C907 The Change in Attitude

A jade-green stream flowed serenely around the Crucible of Evil, as the cauldron soared through the void. This stream was the amiable escort provided by the archdemon Green Willow.

Upon awakening from her faint, the half-blood girl Wen Lu, having just buried Wen Xin, watched the cauldron drift further from Gloomhollow. She finally felt a measure of relief and dabbed at the cold sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief.

Wen Lu stood trembling beside Xi Quan, who wielded the Withered Sword. Despite Xi Quan's efforts to contain it, the sword's wil emanated a sense of death and decay that Wen Lu, with her unique bloodline, could sense all too clearly. The sword's wil clashed with the Shadowkin attributes within Wen Lu, creating a precarious balance.

Both Wen Lu and Xi Quan were ill at ease in Gloomhollow, each breaking out in involuntary cold sweats. Xi Quan felt an instinctive aversion to the girl with the distinctive Shadowkin bloodline. Every glance she cast Wen Lu's way came with a subconscious urge to draw her sword and send the girl to join her late Nana.

Sensing Xi Quan's hostility, Wen Lu trembled. With Yu Yuan's soothing presence, she managed to bury Wen Xin in the valley before retreating into the safety of the Crucible of Evil.

"That's terrifying, Brother Yu. Who is that person?" she asked, clutching her chest and desperately trying to regulate her breathing and heart rate, striving to maintain her composure.

Her fear of Xi Quan even overshadowed the grief of Wen Xin's death.

"She's from the Sword Sect, a cultivator of the Unbound Stage who once vanquished a Sky Fiend in the Star River," Yu Yuan explained nonchalantly. "We'll address your injuries once we reach the Terror Claws."

"Oh, alright," Wen Lu responded, nodding eagerly.

Her bloodline was depleted, but she had sustained no serious wounds. She could have fully recovered in a short time by remaining in the Serpent Spine Mountains, drawing on the mystical properties of her bloodline amidst the lush forests. However, her fear of Xi Quan compelled her to leave. Opting for safety, she decided to accompany Yu Yuan to the Moonfall Sanctuary and then onward to the Terror Claws.

"Young Master, aren't they coming with us to the Terror Claws?" Qin Yun inquired with a hint of surprise.

Green Willow pressed on for some time, yet before Xi Quan could finish off Tianjing and Chong Xiao, he conjured a verdant river to safely guide them to Moonfall Sanctuary.

"Xi Quan is intent on rooting out the problem, and Green Willow needs time to assimilate that dragon," Yu Yuan explained.

"With Mr. Yan absent, do you know anyone at Moonfall Sanctuary, Young Master?" Qin Yun expressed his concern. Having been acquainted with the forbidden area for years, he knew its dangers and feared unforeseen complications.

At these words, Shi Yuxuan, who had insisted on joining them, tensed visibly.

"Yu Yuan, I've heard you can master the grand formation within Moonfall Sanctuary?" Shi Yuxuan managed a strained smile. "We're not likely to encounter any danger inside, are we?"

Shi Yuxuan was well aware of the recent events. The Serpent Spine Mountains bordered Moonfall Sanctuary, where cultivators from the Sunlit Order had been targeting extraterrestrial demons and Otherkin. He was privy to the details and knew that the Euwrea cultivators hadn't come out ahead.

At times, he could see fearsome specters soaring over the Serpent Spine Mountains, all emanating from Moonfall Sanctuary, each with combat prowess rivaling or surpassing that of Loong Qi.

His concern was understandable.

"Do you really have to be so foolish? Isn't it better to stay put in the Serpent Spine Mountains?" Yu Yuan gave him a disapproving look. "Why rush off to the Terror Claws before things are clear? Are you trying to pick sides prematurely? Do you realize the repercussions for the Sacred Hands if you choose poorly?"

Yu Yuan had recently learned that Shi Yuxuan was a follower from his past life and the disciple of his disciple.

Shi Yuxuan's master's master, the former Sect Master of the Sacred Hands, had been a loyal confidant of his.

This connection was precisely why Yu Zhu had been sent to the Serpent Spine Mountains and why the Shadowflame Blight Array had been established in Gloomhollow.

No wonder, after his complete annihilation, Zhong Chichen held no favor for the Sacred Hands.

In his heart, Shi Yuxuan was merely a disciple of his follower, and naturally, his junior.

Yet in this lifetime, due to his mother, Jin Rourou, he was indeed the junior.

Whenever Yu Yuan saw Shi Yuxuan gazing at him with the affectionate eyes of an elder admiring a promising young member of the clan, he couldn't help but feel awkward.

Shi Yuxuan had made it clear, albeit indirectly, that he disapproved of Yu Yuan's father, Yu Jue, but he acknowledged Yu Yuan.

Shi Yuxuan's every action and word increasingly affirmed his recognition of Yu Yuan. When he stroked his beard and smiled, it was as if he radiated pride.

