C498 The Legend of the God of Plagues
Lee Qi was ascending the mountain.
On the fifth level of the Skyreach Consortium, the manager Jiang Yurong informed the plainly dressed woman, who bore no adornments, "Tong Laoqian and the fire lotus are waiting halfway up the mountain."
This woman, garbed in sackcloth, was the true proprietor of the Sea Wanderer.
Zhu Peining, seated amidst a cluster of crystal balls, fondled the Cosmos Ring on her finger as if tallying its contents. "Is there anything particularly astonishing about Lee Qi's climb?"
If one possessed the power of a Solar Spirit or greater, they might perceive an intricate web behind her, woven from strands of remnant soul.
These strands linked her to the crystal balls, enabling her to multitask and remain attuned to her environment.
Aboard the Sea Wanderer, she was constantly bombarded with messages from the Skyreach Consortium's outposts across the Lands of Quiescence, Aetherius, and Euwrea.
Her advanced Spirit Walk cultivation and refined soul threads were the only things keeping her from being overwhelmed by the deluge of messages that flooded in every moment, which would otherwise shatter her ability to think independently.
Her need to stay aware of external affairs meant she couldn't devote her full attention to the Sea Wanderer or Rosy Cloud Island, necessitating the presence of someone like Jiang Yurong.
"It's a different mountain, not the one on Rosy Cloud Island," Yurong clarified.
Zhu Peining's expression flickered with confusion, but she gradually regained her composure at Yurong's words.
"Chi!"
Sparks scattered from the soul-woven web at the back of her neck.
In a flash, she severed the clutter of her thoughts, isolating herself from any distractions.
Her extraterrestrial soul consciousness finally refocused within her, her attention now firmly on the present.
Upon looking at Yurong once more, Zhu Peining was fully present. "What was that?"
"Regarding the rules of Rosy Cloud Island, a gaunt Lunar Spirit was brazenly soaring over the island and was promptly executed by the hidden Lunar Spirit, Zu Ann, from beneath the island," Yurong reported with gravity. "Following that individual's demise, Lee Qi, Yuan Lianyao, and Tong Laoqian set out to ascend the mountain together."
They seemed to be privy to some secret. Lee Qi led the way, with the other two trailing behind, ascending step by step.
Ultimately, Yuan Lianyao and Tong Laoqian appeared to halt their climb midway up the mountain. In contrast, Lee Qi caused a significant spatial disturbance. He must have ascended to the heavens, reaching the domain overseen by Zu Ann on Skyreach Peak from Rosy Cloud Island.
Atop Skyreach Peak, one can gaze upon the human world below, observing the hustle and bustle of mortal life. There, Lee Qi seemed to have activated the pathway of the Mirror of Fates, observing the heavens and earth three times!
He is likely still at Skyreach Peak, in the company of Zu Ann and the Solar Spirit.
Jiang Yurong shared her observations and some conjectures.
Zhu Peining inhaled deeply and said, "Considering his features, we should re-examine this young man. The name Lee Qi is undoubtedly a fabrication! Anyone who can discern the hidden secrets of Rosy Cloud Island and ascend to the heavens, triggering the concealed Circle of Aetheric Bending to directly reach Skyreach Peak, and witness the cosmos thrice, is no ordinary individual!"
"I'm here in hopes of leveraging the resources of the Skyreach Consortium to uncover his origins and identity," Jiang Yurong stated.
"I've glimpsed his visage, and it appears genuine. His appearance is authentic; it's only his identity and name that are false," Zhu Peining affirmed, gently closing her eyes.
Yu Yuan's likeness gradually took form in her Mindscape, vividly rendered through Spirit Magic.
With a swift motion, a remnant soul traveled through Zhu Peining's thoughts, shooting towards the gleaming crystal spheres suspended within the room, and from there, it spread to various Skyreach Consortium outposts.
Yu Yuan's features would soon become known to many high-ranking members of the Consortium, just like Zhu Peining.
Should anyone from the Skyreach Consortium have deliberately inquired about Yu Yuan and scrutinized him, they would swiftly ascertain the truth of Yu Yuan's real background and identity.
"According to the intelligence gathered by the Consortium, the fire lotus, despite its widespread fame, is actually quite chaste. The Consortium's investigations into the salacious rumors circulating within the Shadowlight Empire have all confirmed that the slanders were the work of a man, aimed unilaterally at tarnishing her reputation," Jiang Yurong mused to herself. "Her uninhibited behavior on Rosy Cloud Island, displaying affection with a man, has been documented and verified—it was indeed a first."
While Zhu Peining was utilizing the Skyreach Consortium's extensive network to delve into Yu Yuan's past, Jiang Yurong was pondering as well. She suspected that Lee Qi, who had appeared out of nowhere, had long been acquainted with Yuan Lianyao, and their connection was far from superficial.
