Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 323: I Pronounce You Innocent

Yang Soul? Wu Yuan felt dazed. What level of being was this, that he could tell his exact soul level at a single glance?

The soul was concealed within the upper dantian lobe. Unless two souls collided or an enemy soul invaded the upper dantian lobe, one’s soul level was nearly impossible to identify. Yet, in this instance, Wu Yuan felt as though everything was in the palm of this person’s hand. His soul was unharmed, suggesting no intrusion into his upper dantian lobe. And yet, he had been laid bare in an instant. The sheer magnitude of the gap between them was beyond his comprehension.

Void Refiner phase? Or perhaps the fabled Divided Soul phase? A flurry of conjectures raced through Wu Yuan's mind. Amethyst Cradle Realm? The likelihood was exceedingly slim.

"Child, I shall release you from your constraints." The figure draped in white robes and wearing a black mask spoke in a warm tone, "Her Highness Haiyue desires an audience with you. Return to Fengchuan City with me. Do not resist, do not struggle."

Her Highness Haiyue? Who was that? Wu Yuan's mind teemed with questions.

In all his time exploring the physical world or voidrealm over the past months, he had never encountered someone of such stature.

But one thing was certain – any individual capable of compelling this super powerhouse before him to address them as 'Her Highness' must wield considerable influence.

Such a figure is actually present in Fengchuan City? Could she be a backer of the Tu Family? Wu Yuan's thoughts were a tumultuous mess.

He understood that his fate no longer lay in his own hands. Escape? Resistance? Right now, he was rendered completely immobile. Even if he were able to unleash the three life-saving talismans, it would likely be futile against such an existence.

A subtle ripple coursed through the air. Suddenly, the constricted atmosphere returned to normal, allowing him to control his physical body once more. Only moments before this, he had felt as though his entire body, including his blood and essentia, no longer heeded his command, and even time itself had come to a standstill.

"Junior Li Xia pays his respects to Senior." Wu Yuan bowed slightly, "May I know how I should address you, Senior? And what business does Her Highness Haiyue have with me?"

When the time came to lower one’s head, one should lower their head. If he put up a stubborn resistance, he believed the man would have no issues squashing him to death. Moreover, backing down to a super powerhouse was not a disgrace.

Staying alive was what mattered the most.

"When the time comes for you to know my name, you will naturally find out," the white-robed figure said lightly, "As for Her Highness Haiyue? Her current station is the general of the Starsword City branch of the Redmoon Immortal Army."

Wu Yuan's eyes widened in astonishment.

The general of the Starsword City branch of the Redmoon Immortal Army? This was a figure with unparalleled authority within Starsword City.

"Let’s go!" With a graceful wave, the masked figure brought Wu Yuan out of the flying boat.

Then, reality seemed to warp as the flying boat, once a grand battleship, dwindled in size within the figure's palm, eventually disappearing without a trace.

Wu Yuan could hardly believe his eyes. After all, Qiong Sea King and the black-robed elderly man were still on board the flying boat. Living beings could not be placed in storage artifacts.

Refining the void? He’s a Void Refiner Eminence? If he wasn’t mistaken, this was an immensely powerful ability that qi refining super powerhouses could wield.

An invisible force enveloped Wu Yuan, propelling him through a whirlwind of lights that seemed to flow backward in time. The world transformed rapidly around him. Even with his formidable soul, Wu Yuan could barely perceive the breakneck speed at which he was hurtling through space.

In just two breaths, the world around him stabilized, revealing a sprawling city in the distance.

F-Fengchuan City? Wu Yuan's mind reeled.

From his estimates, he had managed to flee 200,000 li from Fengchuan City. And yet, this white-robed figure transported him across this staggering distance in the span of two breaths?

That was 100,000 li per breath, an average speed of 16,700 li per second! Such a flight speed was beyond terrifying.

Without a doubt, this man was a true powerhouse among immortal cultivators.

"Time to descend," the white-robed figure said. Without giving Wu Yuan a choice, the world around them shifted again, and Wu Yuan found himself standing in the center of a majestic hall.

The masked, white-robed figure stepped forth, merging with the figure in black behind the seat of honor, leaving Wu Yuan alone amidst a sea of scrutinizing gazes.

This place? Wu Yuan felt the weight of their collective gazes bearing down on him from all sides, their vital auras so powerful that his soul immediately screamed in warning. The intensity of their strength was like nothing he had ever encountered, far more than the strongest powerhouses he had met in his life.

Amethyst Cradles, so many of them in one place. Wu Yuan's eyes darted around, realizing that most of the individuals present were Amethyst Cradle or Shambhala cultivators, more than ten in total.

Only powerhouses at such a level could leave him feeling this threatened.

