C381 Stormcage Rune
Lin Hanyu, with his brooding countenance, was in stark contrast to Yu Yuan, whose smile radiated brilliantly.
In the dimly lit hall of the Huang family, after Yu Yuan had slain Su Yin, he stood erect before Lin Hanyu and Van Chaoguan, his spine as straight as a sword thrust into stone, his presence undeniable.
Beside him, the body of Su Yin only served to accentuate his towering and formidable stature.
Threads of sword's will, perceptible only to cultivators of the Subtlety and Lunar Spirit levels, lay dormant in his arms, seemingly ready to be summoned at a moment's notice.
When Yu Yuan's blade had pierced Su Yin, the explosive release of sword's will had resonated with both Lin Hanyu and Van Chaoguan.
It was this very reason that prompted Van Chaoguan to take a step back, and even under Yu Yuan's imposing manner, Lin Hanyu refrained from reacting immediately.
With Winter's Bite's assistance, Lin Hanyu had recently progressed from the late Veil Breaking stage to Subtlety, his spiritual sense newly formed.
Now, he extended his spiritual sense outward, probing in the direction Yu Yuan had entered the hall.
He was determined to discover who else might be lurking outside, aside from Yu Yuan.
Having witnessed Yu Yuan's prowess, he understood that Yu Yuan was not one to act recklessly. Bold enough to kill Su Yin and remain composed before him and Van Chaoguan, Yu Yuan surely had something to fall back on.
"Hehe."
Yu Yuan couldn't help but chuckle. Sensing Lin Hanyu's subtle actions through his heaven soul, he mocked, "Father-in-law, I commend you on your breakthrough to Subtlety and the awakening of your spiritual sense. Yet, a spiritual sense at the initial stage of Subtlety can only detect cultivators of the same or a lesser level."
"If someone's realm is higher and they intentionally mask their aura, how could you possibly perceive them?"
He broke into a wide grin and laughed heartily, "Don't you think that if I were to bring others along, their cultivation and realm would surpass yours?"
With that, he nonchalantly stepped past Lin Hanyu, making his way toward Lee Yuchan.
The female general, bound to the stone pillar, lifted her eyebrows, her eyes beginning to sparkle with anticipation.
Lee Yu, from across the way, inhaled sharply, his gaze fixed intently on Yu Yuan.
The current head of the Van family, the portly Van Chaoguan, furrowed his brow and regarded him with displeasure, a mocking sneer playing at the corner of his mouth.
The golden threads that ensnared Lee Yuchan were incredibly versatile, capable of restraining both the physical form of a Lunar Spirit and the three souls of heaven, earth, and man. What made Yu Yuan think he could undo them?
Van Chaoguan was acutely aware of the potency of those golden threads. Observing Yu Yuan's determination to aid Lee Yuchan's escape, he couldn't help but anticipate the outcome.
He eagerly awaited the moment Yu Yuan would face a setback due to those very threads.
Lin Hanyu, having been overlooked for some time, was taken aback as Yu Yuan strode past him. He quickly grasped Yu Yuan's intent to rescue Lee Yuchan.
To his own surprise, Lin Hanyu felt a wave of relief wash over him, choosing not to react with anger to Yu Yuan's taunts. With a cold huff, he said, "Bronzefire and Silverfin, one binds the flesh and blood, the other suppresses the three souls of heaven, earth, and man. Cast by Senior Van Xuan, a late-period Lunar Spirit, I'm curious to see how you plan to break free!"
"Bronzefire is forged from twelve types of fine gold. Only a Lunar Spirit cultivator wielding a heavenly blade can sever it," Van Chaoguan offered, as if concerned Yu Yuan might underestimate its strength. "Once Bronzefire binds you, the more you struggle, the tighter it constricts, penetrating flesh and bone, making it even more difficult to cut."
"And Silverfin is even more formidable. It can not only suppress the mud pellet acupoint in the upper elixir field, preventing the three souls from departing but also feed on the remnant soul to grow stronger. Silverfin is exceedingly rare and difficult to capture, let alone raise. Using both to subdue General Lee, even I cannot undo their hold."
With a sudden chuckle, the corpulent Van Chaoguan adopted a look of eager anticipation.
As Van Chaoguan concluded his explanation, the flicker of hope in Lee Yu's eyes faded. He had heard rumors of Bronzefire and Silverfin but knew little about their true nature.
After Van Chaoguan elucidated the intricacies, he finally grasped the formidable nature of the two peculiar items. It then dawned on him that Yu Yuan, who had arrived alone, stood no chance of breaking the two enchantments.
Atop the stone pillar, the empire's female general gazed silently into Yu Yuan's eyes.
Lee Yuchan subtly puffed out her chest, where golden threads adorned her body, shimmering with a brilliant golden radiance. Specks of golden light penetrated her flesh like raindrops, causing her enigmatic vitality to stagnate, unable to flow through her meridians.
Her eyes, resembling shards of ice, were deep and frosty, yet brimming with expectancy.
"Could his words actually succeed?"
