C490 You Have Learned Your Lesson

Yu Yuan broke out in a cold sweat from fear.

Even when Yuan Lianyao angrily pinched his arm, he didn't flinch.

"Nightbane Sect..."

This fringe sect, much like the Poison Cult, was not acknowledged by mainstream cultivators.

Forget the Land of Quiescence; even sects from the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and Ruby Hand considered the Nightbane Sect beneath them, unworthy of high regard.

In his past life, Yu Yuan had heard of the Nightbane Sect and was aware of their cultivation practices, though he had never encountered them directly.

The Nightbane Sect's spells and arcane practices revolved around the infamous technique of "harvesting Yang to replenish Yin," which was most effective when used on men to fully harness their mystique.

Naturally, the Nightbane Sect was cautious, never daring to target orthodox cultivators.

Leaving aside the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, even disciples of the Skyblight Cult and Taintborn were off-limits to the Nightbane's female cultivators.

Their victims were typically independent cultivators or scions of declining families.

Yu Yuan was familiar with the Nightbane's "Twin Spirit Charm," a mystique reserved for twin sisters with innate allure. One was designated the "Whisperling," and the other the "Spirit Walker."

The "Whisperling" practiced the art of harvesting, using her body to siphon a man's essence, vitality, and blood for her own refinement.

The "Spirit Walker," on the other hand, would covertly refine the harvested essence and vitality before collecting it themselves.

Typically, the "Spirit Walker's" cultivation level surpassed that of the "Whisperling," often by one or two realms.

Usually, the "Spirit Walker" would act as a reflection, displaying the "Whisperling's" condition to the outside world.

Take Zhang Miao, for instance, whom he had seen was also at the Veil Breaking Realm. The development of her corporeal body was rudimentary at best, showing little promise for potential.

No matter how he looked at them, Zhang Miao and her sister Zhang Manman seemed to be on par in terms of appearance and talent.

Yet, what he could discern was that Zhang Miao acted as a mirror, reflecting her sister Zhang Manman's condition.

In truth, Zhang Miao's level of cultivation was leagues above Zhang Manman's!

She was the true beneficiary of the Twin Spirit Charm, secretly manipulating her sister and covertly siphoning her essence, vitality, and corporeal body. Her cultivation level was bound to be significantly higher.

If he were careless and unwittingly became her target, ending up as her sister's underling, the consequences could be dire...

The mere thought made even Yu Yuan shudder with unease.

His gaze towards Tong Laoqian turned even more disdainful.

"Do you finally understand what's good for you?"

Yuan Lianyao gave him a withering look but refrained from pinching him further. She settled into the warm jade chair, poured a cup of red fruit wine from a beautifully crafted vessel, and casually handed it to Yu Yuan, "Have a drink to calm your nerves."

Yu Yuan accepted it and took a sip, finding it pleasantly sweet.

"Tong Laoqian, do you have anything else to say?" Yuan Lianyao filled her own silver cup and swirled it gently, her gaze icy, "I haven't forgotten any of your sneaky little schemes."

Tong Laoqian bowed repeatedly, his face twisted into a wry smile, "It's a misunderstanding, truly! I had no idea, I wasn't plotting against Yu. If I wanted him dead, I wouldn't have informed you about him being on the Sea Wanderer. Think about it, does that not make sense?"

"Don't try those games with me!" Yuan Lianyao's face hardened as she snapped, "Given your savvy, you couldn't have been oblivious to the sisters' background! Regardless of your reasons for informing me about Yu Yuan, sending those sisters after him was clearly malicious!"

"A man can be condemned without a cause," Tong Laoqian said, feeling aggrieved.

"Leave now!"

Yuan Lianyao, fed up, gestured towards the door with a delicate hand, effectively dismissing him.

"Tong Laoqian, I'll also remember your 'kindness'," Yu Yuan said, his smile darkening, "I'll be sure to repay it in the future."

Tong Laoqian let out a sigh and shook his head mournfully. "I won't bother you two any longer," he said with a downcast expression. With those words, he stooped and pushed open the door to leave, making no further attempt to defend himself.

He was well aware that once Yu Yuan and Yuan Lianyao had made up their minds, no explanation would suffice.

"He's definitely aware of the sisters' affiliation with the Nightbane Sect," Yuan Lianyao stated with certainty.

"I've noticed as well," Yu Yuan agreed, nodding as he drained the last of the red wine from his cup before settling into another warm jade chair across the table.

After taking his seat opposite Yuan Lianyao, he pushed his empty cup forward, signaling for the mayor's sister to pour more wine.

"I never took you for a bit of a lush," Yuan Lianyao said with a light laugh, clearly in high spirits. She took the wine jug and refilled his cup, topping off her own as well. Her smile widened playfully as she teased, "Have you ever thought of me?"

Her captivating eyes, which seemed to ensnare the soul, glanced at Yu Yuan in a manner that appeared both casual and intentional.

"Day and night, so much that sleep eludes me," Yu Yuan responded promptly.

Yuan Lianyao's eyes sparkled with mirth, though her words carried a teasing edge. "You've become quite the charmer in the months we've been apart. Who taught you such slick talk? During your trials in the Embers Sea, with Su Yan to your left and Liu Ying to your right, you must have been living the high life!"

