C377 A Clown!

Achieving the Fifth Refinement of the Yellow Court is a mark of genius among mortals.

In a mere handful of days, Yu Yuan, with the infusion of spiritual energy from Yu Zhu, has impressively completed the Fifth Refinement of the Yellow Court Stage. His accomplishment is nothing short of remarkable.

Moreover, judging by the current state of affairs, his cultivation of the Yellow Court Stage is still progressing, indicating untapped potential.

"Lord Imperial Advisor."

Yan Qiling gazed upon the mist-enshrouded island and inquired, "Given your expertise, how many refinements do you think that young Yu Yuan can achieve? Does he possess the potential to ascend to the Primordial Spirit Stage as you have?"

To reach the Primordial Spirit Stage, one must refine the Yellow Court Little World at this juncture.

Across the vast expanse of the Boundless Land and its three continents, countless babies are born each year. Yet, only a handful ever embark on the path of cultivation, and even fewer manage to refine the Yellow Court seven times during their cultivation journey.

Those rare individuals are coveted by the Sword Sect, the Primordial Yang Sect, the Profound Sky Sect, the Devil Palace, and the Demon Palace.

Indeed, many gifted youths are swiftly recruited by these sects upon showing promise, where they are nurtured and establish a robust foundation early on.

"This young man is an enigma to me."

Zhou Cangmin, with a slight squint and a smile, admitted, "Before his rebirth, he scarcely cultivated in earnest. Logically, he should have squandered his prime years, limiting his potential. Yet, curiously, once his dullness lifted, he began to cultivate with a speed that defies belief."

He paused, lost in thought.

Yan Qiling, hailing from the Divine Soul Sect, was particularly attuned to the soulful link between the Yin God, Yang God, and the primary self.

He noticed a fleeting glimmer in the eyes of the White-robed Imperial Advisor, a silent exchange that seemed to occur between the Yin God, Yang God, and their original form.

"Darkmoon City..."

Zhou Cangmin murmured, as a whisper of thought settled over the mid-lake island.

Yan Qiling, feeling the ripple, questioned, "Master Imperial Advisor, has something transpired in Darkmoon City?"

"Some upstarts are looking to cause a stir," Zhou Cangmin dismissed with a wry twist of his lips. "I'd rather not get involved, but since it concerns Yu Yuan and the Yu family he's associated with, I'd be remiss not to inform him. Otherwise, he might hold me accountable later on."

Shortly after those words were spoken, the thick white mist enshrouding the mid-lake island began to thin, revealing Yu Yuan, who had been meditating there in solitude.

Yu Yuan, deep in his cultivation, was roused by the sound of Yu Zhu's voice. In the instant he awoke, the connection between their spirits informed him that the message had come from the Imperial Advisor, perched on a cloud above.

Still groggy, Yu Yuan looked up to the sky and called out, "Imperial Advisor!"

"I am present!" came the reply.

Zhou Cangmin no longer concealed himself, letting out a hearty laugh as he descended from the heavens. His Yin God came to a silent halt a dozen meters above the island.

Peering down, Zhou Cangmin, with his profound cultivation and insight, observed the space over the island woven with countless delicate beams of light, invisible to the ordinary eye. These beams possessed a fierce edge capable of slicing through the soul.

Moreover, the beams were arranged in a mysterious and complex pattern, in harmony with the Absence Relic's environment. They could amass spiritual energy, block perception, and warp one's vision. Some configurations of light were so intricate that even Zhou Cangmin couldn't discern their pattern or origin, suggesting they might be artifacts from beyond this world.

Despite having communicated with Yu Zhu, the Imperial Advisor chose not to traverse the beams directly, instead landing on the island below.

He cleared his throat and began, "Darkmoon City has seen an influx from the Lim, Su, and Van families. The Lim family, in particular, seems relentless in their pursuit of you and the Yu family."

Yu Yuan, who had been sitting with poise, rose to his feet, his breathing measured and calm. From his nostrils, two slender white streams flowed like serpents, a sign of the astonishing transformation within his Yellow Court Little World that he had yet to fully master.

