C634 Injury Again!

"I'll have Yu Yuan come to the City Lord's Mansion and beg me!"

After departing from Spider City, Gao Zhengxing met with Su Xiangtian once more, declaring with unwavering conviction.

The guest servants loyal to the Gao family stood behind him, seething with indignation, criticizing Yu Yuan for his lack of decorum, bold enough to confront the City Lord of Darkmoon in the Babel Chamber of Commerce.

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

He and Gao Zhengxing had once shared a cordial relationship. Before Gao Zhengxing had sworn fealty to Mo Yan of the Devil Palace, he would affectionately address him as Brother Su.

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

He was the current head of the Su family.

Times had changed; Yan Gui had ascended as the Empire's new emperor, and Gao Zhengxing had declared his loyalty to a different faction within the Devil Palace. Under Mo Yan's strategic guidance, he had risen to the coveted position of City Lord of Darkmoon.

Gao Zhengxing now believed he had earned the right to consider himself Su Xiangtian's equal, and his recent interactions lacked the respect once present.

Su Xiangtian, perceptive as ever, was no stranger to such shifts in attitude. Remembering their past friendship, he hesitated briefly before cautioning Gao Zhengxing, "Zhengxing, Yu Yuan is a formidable opponent. If it's possible to avoid making an enemy of him, then do so. I understand the predicaments you face and your need to anticipate others' motives and act accordingly."

"But remember..."

"The fates of the Lim and Van families should serve as a warning."

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

Even Su Xiangtian had conceded to Yu Yuan, prioritizing his family's future prospects.

He suspected that Gao Zhengxing, manipulated by Mo Yan, would fare no better if he persisted in his stubborn ways.

"The Lim and Van families' patrons pale in comparison to the Devil Palace," Gao Zhengxing retorted with a scoff, his gaze drifting back to Spider City. "He shamed me publicly. If I don't teach him a lesson, what will others think of me?"

"To speak frankly, it was you who first wanted him as your chief guard," Su Xiangtian pointed out.

"I meant well!" Gao Zhengxing exclaimed.

Watching his old friend become increasingly arrogant after assuming the role of City Lord of Darkmoon, Su Xiangtian sighed deeply, knowing his good intentions would be futile.

"Truly laughable," Gao Qin mocked as he guided the way. "Sharing a surname with him is an insult to me. He's nothing but a dog raised by Mo Yan, and yet he has the audacity to appoint you as the head guard of the City Lord's Mansion? Gao Zhengxing probably hasn't ventured beyond the Profound Sky Continent to see the greater world out there."

Cultivators like Gao Qin, born on the Quietus Continent, inherently felt superior. To him, Gao Zhengxing, a mere product of a major sect's patronage, was hardly worth noticing. In the grand scheme of the Profound Sky Continent's empires, their strength was trivial.

The Babel Chamber of Commerce esteemed Yuan Lianyao because she was formally embraced by the Red Devil Sect, protected by Faang Yao, and favored by Zhou Cangmin. She was destined to become a leading figure within the sect. Gao Zhengxing, on the other hand, lacked even the credentials to be considered for the Devil Palace—he was merely a temporary pet of Mo Yan.

Gao Qin, having thoroughly researched Yu Yuan's exploits, was well aware that each of his deeds was nothing short of monumental. Yu Yuan was a heavyweight, eagerly sought after by the Red Devil Sect, Demon Palace, and even the Sword Sect!

Yet Yu Yuan had consistently turned down such overtures, choosing his own path. What could Gao Zhengxing possibly have to compare with Yu Yuan?

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Gao Qin continued to deride 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 a Spiritual Array.

"You've arrived."

Zhu Peining called out gently, as the door to the secret room swung open in welcome.

"Eh?"

Upon entering, Yu Yuan caught sight of Yuan Lianyao and couldn't help but cry out in astonishment. Her eyes had once again lost their luster, indicating her Yin God might have sustained further damage.

"What happened?" In a swift motion, Yu Yuan was beside the seated Yuan Lianyao, crouching down to peer into her eyes. "Hasn't the injury from before healed yet?"

"It wasn't like the last time," Yuan Lianyao felt a warmth in her heart, but she gently shook her head. As she spoke, beads of sweat emerged on her fair neck. "After we parted on the mid-lake island, I was nearing Spider City when I was wounded by a soul thought."

"The Raven Lord from the Demon Palace hasn't arrived yet. I sensed danger and rescued her," Zhu Peining said, his brow furrowed in concern. "The soul thought that ambushed her eludes me. By the time I intervened, it had already slipped away without a trace."