Yu Yuan, with his head bowed, sipped his wine slowly. "How much do you know?"

"Before boarding the Sea Wanderer, Lord Faang Yao escorted me and I met Hou Tianzhao," Yuan Lianyao said, fixing him with a stern look. "Don't dodge the question. I've heard that Su Yan and Liu Ying were quite taken with you, using their Fallen Star Eyes to your benefit. Did you take advantage of those young women without intending to take responsibility, prompting you to flee in a sorry state with the Crucible of Evil?"

While speaking, she pulled her chair closer to Yu Yuan and sat down beside him, her expressive eyes locking onto his with an intense gaze.

The enchanting "blazing red lotus" exuded a refreshing fragrance that captivated the senses. Yu Yuan inhaled deeply, feeling a surge of heat in his liver and a ripple in his heart.

It was overwhelming for him.

In his past life, having never embarked on the path of cultivation, he couldn't break through the Profound Gate or extend the limits of his lifespan. Time seemed desperately short.

He either immersed himself in the study of leechcraft or sought the secrets of cultivation. Ultimately, he was forced to seek reincarnation.

He had barely experienced romantic love.

The few women who had taken a liking to him were kept at arm's length, as he avoided them like the plague.

Knowing his lifespan was no different from any ordinary person's, he didn't want to waste their time.

Why bother with love when he was so keenly aware of his limited time and energy?

Thus, in his previous life, he truly never experienced such matters.

He avoided women whenever possible, and even when one showed him affection, he feigned ignorance, missing out on potential romances.

If there was a regret from his past life, it was the absence of love.

But this life was different!

Having stepped onto the path of cultivation and reached the Veil Breaking stage, his middle elixir field had opened, signifying he had shattered the limits of his lifespan!

Now, he could live for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years!

He had all the time in the world to spare!

Gone were the days of feeling his time was running out, the constant sense of crisis, fear, and despair that once suffocated him.

With these thoughts, his spirit lifted, and he sat up with newfound determination, casting off the shadows of his former life.

"By the heavens and earth, all I've thought about is you, my dear mayor!"

Yu Yuan's smile shone like the sun. Gazing into the beautiful eyes that remained fixed on him, his heart fluttered, and he playfully countered, "I wonder, after such a long time apart, have you thought of me as I have thought of you?"

"You little rascal..."

Yuan Lianyao, caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes, felt a wave of shyness wash over her. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she awkwardly averted her gaze, trying to mask the turmoil within. In a swift motion, she took a large gulp of wine.

"Cough, cough!"

She was momentarily choked.

Yu Yuan burst into a proud, hearty laugh, "Sister, I've figured out what you're after! Haha, all my constant pining and daydreaming wasn't for nothing!"

"You little rascal, you've picked up some bad habits out there!" Yuan Lianyao, oozing charm, gave him a playful glare. As the mayor of her city, she gracefully wiped the wine stains from her chest with her sleeve.

Yu Yuan, holding his wine cup, gazed at her ample chest with eyes wide open, thinking to himself, "Impressive indeed!"

"You!"

Yuan Lianyao caught his gaze and was slightly irritated, "Stop ogling me! We're discussing important matters here! Have you truly refined the Crucible of Evil? How did you manage to break through to the Veil Breaking realm so swiftly? And when you were in the Golden Sanctum, how many rounds of tempering did you endure before advancing to the Veil Breaking realm?"

Yu Yuan drained his cup and ceased his playful antics, "The information you received from Hou Tianzhao is accurate. The Crucible of Evil has indeed become one with me. Should the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep attempt to seize the Crucible of Evil, it would severely damage my cultivation foundation and have a profound effect on me."

"There's no need for concern on that front." Yuan Lianyao refilled his cup, "The esteemed state preceptor will intercede with the Devil Palace on our behalf. The Python Queen will notify Yu Zhu, ensuring that Shadow's Keep won't press the issue. Moreover, Fei Yi, Hou Tianzhao, Lin Yue, and the others have all managed to escape, largely thanks to your efforts."

"As a result, neither the Devil Palace nor Shadow's Keep will pressure you to surrender the Crucible of Evil. Without the cauldron spirit, the item loses its status as a Divine Artifact. It's curious that the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep would stir up such trouble over it."

Yu Yuan swirled his wine cup, contemplating the rich red liquid, a sense of astonishment stirring within him: The Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep are unaware that the cauldron spirit is still intact?

"Let's hear it, how many times have you refined the little world of the Golden Sanctum?" Yuan Lianyao was genuinely interested in this detail. Her eyes sparkled with fascination, "This step is crucial for your future accomplishments!"

"Eighth level?!"

"Yes."

"Oh my goodness!"

Yuan Lianyao gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in astonishment. Her expression was one of sheer disbelief, as though she had just witnessed a ghost in the full light of day.

Cultivators who had reached the eighth level of the Golden Sanctum were among the most extraordinary talents in both the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea!

They were the prodigies that the three great upper sects, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep would fiercely compete for, going so far as to cast aside any facade of civility in their pursuit!