C377 Little Clown!

Achieving the fifth level of the Golden Sanctum was already a mark of genius within the Human Empire. In just a few short days, Yu Yuan, with the infusion of Yu Zhu's spiritual energy, had successfully completed the fifth level of the Golden Sanctum—an extraordinary feat indeed. Moreover, judging by the current situation, his refinement within the Golden Sanctum was far from complete, indicating untapped potential.

"Lord State Preceptor," Yan Qiling gazed down at the island shrouded in spiritual fog and inquired, "In your esteemed opinion, how many levels of the Golden Sanctum do you think that young Yu Yuan can attain? Does he possess the potential to ascend to the Primordial Spirit Realm, as you have?"

To reach the Primordial Spirit Realm, one must advance to the seventh level of the Golden Sanctum within their little world. Across the vast Everlands, with countless children born each year on the three continents, only a select few are destined to walk the path of cultivation and achieve the seventh level of the Golden Sanctum.

Such rare individuals are highly sought after by the Sword Sect, the Sunlit Order, the Ebon Star, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep. In fact, many talented youths are swiftly recruited by these sects upon showing promise, receiving meticulous guidance to build a strong foundation.

"I can't quite fathom this young man," Zhou Cangmin remarked, his eyes narrowing with a hint of a smile. "Before his resurrection, he scarcely practiced cultivation properly. Logically, he should have missed his prime and been limited in his achievements. Yet, curiously, once he shed his former dullness, he began to cultivate at an astonishingly rapid pace." He paused, reflecting on his words.

Yan Qiling, a member of the Boulderdawn, was particularly sensitive to the soul connect among the Lunar Spirit, Solar Spirit, and the main body. Observing the High Oracle's silence, he noticed a fleeting glimmer in the depths of his eyes—a sign of the silent communion between the Lunar Spirit, Solar Spirit, and their original form.

"Asvetaesi City..." Zhou Cangmin murmured, as a thought subtly made its way to the mid-lake island.

Sensing the shift, Yan Qiling responded with intrigue, "Lord State Preceptor, has something transpired in Asvetaesi?"

"Some jesters seem intent on causing a commotion," Zhou Cangmin said with a dismissive twist of his mouth, chuckling. "I'd rather not get involved, but this concerns Yu Yuan and the Yu family backing him. If I don't inform him, he might hold it against me later."

Shortly after his remark, the dense white fog enshrouding the mid-lake island began to clear, revealing Yu Yuan, who was meditating there. Yu Yuan, deep in his cultivation, was roused by the voice of Yu Zhu. The instant he awoke, he knew from his soul connection with Yu Zhu that the message had come from the state preceptor, perched on a cloud above.

Still somewhat groggy, Yu Yuan looked up to the sky and called out, "State Preceptor!"

"I am here!" Zhou Cangmin, no longer concealing himself, let out a hearty laugh as he descended from the heavens. His Lunar Spirit came to a halt a dozen meters from the island. Looking down, his advanced cultivation and insight allowed him to perceive a complex web of fine, nearly invisible lines of light covering the island.

These lines, invisible to the average person, were imbued with a sharpness that could slice through the soul. They were arranged in a mysterious pattern, in harmony with the Forgotten Ruins' environment, capable of amassing spiritual energy, blocking perception, and warping one's vision. Some configurations of light were so complex that even Zhou Cangmin couldn't discern their origins, suggesting they might be of extraterrestrial origin.

Despite having communicated with Yu Zhu, the state preceptor chose not to traverse the light array directly, instead opting to approach the island from below. Clearing his throat, he announced, "The Lin, Su, and Van families have sent quite a few representatives to Asvetaesi. The Lin family, in particular, seems unwilling to let go of their grievances with you and the Yu family."

Yu Yuan, who had been sitting cross-legged, slowly rose to his feet, his breathing steady. From his nostrils, two slender white streams flickered like serpents, a sign that his internal little world had undergone a remarkable transformation after reaching the fifth level of the Golden Sanctum, and he had not yet fully mastered it.

"The Lin family..." A glint of cold light flashed in Yu Yuan's eyes as he nodded slightly and responded, "Thank you for the heads-up, State Preceptor."

