C403 Love Rival

Yu Yuan's arrival threw Lin Zhuyun into a state of utter disarray.

"That's Yu Yuan," remarked the towering young man from the Primordial Yang Sect, who was immersed in the fierce sunlight, honing his cultivation with radiant intensity.

Lin Zhuyun's spirit jolted, her expression turning rigid as she stammered, "Brother Tang..."

Tang Cann rose to his feet with deliberate slowness.

At that moment, disciples from the seven lower sects scattered across the neighboring islands—both male and female—were startled into attention, their gazes snapping towards him.

Hailing from Quill Mountain of the Primordial Yang Sect, Tang Cann was a renowned prodigy throughout the Heavenly Source Continent.

A native talent of the continent, he had always stood out from a young age.

Indeed, he was the beloved grandson of the Mountain Lord of Quill Mountain.

Considering the Mountain Lord's advanced level of cultivation, it was nearly inconceivable for him to have such a young descendant. The Mountain Lord's own son, born in his youth, had shown only average aptitude and lacked diligence, garnering little of his father's regard.

Yet, at the very moment of Tang Cann's birth on Quill Mountain, the Mountain Lord felt a profound stirring, recognizing the newborn's exceptional gifts.

This affection skipped a generation, with Tang Cann receiving the full measure of his grandfather's favor.

It was common knowledge that the Mountain Lord cherished and indulged Tang Cann, lavishing him with various artifacts and pellets, much to the chagrin of many within Quill Mountain.

Tang Cann lived up to these high expectations, demonstrating remarkable talent in his cultivation journey. At a tender age, he had already reached the Middle Period of the Penetrating Stage.

Advancing to a Yin God was likely within the next decade.

With his striking looks, formidable background, and high cultivation level, Tang Cann would not have ventured to Ember Waters if not for Lin Zhuyun.

The Flame Mantra he practiced was excessively fierce and intense. His grandfather, recognizing the signs, communicated with the Great Elder of the Cold Yin Sect. The Great Elder, understanding the situation, discreetly selected Lin Zhuyun for him.

Lin Zhuyun's cultivation of the Cold Yin Sect's Spiritual Spell was meant to complement his, neutralizing the intense flames within him.

Initially, he regarded her with indifference, seeing her merely as a puppet.

But after truly meeting and getting to know her, Tang Cann found himself unexpectedly moved. No longer did he see Lin Zhuyun as a mere tool for his cultivation; he genuinely began to entertain thoughts of marriage.

After his heart was stirred, Tang Cann began visiting the Cold Yin Sect with increasing frequency. Upon learning that Lim Zhuyun had arrived in the Ember Waters, he eagerly made his way there as well.

Before long, it became common knowledge among the sects of the Heavenly Source Continent that he had genuinely fallen for Lim Zhuyun.

Yet, rumors persisted that Lim Zhuyun had a fiancé back on the Profound Sky Continent, and their engagement remained intact.

Some of Tang Cann's close friends would tease him, jesting that the woman he had set his sights on was still claimed by another.

In response, Tang Cann had subtly approached the Great Elder of the Cold Yin Sect on several occasions.

He believed that with the Elder's capabilities and resources, the situation could be swiftly and neatly resolved without burdening him further.

But now, here in the Ember Waters, in the presence of numerous peers from the seven lower sects, Lim Zhuyun's fiancé had the audacity to appear.

And he was aboard the Silver Rainbow Magic Shuttle from the Devil Palace, which strongly suggested he was one of its disciples.

"Brother Tang, it really is Yu Yuan. I thought..."

Lim Zhuyun, unable to meet his gaze, hung her head low, her voice lacking conviction.

"Don't worry about it," Tang Cann reassured her with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'm well aware of the situation between you two. Even if he's from the Devil Palace, it doesn't matter. The Devil Palace is teeming with ordinary disciples who will never ascend to the ranks of direct discipleship in their lifetimes."

Tang Cann flashed a confident smile, declaring, "I don't see Yu Yuan as an exception to that."

Both the Primordial Yang Sect and the Devil Palace were formidable sects of equal standing, and Tang Cann's grandfather was the esteemed Mountain Lord of Quill Mountain. His status within the Primordial Yang Sect was among the highest of his generation.

He was a rising star, destined to dazzle the Heavenly Source Continent with his brilliance.

As for Yu Yuan, his fortuitous entry into the Devil Palace likely made him just another face in the crowd, soon to be forgotten and insignificant.

