C405 Second Level

"Su Yan, what's Yu Yuan's story?" asked Pang Kuishan, a dark-skinned elder with a stature as imposing as a mountain, located on the island home of the Abyssal Dawn. Pang Kuishan, a cultivator at the peak of the Lunar Spirit realm, was known for his calm and steady demeanor within the sect.

The journey to the Embers Sea was intended as a training exercise for the sect's disciples, not as a battleground. There, trial-takers were expected to learn survival and cultivation techniques at the sea's bottom, recognizing extraterrestrial rare stones, refined iron, and crystals, along with various potentially emerging flora.

Given the absence of intense combat, Pang Kuishan's leadership was sufficient. Moreover, with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep maintaining order below, he was neither able nor permitted to intervene.

Pang Kuishan noticed that during the confrontation between Yu Yuan and Tang Cen, the latter's spiritual sense attacks failed to secure a decisive upper hand. In truth, Tang Cen, though outwardly aggressive, seemed to have suffered a setback.

He found it puzzling how a young Golden Sanctum practitioner from Aetherius could hold his own against Tang Cen at this level. Could Yu Yuan possess a powerful Horcrux attuned to the three souls of heaven, earth, and man? If a high-level cultivator relative had gifted him a Horcrux, enabling him to wield its power even at a low cultivation level, it could explain Tang Cen's difficulty.

Yet, the idea of someone from Aetherius being endowed with a Horcrux and merging with the three souls from a young age seemed far-fetched. This left Pang Kuishan increasingly perplexed.

"He's from Asvetaesi, the young master of the Yu family. You've heard of him, right? He's the betrothed of Lin Zhuyun from Winter's Bite," Su Yan revealed, her lips twisting into a mocking smile. "Don't look so shocked. Yes, he's the one—the infamous simpleton who's deemed unworthy of Lin Zhuyun."

The seven lower sects of the Euwrea Continent often interacted and traveled among each other. Lin Zhuyun and Su Yan, both hailing from the Silvermoon Empire, were inevitably compared. Lin Zhuyun, who had recently joined Winter's Bite, quickly caught the attention of the Chief Elder and even met with Tang Cen upon her arrival. Her rapid advancement to the middle period of the Veil Breaking realm led many to regard her as slightly more formidable than Su Yan.

The members of Abyssal Dawn were familiar with Lin Zhuyun through Su Yan. Rumors from Winter's Bite suggested that Lin Zhuyun had an unworthy fiancé back in Aetherius, a man believed to be aimless and possibly deceased. However, Su Yan would dismiss such talk with a significant remark, "He is not stupid at all."

Unexpectedly, this man, still officially engaged to Lin Zhuyun, boldly entered the Embers Sea aboard the Devil Palace's Silver Rainbow Shuttle. He also accepted an invitation from Liu Ying to join the Starmoon Sect in a covert dive beneath the sea.

"So, he is Lin Zhuyun's fiancé," Pang Kuishan acknowledged with a nod. "Su Yan, I'm aware that you're acquainted with him and that you arrived here together. However, I advise you to steer clear of his and Lin Zhuyun's affairs. Tang Cen has taken a liking to her, and she's poised to become Tang Zheng's granddaughter-in-law."

"I understand," Su Yan replied with a soft sigh.

Tang Zheng, the Lord of Churchsor Hill and a renowned Unbound cultivator, was a figure of great repute across the Euwrea Continent. Lin Zhuyun's favor with Tang Cen meant that, upon marriage, she would ascend dramatically in status, coming from the Lin family of the Silvermoon Empire. By then, even the Chief Elder of Winter's Bite would need to tread carefully and offer her protection. Lin Zhuyun's swift rise in cultivation, breaking into the middle period of the Veil Breaking realm faster than Su Yan, was largely attributed to this newfound prominence within the sect.

The Winter's Bite sect, due to Tang Zheng's influence, had invested heavily in Lin Zhuyun's cultivation, presenting her with all manner of precious pills. Lin Hanyu ascended to the position of family head within the Lin family thanks to his considerable cultivation level, with Lin Mu even emerging from seclusion to help him eliminate obstacles and deal with the nuisance that was Yu Yuan.

It would be a significant honor for the Lin family to have a descendant become the granddaughter-in-law of Tang Zheng, the Lord of the Sunlit Order.

