C487 Better Looking than You!

Leaning against the wooden wall, Yu Yuan watched with a hint of amusement as Yuan Lianyao was carefully escorted by Jiang Yurong to the fourth floor, courtesy of Faang Yao's protection. His lips curled into a smile, reflecting his surprise at the transformation of the mayor's sister. After several months apart, he hadn't expected her to successfully refine into a Lunar Spirit under Faang Yao's guardianship.

Faang Yao had departed hastily from the Embers Sea, likely for her sake. The newly formed Shadowlight Empire was firmly in the grasp of the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and the Ruby Hand. It was a rare historical occurrence for the sect powers of the northern Land of Quiescence to completely control an empire in Aetherius.

The proximity of Asvetaesi to the Forgotten Ruins made Yuan Lianyao's role as its master increasingly significant. Given the Ruins' burgeoning spiritual energy, it was clear that the area was on the cusp of prosperity. Yuan Lianyao, with her delicate finesse, impressive cultivation talent, and notable contributions to the Ruby Hand, had risen to prominence with just a touch of guidance from the High Oracle.

Yu Yuan watched the figure of Yuan Lianyao, like a red lotus, gradually vanish from sight while the whispers from the surrounding houses continued unabated. He mused over whether to meet her en route to the Sundering Isles or wait until after his arrival.

He had adopted the alias "Lee Qi" out of concern that his involvement in the events at the Embers Sea might draw unwanted attention from the Devil Palace and other interested parties. A premature meeting with Yuan Lianyao could lead to his identity being compromised, and if word spread through the Skyreach Consortium, it would become common knowledge.

"Better to wait for the right opportunity," he thought to himself.

"Is she attractive?" inquired Zhang Manman, approaching him unexpectedly. A fleeting look of distaste crossed her eyes.

The clamor outside, along with Faang Yao's arrival from the Ruby Hand, had disrupted the quiet. As Yu Yuan leaned by the window to observe Yuan Lianyao, Zhang Manman, too, cast her gaze outside, albeit from a distance.

She also noticed Yu Yuan, who had only given Faang Yao a brief glance before her gaze settled on the mayor of Asvetaesi, known as the "blazing red lotus."

As a woman, she had long been aware of Yuan Lianyao's renowned beauty. She secretly admired her and had even taken to emulating her.

Her mannerisms, her style of dress—much of it was modeled after the rumors surrounding the famously enchanting mayor.

Upon seeing Yuan Lianyao in person, Zhang Manman's envy flared from a distance.

After all, emulation can only go so far. In the presence of Yuan Lianyao, Zhang Manman came to the stark realization that her own cultivation, presence, allure, and status paled in comparison.

Yu Yuan's smirking "cheap look" only served to irritate her further.

"She's stunning, far more so than you," Yu Yuan remarked, snapping back to reality. He closed the window and scrutinized Zhang Manman with a mischievous chuckle. "You know, your attire, demeanor, even the way you talk, it all bears a slight resemblance to that mayor."

"Mayor?" Zhang Manman responded, taken aback.

Zhang Miao looked on with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

She was well aware of her sister's mix of envy and jealousy toward the "blazing red lotus." The news that the Sage had been spotted aboard the "Sea Wanderer" must have been irresistible to her.

But was this person foolish? Why claim he was more attractive than her sister?

"Never mind how I refer to her; she truly is a vision of beauty," Yu Yuan said, still smiling.

"Sure, she's beautiful, but I've heard her skirts are quite loose, and she's been involved with numerous men. It's said that she's climbed the ranks by relying on her good looks to bewitch and serve men," Zhang Manman said with a sneer, whispering these baseless rumors.

Yu Yuan's smile remained, but his eyes narrowed to a chilling glare. "Sister Zhang, what was that you said?"

"I said..."

Zhang Manman's lips pursed as she was about to repeat herself, but her body suddenly shuddered, and a cold dread filled her. Locked in Yu Yuan's gaze, she felt the terrifying sensation of being preyed upon by a dire beast, knowing that one wrong answer could lead to her being torn apart.

Zhang Manman's teeth chattered, but she couldn't bring herself to utter another word.

"I'm so sorry, truly sorry."

Her sister, Zhang Miao, swiftly swept in, grabbing the hem of her skirt and pulling her aside to a corner. Ignoring her sister's confusion, she quickly apologized to Yu Yuan, "My sister tends to speak without thinking, but she means no harm. Please don't hold it against her; she was just speaking off the cuff."

"You can be careless with food, but not with words," Yu Yuan retorted with a snort. "The mayor is someone I hold dear. I'd appreciate it if you'd think before you speak and not spread baseless gossip."

"It won't happen again, I promise!" Zhang Miao continued to apologize profusely.

In a discreet move, she pinched the soft flesh of her sister's waist. Zhang Manman winced in pain and shot her a look as if she had just been jolted awake.

Zhang Manman remained silent, giving Yu Yuan an odd glance before quietly taking her seat.

Yu Yuan, taken aback, grew increasingly curious. It was usually Zhang Manman who took charge of the conversation, while Zhang Miao remained silent, always appearing meek and timid. He hadn't expected that in a crucial moment, it would be the younger sister who stepped up to the plate.

