C670 A Pie Falling from the Sky

In the courtyard stood a room exclusively belonging to Xie Bin.

Lee Yu, harboring doubts, followed Yu Yuan and Liu Ying into the room. He then watched as Yu Yuan took out several banners and arranged them in a specific pattern.

Xie Bin simply smiled without speaking.

Moments later, a rune circle that blocked remnant souls and sound was activated, and a soft spiritual glow emanated from each banner.

"Greetings, Mr. Xie."

Liu Ying offered a warm smile and a respectful bow to Xie Bin. "My master has spoken of you often. He said that three hundred years ago, you were a renowned prodigy in the art of cultivation on Euwrea. He also mentioned that after you ascended to the Solar Spirit realm, your fame spread far and wide, even throughout the Star River."

Before arriving, Yu Yuan had expressed a desire to meet Xie Bin. Liu Ying had carefully inquired about him and confirmed that this Xie Bin, now residing in a training hall within an alley of Afnetalos, was indeed the illustrious cultivator from the Obsidian Thunder Sect.

She was astonished to learn that Xie Bin had reunited with his heaven soul and had resumed his journey of cultivation.

"Without unleashing the Fallen Star Eyes, many wouldn't recognize you. If those outside knew your true identity, the excitement would be overwhelming," Xie Bin said with a chuckle, then gazed at her thoughtfully. "Your talent for cultivation is exceptionally rare. Had you been more diligent, you might have already condensed your Lunar Spirit."

Having spent considerable time here, Xie Bin had grown accustomed to first assessing the innate talent of the younger generation.

In his eyes, Liu Ying shone like a precious gem, her entire being radiating a gentle, crystalline sheen. Her mud pellet acupoints, housing the three souls of heaven, earth, and man, were pure and untainted. Such purity would facilitate the condensation of Lunar Spirit and Soul Power, making the subsequent purification of the soul far less arduous and paving the way for a smoother cultivation journey.

Liu Ying nodded demurely. "I've been diligently training in secret."

"Lee Yu, it's been a while."

Suddenly, Yu Yuan tore off his mask, revealing his true face, and his voice transformed.

"Yu Yuan!" Lee Yu cried out, taken aback.

He had assumed that the Yu Yuan accompanying Liu Ying was a disciple of the Starmoon Sect and wondered why a disciple would be so intently observing him.

At that moment, Yu Yuan removed his mask, revealing his true face, and everything became clear to him.

He realized it was Yu Yuan who had interceded with Huang Chuan on his behalf, allowing him access to the Obsidian Thunder Sect's training hall, where he could meet Xie Bin, who had resumed his cultivation journey.

"Why are you in Afnetalos?" Yu Yuan inquired.

Lee Yu quickly regained his composure and replied, "My aunt arranged for me to come to Afnetalos, claiming she had found a sect for me to join for my cultivation. She sent me ahead while she stayed behind in the Godsblight Marsh to take care of some matters. You must know what happened next since you were a witness to it all."

Yu Yuan's expression shifted as he remembered Chen Liangquan taking the Silvermoon Queen's Lunar Spirit from the mid-lake island. He had also heard that the Silvermoon Queen's true form had escaped her captivity. He surmised that Lee Yuchan and Tan Yuan must have struck a deal, leading to their knowledge of the cooperation between the Silvermoon Queen and Chen Liangquan.

Lee Yu's early arrival in Afnetalos was likely orchestrated by Lee Yuchan, who intended to secure a future for Lee Yu through the Chen family's Liangquan.

Regrettably, Lee Yuchan was first captured by Loong Jie, the aged patriarch of the Nagas, and later both Loong Jie and his daughter Loong Yang were ensnared by Ji Ningshuang of the Sword Sect.

At the time, Yu Yuan was too preoccupied with his own escape to investigate the subsequent events.

"Where is General Lee now?" Yu Yuan ventured to ask.

"It's said that he's been temporarily detained by the Sword Sect, just like the old dragon," Lee Yu replied, his head bowed and his voice heavy with sorrow. "I realize I may not be able to wait for her arrival in Afnetalos. I'll have to find my own way."

Yu Yuan understood from this that without Lee Yuchan's presence, Lee Yu, the overlooked member of the Lee family, likely went unnoticed by the Chen family.

"What are your thoughts on the Obsidian Thunder Sect?" Yu Yuan asked.

Lee Yu took a deep breath, clearly moved, and said with conviction, "It's excellent!"

