C99 You Cultivate the Dark Arts Right?

As Yu Yuan approached the entrance of the forbidden area, his sense of unease intensified.

It could have been the effects of the Mind Mender Pill he had taken, or perhaps the sword's will branded on his arm was heightening his awareness.

Either way, he had the distinct impression that the entrance, which should have been secured by the Empire's experts, was fraught with danger.

Lee Yu's brow furrowed slightly. "No concrete evidence?"

"Just a gut feeling," Yu Yuan replied.

"I'm also feeling increasingly uneasy the nearer we get to the entrance," Lee Yu remarked, gazing in the direction they were headed. "This sensation is partly due to the Soul Orb. At times, this magic ball allows me to subtly detect the presence of powerful soul spirits. There's definitely a formidable soul spirit at the entrance of the forbidden area, and it's not one of the Empire's."

"You're experiencing something similar?" Su Yan expressed her astonishment.

Lee Yu nodded in confirmation.

The rest of the group looked visibly concerned at his words.

Those who had genuine faith in Yu Yuan, such as Zhan Tianxiang, Han Hui, and Zhao Yafu, were already persuaded by his instincts.

The other trial-takers, however, found Lee Yu's judgment more convincing.

Yu Yuan's warning of danger had initially left them doubtful, but Lee Yu's agreement swayed them to belief.

"So, what's our next move?" inquired Yan Lu, still recovering from his injuries, his midsection wrapped in bandages and his wounds just beginning to heal. His breath came in short gasps as he spoke, "The forbidden area is expansive, yet it's bordered by vast ravines. These chasms are like insurmountable barriers, and those who can't fly will find them difficult to cross."

"If the entrance is our connection to the outside, where else can we exit from?"

The group lapsed into a thoughtful silence.

Prior to their arrival, Yuan Lianyao had briefed Yu Yuan and the others on the peculiarities of the Moonfall Sanctuary, providing them with a rudimentary map to understand the layout and features of the forbidden area.

The Moonfall Sanctuary, a sprawling expanse, was marked by countless abyssal pits formed when the Moon Shards plummeted from the extraterrestrial realm, causing the land to collapse in places.

Moreover, as the Moon Shards descended, the sanctuary's periphery was torn asunder, creating a series of deep trenches.

The Moonfall Sanctuary had become a unique enclave, standing apart from the surrounding wasteland.

From a bird's-eye view, one would notice that the Sanctuary was akin to an island nestled within the wasteland, its periphery marked by deep trenches. Only a few spots remained unsevered, maintaining a connection to the wasteland.

The Moonfall Sanctuary was indeed an island amidst the barren expanse.

The trial-takers' entrance was one such link between the Sanctuary and the outside world, providing a path to the Silvermoon Empire.

Without using that entrance and passing through the massive archway, one would have to cross the deep trenches by flight to enter the Sanctuary.

"My Celestial Plume Raiment allows me to soar through the skies, but it cannot sustain flight for an extended period," Su Yan said with a moment's hesitation. "Carrying others would make it even less likely to last, particularly when the divine force becomes unpredictably turbulent, increasing the danger."

"I think we shouldn't risk trying to cross the ravines with the Celestial Plume Raiment," Zhan Tianxiang offered his view. "The ravines are simply too vast. Moreover, who's to say there aren't Moonfiends lurking in the shadows? What if we're ambushed by a Moonfiend while crossing?"

Su Yan's expression turned sour. "The Celestial Plume Raiment's stealth capabilities are useless against Moonfiends."

The Moonfiend that had made a pact with Feng Xin possessed a powerful soul, capable of detecting any soul activity.

The Celestial Plume Raiment couldn't mask the essence of one's soul. It couldn't deceive even cultivators at the Subtlety level, much less a Moonfiend.

"So, what's our next move?" Han Hui inquired gently.

Many instinctively turned their gaze to Lee Yu. Figures like Zhao Yafu, Han Hui, and Zhan Tianxiang fixed their eyes on Yu Yuan, while Su Yan and Yan Lu, after considering Lee Yu, also directed their attention to him.

Clearly, in the minds of many, only Lee Yu and Yu Yuan were seen as capable of taking charge.

"Do you have any suggestions?"

Lee Yu fell silent for a moment before suddenly turning to Yu Yuan. "Should we force our way through, or should we stay in the forbidden area?"