Contrary to the widespread gossip, Yuan Lianyao wasn't the promiscuous type she was made out to be. In fact, the intelligence from the Skyreach Consortium painted her as a woman of virtue, who had never engaged in any romantic or close encounters with any man. Lee Qi was, in reality, the first.
"That rascal..." Zhu Peining let out a wry smile, shaking her head. "He's got nerve, stirring up such a commotion in the Embers Sea. He didn't even bother to disguise himself, just concocted the name Lee Qi and brazenly boarded the Sea Wanderer."
Jiang Yurong's interest was piqued. "But who is he, really?"
"You might recall him," Zhu Peining said, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "He's been increasingly mentioned over the last three years in the Silvermoon Empire. Bursting onto the scene from Asvetaesi, he's traversed the Moonfall Sanctuary, the Serpent Spine Mountains, the Forgotten Ruins, and recently made his way to the Embers Sea."
"This young man is the very 'God of Plagues' the Consortium talks about!"
"In the trials at Moonfall Sanctuary, the Moonfiend emerged, and the Sky Fiend wreaked havoc. A bronze coffin shot up into the heavens, breaking through every seal and soaring into the Star River. Figures like the Stormcrowned Emperor, Indigo Wraith, and Terra Fiend Fides were all involved."
"Upon reaching the Serpent Spine Mountains, chaos broke out in Gloomhollow. Two key figures from the Ebon Star and Sunlit Order met their fates—one dead, the other exposed as a sleeper agent, resulting in the loss of the Mark of the Celestials. Consequently, Yu Zhu departed from the mountains to the Forgotten Ruins."
"Shortly after arriving at the Forgotten Ruins, we encountered Lee Yupan and Shen Feiqing, who were scheming with the Platinum Skull of the Shura from the Dark Realm. Their machinations led to a shift in power within the Silvermoon Empire, forcing Shen Feiqing to flee to the Godsblight Marsh."
Countless cultivators from the seven lower sects have perished in the Lost Lands.
Recently, the Embers Sea was in turmoil. Hei Xun, the Guardian of Devil Palace, turned traitor in Dark Moon City. The Blood Altar emerged, and a Cosmic Giant Beast reared its head...
Zhu Peining spoke with a wry smile.
Jiang Yurong staggered, clearly frightened. "Which plague god could it be?"
Within the Skyreach Consortium, Yu Yuan, who had weathered many storms in Asvetaesi over the past two years, was known as the God of Plagues.
His presence brought unrest and suffering to all.
Without fail, every time!
"It looks like he's heading to the Sundering Isles," Zhu Peining sighed, shaking her head. "The Sundering Isles are inherently chaotic, a place of constant bloodshed and brutality, all out in the open. The Consortium has invested so much effort there, struggling to maintain some semblance of order."
"If that young man truly embodies the God of Plagues and proves it once more..."
The overseer of the Sea Wanderer, upon confirming Yu Yuan's true background, was visibly disturbed and sighed repeatedly.
"Why not just deny him passage, regardless of his actions on Rosy Cloud Island?" Jiang Yurong proposed. "We can refund the soulstones he paid for the second deck."
"We can't break the Consortium's rules!" Zhu Peining shook her head, then let out a soft chuckle. "Those sisters were blind to choose him. Actually, it's not that they were blind; it's that old scoundrel Tong Laoqian who's full of deceit. He nearly led those sisters to their doom."
Jiang Yurong was shocked. "Can Yu Yuan, the God of Plagues, really overcome a temptation of the flesh?"
"I guess the sisters aren't discouraged yet. Once we reach the Sundering Isles, we'll see who ends up in a worse state." With those words, Zhu Peining indicated that despite knowing Yu Yuan's reputation, she would still act according to the Skyreach Consortium's regulations.
...
Whoosh!
All of a sudden, Yu Yuan returned from the summit.
He reappeared before Yuan Lianyao and Tong Laoqian.
Tong Laoqian's eyes, small as soybeans, suddenly shone with an astonishing brightness that even Yuan Lianyao found jarring. "What's got you so worked up?"
"No, nothing."
Tong Laoqian offered a sheepish smile and approached with great enthusiasm. He examined Yu Yuan closely, clicking his tongue in wonder. "Looking good, completely intact, not a pound lighter, not a soul missing. Impressive, indeed. It's quite uncommon to see someone return unscathed from there."
"Brother, I've finished up. Would you like to go up and check it out?" Yu Yuan stepped aside, clearing a small path and inviting Tong Laoqian to follow.
Tong Laoqian quickly shook his head, chuckling, "No need! I truly appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."
He was brimming with curiosity. How did this young man manage to ascend to that place? Could it be that Zu Ann took the Solar Spirit Body with him during the battle beyond the Star River, and he simply didn't notice?
"Mayor sister, let's head back to the Sea Wanderer," Yu Yuan said with a smile as he descended.