On the island occupied by the Starmoon Sect, Tian Wanrou and Liu Ying's conversation shifted the focus of the young men and women. Their curiosity about Yu Yuan waned, and they eagerly began discussing the potential treasures, sunsilver, and magical items that might be discovered at the bottom of the Embers Sea.

Yu Yuan nonchalantly chose a spot and sat down, facing the island selected by the Winter's Bite sect, with a clear view of Lin Zhuyun. She stood there, as aloof as ever, her demeanor cool and her words few. A wisp of cold fog rose from her green dress as she stood on the rocky ground.

Tang Cen sat nearby, radiating heat like a glowing Fire Crystal, while she was the polar opposite, resembling a block of ancient ice, exuding a deep chill. One embodied fire, the other ice; one was the epitome of yang, the other yin. Their contrasting natures and the spells they practiced not only differed greatly but also complemented each other, creating a harmonious balance that facilitated their mutual growth.

Yu Yuan's smile took on a peculiar twist. Setting aside their betrothal, Tang Cen and Lin Zhuyun were indeed well-matched, a case of both talent and beauty, seemingly destined for each other.

Ever since Lin Zhuyun demonstrated her aptitude, she had caught the attention of the Chief Elder of the Winter's Bite sect. The spell she was taught was specifically chosen to complement Tang Cen and to propel him toward greatness. Lin Zhuyun herself did not disappoint, mastering her spiritual spell with exceptional finesse, her advancement swift, and her presence distinguished by both her exceptional temperament and striking appearance.

Tang Cen came to realize that this woman from a lesser continent stood out remarkably, her distinguished aloofness stirring something within him.

Lin Zhuyun was the ideal and most fitting companion for him on his journey along the Way of Heaven. He intended to treasure her deeply.

Yu Yuan shook his head, gently closed his eyes, and refrained from looking any further.

Having weathered countless storms and witnessed an array of unparalleled beauties and prodigies, he had never placed much importance on this woman who had been tied to him since birth.

His dissatisfaction stemmed from Lin Zhuyun, Lin Hanyu, and the relentless pressure exerted by the entire Lin family.

"We'll need to wait a bit longer."

Liu Ying approached and took a seat on a clean patch of stone next to him. "The trial-takers from the seven lower sects can only enter in the second batch. The first batch is always reserved for the first level, which includes trial-takers from the Sword Sect, Sunlit Order, Ebon Star, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep."

Yu Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

It was common knowledge that the most prestigious sects at the top of the hierarchy enjoyed special privileges.

These five major sects would have their disciples enter the sea ahead of the others.

Should there be any discovery of rare refined iron, soulstones, or crystals, they would have the advantage of claiming these treasures first, securing them for themselves with satisfaction.

"I'm actually surprised you agreed to join us," Liu Ying said with a light laugh. "I mentioned it offhand, and you accepted. If you had been stubborn and ventured deeper into the island, even if the Devil Palace hadn't arranged for you to go first, I'm sure someone from the Ruby Hand would have welcomed you."

The news of Zhou Cangmin refining his Solar Spirit, a secret Hellbreed of the Ruby Hand, had spread far and wide across the Everlands.

During her time at the Forgotten Ruins, Liu Ying had personally witnessed the close bond between the High Oracle and Yu Yuan, and how attentively he looked after Yu Yuan.

Xu Zixi of Shadow's Keep, it was rumored, had achieved great feats and was held in high regard by her sect.

With Zhou Cangmin and Xu Zixi's machinations, Yu Yuan was expected to be at the first level.

"Isn't the Ruby Hand just like your sect?" Yu Yuan inquired with curiosity.

"This time it's different," Liu Ying replied, shaking her head. "The Ruby Hand is also at the first level, having received permission from both the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep. Their disciples are allowed to proceed ahead of the rest."

"Oh!" Yu Yuan was taken aback.

What seemed like a minor shift held profound implications!

Was the Ruby Hand on the verge of ascending to the first level, to stand on equal footing with the five great powers?

"The Ruby Hand has indeed grown stronger over the years. Many people are quite optimistic about their rise," Liu Ying acknowledged his thoughts. "Since Zhou Cangmin's identity was revealed, he has achieved many great feats for the Land of Quiescence and the Ruby Hand. There are those among the Ruby Hand who have transcended their limits and have seemingly condensed their primordial spirits."

Yu Yuan was astounded. "Primordial spirit?"

Liu Ying nodded emphatically, confirming, "Primordial spirit!"