C756

Yu Yuan and Cao Jiaze had never crossed paths before. So when this rising star of the Ebon Star, at the height of his influence, unexpectedly extended an olive branch, Yu Yuan found it both surprising and inexplicable.

A majestic palace, conjured from the Mark of the Celestials, suddenly bridged the distance between them. The palace, with its intricately carved balustrades and painted eaves, revealed an abundance of fine decorations upon closer inspection. Even more captivating was the strange, soul-protecting light that blossomed within, creating a sense of sanctuary.

Cao Jiaze's visage materialized before Yu Yuan. Towering in stature, he was clad in a simple green robe, his broad shoulders setting him apart from the crowd. Although his features were not strikingly handsome, his eyes shone with an extraordinary brightness. Despite appearing to be in his early thirties, there was an air about him of having weathered countless storms, a resilience that seemed unshakable by the world's tribulations.

Adorning his finger was a dragon-shaped Cosmos Ring, its golden brilliance impossible to overlook. Leaning on a white jade balustrade, Cao Jiaze leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest as he spoke, "Yu Yuan, I'm not toying with you. Just be honest with me—if you have no ties to Zu Ann or the archdemon Green Willow, and no dealings with the Star-Spawned Terror or Otherkin, I'm truly willing to find a way to clear your name and welcome you into the Ebon Star for cultivation."

"Kid, you'd better thank him quickly!" A Lunar Spirit with a chilling presence behind Cao Jiaze murmured. The aura suggested a connection to the Winter's Bite.

"A lad from Asvetaesi, what merits do you have to earn his esteem? If he holds you in such high regard and you've been wronged, then make things clear without delay!"

"If you wish to remain in the Everlands, come to this palace willingly!"

The Lunar Spirits, each aligned with different sects from across Euwrea and gathered in this palace, clamored for Yu Yuan to express his gratitude to Cao Jiaze. A particularly volatile spirit from Winter's Bite, gaunt and with a forbidding demeanor, was vociferous in his reproach, accusing Yu Yuan of ingratitude and ignorance of his own good fortune.

Unperturbed, Yu Yuan simply inquired, "Why?"

"You and I are quite alike," Cao Jiaze replied with a smile. "Your talent for cultivation surpasses mine, but our experiences share many parallels. In truth, I didn't have the backing of any sect's resources. It was only after enduring numerous grueling trials that I emerged with distinction and caught the sect master's attention."

"I understand your background. Born without the backing of any sect, you've risen from the Moonfall Sanctuary, step by step, to your current level of mastery and power."

"You and I are cut from the same cloth, which is why I want to lend you a hand."

His demeanor was earnest.

He had thoroughly researched Yu Yuan's history and determined that, with the support of a sect like Ebon Star, Yu Yuan could quickly become as distinguished as he was.

His own roots in the Ebon Star Sect were somewhat shallow, and in these tumultuous times, he sought to ally with others like himself to pursue grand ambitions.

Yu Yuan hadn't pledged himself to any sect yet. If he had no ties to Zu Ann or Green Willow, Jiaze genuinely hoped to use his resources to bolster Yu Yuan's strength.

Then, once Yu Yuan grew powerful, he would become Jiaze's right-hand man, aiding him in ascending to the pinnacle of the Ebon Star Sect.

Yu Yuan reflected briefly, then shook his head, decisively declining: "I appreciate your offer, but I don't need your help to clear up any misunderstandings, nor do I wish to train with the Ebon Star Sect."

"Kid, do you realize what you're passing up?"

"You really don't recognize a good opportunity!"

"You must be aware deep down that you've already been conspiring with Zu Ann and the archdemon Green Willow, haven't you?"

Accusations and insults flew.

The cultivators from Euwrea, arriving as Lunar Spirits within and outside the palace, regarded Yu Yuan with deep-seated hostility. The gleam in their eyes betrayed a profound greed.

Yu Yuan, having dealt with Faang Yingzi and Lin Yue, recognized the look all too well.

He simply smiled, offering no explanation.

"No pressure."

Cao Jiaze was somewhat taken aback by his decision but refrained from further persuasion. After a moment's thought, he added, "We will back Thoaos. All the sects across Euwrea will fully support Thoaos's ascension to the God of Ghosts."

