C770 The Hero of the Generation

After many years, his hand-chosen disciple had become the son-in-law of his senior brother, Zhong Chichen.

Yu Yuan could tell from the way the fourth-ranked Spectre in the Land of Terror spoke obsequiously to Chu Yao that Chu Yao had certainly become a sought-after figure within the Order of Healing.

On his journey from Afnetalos in Aetherius to the Land of Quiescence, he had anticipated the possibility of encountering acquaintances.

For cultivators who reach the Veil Breaking stage, their breath of life undergoes a significant transformation, granting them an extended lifespan.

Three hundred years might be beyond the reach of mortals, but for early cultivators like his senior brother Zhong Chichen, Luo Yue, and Chu Yao, it wasn't an exceptionally long time.

This continent, where he had spent much of his past life, was home to many of his connections.

He was certain that an extended stay in the Land of Quiescence would lead to familiar encounters.

Yet, he hadn't expected to run into Luo Yue and now Chu Yao so soon, right in the Land of Terror.

Yu Yuan composed himself, methodically quelling the dark mood that had begun to rise within him.

Imdohr was still around, following Chu Yao's commands. Yu Yuan had learned from Yu Yiyi that this Spectre was particularly troublesome.

Without the aid of the Frost Queen and relying solely on the power of the Blood Moon and the Bane, victory seemed unlikely.

Yu Yuan committed to maintaining his composure while multitasking, pondering how to refine the execution of Spiritrend.

Could a full-force Spiritrend intimidate Imdohr into retreat?

"Chu Yao!"

Yuan Lianyao's demeanor shifted subtly as her soul spirit form edged closer to Yu Yuan, her voice tinged with concern: "Yu Yuan, he's the head of the Order of Healing, Zhong Chichen's disciple, and a cultivator in the late period of Spirit Walk. How do you know him? Is there bad blood between you?"

She was intimately familiar with Yu Yuan, and being so near, she had picked up on the pronounced shift in his emotions, leading her to speculate.

Yu Yuan, Chu Yao has been practicing for over three hundred years, yet he hasn't managed to form a Solar Spirit. He might seem unremarkable, but there's actually a reason for that," Yuan Lianyao said in a low voice. "Rumor has it he's on the verge of becoming a Divine Level herbalist!"

"Most of his efforts and time have been devoted to pill refining, which is why his progress in cultivation has been somewhat slow. The master of the Order of Healing, Zhong Chichen, hasn't crafted pills for years. Those seeking rare, high-grade pills from the Order of Healing rely on Chu Yao for their creation."

"Currently, he holds immense prestige throughout the Everlands. The cultivators from the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep all hold him in high regard, and some even seek him out for his pills."

"We really shouldn't provoke someone like him."

Yuan Lianyao's face, though beautiful, was etched with a sense of bitterness and resignation.

"Even if our cultivation surpasses his, Lord Faang Yao and the state preceptor, our status still falls short," she sighed softly. "The Ruby Hand is unlikely to cross Chu Yao on my account."

Deep down, she couldn't accept it, but Yuan Lianyao knew this was the stark reality.

Chu Yao, with his exquisite alchemical prowess and his connection to Zhong Chichen, was a powerbroker whom everyone sought to ingratiate themselves with.

The more advanced the cultivator and the more powerful the sect, the more they needed to foster good relations with someone like Chu Yao.

The Ruby Hand would not risk a feud with Chu Yao for her sake.

Yu Yuan's expression was stern as he gave a slight nod.

He had taken note that after Chu Yao had dropped those words, he had arrogantly flown towards the rear of Shadow Mountain, apparently intending to take a break and leave Imdohr to deal with him and Yuan Lianyao.

This indicated that Chu Yao was merely curious about them and didn't truly consider them a threat.

This realization only added layers to Yu Yuan's already complex feelings.

To think that someone on the cusp of becoming a Divine Level herbalist, poised to take over as the master of the Order of Healing, held such an esteemed status – how could he be unaware?

