C355 Rejected!

The Lunar Spirit of the Silvermoon Queen stood before Yu Yuan, making a solemn vow.

She was the sovereign of the empire, the head of the Lee family, wielding absolute authority within the empire!

Should she choose to, she could elevate the Yu family of Asvetaesi to unparalleled heights, surpassing the Su, Van, and Lin families to become the new elite of the empire!

Yu Yuan, under her promise, would ascend to the role of state preceptor of the Silvermoon Empire, akin to Zhou Cangmin's esteemed position in the Crimson Sun Empire.

Second only to one, yet above countless others!

It seemed that with a mere nod from Yu Yuan, all would be within his grasp.

Despite being a mere Lunar Spirit, Lee Yupan's commanding presence impressed even the Golden Fiend, who inwardly acknowledged her exceptional stature as a female ruler renowned across Aetherius.

After manifesting in this realm with his heaven soul and paying his respects, Yu Yuan stood tall, his face alight with a warm smile as he gazed intently at Her Majesty, his eyes clear and bright.

This was his first encounter with the empress's true visage.

Her features were as exquisite as a painting, with finely arched, elongated eyebrows and striking silver eyes that dazzled onlookers.

Her lips, the shade of pink petals, complemented her porcelain skin, which glowed with the radiance of polished jade.

Her unique aura was no less impressive than that of her sister, Lee Yuchan, or Yuan Lianyao, famed as the blazing red lotus.

Having witnessed countless stunning beauties in his past life, Yu Yuan had to admit that the empress before him was truly exceptional.

Regrettably...

Yu Yuan sighed softly.

The Silvermoon Queen, taken aback, gently coaxed, "Yu Yuan, I am well aware of your exploits in the Moonfall Sanctuary. I've also noted your indifference towards so-called evil spirits and alien souls. State Preceptor Zhou has spoken to me of your deeds in the Serpent Spine Mountains."

"You've had the audacity to slay disciples from both the Ebon Star and the Sunlit Order. Yu Zhu, who accompanies you, is not of human kin, her very being steeped in venom, born from the fortunes of the Forgotten Ruins. She shares a unique kinship with Bai Shang, who serves under my banner."

"So, I've always believed that we are, in fact, on the same path."

"When you returned to Asvetaesi, the Lin family, the Van family, and various others wanted you dead. I've always protected you, both openly and in secret, and I hold you in high regard."

"I've had this feeling that one day you will stand with me in battle, that you will be my ally."

Lee Yupan spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

Her gaze upon Yu Yuan was like that of someone beholding a precious gem, "In my eyes, even Su Xiangtian of the Su family is unfit for the role of state preceptor. He's too upright, too rigid. I always sense that eventually, our paths will diverge. You, on the other hand, possess astonishing abilities, and your character and methods have much to commend them."

The empress lavished him with praise, considering him a cornerstone of the empire.

Golden Fiend, present in his soul form, seemed somewhat bewildered.

Was this Yu Yuan actually just a young man from Silvermoon Empire's Asvetaesi?

Golden Fiend had assumed that Yu Yuan either hailed from the most powerful sects of the Land of Quiescence or the Euwrea Continent, or was the private disciple of a Solar Spirit or an Unbound cultivator.

He had believed that Yu Yuan's association with the Yu family was merely a facade, similar to Lee Yupan's long-term plotting for the Forgotten Ruins.

But now, hearing Lee Yupan's words, Golden Fiend's confusion deepened.

Could it be that Yu Yuan's arrival was merely a fluke?

"Your Majesty!"

Yu Yuan's Soul Voice rose emphatically, sending peculiar ripples throughout the little world and interrupting Lee Yupan's speech.

The Silvermoon Queen fell silent, watching him with a composed gaze.

"Does the empire have a future?" Yu Yuan inquired earnestly.

"I understand your concerns," the Silvermoon Queen acknowledged with a nod. "Maintain good relations with the Moonfiend Clan, domesticate the Terra Fiend Bai Shang, the defector from Shadow's Keep? And then, attempt to summon the Shura from the Dark Realm, unleashing calamity upon the world? This affair can no longer be hidden, and it will inevitably become known. Do you really think that the peak sect powers of the Land of Quiescence and the Heavenly Source Continent will tolerate me, the Lee family, and the Empire?"

"I believe that's the case," Yu Yuan stated.

