C851 The Black and White

Eshvehona.

The cultivators of the Skyblight Cult, now fully exposed due to the collapse of the Ashlar Basilica, were visibly unsettled upon hearing that their Sect Master, Yun Hao, was on his way. Chou Muge and Lyu Geng exchanged a glance, their expressions grave.

Chou Muge discreetly cast a series of intricate spells, securing three Glazed Lamps into the pocket dimension within his sleeve for safekeeping. All eyes naturally turned towards the mountains.

There, the spiritual energy roiled from deep within, surging towards Eshvehona like a tidal wave. Amidst this tumultuous energy, a bright orb shone with a star-like brilliance. Upon closer inspection, one could see innumerable phantoms drifting within the orb.

"The Skytaint Orb!"

"It's indeed the Sect Master!"

The sight of the orb was all it took for them to realize that Lee Tihai hadn't been fabricating tales. Mr. Yun, who was supposed to be engaged in battles across the Star River, had secretly returned to the sect. And they had been none the wiser.

The fact that Lee Tihai was in the know implied a deeper connection. It suggested that upon his return, Yun Hao had confided in Lee Tihai, indicating a level of trust placed in him. This realization brought a pang of melancholy to many who had stayed behind in Eshvehona.

Most of those who hadn't ventured into the mountain depths were the underachievers of the Skyblight Cult, marginalized and ostracized from the inner circles. They were the fringe members of the sect, and Lyu Geng was their epitome.

Lyu Geng, discontent with some of Yun Hao's policies, had voiced his objections during sect meetings, earning the Sect Master's displeasure. As a result, he was relegated to menial positions and denied access to the sect's most valuable cultivation resources.

With a talent that was hardly remarkable, Lyu Geng's progress had stalled in the early stages of the Solar Spirit Realm, not even matching Lee Tihai, who had started as an independent cultivator. Disheartened, Lyu Geng seldom visited the sect's sacred grounds, preferring to remain in Eshvehona, where he mentored his kin, investing his hopes in the next generation.

Many residents of Eshvehona, much like Lyu Geng, found little success within their sect.

Individuals such as Chou Muge, who possessed exceptional strength and did not depend on the sect's resources, were able to thrive on their own. However, these self-sufficient types were a rarity.

Perhaps that's why the elders of the Skyblight Cult, like Lyu Geng, longed for the days when the Evil King reigned in glory.

They could never quite forget those times.

Whoosh!

Yan Qiling casually positioned himself next to Yu Yuan and covertly communicated, urging him to keep the Crucible of Evil active. "Yun Hao is a late-period Unbound cultivator. If his remnant soul launches a surprise attack on your Mindscape, it would be nearly impossible for you to fend it off."

The Crucible of Evil, a wondrous Horcrux, ensured that Yu Yuan wouldn't be destroyed by a mere thought from Yun Hao.

As long as the Crucible of Evil could provide even a moment's protection, Yan Qiling would have enough time to intervene. Yu Yuan's immediate demise was not a concern.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a burly middle-aged man with a commanding presence and striking features materialized before Lee Tihai.

"Sect Master!"

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

"Sect Master, when did you return?"

Upon his appearance, everyone from Eshvehona promptly bowed in respect.

Chou Muge and Lyu Geng also bent at the waist, showing their deference.

As members of the Skyblight Cult, they were obliged to follow the sect's protocol and pay their respects to Yun Hao, lest they give him a pretext for reprimand.

"Yun Hao..."

Yu Yuan maintained his composure and coolly observed the Sect Master of the Skyblight Cult.

In his past life as the God of Medicine, Hong Qi, he had encountered Yun Hao.

Their acquaintance was limited, however; Yun Hao had simply represented the Skyblight Cult in forging a deal with the Order of Healing to secure a regular supply of special pills for the sect's disciples' cultivation.

Beyond that, there was no personal connection between them.

Hong Qi's life was remarkably brief, shining brightly in the Order of Healing's glory for merely a few decades.

During that time, Yun Hao was preoccupied with advancing to the later stages of the Unbound realm. He was either in deep seclusion within the Everlands or active in the starry expanse of the extraterrestrial realms.

As a result, he wasn't well-acquainted with Yun Hao and lacked a deeper understanding of him.

In this lifetime, born into the Yu family of Asvetaesi, he learned they were descendants of the Evil King and, upon uncovering certain secrets, his perspective on Yun Hao shifted dramatically.

Yun Hao, a figure of noble bearing, exuded integrity. Had he not been privy to the truth, he might have doubted whether Lee Tihai's master was indeed who he claimed to be.

"What's the matter?"

As soon as Yun Hao spoke, the torrent of spiritual energy rushing toward Eshvehona abruptly ceased.

The Skytaint Orb shimmered in and out of visibility within the depths of the spiritual energy.

