C52 Forbidden Moon Forbidden Area

In the south lies the City of Silvermoon, surrounded by a vast expanse of land shimmering in silvery white. The rugged terrain, bathed in moonlight, glistens as if draped in a blanket of silver snowflakes. These rugged features are actually unfathomable pits of various sizes, scattered across the landscape. Stone paths, carved out over countless years, weave between these pits, connecting them like a vast network.

This is the Moonfall Sanctuary, the most enigmatic location within the Silvermoon Empire. Legend has it that, millions of years ago, fragments of the moon from beyond our world plummeted here. As the Moon Shards struck the earth, they gouged out enormous pits in the land. The capital of the Silvermoon Empire, the City of Silvermoon, sits adjacent to this site, its name intrinsically linked to the Moonfall Sanctuary.

The forbidden area is perpetually engulfed in turbulent divine force, making it inhospitable for cultivators of lesser prowess to linger. For millennia, an uncountable number of cultivators have ventured here in search of its secrets. Among them were formidable cultivators from the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea.

Throughout history, some cultivators have achieved profound insights or breakthroughs in their realms within the Moonfall Sanctuary, thanks to the deeply buried Moon Shards. Others have unearthed rare extraterrestrial treasures. Once a coveted treasure trove, the Moonfall Sanctuary drew legions of cultivators from the three continents.

Terrifying wars have erupted here, battles that once engulfed the entire Aetherius Continent and impacted sects across both the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea. The remains of once-mighty cultivators lie buried within its depths.

Yet, after centuries of relentless exploration, the Moonfall Sanctuary's hidden secrets have been nearly exhausted. In the last three hundred years, no cultivator has stumbled upon earth-shattering treasures or sudden enlightenment. As a result, the sanctuary's allure has waned for those of higher cultivation levels.

With the rise of the Silvermoon Empire, the Moonfall Sanctuary has transformed into an adventure ground for the empire's youth. The empire harbors no illusions of grand discoveries; instead, it hopes that these young explorers might unearth relics left by their predecessors. Over ten thousand years, many cultivators met their end here, some leaving behind their legacies and concealing the presence of their artifacts, entrusting them to the sanctuary's hidden recesses.

Those fortunate enough to resonate with the aura of the artifacts would be able to carry on their legacies.

Every decade, the Silvermoon Empire organizes expeditions for select individuals to venture into the Moonfall Sanctuary.

Yet, the accessible regions are restricted.

The areas permitted for exploration by the Silvermoon Empire comprise only about a quarter of the Moonfall Sanctuary. The divine force within these regions is relatively tranquil, posing less danger to cultivators of lower realms.

In contrast, the remaining three-quarters of the sanctuary, fraught with peril and terror, have been explored thrice by the Empire's Queen, leading the mightiest cultivators. Each expedition ended in significant troubles and severe losses.

The nature of these difficulties remains a closely guarded secret by the empress, and the survivors are tight-lipped, leaving others in the dark.

In recent years, cultivators from the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea have also ventured into the treacherous three-quarters of the land. Some have returned empty-handed and disheartened.

Others have never returned at all.

...

At the entrance of the Moonfall Sanctuary, a warrior clad in silver armor, exuding a deep and tranquil presence, stood with a silver spear in hand, his demeanor grave.

A ring-shaped archway, constructed from nearly a hundred towering silver-white boulders, marked the threshold to the sanctuary, with the Empire's elite gathered at its forefront.

Two ice rock beasts, their breaths heavy and frost scattering beneath them, pulled a carriage adorned with the Lin family's banner, advancing steadily toward the entrance.

Ice rock beasts, with their rock-hard bodies, are a rare sight on the Aetherius Continent. These third-level spirit animals boast combat prowess on par with a Golden Sanctum cultivator.

Gifted by the Winter's Bite Sect, the two beasts were specifically reserved for Lin Zhuyun and responded to her alone.

Thus, the sight of the ice rock beasts signaled Lin Zhuyun's arrival to all of the Silvermoon Empire's onlookers without question.

"Lin Zhuyun," Su Yin remarked with a furrowed brow upon his timely return, "This young woman will be your most formidable rival. She has reached the late stages of the Golden Sanctum and aims to ascend to the Veil Breaking Realm within the sanctuary. Should she emerge successfully, the Chief Elder of the Winter's Bite Sect will personally take her under his wing for further cultivation."

Su Yan, the girl in the green robe, maintained a composed demeanor and remained silent.

"You little rascal."

Su Yin shot her a stern look and explained, "The five great families of the Empire are allowed to form their own teams, while the rest are organized by city. The five great families, along with several cities of the Empire, are naturally pitted against each other in the exploration of the forbidden area. It's an open and fair competition."

"There's no need to elaborate. Lin Zhuyun is already leading the Lin family."

"In the Su family, we all look to you for guidance. You can't let her outshine you."

The younger generation's exploration of the Moonfall Sanctuary is a matter of prestige for all the major families, and even Her Majesty, the Empress of the Empire, keeps a watchful eye.

"Don't worry about me," Su Yan finally spoke up, smiling. "Uncle, rest assured. If I choose to, I can break through to the next realm during the exploration of the forbidden area."

Su Yin's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "You too?"

"Yes, I'm just waiting for the right moment," Su Yan responded.

"I heard your Su family has stopped purchasing spiritual herbs from the Yu family?" Lin Hanyu approached with an odd smirk. "What's the matter? Does the Yu family dare to defy you?"

"The Yu family from Asvetaesi?"

"Isn't the Yu family related by marriage to the Lin family?"

"I've heard that there's been a falling out between the Su family and the Yu family."

The representatives from other families were initially confused by Lin Hanyu's comment, as it was news to them. Those with a keen sense of the latest gossip quickly filled in the details for the others.

To those gathered, the Yu family of Asvetaesi was somewhat obscure, known only for having a simple-minded young master betrothed to Lin Zhuyun.

Beyond that, they were of little note.

Indeed, Asvetaesi hardly ranked among the Empire's prominent cities.

"That red lotus from Asvetaesi, however, has made quite an impression!"

"Indeed. That woman has become increasingly enchanting. It's a mystery who might capture her affections."

"This time, she's coming as the mayor. I'm eager to meet her."

The conversation among the family members had shifted from the Yu family to Yuan Lianyao, who had become the subject of their excited chatter.

Clearly, the modest Yu family couldn't hold a candle to Yuan Lianyao's stunning beauty.

"Lin, I've heard you took a bigger hit than any of us at the hands of the Yu family in Asvetaesi, right?" Su Yin said with a smirk. "What was the name of your most faithful hound? Yin Jue, wasn't it? Wasn't he killed by someone from the Yu family?"

At these words, Lin Hanyu's face darkened considerably.

Those who had been discussing Yuan Lianyao suddenly perked up at this piece of news.

But before they could probe further, a cry rang out.

"People from Asvetaesi have arrived!"

"Yuan Lianyao is on her way!"

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