C864 Under the Yu Family's Underground

Kin Rourou lay on the emerald jade bed, her expression tranquil and her breathing steady. After Yan Qiling infused her Consciousness Little World through the acupoint on her forehead with a soul that harmonized with the universe, her heartbeat quickened slightly. Previously, her heart would beat only once over many hours, as if she were in a deep, turtle-like hibernation. But now, with her soul reunited with her body, her heartbeat had accelerated several-fold, and her blood flow and life force were swiftly revitalizing.

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes and discerned a faint green Jade Spirit Turtle nestled at the center of her dantian's Profound Gate, like a sentinel safeguarding her vital energy. This Jade Spirit Turtle was, in fact, a Heaven Level pellet designed to preserve the body's spirit and vitality. It must be Shi Yuxuan's handiwork. The Turtle Spirit Pill, crafted from forty-nine rare herbs and the blood essence of an eighth-level Jade Spirit Turtle, created a miniature world of Qi and blood within her, continuously emanating vitality to sustain her physical health. This single pill was a testament to Shi Yuxuan's deep affection for her.

Yu Yuan, detecting the fragrance of medicinal herbs, identified four additional pellets that had been taken over a long period to soothe the soul and steady the mind. Her body's remarkable preservation, even after her soul's departure, was the result of these pellets. Yu Yuan silently acknowledged their effect.

"Let her soul and body merge without interference from external forces," Yan Qiling instructed, withdrawing her hand and advising the Medicine Sect's leader. "The slower the soul fusion, the better. Her soul and body have been apart for too long. And since she's only reached the Penetrating Stage, not the Yin God level, she'll need more time to adjust."

Shi Yuxuan expressed his gratitude with a bow, his face earnest.

"In no more than a couple of months, your mother should awaken," Yan Qiling reassured, clapping Yu Yuan on the shoulder. "As for what truly happened back then, and your father's current state, you can ask her once she regains consciousness."

Yu Yuan, containing the tumult of his emotions, continued to gaze at his mother's form in silence.

"Come on, I'm taking you to Darkmoon City."

Yan Qiling seemed eager to help Yu Yuan sort out his family and emotional ties in this life, allowing little time for dwelling on feelings. She grabbed his hand and led him outside, saying, "It's better for you to understand the many mysteries sooner rather than later."

And with that, they departed.

"Rou Rou, you're alright now. You're going to wake up soon."

The sect master of the Medicine Sect stood by the bedside, bending over with eyes brimming with tenderness and compassion. "Child, don't resent your uncle for being harsh. I truly believed Yu Jue wasn't good enough for you. If only I had known the Yu family were descendants of the Evil King, if only I had realized the potential of your child with him, perhaps..."

Shi Yuxuan's sighs filled the room.

"Sect Master?"

Bai Shenshen, who had remained quiet until now, hesitated at the edge of the conversation.

It took a moment before Shi Yuxuan shifted his gaze from Kin Rourou and faced her. "What's on your mind?"

"Sect Master, you must be aware of how extraordinary Yu Yuan is today," Bai Shenshen said, her voice low, her heart still reeling from the revelation. "He claims to be the successor of the Medicine God Hong Qi, and that the Yu family descends from the Evil King. The master of the Absence Relic was someone he rescued from Chilly Wind Valley. And I've heard that now he..."

"Regardless of how that young man resents me, by our family's hierarchy, he should address me as his granduncle!" Shi Yuxuan declared, his head held high. "Once Rourou awakens, we'll have much to discuss. Given his lineage from the Medicine God Sect and as a direct successor of the Medicine God, we at the Medicine Sect can certainly leverage this connection."

"Sect Master intends to?" Bai Shenshen asked, caught off guard.

"There's a bigger picture you're not seeing," Shi Yuxuan inhaled deeply, his tone softening. "The Boundless Land has undergone monumental changes. The new emperor of the Silvermoon Empire visited recently, painting a vision of a new future. I initially thought him mad, spouting lunacy."

He paused, his expression turning bitter, "But as of late, I've delved deeper and have come to realize that much of what Yan Gui spoke of is indeed coming to pass."

"Yu Yuan, that kid, Yan Gui has brought him up several times. He must be aware of Rourou's situation by now."

Bai Shenshen exclaimed in surprise, "Sect Master, you're not considering... betrayal, are you?"

"Silence!"

Shi Yuxuan shot her a fierce glare.

Bai Shenshen immediately fell silent.

"Choose your words wisely, and keep a closer watch on the affairs beyond our borders," Shi Yuxuan huffed, "particularly concerning the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area and the nearby Desolate Swamp."

"Understood."

...

In Darkmoon City, at the Yu Family residence, the night was as dark as ink. Using Yan Qiling's secret arts, Yu Yuan had instantly traveled from the Medicine Sect at Jade Peak to this place.

