C626 The People from the Devil Palace Came!
Within Spider City, human cultivators and shapeshifting Demonic Beasts moved about openly.
Some of these Demonic Beasts hailed from the Desolate Swamp.
They had come to the relic to cultivate temporarily because the Desolate God had forbidden them from remaining in the Great Swamp.
These Demonic Beasts engaged in trade with human cultivators from the seven lower sects and factions of the Quietus Continent, exchanging spiritual materials and pellets.
The edifices erected by the Babel Chamber of Commerce loomed ever taller, and the throngs of Demonic Beasts and human cultivators grew.
Yu Yuan's gaze briefly lingered on Lim Hanyu's body before he looked away.
"Spider City is bustling and thriving," he remarked to Zhan Tianxiang, disregarding Weixian. "Escort me a bit further, to Darkmoon City."
"Sure," Zhan Tianxiang replied.
"Do you want to go down and have a look?" the Python Queen, Xu Zixi, asked gently.
"We'll see about that later," Yu Yuan responded.
The Divine Mount soared over Spider City, swiftly making its way toward Darkmoon City.
As they passed the mid-lake island, the Gold Mountain paused briefly. Yu Yuan observed the island beneath the colorful miasma, sensing the vigorous growth of the exotic flora.
He was preoccupied with the so-called secret buried beneath the Yu family estate, a mystery that required the family to reach the Penetrating Stage and use their Spiritual Sense to unravel.
He was curious about what lay beneath the estate and realized it had been a long time since he had seen Yu Cann.
The Divine Mount shrank as it left the mid-lake island and entered Elfview.
"I still remember Wei Feng," Zhan Tianxiang suddenly interjected. "A year and a half ago, I came to Darkmoon City to find you. I was ambushed by Wei Feng's Tusk Troops en route and nearly succumbed to their deadly poison."
Yu Yuan nodded. "Wei Feng has been dead for a while."
"I'm aware," Zhan Tianxiang said, standing atop the Gold Mountain, gazing down at Darkmoon City with a sense of surreal wonder. "When you think about it, our group who undertook the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area Trial represented the Empire's zenith. None of the previous generations from the Silvermoon Empire who faced the trial ever drew as much attention as we did."
The Python Queen, Xu Zixi, with a glint in her bright eyes, reflected on the recent events. "You know, the group that undertook the Forbidden Area Trial was quite remarkable."
In that moment, Zhao Yafu was visibly moved. "Zhan Tianxiang and I were selected by the Demon Palace, Yan Lu went on to cultivate in the Devil Palace, and Lim Zhuyun... she's become a devil both reviled and feared by all."
Having lived through the tumultuous upheaval in the Great Swamp, Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang understood that Lim Zhuyun remained true to herself—she had not fallen prey to possession by the Sky Tiger.
"You're far from ordinary Demon Palace disciples," Xu Zixi said, her eyes expressing genuine admiration. "One of you is seen as a direct protégé by the esteemed Golden Elephant, and the other, favored by the mighty Sky Tiger. Your future within the Demon Palace promises a status well beyond that of the rank and file."
"Su Yan has also been taken in by the Taiyuan Sect for cultivation on the Heavenly Source Continent," added Zhao Yafu.
"And let's not forget Yu Yuan," Zhan Tianxiang chimed in with a hearty laugh. "Who would've guessed that in just a couple of years, Yu Yuan would carve out such a reputation for himself, earning the moniker 'God of Plagues'? I've heard countless tales of his exploits across the Demon Palace and the Crack Archipelago. Despite not aligning with any sect, his fame eclipses ours."
"Brother Yu was always destined to stand out," Zhao Yafu remarked, her eyes and expression aglow with genuine admiration.
Her life's trajectory shifted dramatically the day she met Yu Yuan. With his assistance, she successfully 'swallowed the dragon,' rapidly advancing to the next realm and securing her spot in the Forbidden Area Trial.
Her father and grandfather had made the most astute decision, investing heavily in Yu Yuan's promise to watch over her in the treacherous Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.
Yu Yuan lived up to the expectations of Zhao Zhenghao and Zhao Dongsheng.
Fortune smiled upon her in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, and upon her return, she was scouted by an envoy of the White Divine Tiger, who, after a covert evaluation, took her on as a personal disciple.
Thanks to her, the Zhao family's fortunes skyrocketed, positioning them on the cusp of becoming one of the great families within the Devil Moon Empire.
Zhao Yafu's gratitude toward Yu Yuan knew no bounds. In her eyes, Brother Yu was a man of limitless potential, a low-key hero who consistently turned peril into opportunity, crafting miracles time and again.
After several encounters, she developed a deep-seated belief in her heart that Yu Yuan would never be at a disadvantage and would always come out on top.
"Young Master Yu!"
Qin Yun's voice suddenly echoed from the base of Elfview.
