C403 Love Rival!

Lin Zhuyun's heart was in turmoil following Yu Yuan's arrival.

"That's Yu Yuan."

A tall young man from the Sunlit Order, who was immersed in his cultivation under the blazing sun, spoke abruptly.

Lin Zhuyun felt a jolt in her heart, and her face tensed as she stuttered, "Tang..."

Tang Cen slowly rose to his feet.

At that moment, disciples from the seven lower sects on the surrounding islands, both men and women, were taken aback and turned their gazes towards him.

Tang Cen, hailing from Churchsor Hill of the Sunlit Order, was a renowned prodigy across Euwrea.

A native talent of the Euwrea continent, he had been exceptional from a young age.

Indeed, he was the grandson of the Lord of Churchsor Hill.

Given the Lord's level of cultivation, it was nearly inconceivable for him to have such a young offspring. The Lord had a son in his youth who possessed only average talent and lacked diligence, and thus did not garner much of the Lord's attention.

Yet, upon Tang Cen's birth at Churchsor Hill, the Lord felt a profound connection, recognizing his grandson's remarkable gifts.

Their bond was one of deep affection that spanned generations.

It was common knowledge that he favored and even indulged Tang Cen, bestowing upon him various artifacts and pills, much to the chagrin of many within the Churchsor Hill.

Tang Cen lived up to the high expectations, demonstrating his extraordinary aptitude for cultivation at an early age and reaching the middle period of Subtlety while still quite young.

He was expected to progress to Lunar Spirit within a decade.

With his striking looks, formidable background, and advanced cultivation level, Tang Cen would not have ventured to the Embers Sea if not for Lin Zhuyun.

His fire magic was excessively fierce and intense. His grandfather, recognizing this, confided in the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite, who, in turn, discreetly selected Lin Zhuyun for him.

Lin Zhuyun practiced the spell of Winter's Bite, which was intended to complement his abilities by tempering the intense flames within him.

Initially, Tang Cen was indifferent to Lin Zhuyun, treating her merely as a puppet in his grand scheme.

After their first meeting, Tang Cen began to truly understand Lin Zhuyun. He saw her as more than just a puppet and even considered the prospect of marriage.

Moved by his feelings, Tang Cen frequently visited Winter's Bite. Upon learning that Lin Zhuyun had arrived in the Embers Sea, he eagerly followed suit.

Many sects across Euwrea were aware of his genuine affection for Lin Zhuyun.

Yet, rumors persisted that Lin Zhuyun was betrothed to another in Aetherius, with the engagement still intact.

His close friends often teased him, suggesting that Tang Cen's affections were for a woman who belonged to someone else.

In response, Tang Cen subtly approached the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite on several occasions.

He believed the Elder's capabilities could swiftly and efficiently resolve the situation, sparing him any further concern.

However, in an unexpected turn of events in the Embers Sea, in front of many peers from the seven lower sects, Lin Zhuyun's fiancé made a surprise appearance, arriving on the Silver Rainbow Shuttle from the Devil Palace—a sign he might be one of its disciples.

"Tang, it really is Yu Yuan. I thought..." Lin Zhuyun murmured, unable to meet his gaze, her voice faltering.

"It's alright," Tang Cen reassured her with a dismissive wave, signaling her to relax. "I'm aware of your past. And even if he is from the Devil Palace, it's inconsequential. The Devil Palace has many ordinary disciples who never rise to prominence in their lifetimes."

With a confident smile, Tang Cen added, "I doubt Yu Yuan will prove to be an exception."

The Sunlit Order and the Devil Palace were both formidable sects of equal standing. Tang Cen's grandfather was the esteemed Lord of Churchsor Hill, placing Tang Cen's status within the Sunlit Order at the top of his generation.

He was a rising star, destined to make his mark on Euwrea.

Yu Yuan, however, was merely fortunate to have joined the Devil Palace and was likely just another face in the crowd, soon to be forgotten and insignificant.

Tang Cen had no reason to concern himself with such individuals.

"Yu Yuan!"

Liu Ying of the Starmoon Sect was beaming with joy as she spoke, "Are you also headed to the Embers Sea to explore the islands? Would you like to join me?"

"Sure," Yu Yuan replied with ease.