The Land of Terror, located in the Land of Quiescence, was home to ghosts that traditionally shunned the sects of Euwrea.

Not once had the three upper sects managed to convince any Ghost King to align with them.

In legend, Thoaos was associated only with Winter's Bite among the seven lower sects, yet he never publicly acknowledged this connection.

This time, Thoaos was aware that Black Staff, Razses, and Taruer had the support of Devil Palace, Colddeath, and Shadow's Keep, respectively. Thus, seizing the rare chance to ascend to a God of Ghosts, he broke precedent and began collaborating with the sects of Euwrea.

Cao Jiaze represented the Euwrea Continent.

"Your choices are of no concern to me," Yu Yuan stated calmly.

"We part ways here, until we meet again," Cao Jiaze said, standing erect and giving a gentle wave. The palace, conjured from the Mark of the Celestials, sped away.

"Cao Jiaze?"

"Yu Yuan is a traitor of the Everlands, wielding the Crucible of Evil. Can we really kill him?"

"Are we just going to overlook this?"

As the palace neared the Crucible of Evil, the Lunar Spirit guests from various sects erupted in protest.

"Act as if you've never seen it," Cao Jiaze expressed his stance.

With a whoosh, the grand palace glided past where Yu Yuan stood with the Crucible of Evil.

Many Lunar Spirits, having departed the palace, gazed back at Yu Yuan and the Crucible of Evil with longing before sighing and disappearing back into the palace.

Before long, the enigmatic palace vanished from sight.

"Why did he try to entice you to join the Ebon Star Sect?" Lee Yuchan finally blurted out after a pause, her eyes brimming with astonishment. "To the outside world, you're already a traitor. Why would he go out of his way for you? Or was it just a passing remark?"

"I'm not him; I can't say what's on his mind," Yu Yuan replied nonchalantly. "What puzzles me is his lack of aggression after I declined. I was ready for a fierce struggle."

Cao Jiaze possessed the cultivation level of Spirit Walk and, like Yu Yuan, had arrived in his real body. Facing Cao Jiaze, Yu Yuan felt an involuntary sense of oppression in both his aura and spirit.

Deep down, he was acutely aware of the vast gulf in their realms. This Ebon Star Sect luminary was likely far more powerful than him at present.

He possessed the Crucible of Evil and a scabbard, and had mastered the art of Spirit Magic. He was confident that Cao Jiaze was equally formidable.

When the combatants are evenly matched in terms of weapons and spells, the true determining factor of their combat strength lies in the level of their Divine Visage.

Yu Yuan had achieved Subtlety, while Cao Jiaze was adept in Spirit Walk. The disparity in their cultivation levels was significant.

"We should leave Wangchuan's domain and find a new location," Yu Yuan decided.

Upon witnessing the palace that emerged from the Mark of the Celestials, Yu Yuan felt a sense of unease. It seemed to him that the palace was pursuing Wangchuan. "I may not know much about Cao Jiaze, but I am certain that anyone who can reach the Land of Terror using their real body is no ordinary individual."

"He's not just extraordinary; he's considered the strongest below the Solar Spirit level!" Lee Yuchan exclaimed.

"What? The strongest below the Solar Spirit level? Who declared that?" Yu Yuan asked, his expression turning grave.

"The sect masters of the upper sects, along with the leader of the Devil Palace, all share this view," Lee Yuchan explained, taking a deep breath. "Aside from the Dark Deity of Shadow's Keep, who hasn't made a statement, the four other great powers concur. Even Zhou Cangmin from the Ruby Hand, during his time in the Spirit Walk stage, was deemed inferior to him."

"Even when Zhou Cangmin was in the late period of the Spirit Walk stage and Cao Jiaze was in the middle period, the consensus remained the same."

"However, Zhou Cangmin soon advanced to the Solar Spirit level. After returning to the Ruby Hand, he ventured into the extraterrestrial Star River, while Cao Jiaze was still in the late period of the Spirit Walk stage, struggling to condense his Solar Spirit. In terms of cultivation talent, he doesn't match Zhou Cangmin, progressing more slowly."

"Yet, at any given level, he is considered to be significantly stronger than his peers."

With a whoosh, a wraith silently materialized, transforming into Jiang Xingwen, "She's right. At any given level, Cao Jiaze has always been the strongest!"

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