C848 Yu Yuan Requested to See the Evil King!

Chou Muge's mind was sent reeling.

The striking man who introduced himself as Yan Qiling bluntly disclosed his affiliation with Boulderdawn, apparently oblivious to the fact that he was on Skyblight Cult's turf in Eshvehona.

Could Boulderdawn members now strut so boldly across the Land of Quiescence?

Did they no longer regard Devil Palace or Shadow's Keep as threats?

What astonished Chou Muge even more was his inability to discern Yan Qiling's level of cultivation!

Yan Qiling seemed almost otherworldly to him, his vitality cloaked in secrecy and barely perceptible...

Having reached the pinnacle of the Solar Spirit realm and honed his skills in the extraterrestrial Star River, Chou Muge had encountered Sky Fiends and clashed with numerous Otherkin warriors. Yet, Yan Qiling struck him as utterly unique.

So unique, in fact, that Chou Muge couldn't quite determine what Yan Qiling truly was.

"Who is this woman?"

Chou Muge's brow furrowed as he turned his attention to the three Glazed Lamps, peering at the three faint and emaciated phantoms.

As a fellow cultivator of the Skyblight Cult, he had been steeped in the sect's myriad dark arts from a young age, his expertise far surpassing that of the latecomer Lee Tihai.

At a glance, he recognized that the Glazed Lamp's three phantoms represented the same person's three souls of heaven, earth, and man.

This woman hadn't even formed her Lunar Spirit, indicating a low level of cultivation.

Was such a frail woman worth the upheaval Lee Tihai was causing, sparing no expense on precious magic items and depleting his own spiritual path to repeatedly cast the Soul-Igniting Kin-Seeking spell?

The Soul-Igniting Kin-Seeking spell was harmful to both the practitioner and the subject, not to mention the enormous cost. Was it not overkill to employ it on such a feeble woman?

"She's Yu Yuan's mother," Lee Tihai revealed with a sense of resignation.

Chou Muge, unable to penetrate Yan Qiling's mysteries, knew that the less adept Lee Tihai was even less likely to discern the truth. Needing Chou Muge's cooperation, Lee Tihai couldn't afford to keep secrets.

"Yu Yuan?" Chou Muge grew increasingly astonished. "When did you take Yu Yuan's mother captive? And since when does the Skyblight Cult have such a vendetta against him?"

"There are some things you're completely unaware of, and there's no need for me to explain," Lee Tihai said coldly to Yan Qiling. "I want Yu Yuan's life in exchange for her freedom. How about that for a deal?"

Chou Muge's face was a mask of solemnity.

Yan Qiling looked at Lee Tihai with an enigmatic smile. "Don't you think that's a bit unreasonable?"

"I'm not sure what level of cultivator you are, but I doubt you can take me down instantly," Lee Tihai sneered with a malicious grin. "My soul mark is within all three Glazed Lamps. Unless I die in an instant, without even a moment to release a single thought, I can obliterate her three souls!"

Yan Qiling nodded gently. "It's precisely because I'm aware of this that I'm speaking to you with patience, rather than resorting to violence."

"She's my trump card. Only Yu Yuan's life will suffice; no other terms will be accepted," Lee Tihai declared adamantly.

"Is that the case?" Yan Qiling drew out his words, then sighed lightly. "Well, if that's how it is, I have no other option but to summon Yu Yuan."

With a mere flicker of his intent, a call was made.

The next moment, a resounding voice echoed from outside Eshvehona: "From the Silvermoon Empire, at Asvetaesi Town, Yu Yuan seeks an audience!"

"Yu Yuan!"

In Eshvehona, amidst the crowd of onlookers from the Skyblight Cult, someone exclaimed in surprise.

"Nandou, is that Yu Yuan outside Asvetaesi the same one you've been talking about?"

A burly man with an innocent look turned to Qi Nandou, whose grace resembled that of a woman, his curiosity piqued. "Is it really him? You've been singing his praises ever since you returned from the Embers Sea! Is that him?"

"Judging by the voice, it seems to be him," Qi Nandou replied, his expression odd.

He had returned to the Skyblight Cult from the depths of the Embers Sea, where the Profound Gate had shattered, and the Ethereal Vial had broken. He had expected ridicule for his bedraggled state.

Yet, to his surprise, surviving and returning was in itself a testament to his strength.

