C555 Lost Lands Restricted Area

Three Cloud Cruisers, laden with various ores, fine gold, and exquisite jade, emerged in the skies above Gavanas.

Below, cultivators looked up in eager anticipation.

"The Skyreach Consortium establishing a branch in Gavanas is a momentous event!"

"It signifies that the Consortium recognizes the potential of the Forgotten Ruins. They understand that with the resurgence of spiritual energy, this once resplendent realm will shine brightly once more!"

"Indeed, the influx of Fellbeasts and the arrival of numerous cultivators were the harbingers of this revival!"

"..."

Cultivators from the seven lower sects, visitors from the Land of Quiescence, and many independent practitioners engaged in lively discussions.

Weixian of Winter's Bite stepped out from his chilly abode onto the balcony. Gazing at the trio of Cloud Cruisers, he smiled at the young disciples behind him, "The excitement is mounting. Wherever the Skyreach Consortium sets up shop, it naturally becomes a hub of activity."

A striking woman with an icy stare looked at the refrozen Lin Hanyu and questioned, "Master, why do you keep him?"

She was a practitioner in the middle period of Subtlety and had never taken a liking to Lin Zhuyun during her time at Winter's Bite.

Her mentor, the warden of Icestorm Island, had slain Lin Zhuyun when she was overtaken by the Sky Fiend's ferocity.

"Master, the renegade Lin Zhuyun has long been devoid of reason," another frigid man chimed in. "Capturing her father to leverage her is futile. She's not the true Lin Zhuyun, merely a fiend. Would she even care about his life or death?"

Other Winter's Bite disciples shared this bewilderment.

"I have my reasons," Weixian said with a smile.

...

"Sister Zhu, I've been waiting for you for quite some time."

Liu Xiao, tasked by Sage Chong Xiao with overseeing the teleportation circle, warmly welcomed Zhu Peining into the tower the moment she emerged. "Ever since I heard the Consortium was sending you to Gavanas, I've been eagerly anticipating your arrival."

Accompanied by Gao Qin and Jiang Yurong, Zhu Peining ascended to the Ethereal Void's tower.

Three Cloud Cruisers had been dispatched from another branch to the Forgotten Ruins half a month earlier.

Zhu Peining had been abruptly informed that she needed to abandon her current tasks and head to Gavanas to establish a branch for the Skyreach Consortium.

Originally, the Consortium had assigned someone else for the job.

She surmised that the change in personnel, resulting in her taking over along with the assistance of Gao Qin and Jiang Yurong, must have been because the Consortium knew of her previous dealings with Yu Yuan and her familiarity with him.

The close relationship between Yu Yuan and Yu Zhu was something the Consortium had undoubtedly thoroughly investigated.

"The directive I've received is simply to establish the Consortium's branch here in Gavanas," Zhu Peining said with a smile to the cultivator from the Ethereal Void Sect, with whom she had crossed paths before. "As for whether I'll be stationed here long-term, that remains to be seen."

Liu Xiao, who was dressed as an elderly woman, replied, "I do hope to witness the bustling growth of Gavanas alongside you."

"With or without me, Gavanas is bound to thrive," Zhu Peining remarked, glancing at the continuously active teleportation circle. "Just look at this teleportation circle, tirelessly transporting cultivators from all corners. That alone foreshadows the prosperity to come."

"Where's Yu Yuan?" Gao Qin, who had been lounging nearby, interjected.

"He arrived about ten days ago with Yuan Lianyao and Tong Laoqian," Liu Xiao admitted, somewhat sheepishly. "At the time, I didn't recognize him and didn't think much of it. By the time I realized who he was, he had already left Gavanas. Having been away from Asvetaesi for quite some time, he's likely returned to the Yu family with Ms. Yuan by now."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

As they conversed, the three Cloud Cruisers were docked in the open area outside the city.

"The Yu family, huh..."

Zhu Peining nodded thoughtfully and turned to Gao Qin and Jiang Yurong, "Yurong, please oversee the logistics and begin construction of our Consortium's building on the site we've selected. Gao Qin, make a trip to Asvetaesi and meet with Yu Yuan."

"Alright."

"Understood."

Jiang Yurong and Gao Qin bowed and took their leave.