"You are the direct disciple of the God of Medicine, Hong Qi! In our Sacred Hands, from me to my master, to my master's master, we are all disciples of Hong Qi!" Shi Yuxuan, red-faced and filled with righteous indignation, exclaimed, "Zhong Chichen must have resorted to some vile scheme to betray him!"

Qi Yunhong and Qin Yun exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat amused.

"You old rascal, you're quite steadfast in your loyalties," Qi Yunhong remarked with a hint of amazement. "It's surprising, truly. You're too talented to be the leader of the modest Sacred Hands Sect."

"Yu Yuan is Rourou's child, he's family. What's wrong with standing firmly by his side?" Shi Yuxuan retorted with a touch of defiance.

The archdemon Green Willow, "Withered Sword" Xi Quan, Yan Qiling, Qi Yunhong, Qin Yun...

The goodwill and favorable attitudes these high-ranking powerhouses showed towards Yu Yuan emboldened Shi Yuxuan, fueling his resolve to make a bold decision amidst his indignation.

— To break free from the Order of Healing's constraints and seize the opportunity for vengeance!

"There's no problem, none at all," Qi Yunhong said, shrinking back slightly.

He realized then that, regardless of the circumstances, Shi Yuxuan was Yu Yuan's elder.

Once they arrived at the Terror Claws, and Yu Yuan met with Jin Rourou, a few kind words from his mother on behalf of the Sacred Hands and Shi Yuxuan might just sway Yu Yuan's attitude towards him.

Offending Shi Yuxuan was certainly not a wise option.

"Enough with the noise, we're almost there," Yu Yuan called out, signaling for quiet.

Whoosh!

The verdant river that had been their guide reversed its course as they neared the Moonfall Sanctuary. The voice of Green Willow wafted through the air, "Don't delay. Head to the Terror Claws as quickly as possible!"

"Oh."

Yu Yuan responded with a tone of indifference as the Crucible of Evil officially entered the forbidden area. Releasing his remnant soul, Yu Yuan took a moment to sense the surroundings and discovered that there were few powerful soul spirits or Otherkin present.

It seemed the formidable ones had departed.

"Yu Yuan!"

In the heart of the forbidden area, Liu Ying stood beside the Fallen Star Eyes, vigorously waving her hand.

Next to the Fallen Star Eyes, Tong Laoqian's Jade Tower was moored. He exclaimed with a burst of joy, "Yu, I just knew nothing would happen to you. Heh, you even managed to kill Qu Jing of the Ethereal Void Sect. You continue to astonish me."

Liu Ying and Tong Laoqian were stationed at the location of the teleportation circle. In addition to them, there was another familiar face, the hand-chosen disciple Ho Zhan.

Ho Zhan was the elder who had collaborated with President Lyi and Yan Qiling to fortify the space in the Godsblight Marsh.

Catching Yu Yuan's eye, Ho Zhan greeted him with a smile and a nod, "Mr. Yan has entrusted me with the temporary oversight of this Translocation Circle."

"Thank you," Yu Yuan acknowledged.

The Crucible of Evil accelerated, and it wasn't long before Yu Yuan reached the Fallen Star Eyes and Jade Tower.

"Liu Ying, what are you thinking? Instead of staying put in the Serpent Spine Mountains, why venture into the Moonfall Sanctuary?" Yu Yuan asked sternly.

As the next in line to lead the Starmoon Sect and a key disciple, Liu Ying was well-placed in the Serpent Spine Mountains.

By coming to the Moonfall Sanctuary, she had provided the upper sects with both a pretext and a reason to hold her accountable.

It was common knowledge that the Moonfall Sanctuary was a stronghold of the Boulderdawn Sect. By venturing into the heart of Boulderdawn territory, was Liu Ying signaling that the Starmoon Sect was aligning with them?

"I was ensnared by it," Liu Ying said, pointing to the Evil Statue in the sky with a look of distress. "In my dreams, I heard its faint murmurs and wandered into the Moonfall Sanctuary in a daze. Once inside, I found myself trapped. If word gets out, I'll claim I was taken captive."

"How did you get here?" Yu Yuan inquired with a hint of surprise.

Liu Ying pursed her lips, casting a glance at Shi Yuxuan, Qi Yunhong, Wen Lu, and the rest, but remained silent.

"Mr. He, does anyone know about her arrival?" Yu Yuan probed.

Ho Zhan pondered for a moment before nodding, "The fact that she entered the forbidden area is likely common knowledge. However, what she said or did within the forbidden area would not have been witnessed by anyone outside."

"I hope there's still a chance to remedy the situation," Yu Yuan mused to himself.

"I need to speak with you in private!" Liu Ying, standing atop the "Fallen Star Eyes," waved him over, signaling for him to join her.

"Oh."

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