C530 The Name of the Chamber of Commerce

Lee Yu was unaware of the true affiliation of the sisters Zhang Miao and Zhang Manman with the Nightbane Sect.

He was simply exasperated.

The Lee family had fallen on hard times. Their fortunes had declined, and their kin had either perished, been exiled, or fled the Silvermoon Empire.

His father had died as a result.

Amidst such turmoil, his sole desire was to travel to Aemon Island, seek out the individual who had once taken an interest in him, and join the Ebon Star to dedicate himself to cultivation.

En route to the Sundering Isles, he encountered the sisters Zhang Miao and Zhang Manman. Despite their eager advances, he, driven by a thirst for vengeance, felt not the slightest bit of interest.

He had already rejected them once, unequivocally and with icy detachment.

Yet, to his dismay, on Celestial Isle, within the Hall of Elixirs, he "ran into" the sisters once more, and they continued to badger him relentlessly.

Having been turned away by the Ebon Star, and with his aunt grievously wounded by Chou Jihai in her efforts to get him to Celestial Isle—his Lunar Spirit destabilized—he had to sell personal trinkets to scrape together enough money for a Soul Essence Pill.

Under such dire circumstances, how could he possibly spare any attention for Zhang Manman and her sister?

Furthermore, even during the empire's most glorious days, his innate aloofness and focus on hastening to the Ebon Star for cultivation had led him to resist romantic entanglements.

Now, of course, he was even more resolute in that regard.

"Young Master Lee, please wait," Zhang Manman called out from behind, her voice a sultry purr, "A gentleman as distinguished as yourself shouldn't be troubled by a brief lull. We sisters firmly believe it won't be long before Young Master Lee captures the attention of a major sect and soars to great heights!"

Lee Yu responded with a frosty tone, "I must insist that you both cease following me!" With that, he made his way over to Yu Yuan.

Catching sight of Tong Laoqian, Lee Yu hesitated briefly before speaking with a touch of embarrassment, "My aunt, she..."

Tong Laoqian, standing before him, simply shook his head and let out a sigh.

Observing the mix of regret and shame on his face, Yu Yuan surmised that Lee Yuchan had not only firmly rejected his offer but had also likely reprimanded Lee Yu.

"I understand some of what troubles him," Yu Yuan said, not wishing to press the matter. "I'll be on the island for the next few days. Should you need to find me, you can..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Qin interjected with a smile, "Young Master Lee, if you're looking for him, just let me know. As long as we're on Celestial Isle and he allows it, I can take you to him."

"Who are you?" Yu Yuan asked, surprised.

The deacon from the Chamber of Commerce was dressed just like Jiang Yurong, suggesting their statuses were comparable.

Yu Yuan had just arrived at the Hall of Elixirs and noticed this man. He had followed him inside, and now he was proactively engaging in conversation, which got Yu Yuan thinking.

"When you left the Chamber of Commerce's inner courtyard, Deacon Jiang mentioned you to me," Gao Qin said with a smile, bowing with his fists clasped. "You are a most esteemed guest of the Chamber of Commerce. It's only proper that we take special care of you."

With that explanation, Yu Yuan understood and turned to Lee Yu with a smile, "If you need to find me, he's the one to ask."

Lee Yu nodded in acknowledgment.

Chou Jihai had harassed him and his aunt on Celestial Isle time and again, and this Chamber of Commerce man had merely stood by as if watching a play, never intervening.

But now, after Yu Yuan's remarks, the man's demeanor had completely shifted.

Who would have imagined that a young boy from the Yu family of Asvetaesi would wield such influence in the Sundering Isles just two years later?

Reflecting on his own situation...

Lee Yu felt a pang of melancholy and sighed deeply.

"I should be going now."

Yu Yuan clapped him on the shoulder and gave Zhang Miao a chilling look that carried a silent threat. His lips formed three silent words: "Don't seek death."

Zhang Miao quietly lowered her head.

...

"It was indeed my perverse sense of humor that led me to send those sisters to your room—a joke in bad taste," Tong Laoqian admitted as he sat down in a hall on Celestial Isle, where visitors paid soulstones to stay. He twisted open a bottle of wine, filled glasses for himself and Yu Yuan, and downed his in one go. "I was wrong, and I offer this drink as an apology!"

Yu Yuan sipped the wine and coughed, "This wine is quite strong!"

"It's a potent liquor from my hometown, devoid of spiritual energy or any special medicinal properties," Tong Laoqian explained, refilling his glass and setting the bottle on the table. Holding his drink, he continued, "I'm actually quite sentimental. When I saw you on the Sea Wanderer, it was just for fun. And since those sisters were a nuisance, I thought I'd use them to test you a bit."

Yu Yuan sipped his wine, listening intently.

"Back in the Forgotten Ruins, I just thought you were incredibly lucky, stumbling upon that sword sheath and winning Zhou Cangmin's favor, not to mention having Yu Zhu by your side," Tong Laoqian mused. "But as I learned more, I realized your luck was anything but ordinary."

"Consistently lucky, always turning danger into opportunity and reaping rewards – that's a true display of skill."

"You might be unaware, but the Skyreach Consortium conducted a thorough investigation on you. One of their agents offhandedly called you a 'God of Plagues,' saying wherever you go, chaos follows without fail."

At this, Tong Laoqian burst into hearty laughter.

