C866 Seven Star Aegis

The Lunar Spirit merged back into Yu Yuan's real body, and on his left index finger appeared a nondescript silver ring. With a mere thought, numerous magic items and pills within the Cosmos Ring were transferred to the Bracelet of Holding. Simultaneously, various objects from the bracelet were relocated into the Cosmos Ring. Yan Qiling and Yan Yu observed in silence.

After a moment, Yu Yuan handed the Bracelet of Holding, a gift from Ann Ziqing, to Yan Yu. "Could you send someone to Thylethlume to deliver this bracelet to my grandfather?"

Yan Yu looked surprised. "Thylethlume is quite near, isn't it?"

With Yan Qiling present, a single use of space magic could instantly transport Yu Yuan to Thylethlume. Even without Yan Qiling, Yu Yuan could reach Thylethlume in no time by flying through the void.

"Don't you want to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble for the Yu Family and the girl from the Forgotten Ruins?" Yan Qiling grasped Yu Yuan's intention.

"Indeed, my current status is sensitive. Showing up in Thylethlume unannounced would only bring them problems," Yu Yuan confirmed, pressing the bracelet into Yan Yu's hand. "I appreciate your help. Also, there's no need to invite them back to Asvetaesi for now."

With Yu Zhu's protection, the Yu family members were relatively safe in Thylethlume. Conversely, it would be ill-advised for them to return to Asvetaesi during such an uncertain and sensitive time.

"Your concerns are valid," Yan Yu agreed.

Yu Yuan murmured to himself, "Colddeath..."

Previously, he had intended to return the bracelet to Ann Ziqing. However, after learning about the deep connection between Yu Ying and Colddeath, he understood the profound ties between the Yu Family and the cult. Ann Wen of Colddeath had provided extensive support to the Yu family.

Realizing that he couldn't settle the debt immediately, Yu Yuan decided to keep the Bracelet of Holding. He planned to let the Yu family's ancestor, who had ascended to the God of Ghosts realm, repay the favor gradually.

"Colddeath?" Yan Yu inquired, holding the bracelet. "Did you uncover any secrets or rare treasures underground?"

"I did indeed find something valuable," Yu Yuan replied with a smile. "Ann Wen of Colddeath has been incredibly generous to our family."

"I've figured it out," Yan Yu said with a sly grin. "Ann Ziqing from Colddeath, despite being a goddess, has served you in the guise of a maid for many years. It's quite peculiar, no matter how you look at it."

"Ann Wen must have been playing matchmaker for you two," Yan Qiling mused, glancing at the ground. He had just realized that the eight streams of bloody light were unmistakably Colddeath's blood magic. "As for Lin Zhuyun, Ann Wen probably never took her seriously. After all, he was one of the infamous duo from eight hundred years ago."

The Evil King, Yu Xi, and the Evil God, Ann Wen.

"That girl..." Yu Yuan said, the corner of his mouth twitching, "I have no idea what she was thinking, trying to kill me multiple times. But I'll let it slide, out of respect for Ann Wen."

"She likely wasn't aware before," Yan Qiling nodded, signaling Yu Yuan to go on.

"My great-aunt, Yu Ying, was taken under the wing of Ruan Lengling from Forgeroses to pursue her cultivation. Ruan Lengling, along with Zhongli Dapan and the former Sect Master Han Yue, were all disciples of the same master," Yu Yuan recounted.

"Han Yue is no longer the Sect Master of Forgeroses," Yan Qiling said with a smile. "He was defeated by Zhongli Dapan after their battle upon his return."

"Zhongli Dapan seems to favor friendly relations with us," added Yan Yu.

Yu Yuan wasn't surprised by their conversation. "Zhongli Dapan is the senior brother, Han Yue the junior brother, and Ruan Lengling the junior sister. My great-aunt practiced with her for a short time before she fell in battle in the extraterrestrial realm, just like her own master."

"Have you come across any other surprises?" inquired Yan Yu, her curiosity piqued.

