C525 She Was Very Dangerous

Zhu Peining from the Skyreach Consortium was visibly shocked by Yu Yuan's words.

"She wasn't possessed by a Sky Fiend?"

Her face crinkled with doubt and astonishment.

"Impossible!" Deep confusion was evident in her eyes. "If she's not under the influence of a Sky Fiend, how could that obscure girl from Winter's Bite stand against Zheng Luanjie and Qi Lingyu? Even with the aid of a cosmic giant beast, it seems far-fetched!"

Zheng Luanjie was the one who commanded the golden swallow, turning the sea impenetrable, yet suffered grievous injuries from the Divine Thunder.

Qi Lingyu was recently seen wielding a silver trident and mastering the spell of water to thwart Lin Zhuyun.

Both were esteemed guardians of Celestial Isle, just like Feng Zhong.

She struggled to comprehend how Lin Zhuyun, unpossessed by a Sky Fiend, could wield such formidable combat prowess, boldly dominating the Sundering Isles.

"I've battled Sky Fiends in the extraterrestrial Star River and can detect their presence," Feng Zhong said, his smile persisting though his demeanor grew more earnest. "But Lin Zhuyun, by all accounts, doesn't appear to be overtaken. Rather, the depths of her eyes hint at the Sky Fiend's struggle within."

"The Sky Fiend is struggling?" Zhu Peining gasped.

Feng Zhong nodded, "Her eyes are like deep wells, imprisoning a Star-Spawned Terror."

"How is that possible?" Zhu Peining pressed.

"Through the assistance of the cosmic giant beast, the cold moon forged from the Moon Soul, and the Frozen Flames she has assimilated," Feng Zhong speculated. "The girl has been seduced by the cosmic giant beast, promised something by the Abyssal Leviathan. She's resolute in opposing us, the denizens of the Everlands."

Yu Yuan remained silent throughout their exchange, intently absorbing every word.

Feng Zhong, the enigmatic guardian of Celestial Isle, had insights that resonated with Yu Yuan's own thoughts.

"She poses a grave threat."

Feng Zhong regarded him with a soft sigh, "A woman in the throes of hysteria, who has rapidly gained immense power disproportionate to her state of mind and experience. When such a woman is shrouded by hatred, she becomes the most dangerous of all."

At that moment, Feng Zhong's expression turned peculiar, as if a memory had triggered an involuntary shudder.

"Brother Yu, the Skyreach Consortium must be informed of the reasons," Feng Zhong said after a brief pause. "We need to understand why she's fixated on you. She's still alive, merely concealed once more. We have to locate her and the Abyssal Leviathan, and eliminate them to ensure our peace of mind."

"You're suggesting it's a case of love turned to hatred," Yu Yuan remarked.

Zhu Peining let out a dismissive snort. "Don't spout such nonsense."

"She has to die," Feng Zhong declared.

"And the reason?" Yu Yuan asked, his smile fading as he contemplated. "The Consortium should be aware that I've spent time in the Forgotten Ruins. They ought to know about the platinum skull of the Dark Realm Shura there."

Feng Zhong nodded, signaling Yu Yuan to go on.

"The platinum skull of the Dark Realm Shura was cracked open, annihilating the residual soul within," Yu Yuan continued thoughtfully. "A surge of ice power was released, likely refined by the Shura in their icy Dark Realm. After the Shura's death, this ice energy fused with the base of this sheath."

He produced the sword sheath from the Bracelet of Holding and explained, "The chill has since been purified and was never acquired by her. Moreover, on an island within the Embers Sea, I inadvertently entered the body of the Abyssal Leviathan and refined eight clusters of sunfire from its other Eye of the Burning Sun."

"Furthermore, I possess its Giant Beast Sunsorrow. I gathered a considerable amount from the Spawn of Chaos at the base of the Blood Altar when it was gravely wounded. The Consortium should be aware of this as well."

"I've repeatedly thwarted the Abyssal Leviathan's plans at the sea's bottom. It was trapped and unable to break free from the Embers Sea. Mo Yan and I played significant roles in that."

"I believe the Abyssal Leviathan harbors a deep resentment towards me, intent on my demise."

"…"

Yu Yuan, well-acquainted with the Skyreach Consortium from previous dealings, shared these insights.

"Dark Realm ice power, Giant Beast Sunsorrow, sunfire..."

Zhu Peining murmured to herself, eyeing Yu Yuan as if he were some kind of monster. "You really are full of surprises. I should never have brought you to the Sundering Isles. The moniker 'God of Plagues' really isn't just for show."

"What God of Plagues?" Yu Yuan inquired, puzzled.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Zhu Peining replied, looking somewhat embarrassed.

After the Skyreach Consortium's internal department investigated Yu Yuan, they had given him a nickname that wasn't exactly suitable to mention to his face.

"Thank you!" Feng Zhong rose abruptly, smiling as he spoke, "Yu, feel free to make yourself at home on the island. You're welcome to move around as you please. The information you've provided is invaluable, and we'll keep it close to our hearts."