He stood in the overgrown courtyard, extending his soul consciousness, yet detected no signs of life.

"Is that Yu Yuan?"

Suddenly, a surge of soul consciousness burst forth from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion.

Caught off guard, Yu Yuan heard the other quickly identify himself, "Hold on a moment, it's Yan Yu!"

With that thought, the image of a robust, full-figured woman whose armor could scarcely contain her sprang to Yu Yuan's mind. "She's in Darkmoon City."

"Of course, she's the one running Darkmoon City now," Yan Qiling said with a nod and a smile.

It wasn't long before the burly Yan Yu, whose strong build was as formidable as any man's, approached from the City Lord's Mansion. She wore a flowing robe and silver rings on her feet, which shone like twin silver moons under the night sky.

Sensing an unusual surge of Spiritual Energy, many of Darkmoon City's new residents came out to gaze up at her in awe.

"City Lord, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"It looks like she's heading to the Yu family!"

"The Yu family?"

With the Gao and Zhao families gone, many other families and cultivators from different cities had moved into Darkmoon City, shifting their allegiance to the new emperor.

Even the city's half-bloods, with their peculiar bloodlines, watched Yan Yu with curiosity.

Moments later, Yan Yu landed with a thud in the Yu family courtyard, right in front of Yu Yuan. She shared a beaming smile with Yan Qiling before saying, "Yu Yuan, Elfview has been claimed by Yu Zhu from the Absence Relic. I've sent for them, hoping the Yu family will make their return to Darkmoon City."

Pointing in the direction she had come from, she said, "The position of City Lord is ready for the taking, and your grandfather is welcome to fill it."

"The Gao family has been dealt with; their patriarch is dead. And as for the Zhan and Zhao families, given your special relationship with them, we merely expelled them without resorting to harsher actions."

She got straight to the point, "The Silvermoon Empire has undergone a complete transformation, much like the Luan Bird Empire. I suspect you're more familiar with the specifics than I am. Consider whether it's time to invite the Yu family back."

Yu Cann declined her invitation, citing the need for consideration.

"Did a lot happen while I was in Horror Land?" Yu Yuan inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Not too much," Yan Yu responded cheerfully. "The Empress, after emerging from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, sought out our Yan family patriarch in secret. Subsequently, he declared that the Devil Moon Empire would revert to its former name, the Silvermoon Empire. The Yan family has severed ties with the Devil Palace and aligned with the Divine Soul Sect."

"Where is Her Majesty now?" Yu Yuan asked.

His actions in the Absence Relic had essentially thwarted Shen Feiqing and the Silvermoon Queen's plans, resulting in the separation and imprisonment of the Silvermoon Queen's soul in various locations. Later, as he embarked on a different path, he came to understand the Silvermoon Queen's affinity for the Divine Soul Sect...

With lingering questions in his mind, he too sought the Silvermoon Queen for answers.

Yan Yu shook his head, "I'm not sure."

"She's ventured beyond," Yan Qiling indicated, gesturing towards the dark expanse above.

Yu Yuan and Yan Yu were visibly taken aback.

"Yes, you've guessed correctly. After her breakthrough to the Yang God Stage, she ventured into the Outer Star River," Yan Qiling said, unfazed. "Your betrothed, Lim Zhuyun, has delved into the Nether Abyss. She's encountered many fortunes along the way, yet peril shadows her every step; a single misstep could result in her soul shattering."

Before Yu Yuan could respond, Yan Qiling pointed downwards, "Now that you've achieved the Yin God, you're ready to uncover the secrets beneath us. With me here, no one in Darkmoon City will dare to disturb you."

"I've heard you're the one who discovered that the Yu family descends from the Evil King, unearthed from beneath the ground?" Yan Yu asked, his face alight with curiosity. "Do you have a great-aunt named Yu Ying who left numerous secrets buried below? She mentioned that only Yu family members who've reached the Yin God Stage can access and uncover the truth, is that correct?"

Yu Yuan nodded affirmatively. "Indeed, that's the case."

In the Horror Land, he had encountered the forebear of the Yu family and learned of the tragic tale: the ancestor was slain by Zhu Zhenxiao, who in turn was killed by the ancestor, along with Zhu's disciples. This vendetta led to the ancestor being ambushed and killed by alien forces in the Outland Star River shortly after ascending to the Primordial Spirit Stage.

The past of the Yu family and the secrets of the Evil King were no mystery to Yu Yuan.

While he was well-versed in the Evil King's underground secrets, the enigmas surrounding his great-aunt Yu Ying still shrouded his understanding in fog.

"The affairs of the Yu family should be thoroughly understood," Yan Qiling suggested, giving him the nod to proceed.

With that, under the vigilant care of Yan Qiling and Yan Yu, Yu Yuan cautiously departed from the realm of the Yin God.

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