C97 The Two Girls Fought for the Wind

Yu Yuan's eyes fluttered open slowly.

The night remained cold, the wilderness silent. The fortunate survivors of the trial were seizing the moment to cultivate.

Each one clutched a Spirit Stone.

Only the pure spiritual energy within the stones could be absorbed, swiftly replenishing their strength.

Yuan Tine, his sister Yu Feifei, and their Darkmoon City comrades were among them, deeply engrossed in their meditation.

"Moon Demon..."

Yu Yuan gathered his scattered thoughts. His last clear memory was of unleashing a sword strike, after which Fong Xin's body exploded, and the Moon Demon within seemed to have taken flight.

Everything that happened afterward was a blur.

Now, his head throbbed painfully, his consciousness murky.

This was the toll of overexerting his mind, draining even his refined Heavenly Soul.

The sword light branded into his arm had settled once again.

Yet, he distinctly felt that his arm, the very one that had become his sword, was numb and weak as if the muscles and veins had sustained significant damage from that strike.

Upon reflection, he realized that the distant sword intent had caused the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to become wildly turbulent.

Fong Xin's flesh and the shrunken figures of the faux Su Yans had been shredded by this frenzied energy.

"That sword strike wasn't just a conduit for soul power; it could also incite a surge in spiritual energy!"

A few seconds passed before Yu Yuan had an epiphany. Should he reach the Yellow Court Stage and unlock his dantian, enabling him to harness spiritual energy, the sword's power would surely magnify.

This sword intent had devastating effects on both the physical and the soul!

If he could wield that sword, merging it with his soul, would his power not be formidable?

"You're awake?"

A familiar voice broke through his reverie.

Yu Yuan ceased his pondering and turned in surprise.

Lim Zhuyun sat tranquilly behind him, her presence as serene as an orchid in a secluded valley.

A massive golden tome rested beneath her, her cool gaze emanating a distant indifference, her expression peculiar.

She seemed to have something to say, yet she held back.

"Why is it you?"

Yu Yuan's gaze swept the area, only to find that the one nearest to him was not Zhao Yafu or Zhan Tianxiang, but rather his betrothed.

"What's wrong with me?" Lim Zhuyun's brow furrowed, a sense of inexplicable irritation flaring within her. "Do you really think I would harm you, especially now?"

"That's not it," Yu Yuan said with a grin. "I just don't trust you."

At crucial moments, Su Yan would always wrap herself in the Celestial Clothing, focusing solely on her own protection and neglecting others, let alone Lim Zhuyun, who was clearly harboring ill intentions.

"I have a question for you," Lim Zhuyun said, locking eyes with him.

"Where's the Moon Demon? Alive or dead?" Yu Yuan countered instead of responding.

"The Moon Demon has fled. Due to Lee Yu's soul sacrifice ball, it didn't dare to seize another body immediately," Lim Zhuyun pondered before answering to put Yu Yuan at ease. "I suspect the Moon Demon needs time to adjust after taking a new host. It has to absorb moonlight to strengthen the host's body."

"So, hastily choosing a host prevents it from unleashing its full power."

"The Moon Demon will seek out a new body to bond with and will only reemerge once it's confident enough."

She recounted everything that had transpired after Yu Yuan lost consciousness.

Once she finished, she said, "Now, I have a question."

Yu Yuan narrowed his eyes and replied coolly, "Go ahead."

"For the past seventeen years, have you been feigning ignorance, actually aware the whole time?" Lim Zhuyun's gaze sharpened. "Did you pretend to be a fool to embarrass the Lim family? To make people think that my fiancé is an idiot?"

This doubt had been gnawing at her for some time.

How could someone who had been in a stupor for seventeen years suddenly alter the dynamics of Darkmoon City and earn the trust of the City Lord upon awakening?

His maidservant, Ann Ziqing, turned out to be a formidable Yin God Stage warrior from the Blood God Cult.

And the Yu family unexpectedly gained an alchemist—whether genuine or not—who healed Yu Cann's shattered knees back to their original state.

