C400 Ann Ziqing's Gift!

The sun shone brightly, and the clouds were a pristine white.

Ann Ziqing glided in, her smile captivating and her grace and poise a far cry from that of a mere servant girl. She was now resplendent and enchanting.

Clad in divine armor, she shimmered in the sunlight like a deity. Her stance and aura unmistakably proclaimed her a cultivator of superior standing.

Despite her youth, she had attained the Lunar Spirit level of cultivation, marking her as the true jewel of the Everlands.

In her presence, the likes of Su Yan, Shi Si, Hu Tianyang, Wu Pei, and Yan Lu paled in comparison.

Upon closer reflection, Yu Yuan realized that Ann Ziqing must have been born and raised in the Land of Quiescence, with parents who were undoubtedly cultivators of profound realms.

Such a background could explain her reaching the Lunar Spirit level at her tender age.

Lunar Spirit!

It was only upon embarking on his own journey of cultivation that Yu Yuan grasped the full extent of Ann Ziqing's exceptional nature.

"It's been a long time," he said, flashing a radiant smile that showcased his pearly white teeth.

"Young, Young Master?"

Shi Si, Hu Tianyang, Wu Pei, and Yan Lu from the Stormcrown Empire were bewildered upon hearing Ann Ziqing address him as "young master."

Su Yan, however, remained composed. Having visited Asvetaesi and met Yuan Lianyao, she was aware of the events that had transpired there.

Van Chaoguan, who had been practicing Colddeath's spells and communicating through the jade ruyi, watched Ann Ziqing approach and address Yu Yuan as "Young Master," equally perplexed.

What was happening?

This was Van Chaoguan's first encounter with Ann Ziqing. Colddeath had authorized him to hunt cultivators in these waters and to refine his Lunar Spirit.

The sect had assured him that a senior cultivator would covertly protect him and that should trouble arise, he could signal through the jade ruyi for assistance.

With such a promise and assurance, he had boldly engaged in his ruthless pursuits, unafraid of retribution from any formidable cultivator.

The sudden emergence of the Devil Palace and the Silver Rainbow Shuttle was unexpected. Confronted by the Devil Palace, the cultivator overseeing the Silver Rainbow Shuttle knew he was outmatched, so he called for backup. To his surprise, Ann Ziqing was the one who responded.

Upon her arrival, Ann Ziqing greeted Yu Yuan with a sweet smile, referring to him as "Young Master." Van Chaoguan glanced between Yu Yuan and Ann Ziqing, his inner turmoil beyond words. While others might be oblivious to Ann Ziqing's reputation and status, as a favored disciple of the Colddeath, he was well aware of the rumors within the sect. He recognized the significance of the purple-clad lady before him in the sect's hierarchy.

"Greetings, Miss Ann!" Van Chaoguan rose abruptly from his seat and bowed to Ann Ziqing with the utmost respect, his movements precise and his demeanor grave. After the bow, he kept his head down, not daring to look up again.

Ann Ziqing, however, did not acknowledge him immediately. Instead, she turned to Yu Yuan with a smile and asked, "Young Master, what brings you aboard the Devil Palace's Silver Rainbow Shuttle? Surely you haven't been taken in as a disciple of the Devil Palace?"

The rest of the younger generation aboard the Silver Rainbow Shuttle remained eerily silent.

"I'm on my way to the Embers Sea. I'm merely using the Silver Rainbow Shuttle for transportation," Yu Yuan clarified.

"No, he's not a sect disciple!" Hu Tianyang grumbled to himself.

"I see," Ann Ziqing said with a light laugh, her eyebrows arching playfully. "I'll catch up with my young master for a bit; please wait here. As for the cultivators from Turingville, we've already notified them. Those who have real ties to the Devil Palace are still alive and likely headed to the Embers Sea."

Her comments were clearly directed at the Dark Herald.

With a flick of her delicate hand, a crimson ribbon of light stretched from her feet to the Silver Rainbow Shuttle. Inside the cabin, the Dark Herald's remnant soul stirred subtly.

Ann Ziqing nodded, her tone conveying slight impatience, "I'm aware of the rules."

She then looked at Yu Yuan with a smile, "Young Master, you're not worried I might harm you, are you?"

"That's not a concern," Yu Yuan replied with his usual easygoing demeanor. Amidst the astonished looks from Yan Lu and Su Yan, he leapt onto the blood-red ribbon of light.

"Van Chaoguan, continue your cultivation."

With those words, Ann Ziqing whisked Yu Yuan away into the distance with a blood-colored light.

"As you command."

Van Chaoguan then lifted his head, ignoring the fierce gaze of Wu Pei, and persisted in casting his spells. He unleashed streams of scarlet blood light to strike down the people shrouded by the blood cloud on the island.

Wu Pei was seething with anger. As he was about to erupt, his body suddenly trembled.

Like a deflated balloon, he shot up into the air and then obediently landed on the Silver Rainbow Shuttle. He cast a resentful glance at the cabin before retreating to a corner to cultivate.

Clearly, the enigmatic Dark Herald of the Devil Palace had intervened, reaching an understanding with Ann Ziqing.

The incident at Turingville was thus left unresolved.

"Isn't Yu Yuan one of our disciples?"

Once Ann Ziqing and Yu Yuan had vanished, Hu Tianyang, with a strained voice, turned to Yan Lu and asked, "Why did the envoy from Colddeath address him as Young Master? Is he associated with Colddeath?"

Wu Pei and Shi Si also looked on with keen curiosity.

Yan Lu grimaced. "I honestly don't know."

