C72
Su Yan possessed a calm and gentle temperament, with a deep worry lurking in her clear eyes.
She stood before the Su family's trial-takers like a luscious green tulip, exuding elegance and charm.
Despite her young age, her demeanor already bore the mark of nobility, and it was clear she was destined to become a luminary in the Empire.
Whenever Yu Yuan encountered her, he couldn't help but be reminded of another from his past life, with whom he shared a complex emotional entanglement.
Despite his aversion to her association with the Su family, he found it difficult to harbor any ill will towards her.
At this moment, seeing Su Yan's unusual panic and distress, Yu Yuan felt an unexpected twinge of heartache.
"An outsider? Has someone entered the forbidden area?"
Yuan Ting's complexion turned ashen, his shoulders quivering as he spoke.
He wasn't alone in his reaction.
Trial-takers from Asvetaesi, like Zhao Yafu and Yu Feifei, were visibly shaken, their expressions filled with anxiety and unease.
They had all heard the foreboding tales from their family elders.
The Moonfall Sanctuary trials were an Empire-sanctioned event.
During the trials, entry to the forbidden area was strictly prohibited!
Protectors were stationed at its entrance to prevent any mishaps.
Yet, historically, there had indeed been instances of outsiders infiltrating the Moonfall Sanctuary!
Each time, those participating in the trials were mercilessly slain.
If the intrusion was detected early and the outsiders withdrew quickly, the bloodshed could be contained, leaving many survivors.
But if the discovery came too late, or the intruders were too powerful, the outcome was too horrific to contemplate.
Legend has it that a formidable warrior from the Crimson Sun Empire once concealed himself within the sanctuary, emerging shortly after the trial commenced to massacre every single trial-taker in that realm!
He left unchallenged.
This man, Zhou Cangmin, now serves as the state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire and is a Spirit Walk cultivator!
Zhou Cangmin, the butcher, is also regarded as the archenemy of the Silvermoon Empire, with every cultivator dreaming of the day they might exact vengeance.
After all, those who had taken part in the trials were the young elites from the five major families and seven cities.
Regrettably, they were completely vanquished in one fell swoop!
At the time, Zhou Cangmin had only just reached the Lunar Spirit Realm. After slaying all the trial-takers, he made a stylish exit using a secret treasure, even as the empire's strongest pursued him relentlessly. Before his departure, he left behind a taunting remark: "I shall travel thousands of miles alone; no need for farewells." To this day, that sentence is still considered a profound insult by the empire.
Years have passed, and Zhou Cangmin now serves as the state preceptor of the Crimson Sun Empire, with his cultivation in the Spirit Walk Realm reaching the middle period. Moreover, he has earned the favor of the Sunlit Order, which has openly acknowledged the similarity between his spiritual spell and their teachings. The Sunlit Order has reserved an elder's seat for him, ready for his return once he successfully refines his Solar Spirit. As one of the three greatest sects in the Euwrea, the Sunlit Order stands as the pinnacle of cultivation in the Everlands.
Consequently, despite the cultivators of the Silvermoon Empire regarding Zhou Cangmin as their archenemy, they are powerless against him—he continues to live with effortless grace. Given his talent, his deep connection with the Sunlit Order, and his current level of cultivation, he could have left the Crimson Sun Empire to join the Sunlit Order long ago. However, out of gratitude to the emperor of the Crimson Sun Empire, who once aided him, he chooses to remain.
When news of an intruder spread, the memory of Zhou Cangmin's past massacre weighed heavily on everyone's mind. "Are you certain that the members of the Lee family and the Su family weren't victims of infighting, but were instead killed by an outsider?" Yu Yuan asked with a stern look, seeking confirmation.
Su Yan nodded gently. "I am absolutely certain."
"Very well," Yu Yuan responded, immediately placing his trust in her. "I'll take the lead; let's return to meet with Lee Yu." Without another word, he decisively turned and retraced his steps.
Watching his retreating figure, Su Yan then glanced at the others in Asvetaesi, still gripped by terror. A peculiar feeling arose within her. Yu Yuan's ability to remain composed and clear-headed in the face of impending disaster was truly extraordinary.