Yu Yuan gave a wry smile. "There are a few items left by the ancestors of the Yu family. They happen to be the very items that the Skyblight Cult has been desperately seeking."

"No wonder the Skyblight Cult is so obsessed with targeting your family," remarked Yan Yu.

...

In Thylethlume, the family patriarch, Yu Cen, convened with Yu Lili, Yu Wei, and Yu Lian. He laid out an array of pills, armors, and soulstones from the Bracelet of Holding, along with a crystal that contained the teachings of a sinister mental mystique and an Evil King Token.

"Yu Yuan, that rascal, had Yan Yu deliver it," Yu Cen stated.

"Has he unearthed the underground secrets?" Yu Wei asked, visibly astonished.

"Yes, they were obtained by my younger sister," the elder lamented, "I'm not sure if she's still alive. Two other heavenly-grade artifacts remain underground: one is the Seven Star Aegis, and the other is a soul puppet. The kid kept those for himself."

"He mentioned waiting to hand it over to Senior White Bone in the Land of Terror later on."

Yu Cen wore an odd expression.

"The White Bone King?" Yu Lili exclaimed in surprise.

"He mentioned that once Senior White Bone emerges from seclusion, he will become the ruler of the Land of Terror and ascend to become the God of Ghosts," Yu Cen said after a brief pause. "Well, there's no point in keeping it a secret anymore. White Bone is our Yu family's ancestor, who was reborn from the Evil King, Yu Xi."

Yu Cen stood tall and proud as he spoke.

"What?"

"Our ancestor hasn't completely perished but has instead survived in a different form?"

"And he's to become a God of Ghosts?"

The trio exclaimed in disbelief.

"In the future, members of the Yu family who reach the Lunar Spirit Stage must immediately visit the Land of Terror to pay homage to our ancestor," Yu Cen declared, his fist clenched in a mix of determination and excitement. "I believe that once we reveal our Yu family lineage, we'll have free reign in the Land of Terror!"

...

Moonfall Sanctuary.

Yu Yuan, returned by Yan Qiling, found a secluded spot and took out the green-black iron ring, slipping it onto his wrist. "The Seven Star Aegis, eighth level heavenly grade!" he noted.

The ring was surprisingly heavy, and he struggled to adjust to its weight on his wrist.

"This item needs to be refined," Yan Qiling observed, eyeing the ring intently. "It lacks an artifact soul and is purely defensive. An eighth level heavenly grade item is extraordinary. I suggest you gradually infuse it with your Soul Power and vitality to properly attune to it."

"Soul Power, vitality..."

With a mere thought, Yu Yuan channeled streams of Soul Power and ribbons of vital energy into the Seven Star Aegis.

The green-black iron ring emitted a faint halo of the same hue, absorbing the Soul Power and vital energy like a sponge soaking up water, consuming it all.

Half an hour later, the green-black radiance from the Seven Star Aegis had intensified ever so slightly.

Yet, Yu Yuan felt utterly exhausted.

"This Seven Star Aegis seems insatiable," he remarked, shaking his wrist and furrowing his brow. "It's nothing like my Crucible of Evil or the sword sheath."

"That's to be expected," Yan Qiling reassured him with a smile. "Don't worry, you have time. Take it slow and refine it. With this at your side, your safety will be greatly enhanced. Believe me, it's far more valuable than the beast skin robe Chen Liangquan gave you!"

"I'm well aware," Yu Yuan replied.

"No need to rush. Your mother needs time to awaken, the Crucible of Evil needs time to gather spirited bodies, and the large trade fair in the mountains hasn't started yet."

"It seems that's the only option."

For the time that followed, Yu Yuan intermittently infused the iron ring on his wrist with Soul Power and vitality.

...

At the Starmoon Sect, atop the Solitary Cliff.

Beneath the bright moon, a "star" twinkled like a watchful eye.

Liu Ying stood at the cliff's brink, peering through the "star" to sense the Moonfall Sanctuary when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.

"Yu Yuan!"

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