C735 Heartbreak

"What are you scheming now?"

Outside Shadow Mountain, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit sat on a vibrant red lotus, her expression one of vigilance as she intently watched Ann Ziqing.

"Hmph, Ann, I'm aware of your reputation and your formidable abilities. There's a deep-seated grudge between you and Yu Yuan, isn't there? Why do you persist in antagonizing him?"

Having learned about Ann Ziqing's background, Yuan Lianyao was curious to see if there was a way to dissolve the animosity between her and Yu Yuan.

Yuan Lianyao, unaware of the full story, still believed that the conflict arose because Yu Yuan had thwarted Ann Ziqing's plans in Asvetaesi City, leading to a Colddeath disciple's failure to condense a Lunar Spirit, which in turn sparked their enmity.

"Why would you say such a thing, Mayor?" Ann Ziqing adopted the look of someone deeply wronged, her head bowed as she clutched the corner of her purple divine armor. "I've served the young master since childhood, always wishing for his well-being. Mayor, could it be that you've heard slander about me and misunderstood something?"

After Jiang Xingwen and her entourage departed and the Cloud Cruiser vanished, only the two women remained on Shadow Mountain, accompanied by a ghost in the form of a white fox.

Once Yu Yuan and White Bone had entered the cave, the two women were at each other's throats, the air thick with tension.

Even as a Lunar Spirit, Yuan Lianyao's beauty was captivating. Her Pyreheart Incantations, a mysterious and powerful dark art, left even the ghosts spellbound by her soul's allure.

Seated on the lotus, she resembled a Flame Deity, her natural authority magnified when displeased.

Her affinity for the Ruby Hand's dark arts was evident, and her exceptional talent had earned her the admiration and generous support of both Faang Yao and Zhou Cangmin, who had lavished her with sect resources.

The Land of Terror expedition, for instance, was organized to prepare her for the Spirit Walk advancement.

Yet, as she regarded Ann Ziqing and considered Faang Yao and Zhou Cangmin's assessments of the woman, Yuan Lianyao couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.

Faang Yao and Zhou Cangmin informed her that Ann Ziqing was the daughter of Ann Wen, the current leader of the Colddeath sect. She was conceived through the sect's mystical practices, using copious amounts of lifeblood.

In the vast expanse of the Everlands, there are natural limitations on the offspring of highly advanced cultivators.

Yet, Colddeath, a sect renowned for its mastery over lifeblood, could overcome this barrier. By obtaining the Sunsorrow from a giant beast and employing the sect's most guarded secrets, they were willing to pay a steep price to conceive an heir.

Ann Ziqing was thus born.

Outside, rumors swirled. Some claimed Ann Ziqing was Ann Wen's granddaughter, or even his great-granddaughter, while others believed she was handpicked by the Colddeath sect from the continent of Aetherius.

There were even whispers that Ann Ziqing was a child Ann Wen had brought back from the extraterrestrial Star River.

Her sudden emergence in Asvetaesi sparked curiosity, as no one had previously heard of or seen her, leaving her origins and identity a mystery.

Ann Wen never disclosed his connection to Ann Ziqing. Upon her return to the Colddeath sect, he promptly summoned all the elders and, through the ancient Bloodsoaked Ceremony, announced that should Ann Ziqing survive, she was to be the next sect master.

Outsiders were oblivious to what transpired during the ceremony, but every elder present at the event acknowledged Ann Ziqing as the divine heiress.

This process was distinct from the Hellbreed succession rituals of the Devil Palace and Ruby Hand, where several candidates are chosen to compete, continuously updating their ranks until the top Hellbreed emerges as the new leader.

Following the Bloodsoaked Ceremony, the Colddeath sect unanimously recognized Ann Ziqing as their future leader.

There were no other contenders.

In recent years, the Colddeath sect's influence has surged. With Ann Jieshan's return and the reorganization of their spells, the sect has risen to become the preeminent power in the northern reaches of the Land of Quiescence, second only to the Ruby Hand.

Compared to sects like the Taintborn, Skyblight Cult, and Poison Cult, Colddeath is significantly more powerful. That's precisely why Faang Yao and Zhou Cangmin took a keen interest in Colddeath. Despite the swirling rumors, they uncovered that Ann Ziqing is indeed the biological daughter of Ann Wen. However, the identity of Ann Ziqing's mother remains a mystery to all. Even the elders within Colddeath who support Ann Ziqing are in the dark about her maternal lineage.