"We stay in the forbidden area and figure out how to kill the Moonfiend," Yu Yuan replied. "The Moonfiend that Feng Xin harbored is indeed powerful, and it will be even more formidable when it reappears. However, I believe the Moonfiend here is somewhat easier to handle compared to the ominous feeling I get from the entrance of the forbidden area."

"Is there a chance we could track down the Moonfiend that escaped?" Zhao Yafu inquired.

"Exactly. The escaped Moonfiend, being severely wounded, won't recover its peak strength quickly, even with a new host," Han Hui chimed in. "If we turn the tables and hunt it down within the forbidden area, wouldn't we be safe once we eliminate it?"

"The Soul Orb I possess should aid in the search for the Moonfiend," Lee Yu said, looking again at Yu Yuan. "But the final blow will depend on you. So, how are you holding up?"

Yu Yuan, who practiced Evil Body Refining, now relied on Zhan Tianxiang's support, appearing feeble and powerless to everyone present.

How could such a weakened Yu Yuan deliver the final blow?

"If we're certain we can locate the Moonfiend, I'll do my utmost to regain my combat strength quickly," Yu Yuan said with a smile. "The most significant drain was on my vital essence. So, if any of you have pills akin to the Mind Mender, I would appreciate your contributions."

He was unabashedly requesting magic items.

The remaining trial-takers exchanged glances, yet none spoke up.

Pills capable of nurturing the three souls of heaven, earth, and man were exceedingly rare, not something an average trial-taker would possess.

Moreover, for someone like Yan Lu, who wielded a Soul Splitting Staff, such pills were also in demand.

Those who had no use for them wouldn't have brought such pills along.

"Van Le," Yu Yuan said with a sheepish grin, "as the heir to the Van family and the leader of this trial, surely you wouldn't be without such pills? If you have them, please share. Refining my three souls will enhance my ability to sense dangers and defeat the Moonfiend."

"Indeed, Van Le, as the Van family's trial leader, surely you can't be lacking even a simple Soul Nurturing Pill?" Zhan Tianxiang and Yu Yuan, now thick as thieves, urged him together, "Don't be stingy, if you have any, bring them out."

Van Le's heart held a cold sneer, but his face showed defeat and helplessness. He spread his hands and replied, "It's not about being stingy; I truly don't have any."

"The Van family's resources are too meager. No wonder they're at the bottom of the five great families," Zhan Tianxiang said with a mocking tone, "At this rate, our Zhan family might just take your place one day."

"If the Zhan family has the foundation and strength for that, there's nothing we can do," Van Le conceded.

"Well, if the Van family is short on funds, then..." Yu Yuan shifted his gaze to his fiancée, Lin Zhuyun, "What about the Lin family? You're the esteemed future disciple of a Winter's Bite elder. Surely he must have granted you some pills?"

Lin Zhuyun stood silently, giving him a brief glance before coolly stating, "I have none."

The Lin family members around her seethed with anger but restrained themselves from reacting. How dare Yu Yuan, a mere figure from Asvetaesi, insult their young lady in the forbidden area? They thought bitterly, once we leave this place and return to the Empire, we'll see how long you can strut around.

"Ah, what a drag. Had I known it would be like this, I wouldn't have bothered returning to deal with a bunch of ungrateful wretches," Zhan Tianxiang scoffed. "Yu Yuan has put in so much effort and sustained serious injuries, yet his family isn't wealthy. You all, born into great families and sheltered by others, shouldn't you offer up some protection fees? Otherwise, why should anyone assist you in slaying the Moonfiend?"

"You two at least show some appreciation," he said, addressing Yan Lu and Su Yan.

"Let's do this," Lee Yu interjected, seeing the tension rise as Zhan Tianxiang's comments grew more offensive and the crowd's mood soured. "Yu Yuan, you seem to be in good spirits for now, so there should be no immediate concern. However, when the Moonfiend reappears, the exhaustion of your three souls—of heaven, earth, and man—will be significant. I'll provide you with a pill superior to the Mind Mender to aid in your recovery."

"What's your opinion?"

Yu Yuan nodded in agreement, "Sounds good."

"Zhan Tianxiang, I'd like to have a word in private with Yu Yuan," Lee Yu approached from the direction of the Lee family and came up to Zhan Tianxiang and Yu Yuan. Offering his arm to Yu Yuan, he suggested, "Shall I take over?"

Zhan Tianxiang glanced at Yu Yuan for confirmation.

Yu Yuan responded, "No problem."

Lee Yu stepped in for Zhan Tianxiang, offering his support to Yu Yuan as they moved away from the gathering.

"You're practicing the dark arts, aren't you?"

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