And yet, at such a time, the elder sister seemed to unconditionally trust her sibling's judgment.

Yu Yuan had initially intended to dismiss the sisters, but their unexpected dynamic piqued his interest. He decided to observe them a bit longer to see what they were really up to.

On the fourth floor of the Sea Wanderer, Yuan Lianyao had just settled into a lavishly decorated room arranged by Jiang Yurong. She hadn't even had a chance to take in her surroundings when she heard a knock at the door.

With a puzzled look, Yuan Lianyao opened the door and asked, "What brings you here?"

During her time in the Forgotten Ruins, she had encountered Tong Laoqian, Qi Hongyi, and the Golden Fiend astride his gourd.

Thanks to the backing of the Ruby Hand and the esteem of the state preceptor, Yuan Lianyao was undaunted by the big devil, a figure with a fearsome reputation in the history of the Forgotten Ruins.

Besides, she was aboard the Skyreach Consortium's Sea Wanderer, where she felt completely secure.

Tong Laoqian, with the demeanor of a portly merchant, let out a chuckle and handed her a note. "Take a look at this once you're inside."

Yuan Lianyao was perplexed. As she accepted the note, she noticed Tong Laoqian chuckling to himself as he headed to the adjacent room and entered.

"Ah, the joys of having neighbors."

Yuan Lianyao whispered to herself, closing the door behind her. The world outside seemed to fall into silence.

Inside the room, the soundproofing and the remnant soul array worked autonomously, shielding her from any prying eyes.

She glanced down at the note in her hands, her gaze falling on the delicately penned words: "Yu Yuan is currently on the second floor, room twenty-five, under the alias Lee Qi."

A shiver ran through Yuan Lianyao's slender frame, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

...

"It's been three days since the deadline with the big devil passed. Staying here is just wasting time. Let's leave and find a new target."

"Sister, since we've missed the deadline and the big devil is tough to handle, let's not bother with him anymore. We'll see what happens when we reach the Sundering Isles."

"This Lee Qi character gave me such a chilling look. Being in the same room with him suddenly made me uncomfortable. Too bad he's just a collateral member of the Lee family, unlikely to achieve much. We're in a tough spot; we need someone who can offer protection to us sisters."

"He's a bit odd, with no malice or fondness towards us at present. Let's just stay put for now."

"The big devil won't come looking for us after three days, will he?"

"No, he won't."

The twins, linked by the mystique of the Heart Lake, could communicate without the need for spoken words or remnant souls.

In fact, Zhang Manman and Zhang Miao had been in constant private communication since they stepped into Yu Yuan's room.

The seemingly shy younger sister often provided her older sister with numerous suggestions through their Heart Lake link, with the elder speaking on her behalf.

At this moment, both appeared silent, yet their covert conversation continued unabated.

The younger sister gently urged Zhang Manman to avoid rash actions, to stay put, keep observing Yu Yuan, and wait for their journey to the Sundering Isles.

Her older sister placed immense trust in her, and despite her reluctance, she obediently complied.

Yet, when she occasionally glanced at Yu Yuan, her eyes betrayed a hint of resentment.

Yu Yuan remained blissfully unaware.

That night, Yu Yuan sat on the edge of his bed, fortifying his physique with the Evil Body Refining technique, while pondering how to meet with Yuan Lianyao without drawing attention.

Yuan Lianyao and Faang Yao had gone together, and Faang Yao undoubtedly had a clearer picture of the true state of affairs in the Embers Sea.

Yu Yuan was curious about the stance and actions of the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and the Ruby Hand regarding his deeds in the Embers Sea. He wondered if they harbored any intentions of reclaiming the Crucible of Evil.

Given his cordial relations with Zhou Cangmin and Xu Zixi, he was confident they might intercede on his behalf. The presence of Yu Zhu meant that Shadow's Keep should also show some respect.

However, the Crucible of Evil was a matter of great significance, and the Sunsorrow he had acquired was exceedingly precious. If the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep were to insist on its return without regard for his connections, it would indeed be a cause for concern.

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat!

Within the Golden Sanctum of his lower elixir field, eight strands of scarlet lightning coalesced into clusters of flames, which then erupted into a fierce blaze, as if reacting to some anomaly.

He could acutely sense that something in the western seas was drawing these clusters of flames.

The flames were none other than the sunfire he had refined!

The Sea Wanderer was heading west towards the Sundering Isles. The disturbances there were enough to stir the eight points of sunfire within him.

"Could it be? The Abyssal Leviathan, or perhaps its eye?"

He couldn't stop his mind from racing.

The eight points of sunfire had been gradually refined through the Nine Glories Wheel, following their entanglement with the Abyssal Leviathan's crimson eye.

There was a covert connection between the sunfire and the leviathan's eye, a sensation he had distinctly felt at the bottom of the Embers Sea.

If the sunfire was reacting, it could either be the leviathan or its eye!

"Is it the Abyssal Leviathan, or has someone taken its eye, as radiant as the sun itself?" Yu Yuan's gaze shifted as he considered the possibilities. If it was indeed the eye of the Abyssal Leviathan, perhaps he could...

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

Just then, a knocking sound echoed in the dead of night.

...