"Mayor, the relationship between the young master and myself isn't as straightforward as you might think," Ann Ziqing said with a smile, giving a subtle signal to the white fox behind her. With a respectful bow, the white fox drifted away, leaving the two women alone.

"What are you trying to say?" Yuan Lianyao asked, her brow furrowed.

"I would never harm him. Even if I've done things he dislikes, my intentions have always been for his benefit," Ann Ziqing explained, maneuvering her purple divine armor to land at the base of Shadow Mountain. "Had he entered the Blood Pool on Acora Island and joined our Divine Cult, his current realm might have been even higher."

"Moreover, he wouldn't be branded a traitor by the entire Everlands, nor would he be a target for various powers."

"I truly have his best interests at heart; I'm not plotting to harm or kill him," Ann Ziqing earnestly clarified.

"What are you two discussing?"

The Crucible of Evil emerged from within Shadow Mountain, and Yu Yuan, standing inside, looked at the women with astonishment. "Ann Ziqing, what brings you all the way here from the depths of the Land of Terror?" he inquired curiously.

"Is it for this?" Yu Yuan retrieved a red token from his Bracelet of Holding and flicked it with his finger.

The red token zipped toward Ann Ziqing like a streak of blood-red lightning. As it neared the purple divine armor, it burst into a blinding crimson glow, slowing its pace before leisurely approaching Ann Ziqing. It nestled into the fold of her divine armor as if it were a treasured keepsake.

"I didn't come for this token," Ann Ziqing sighed deeply. "I know the young master holds certain views about me, but I'm genuinely concerned for you. Outside Afnetalos, I was merely teasing him; I didn't actually harm you, did I?"

Yu Yuan's face was set in a cold expression as he accused, "You've taken the Glacial Storm Seal!"

Ann Ziqing was unapologetic. "The Glacial Storm Seal from the Obsidian Thunder Sect is very useful to me, and it doesn't belong to you. What's the harm in taking it? Moreover, once this is all over, I intend to return the Glacial Storm Seal to its rightful owner and hand it back to Xie Bin. In his hands, the Thunder Sect would inevitably snatch it away eventually. It's safer with me for the time being." Her words were bold and assertive.

Yu Yuan, however, was not convinced. Shaking his head, he replied, "You entrusted that token to me back in the Embers Sea, and I returned it to you. I need to keep this Bracelet of Holding for now, but when I return to the outside world, I'll purchase a Cosmos Ring from the merchants. When we meet again, I'll make sure to return the bracelet to you."

"Are you trying to sever ties with me, Young Master?" Ann Ziqing was taken aback.

Despite Yu Yuan being widely regarded as a traitor in the Everlands, she had not shunned him. Yet now, it seemed he was the one intent on a decisive break, leaving her feeling unsettled.

"There was never much of a connection to begin with," Yu Yuan stated bluntly.

Ann Ziqing fell into a pensive silence.

She gazed at Yu Yuan, her expression shifting through a myriad of emotions. After a moment, she gave a slight nod, turned, and without a word, she began to walk away.

As she left, a white fox silently reappeared, loyally trailing behind her.

"That white fox is a close confidant of the Ghost King Razses. With her presence, there will be no unforeseen incidents," White Bone emerged from Shadow Mountain and informed Yu Yuan and Yuan Lianyao. "Head to my Shadow Mountain."

"And this place?" Yuan Lianyao inquired.

"I came here to embolden Cuion, to dare her to confront us," White Bone explained. "Now that Cuion is dead, there's no reason to linger."

"Understood," Yuan Lianyao responded, not pressing further.

Inside the Crucible of Evil, Yu Yuan watched Ann Ziqing's retreating figure with a furrowed brow, a peculiar emotion stirring within him. "Could it be that I've made a mistake?"

He vigorously shook his head, dispelling the odd emotion that had taken hold.

"The Divine Lady of the Colddeath Sect agreed to join forces with me to ambush and eliminate Cuion, claiming it was because you were here," White Bone interjected. "She used Shadow Mountain to connect with my remnant soul, insisting that I ensure your safety. She also cautioned me that if I dared to harm you, the Glacial Storm Seal would be unleashed upon Shadow Mountain, where I practice my cultivation."

"I'm not privy to the details of your situation, but she was genuinely concerned for you before her arrival."

Following their discussion in the subterranean stone chamber, a silent pact was formed between the man and the spectre, marking a significant development in their relationship and prompting White Bone to become more communicative.

Beside them, Yuan Lianyao sensed that White Bone, having fostered a rapport with the Ruby Hand Sect, seemed to hold Yu Yuan in even higher regard since emerging.

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