"The Lim family..." A fleeting chill glinted in Yu Yuan's eyes as he nodded in acknowledgment. "I appreciate the update, Imperial Advisor."

Zhou Cangmin took a moment to reflect, then added, "As a member of the Red Devil Sect and the nascent Devil Moon Empire, I do not meddle in all affairs. The Devil Palace may back the Yan family, but they will not lose sight of the bigger picture. They won't exterminate other clans. Both the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents desire stability within the Devil Moon Empire. They wish to avoid widespread mortal casualties that could impact their recruitment of disciples in the future."

"I understand," Yu Yuan acknowledged with clarity in his heart, casting a glance toward the distant lakeside.

Qin Yun, garbed as an old Confucian scholar, caught his gaze and bowed with a smile, "At the young master's service, as always."

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

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

...

As the sun crested the horizon, Darkmoon City awoke.

Yu Cann wasted no time in visiting Yuan Lianyao upon hearing of her return. Confronting the dust-covered City Lord, he wasted no time in relaying Lim Mu's threats.

Within the City Lord's Mansion, not only Yu Cann but also Zhao Zhenghao and Zhao Dongsheng had gathered.

"Brother Yu, good to see you here!" Zhao Zhenghao approached, greeting Yu Cann before turning his attention to Yuan Lianyao. "My Lord, what magnitude of turmoil is brewing within the Empire? Yafu mentioned that the Empress encountered trouble in the Absence Relic?"

Zhao Yafu, along with Yuan Lianyao and Zhan Tianxiang, had all returned together. Lacking a grasp of the nation's unrest and the Empire's state of affairs, Zhao Yafu shared only her observations from the relic. Yet, from her account, Zhao Zhenghao and his son Zhao Dongsheng sensed an impending tempest within the Empire. This prompted their visit to Yuan Lianyao for insights.

"Lim Mu, Su Kui, Su Kang, Van Xuan, and other powerhouses from the three major families have all made their presence known in Darkmoon City!" Zhao Dongsheng declared grimly. "What do they take Darkmoon City for? We demand to know, can the Empress still reign over the Empire?"

Yu Cann, who had sought Yuan Lianyao's assistance, was taken aback by their conversation. Could the Empress no longer steer the Empire's course? What had transpired within the Absence Relic?

"Lee Yupan no longer has the right to rule the Empire," Yuan Lianyao stated bluntly.

The room fell into a hushed shock. The Silvermoon Queen had shown her great favor, even granting her an audience not long ago. How could this Fiery Blood Lotus so quickly forsake her gratitude?

"Don't look at me like that," Yuan Lianyao said evenly. "Her collusion with the demons is common knowledge. She's been captured by the Imperial Advisor of the Rainier Empire and is to be escorted to the Quietus Continent, where the Devil Palace and Demon Palace will decide her fate. As for whether the Lee family will be dragged into this, I'm not sure."

"Her Majesty was taken captive?" Zhao Zhenghao exclaimed in shock.

"Lord City Lord, what should we do now?" Yu Cann asked, clearly worried.

A gleam shone in Yuan Lianyao's eyes as she regarded the elder of the Yu family. "With a grandson like yours, what's there to fear?" she said, smiling reassuringly.

"But I fear the Lim family and the Cold Yin Sect will be relentless," Yu Cann replied with a wry smile.

"The Lim family? The Cold Yin Sect?" Yuan Lianyao let out a scoff and shook her head. "Elder, you worry too much. Trust me, if someone from the Lim family does find Yu Yuan and dares to probe his mind with the Yin God, they'll think twice after seeing what he accomplished in the Absence Relic recently. They wouldn't dare act rashly."

Yu Cann was taken aback.

Zhao Zhenghao and Zhao Dongsheng couldn't help but smile. What exactly had Yu Yuan done in the Absence Relic to cause such a stir?

Yafu had been tight-lipped about it.

"City Lord Yuan, I am Su Kui, here to pay homage to the head of the Yuan family in Darkmoon City!"

"I am Lim Mu!"

"I am Van Xuan!"

Suddenly, booming voices echoed from outside the City Lord's Mansion, as powerful presences rose into the sky like signal fires.

Yuan Lianyao's expression turned icy. "This is no place for showboating."

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