"Sister Liu, there are a few words I'd like to share with you in private," Zhu Peining whispered.

Liu Xiao caught the hint and cleared his throat, announcing, "That's enough for now, everyone disperse."

The Ethereal Void Sect members, who had been curiously observing, took the hint and quickly made themselves scarce.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Zhu Peining swept her sleeves, planting a series of small flags between herself and Liu Xiao. "It's not that I distrust the Ethereal Void Sect; I just prefer our conversation to remain private."

As the flags settled, a soft glow sprang up, enveloping both her and Liu Xiao.

"A soundproof barrier," Liu Xiao acknowledged with a nod. "Even if you hadn't set this up, I would have used our sect's rune circle to block out external sounds and soul perceptions."

"We go way back, so I'll be upfront with you," Zhu Peining said directly. "Liang Jingyin, the independent cultivator, has he been taken in by your Ethereal Void Sect? And after refining his Solar Spirit, is he to join your sect as a counselor? Is that the case?"

"Sister Zhu, why bring up this individual?" Liu Xiao asked, visibly surprised.

"To be frank, Liang Jingyin is on the Skyreach Consortium's wanted list," Zhu Peining said, her expression turning grave. "He has thrice raided our ships, commandeering two Cloud Cruisers and a Sea Wanderer, all laden with magic items. He's also responsible for the deaths of several consortium members."

Liu Xiao was taken aback. "Is that so? He's incredibly audacious!"

"The consortium has been after him for quite some time, but he's slipped through our grasp twice," Zhu Peining continued, her face stern. "Just before I arrived, we received word that he had brazenly shown himself in the Lost Lands! After lying low for so long, who emboldened Liang Jingyin to act so recklessly?"

Liu Xiao quickly responded, "Sister Zhu, please, calm down. I was unaware of his issues with the consortium. Furthermore, I'm not privy to any private dealings he might have with the Ethereal Void Sect!"

"I must ask you to convey the details of Liang Jingyin's feud with the consortium to Chong Xiao," Zhu Peining requested as she collected the small flags. "Given that you're overseeing this teleportation circle for him, I'm sure you can reach him. I won't impose any further. Farewell!"

A fifth-level Golden Striped Beast was being pursued by an ice-blue wraith.

The beast, resembling a swift leopard, roared as it was gradually shrouded in an icy fog.

In the depths of this fog, a Bane, with the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a scorpion, methodically froze the Golden Striped Beast, transforming it into an ice sculpture.

Elsewhere, Yu Yuan, wielding the Crucible of Evil, had slain a fourth-level frost wyrm and hauled its carcass into the crucible.

The Crucible of Evil then soared out, collected the frozen Golden Striped Beast, and whirred back into the palm of Yu Yuan's hand.

"That should suffice." Yu Yuan's consciousness stirred as he sensed the three Fellbeasts within the cauldron. He then casually made his way toward the lake that housed the mid-lake island.

Shortly after, Qin Yun arrived, breathless. "Young Master, I've delivered the message of your return and the items you entrusted to your grandfather."

Yu Yuan smiled. "Everything's alright over there?"

"With Ms. Yuan present, the Yu family is in good hands." Qin Yun paused before adding, "Ning Ji, old Ning Ji, is also eager to come here."

"Let him wait a bit longer; there's no rush." Gazing at the lake veiled in a rainbow-colored miasma, Yu Yuan continued, "I'm nearly ready. Join me, and I'll tend to your wounds as well."

Qin Yun's excitement was palpable. "Young Master, have you been concerned about my injury all this time?"

"Soul injuries can be quite tricky," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a nod.

Qin Yun inhaled deeply, steadying his emotions, then added, "With Miss Yu Zhu absent, this lake and the mid-lake island are the most restricted zones of the Lost Lands. They are off-limits to outsiders."

"I'll take you there," Yu Yuan assured him.

Qin Yun nodded emphatically. "I have faith in your power, Young Master!"

Grasping the Crucible of Evil, Yu Yuan stood at the lake's edge and declared, "Let's go!"

At his command, the cauldron enveloped both him and Qin Yun, soaring into the seven-colored cloud. It forcefully breached the layers of hidden protections and descended upon the long-secluded island.

"You, you're still alive?!"

...