C87 Expelling

The alien soul harbored within Zhu Huan and Lou Ling was cleverly uncovered by Yu Yuan, who had anticipated their unsuspecting nature.

Zhu Huan's body had endured a blast from the Lunar Lightning and was ultimately defeated only through the combined efforts of the group.

Lou Ling, too, was caught off guard upon her arrival, sustaining severe injuries that led to her body decaying and her subsequent death.

Had Zhu Huan and Lou Ling's true identities remained concealed, what if they had launched a surprise attack while the others were meditating at the bottom of the pit?

This possibility unsettled both Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui.

"Van Le, is it?" Yu Yuan's voice was grave. "We've met before. Now, please leave quickly so as not to hold us up."

"Leave quickly?"

Van Le was taken aback. "What do you mean, leave quickly?"

Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui, along with the trial-takers from Asenalenor and Sillserine, shared in the confusion.

Was Yu Yuan really dismissing Van Le?

"Was I not clear?" Yu Yuan squinted, reiterating his point, "We don't want someone like you in our group. So let's part ways here and not interfere with each other!"

With these words, the message became clear to all.

"You're telling me to go?"

A cold glint flickered in Van Le's eyes. "Knowing full well that enemies have infiltrated, and with my Van family suffering great losses, you still insist I leave?"

"I still have two foes lurking somewhere behind me!"

"In such a situation, you're choosing to send me away?"

"Is it because you realize that I'm currently in no shape to challenge you?"

Van Le didn't wait for Yu Yuan to respond; he turned his gaze to Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui. "You two aren't seriously considering following his lead, are you?"

Han Hui showed a moment of hesitation.

Zhan Tianxiang, ever the blunt one, shrugged nonchalantly, "Indeed, we're siding with him."

It was evident to everyone that Van Le was in dire straits, having expended a significant amount of spiritual energy and bearing injuries.

Even as a prominent figure of the Empire's Five Crescent New Moon, Van Le stood no chance against the combined might of Asvetaesi, Asenalenor, and Sillserine, particularly with his clan decimated and himself grievously wounded.

And, notably, Zhan Tianxiang's prowess in battle was formidable indeed.

"Yu Yuan is your leader?" Van Le, with his exceptional intellect, deduced this astonishing conclusion from a simple conversation and the ubiquitous details. "An early Soul Awakening stage member of the Yu family from Asvetaesi, and you're taking orders from him? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!"

"Zhan Tianxiang!"

"Han Hui!"

"Having met me, you should trust in my strength and judgment. I am the one who can successfully lead you out of the forbidden area!"

Van Le proactively offered himself, aiming to leverage his reputation and strength within the empire, as well as the Van family's resources, to gain the trust of Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui.

With the support of these two, and the endorsement of Asenalenor and Sillserine, what could Yu Yuan possibly do against him?

"You're nothing but a stray dog. How dare you presume to lead us?" Yu Yuan's words were merciless, sparing no dignity. "Spare me your display of slyness and malice. You and your kin encountered two alien souls and couldn't even discern their true nature, nearly leading to your complete demise. And you still think you can lead us?"

"Do you really think you're fit for the role?"

"Besides, who's to say you didn't sacrifice your own people for your miserable life?"

"How can you stand there and speak so shamelessly?"

The forbidden area was fraught with peril, and with alien souls lurking in the shadows, no one could be certain of making it out alive.

In such a grave situation, Yu Yuan, the esteemed scion of the five great families, cast aside all concern for his status.

"Van Le, this is where we part ways."

Zhan Tianxiang chuckled, echoing Yu Yuan's sentiment, "I wish you safety. We'll meet again someday."

Han Hui gave a gentle curtsy, adding, "Young Master Van Le, please take care."

Then, she and Zhan Tianxiang signaled to the trial-takers in their group to follow Yu Yuan.

Van Le, the Young Master of the five great families, the Empire's fifth crescent, was left behind.

He stood there in solitude, engulfed by the howling cold wind.

Subjected to Yu Yuan's biting mockery, he offered no rebuttal, nor did he attempt to sow discord between Yu Yuan, Zhan Tianxiang, and Han Hui; he simply kept his mouth firmly shut.

Yu Yuan had somehow managed to gain the trust of Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui, though the method remained a mystery.

He also noticed that the trial-takers from Asenalenor and Sillserine raised no objections to the decisions made by Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui.

This indicated that the trial-takers from both Asenalenor and Sillserine genuinely recognized Yu Yuan's leadership.

With the situation as it was, he saw no chance of victory and chose to bow out.

"The future is long. As long as I remain in the forbidden area, as long as I'm alive, our paths will cross again." After some time, Van Le found his peace. He changed into a fresh set of clothes and groomed himself before he stopped eagerly trailing Yu Yuan and the others and moved on.

He was, of course, not telling the truth.

Nearly all of his Van family members had perished because of him.

Because his survival was paramount.

Deep down, he valued his own life above all his kin who had joined the trial.

Furthermore, the family elders had hinted before the trial that if he faced grave danger in the latter two months, he could sacrifice his own people to ensure his survival.

He believed he had simply acted preemptively.

Having already shaken off the two alien souls in Wethtalos City, he wasn't as disheveled as he had let on, nor was he as badly injured.

His act was deliberate; he wanted to show that he had fought to the bitter end and sustained serious wounds.

He certainly didn't want anyone to know that at the critical moment, he had sacrificed his clansmen, retreated with ease, and completely evaded the two alien souls.

"Asvetaesi, Yu Yuan. Regardless of what you've deduced, you can't escape the truth."

...

"Having someone like Van Le among us would be more problematic than dealing with the likes of Lou Ling and Zhu Huan."

An hour later, Yu Yuan proactively spoke to Zhan Tianxiang and Han Hui, "His injuries aren't as severe as they appear. The blood on him doesn't look like his own. His panic and haste warrant scrutiny. What I actually see in his eyes is calmness."

Zhan Tianxiang chuckled but remained silent.

Han Hui was taken aback. "Are you suggesting that what Van Le allowed us to see wasn't his true state?"

"He hasn't spoken a single truth," Yu Yuan affirmed slowly. "This guy is up to no good. Having him around is a disaster waiting to happen. Rather than constantly watching our backs, it's better to take decisive action! His status as the Van family's young master holds little weight here in the forbidden area."

"I'm well aware of the kind of person Van Le is. If you want him gone, you have my full support," Zhan Tianxiang declared.

"That settles it," Yu Yuan said, offering no further explanation.

Two days passed.

A fierce torrent of divine force suddenly swept over them, engulfing Yu Yuan and the others who had been away for quite some time.

Yu Yuan felt uncomfortable amidst the violent spiritual energy, which even impaired the sensitive perception of his heaven soul.

The chaotic spiritual energy significantly weakened everyone's sight, awareness, and tactile senses.

Moreover, they had to expend energy to fend off the tumultuous spiritual energy to prevent their auras from becoming erratic.

"We need to find a place to recuperate; let's not leave ourselves exposed in the open."

After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan realized that many in the group were struggling as he was, so he communicated his command.

Consequently, the weary travelers selected a nearby pit and settled into a few carved-out stone caves.

The stone caves, too, were inundated with the rampant spiritual energy.

Yu Yuan sat down to meditate. This time, he did not reach for the White Paper Fan but instead retrieved a soulstone and began his cultivation in the early stages of Soul Awakening.

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