C552 The Old Servant

With the resurgence of divine force, the influx of Fellbeasts was a boon for Yu Zhu.

Both human cultivators and Fellbeasts brimmed with vibrant life.

The thriving energy could nourish the Forgotten Ruins, allowing Yu Zhu, as its master, to reap the benefits.

Being of evilkind origin, Yu Zhu found that the Fellbeasts entering the Lost Lands, which absorbed spiritual energy to grow and evolve, were especially beneficial to her, making her even more powerful.

However, if these Fellbeasts had different masters who did not acknowledge her, the situation would be entirely different.

Tong Laoqian had mentioned that most of the Fellbeasts arriving here hailed from the Godsblight Marsh and were fiercely loyal to Untamed.

The Godsblight Marsh, nearest to the Forgotten Ruins, was home to Untamed, an anomaly of the Everlands.

Untamed operated independently of Shadow's Keep, unbound by any sect.

As long as Untamed remained within the marsh, not even the combined forces of the three great upper sects, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep could challenge him.

With Untamed's extraordinary abilities, he must have already detected the changes in the Forgotten Ruins and the revival of spiritual energy.

His loyal Fellbeasts surged into the area, but was it because the Godsblight Marsh could no longer contain them, or were they commanded to stir up trouble in the Forgotten Ruins?

"Is it permissible for cultivators from the seven lower sects to battle with Fellbeasts in the Lost Lands?" Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit, imperceptibly detached, employed the Ruby Hand mystique to covertly investigate. She remarked, puzzled, "It's not just the seven lower sects; there are also cultivators from the Land of Quiescence."

Tong Laoqian, having a general understanding of the situation in the Forgotten Ruins, collected the scattered golden copper coins and reflected, "Fellbeasts are also of evilkind. The distinction lies in the level of spiritual wisdom and whether they can assume human form. Those from the Godsblight Marsh, not conscripted by Shadow's Keep, are of no concern to them."

"Moreover, the highest echelons of the Everlands have long sanctioned the struggles and conflicts among those at the bottom."

"It appears that the trial-takers from the seven lower sects and the Fellbeasts from the Godsblight Marsh are indeed permitted to engage in combat within the Forgotten Ruins. Untamed must be aware, thus allowing these lower-tier minions and cultivators of modest realms to fight to the bitter end."

Beasts that manage to stay behind and evolve, gaining substantial spiritual wisdom, can transform into human form and earn his high regard.

Such Fellbeasts might be granted power by him, becoming his trusted lieutenants and even being crowned as Monster Lords.

Tong Laoqian was well-versed in the affairs of the Fellbeasts, the evilkind, and the Godsblight Marsh, providing clear answers to their queries.

Yuan Lianyao listened intently and whispered, "Du Jing is in the Godsblight Marsh, and so is the commander-in-chief, who retreated there after his defeat. That marsh has become a sanctuary for many outcasts. Untamed has been a renowned figure in the Everlands for years, seldom interacting with the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, or the Shadow's Keep."

"By sheltering Du Jing and Shen Feiqing, he's essentially throwing down the gauntlet to the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Shadow's Keep."

Hovering in the sky, Yu Yuan gazed towards the Godsblight Marsh, the red lotus blazing like a flame, lost in thought.

Yu Yuan smiled softly and simply stated, "That's good."

"What's good?" Yuan Lianyao asked, puzzled.

"I had planned to venture into the Godsblight Marsh to leverage the Fellbeasts there for a swift breakthrough," he explained, pausing for a moment. Closing his eyes, he connected with the Blood Altar in his little world. After sensing for a brief moment, he licked his lips and continued, "But now that the Fellbeasts are flocking to us, there's no need for me to risk a journey to the Godsblight Marsh."

Hearing this, Yuan Lianyao's eyes sparkled, and she too broke into a gentle smile.

Half an hour later.

With Tong Laoqian's assistance, Yu Yuan reached the mid-lake island. He observed the once crystal-clear lake now shrouded in a thick seven-colored miasma cloud.

He attempted to mentally reach out to Yu Zhu.

The seven-colored miasma churned above the lake, unleashing a terrifying surge of psionic power.

Yu Zhu did not answer.

"Young Master!"

A figure approached from the direction of Thylethlume, swift as lightning.

Qin Yun, clad in a scholar's green robe, looked up at Yu Yuan in the sky, his eyes brimming with tears of joy, "At last, the Young Master has returned!"

Before his trial in the Embers Sea aboard the Silver Rainbow Shuttle, arranged by Zhou Cangmin, Yu Yuan had requested Qin Yun to remain and ensure the safety of the Yu family.

Qin Yun, being in the late stages of the Lunar Spirit, was a formidable presence in both Asvetaesi City and the Shadowlight Empire. With him there, coupled with the empire's shifting dynamics and the Yan family's vested interest in Asvetaesi, Yu Yuan was confident that the Yu family would remain stable.