"I hail from the Ruby Hand, within the nascent Shadowlight Empire. I won't meddle in everything." Zhou Cangmin mused for a few seconds before speaking, "The Devil Palace supports the Yan family, but they also won't lose sight of the bigger picture. They won't completely annihilate other families. Both Euwrea and the Land of Quiescence hope for stability within the Shadowlight Empire. They don't want to see widespread mortal casualties, as it could impact their future recruitment of disciples."

"I understand," Yu Yuan acknowledged, his mind clear. He then cast a distant glance toward the lakeside.

Qin Yun, dressed as a venerable scholar, smiled and bowed upon noticing Yu Yuan's gaze. "I am at the Young Master's service."

"Join me on a return to Asvetaesi," Yu Yuan instructed.

"It would be my pleasure," Qin Yun promptly affirmed.

...

Dawn broke over Asvetaesi.

Yu Cen, upon learning of Yuan Lianyao's return, wasted no time in paying her a visit. Upon encountering the dust-covered mayor, he immediately relayed Lin Mu's threat.

In addition to Yu Cen, Zhao Zhenghao and Zhao Dongsheng also sought out the City Lord's Mansion.

"Brother Yu, you're here as well!"

Zhao Zhenghao approached, greeting Yu Cen first, then turned to Yuan Lianyao, "Mayor, to what extent will turmoil arise within the empire? Yafu mentioned upon her return that the empress seemed to have encountered trouble in the Forgotten Ruins?"

Zhao Yafu, Yuan Lianyao, Zhan Tianxiang, and others had all returned together.

Zhao Yafu lacked an understanding of the nation's turmoil or the empire's state of affairs, sharing only her experiences from the Lost Lands.

Yet, from her words, Zhao Dongsheng and Zhao Zhenghao discerned that a significant upheaval was imminent within the Empire.

Thus, they sought out Yuan Lianyao for the inside story.

"Lin Mu, Su Kui, Su Kang, and several powerhouses from the three major families have all made their presence known in Asvetaesi!" Zhao Dongsheng declared, his expression dark, "What do they take our Asvetaesi for? Mayor, we simply wish to know, can the empress still govern the empire?"

Yu Cen, who had come seeking Yuan Lianyao's assistance, was taken aback by their conversation.

Could the empress no longer stabilize the Empire's situation?

What had transpired in the Forgotten Ruins?

"Lee Yupan is no longer fit to rule the Empire," Yuan Lianyao declared bluntly.

The room was filled with shock at her words.

The Silvermoon Queen had shown her great favor, even granting her an audience recently. How could the Blazing Red Lotus be so ungrateful?

"Don't give me that look," Yuan Lianyao said, unfazed. "She conspired with demons, and it's common knowledge now. She's been taken alive by the state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire and will be escorted to the Land of Quiescence, where the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep will decide her fate. As for the Lee family, I'm not sure if they'll be dragged down with her."

"The empress, captured?" Zhao Zhenghao exclaimed in disbelief.

"Mayor, what's our next move?" Yu Cen pressed, clearly worried.

With a gleam in her eye, Yuan Lianyao reassured the elder of the Yu family with a smile, "With such a capable grandson, what's there to fear?"

"I'm worried about the Lin family and Winter's Bite's relentless pursuit," Yu Cen admitted with a wry smile.

"The Lin family? Winter's Bite?" Yuan Lianyao scoffed and shook her head. "Old man, you're overthinking it. Trust me, if someone from the Lin family really confronts Yu Yuan and dares to probe his mind with the Lunar Spirit, they'll think twice after seeing what he recently accomplished in the Forgotten Ruins."

Yu Cen was taken aback.

Zhao Zhenghao and Zhao Dongsheng couldn't help but smile.

What remarkable feat had Yu Yuan achieved in the Forgotten Ruins?

Yafu had been tight-lipped about it.

"Ms. Yuan, I am Su Kui, and I've come to pay my respects to the head of the Yuan family in Asvetaesi!"

"I am Lin Mu!"

"And I am Van Xuan!"

Suddenly, a series of booming voices echoed from outside the Keep.

Astonishing presences rose like beacon fires into the heavens!

Yuan Lianyao's expression turned icy. "What's with this display of power at my doorstep?"

...