C639 The Chen Family of the Continent!
Yu Yuan was taken aback, not expecting to be greeted by such a throng of people upon his arrival through the teleportation circle. This particular circle, located just outside the city of Afnetalos, was the property of the Chen family from the continent of Aetherius. The mere possession of a teleportation circle by an empire, let alone a family, was a testament to the extraordinary status of the Chen family in Aetherius.
His gaze swept over the area, taking in the diverse array of cultivators from various sects that were dispersed around the circle. The crowd buzzed with excitement when they heard Kong Banbi call out the name "Yu Yuan."
"I heard he released the Evil Demon magnate from the Sword Prison in the Extraterrestrial Star River. Now, a multitude of Evil Demons have converged on the Godsblight Marsh, casting greedy eyes toward the Everlands."
"Are you unaware? He freed many of those imprisoned in the Moonfall Sanctuary!"
"And let's not forget the Cosmic Giant Beast that broke free from the Embers Sea. It seems his escape was facilitated by Yu Yuan as well."
"Disaster seems to follow this man wherever he goes."
"The God of Plagues truly lives up to his name!"
The majority of the onlookers harbored ill will towards Yu Yuan, their eyes reflecting a mix of coldness and anger. To them, he was the epitome of wrongdoing.
Kong Banbi approached Yu Yuan, feeling somewhat sheepish amidst the clamor. "I had no idea your notoriety had grown so immense," he said, clearly embarrassed by the commotion he had caused.
Yu Yuan dismissed the comments with an indifferent smile. "They're nothing more than flies to me. I'm not concerned."
He had already taken note of the hundreds of cultivators scattered about, most of whom were at the Veil Breaking and Subtlety realms. There were only a few at the Lunar Spirit level. The majority did not hail from the seven lower sects like the Ruby Hand, Colddeath, or Skyblight Cult.
Indeed, most of these cultivators appeared to be from third-level sects such as Ebonthorn, Binders of Shadows, or from the Land of Quiescence. These sects likely had a Sect Master at the Solar Spirit level and may have once been powerful, but were now in decline.
Yu Yuan considered the cultivators from those sects to be minor players.
He was indifferent to their opinions and feelings about him.
His gaze was fixed on the distant, grand city of Afnetalos!
Even from dozens of miles away, the city, famous across the world, was distinctly visible.
Afnetalos, more than ten times larger than Asvetaesi, resembled a sprawling ancient black giant beast. The sight commanded Yu Yuan's respect from a distance.
"Afnetalos..."
He inhaled deeply, his mind set on a decision.
"Greetings, Miss Yafu, Young Master Zhan."
An archdemon with tiger stripes on his brow, clad in a yellow robe, was paying his respects to Zhao Yafu and Zhan Tianxiang, flanked by numerous disciples from Shadow's Keep.
Clearly of the Astral Tiger lineage, the archdemon's warmth towards Zhao Yafu was markedly more fervent than towards others.
"Each sect has made arrangements to take them to the Scarlet Dunes," Kong Banbi from the Sword Sect whispered to Yu Yuan. "Even without Terra Fiends, evil creatures will emerge. The sects' youth will be tested in various perilous and peculiar locations to enhance their cultivation and assess their potential."
Kong Banbi seemed to think that Yu Yuan, unaffiliated with any sects and a resident of Asvetaesi, was unaware of these matters, so he offered an explanation.
He shared that the sects of the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea only recognized those with the highest talent and cultivation levels.
Individuals like Liu Ying, Zhao Yafu, Zhan Tianxiang, and Kong Banbi themselves, who had prospects of becoming Solar Spirits and reaching the Unbound state as cultivators, would receive particular attention.
Others, if unable to demonstrate their worth during these trials, would die in vain...
While absorbing Kong Banbi's explanation, Yu Yuan scanned the area, recognizing many faces that had survived the trials in the depths of the Embers Sea.
Though many were familiar, he couldn't recall their names; they had once fought alongside each other.
"Brother Yu, are you heading to the Scarlet Dunes with us? Or perhaps you'd like to visit Afnetalos?" Zhao Yafu called out, following her exchange with the archdemon.
Afnetalos, a city crafted by the most renowned figure in Aetherius—the Songbird Queen—is famed throughout the Everlands. Many cultivators who visit have origins in various empires, including those native to the Land of Quiescence and Euwrea, and have never before set foot in Afnetalos. Eager to witness the city's legendary grandeur and the prowess of its cultivators, they often plan a visit before venturing into the Scarlet Dunes.
"I'll head to Afnetalos first," declared Yu Yuan.
No sooner had he spoken than an elderly man clad in green approached with a welcoming smile. "I am Chen Langzhi, of the Chen family from the Songbird Empire. Yu, I'll escort you to Afnetalos. There's someone in the city who wishes to meet with you."
"Chen Langzhi!" The mention of his name sent ripples of astonishment through the crowd.
Chen Langzhi, a cultivator in the late period of Spirit Walk and a key figure of the Chen family, was rumored to be on the cusp of condensing a Solar Spirit within a decade. In years past, he had led victorious campaigns against the Empire of Dawn, Sunblessed Empire, and Stormcrown Empire under the Songbird Queen's command.
Known for his courage and wisdom, Chen Langzhi was the Songbird Queen's most trusted general, her right-hand man. His unexpected invitation to Yu Yuan sparked curiosity about his intentions.
"I was planning to visit Afnetalos, but..." Yu Yuan's heart skipped a beat. Turning to Zhao Yafu and the archdemon from Shadow's Keep, he suggested, "Perhaps I could delay my trip to the Scarlet Dunes and rendezvous with you later?"
The archdemon appeared hesitant.
Chen Langzhi reassured with a smile, "In the Songbird Empire, within Afnetalos, he'll be in my company. Surely, Shadow's Keep has nothing to worry about?"
"Very well," the archdemon conceded with a nod.
With a flourish, Chen Langzhi summoned a Golden Carriage and stepped inside. He then gestured for Yu Yuan to join him, adding, "Qingyan has always been dear to me since her childhood. My thanks for your help in the marsh." He bowed respectfully, fists clasped before him.
Upon uttering those words, Yu Yuan felt a wave of relief wash over him as he leapt into the Golden Carriage.
"We'll rendezvous in the Scarlet Dunes later," Yu Yuan declared, his gaze sweeping over Hou Tianzhao, Lin Yue, and the others before finally resting on Liu Ying. "We'll see each other again soon."
Liu Ying had something to say, but with the weight of so many eyes upon her, she hesitated and chose to remain silent.
Then, amidst a sea of astonished looks, Chen Langzhi steered the Golden Carriage, bearing Yu Yuan, towards the city famed across the world.
"Qingyan won't be joining us in the Scarlet Dunes; she's been too rash in the Godsblight Marsh. Her master has sentenced her to half a year of reflection in the Sword Cave," Chen Langzhi volunteered, a note of affection in his voice. "She was warned to leave the marsh early, yet she ignored the advice." His expression was one of indulgent love, and he seemed sincere.
"Her master didn't mince words with me outside the Marsh," Yu Yuan said with a wry smile, the memory of Ji Ningshuang's public reprimand making him feel rather powerless.
"I'm impressed you had the courage to speak to her that way," Chen Langzhi said with a chuckle and a shake of his head. "The fact that you're still alive shows she must value your role in saving Qingyan. Once you learn more, you'll understand that in the last century, few have survived her wrath and the Stardust Blade."
With a whoosh, the Golden Carriage, halfway through its journey, was enveloped in a dazzling golden light before suddenly plunging into the earth and disappearing underground.
"Aren't we headed to Afnetalos?"
