C867 Old Servant

The star in question was none other than the Starmoon Sect's treasured Fallen Star Eyes.

Liu Ying, whose cultivation journey had always been smooth sailing, leveraged her astonishing talent to surpass most of her peers with ease.

Yan Lu, Zhan Tianxiang, Lin Zhuyun, and others were significantly less adept than her.

Her transformative experiences in the Embers Sea and Afnetalos led to a profound shift in Liu Ying's mindset. Upon her return to the Starmoon Sect, she began to dedicate herself to rigorous cultivation.

Her efforts paid off as her cultivation level soared at an incredible pace.

She astonished the entire Starmoon Sect and the whole of Euwrea by advancing to the late period of the Lunar Spirit realm in a remarkably short time.

Her swift progress concerned her master, who feared her eagerness might lead to an unstable state of mind.

Only after several thorough evaluations did the Sect Master of the Starmoon Sect finally ease his worries.

Had the Land of Terror not been so tumultuous, she would have been sent to enter the Lunar Spirit much earlier, allowing her to refine her Lunar Spirit and solidify her cultivation.

Nevertheless, her master, after discreetly monitoring her for some time, was convinced of the solidity of her cultivation level.

This left her master and the other Starmoon Sect elders baffled.

Unknown to them, Liu Ying frequently utilized the Fallen Star Eyes and the Evil Statue within the Sword Prison to glimpse into the forbidden area.

She witnessed Sky Fiends emerging, numerous formidable soul spirits breaking their seals, and the presence of various Otherkin.

She was also aware that the Sunlit Order and other powerful factions had once fiercely defended the outskirts of the forbidden area.

Yet, the war had concluded.

The Sunlit Order's retreat from the vicinity of the forbidden area alleviated Liu Ying's fears of the Sky Fiend and Otherkin wreaking havoc across the empires of Aetherius.

The Otherkin guests adhered to the rules, avoiding appearances within the realms and cities where mortals dwelled.

Harboring doubts, Liu Ying frequently observed the Moonfall Sanctuary. Each time her soul perception reached out, it clashed with the Evil Statue's chaotic and twisted consciousness.

It was through these encounters that she honed her resolve.

Her continuous breakthroughs did not lead to Qi deviation or instability in her cultivation. It was precisely her regular scrutiny of the Moonfall Sanctuary and her resistance against the Evil Statue that fortified her mental fortitude.

Today, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of Yu Yuan!

"Yu Yuan!"

She couldn't help but softly call out within the Starmoon Sect of Euwrea.

A remnant soul traveled through the Fallen Star Eyes, reaching deep into the forbidden area, to the transformed Evil Statue of the Sword Prison.

The kind visage of the statue grew indistinct.

The grim and terrifying side, however, became sharply defined, exuding an aura of brutality, bloodlust, and insanity.

Yet, as Liu Ying's cry reached the Evil Statue, the compassionate face seemed to suddenly sharpen into clarity.

Simultaneously.

Yu Yuan, who was infusing the Seven Star Aegis with Soul Power and vital energy, instantly felt a connection.

The image of the towering, airborne Evil Statue sprang to his mind, its countenance gentle and affectionate.

A faint light emerged at the statue's brow, revealing the Fallen Star Eyes.

And beneath those eyes was Liu Ying.

"Yu Yuan!"

Liu Ying gestured emphatically, as if she too could see him at that moment, her thoughts emerging fervently.

"How did you end up in the Moonfall Sanctuary? I thought you were in the Skyblight Cult's mountain range? Also, where should I go if I want to meet you?"

"What's happened inside the Land of Terror? How did White Bone rise from a Spectre to a Ghost King so quickly?"

"And how did the Skyblight Cult so readily cede those mountains?"

"..."

Liu Ying's myriad questions bubbled up all at once.

Yu Yuan chuckled in amazement, pondered briefly, and replied, "Soon, I'll head to the Sacred Hands in the Serpent Spine Mountains. Meeting there should be more convenient."

"I'll wait for you at Sacred Hands!" Liu Ying declared without hesitation.

After the soul transmission, her visage, which had materialized between the statue's brows, suddenly contorted in pain, her eyes flashing with wild ferocity.

She whispered in agony, seemingly aware that this mode of communication with Yu Yuan made her more susceptible to the statue's influence.

"I'll make my way to Sacred Hands! I must withdraw for now!"

Her image vanished in a flash.

Yu Yuan's form shuddered slightly. Upon opening his eyes, he drifted aloft and saw the distant statue, seemingly diminutive, yet glowing with an inner light.

"It recognized me, too. Back in the Godsblight Marsh, it didn't take over my mind because it knew who I was."

Yu Yuan furrowed his brow, locking eyes with the statue from afar before descending back to the ground.

In the days that followed, he began to practice Wraithbinding, occasionally attracting soul spirits that willingly approached and were refined by his Lunar Spirit, bolstering his Soul Power.

This refined Soul Power was channeled into the Seven Star Aegis, which was also being tempered with his vital energy.

The heavenly-grade artifact, like a bottomless pit, consumed his Soul Power and vital energy, the greenish-black glow it emitted growing ever more concentrated and pure.

Within the artifact, of the numerous miniature arcane circles, only a third had been empowered.

He estimated that at his current pace, it would take at least another month and a half of relentless refining to fully activate the arcane circles within the Seven Star Aegis.

Only then might the true marvels of the Seven Star Aegis be unveiled.

"The cultivation at the Lunar Spirit level is noticeably slower than the previous realm's breakthrough. From this point on, I must redouble my efforts."

With a silent reflection, he immersed himself in his cultivation, oblivious to the outside world.

Days passed, and Yan Qiling, who had been preoccupied, arrived quietly with Qin Yun, who was bloodied and looked haggard.

"Qin Yun!"

"Young Master!"

Qin Yun's weathered face broke into a smile. Without waiting for Yu Yuan to inquire, he eagerly spoke, "I heard from the family head that you were in Thylethlume. I discreetly asked Yan Yu in Asvetaesi, and she mentioned you were planning to visit Sacred Hands soon. So, I headed to the Serpent Spine Mountains, hoping to meet you there, but then..."

"The Midnightshields learned he was in the Serpent Spine Mountains and mobilized to hunt him down," Yan Qiling interjected. "Knowing he was outmatched, he made a break for the Moonfall Sanctuary. That's when the Star-Spawned Terror picked up his trail. He kept calling out your name, and a Sky Fiend relayed the message to me."

"The Midnightshields?" Yu Yuan's expression grew somber. "The sect from the Crimson Sun Empire should be well aware that you've been looking after the Yu family in Thylethlume for years."

"They don't dare venture into Thylethlume because of Yu Zhu. As for you, young master..." Qin Yun coughed before continuing, "To many, you've become synonymous with a demon and are seen as a traitor to this realm. It's unlikely that the Midnightshields would expect Shadow's Keep to come to your defense."

"Midnightshields, like other minor sects across Aetherius, aren't privy to the deeper secrets," Yan Qiling said with a slight smile, elucidating, "Take, for instance, the significance of Boulderdawn's return. They're oblivious to it. Even the five supreme sects have begun to act with caution."

"What's the depth of the Midnightshields' strength?" Yu Yuan inquired, looking at Qin Yun.

"Currently, they have three individuals who have ascended to the Spirit Walk Stage, with the reigning Sect Master in the middle period of that stage," Qin Yun responded candidly.

"Mr. Yan, there's no need for you to intervene. I will personally make the journey to the Midnightshields with him!"

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