C631 Beauty Favored Him
Yuan Lianyao was convalescing on Mid-Lake Island, mending her remnant soul's damage. She intended to journey to the Land of Quiescence once fully recovered.
Despite her reluctance, she knew she had to leave the affairs of Asvetaesi behind.
Over the following days, Qin Yun delivered various medicinal herbs and liquids needed by Yu Yuan, along with updates from Asvetaesi.
Predictably, with Mo Yan's silent consent, Gao Zhengxing relocated the entire Gao family to Asvetaesi, replacing the Yuan family's guards and taking up residence in the Keep.
As the new mayor, Gao Zhengxing summoned Yu Cen and Zhao Zhenghao to the Keep to deliberate on significant issues, seizing some resources from the Yu, Zhao, and Yuan families in the process.
With Mo Yan's backing, the Gao family aimed to secure a strong foothold in Asvetaesi, which meant acquiring resources for their kin.
Gao Zhengxing claimed portions of the city's commercial districts, as well as the ore veins and forests outside the city from the Yuan, Zhao, and Yu families.
He was particularly harsh on the Yu family, nearly claiming all the mountains and rivers once owned by the Huang family for the Gao family.
As the adage goes, "a new broom sweeps clean," but he dared not strike too harshly against the Zhao family with Shadow's Keep behind them, nor oppress the Yuan family with the Ruby Hand's support. Consequently, he turned his blade towards the Yu family.
The ore veins and mountains bordering Thylethlume and adjacent to the Forgotten Ruins became highly sought after due to the resurgence of spiritual energy in the Lost Lands.
The once-depleted spiritual mines began to regenerate. The once-barren landscapes were now teeming with spiritual energy, lush with vegetation, and not only conducive to cultivation but also ideal for growing spiritual herbs.
Yu Yuan had plans to cultivate several types of earthly medicinal herbs in these mountains, but now his plans were thwarted.
Qin Yun, who had brought the city's news, informed Yu Yuan that the family patriarch had been sequestered behind closed doors for days, venting his spleen in frustration and anger.
The Yu family's ascent was abruptly curtailed by Gao Zhengxing's arrival and the subsequent change in leadership.
The Gao family members were openly harvesting fruit and claiming the mountains and valleys where they had secretly planted medicinal herbs as their own.
The elder learned from Qin Yun about Mo Yan's significant influence within the Devil Palace and his backing of Gao Zhengxing.
For now, the elder chose to bide his time, avoiding a direct confrontation with Gao Zhengxing in Asvetaesi.
Meanwhile, Yu Yuan discovered from Qin Yun that the unrest at Godsblight Marsh was still ongoing and showed no signs of subsiding.
The upper sects, along with the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep, maintained a vigilant presence around the marsh, negotiating with the Untamed. They sought permission to enter the marsh to retrieve the Abyssal Leviathan, Lin Zhuyun, and the former President Lyi of the Skyreach Consortium, while also hoping to capture any escapees from Sword Prison.
The Untamed remained unyielding, leading to a stalemate.
The five cultivators from the upper sects, Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep patiently awaited the emergence of more influential primordial spirit cultivators from seclusion or their return from extraterrestrial realms.
Yuan Lianyao, having received a soul-nourishing pill from Faang Yao, meditated for several days on the mid-lake island and made a full recovery.
On a night graced by a bright moon, the island was enveloped in tranquility. Under Yu Yuan's mental command, the Shadowflame Blight Array dissipated the dense smoke, leaving behind thin clouds that draped over the island like vibrant, gossamer veils.
Bathed in moonlight, the island at the heart of the lake appeared ethereal.
Yuan Lianyao, clad in a bright red gown, stood by Moon Lake and asked, "Was the Lunar Spirit of the Empress imprisoned here before?"
"Yes, Chen Liangquan of the Songbird Empire intruded upon my cultivation and took the Lunar Spirit of the Silvermoon Queen," Yu Yuan replied, his brow furrowing. "It seems Chen Liangquan and President Lyi from the marsh are plotting something. I suspect that the suppressed real body of the Empress has also been liberated."
"Does Chen Liangquan really have that much influence?" Yuan Lianyao asked incredulously.
"The fact that President Lyi managed to conquer the Sword Prison deep within the Star River beyond our world is proof enough of his might. As for Chen Liangquan..." Yu Yuan paused, his voice trailing off.
He had a sneaking suspicion that Chen Liangquan, like Loong Tianxiao, was not entirely human.
