C392 The New Emperor's Request Happy New Year!

Ultimately, Bai Shenshen had no choice but to leave the Yu family, defeated by Yu Yuan's unwavering stance.

Her proposition and the olive branch extended by the Sacred Hands were firmly rejected by Yu Yuan.

Once she departed, Yu Yuan revealed that his Golden Sanctum acupoint had undergone five refinements, a revelation that sent Yu Lili into raptures.

Assured by Yu Yuan's progress and the knowledge that a powerful cultivator supported the Yu family, Yu Lili found peace of mind.

She eagerly spread the news of Yu Yuan's fifth-level Golden Sanctum acupoint among the remaining Yu family members and counselors who had stayed through tough times, giving them hope for the family's resurgence.

Prodigies like Lin Zhuyun, Su Yan, and Van Le, who had reached the fifth refinement, were prime candidates for acceptance into prestigious sects.

She even speculated that the cultivator who had stepped forward on behalf of the Yu family and negotiated with Lin Mu was drawn to Yu Yuan's potential, intending to recruit him for sect training.

After her excited departure, Yu Yuan stood alone in the room where herbs were stored.

"Sacred Hands..."

He murmured to himself, piecing together that the Sacred Hands must have taken note of him due to the cataclysm in Gloomhollow, Yan Qiling's emergence, Chen Qingyan's subsequent investigation, and Loong Tianxiao's appearance.

Yu Zhu, also hailing from the Serpent Spine Mountains and having crossed the Moonfall Sanctuary with him to settle in Thylethlume, might have caught the Sacred Hands' attention as well.

The sect was likely unaware of the specifics that had transpired within the Forgotten Ruins and Gloomhollow, but they were probably harboring suspicions about him.

Bai Shenshen's overtures could have been an initial probe.

"The prowess of a Golden Sanctum cultivator is still too feeble. The High Oracle's motives are inscrutable, and I cannot depend on him," he reflected, gazing out the window. He contemplated the necessity of laying low, both for his own safety and the Yu family's sake, and the urgency of leaving Asvetaesi and the Forgotten Ruins for a time.

The uproar from the Forgotten Ruins was significant, and the spell he practiced was peculiar.

The sword spirit concealed within his arm, along with the sword sheath, had ties to the Sword Sect, which could very well invite further complications.

The teleportation circle, crafted by the Ethereal Void Sect to connect with the continent of Euwrea, was bound to be repaired and reactivated before long. Once operational, it would welcome an influx of cultivators from both the seven lower sects and the three upper sects.

Yu Zhu, now linked to Shadow's Keep and having seized a significant opportunity with the Shura of the Dark Realm, was poised to safely progress in his cultivation within the Forgotten Ruins.

"It seems I must hasten my departure from Asvetaesi," he mused.

With resolve, Yu Yuan surveyed the herbs scattered around the room, stroking his chin thoughtfully before an idea struck him. He began utilizing the herbs at hand in Asvetaesi, enlisting the aid of both the Zhao and Yuan families to gather more. Then, he made his way back to Thylethlume from Asvetaesi to commence his work in medicine refinement.

Drawing upon the expertise of his past life and the vitality of his current physical state, Yu Yuan was astounded to discover a significant boost in his efficiency when crafting lower-tier pills.

The Fire Crystal blazed intensely, turning the furnace a glowing red as a rich, peculiar scent of medicinal herbs permeated the secret chamber.

Yu Yuan darted about like a swift shuttle, timing the addition of each herb to the furnace with precision. Suddenly, the furnace erupted in a burst of light, and the once robust fragrance began to wane, transforming into a fresh and natural aroma.

"In my previous life, I could refine ordinary pills without the aid of earthfire, relying solely on my own spiritual energy flame. Since Senior Brother embarked on the path of cultivation, his energy has surged, and his three souls have become more attuned, able to detect the subtle shifts within the pills. This clearly demonstrates that cultivation truly enhances the art of pill refinement," he reflected.

With that thought, Yu Yuan flicked a stalk of Ice Blue Grass into the furnace. Like a cool flash of lightning, it instantly chilled the pills within, mitigating the chamber's intense heat.

"No wonder my late master often expressed regret on my behalf, claiming that a herbalist need not be a Solar Spirit or a grand cultivator. Yet, if a herbalist dedicates some effort to cultivation, it can indeed greatly benefit their alchemical practice."