How did Yu Yuan become entangled with Colddeath?

Wasn't he supposed to be with Ruby Hand?

Rubbing his head, Yan Lu found Yu Yuan increasingly enigmatic. Zhou Cangmin, who had achieved the Solar Spirit, had vouched for Yu Yuan and negotiated with the Dark Herald to secure his passage on the Silver Rainbow Shuttle to the Embers Sea.

It was also rumored that Qin Yun, who had been ousted from the Crimson Sun Empire and expelled from his sect, had sought refuge with him.

And now, a formidable disciple from Colddeath was addressing him as Young Master?

The purple-clad young woman whom Van Chaoguan treated with such deference was undoubtedly a significant figure from Colddeath. It was astonishing that Yu Yuan was acquainted with such a person, who even considered herself his servant.

"That young woman is Ann Ziqing. She spent many years with the Yu family, concealing her identity and serving Yu Yuan," Su Yan suddenly clarified. "Oh, and the Huang family from Asvetaesi, which has now been destroyed, had significant ties with Colddeath. Once the Huang family fell, Ann Ziqing's identity was revealed, and she departed from Asvetaesi."

She had thoroughly investigated the matter and was well aware of the ins and outs of the situation. She knew exactly who Ann Ziqing was.

"Impossible!" exclaimed Yan Lu, nearly leaping to his feet. "She's so young, yet already a Lunar Spirit. In Colddeath, across the entire Land of Quiescence, and even throughout the Everlands, she should be peerless! With her extraordinary status, how could she possibly demean herself to serve as a maid, attending to Yu Yuan?"

"It is indeed the case," affirmed Su Yan.

"I just can't wrap my head around it," Yan Lu said, shaking his head repeatedly and glancing toward the cabin. He was convinced that the Devil Palace's enigmatic Dark Herald had shown great respect to Ann Ziqing by leaving the Silver Rainbow Shuttle here to wait for her, signaling that she was undoubtedly a person of great importance.

"I'm also at a loss," Su Yan said with a smile.

She wanted to add that there were even more things beyond her comprehension. In the Moonfall Sanctuary and the Forgotten Ruins, she had witnessed many inexplicable and incredible events.

"Lin Zhuyun and the Lin family are truly something else..."

She shook her head subconsciously as she passed judgment.

...

"Thank you, Young Master," Ann Ziqing said, bowing gracefully on a small, verdant island teeming with dense vegetation and lush greenery, her smile genuine.

Yu Yuan, having just descended from the crimson light, was puzzled. "Thank me for what?"

"Young Master, you've done so much, have you truly forgotten?" Ann Ziqing's smile blossomed like a fresh flower. "Shall I jog your memory?"

"Please do," Yu Yuan prompted.

"The Serpent Spine Mountains, Gloomhollow," Ann Ziqing specified.

After a brief pause, realization dawned on Yu Yuan. "Has Ann Jieshan returned?"

"He is an ancestor of the Ann family!" Ann Ziqing's demeanor shifted to one of deep respect. "After many years of suffering in hiding, he has finally broken free. Since his return to Colddeath, he has spoken of you on numerous occasions..."

Ann Ziqing's eyes sparkled. "He has nothing but high praise for you!"

Ann Jieshan was the brother of the founder of Colddeath. He had once concealed himself within Ebon Star, taking refuge in a talented individual's mud pellet acupoint to secretly learn the mystiques of the Ebon Star. Even after being discovered, the Ebon Star could not put an end to him.

After suffering a severe setback, he was confined within the Moonfall Sanctuary. However, thanks to Yu Yuan's intervention, he managed to break free and made his way to Gloomhollow in the Serpent Spine Mountains, where he joined forces with Zhou Cangmin to seize a Mark of the Celestials.

Ann Jieshan returned to the Colddeath Sect and immersed himself in the Blood Pool, which likely resulted in a significant surge in his power. His lost memories were also gradually resurfacing.

His comeback greatly bolstered the Colddeath Sect's strength. The arcane skills he reintroduced, blending the innovative concepts of Ebon Star with those of Colddeath, promised to greatly benefit the sect's future.

Yu Yuan played a pivotal role in all of this.

Ann Ziqing was well aware of these developments, which is why she made a point of expressing her gratitude.

"It was merely happenstance," Yu Yuan remarked with a nonchalant air, "Cough, cough. As for Van Chaoguan in Asvetaesi, I..."

"It's a trivial matter," Ann Ziqing said with a smile, downplaying the issue. "Young Master, I must emphasize that our Colddeath Sect has truly evolved. Since his return, we've reevaluated and refined our spells. If you're considering joining a sect, I invite you to consider ours. We can help you grow stronger swiftly."

"Well, I haven't made any plans in that regard," Yu Yuan responded.

"I've heard about your dealings with Zhou Cangmin. Be cautious; that legend from the Ruby Hand is no ordinary figure," Ann Ziqing advised after a moment's pause. "Whatever the Ruby Hand can offer, we can match. Also, regarding your journey to the Embers Sea, given your current level..."

"I am indeed a bit underpowered," Yu Yuan conceded.

"Take this," Ann Ziqing offered, presenting a conch-shaped object. "This will at least allow you to dive deep into the sea. And this bracelet—I've had it ready since shortly after his return, waiting for an opportunity to give it to you. Please, accept it without objection."

"Inside the bracelet, there's a Blood Jade pendant. Should you encounter any of our disciples, you can show it to them," Ann Ziqing explained.

Yu Yuan's eyes sparkled as he acknowledged, "The Bracelet of Holding."

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