"Midnightshields, Qin Yun," Tong Laoqian remarked with a slight squint, looking him over. "You've sustained injuries."

Yu Yuan, initially excited, grew concerned upon hearing this. "You're injured?"

"Just a minor wound, Young Master. It's nothing to fret over," Qin Yun replied nonchalantly, gesturing that he was alright. "As long as you're unharmed, that's all that matters."

Before Yu Yuan could probe further, Qin Yun inquired, "Young Master, are you here to see Miss Yu Zhu?"

"Where is she?" Yu Yuan asked with composure.

"Miss Yu Zhu, two months ago, utilized the Ethereal Void Sect's teleportation circle to travel to the Land of Quiescence," Qin Yun explained promptly. "She was summoned by Shadow's Keep. Before departing, she visited Thylethlume to inform me of her leave."

"She went to Shadow's Keep?" Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

"It's a positive development," assured Qin Yun.

Tong Laoqian, visibly pleased, added, "Being summoned by Shadow's Keep is certainly auspicious. Visiting their headquarters could only mean good things. Whether it's purifying her body, strengthening her demon soul, or receiving a potent artifact, any of these would significantly enhance her abilities. Shadow's Keep will undoubtedly invest heavily in nurturing such a promising talent."

Yuan Lianyao concurred, "The state preceptor has said that if she consents to join Shadow's Keep, they will spare no effort in assisting her. They aim to expedite her ascension to Dark Deity. The vast resources and rare materials Shadow's Keep has amassed from beyond will all be at her disposal."

"One who pledges allegiance to Shadow's Keep and obeys the new Dark Deity surpasses all else!" Tong Laoqian declared.

"No wonder I couldn't reach her," Yu Yuan acknowledged, understanding now why he had been unable to connect with Yu Zhu spiritually in the Forgotten Ruins. "You needn't worry about me overthinking; I'm well aware of what her presence means to Shadow's Keep."

With those words, he let the copper coin fall to the lakeside and approached Qin Yun.

Qin Yun quickly bowed, exclaiming, "I knew nothing would happen to the young master, blessed as you are!"

"What happened to you? How did you get these injuries?" Yu Yuan asked with a frown. "Who would dare attack you in Asvetaesi? The Yan family of the Shadowlight Empire wouldn't go after you. Could it be the Su family? Surely they wouldn't dare."

"Asvetaesi and the Shadowlight Empire have always been kind to the Yu family," Qin Yun replied, glancing at Yuan Lianyao with a smile.

Yuan Lianyao huffed, "You're lucky you recognize that."

After Yu Yuan, she had been taken by the Ruby Hand to the vast ocean to ascend to Lunar Spirit.

Before her departure, as the mayor of Asvetaesi, she had several spiritual exchanges with Qin Yun, showing concern for him and, by extension, offering additional support to the Yu family.

"What exactly happened?" Yu Yuan pressed.

"A few days ago, after Miss Yu Zhu left the Forgotten Ruins, I noticed an increase in the Fellbeast incursions and thought..." Qin Yun hesitated, slightly embarrassed, "After being ousted by the Midnightshields, I was left penniless. The magic items I had set aside for my advancement to Spirit Walk were nearly depleted due to repeated injuries."

"My plan was to slay some Fellbeast, harvest their bones and sinews, and trade them for magic items in the city."

"But then..."

Qin Yun hung his head, "I got into a conflict over a Fellbeast with Winter's Bite, and an elder named Weixian from their sect inflicted serious wounds on me."

"Weixian again!" Yu Yuan's expression turned icy.

Tong Laoqian was astonished, "And you're still alive?"

"A dog's owner always matters. I'm alive thanks to Miss Yu Zhu," Qin Yun said, looking towards the mid-lake island. "Weixian made it clear he was just giving me a lesson."

"You're fortunate to have survived," Tong Laoqian remarked. "My clash with Weixian was even graver than your wounds; I nearly met my end. It was only because of the respect for the lady of this realm that Weixian showed leniency."

"I'm aware," Qin Yun sighed softly. "I was too greedy, venturing into the Forgotten Ruins to slay Fellbeasts after Miss Yu Zhu had left. Had she been here, Weixian wouldn't have dared to make a move against me!"

"Winter's Bite dares to strike at my people within the Forgotten Ruins!" Yu Yuan stated icily.

"Young Master, please, contain your anger. Let's wait for Miss Yu Zhu's return before we confront Winter's Bite," Qin Yun suggested.

Tong Laoqian added, "Weixian is a formidable opponent, a late-period Spirit Walk cultivator. I'm no match for him. Let's bide our time. Once Yu Zhu returns, we can hold Winter's Bite accountable."

"No!"

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