Deep within the Forgotten Ruins of the Moonfall Sanctuary, she, who had witnessed Yu Yuan's wondrous powers, found herself, much like Yuan Lianyao, filled with an unwavering trust in Yu Yuan.
As Yu Yuan stepped into the hall, a flame of hope was kindled in her heart. She believed that perhaps through Yu Yuan, she might find a new lease on life.
Yet, the dread she felt towards the Bronzefire and the Silverfin was palpable. She was acutely aware of how they continuously consumed and suppressed her vitality and remnant soul.
Yu Yuan, with all his mystique and marvels, was still just a youth. Whether it was his level of cultivation or possession of heavenly artifacts, Yu Yuan was found wanting in both respects.
With this in mind, the female general instinctively, almost involuntarily, glanced behind her and out of the hall, as if expecting someone else to burst in at any moment. Perhaps that was the only way her dilemma could be resolved.
"Yan Qiling, the state preceptor, the Python Queen, or even Qin Yun might be possible," she whispered to herself.
"The Bronzefire and the Silverfin are indeed enigmatic and boundless, yet..." Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, casting a glance over Lee Yuchan's form. Observing the silver fish swirling around her lower and middle elixir fields, he mused, "But surely, these two items aren't the crux of the matter?"
A flicker of insight passed through Van Chaoguan's eyes.
Lin Hanyu's face registered complete bewilderment, unable to grasp the deeper meaning.
Even Lee Yuchan herself was somewhat perplexed. She cast her eyes downward to her lower and middle elixir fields, watching the luminous silver fish and wondered, "Could it really not be as it seems?"
"The true power lies in this rune!"
Yu Yuan extended his hand toward Lee Yuchan's forehead, pointing at the charm etched with the sun, moon, and lightning. With a grave voice, he declared, "I recognize the Stormcage Rune of the Thunder Sect! Without deciphering this rune, rashly attacking the Bronzefire and Silverfin would trigger an immediate response. Lightning would strike through the mud pellet, obliterating the three souls on the spot."
Lee Yuchan's face drained of color in shock.
She had always been tormented by the Bronzefire consuming her flesh and the Silverfin occasionally devouring her remnant soul, believing these to be her greatest afflictions.
She hadn't anticipated that the seemingly unremarkable charm on her forehead was, in fact, the most fearsome object of all!
No wonder Van Xuan and the others felt so secure, leaving Van Chaoguan, Lin Hanyu, and Su Yin to guard her without fearing any mishaps.
Su Yin had reached the Veil Breaking stage, Lin Hanyu was in the early period of Subtlety, and Van Chaoguan was in the late period of Subtlety.
Lee Yuchan herself had ascended to the Lunar Spirit Realm!
It was the three items restraining her that Van Xuan and his associates trusted, not the cultivation levels or abilities of the three guardians.
"I've heard many rumors about you, and I never believed them until now," Van Chaoguan said, his smile vanishing as his gaze turned icy with a murderous edge. "Van Le was my own flesh and blood! Among my many children, he was the one with the greatest potential for cultivation. The information I've gathered indicates that while you may not have been the one to kill Van Le, there was certainly conflict between you two at the Moonfall Sanctuary."
"His death is not without your involvement!"
"Recognizing the Stormcage Rune of the Thunder Sect, you should be aware that Van Le was selected by them. He was meant to join the Thunder Sect and study their profound spells after advancing to the Veil Breaking stage!"
"Your arrival, Yu Yuan, and your reckless behavior in the Moonfall Sanctuary have led to many deaths, including that of my son, Van Le!"
With these words, Van Chaoguan's figure blurred, swiftly positioning himself beside Lee Yuchan.
He grasped a golden thread between two fingers and yanked it out forcefully.
Blood erupted from Lee Yuchan's form!
A golden thread detached itself from her body and straightened abruptly in Van Chaoguan's grasp, its hue shifting dramatically to a blood-red color. It was indeed filled with Lee Yuchan's life force.
More strands of bloody light continued to burst forth from Lee Yuchan's middle elixir field, vanishing into the crimson thread.
Lee Yuchan, bound to the stone pillar, withered at a visibly rapid pace.
The luster in her eyes and on her face gradually diminished.
Her vitality and life force were draining away at an alarming rate.
Conversely, the corpulent Van Chaoguan bellowed a command and subtly transformed into a more svelte and agile figure. His previously round face became chiseled, and he emerged surprisingly handsome.
"Though I'm skeptical, I must still prepare, just in case you find a way to break the Stormcage Rune."
Van Chaoguan's actions were clearly cautious, intent on preventing any unforeseen events.
Yu Yuan had discerned that the Stormcage Rune was the critical element.
Should Lee Yuchan shatter the Stormcage Rune while in the Lunar Spirit state, she would lose the suppression and potentially project her spirit out. With Yu Yuan's assistance, she might regain her composure.
Such a Lee Yuchan would be beyond the control of Lin Hanyu and Van Chaoguan's combined efforts.
Given Lee Yuchan's ferocity and her notorious past within the empire, Van Chaoguan knew he wouldn't leave the Huang family's hall alive if she were to break free. She would relentlessly pursue and destroy him.
He was determined to prevent that at all costs!
