C389 Different Grades

As Yan Qiling's commanding voice echoed, not only the Keep but the entire sky above Asvetaesi seemed to constrict abruptly!

Every heart within the mansion skipped a beat.

An invisible wall seemed to materialize from nowhere, enveloping the Keep.

The sensation of spatial confinement was so immediate and forceful that it left everyone feeling uneasy.

A Lunar Spirit elder from the Van family had barely taken a step when his form shuddered violently, and he found himself unable to take another.

In front of Van Xuan, an unseen barrier stood in his way.

Bang!

Radiant spiritual energy burst forth from Van Xuan, transforming the Van family elder into a figure of resplendent jade. His body shimmered, casting divine light in all directions, a sight of extreme beauty.

A distinctive jade-like sheen emanated from his skin as a jade ruler materialized in his hand.

With a swift motion, he pointed the ruler ahead.

A more intense brilliance erupted, causing the space at the tip of the ruler to collapse, and mysterious streams of light emerged.

Yan Qiling let out a derisive chuckle.

Before everyone's eyes, the late-period Lunar Spirit elder, along with his jade ruler, was propelled uncontrollably forward, vanishing into an enigmatic extraterrestrial void.

Yan Qiling reached out and a black chess piece, radiating a dark glow, materialized from that spot and settled into his grasp.

Seemingly to flaunt his power and intimidate the other Lunar Spirits in the hall, he flicked his wrists, and an array of black and white chess pieces appeared in a small void before his chest.

With a casual tug, streaks of lightning wove together to form a chessboard in front of him, upon which the black and white pieces settled in perfect order.

The piece that had ensnared Van Xuan was merely one among the multitude on the chessboard.

After Yan Qiling's manipulation, it was impossible for the onlookers to discern which of the many black pieces held Van Xuan captive, rendering him helpless.

"Masterful in space magic!"

Zhao Zhenghao was visibly moved as he softly said to Yu Cen, "Anyone who masters space magic and its mysteries is a true talent! This individual's grasp and insight into space magic are incredibly profound!"

Yu Cen, equally stirred, nodded vigorously.

Su Kui, Su Kang, and Lin Mu's expressions darkened further, as if they were in deep mourning.

Van Xuan was a cultivator in the late stages of the Lunar Spirit realm, ranking among the elite in the Silvermoon Empire.

After Yan Qiling made his move, Van Xuan was effortlessly sealed within a black chess piece.

Yan Qiling's display of power involved manipulating numerous black and white chess pieces on a board, indicating that each piece could generate a small space to imprison cultivators of Van Xuan's caliber.

Should one even consider battling against Yan Qiling, who was clearly in a league of his own?

Besides Yan Qiling, Qin Yun also sided with Yu Yuan, throwing his support behind the young master from a lesser-known family in Asvetaesi. What impact could their combined forces have in Asvetaesi?

"Blood, the Colddeath Cult!"

Su Kui, taken aback, eventually darkened his expression and inquired, "Van Chaoguan, you practice the spells and mystiques of the Colddeath Cult?"

"I witnessed it myself."

Yu Yuan then interjected, "He attempted to use the Colddeath mystique, the blood bond, to channel General Lee's vitality into me, aiming to cause my internal organs to burst and kill me from within. Not just me, my future father-in-law, Lee Yu, saw it all too clearly."

"Associating with the Colddeath Cult invites unnecessary trouble. It's not as grave as conspiring with Terra Fiends or Sky Fiends, but it's problematic nonetheless," Su Kui mused, his brow furrowed as he weighed his next move, his gaze shifting to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu had been charged by the Winter's Bite sect with neutralizing Yu Yuan, the lurking danger.

The Su family, as tacit endorsers, would have to overlook Su Yin's death and not dwell on the issue if they wished to avoid further conflict. They would need to offer the Yu family ample compensation and assurances to prevent future disputes, even if their relationship could not return to its former state.

"Xiangtian, I've been foolish and senile, swayed by Su Yin, and I've failed to discern right from wrong," Su Kui lamented, acknowledging his error. With a pained expression, he continued, "Please, handle the situation with the Yu family. I will abstain from interfering henceforth."