"Senior Brother's issue lies in his fixation with cultivation, devoting an excessive amount of time and energy to achieving breakthroughs in his realm."

In the eyes of our Master, my Senior Brother had veered off to another extreme, forgetting that he was first and foremost a herbalist, as well as his disciple.

As for myself, being completely unable to cultivate, I devoted my entire life to the art of alchemy, achieving considerable success in that field.

Regrettably, my inability to cultivate also meant a shorter lifespan; I wouldn't live long. Senior Brother and I represented two extremes, and ultimately, Master chose me over him.

Yu Yuan meticulously added herbs to the furnace, his thoughts deep and contemplative.

Gradually, he came to understand that if a herbalist could also cultivate, reaching a certain proficiency, it would greatly benefit their alchemy.

His master had been cautious not to overstate the advantages of cultivation for alchemy, fearing that Zhong Chichen might become too deeply ensnared by it.

Now, reborn, Yu Yuan himself could cultivate. With the level of the Golden Sanctum, he recognized the advantages: abundant energy, a keenly perceptive heaven soul, and a more nuanced control over the delicate processes.

If he could master the use of spiritual energy flames, he wouldn't need to depend on Fire Crystals to melt the herbs; he could use his own flames to refine them into pills.

"Now that I can cultivate in this life, and my talent is exceptional, should I prioritize the pursuit of the Way of Heaven or the path of the God of Medicine?" Yu Yuan mused. Then, with a sudden slap to his forehead, he exclaimed, "With a previous lifetime's worth of alchemy experience, I am already a God of Medicine! This time around, I should concentrate on cultivation. Once my level is high enough, I'll be able to craft both the pills I could and couldn't in my past life!" It all clicked for him in an instant.

He was reborn, carrying forward the alchemical techniques, experience, and methods from his past life, all etched into his earthly soul's memory.

In essence, he remained that Divine Level herbalist, with both earthly and heaven souls intact!

He was the God of Medicine incarnate!

In this life, armed with the wisdom of the God of Medicine, his alchemical methods, and Hong Qi's insights into the Everlands, he set forth on the path of cultivation, blessed with extraordinary talent.

How could one not seize the opportunity to ascend the peaks of the cultivation path?

Two days later, the aroma of freshly concocted pills permeated the secret chamber. Furnace after furnace produced the Seed of Life pills, along with several particularly unique pills.

Stepping out of the chamber, he was greeted by Qin Yun and Ning Ji, who had been waiting for him. There was also another figure present.

"Yan Lu!"

Yu Yuan was surprised to see him. "Shouldn't you be in the City of Silvermoon? The Yan family is set to replace the Lee family and take control of the nascent Shadowlight Empire. As the most promising member of the Yan family, what brings you to Thylethlume?"

"The strife has ceased," Yan Lu, a man of imposing stature, explained. "My great uncle, Yan Gui, is now the head of the Yan family. With the imperial jade seal in his possession, he has ascended to the throne." His presence was overwhelming, his robust vitality causing discomfort to those around him.

With a broad grin, he continued, "During our time in the Moonfall Sanctuary, you offered me considerable assistance, allowing me to advance to the Veil Breaking stage. After a year of diligent practice and employing the dark arts, I've progressed to the middle period of Veil Breaking. Your generosity is something I'll always remember. Yet, I'm here not to repay that debt, but rather to ask for your help, which I admit is somewhat awkward."

"What brings you here?" inquired Yu Yuan, his curiosity piqued.

Casting a glance at Qin Yun and Ning Ji, Yan Lu replied, "I come at the behest of my uncle."

Sensing the moment, Ning Ji and Qin Yun offered sheepish smiles and excused themselves.

Yan Lu took a deep breath before speaking again, "Yu Zhu from the Forgotten Ruins holds you in high regard, doesn't she? My uncle hopes you can persuade her to speak favorably of us to Shadow's Keep, to spare the life of the former queen. In return, he promises to afford the Yu family favorable treatment and privileges in the new empire."

Yu Yuan, already aware of Yan Gui's affection for Lee Yupan thanks to Qin Yun, pondered briefly before responding, "Agreed."

Yan Lu's smile widened. "Then it's settled. I shall join you on your journey to the Embers Sea."

"Embers Sea!"

...