In the vast Everlands, a herbalist capable of producing Divine Level pills was everything!

Not even Faang Yao, the current master of the Ruby Hand, or Mo Yan's father, could afford to dismiss Chu Yao without a second thought!

After all, even the mightiest cultivators at the Primordial Spirit Realm might find themselves in dire need of a Divine Level pill at a crucial moment.

Such a pill could make even the most self-assured Unbound Realm cultivator yearn for it, compelling a Primordial Spirit Realm powerhouse to humble themselves in its pursuit!

Indeed, three hundred years hence, Chu Yao had become the most brilliant beacon in all the land!

"I must get to the bottom of this!"

Yu Yuan's mind was ablaze with determination as he resolved to uncover whether Chu Yao had played a part in the flawed Reincarnation Pill.

Zu Ann had mentioned that after his "death" in a past life, his two hand-chosen disciples vanished without a trace.

Zu Ann harbored suspicions that Chu Yao had either secretly detained or stealthily eliminated his two closest disciples.

Their disappearance coincided with Chu Yao's marriage to Zhong Chichen's treasured daughter, marking the start of a new and illustrious chapter, their ascent to the celestial heights.

"You're the first to go."

Amidst Yu Yuan's contemplative state, the Spectre, whose soul resided within the 28 blackwood pearls, abruptly set its sights on Yuan Lianyao.

"If Brother Chu has decreed it, then your demise is sanctioned, and the Ruby Hand will not intervene."

Imdohr's phantoms emerged vividly from the blackwood pearls, their focus intently settling on Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit.

The Spectre, with its 28 visages, seemed to stare down Yuan Lianyao.

And then there was Yu Yuan!

Suddenly, Yu Yuan's head spun, his pupils swirling with phantoms, as a malevolent spiritual force surged through the Crucible of Evil and took hold of him.

He was instantly bewildered, his identity slipping from his grasp.

"Come forth."

Imdohr beckoned softly, but Yu Yuan remained still. However, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit heeded the call, emerging from the crucible and soaring towards the Spectre.

"I've had a change of heart. Imprison this young woman; I'll take her with me later," Chu Yao's indifferent voice echoed from behind Shadow Mountain.

Hearing this, Imdohr, who was on the verge of erasing Yuan Lianyao's soul, let out a ghastly laugh and refrained from further comment.

With a whoosh, Yuan Lianyao's Lunar Spirit Body plummeted into a blackwood bead and vanished from sight. Simultaneously, the twenty-eight souls of Imdohr emerged from the bead, coalescing into an immense ghostly figure. A string of blackwood beads, reminiscent of a necklace, adorned Imdohr's neck.

The towering Imdohr, standing a hundred zhang tall, nonchalantly seized the massive sickle resting at Shadow Mountain and cleaved through the air towards the Crucible of Evil. "It seems I couldn't summon it from the cauldron. Hmm, I detect another soul's presence. It must be the artifact soul of this crucible. Excellent, the artifact soul of a Divine Artifact will serve as a substantial nourishment for me!"

As the sickle made its descent, a sinister, grey stream surged forward, as if a dense cloud of Yin Qi had taken form, and assaulted Yu Yuan. The protective glow of the Crucible of Evil, enveloping Yu Yuan, sizzled and fizzled under the onslaught, as though it were being eaten away by sulfuric acid, leaving a gaping hole in the shield.

In a swift motion, the brilliance of the sickle's strike burst forth, aiming directly for the breach and speeding toward Yu Yuan's brow.

"The sword spell you cast earlier was formidable, but it lacked follow-through," Imdohr cackled, shaking his head mockingly. "I have no use for the Crucible of Evil, but I can certainly trade it for some precious magic items. And as for Yu Yuan, should I slay him, I wonder if the upper sects, the Devil Palace, and the Shadow's Keep would thank me with lavish gifts?"

Chu Yao interjected, "He carries the scent of Sunsorrow within him. Keep an eye out; I desire his remains."

"What Chu commands, shall be," came the reply.

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