Yu Yuan offered a slight smile and gestured to Zhan Tianxiang to shrink the Gold Mountain, gently descending toward the ground.
All the townsfolk of Elfview, including the Medicine Slaves, watched the gleaming mountain diminish in size. Their eyes followed Yu Yuan, Zhan Tianxiang, Zhao Yafu, and the others, their expressions filled with excitement.
"Huh?"
Upon landing, Yu Yuan gave Qin Yun a glance and exclaimed with surprise, "Congratulations!"
During his time in the Desolate Swamp, Qin Yun had managed to break through to the Soul Wandering Stage!
After reaching the Penetrating Stage and solidifying his spiritual sense, Yu Yuan had lightly tapped into the Soul Forging Technique. With his "insightful eye," he immediately perceived the transformation in Qin Yun.
Qin Yun had indeed made significant strides in his cultivation, advancing to the Soul Wandering Stage.
Beyond this stage, Qin Yun's Yin God could soar freely outside, unafraid of flames, frost, or fierce winds, and without concern of drifting too far and severing the connection with his physical form.
Soul Wandering allowed the Yin God to travel thousands of miles yet remain tethered to the physical body.
"I must apologize, Young Master."
Qin Yun was both elated and slightly sheepish. "I was on the verge of breaking through to the Soul Wandering Stage, but I lacked sufficient pellets and spiritual materials. It was Gao Qin from the Babel Chamber of Commerce who approached me, generously providing the necessary materials for my breakthrough."
Cultivators often require extensive preparations for their breakthroughs, including guardians and a variety of spiritual materials for support.
Naturally, Qin Yun had made similar arrangements for his advancement.
Yu Yuan was taken aback. "The Babel Chamber of Commerce is that generous?"
"Gao Qin mentioned it was an advance," Qin Yun admitted with a touch of embarrassment. "He said that once you return from the Desolate Swamp, you can settle the debt with the Yu family, paying the agreed price. After leaving the Seven Divine Sect, the wealth I carried has been nearly depleted through various battles."
Gao Qin sought me out and presented the items just as I was on the verge of a breakthrough.
I felt it was somewhat improper to accept the spiritual materials from the Babel Chamber of Commerce without informing Yu Yuan in advance.
"Don't worry about it. Your advancement to the Soul Wandering Stage is a blessing for me and the Yu family!" Yu Yuan reassured me with a dismissive wave of his hand.
In the current Devil Moon Empire, the Soul Wandering Stage represents the pinnacle of combat power!
Besides the reigning emperor and the Yan family patriarch, not even the Su, Lim, or Van families boast a Soul Wandering Stage cultivator.
With Qin Yun's entry into the Soul Wandering Stage and his contentment in serving as a retainer, he's essentially a distinguished guest of the Yu family.
Just imagine the significance of the Yu family having a Soul Wandering Stage powerhouse in their corner.
Without comparing to other empires or the sects of the Quietus Continent and Heavenly Source Continent, the Yu family's strength within the Devil Moon Empire is formidable indeed!
A few spiritual materials and pills are a small price to pay. Once Gao Qin and Zhu Peining return, I'll settle the debt.
"What's the situation in Darkmoon City?" Yu Yuan inquired further.
"The Yu family is unscathed, but it seems City Lord Yuan has encountered some difficulties," Qin Yun said, casting a glance at Xu Zixi, Zhao Yafu, and Zhan Tianxiang before pausing. "Someone from the Devil Palace is in Darkmoon City, causing City Lord Yuan some distress."
"A visitor from the Devil Palace? Who might that be?" Yu Yuan asked, intrigued.
"His name is Mo Yan," Qin Yun answered.
"Mo Yan!"
At the mention of this name, the Python Queen, Xu Zixi, showed a flicker of concern.
Both Zhan Tianxiang and Zhao Yafu were puzzled by the name, unfamiliar to them.
"Aunt Xu, is there something significant about this Mo Yan?" Zhan Tianxiang questioned.
Yu Yuan's brow furrowed at the mention of Mo Yan causing unease for Yuan Lianyao in Darkmoon City.
He had long suspected Mo Yan's identity was no ordinary one, for he wouldn't have been found cultivating within the Evil Cauldron at the ocean's depths in the Ember Waters otherwise.
The Devil Palace had, after all, tacitly permitted him to claim the Evil Cauldron.
The subsequent events all confirmed that this individual named Mo Yan was no ordinary figure.
Today's Devil Moon Empire is ruled by the Yan family, a dynasty propped up by the Devil Palace. Given Mo Yan's distinguished standing within the Devil Palace, even Yuan Lianyao found herself at a loss on how to handle him in Darkmoon City.
"Just who is Mo Yan?" Yu Yuan demanded.
"He's the son of a Primordial Spirit powerhouse from the Devil Palace!" Xu Zixi exclaimed with a sigh.
At this revelation, everyone was taken aback.