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

Witnessing Yuan Lianyao's soul harmed for a second time, his frustration boiled over. He couldn't believe Mo Yan would stoop so low, especially after he had left Darkmoon City and entrusted the role of City Lord to Gao Zhengxing.

"No, it doesn't seem to be the work of the Devil Palace, nor does it bear the signature of the Quietus Continent," Zhu Peining concluded, speaking with deliberate caution. "The soul thought that struck her was balanced and harmonious, likely from someone on the Heavenly Source Continent. But who would attempt to kill her with a soul thought so close to Spider City?"

"If we're talking about enemies of the Red Devil Sect from the Heavenly Source Continent, it would be the Primordial Yang Sect," Yuan Lianyao suggested, her lips twisting in pain. "However, our Red Devil Sect's Spiritual Spells and soul thoughts share many similarities with those of the Primordial Yang Sect. If it were someone from there, I would have felt a scorching heat."

"No, it's not like that," she murmured doubtfully. "It doesn't quite match the Primordial Yang Sect."

With a whoosh, a porcelain vial materialized in Yu Yuan's palm, containing three light purple pellets shaped like walnuts. The pellets glowed with a faint purple luster, and upon closer inspection through the glass, one could see patterns resembling soul thoughts swirling around them.

Recognizing the contents, Zhu Peining gasped, "Purple Spirit Pills!"

Yuan Lianyao might not have recognized the Purple Spirit Pills, but she had heard of their remarkable properties and shivered slightly at the mention.

"They were meant for you," Yu Yuan said as he crouched down, took her wrist, and gently opened her palm to place the vial with the Purple Spirit Pills in her hand. "I had thought your soul had healed after your clash with Mo Yan and didn't offer them earlier. But with your recent misfortune and another injury to your soul, you should use these Purple Spirit Pills to recover properly."

"The Earth Level Sixth Grade Purple Spirit Pill is quite the rarity, with its extraordinary effects on refining the Yin God," Zhu Peining marveled with a click of her tongue. "You really do have an impressive collection of treasures. I'm quite curious, though—where did you come by this Purple Spirit Pill? If I recall correctly, you didn't purchase it during our last visit to Babel Island."

She couldn't bring herself to believe that Yu Yuan had managed to refine three Purple Spirit Pills in such a short span of time, even though he had indeed borrowed a substantial amount of medicinal herbs from the Babel Chamber of Commerce through Qin Yun.

"Of course, I acquired it from the Desolate God Great Swamp," Yu Yuan bluffed. "Having survived the Great Swamp and lost the Evil Cauldron, it's only natural that I'd have other spoils to show for it."

"Man, you've had some tough breaks. Both the Evil Cauldron and that scabbard are rare treasures of this world," Zhu Peining sympathized.

"Focus on healing your injuries for now," Yu Yuan urged Yuan Lianyao with genuine concern. He then settled himself on a cushion across from Zhu Peining and continued, "About the debt Qin Yun owes you, plus the various spiritual materials I've pre-borrowed—how much are they worth?"

"Don't worry about it just yet," Zhu Peining replied with a reassuring smile. "Is there really no chance of getting the Giant Beast Soul Amber back?"

"Only if I take down the Chaos Roc and extract it myself, otherwise, it's gone," Yu Yuan admitted with a helpless shrug. "Just let me know how many Spirit Stones we're talking about to settle the debt. I'll find a way to repay the chamber of commerce."

"Well, here's the thing," Zhu Peining started, clearing her throat subtly, "As you're aware, we have ties with the Wind Chanter. The chamber is keen on securing some credible intel about the Desolate God Great Swamp."

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

Zhu Peining nodded, "The Great Swamp remains off-limits, with the Yang God Stage and Eighth Level Demons barred from entry. Those who have made it out, like Lvliu, Xi Quan, and Zhongli, are beyond the chamber's reach. And the less said about the likes of juniors such as Kong Banbi, who know nothing, the better."

"Your realm may not be the highest, but you were involved from start to finish. Sometimes, the right piece of information can be as valuable as a fortune."

Yu Yuan paused to consider before responding, "What exactly do you wish to learn?"

"President Lyi! And the master-apprentice duo from the chamber, both experts in the manipulation of spatial forces." Zhu Peining's voice carried a deep reverence when she spoke of President Lyi. "In particular, President Lyi! The chamber is eager to learn everything about him—your observations, your experiences, everything you know!"

"How can you discern the truth? And how are the Spirit Stones valued?" Yu Yuan inquired.

"He has the ability to distinguish the real from the fake." Zhu Peining produced a crystal ball and levitated it above them, pointing it out to Yu Yuan.

Within it, Yu Yuan caught sight of the all-too-familiar Feng Zhong, complete with his sleazy grin.

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

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