With the rebellion of Hei Xun, the Guardian of Devil Palace, the emergence of the Abyssal Leviathan, and the ascension of the Blood Altar, a series of cataclysmic events unfolded. Tang Cen perished, and the majority of the trial-takers from Euwrea and the Land of Quiescence were decimated.

Qi Nandou had been injured but not killed, and he had managed to put his abilities to good use. What did this signify?

It meant that his capabilities were truly exceptional!

Not long afterward, his master took matters into his own hands and visited the Skyreach Consortium to purchase a pill that could repair the acupoints of the Profound Gate, aiding in his full recovery.

He had turned misfortune into a blessing, advancing rapidly. In just a few short years, he had even condensed a Lunar Spirit.

Now, he was slightly ahead of Yu Yuan in terms of cultivation, having reached the middle period of the Lunar Spirit Stage.

"Should we let him in or not?"

Within the Ashlar Basilica, Yan Qiling did not glance at Lee Tihai but instead smiled and sought Chou Muge's opinion.

At that moment, Chou Muge was the highest in cultivation within Eshvehona and also held an official status within the Skyblight Cult, unlike Lee Tihai, who was an external counselor.

"If he dares to come, why would the Skyblight Cult turn him away?" Chou Muge's voice boomed through the hall as he declared, "Let the young man enter Eshvehona!"

"Understood!"

Someone responded, lifting the restriction and proceeding to welcome Yu Yuan.

Soon after, Yu Yuan, clad in black, made his solitary entrance into Eshvehona, drawing the gaze of many onlookers.

"So it really is you."

Qi Nandou stepped forward, facing the Skyblight Cult's disciples and their families, and gave Yu Yuan a profound look, remarking, "It's been a while."

"Qi Nandou?"

Yu Yuan was taken aback, not expecting to encounter his former comrade-in-arms from the Embers Sea here in Eshvehona.

He had always remembered Qi Nandou well and harbored no ill will toward him. He had even felt a pang of regret when Qi Nandou had suffered severe injuries and his artifact had been damaged.

"Congratulations, not only have you healed from your wounds, but your cultivation has also soared impressively."

With Yu Yuan's keen perception, a single glance was enough to assess Qi Nandou's combat strength and cultivation level.

"It seems my cultivation level is just a notch above yours, but when it comes to the speed of cultivation, you surpass me," Qi Nandou humbly admitted. "Back in the Embers Sea, I was at the Subtlety level, and you were merely at Veil Breaking. Ah, let's not dwell on the past. What brings you to Eshvehona so unexpectedly?"

Yu Yuan was well-known in Afnetalos for leaving the city alone and joining forces with Zu Ann. His recent challenge to the Ghost Kings in the Land of Terror alongside White Bone had led to the downfall of Dhoreus and thwarted the schemes of the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep. His name had become as renowned as thunder.

Qi Nandou, reflecting on his former ally's widespread fame, was filled with mixed emotions. Learning that even Cao Jiaze of the Ebon Star had met with failure in the Land of Terror only intensified his belief in Yu Yuan's extreme menace.

Yet, Qi Nandou couldn't help but wonder, shouldn't Yu Yuan have remained in the Land of Terror? Venturing out at such a precarious time seemed akin to seeking one's own demise. His mind teemed with questions.

"Senior Lee Tihai of the Skyblight Cult has taken my mother's soul captive and compelled me to come here using the Soul-Igniting Kin-Seeking technique," Yu Yuan declared, his icy stare sweeping over everyone before resting on the Ashlar Basilica. "I didn't come to the Skyblight Cult looking for trouble; I was forced to come."

Qi Nandou's face paled. "How could this be?"

"Do you really think I'd deceive you?" Yu Yuan countered.

At that, Qi Nandou was rendered speechless.

The revelation stirred a commotion among the Skyblight Cult disciples. They all understood the sinister nature of the Soul-Igniting Kin-Seeking technique—a method capable of binding Yu Yuan's mother's soul and leveraging it against him. What could possibly be the root of such deep-seated enmity between Lee Tihai and Yu Yuan?

Their gazes instinctively turned to the gray stone palace, each pair of eyes brimming with questions.

"I'll take you there," Qi Nandou finally said, after a moment's hesitation. He began to lead the way, signaling for Yu Yuan to follow.

Unfazed, Yu Yuan strode forward with confidence.

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