C56 The Female General

No sooner had his words fallen than a barrage of piercing gazes shot forth from the entrance of the forbidden area, emanating from the major factions. These scrutinizing eyes belonged to women from the five great families and six cities of the empire, spanning various age groups. Yu Yuan had referred specifically to women from other places, not girls or young maidens, which explained why among those casting blame on him were indeed enchanting women of mature beauty.

At the Lee family's side, a valiant woman stood to the left of Lee Yu, her displeasure evident as she returned the gaze with an icy stare. Clad in heavy battle armor, with metal spikes jutting from the shoulders, she exuded a fearsome aura of ferocity and bloodlust. Her gaze was as cutting as a blade's edge.

A sudden pain throbbed in Yu Yuan's brow, prompting an involuntary grunt as he instinctively looked back. Among the multitude of stares, the armored woman beside Lee Yu possessed a sharpness so tangible, it felt as if it could inflict actual harm. Indeed, her gaze held lethal potential.

"Auntie?" Lee Yu, who had remained silent until now, showed a look of surprise for the first time.

The formidable woman in armor let out a soft "hmm" of realization and then scrutinized Yu Yuan more closely. She communicated telepathically to Lee Yu, "This Yu Yuan, be wary of him within the forbidden area."

"My gaze alone seems to have caused him a slight injury."

"It shouldn't have happened like this," she explained.

Lee Yu reflected for a few moments before responding with a secret mental technique, "A Soul Blade?"

"An unconscious Soul Blade," the woman replied telepathically. "Below the Penetrating Stage, the spiritual consciousness is not yet solidified, and the mud pill in the upper dantian remains closed. Normally, one wouldn't be affected by a Soul Blade. His injury stems from the Heavenly Soul. My Soul Blade grazed it. This indicates that his Heavenly Soul, even at the Pulse Opening Stage, is sensitive to the Soul Blade power within my gaze."

"A Pulse Opening Stage, an extraordinary Heavenly Soul, and the art of refinement..." Lee Yu mused internally, giving Yu Yuan a few more contemplative glances.

Initially, he had not paid much attention to Yu Yuan. But after Yan Lu's mention, Su Yan's inquiry to Lim Zhuyun, and her peculiar response, which piqued Van Ning's curiosity, Yu Yuan had become an unexpected focus of interest.

The Four New Moons of the Empire, sharing his name, were conversing near the Forbidden Area. Whether intentional or not, their words revolved around one person, capturing his attention.

Their seemingly casual conversation was laced with veiled threats.

As a result, Yu Yuan found himself the center of attention, the target of many, even before his arrival.

Malice...

Lee Yu preferred to stay out of such matters, but he was far from naive. In fact, he observed everything with crystal clarity.

Yan Lu, Su Yan, Lim Zhuyun, and Fan Li seemed to have an unspoken agreement to thrust Yu Yuan into the limelight. Lee Yu couldn't help but wonder about their motives.

After his aunt shared with Yu Yuan the secrets of the Forbidden Area, he became even more vigilant.

While Lee Yu pondered, the young women in front of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and the noble matrons had already begun their tirade against Yu Yuan.

Yet, amidst the barrage of scolding and curses, Yu Yuan remained silent.

His mind throbbed with pain.

Pressing his fingertips to his brow, he sensed his Heavenly Soul, feeling as if it were tearing.

On his journey, he had been using the white paper fan to immerse himself in its sorrowful essence, focusing his thoughts to refine his Heavenly Soul.

This quiet cultivation of his Heavenly Soul kept him energized daily.

Even when he drank to excess with Yuan Tine and others, a session of cultivation with the fan would dispel the fog in his mind, leaving his intellect sharp and clear.

With a clear mind, his thoughts were thorough, his reasoning lucid.

Despite the accusations raining down upon him, he remained unmoved, enduring the agony of his Heavenly Soul.

Gradually, the pain subsided.

He realized that the damage to his Heavenly Soul was not as severe as he had feared. With continued cultivation using the white paper fan, recovery would come swiftly.

"Yu Yuan?" Yuan Lianyao's brow furrowed, her expression puzzled. "What's wrong?"

The armored woman's piercing gaze, filled with a potent Spiritual Sense, had not missed the signs.

Yet, she knew the attack aimed at the three souls was subtle, barely perceptible, and she harbored no concern.

She understood that only those with sufficiently powerful and keen souls could detect such a sharp assault and be affected.

The less advanced one's cultivation realm, the less they would feel, and the less harm they would suffer.

How could Yu Yuan, at the Pulse Opening Stage, be injured by such an attack?

"I'm fine," he assured her.

Yu Yuan shook his head and removed the finger pressed against his brow. "Sister City Lord, who is that woman?" he inquired, nodding towards the one who had wounded his Heavenly Soul.

Yuan Lianyao's expression shifted uncomfortably. "Why do you ask about her?"

"Who is she, exactly?"

"She's the empress's sister, a female general with immense authority in the empire, in the late stages of the Penetrating Stage, on the cusp of forging her Yin God," Yuan Lianyao whispered, sharing the woman's identity and background before cautioning him, "I'd advise against provoking her. She's claimed more lives than you've ever witnessed."

Yu Yuan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Have you suffered at her hands too?"

Flustered and irritated, Yuan Lianyao retorted, "She just has the advantage of her noble birth! If I had been raised in the Lee family, by the empress's side, would I ever lose to her?"

"What's her name?"

"Lee Yuchan."

"Lee Yuchan."

"Got it, I understand," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a nod, then his brow furrowed in confusion.

The name 'Lee Yuchan' echoed twice—once in his ears, a second time in his heart. The first was clearly Yuan Lianyao's voice, but the second?

"It's me."

Across the distance, the imposing woman clad in battle armor regarded him with a haughty gaze. "Yu Yuan, you who are of the Pulse Opening Stage and have the skill to refine the Heavenly Soul—I'll remember you, and you can remember me. If my injuring you has unsettled you, feel free to seek your revenge whenever you wish."

Lee Yuchan's voice resonated within him, drowning out the cacophony of scolding female voices around him.

Despite the presence of numerous formidable individuals, some even at the Penetrating Stage, it was astonishing that no one detected Lee Yuchan speaking to him. This fact alone affirmed her superior strength over everyone there.

"Understood, I've got it," Yu Yuan repeated, knowing full well that Lee Yuchan could hear him.

"You've already said that," Yuan Lianyao remarked, puzzled by his repetition.

She was unsure whether Yu Yuan's second "Alright, I got it," was intended for Lee Yuchan's ears.

After speaking, Yu Yuan turned to look at Lee Yuchan.

Lee Yuchan gave an almost imperceptible nod.

The two shared an unspoken understanding.

"Lee Yu, if Yu Yuan survives the forbidden area without falling to Fan Li, bring him to see me once he emerges."

"Alright, Aunt."

...

"Enough, stop the arguing."

The din of curses subsided as Yu Yuan maintained his silence, and the venerable general of the Lee family spoke up once more, his voice weary.

The noise gradually faded away.

"Cough, cough."

The old general coughed twice, drawing the crowd's attention before speaking, "The rules are known to all. I'm old and lack the energy for lengthy discussions. The Fallen Moon Forbidden Area will be open for six months. For the first four months, avoid fatalities and intentional harm."

"Those who feel they've had enough and wish to avoid further risks can leave during this period."

"In the final two months, the spiritual energy within the forbidden area will intensify, becoming wildly unpredictable. Even the Empress herself won't be able to discern what happens inside."

"Out of sight, battles may ensue, and enemies may be slain without witness."

"To the esteemed members of the empire, I trust you will act wisely."

...