C576 The Legend of the Whisperling

Zhang Miao, no longer the timid and evasive sister she once was, stood with a newfound fierceness in her aura. Habitually, she still positioned herself behind Zhang Manman, directing her to speak on her behalf. Yet, perhaps because her reputation preceded her, there was no longer a need for her to conceal her identity.

"Lee Qi..." The elder from Nightbane, her lips curling into a knowing smile as if the sisters' conversation about him had reached her ears, gave Yu Yuan a slight nod and introduced herself, "Nightbane, Zhao Jie, at your service."

"Zhao Jie!" Faang Chun and Qiao Xu from Dragon Lake were visibly taken aback.

Yu Yuan, bowing respectfully, responded, "Senior Zhao, you honor us with your presence."

"Zhao Jie..." Lee Yuchan's face betrayed her surprise. Eyeing the old woman leaning on her white jade cane, she ventured cautiously, "Senior Zhao, were you once known by the moniker 'Whisperling'?"

"To think that General Lee is familiar with my former epithet," the old lady replied with a gentle smile.

"Whisperling!" The name resonated with shock among all the Qiao family members, the Dragon Attendants, and the three women tasked by Tan Yuan to guard this place.

It seemed that the name 'Whisperling' carried a formidable reputation. Only Yan Qiling, who had fled from Moonfall Sanctuary, and Yu Yuan, reborn into this life, were unaware of 'Whisperling' and the significance of Zhao Jie's past.

"A century ago, the Aetherius continent was plunged into turmoil. A war erupted between the Stormcrown Empire and the Empire of Dawn, sparked by a woman of celestial beauty. Eventually, the conflict drew in the other four empires, leading to a devastating war that drenched the land in blood."

"The war claimed the lives of millions of soldiers and left countless cities in ruins. The woman at the heart of the chaos, rumored to be a national calamity, wielded her fragile identity to shake the very foundations of the continent before vanishing without a trace."

"She was known as Zhao Whisperling."

Lee Yuchan inhaled sharply, her gaze upon Zhao Jie now laced with wariness. Without resorting to any martial prowess, Whisperling had emerged and single-handedly incited a bloody conflict that ravaged Aetherius, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled destruction.

She quietly withdrew, vanishing without a trace.

The name Whisperling was a legendary myth among all women across the world.

What kind of extraordinary woman could single-handedly stir up such a tempest?

"The rumors are wildly exaggerated."

Zhao Jie said with a smile, shaking her head. "The six empires are inherently full of strife. I merely fanned the flames and let them roar to life."

"A hundred years ago, fresh from my achievements in cultivation, I was sent by Nightbane to hone my skills in the mortal realm, and I caused such a commotion. It's proof enough that I've mastered Nightbane's art of enchantment to a remarkable degree. To apply it so adeptly, on the fly, is truly breathtaking."

Qiao Xu from the Qiao family gazed at Zhao Jie, filled with wonder and questions.

How had Whisperling transformed into this wrinkled old nanny? The beauty that once shook the world had faded with time.

Cultivators possess the art of preserving their youth. Zhao Jie exuded a vitality that belied her aged appearance.

What woman would willingly forsake her beauty, aging herself deliberately?

"Where is Tan Yuan?"

The crowd murmured in astonishment, but Zhao Jie, leaning on her crutch, glanced at the misty expanse and inquired softly.

"Just a moment," a woman in colorful attire responded hastily. "She's seeking permission and will be out shortly."

"Seeking permission for what?" Zhao Jie asked, intrigued.

"I wish to bring Lee Qi inside, but Tan Yuan says it's against the rules and needs to consult with the authorities," Yan Qiling stated, his face stern.

Coming from the Moonfall Sanctuary, with his mysterious origins, he held little regard for minor sects like Nightbane.

To Yan Qiling, Whisperling's fame in Aetherius, even at the pinnacle of Nightbane's enchantment arts, meant little.

"Lee Qi..."

Zhao Jie, aware of Yu Yuan's true identity, murmured to herself and nodded. "Then let's wait."

Qiao Xu and Faang Chun alternated their glances between Yan Qiling and Zhao Jie, utterly perplexed.

The way Yan Qiling and Zhao Jie treated Yu Yuan was with a caution and regard that seemed even greater than that for Lee Yuchan. This young man, captured by them en route, claimed to be from the fallen Lee family. What extraordinary qualities did he possess?

After a short time, Tan Yuan, an Arcane Cultivator from the Forgeroses, emerged step by step from the dense fog and reappeared before the group.

“You’ve arrived.”

Upon seeing Zhao Jie, Tan Yuan's face lit up with a genuine smile.

“Yeah, I got held up a bit on the way,” Zhao Jie said, her familiarity with Tan Yuan evident, as if they were old friends. “How are things inside?”