"Yu Yuan!" Yuan Lianyao called out softly at that moment.
"Hmm?" Yu Yuan turned, instinctively glancing in her direction.
The beauty beside him took a sharp breath, gathering her courage before reaching out and taking his arm in a gesture as intimate as the one they shared on Rosy Cloud Island. Her breath was sweet as she spoke, "Would you come with me to the Ruby Hand?"
This "blazing red lotus," renowned throughout the empire, the Sundering Isles, and the Ruby Hand, seemed slightly nervous, her nostrils flaring subtly.
She gazed directly into Yu Yuan's striking eyes, her own shining brilliantly before she closed them, seemingly overwhelmed by her own boldness.
It was perhaps the first time she had so openly bared her soul to Yu Yuan. "The Hellbreed favors you, and Lord Faang Yao holds you in high regard. You're well aware of the Ruby Hand's growing influence in recent years. Asvetaesi is merely a minor city in the Aetherius Continent, not something to fret over."
Her eyes snapped open again, a touch of excitement in them.
"Once we're part of the Ruby Hand, that affiliation alone will make Gao Zhengxing think twice before crossing the Yu family."
"The Yu family's situation won't be so dire."
She gently swayed Yu Yuan's arm as she held it, "Together, we can cultivate within the Ruby Hand. Once we reach the Spirit Walk realm, and even ascend beyond that, we can explore the Extraterrestrial Star River side by side. What do you think?"
Yu Yuan felt a tremor in his heart, suddenly unsure of what to do.
He had faced similar propositions in his past life. Knowing his time was short, he had declined.
The stunning red lotus before him had been deeply intertwined with his fate since the Moonfall Sanctuary. After all that had transpired in the Sundering Isles and Asvetaesi, he was well aware that Yuan Lianyao wasn't the person the rumors made her out to be. He also recognized that she genuinely harbored feelings for him.
He wasn't in any rush to venture to the Land of Quiescence just yet. He wanted to avoid revealing his identity prematurely and attracting the attention of his senior brother, Zhong Chichen.
The Forgotten Ruins, with its slowly reviving spiritual energy, and the mid-lake island were far more suitable for his current needs. They offered him ample cover for many things.
With this in mind, he came to a decision. He offered Yuan Lianyao a warm smile and said, "Since returning from the Marsh, the Shadow's Keep has ordered me to remain in the Lost Lands for now. I can't leave just yet. Yuanyuan, the Ruby Hand has summoned you to cultivate with the sect. You should go ahead without me."
"Aren't you coming with me?" Yuan Lianyao asked with a hopeful gaze.
"I'll come to find you once I'm free to leave," Yu Yuan replied.
A shadow passed over Yuan Lianyao's eyes.
Yu Yuan hadn't outright rejected her, but his subtle refusal to join the Ruby Hand would certainly complicate their future.
She couldn't fathom why Yu Yuan would decline.
With his talents and abilities, Yu Yuan would undoubtedly advance rapidly within the Ruby Hand, possibly even surpassing her own rank and status.
In that scenario, there would be no obstacles for them within the Ruby Hand, allowing them to naturally be together and, eventually, join forces beyond this world.
Without joining the Ruby Hand, their future was uncertain.
"I'll head to Gavanas first to keep an eye on the Ruby Hand and wait for you for a while," Yuan Lianyao said as she released her grip, transforming into a vibrant red flame that soared away from the island.
Yu Yuan sighed. Once she was out of sight, he shifted his focus and activated the Shadowflame Blight Array to its full capacity. He then retrieved the furnace he had acquired from the underground palace beneath the island.
With a series of swift movements, he placed chunks of red crystals beneath the furnace, igniting them rapidly.
The flames crackled and danced energetically.
A myriad of medicinal herbs, intermingled with concoctions, and magic items capable of counteracting the medicines' effects, were strewn about the furnace, guided by his intent.
"Becoming a cultivator, with a robust body, a refined spiritual sense, and a more lucid and intelligent soul, certainly aids in the art of medicine-making!"
As he sensed the subtle stirrings of his spiritual sense, various magic items within the Bracelet of Holding were precisely arranged according to his thoughts.
"In his past life, a herb slave like Du Jing, who had not embarked on the path of cultivation, indeed required assistance. But now, brimming with vigor and vitality, he has no need for a herb slave at his side!"
Yu Yuan began the process of concocting medicines, for both himself and those close to him.