The Silvermoon Queen offered a slight smile. "Do you really think I would dare to take such action without considering the consequences?"

Yu Yuan paused to reflect before responding, "Your actions have turned the entire Everlands against you. I fail to see any likelihood of success. Even if you awaken the Shura from the Dark Realm and he emerges at the peak of his power, what difference will it make? Can he truly alter the course of events or instill fear in those sects that possess primordial spirits?"

"To me, it seems your actions serve only your own interests."

"Not those of the Blackfang Legion, the Lee family, nor the Empire."

"You and the commander might advance further, each forging your own Solar Spirit. With the power of the Solar Spirit, you both might escape the constraints of this world and traverse the cosmic void in search of ultimate liberation."

"But what of the Empire after your departure? What becomes of the Lee family and the Blackfang Legion?"

As he spoke, Yu Yuan's lips curled with a mix of scorn and chill.

He had no faith in the Silvermoon Queen's words!

In his view, her current promises were merely a facade for the release of the Shura from the Dark Realm, a ploy to satisfy her own cravings!

The promise of making him the state preceptor of the Silvermoon Empire, of elevating the Yu family to new heights—mere lip service!

"If you truly trust me and follow my lead, I will lay all my cards on the table and reveal to you the full extent of the plans Feiqing and I have made," Lee Yupan said with a deep sigh and an air of regret. "I can see, I can feel, that deep down, you don't trust me."

"As a subject of the Empire, and with me as your sovereign, your protector, you ought to hold me in reverence and trust me wholeheartedly. If that were the case, my promises would hold true, and you and the Yu family would gain everything."

"You should not be questioning me as you are now."

She shook her head gently, her eyes, bright as the silver moon, began to show a glint of frost.

Yu Yuan scoffed and pointed towards the distant Soul Orb, still whirling and releasing vengeful spirits and residual souls. "Many residual souls and fragmented thoughts are being released from that Horcrux. Among them are cultivators from the five major families, including members of your own Lee family."

"I've heard of a few others, revered ancestors of the Empire who were unwaveringly loyal to Your Majesty."

"They are dead. I don't know the cause, but you..."

"You've gathered their lingering souls, confining them within the Soul Orb and the Soul Chart, using them as sustenance for the Shura of the Dark Realm. If such loyal subjects have met this fate, how could I ever trust you?"

Yu Yuan's resolve only strengthened as he spoke.

The Silvermoon Queen shook her head again. "You don't understand; you're different from them. They were mere servants, not comrades. They lacked the privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with me."

"I beg your pardon, but I fail to grasp your point," Yu Yuan replied, cutting the conversation short.

His remnant soul began to shift, and streams of scarlet sword light coalesced around him with the speed of lightning.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for this affront."

The gathered scarlet sword light, in tune with his thoughts, hurtled toward the Silvermoon Queen.

"The inner world of the Dark Realm Shura's eye is not your crafted realm, nor is it a place where you and the sword spirit can act with impunity," the Silvermoon Queen said as she inhaled softly. With a casual wave of her hand, the Soul Orb traversed the void and settled into her palm.

As soon as the Soul Orb was in her grasp, her silver garments seemed to be suffused with a purple glow.

The attire, merely a manifestation of the Lunar Spirit and remnant soul, solidified in an instant, and the Lunar Spirit within the queen appeared to be imbued with the vibrancy of life.

"Yu Yuan, I offer you one more opportunity. Do not resist, do not defy my will. My promise remains valid."

The Silvermoon Queen's demeanor was grave, her silver eyes brimming with a chilling light. A perilously dangerous aura emanated from her, instilling fear in those around.

Yu Yuan, too, was taken aback by her display.

"No, thank you."

He shook his head, expressing his reluctance, "You see, you're mistaken. The role of state preceptor, the power of the Yu family—I have no interest in these. The Yu family, the Silvermoon Empire, they're merely brief interludes in the grand narrative of my life. Regardless of the empire's fate, I am destined to depart. Why would I linger?"

"Your promises hold no allure for me. Once I've grown strong enough, all that I desire will naturally be within my reach."

The sword spirit, honed through his practice of Soul Forging through Enlightenment, along with the extensive preparations from his previous life, would undoubtedly propel him into a broader realm.

The confines of Asvetaesi and the Silvermoon Empire were mere shackles, and it was his destiny to break free from them.

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