Such a person was not worth Tang Cann's concern.

"Yu Yuan!"

Lau Ying of the Silver Moon Sect called out with an exuberant laugh, continuing the conversation, "Have you come to the Ember Waters to explore the islands too? Why don't you join me?"

"Sure thing," Yu Yuan replied with an easy grin.

His response sent a ripple of surprise through the crowd, leaving many with puzzled expressions.

Riding in on the Silver Rainbow Magic Shuttle, Yu Yuan wasn't supposed to be a disciple of the Devil Palace, was he? Alongside Yu Yuan were Wu Pei, Sheh Si, Hu Tianyang, and Yan Lu—some recognized them and knew they were either officially part of the Devil Palace or had been marked by it.

So, it was only natural for them to assume Yu Yuan was a disciple too.

"He's not one of the Devil Palace's own."

As Su Yan set foot on the island home to the Taiyuan Sect, she offered a simple clarification to the astonished onlookers, "Like me, Yu Yuan is just a passenger on the Silver Rainbow Magic Shuttle, heading to the Ember Waters."

Lau Ying was saying something similar to a female elder of the Silver Moon Sect, "He's probably not a disciple of the Devil Palace."

The elder, her hair neatly coiled atop her head, gave a slight smile and said, "As long as he's not a recognized disciple of the Devil Palace and he's come of his own free will, there's no issue." Her eyes were warm with affection as she regarded Lau Ying.

Meanwhile.

Yu Yuan could distinctly sense the Devil Shuttle beneath him beginning to descend.

It was making its way down to the island where the Silver Moon Sect resided.

The Devil Palace's enigmatic Devil Envoy had only agreed to ensure Yu Yuan's safe passage to the Ember Waters; there were no further commitments.

Now that Yu Yuan had reached the Ember Waters and was not a disciple of the Devil Palace, the agreement was concluded.

"Many thanks."

Glancing at the cabin, Yu Yuan offered a respectful bow to the unseen Devil Envoy, then turned to Yan Lu, "Alright, I'm off to join Lau Ying."

Yan Lu, puzzled, inquired, "Shouldn't you be with the Red Devil Sect?"

Yu Yuan just smiled, shook her head, and with a spring in her step, she leaped out amidst Yan Lu's confused look and Sheh Si's curious stare.

Whoosh!

He soared from the Silver Rainbow Magic Shuttle down to the Silver Moon Sect, not bothering to scan his surroundings. Aware that Lim Zhuyun and the youth from the Primordial Yang Sect were watching, he remained unfazed.

"Hey there, I'm Yu Yuan. I met Lau Ying before in the Absence Relic," he said with a smile, introducing himself to the elders and disciples of the Silver Moon Sect. "If Lau Ying remembers me, then I guess you could say I'm her... friend."

"An exceptionally good friend!" Lau Ying stepped forward, aligning herself next to him, and cheerfully clarified to the members of the Silver Moon Sect, "He saved my life back in the Absence Relic!"

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

"Junior Sister Lau, I thought you navigated the Absence Relic with ease. You've mentioned that you and that individual from the relic are close friends—the one destined to be a Demon God!"

"Senior Sister, you're spouting nonsense again! With your Fallen Star Eyes, who could possibly harm you? His power is so limited, how could he have saved you?"

"Exactly, exactly!"

The Silver Moon Sect's youth buzzed around Lau Ying, their conversation never ceasing.

Lau Ying cast a sheepish glance at Yu Yuan, her expression tinged with embarrassment.

She had claimed to be close friends with Yu Zhu, sharing many tales about him and intentionally inflating the nature of their relationship, while scarcely mentioning Yu Yuan.

Her intelligence told her that Yu Yuan lacked a powerful patron, and revealing too much could invite trouble.

"Yu Yuan! Catch up with you later at the island!"

Yan Lu gestured from above the Silver Rainbow Magic Shuttle as the Devil Shuttle ascended, heading deeper into the Ember Waters towards the islands guarded by the Devil Palace and Demon Palace.

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

"Yu Yuan, join me on a dive to the ocean floor," Lau Ying murmured. "You're aware of how formidable my Fallen Star Eyes are—they give us a significant edge in locating things."

"That's precisely why I didn't descend with the Devil Palace to join you," Yu Yuan replied with a smile.

"Yu Yuan!"

From the island of the Cold Yin Sect, Tang Can's voice boomed, immediately drawing the gaze of many onlookers.

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