C631 The Beauty Was Favored!

Yuan Lianyao was convalescing on the mid-lake island, tending to her soul's injuries with the hope of traveling to the Quietus Continent once she fully recovered. Despite her reluctance, she knew she had to release her hold on Darkmoon City.

In the days that followed, Qin Yun delivered the various medicinal herbs and concoctions required by Yu Yuan, along with the latest tidings from Darkmoon City. As anticipated, with Mo Yan's silent consent, Gao Zhengxing relocated the entire Gao family to Darkmoon, replacing the Yuan family's guards and taking up residence in the City Lord's Mansion.

As the new City Lord, Gao Zhengxing summoned Yu Cann and Zhao Zhenghao to the Mansion to deliberate over significant affairs, seizing resources from the Yu, Zhao, and Yuan families in the process. With the Gao family's intent to establish a strong presence in Darkmoon, it was only natural for them to secure resources for their kin.

Gao Zhengxing laid claim to portions of the city's commercial districts, as well as the ore veins and forests beyond, from the Yuan, Zhao, and Yu families. He dealt the harshest blow to the Yu family, nearly transferring all the mountains and rivers once owned by the Huang family into Gao possession.

As the proverbial new broom sweeping clean, he refrained from harsh actions against the Zhao family, backed by the Demon Palace, and the Yuan family, supported by the Red Devil Sect, leaving the Yu family to bear the brunt of his actions.

The ore veins and mountains bordering Elfview, adjacent to the Absence Relic, became highly sought after as the relic's spiritual energy was restored. The once-depleted spiritual mines began to regenerate, and the once-barren landscapes were now teeming with spiritual energy and lush with vegetation, making them ideal for both cultivation and the growth of spiritual herbs.

Yu Yuan had plans to cultivate several varieties of Earth Level medicinal herbs in these mountains, but now his plans were thwarted. Qin Yun, who brought news from within the city, relayed that the Yu family patriarch had been seething with frustration, confined to his quarters and venting his anger.

The Yu family's ascent was abruptly curtailed by the change in city leadership, and the Gao family members brazenly reaped the benefits, claiming the mountains and valleys where the medicinal herb seeds had been secretly sown as their own.

From conversations with Qin Yun and Mo Yan, the elder learned about Mo Yan's significant influence within the Devil Palace and his connection to Gao Zhengxing.

For now, the elder had no choice but to bide his time, avoiding a direct confrontation with Gao Zhengxing in Darkmoon City.

This was the current situation in Darkmoon City.

Elsewhere,

Yu Yuan, informed by Qin Yun, was aware that the unrest in the Desolate Swamp persisted without signs of subsiding.

The three upper sects, along with the Demon Palace, were on high alert around the Great Swamp, negotiating with the Desolate God.

They sought the Desolate God's permission to enter the swamp in hopes of locating the Chaos Roc, Lim Zhuyun, and the former president of the Babel Chamber of Commerce, President Lyi. They also aimed to capture any escapees from the Sword Prison and secure them once again.

However, the Desolate God remained unyielding, leading to a deadlock.

The five powerful cultivators from the upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Demon Palace waited patiently for more influential Primordial Spirit Stage cultivators to emerge from seclusion or return from their celestial journeys.

Yuan Lianyao had received a soul-nourishing pellet from Faang Yao. After several days of meditation on the mid-lake island, she had made a full recovery.

On this particular night, the moon shone brightly, casting a serene glow over the island.

Under Yu Yuan's mental command, the dense smoke of the Ghost Poisoning Array was dispersed, leaving behind a delicate veil of clouds that draped over the island.

Bathed in moonlight, the island at the heart of the lake appeared ethereal and dreamlike.

In her vibrant red dress, Yuan Lianyao stood by Moon Lake and asked, "Was the Empress's Yin God confined here?"

"Yes, Chen Liangquan from the Luan Bird Empire intruded here during my meditation and managed to abduct the Silvermoon Queen's Yin God," Yu Yuan replied, his expression shifting subtly. "It seems Chen Liangquan and President Lyi from the Great Swamp are plotting something. I suspect they've also freed the Empress's suppressed true form."

"Chen Liangquan has that kind of power?" Yuan Lianyao asked incredulously.

"President Lyi's ability to seize the Sword Prison deep within the Outland Star River speaks volumes about his power. As for Chen Liangquan..." Yu Yuan paused, leaving the thought unfinished.

He had an inkling that Chen Liangquan, much like Loong Tianxiao, wasn't purely human.

"Yu Yuan!"

In that moment, Yuan Lianyao called out softly.

"Hmm?"

Yu Yuan turned, instinctively looking in her direction.

The beauty beside him inhaled sharply, gathering her courage before reaching out to hold his arm with a familiarity reminiscent of their time on Rosy Island. Her breath was sweet as she spoke, "Would you come with me to the Red Devil Sect?"

This Blazing Red Lotus, whose fame spread across the empire, the Crack Archipelago, and the Red Devil Sect, flared her nostrils slightly, betraying a hint of nervousness.

Her gaze locked onto Yu Yuan's eyes—dazzling at first, then closing in a show of vulnerability.

It was likely the first time she had so boldly opened her heart to Yu Yuan. "The Demonic Seed favors you, and Lord Faang Yao holds you in high regard. You're aware of the Red Devil Sect's growing influence. Darkmoon City is merely a minor city within the Profound Sky Continent, not something to fret over."

Her eyes flickered open again, revealing a touch of excitement.

"Once we're part of the Red Devil Sect, that status will make Gao Zhengxing think twice before dealing with the Yu family."

"The Yu family's situation won't be dire."

She gently swayed Yu Yuan's arm, her voice hopeful, "Together, we can cultivate at the Red Devil Sect. Once we reach the Soul Wandering Stage, and even ascend beyond, we could explore the Outland Star River side by side. How does that sound?"

Yu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, leaving him momentarily disoriented.

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 Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. Following the events on the Crack Archipelago and in Darkmoon City, he had long realized that Yuan Lianyao wasn't the person rumors made her out to be, and that she indeed harbored feelings for him.

Yet...

For now, he was in no rush to venture to the Quietus Continent, nor was he eager to reveal his identity too soon and attract the attention of his senior brother, Zhong Chichen.

In the Absence Relic, now slowly regaining its spiritual energy, and on the mid-lake island, he found the perfect sanctuary. It was a place that could conceal many things for him.

With this realization, he made his decision. Flashing a smile at Yuan Lianyao, he said, "After my return from the Great Swamp, the Demon Palace has ordered me to remain here in the relic for the time being. I'm unable to leave just yet. Sister Yuan, the Red Devil Sect has summoned you for cultivation. You should go ahead without me."

"You're not coming with me?" Yuan Lianyao asked with a hopeful gaze.

"I'll come to find you once I'm free to leave," Yu Yuan assured her.

A shadow passed over Yuan Lianyao's eyes. Yu Yuan hadn't outright refused her, but his reluctance to join the Red Devil Sect would undoubtedly complicate their future together.

She couldn't fathom his refusal. With Yu Yuan's gifts and potential, joining the Red Devil Sect would surely mean rapid advancement in his cultivation, possibly even surpassing her own rank within the sect.

If that were to happen, there would be no obstacles for them within the Red Devil Sect; they could be together effortlessly and support each other in the realms beyond.

But without his joining the Red Devil Sect, the future was uncertain.

"I'll head to Spider City first, keeping tabs on the Red Devil Sect while I wait for you," Yuan Lianyao said, releasing her grip. She transformed into a vibrant red flame and soared away from the island.

Yu Yuan let out a sigh. Once she was out of sight, he shifted his focus and fully activated the Ghosts Poisoning Array. He retrieved the pill furnace he had acquired from the underground palace beneath the island.

With a series of swift motions, he laid out red crystal pieces beneath the pill furnace, igniting them with ease.

A cascade of medicinal herbs, juices, and spiritual materials that could temper the potency of the concoctions tumbled around the pill furnace, guided by his intent.

"To be a cultivator with a resilient body, a keen spiritual sense, and an ever more lucid and intelligent soul is indeed a boon for the art of alchemy!"

Sensing the subtle stir of his Spiritual Sense, Yu Yuan arranged the various spiritual materials within the Mustard Seed Bracelet with precision, positioning them exactly where he envisioned.

"A Medicine Slave like Du Jing, who never embarked on the path of cultivation in his past life, would certainly have needed one. But now, in this life, with his vitality and vigor at their peak, there's no need for a Medicine Slave to attend to him!"

With that realization, Yu Yuan began the meticulous process of concocting medicines, not only for his own use but also for those in his circle.

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