During the Forbidden Area Trial, Yu Yuan's performance was remarkable. His intelligence, judgment, and combat prowess drew everyone's attention.

Yan Lu, Su Yan, Zhan Tianxiang, and others expressed their admiration, and even Lee Yu specifically instructed everyone to ensure his safety.

Clearly, deep down, Lee Yu had also come to recognize Yu Yuan's worth.

For seventeen years, Yu Yuan was seen as nothing more than a fool. Who would believe otherwise?

Yet, the undeniable facts led her to believe that the Yu family, and Yu Yuan himself, were deliberately shaming her and the entire Lim family out of spite for the engagement.

What depth of grudge would drive such calculated malice?

A fierce blaze seemed to burn within the icy depths of Lim Zhuyun’s eyes.

"Ridiculous."

Yu Yuan couldn't help but laugh. "It's absurd that you blame the Lim family's issues on me. From the very start, you were the ones eager to call off the engagement. Had it not been for the matriarch's intervention, you would have succeeded long ago. And once she was gone, you did exactly that. Are you really trying to turn the tables on me now?"

"Would the Lim family have resorted to such measures if you hadn't feigned madness?" Lim Zhuyun struggled to contain her fury. "Had you demonstrated your capabilities and intellect earlier, would we have ever treated you or the Yu family in such a manner?"

"Apologies, Miss Lim, for my slow awakening and for disappointing you," Yu Yuan retorted with a cold snort. "I need to concentrate on my recovery, especially with the Moon Demon's imminent return when I'll be needed. So, please, leave me be."

With those words, he shut his eyes, dismissing her presence.

Lim Zhuyun's shoulders quivered slightly, her conviction growing that Yu Yuan and his family had intentionally targeted her, sabotaging the engagement to disgrace the Lim family and provoke them into calling it off.

"Yu, Brother Yu."

It was then that Su Yan approached, her demeanor gentle. She looked at the closed-eyed Yu Yuan and the visibly shaken Lim Zhuyun, speaking softly, "I didn't mean to intrude, but I have a Spirit-nourishing Pill that could help Brother Yu replenish his spiritual energy more quickly."

Yu Yuan's eyes snapped open, and he extended his hand, saying, "I would be remiss to decline."

"No thanks are necessary. You saved our lives, and this is the least I can do," Su Yan insisted earnestly. "Furthermore, once we make it out of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area alive, I'll make sure to inform my father about your situation so that he's aware of Uncle Su Yin's bias against you when we reach Darkmoon City."

"The Su and Yu families actually harbor no real hatred towards each other; it's all just a series of misunderstandings."

"Brother Yu, rest easy. I'll make sure to clear up those little misunderstandings properly!"

With these words, her delicate, pale hand gently placed the Spirit-nourishing Pill into Yu Yuan's palm.

Lim Zhuyun, fighting back her inner turmoil, suddenly stood, snatched up the book she'd been sitting on, and left without uttering a single word.

"What's gotten into her?" Su Yan wondered aloud. "She volunteered to take my place to protect you."

"Let it go, she's more likely to cause me headaches," Yu Yuan said dismissively, a wry twist to his lips. "You might be unreliable when it counts, but at least you come bearing Spirit-nourishing Pills."

"Who are you calling a headache?" Lim Zhuyun spun around, her eyes flashing with anger.

Feeling awkward, Su Yan replied, "Sister Lim, I didn't mean anything by it. I just think we need to present a united front against our common enemy. Plus, Brother Yu could use the Recuperation Pill, so..."

"He is still my betrothed, in name at least. I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance!" Lim Zhuyun retorted icily.

"Oh." Su Yan gave a small, apologetic curtsy to Yu Yuan, then turned and walked away.

Yu Yuan watched her departing figure, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips.

As for the seething Lim Zhuyun, he chose to ignore her completely.

He pretended not to hear her angry retorts, feigning ignorance to the fact that the Su family's girl in green had come specifically to provoke her, to pick a fight.

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