C52 Forbidden Land of the Fallen Moon

In the southern reaches of Silvermoon City lay a vast wilderness, its expanse a shimmering silver-white. Bathed in moonlight, the land's uneven surface glistened as if blanketed by a layer of silver snowflakes. These rugged terrains were marked by pits of unfathomable depths and varying sizes. Over countless years, these craters had been connected by an intricate network of stone paths, weaving through the wilderness.

This enigmatic place, known as the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, was the Silvermoon Empire's most mystical site. Legend has it that eons ago, fragments of the moon from beyond the skies plummeted here. These Moon Fragments, upon impact, gouged the earth, creating vast chasms.

Silvermoon City, the capital of the Silvermoon Empire, stood adjacent to this area, its name intrinsically linked to the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area. The forbidden zone was notorious for its tumultuous spiritual Qi, making it inhospitable for cultivators of lesser realms to linger.

For millennia, a myriad of cultivators, including formidable ones from the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents, ventured into this treacherous domain. Throughout history, some discovered profound Spiritual Spells within the buried Moon Fragments, achieved breakthroughs in their cultivation, or unearthed otherworldly treasures.

The Fallen Moon Forbidden Area was once a coveted treasure trove, drawing countless cultivators from all three continents. It was the epicenter of numerous, devastating bloodbaths that rippled through the Profound Sky, Heavenly Source, and Quietus Continents, claiming the lives of many powerful beings.

Yet, after centuries of relentless exploration, the once-abundant secrets of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area were nearly exhausted. In recent centuries, the allure of the area waned as no new, earth-shattering discoveries were made.

As the Silvermoon Empire ascended, the Forbidden Area evolved into an adventure ground for the empire's youth, a place for them to test their mettle and uncover remnants of the past. The empire harbored no illusions of grandeur for these young explorers but hoped they might stumble upon artifacts or legacies left by fallen cultivators. Concealed by the dying breaths of these warriors, such inheritances lay hidden, their presence masked, awaiting discovery by those who dared to delve into the mysteries of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

Those destined to perceive the essence of the artifacts will be the ones to carry on their legacy.

Every decade, the Silvermoon Empire sends a select group to venture into the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

Yet, the scope of exploration is restricted.

The Empire permits access to only about one-fourth of the Forbidden Area, where the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth is relatively stable, posing less risk to those of lower cultivation levels.

The remaining three-quarters, fraught with peril, have been explored thrice by the Empress, leading the Empire's mightiest cultivators. Each expedition resulted in significant troubles and severe losses.

The nature of these troubles remains a closely guarded secret by the Empress, and the survivors are tight-lipped, leaving others in the dark.

In recent years, cultivators from the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents ventured into the perilous three-quarters, some returning empty-handed and others never returning at all.

...

At the entrance to the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, a warrior clad in silver armor exudes a tranquil and profound presence, his silver spear at the ready, his demeanor grave.

A towering archway, constructed from nearly a hundred massive silver-white boulders and standing dozens of meters tall, marks the threshold to the Forbidden Area, with the Empire's elite family members gathered before it.

Two Ice Rock Beasts, hauling a carriage adorned with the Lim family's banner, approach the entrance at a measured pace, their breaths hissing, scattering ice shards across the ground.

Such rock-hard Ice Rock Beasts are a rare sight on the Profound Sky Continent. Comparable in strength to a cultivator at the Yellow Court Stage, these Third Level Spiritual Beasts are formidable.

Bestowed by the Cold Yin Sect, these beasts were specifically reserved for Lim Zhuyun, recognizing no one else.

Thus, the appearance of the Ice Rock Beasts leaves no doubt among the Silvermoon Empire's onlookers as to who approaches.

"Lim Zhuyun," states Su Yin, his brow furrowed as he returns just in time. "This young lady will be your most formidable rival. She has reached the late Yellow Court Stage and aims to ascend to the Profound Break Stage within the Forbidden Area. Once she emerges successfully, she will be personally taken under the wing of the Cold Yin Sect's Great Elder for further cultivation."

Su Yan, clad in green, remained composed and silent.

"You little rascal," Su Yin said with a stern glance. "The empire's five great families can form their own teams, while the rest group together by city. The great families and several imperial cities are natural rivals in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area—it's an open and fair competition."

"No need to elaborate. Lim Zhuyun leads the Lim family."

"For the Su family, we all look to you. You mustn't lose to her."

The younger generation's exploration of the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area affects the prestige of all the major families, and even the Empress of the Silvermoon Empire watches quietly.

"Don't worry about me," Su Yan finally said, her smile reassuring. "Uncle, rest assured. If I choose to, I can break through to the next level during the exploration."

Su Yin's eyes sparkled. "You too?"

"Yes, I'm just waiting for the right moment," Su Yan confirmed.

"I've heard the Su family has stopped purchasing spiritual herbs from the Yu family?" Lim Hanyu approached with a peculiar grin. "What's the matter? Has the Yu family dared to defy you?"

"The Yu family from Darkmoon City?"

"Aren't they related to the Lim family?"

"I've heard there's been a falling out between the Su and Yu families."

The other families' representatives were puzzled by Lim Hanyu's comments, hearing this for the first time, while those more informed whispered explanations.

To them, the Yu family of Darkmoon City was a distant concern, known only for a simple-minded young master betrothed to Lim Zhuyun.

Nothing more.

After all, Darkmoon City hardly ranked among the empire's major cities.

"Ah, Darkmoon City, memorable only for its striking red lotus!"

"Indeed. That woman grows more stunning by the day. I wonder who might capture her favor."

"The City Lord herself is coming this time. I'm eager to meet her."

The conversation among the families shifted seamlessly from the Yu family to the anticipation of seeing Yuan Lianyao.

Clearly, the modest Yu family couldn't hold a candle to Yuan Lianyao's stunning beauty when it came to being a topic of conversation.

"Hey, Second Brother Lim, I've heard that you took a bigger hit than any of us at the hands of the Yu family in Darkmoon City, didn't you?" Su Yin said with a smirk. "What was the name of your most faithful hound? Yinn Jue, wasn't it? He was killed by someone from the Yu family, right?"

At those words, Lim Hanyu's face soured instantly.

Those who had been discussing Yuan Lianyao perked up with newfound interest upon hearing this piece of gossip for the first time.

But before they could probe further, a cry rang out.

"People from Darkmoon City are coming!"

"Yuan Lianyao is on her way!"

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