C97 The Two Girls Fought for the Honor

Yu Yuan slowly opened his eyes to the same cold night, the silent wilderness around him. The trial-takers fortunate enough to survive were diligently cultivating, each clutching a soulstone.

Only the pure spiritual energy within the soulstone could be absorbed to swiftly replenish their strength.

Among the crowd, Yuan Ting, his sister Yu Feifei, and their fellow companions from Asvetaesi were deep in meditation.

"Moonfiend..."

Yu Yuan collected his thoughts. He could only recall unleashing a distant sword strike, which caused Feng Xin to burst into a shower of flesh and blood, releasing the Moonfiend that dwelled within her. The events that followed were a blur to him.

His head throbbed with pain, and his consciousness was foggy, a clear sign of overexerting his mental strength and depleting his heaven soul.

The sword light branded on his arm had settled once more.

Yet, he distinctly felt that his sword-arm was tingling with numbness and weakness, as if his very veins and muscles had been damaged by that same strike.

Upon further reflection, he realized that the sword's will he had projected had wildly intensified the divine force around him.

Feng Xin's remains and the shrinking figures of the false Su Yan had been obliterated by the rampant spiritual energy.

"That sword wasn't merely a conduit for Soul Power; it also triggered a surge in spiritual energy!" Yu Yuan marveled, realizing that once he advanced to the Golden Sanctum and could harness spiritual energy within his elixir field, the might of his sword would be formidable.

This sword's will had the potential to devastate both the corporeal and the soul.

If he could wield that sword, merging it with his essence, what limits would there be to his destructive capabilities?

"Are you awake?"

A familiar voice broke his reverie.

Yu Yuan ceased his pondering and turned in surprise to see who spoke.

Lin Zhuyun, clad in azure, sat tranquilly behind him, her presence reminiscent of a serene orchid in a secluded valley. A massive golden tome rested beneath her, and her cool gaze held a distant indifference, her expression peculiar.

It seemed she had something to say, yet she held her words back, wrestling with her thoughts in silence.

"Why is it you?"

Yu Yuan scanned the area once more, only to find that the person nearest to him was not Zhao Yafu or Zhan Tianxiang, but rather his betrothed.

"What's wrong with me?" Lin Zhuyun's brow furrowed, a wave of inexplicable irritation flaring within her. "Do you really think I'd harm you? At a time like this?"

"No, that's not it," Yu Yuan replied with a wry smile. "I simply don't trust you."

At crucial moments, Su Yan had always encased herself in the Celestial Plume Raiment, prioritizing her own safety over mine. How much less could I expect from Lin Zhuyun, who harbors such ill will?

"I'd like to ask you something," Lin Zhuyun said, locking eyes with him.

"Where's the Moonfiend? Alive or dead?" Yu Yuan countered with his own question instead of answering.

"The Moonfiend has fled. Due to Lee Yu's Soul Orb, it didn't dare to seize another host immediately." Lin Zhuyun paused, choosing to address Yu Yuan's concerns first to put his mind at ease. "I suspect the Moonfiend needs time to adapt after taking over a new person. It requires the absorption of moonlight to strengthen the host's body."

"So, hastily choosing a host wouldn't allow it to utilize its full strength."

"The Moonfiend will seek out a new body to inhabit and will only re-emerge once it has regained enough confidence."

She recounted to him all the events that transpired after he had lost consciousness.

Once she finished, she pressed on, "I have a question for you."

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

"For the past seventeen years, have you been feigning ignorance?" Lin Zhuyun's gaze sharpened. "Was all this an act to embarrass the Lin family? To make others believe that my fiancé is a simpleton?"

This doubt had been haunting her for quite some time.

How could someone who had been in a daze for seventeen years suddenly shift the dynamics of Asvetaesi upon awakening and gain the trust of Mayor Yuan Lianyao?

His attendant, Ann Ziqing, turned out to be a formidable Lunar Spirit warrior of the Colddeath.

And the Yu family inexplicably gained a new member, purportedly an herbalist, who managed to heal Yu Cen's shattered knees completely.

During his trial in the Forbidden Area, Yu Yuan stood out remarkably. His wisdom, discernment, and combat prowess earned him widespread respect.

Yan Lu, Su Yan, Zhan Tianxiang, and others expressed their admiration, and even Lee Yu made a point of instructing everyone to protect him.

This indicated that deep down, Lee Yu had come to recognize Yu Yuan's worth.

Who would believe that Yu Yuan had been aimless for the past seventeen years?

Lin Zhuyun couldn't shake the feeling that the Yu family and Yu Yuan were deliberately trying to embarrass her and the entire Lin family out of spite for the arranged marriage.

The depth of the grudge must be immense for them to go to such lengths.

Flames seemed to flicker in the depths of Lin Zhuyun's icy gaze.

"This is nonsensical."

Yu Yuan found it amusing. "It's your Lin family's issue, yet somehow I'm to blame? From the very beginning, it was your family that wanted to call off the engagement. Without Lin Jingfei's intervention, you would have succeeded. After her passing, you did exactly that. And now you're trying to turn the tables on me?"

"If you hadn't feigned ignorance, would the Lin family have resorted to this?" Lin Zhuyun asked, barely containing her fury. "Had you demonstrated such ability and wisdom earlier, would we have treated you or the Yu family any differently?"

"Apologies, Miss Lin, for my late awakening and for disappointing you," Yu Yuan retorted with a cold snort. "I need to concentrate on my recovery, to be ready when the Moonfiend reappears. So, please, do not disturb me."

With that, he closed his eyes, dismissing her presence.

Lin Zhuyun's shoulders shook slightly, nearly convinced that Yu Yuan and his family were intentionally provoking her, refusing the marriage to shame her and prompt the Lin family to call off the engagement.

"Yu, Brother Yu."

Just then, Su Yan approached gracefully. She looked at the closed-eyed Yu Yuan and the visibly shaken Lin Zhuyun, speaking gently, "I didn't mean to interrupt, but I have a Mind Mender that could help Brother Yu replenish his spiritual energy more quickly."

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

"There's no need for thanks. You saved everyone's lives; it's only right," Su Yan said earnestly, her tone sincere. "Moreover, once we make it out of Moonfall Sanctuary alive, I'll make sure to inform my father about Uncle Su Yin's prejudice against you in Asvetaesi."

"There's really no hatred between the Su and Yu families, just some misunderstandings."

"Yu, rest assured, I'll handle those minor misunderstandings properly!"

With these words, she gently placed the Mind Mender into Yu Yuan's palm.

Lin Zhuyun, struggling with her inner turmoil, suddenly stood, snatched up the book she'd been sitting on, and left without a word.

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

"Let's not worry about it; she seems to only bring trouble," Yu Yuan said dismissively, a wry smile on his lips. "You might be unreliable in a pinch, but at least you come bearing Mind Menders."

"Who are you calling trouble?" Lin Zhuyun spun around, her eyes blazing.

Feeling awkward, Su Yan explained, "Lin, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just that we need to unite against our common enemy, and Yu needs the Mind Mender, so..."

"He is still my betrothed, officially. I'd appreciate it if you kept your distance," Lin Zhuyun stated icily.

"Oh." Su Yan gave a small bow and offered Yu Yuan an apologetic smile before turning to leave.

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

As for Lin Zhuyun, seething with rage, he chose to ignore her.

He acted as if he hadn't heard her angry retort, feigning ignorance. The Su family's girl in green was clearly trying to provoke Lin, eager for a confrontation.

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