Without further questioning, he and Zhu Peining quickly departed.

In the southwest corner of Celestial Isle.

Yuan Lianyao, clad in a vibrant red dress, was in a hall displaying a variety of pills when she encountered Faang Yao and her father, Yuan Qiufang.

Two years had passed, and Yuan Qiufang had advanced to the middle period of the Lunar Spirit realm, his earlier symptoms of Qi deviation long gone.

Seeing his daughter, who had also cultivated a Lunar Spirit, he was filled with pride and joy. With a beaming smile, he said, "I always knew you'd surpass me! I've joined the Ruby Hand, but I'm only in the middle period of the Lunar Spirit realm, and you've already cultivated your own Lunar Spirit."

Fifteen feet away, the one-armed Faang Yao was inquiring about something from a Skyreach Consortium servant girl by a display case.

"The Ruby Hand holds you in high regard!"

Yuan Qiufang's face glowed with pride as he pointed at Faang Yao, "The gentleman is picking out some pills that will be just right for soothing your soul. The Order of Healing excels in pill refinement, and most of the pills here are their creations. He'll give you the pills shortly and will have some questions for you."

After a brief pause, he shifted the conversation, "And Yu Yuan?"

"He's in a courtyard arranged by the Consortium," Yuan Lianyao replied, her cheeks flushing as she cast her gaze downward. "He's not available at the moment."

"Are you two alright?" Yuan Qiufang inquired gently.

"There's nothing to worry about," Yuan Lianyao responded hastily.

"Hmm?"

Just as Yuan Qiufang was about to probe further, he turned his attention to the doorway with a light exclamation, smiling at the sight of two individuals who had just burst in. "What are the odds!"

Yuan Lianyao followed his gaze and was equally taken aback.

Lee Yuchan, of the same empire and royal lineage, along with Lee Yu, had unexpectedly entered the hall where pills were being sold.

Lee Yuchan, usually so composed, looked pale and disheveled, as if he had just come out of a battle.

Lee Yu's clothing was torn, with his sleeves slashed as if by a sharp blade, and there were remnants of blood on his chest.

The two scanned the room with wary eyes as they entered.

Lee Yuchan, visibly shaken, tugged at Lee Yu and said, "We should leave."

Lee Yu complied and they both headed back towards the exit.

"Them?" Yuan Lianyao sighed softly, her feelings mixed. "Their situation in the Sundering Isles doesn't look too favorable."

"The Lee family is done for. It would be surprising if they were faring well," Yuan Qiufang remarked coldly. "Lee Yu was once favored by the guardian of Aemon Island. Years ago, a letter was left for him, promising acceptance into the Ebon Star once he reached the Veil Breaking. Without anyone from Ebon Star coming for him, that letter alone could have secured his entry into the sect."

Shaking his head, Yuan Qiufang added, "Unfortunately, times have changed."

"What happened?" Yuan Lianyao inquired.

"It's said that Lee Yu went to Aemon Island and delivered the letter," Yuan Qiufang explained. "But the person who had shown interest in him years ago didn't meet with him. Instead, he had his attendant turn Lee Yu away."

"How could they be so merciless?" Yuan Lianyao sighed.

"The Lee family's collusion with demons is now a matter of public record," Yuan Qiufang said with a cold huff. "The Empress has sealed her own fate, daring to ally with that female commander to awaken the Shura from the Dark Realm. She's asking for it. You've seen it firsthand—if they had succeeded, who knows how many lives would have been lost."

Yuan Lianyao was silent upon hearing those words.

Outside the hall, as soon as Lee Yu stepped out, he spotted a man with silver hair standing beneath a date tree. The man held a sword in both hands, its sheath touching the ground. His dark, piercing eyes fixed on Lee Yuchan and Lee Yu. "I was negligent before, allowing you both to successfully enter Celestial Isle."

With a lick of his lips and a ghastly grin, he warned, "You better not leave this island. The moment you do, you'll be dead!"

"Have you had enough?" Lee Yuchan demanded.

"Not even close," the man roared with laughter. "I relish kicking someone when they're down. The Lee family is done for. The shame the Silvermoon Queen inflicted on me will be repaid by you! Your sister is nowhere to be found, so you two will have to suffice for my revenge!"

"Fine, we'll just wait it out. We have no intention of leaving Celestial Isle," Lee Yuchan replied icily.

"Hehe, let's see who can outlast whom," the man taunted, continuing to laugh.

"Aunt, Yu Yuan is on the island," Lee Yu whispered.

"Don't bring him up!" Lee Yuchan snapped, her expression icy. "We owe him nothing! If the rumors hold any truth, he's largely responsible for the Lee family's current state! Don't be fooled into thinking he had good intentions just because he saved us in Asvetaesi!"

Lee Yu hung his head in silence at her response.

"Never forget, those we encountered in the Forgotten Ruins are our adversaries," Lee Yuchan continued sternly. "Yuan Lianyao, Yu Yuan, and Zhou Cangmin from the Ruby Hand – they're the ones who brought ruin upon the Lee family and my sister!"

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