Yu Yuan, momentarily at a loss for words, took a large swig of his drink and muttered, "No wonder."

Zhu Peining had mentioned the 'God of Plagues' during a previous conversation, but he hadn't grasped her meaning then.

Now, with Tong Laoqian's explanation, he understood the origin of 'God of Plagues' and that Zhu Peining had been referring to him.

Reflecting on his past – the events at the Embers Sea, the Serpent Spine Mountains, the Forgotten Ruins, and now the Sundering Isles – his face flushed with a tinge of embarrassment.

Upon closer examination, it seemed... quite accurate.

Wherever he went, turmoil and bloodshed ensued, with many cultivators meeting their demise.

The merchant association's moniker of 'God of Plagues' wasn't unfounded.

"I won't deny it; when I learned you had acquired the Crucible of Evil and the Sunsorrow from the giant beast in the Embers Sea, I entertained certain ideas," Tong Laoqian confessed with a sly grin. "Especially on Rosy Cloud Island, I debated more than once whether to kill for treasure."

"Had you not encountered Zu Ann on that dwarf mountain under the old monster's control, I might have acted on my impulses."

"Even after you went to Demon's Scar, I still harbored my schemes."

"It wasn't until your betrothed arrived, slaying Pei Zhen and annihilating the Ruby Hand disciples on the island, that I was able to escape unscathed and finally abandoned my sinister thoughts."

"Once my malevolent intentions dissipated, I came to a different realization upon reflection."

"After careful consideration, I made a decision and appeared before you, sacrificing the Jade Tower as the price for giving you a lift."

"You acknowledge this favor, don't you?" Tong Laoqian asked with anticipation.

Yu Yuan nodded. "I made a promise to repay your kindness."

"I wish to return to the Forgotten Ruins," Tong Laoqian suddenly declared. "I originally belonged there, where I pursued my cultivation. It was the Ethereal Void Sect that constructed a teleportation circle, which allowed the elders of the seven lower sects to flood in. They hunted various Banes to gain experience and merits, which ultimately forced me to leave."

"You want to go back to the Forgotten Ruins?" Yu Yuan asked, taken aback.

Tong Laoqian nodded emphatically. "Yes, I want to return!"

Yu Yuan fell silent, pondering the implications of his words. Once he grasped the context, he spoke, "Is it because the resurgence of spiritual energy there now makes it even more conducive to your cultivation? Are there places in the Forgotten Ruins where you left something behind in your early years?"

"How did you know?" Tong Laoqian exclaimed in surprise.

"The teleportation circle has been successfully restored, but the ownership has changed," Yu Yuan explained. "The current Forgotten Ruins are under the stewardship of Yu Zhu from Shadow's Keep. Her alignment with the Way of Heaven makes her the rightful ruler of the land. With the teleportation circle operational again, the seven lower sects wouldn't dare to cause trouble, given her presence."

"If she consents, you could naturally return to the Lost Lands for cultivation. The spiritual energy there is growing richer by the day, transforming it into a haven for cultivators. The place that was once yours has evolved; spiritual energy pervades it, offering numerous benefits for your advancement and overall growth."

"Is that so?" Yu Yuan murmured.

Convinced, Tong Laoqian set down his wine cup, grabbed the jug, and took a hearty swig. After discarding the jug, he admitted, "I was previously blinded by greed, fixated on the cauldron and the Sunsorrow from the giant beast. I believed that if I could secure them, it would justify any sacrifice. That's why I couldn't shake off the obsession."

"From this moment on, I, Tong Laoqian, vow never to harbor any malevolent thoughts toward you again!"

"All I ask is that you speak with the new master of the Lost Lands and persuade her to allow my return."

"You're aware that a person like me, when cultivating in the Lost Lands, might siphon a bit of spiritual energy. But for her, who resonates with the Way of Heaven there, my return could be advantageous."

Tong Laoqian's demeanor was earnest, his face etched with entreaty.

Yu Yuan was well-informed. With Yu Zhu having assimilated the Shura Eye from the Dark Realm, she, who was originally from the Lost Lands, had naturally become its new master, propelled by the Shadow's Keep.

Without the Shura Eye, the Forgotten Ruins would have begun to reclaim life from desolation.

The spiritual energy within the Shura Eye, still governed by Yu Zhu's power, was reversing into the Lost Lands, bringing about transformative changes each day.

The once-barren Forgotten Ruins were now a coveted sanctuary for cultivators.

Tong Laoqian, a cultivator of the Spirit Walk, sought to return to the Lost Lands, eyeing the potential and seeking Yu Zhu's patronage.

Without Yu Zhu's consent, his return to cultivation would invite her wrath.

Yu Zhu, now in possession of the Shura Eye and inherently attuned to the Lost Lands, had seen her power surge. With the backing of the Shadow's Keep, even the seven lower sects of the Ethereal Void Sect had to bow their heads and abide by her rules within the Lost Lands, let alone a lone cultivator like him.

"I accept your request. Upon my return to the Forgotten Ruins, I will persuade her," Yu Yuan agreed with a nod.

He understood that the presence of a formidable cultivator like Tong Laoqian would only enhance the vitality of the Forgotten Ruins, hastening its evolution into a treasure akin to the Godsblight Marsh. Thus, he consented.

Overwhelmed with joy, Tong Laoqian was immensely grateful.

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