Su Yin had given up on him in his heart. If he were to die, it would be a meaningless death.

While saying this, he glanced at Su Kang.

Su Kang had been his comrade in arms since childhood; surely, he understood him well.

Su Kang, previously furious and threatening to make Yu Yuan pay, suddenly turned silent, bowing his head without uttering a word.

Observing the demeanor of Su Kui and Su Kang, Su Xiangtian, having achieved his aim, nodded subtly.

"Old Mr. Yu..."

Su Xiangtian cleared his throat, choosing not to greet Yu Yuan directly but instead addressing Yu Cen with sincerity, "Years ago, when your knees were broken and you sought a cure in vain, I acknowledge it was the Su family's failing that left you disheartened. Our repeated suppression of you was also our mistake."

"Old Mr. Yu, rest assured, now that I am at the helm of the Su family, I will ensure you receive a proper resolution!"

Hearing this, Yu Cen was filled with a mix of grievance and relief.

Yu Cen turned to Yu Yuan, curious about his grandson's stance.

Yu Yuan offered a smile and said, "Grandfather, whatever you decide, I support it."

Su Xiangtian had bypassed him, speaking directly to his grandfather, a clever move indeed.

Yet, this approach was merely a temporary solution to defuse the conflict.

Once the Yan family took control of the Shadowlight Empire, with the sects from the Land of Quiescence holding sway, families like the Su and Lin families, allies of Abyssal Dawn and Winter's Bite, were destined to fall from grace.

In Asvetaesi, it was the Yuan, Zhao, and Zhan families, along with allies like the Ruby Hand, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep, who would become the future pillars of the Empire.

The Yu family, too, would rise within the Shadowlight Empire, securing a strong foundation thanks to him.

"Yu Yuan, who is this man?"

Yan Qiling glanced at Lin Mu, who lay bleeding on the ground after Qin Yun's devastating attack, and asked, "Do you need my assistance to expel the Lin family from the Shadowlight Empire once and for all?"

Lin Mu's face turned ghostly white, terrified by Yan Qiling's proposition.

Su Kui and the rest, including Su Xiangtian, all showed a sudden shift in their expressions.

Su Xiangtian was unaware of the hidden turmoil within the Forgotten Ruins. Thus, he found it inconceivable when he learned of Yan Qiling's intention to eliminate Lin Mu and eradicate the Lin family.

Yuan Lianyao and Qin Yun, on the other hand, appeared unfazed.

They were well aware that if Yan Qiling succeeded and Lin Mu perished, the obliteration of the Lin family would barely stir the waters.

Yan Qiling confirmed their thoughts, stating, "Just inform Zhou Cangmin, and the fall of the Lin family will be of no consequence."

The Lin family, a minor dynasty within the empire, had gained some prominence only due to Lin Zhuyun's connection with Winter's Bite.

Should the Lin family indeed be wiped out, with Zhou Cangmin's intervention, it was unlikely that Winter's Bite would mobilize forces to demand justice from the nascent Shadowlight Empire.

Lin Zhuyun could seek vengeance when her power grew, but for now, she lacked the strength.

"I intend to keep my future father-in-law alive and waiting," Yu Yuan said with a carefree smile to the petrified Lin Mu. "As for this one..."

He drew out the suspense before finally saying, "Grandfather, please handle this as you see fit."

Yu Cen was flattered yet somewhat hesitant.

"Any approach will do. In the reborn empire, our Yu family will no longer endure oppression," Yu Yuan declared confidently. "I trust that the Yan family's leadership will treat us fairly."

Yan Yu had lived through the upheaval in the Forgotten Ruins and was aware of Yan Qiling's existence, as well as her ties to Zhou Cangmin and the Python Queen. She had witnessed much.

Moreover, Yan Lu had been rescued by her several times within the Moonfall Sanctuary.

Now that the Yan family was ascending to the imperial throne, they would surely remember past favors and look after their own.

"So, shall I handle these matters?" Yu Cen ventured.

"Yes, I trust that Grandfather will handle it even better than I could!"

​