His response caused a stir among the onlookers, who wore puzzled expressions.

Yu Yuan, having arrived on the Silver Rainbow Shuttle, shouldn't he be a disciple of the Devil Palace, accompanying its members?

Those who recognized Wu Pei, Shi Si, Hu Tianyang, and Yan Lu by Yu Yuan's side knew that they were either already official members of the Devil Palace or had been marked by the Palace for recruitment.

Thus, it was naturally assumed that Yu Yuan was also a disciple of the Devil Palace.

"He is not a disciple of the Devil Palace."

Su Yan, having arrived at the island occupied by the Abyssal Dawn, offhandedly clarified for the astonished crowd, "Like me, Yu Yuan simply used the Silver Rainbow Shuttle to travel to the Embers Sea."

Liu Ying was making a similar explanation to a female elder of the Starmoon Sect, "He's probably not a disciple of the Devil Palace."

The Starmoon Sect elder, her hair neatly coiffed, smiled gently and remarked, "As long as he's not an official disciple of the Devil Palace and has come of his own volition, there's no issue." Her gaze towards Liu Ying was filled with affection.

Meanwhile.

Yu Yuan could distinctly feel the Warp Spindle beneath him beginning to descend.

It was heading down toward the island where the Starmoon Sect resided.

The agreement between the enigmatic Dark Herald of the Devil Palace and Zhou Cangmin was simply to ensure Yu Yuan's safe arrival in the Embers Sea; no further arrangements had been made.

Now that they had reached the Embers Sea, and Yu Yuan was not a disciple of the Devil Palace, the agreement had come to an end.

"Thank you."

Glancing at the cabin, Yu Yuan gestured a respectful bow to the unseen Dark Herald, then turned to Yan Lu and said, "Alright, I'm off to join Liu Ying."

Yan Lu, puzzled, inquired, "Shouldn't it be the Ruby Hand?"

Yu Yuan smiled, shook his head, and with a leap, he left Yan Lu's confused gaze and Shi Si's curious stare behind.

Whoosh!

He soared from the Silver Rainbow Shuttle towards the Starmoon Sect, not bothering to look around on his way. Aware that Lin Zhuyun and a young man from the Sunlit Order were watching, he remained unconcerned.

"The name's Yu Yuan. I've crossed paths with Liu Ying a few times back in the Forgotten Ruins," Yu Yuan said with an easy smile, introducing himself to the Starmoon Sect's elders and disciples without any hesitation. "Well, if Liu Ying acknowledges me, I suppose you could say I'm her... friend."

"A very, very good friend!" Liu Ying chimed in, stepping forward to stand beside him. She beamed as she clarified for the Starmoon Sect members, "He saved my life in the Forgotten Ruins!"

"Is that so? You never mentioned that before!"

"Liu Ying, weren't you doing well in the Forgotten Ruins? I remember you saying that you and that person from there were close friends! That person is even touted as a future Dark Deity!"

"Senior Sister, you're exaggerating again! With your Fallen Star Eyes, who could possibly harm you? His power is quite modest; how could he have saved you?"

"Exactly, exactly!"

The young members of the Starmoon Sect buzzed with conversation, eagerly discussing Liu Ying's story.

Liu Ying shot Yu Yuan a sheepish look, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. She had claimed to be good friends with Yu Zhu, talking up her connection with Yu Zhu and deliberately downplaying her association with Yu Yuan.

Intelligent as she was, Liu Ying understood that Yu Yuan lacked a powerful patron. Revealing too much about their encounter could spell trouble.

"Yu Yuan! We'll catch up on the island later," called out Yan Lu from above the Silver Rainbow Shuttle. The shuttle ascended, making its way deeper into the Embers Sea towards the islands guarded by the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep.

"Sure, see you then," Yu Yuan responded.

"Yu Yuan, why don't you join me at the sea's bottom?" Liu Ying suggested quietly. "You're aware of how potent my Fallen Star Eyes are. They give me a significant edge when it comes to searching for things."

"This," Yu Yuan said with a grin, "is precisely why I didn't descend with the Devil Palace to join you."

"Yu Yuan!"

Tang Cen's voice boomed across the island that housed Winter's Bite, instantly drawing the gazes of many onlookers.

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