Was this truly the young master of the Yu family who had been clueless and foolish for the past seventeen years?
...
"Eh, why have you returned?"
The Lee family members first noticed Yu Yuan, then Su Yan, accompanied by her Su family entourage. "Miss Su Yan! Members of the Su family!"
He exclaimed in surprise.
Lee Yu, who had been meditating, seemed to radiate light from his acupoints in an instant.
He quickly stood up, everything returning to normal.
The dense spiritual energy surrounding him faded away just as swiftly.
"What's going on?"
He looked up at Su Yan, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
Even without delving into the affairs of the Su family's young lady, plenty of people had briefed him on her exploits.
She was, after all, one of the rare few in the empire who could match his own renown.
"Two members of your Lee family have disappeared. I've seen them before, and they're now dead."
Su Yan's opening statement turned the Lee family members' faces ashen.
Lee Yu's brow furrowed slightly as he asked, "Could an outsider have entered?"
Yu Yuan, observing from Asvetaesi, couldn't help but inwardly commend the intelligence of the Empire's acknowledged top five young powerhouses. Lee Yu, usually so reticent and aloof, proved his sharp intellect.
He immediately deduced from Su Yan's brief comment that an outsider had infiltrated and harmed his kin.
"Yes, an outsider has come in. Both our Su family and your Lee family have suffered losses," Su Yan said, opting not to elaborate. She knew Lee Yu would grasp the full picture. Conversing with the astute meant no room for misunderstandings. "Given the uncertain circumstances, it's best we band together."
Lee Yu nodded in agreement. "Yu Yuan, you and your group should also stay put for now."
"Understood," Yu Yuan promptly responded.
"Let's do this: everyone remains here," Lee Yu decided, assuming the lead. "I'll go out and scout around. If I encounter other teams, I'll direct them here to join you."
"Brother Yu! If it's truly an outsider, you'll be their primary target!" the Lee family members protested anxiously.
"I'm aware," Lee Yu replied calmly. "Someone must venture out to spread the word of the intrusion. Don't fret. I'll secure a Pearl of Illusion to communicate with my aunt and those outside. Now that we're aware of the outsider's presence, our top priority is to ensure they're informed as well."
"That's correct," Su Yan voiced her agreement. "Any outsider bold enough to intrude here must possess the strength and power to easily overwhelm all the trial-takers. We stand no chance against them. Only with an immediate response from the Empire can we hope to escape unscathed."
"You all stay behind," Lee Yu declared as he began to ascend alone.
He alone was aware of the Pearl of Illusion's existence and possessed the mystique to locate it. With the Pearl, he could reach out to his aunt and the venerable general outside.
Should he encounter an outsider, Lee Yu, being the strongest among them, might stand a slim chance of survival by fleeing. Others would merely give away their positions and become liabilities.
"He does have a sense of duty," Yu Yuan remarked softly, watching Lee Yu's silhouette gradually disappear into the distance.
Members of the Lee family glared at him.
Lee Yu had bravely chosen to face danger alone in the hopes of securing a lifeline for everyone. Was that merely a sense of duty? One misstep and Lee Yu could be plunged into a life-threatening predicament, relentlessly pursued by the invaders.
He was the Empire's true future!
"Yu Yuan, I hope that from now on, we can all set aside our prejudices and unite to weather this storm," Su Yan implored earnestly, bowing slightly. "Let's leave the family disputes for later and focus on surviving this ordeal."
Yu Yuan offered a light smile and nodded. "I'm well aware."
"That's reassuring," Su Yan said, visibly relieved.
The conversation left many from both the Lee and Su families bewildered.
Lee Yu had been just as perplexed. Why were Su Yan and Lee Yu only speaking with Yu Yuan? Wasn't Yuan Ting the acknowledged leader of Asvetaesi? Wasn't Zhao Yafu the most powerful among them?
Yet, neither Yuan Ting nor Zhao Yafu seemed to take issue with this, nor did they feel overlooked.
It appeared they had all silently acknowledged a truth: Yu Yuan was the true strategist behind Asvetaesi.
