Night talk in the pavilion, drinking under the moon. Yu Yuanchen and Qian Daoliu engaged in a deep and candid exchange regarding the landscape of the continent, the internal strife within Martial Soul Hall, and even the ethereal inheritance of the gods. It was not until the moon passed the zenith that the two departed, both having gained a deeper understanding and positioning of one another.
When Yu Yuanchen returned to the Coalition Army camp, his grandfather Yu Boxuan was still waiting in the tent.
"Chen'er, what did Qian Daoliu want with you?" Yu Boxuan asked with concern. Although he knew his grandson possessed extraordinary strength, he could not help but feel anxious when facing the Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall.
Yu Yuanchen drained the remaining wine in his cup and, with a calm expression, recounted the essence of his conversation with Qian Daoliu. He held nothing back, from the attitude of Golden Crocodile Douluo to the internal divisions within Martial Soul Hall regarding how to handle the continental situation (the purge-oriented deterrent faction versus the cooperation-oriented settlement faction), to the concept of the "Upper Three Sects," and even the shocking information regarding the divine inheritance.
Yu Boxuan's expression shifted as he listened, turning from grave to astonished, before finally falling into a long, deep contemplation.
After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice tinged with emotion: "Martial Soul Hall... to think there is such division within. Golden Crocodile Douluo is overbearing and seeks conquest; the Pope Qian Chongshan is more calculating, preferring a strategy of open schemes—binding others with fame and fortune to establish a shared order. This position of the 'Upper Three Sects' seems honorable, but in reality, it is meant to bind our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Clear Sky Sect, and others to Martial Soul Hall's chariot, maintaining the order they have set, sharing their burdens, yet also sharing their authority. It is a double-edged sword."
He looked at Yu Yuanchen: "Chen'er, what is your take on this?"
Yu Yuanchen pondered for a moment and said, "Grandfather, I believe that Martial Soul Hall has indeed rendered great service to the Human Race over the years by awakening martial souls for commoners, providing subsidies for low-level soul masters, restraining the behavior of low-level soul masters, and even having their powerhouses guard the borders year-round to repel beast tides. The successive Great Angel Consecrators have repeatedly stepped forward in times of crisis for the Human Race. The soul master world has benefited from these achievements and kindnesses; we cannot deny this, nor should we view them as enemies."
He shifted his tone: "However, their internal factions are numerous, and their ideologies differ. The faction of Golden Crocodile Douluo is overbearing and aggressive—those who submit thrive, and those who resist perish. If they were to lead Martial Soul Hall, the continent would surely be plunged into the flames of war, and our clan would find it difficult to remain unscathed. The Pope's faction, however, advocates for cooperation to define order. While it is an open scheme, it aligns better with the current trend. If it can be facilitated, it will be more beneficial than harmful to the soul master world in the short term. Our clan can go with the flow, using the name of the 'Upper Three Sects' to consolidate our status and accumulate strength, but we must remain vigilant, hold our bottom line, and never become a mere vassal of Martial Soul Hall."
"As for Qian Daoliu..." A flash of brilliance crossed Yu Yuanchen's eyes, "His ambition does not lie in the power of the continent, but in the God Realm! His aspirations are great, and his temperament, talent, and vision are all top-tier. One can compete or cooperate with him, but one should not become his mortal enemy. At least, not before touching the Divine Path."
Upon hearing this, Yu Boxuan's eyes gleamed repeatedly, and he clapped in admiration: "Good! Chen'er, you see things clearly! These words resonate deeply with me! We should acknowledge the merits of Martial Soul Hall. We should observe their internal divisions. We should seize the position of the Upper Three Sects! But in our dealings with Martial Soul Hall, we must remain vigilant and maintain our independence. With Qian Daoliu, we can maintain this competitive relationship of being both enemies and friends. Only in this way can we secure the greatest life force and development for our clan amidst the great changes to come!"
The grandfather and grandson discussed for a while longer, setting the basic strategy for the family's future dealings with Martial Soul Hall and other forces on the continent.
Several days later, the matters concerning the Diamond Mountain Range were completely concluded. The coalition of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect returned home fully laden with spoils.
Dragon City, the residence of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The victorious team was warmly welcomed by their clansmen. Having wiped out their arch-rivals, expanded their territory by a thousand miles, and seized countless spoils, the clan's prestige was at its zenith, and every clansman felt a sense of pride. Yu Boxuan presided over the Elder Council, announcing the results, distributing resources, and providing compensation for the casualties; a series of affairs were handled in an orderly fashion.
Yu Yuanchen was relatively free. He returned to his courtyard to continue digesting what he had gained from this trip, especially the insights from his battle with Qian Daoliu and the final act of summoning the Heavenly Thunder to level the natural chasm. His cultivation level was steadily rising, and his conversion and control of the Thunder True Essence were becoming increasingly refined.
On this day, he was practicing a new set of Thunder Step he had recently comprehended in the courtyard, his body turning into purple lightning, flickering and shifting within a small space, leaving behind trails of afterimages, profound and unpredictable.
Suddenly, he heard soft footsteps outside the courtyard, along with a faint, comforting fragrance.
Yu Yuanchen paused, withdrew the lightning from his body, and looked toward the courtyard gate.
He saw Ye Zhilan standing there prettily, holding an exquisite food box in her hand. She was wearing a light green dress today, which made her skin appear even fairer, and her brows carried a complex expression of worry intertwined with joy.
"Brother Yuanchen." Seeing Yu Yuanchen look over, she lowered her head slightly, a blush rising on her cheeks, and called out in a soft voice.