Yu Yuan couldn't help but fix his gaze on the boundless ocean of spiritual energy, catching fleeting glimpses of the Skytaint Orb.

His keen senses detected that deep within the cloud sea, inside the Skytaint Orb, there were at least a thousand Banes connected to the Crucible of Evil, itching to make their move.

These Banes longed to break free from the Skytaint Orb and the cloud sea's confines to infiltrate the Crucible of Evil.

Yet, having been subjugated for far too long, they harbored an innate fear of Yun Hao. The Skytaint Orb held them in an iron grip, and any attempt at rebellion would lead to their instant dissolution.

Thus, the multitude of Banes could only emit secret pleas for rescue.

They pinned their hopes on Yu Yuan, the current master of the Crucible of Evil, to liberate them in this world.

"Sect Master, here's the situation," Lee Tihai began, bowing with a sycophantic grin. "Hasn't the Yu family of Asvetaesi forsaken the Everlands to collude with the Otherkin and the Star-Spawned Terror? I've also heard that he thwarted the schemes of the Devil Palace and Shadow's Keep in the Land of Terror, which has greatly enraged Lord Zhu."

Years ago, I inadvertently imprisoned the soul of a woman, who turned out to be his mother."

"I employed the Soul-Igniting Kin-Seeking spell to draw him to Eshvehona with the intent of capturing him and taking him to the Devil Palace for interrogation."

"Then..."

Lee Tihai was about to continue when Chou Muge cut in, "The Yu family from Asvetaesi are descendants of the Evil King!"

Yun Hao was visibly stunned, as though this was new information to him. "What? The Yu family from Asvetaesi are descendants of my mentor?!"

Lyu Geng confirmed with a solemn nod, "Indeed, they are."

Yun Hao inhaled sharply, his gaze fixed on Lee Tihai with anger. "Were you aware of this?!"

Lee Tihai, understanding the gravity of the situation, quickly bowed his head and began to explain, "Mr. Yun, I wouldn't dare commit such an atrocity knowing full well that the Yu family descended from the Evil King. I was completely unaware until Yu Yuan himself approached me, revealing the lineage. Only then did everything become clear."

"Once I learned of the Yu family's connection to the Evil King, I promptly surrendered the three Glazed Lamps when Boss Chou demanded them."

He opened his hands, looking rather aggrieved as he complained to Yun Hao, "But let's be clear, the Yu family is one thing, and Yu Yuan is another. Yu Yuan has been branded a traitor by the three upper sects, the Devil Palace, and Shadow's Keep. We can't simply overlook his actions because of his family ties, can we?"

"If the Devil Palace, Shadow's Keep, and the upper sects find out, we'd be at a loss to explain!"

Every independent cultivator who has achieved the Solar Spirit level is no ordinary individual. Lee Tihai, who had ascended to this level through years of cunning and ruthless tactics, had earned Yun Hao's favor for good reason.

"I implore you to punish me, Sect Master! I was ignorant of the fact that the Yu family is related to your esteemed mentor. For my actions, I deserve the severest of penalties!"

Lyu Geng, Chou Muge, and all the members of the Skyblight Cult present exchanged peculiar glances as they observed Lee Tihai.

Anyone with half a mind would realize that Yu Yuan's mother's imprisonment was no accident. Yet now, Lee Tihai had washed his hands of the matter entirely.

"Even if you were unaware before, your careless actions have brought shame upon my mentor's family!" Yun Hao, his face twisted with rage, pointed at Lee Tihai and rebuked him fiercely. He then decreed, "You are sentenced to thirty years of seclusion at the Cliff of Repentance to atone for your misdeeds!"

Lee Tihai nodded rapidly, like a pecking hen. "It's only right. I acknowledge my error."

Yun Hao inhaled deeply, steadying the tumult within him. He extended his hand toward Chou Muge and said, "Muge, the three Glazed Lamps contain the wives of my mentor's descendants. Entrust them to my care. I will find a way to heal her spirit so she can safely return to the Yu family."

Chou Muge's face flickered with indecision, and he did not respond right away.

Yun Hao did not press him, instead shifting his gaze to Yu Yuan. "Though you are of the Yu family, you have committed far too many acts that harm the Everlands. In the name of my mentor and on behalf of half the Yu family, I banish you! From this moment forth, you are no longer a member of the Yu family, nor a descendant of my mentor!"

"From now on, you are simply Yu Yuan, with no ties to the Evil King!"

No sooner had he spoken than a Silver Rainbow Shuttle glided silently across the cloud sea. The Dark Herald, shrouded in shadow, emerged from within. "Since there's no longer any connection to the Evil King, my Devil Palace will take you back for thorough questioning."

Her words dovetailed perfectly with Yun Hao's, their collaboration seamless.

​