“All is well for now,” Tan Yuan replied, without going into detail, her gaze then shifting to Yu Yuan.

Her eyes sharpened suddenly, like a blade of crimson steel, seemingly poised to pierce through Yu Yuan's very bones and soul, making him stiffen and feel an indescribable discomfort.

Yu Yuan's heart skipped a beat as he realized that Tan Yuan must have discovered his true identity.

“This isn’t good.”

With a bitter smile, he thought of enemies like Shen Feiqing and Du Jing lurking in the mist and regretted asking Yan Qiling to handle his earlier request.

“Young Master Lee, please,” Tan Yuan said, stepping aside and gesturing towards the fog-shrouded area, ignoring Yan Qiling. She extended the invitation earnestly, “My master has specifically asked for Young Master Lee to come in for a warm welcome. He mentioned that there are quite a few of Young Master Lee’s acquaintances inside.”

“Whisperling!” Zhao Jie, along with the sister duo from the Nightbane, watched Yu Yuan with amused smiles.

Lee Yuchan sensed trouble and began, “This disciple of our clan...”

Tan Yuan gave her a smile, cutting her off mid-sentence, “The master has extended a special invitation, and it’s irrelevant whether he is from the Lee family or not. Even if your sister were here, she wouldn’t be able to change anything.”

Lee Yuchan felt a sinking feeling. “May I enter then?”

“Not at this time. The master hasn’t given permission, so you cannot enter,” Tan Yuan said crisply, pointing again towards the mist and cheerfully adding to Yu Yuan, “Please, after you.”

By now, it was clear to everyone from the Empire of Dawn that Yu Yuan was no ordinary individual.

Qiao Xu, however, remained composed, having shown no malice towards Yu Yuan during their journey.

Faang Chun, who was at Dragon Lake, reflected on recent events with a flicker in his eyes.

"Just go in if that's what you want."

Yu Yuan steeled himself and abruptly pointed at Faang Chun, saying, "Senior Tan, I find this man disagreeable. Please kill him for me. If he remains alive, I refuse to enter obediently. I'll create chaos instead."

As he spoke, Yu Yuan's Zigong acupoint radiated the aura of the Crucible of Evil.

Yan Qiling stepped between Tan Yuan and Yu Yuan, facing Tan Yuan directly. "A mere Dragon Attendant. If he dies, he dies. Why bother over such trivialities?"

Faang Chun's complexion shifted as he protested, "It doesn't matter who that kid is, you can't kill me!"

Tan Yuan's face showed her dilemma. After a moment's consideration, she gave a slight nod.

"Buzz buzz!"

Strands of spiritual energy, imbued with dragon's breath and mixed with vitality, surged through Faang Chun's veins.

Sensing impending doom, Faang Chun didn't think of fleeing. Instead, he launched himself at Yu Yuan with the force of a cannonball.

A dragon shadow, woven with lightning, burst forth from Faang Yao's forehead, carrying the soul-destroying power of Quiescence, aiming to pierce Yu Yuan's mind and kill him instantly.

Faang Chun was aware that he stood no chance of escaping from Yan Qiling and Tan Yuan.

His intention was to take Yu Yuan down with him before his own demise, insisting that Yu Yuan should die first.

"A grain of rice daring to outshine the sun and moon?"

Yan Qiling scoffed lightly, effortlessly pinching the minuscule lightning dragon between his fingers.

With a forceful squeeze, Yan Qiling crushed the lightning dragon.

Tan Yuan swept her sleeves, unleashing a domineering punch that filled the heavens and earth, causing the void to crackle as it locked onto Faang Chun and his immediate surroundings.

The punch intent, like a rapidly contracting cage, crushed Faang Chun. The Dragon Attendant, who had ascended to the Lunar Spirit Stage and pledged loyalty to Dragon Lake, first had his bones shattered, then his flesh burst, until he finally dissipated into a cloud of blood mist.

The remaining Dragon Attendants watched Faang Chun's swift execution with trembling fear, yet none dared to intervene.

They didn't even dare to hold him accountable.

"I will provide explanations to the dragons, not to you."

With a graceful flick of her sleeves, Tan Yuan further dispersed the blood mist and extended a serene invitation, "Please, go ahead."

At Dragon Lake, it was the dragons and the Dragon Whisperers who held esteemed status, not the Dragon Attendants.

People like Tan Yuan had never given any regard to individuals like Yu Yuan, who, though human, practiced the arcane spells of the Nagas and served them as masters.

She inherently despised the Dragon Attendants, viewing them as nothing more than lowly slaves.

"Once he's dead, I'll be content. Let's go in!"

Yu Yuan burst into hearty laughter, his heart void of any fear. With a 'come what may' attitude, he boldly stepped forward.

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