"Zhilan, you're here." Yu Yuanchen smiled slightly and walked up to her. Returning from a great battle, seeing this gentle and understanding flower, he could not help but feel a sense of tranquility in his heart.
"I heard from the clansmen... that Brother Yuanchen went to a very far place a few days ago and experienced a fierce battle..." Ye Zhilan looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with concern, "Are you... hurt?" She looked Yu Yuanchen up and down, as if trying to find some scars on him.
Yu Yuanchen felt a warmth in his heart and shook his head: "Some clowns, all have been subdued. I am unharmed, thank you for your worry."
Ye Zhilan breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a reassured smile, and handed over the food box: "This is a soup I made with freshly picked Calming Spirit Flower and a few medicinal herbs for soothing the nerves and nourishing the blood. Brother Yuanchen has been traveling for days, your spirit must be exhausted, drink some soup to replenish yourself."
Yu Yuanchen took the food box; it was warm to the touch and fragrant. He was not a person who cared much for the pleasures of the palate, but this thoughtfulness and concern were quite gratifying to him. "Thank you."
The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard. Ye Zhilan watched quietly as Yu Yuanchen drank the soup, occasionally speaking in a soft voice about the recent interesting events in the clan, or her new insights into pharmacology. Yu Yuanchen mostly listened quietly, occasionally responding with a few words, or answering some of her questions about soul power cultivation.
The atmosphere was quiet and warm. After spending time together over this period, the hazy affection between them seemed to have become clearer. Ye Zhilan's gentleness, goodness, wisdom, and her undisguised admiration and reliance on Yu Yuanchen were like a trickle, quietly moistening his heart, which had become slightly cold and hard due to cultivation and killing. And Yu Yuanchen's strength, steadiness, and the gentle patience he occasionally revealed only to her also made the young girl's heart sink deeper.
However, in Yu Yuanchen's heart, the words of Qian Daoliu regarding the divine inheritance, as well as the mysterious, faint summons originating from the west, always lingered.
After Yu Yuanchen finished the soup, Ye Zhilan packed up the food box, hesitated for a moment, and then asked softly: "Brother Yuanchen... what are your plans next? Will you... leave again soon?"
Yu Yuanchen looked at the imperceptible reluctance in her eyes and was silent for a moment. He knew that some things, in the end, needed to be done.
He looked up toward the western horizon, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of rooftops, seeing the distant and unknown beyond. He spoke slowly, his voice calm but with a hint of unquestionable determination: "Zhilan, I need to leave for a while, to go to the west, to find some... answers."
"The west?" Ye Zhilan was slightly startled, a flash of disappointment crossing her eyes, but more of it was worry, "Is it very far? Is it dangerous?"
"Perhaps very far, perhaps dangerous." Yu Yuanchen did not hide it, "But this matter concerns my future path, I must go."
He looked at Ye Zhilan's worried eyes, his tone softening slightly: "Don't worry, I have my own sense of proportion. In a few months, at most a year or two, I will definitely return."
Ye Zhilan lowered her head, her hands twisting the hem of her clothes, and was silent for a long time. She knew that the man in front of her was a Thunder Dragon soaring in the nine heavens, destined not to be trapped in one corner. His world was far wider and more dangerous than she had imagined.
In the end, she looked up and tried to squeeze out a smile, but her eyes shone with firm light: "Brother Yuanchen, go ahead. Zhilan will be here waiting for your return. I will work hard to cultivate the methods you taught me, and I will also follow the clan elders to learn medical skill well, I will never... become a burden to you."
She paused, her voice light, but exceptionally serious: "I only hope that you... take care in everything, and return safely."
Yu Yuanchen looked at her trying to endure the reluctance, yet striving to support him, and a soft place in his heart was gently touched. He reached out and patted her shoulder lightly, a slightly unfamiliar but comforting gesture.
"Okay, I promise you, I will return safely."
Three days later, Yu Yuanchen had everything arranged. He further perfected the basic Blood Essence Body Tempering Method he had created, left behind more detailed cultivation insights, and handed them to his grandfather and father, stating that they could choose disciples in the clan with good temperament and solid foundations to try practicing it, so as to consolidate the foundation of the clan.
He went to see Ye Zhilan one more time, leaving behind some medicinal herbs he did not need for his own cultivation that were helpful for calming the spirit and nourishing the blood, and once again urged her to cultivate well.
Finally, he bid farewell to his grandfather Yu Boxuan and his father Yu Mingfeng.
"Chen'er, the journey to the west is long, take care in everything." Yu Boxuan solemnly exhorted, "As for the clan's affairs, I and the elders will handle them, you need not worry. Although exploring divine traces is important, your own safety is the top priority! If something cannot be done, return quickly!"
Yu Mingfeng also patted his son's shoulder, his tiger eyes full of pride and concern: "Go, a man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world. Everything at home is fine, and as for that girl from the Ye family, your father will also look after her for you."
Yu Yuanchen nodded heavily, keeping the concern of his elders in his heart.
He did not disturb too many clansmen, and on a morning when the dawn was just breaking, he quietly left Dragon City.
His figure turned into an inconspicuous purple streak of lightning, sweeping across the vast land, heading straight to the west, in the direction from which the summons came from the dark, galloping away.
Ahead lay an unknown journey, ancient ruins that might contain the opportunity to become a god, and a land of ancient legends where danger and opportunity coexisted.
His journey to the west in search of traces had officially begun. Where would the guidance of the divine traces lead him?
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan