C634 Another Injury!

"I'll have Yu Yuan come to the Keep to beg me!"

After departing from Gavanas, Gao Zhengxing met with Su Xiangtian once more, speaking with unwavering conviction.

Behind him, the counselors and servants loyal to the Gao family were indignant, criticizing Yu Yuan for his lack of etiquette. He had the audacity to confront the mayor of Asvetaesi at the Skyreach Consortium.

Su Xiangtian, his temples graced with streaks of white, maintained a serene demeanor, yet he let out a soft sigh.

He had previously enjoyed a cordial relationship with Gao Zhengxing. Before Gao Zhengxing had sworn fealty to Mo Yan of the Devil Palace, he would always greet him as Brother Su.

The Su family was a cornerstone of the Empire, consistently ranking among the top three major families.

He was the current head of the Su family.

Times had changed. Yan Gui had ascended as the new emperor, and Gao Zhengxing had pledged his allegiance to a different faction within the Devil Palace. Under the manipulative guidance of Mo Yan, he had risen to become the sought-after mayor of Asvetaesi.

Gao Zhengxing now believed he had earned the right to consider himself Su Xiangtian's equal, and his recent interactions had been noticeably less deferential.

Su Xiangtian, with his keen insight into human nature, was no stranger to such changes. Out of respect for their past camaraderie, he hesitated briefly before cautioning Gao Zhengxing, "Zhengxing, Yu Yuan is not someone to be underestimated. If you can avoid making an enemy of him, you should. I understand the predicaments you face and that you're trying to read others and act accordingly."

"However..."

"You're well aware of the fates that befell the Lin and Van families."

Those who had opposed Yu Yuan in recent years had met with dire consequences.

Su Xiangtian himself had conceded to Yu Yuan, considering the future prospects of his family.

He had an inkling that Gao Zhengxing, pushed by Mo Yan's machinations, might well suffer the same fate if he remained stubborn and self-righteous.

"The Lin and Van families' backers pale in comparison to the Devil Palace."

With a scoff, Gao Zhengxing turned to gaze back at Gavanas. "He shamed me publicly. If I don't make an example of him and the Yu family, what will people think of me?"

"To be honest, it was you who wanted him as your head guard," Su Xiangtian remarked.

"I meant well by it!" Gao Zhengxing protested loudly.

Watching his old friend become increasingly arrogant after taking on the role of mayor of Asvetaesi, Su Xiangtian sighed inwardly, realizing his good intentions were now futile.

"How utterly absurd," Gao Qin sneered as he guided the way. "Sharing the same surname is an insult to me. He's nothing but a dog raised by Mo Yan, and yet he has the audacity to invite you to serve as his head guard at the Keep? Gao Zhengxing probably hasn't left Aetherius; he's never seen the wider world."

Cultivators like Gao Qin, born in the Land of Quiescence, inherently felt superior. To him, Gao Zhengxing, merely a family propped up by a major sect, was hardly worth noting. In the grand scheme of Aetherius, even the mightiest empire was insignificant.

Skyreach Consortium esteemed Yuan Lianyao because she had been formally accepted by the Ruby Hand, shielded by Faang Yao, and favored by Zhou Cangmin. She was destined to become a leading figure within the Ruby Hand. Gao Zhengxing, on the other hand, lacked even the credentials to be considered for the Devil Palace. He was just a temporary dog Mo Yan kept around.

Gao Qin, having thoroughly investigated Yu Yuan's background, was well aware that each of Yu Yuan's deeds was momentous. Yu Yuan was a heavyweight that the Shadow's Keep, Sword Sect, and even the Ruby Hand vied to recruit. Yet, Yu Yuan had consistently declined such overtures, choosing his own path.

What could Gao Zhengxing possibly have to compare with Yu Yuan?

Shaking his head in amusement, Gao Qin mocked Gao Zhengxing for his delusions of grandeur and for tarnishing the Gao name. He then ushered Yu Yuan into a chamber pulsating with the energy of an arcane circle.

"You've arrived," Zhu Peining called out softly, opening the door to the secret room and stepping forward to greet her guest.

"Huh?"

Upon entering, Yu Yuan caught sight of Yuan Lianyao and couldn't help but cry out in astonishment. Yuan Lianyao's eyes dimmed once more, indicating her Lunar Spirit had suffered yet another blow.

"What happened?" Yu Yuan materialized beside the seated Yuan Lianyao, crouching down to gaze into her eyes. "Haven't you recovered from your previous injury?"

"It's not from before." Yuan Lianyao felt a warmth in her heart and gently shook her head. As she spoke, sweat beaded on her pale neck. "After we parted at the mid-lake island, I was nearing Gavanas when I was wounded by a remnant soul."

"Lord Dusk Raven from Shadow's Keep hasn't arrived yet. I sensed danger and rescued her," Zhu Peining said with a furrowed brow. "The remnant soul that launched the attack was elusive; I couldn't discern its origin. It vanished without a trace by the time I intervened."

"Could it be Mo Yan again?" Yu Yuan demanded, his voice rising.

Witnessing Yuan Lianyao's soul injured a second time, his anger surged. He felt Mo Yan had gone too far. After all, he had left Asvetaesi and handed over the mayorship to Gao Zhengxing, yet Mo Yan seemed intent on further oppression.

"No, it doesn't seem to be the work of the Devil Palace or anyone from the Land of Quiescence," Zhu Peining countered thoughtfully. "The remnant soul that struck her was balanced and tranquil, likely bearing the cultivation aura of Euwrea. Near the Forgotten Ruins, on the verge of reaching Gavanas, who would attempt to assassinate her with a remnant soul?"

"If we're considering enemies of the Ruby Hand from Euwrea, it must be the Sunlit Order," Yuan Lianyao said through a grimace of pain. "However, the Ruby Hand's spells and remnant souls share many similarities with the Sunlit Order. If it were someone from there, I should have felt a scorching sensation."

"No, that's not it," she murmured, more to herself, "It doesn't quite match the Sunlit Order."

With a swift motion, Yu Yuan revealed a porcelain bottle in his palm, containing three light purple, walnut-shaped pills.

The pills emitted a soft purple glow. Looking closely through the bottle, one could see patterns on the pill's surface, resembling wisps of remnant soul swirling around them.

Recognizing the pills at a glance, Zhu Peining couldn't help but exclaim, "Violet Spirit Elixir!"

Yuan Lianyao was unable to recognize the Violet Spirit Elixir, but she was familiar with its remarkable benefits. At the mention of it, she felt a slight tremor in her shoulders.

"It was specifically prepared for you."

Yu Yuan crouched down, took her wrist gently in his hand, and opened her palm to place the porcelain bottle containing the Violet Spirit Elixir in it. "I assumed you had fully recovered from your injuries after your battle with Mo Yan, so I didn't offer it earlier. But you've been quite unfortunate lately, suffering another soul injury. Use the Violet Spirit Elixir to heal properly."

"The Violet Spirit Elixir, a sixth-level earthly treasure, is exceedingly rare and works wonders in refining the Lunar Spirit," Zhu Peining marveled, clicking her tongue. "You always seem to have an impressive collection of treasures. I'm quite curious, how did you come by this Violet Spirit Elixir? I recall you didn't purchase it on our last visit to the Celestial Isle."

She was utterly unconvinced that Yu Yuan could have concocted three Violet Spirit Elixirs in such a brief span of time, even though he had procured a substantial amount of medicinal herbs through Qin Yun from the Skyreach Consortium.

"Of course, I acquired it from the Godsblight Marsh."

Yu Yuan bluffed effortlessly. "Having survived the Marsh and lost the Crucible of Evil, it's only natural I'd have other spoils to show for it."

"Ah, you've had a string of bad luck, losing both the Crucible of Evil and that sword sheath, both of which are rare wonders," Zhu Peining sympathized.

"Focus on healing your injuries first," Yu Yuan advised Yuan Lianyao with a look of concern. He then took out a cushion and seated himself across from Zhu Peining. "What about the debts from Qin Yun, and the various magic items I've pre-borrowed? What's their total value?"

"Don't worry about it just yet," Zhu Peining said with a smile. "Is there really no chance of retrieving the giant beast's Sunsorrow?"

"Unless I slay the Abyssal Leviathan and extract it anew, it's unfortunately lost," Yu Yuan replied with a helpless shrug. "Just let me know how many soulstones are needed to settle the account, and I'll find a way to repay the Consortium."

"Well, it's like this..." Zhu Peining cleared her throat subtly, "As you're aware, we have a connection with the Windspeaker. The Consortium is eager to gather some credible intelligence regarding the Godsblight Marsh."

"Information in exchange for soulstones?" Yu Yuan inquired, intrigued.

Zhu Peining nodded affirmatively. "The Godsblight Marsh remains under seal, forbidding entry to both Solar Spirits and eighth-level archdemons. Those who manage to emerge, such as Green Willow, Xi Quan, and Zhongli Dapan, are beyond the consortium's influence. As for the likes of the junior Kong Banbi, he knows nothing."

"Your realm may not be high, but you were involved from start to finish. Often, a single piece of information can be worth a fortune."

Yu Yuan pondered for a moment before responding, "What exactly do you wish to know?"

"President Lyi! And the two masters and disciples from the consortium who are experts in space magic," Zhu Peining said, her voice taking on a tone of deep respect at the mention of President Lyi. "Particularly President Lyi! The consortium is eager to learn everything you've observed and heard about him!"

"How can you discern the truth? And how will you value the soulstones?" Yu Yuan questioned.

"He can distinguish truth from falsehood." Zhu Peining produced a crystal ball and suspended it in the air for Yu Yuan to see.

Within it, Yu Yuan spotted the familiar Feng Zhong, complete with his sleazy grin.

"Brother Yu, it's been too long!"

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