"Is that really Yu?"

Zhao Yafu, peering over the edge of the ship, caught sight of Yu Yuan as the Nimbuswing drew near once more. "Huh, how odd. Yu's finger is resting above a brown eyeball. That eye is part of a massive skull, resembling that of an archdemon."

"Where? Show me," Zhan Tianxiang asked eagerly, leaning in beside her for a better look.

Wei Feng, who had been quietly sitting apart from the others, finally rose at a leisurely pace and made her way to the ship's edge to see what the fuss was about.

"Whoosh!"

A figure appeared before Wei Feng like a specter, materializing in an instant.

With just one glance, Wei Feng felt dizzy, her consciousness blurring.

"Wei Feng, Wei Feng!"

Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang called out together.

Bai Shang, who had arrived quietly, grasped Wei Feng by the back of her neck and gave Lee Yuangui a nod, as if he were holding a small chick. "Much appreciated."

Wei Feng had already lost consciousness.

Yang Yinquan, Su Xiangtian, and the other cultivators aboard the Nimbuswing were abruptly alerted and turned their attention to the scene.

Van Yan, who had previously clashed with Bai Shang, now looked upon him with fear, instinctively retreating into the crowd as if to avoid being noticed by Bai Shang.

Regrettably for Van Yan, Bai Shang didn't even give him a second look.

Holding Wei Feng, Bai Shang merely exchanged a knowing look with Lee Yuangui before whisking Wei Feng away like a breeze, disappearing from the Nimbuswing in an instant.

"Old General, what's happening here?" Su Xiangtian demanded.

Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang, having detected the deeply concealed demon energy within Wei Feng, were both taken aback and turned their gazes to Lee Yuangui.

Even Yang Yinquan of Abyssal Dawn sensed that something was amiss and approached Lee Yuangui with a questioning look, eager to understand who Bai Shang was.

Bai Shang's presence alone had made him uneasy.

"Bai Shang is acting on a secret order from the Empress," Lee Yuangui stated gravely.

With the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire invoked, Su Xiangtian, Lee Yuchan, and all the other dignitaries of the Silvermoon Empire were unable to press further.

Although Yang Yinquan was affiliated with Abyssal Dawn, it was not his place to delve deeper at this time.

Nevertheless, a shadow of doubt hung over everyone's minds, sensing that the empire's old general was off-kilter, and that Bai Shang had some ulterior motive or plan.

"Thud!"

Wei Feng, unconscious, was dropped by Bai Shang onto a strip of purple silk on the ground.

The silk, shimmering as if woven from purple twilight, caused Wei Feng to shrink dramatically the moment she touched it, transforming her into a miniature figure.

She jolted awake to find herself enveloped in a realm bathed in purple twilight.

In the midst of the alluring purple clouds sat a petite figure, donning a fierce mask.

"Commander!"

A glimmer of relief washed over Wei Feng's face, akin to a drowning person clutching desperately at a lifeline. "Ever since you reached out through Heart Lake, I've remained silently aboard the Golden Ship of the Empire. I haven't sought my own end or clashed with Wei Wujiang; I've merely been awaiting your next directive."

Shen Feiqing's voice was deep and raspy, "You've done well."

Wei Feng exhaled a sigh of relief, her voice tinged with reverence, "I witnessed you, my lord, tearing through the space rift and slaying the Silverfrost Dragon. I saw you vanquish Jiang Moyan!"

Shen Feiqing's gaze remained as still as a placid well; she offered no response.

Bai Shang materialized out of nowhere, stepping into this small domain of purple radiance and clouds, casting a look of pity upon Wei Feng.

"It's you!" Wei Feng's complexion shifted as she exclaimed in distress, "Commander, he's the one who took me captive!"

"I'm aware," Shen Feiqing replied coolly.

"Pitiful indeed," Bai Shang remarked with an icy demeanor. "Oblivious to everything, you still believe she's your savior, thinking she fiercely guards you, even daring to defy the Sunblessed Empire and forsake it, all for your sake."

"Humans are the most deceitful and heartless beings, not us Terra Fiends."

Bai Shang shook his head, "Across the vast Everlands, humans have ascended to the pinnacle, stepping over the remains of giant dragons, archdemons, and Terra Fiends. Beyond the stars, they withstand the Sky Fiend, decimating countless races, all powered by their fearsome nature."

At his words, Wei Feng felt a chill course through her, and her gaze towards Shen Feiqing was now laced with fear and despair.

Bai Shang's revelations had laid bare the truth.

The commander she had idolized, who had taken her under his wing in the Blackfang Legion and shielded her at every turn, now looked at her with eyes that sent shivers down her spine.

That look was as if he were admiring a fine piece of art, a breathtaking jewel, or a feast of exquisite dishes and rare wines.

But it didn't seem like she was looking at a person.

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