Without the support of a major sect, he would never be able to ascend to the realms of Subtlety or Lunar Spirit. Consequently, his grand ambitions would remain unattainable.

Yu Yuan nodded, then turned to Xie Bin and said, "My brother has fallen on hard times due to a family upheaval. Mr. Xie, could you do me the honor of taking him under your wing at the Thunder Sect for cultivation?"

Xie Bin paused, then asked, "What is his background?"

"He is from the Lee family of the Silvermoon Empire," Yu Yuan replied honestly.

"I see," Xie Bin murmured, hesitating before a smile broke through. "If it weren't for your sake, Yu Yuan, I wouldn't have considered it. Members of the Lee family can be quite troublesome, and I'll need to manage those connections."

"My thanks to you," Yu Yuan said, bowing slightly.

"There's no need for such formality between us," Xie Bin replied, shaking his head gently. He then turned his gaze to Lee Yu, his eyes flashing with lightning as if his pupils had transformed into twin thunder pools. "Young Lee, if you agree to join the Obsidian Thunder Sect for cultivation, you must sever ties with your past! From this moment forward, you will have no connection to the Lee family; you will follow only the commands of the Obsidian Thunder Sect!"

He scrutinized Lee Yu, noting the minimal impurities within his bones and the solid foundation he had built in the Veil Breaking Stage.

Upon closer inspection, Xie Bin recognized that Lee Yu's aptitude for cultivation was slightly inferior to Liu Ying's, but it was far superior to the other disciples he had taken in. Were it not for Lee Yu's unique circumstances, his talents would have easily qualified him for training in a lower sect.

After a moment of contemplation, Xie Bin nodded to himself and added, "Once you make this decision, you will no longer be a member of your family but a disciple of the sect. Consider it carefully before you respond."

Lee Yu didn't waver. Having long sought a sect without success, he nodded emphatically and declared, "I have made up my mind. I am ready to join the Obsidian Thunder Sect for cultivation. From this day forward, I, Lee Yu, am a disciple of the Obsidian Thunder Sect, with no further ties to the Silvermoon Empire or the Lee family."

"Alright, I'll take care of all those past disputes for you," Xie Bin said, giving him a deep, penetrating look. "Once you're part of the Obsidian Thunder Sect, you'll follow my lead in cultivation."

Lee Yu was momentarily taken aback before he abruptly knelt down, exclaiming, "Master!"

...

Over the next several days, Yu Yuan decided against visiting the Azure Vault, opting to remain within the Obsidian Thunder Sect. He kept abreast of the events in the Scarlet Dunes through Xie Bin.

He soon learned of a so-called "Ashen Shadowmist" that had burst forth from beneath the Scarlet Dunes, shrouding the entire desert and preventing cultivators outside from communicating with those within using their remnant souls or specialized magic tools.

Having traveled through the extraterrestrial Star River, Xie Bin shared with him the terrifying nature of the Ashen Shadowmist and its crippling effect on human cultivators.

In Afnetalos City, there was a branch of the Skyreach Consortium which Xie Bin, now recommitted to his cultivation journey, frequented.

Once his heaven soul had reconstituted, he returned to being a Spirit Walk cultivator. Currently preparing to refine his Solar Spirit, he visited the Consortium's branch in advance to purchase the appropriate magic items.

The Consortium's branch was a hub of information, from which Xie Bin gathered numerous updates to share with Yu Yuan.

Curious about the future of the Scarlet Dunes and confident in Afnetalos, Yu Yuan saw no urgency to return to the Forgotten Ruins. He chose to reside at the Obsidian Thunder Sect's training hall under the guise of Chen Xi.

Liu Ying, aware of his whereabouts, stayed for two days before heading to the Starmoon Sect's training hall in Afnetalos.

Before she left, Yu Yuan cautioned her not to reveal the abnormal underground phenomena observed through the Fallen Star Eyes to the Starmoon Sect, to avoid drawing Zu Ann's attention.

Liu Ying heeded his advice dutifully.

Yu Yuan continued his discreet cultivation at the Obsidian Thunder Sect's training hall, using soulstones and pills. With his spiritual sense, he delved into his inner being, engaging in various visualizations of Subtlety.

Deep into the night, Yu Yuan, still engrossed in his meditation, was suddenly jolted awake.

A streak of bloody light silently emerged on the stone floor before him, coalescing into the blood-soaked figure of Ann Ziqing.

Struggling to stand, Ann Ziqing's purple divine armor lay in tatters, and she collapsed, her body marred by wounds. In a pained voice, she cried out, "Young Master, save me!"

​