However, Wu Yuan's attention was not on the surrounding powerhouses but on the silver-armored woman in the guest of honor’s seat.

Such exquisite beauty! Wu Yuan could attest that he had never laid eyes on a beautiful woman before, with features so close to perfection, as if handcrafted by the divine! Clad in silver armor, she exuded a gallant and heroic aura.

But her most prominent feature was her icy and piercing gaze. One glance from her caused Wu Yuan’s heart to tremble, and he no longer dared to meet her gaze again.

She was akin to an ancient iceberg, timeless and unfathomable.

This silver-armored woman is a powerhouse, at least an Amethyst Cradle cultivator. Wu Yuan deduced in an instant.

Observing the seat arrangement, he paid his respects without hesitation.

"Juniors Li Xia humbly greets Her Highness Haiyue," Wu Yuan paid his respects.

The hall remained silent.

"Li Xia? I see you are not lacking in intelligence, recognizing me with just a glance." A melodious but cold voice rang out from the guest of honor’s seat.

Wu Yuan lowered his head and listened attentively.

"I have been made aware of your recent conflict with the Tu Family," the woman in silver armor stated, her gaze appearing to pierce through Wu Yuan’s mind, unveiling his secrets. "Tu Chi attempted to rob you of your spirit beast, a confrontation ensued, and you ended his life. Is this the truth?"

“Indeed,” Wu Yuan nodded in confirmation.

"Tu Guanghe," the woman’s gaze turned to an elderly man beside Wu Yuan.

"Your Highness," Tu Guanghe rose and bowed.

It was then that Wu Yuan realized that the man next to him was actually the ninth-stage Shambhala phase ancestor of the Tu Family. No wonder his gaze felt different.

"With my authority as the general of the Redmoon Immortal Army of Starsword City, I, Zhuo Haiyue, hereby pronounce you, Li Xia, innocent," the woman stated in a detached tone. "Furthermore, I declare that the Tu Family bears no responsibility in this matter. Both parties shall reconcile and forgive past grievances."

"Do you accept this judgment?" Her gaze swept over Wu Yuan and Tu Guanghe.

"I have no objections, Your Highness is wise," Wu Yuan replied softly. There was nothing he wanted more than to mend relations with the Tu Family. He was still a new visitor to the Immortal Continent and had yet to align himself with any faction. He had no desire for conflict with an Amethyst Cradle family right off the bat.

Moreover, from the evidence, it was clear that Tu Chi was acting independently and the Tu Family had little to do with his decision.

"I have no objections," Tu Guanghe murmured, resigned to the outcome. Naturally, he was frustrated, but what could he do? In front of Zhuo Haiyue, he dared not display any discontent.

"Then both of you shall make a vow in the name of True Saint Taiyuan," the woman instructed lightly.

Tu Guanghe bowed his head obediently, while Wu Yuan remained composed.

Eldritch cultivators typically invoked the Eldritch Progenitor in their vows, and were then bound by karma as overseen by the progenitor. In the same way, the inhabitants of the Redmoon Immortal Continent were all subject to the authority of the Taiyuan Divine Court. Even Immortal Redmoon himself was a member. It was likely that True Saint Taiyuan was the highest authority within the Taiyuan Divine Court.

As Wu Yuan and Tu Lianhe swore their oaths, a subtle force entered their bodies. However, the binding power was not constrictive.

"The banquet shall continue. General Luo, you are in charge of the subsequent procedures," the young woman declared, rising from her seat.

"Yes, Your Highness," General Luo acknowledged dutifully.

"Li Xia," she addressed Wu Yuan directly, her voice light yet commanding. "Follow me."

She exited the grand hall in a single stride, the black-robed figure and a group of ten or so crimson-robed figures trailing behind her.

Wu Yuan hastened to follow.

It was only when the group vanished from view that the tension in the hall began to dissipate, replaced by hushed murmurs of discussion.

"Did Her Highness Haiyue take a liking to that Li Xia?"

"That Li Xia is truly fortunate.”

"We can only dream of being a follower of Her Highness Haiyue.”

"Hmph! If you possessed such talent, perhaps she would take notice of you as well," the Amethyst Cradle powerhouses bantered.

Only Tu Guanghe remained silent in the midst of the chatter, his expression dark. It was clear to all that Her Highness Hai Yue held Wu Yuan in high regard.

During her inspection of Fengchuan City, only General Luo received a private audience as a matter of protocol. The other Amethyst Cradle powerhouses could not hope to meet her in a private setting.

"Daoist Tu, it seems luck is not on your side this time," the old ancestor of the Dong Family gloated with a hint of satisfaction.

"Mock me all you want," Tu Guanghe snorted. "Old Dong, I’ll be awaiting your death. Even if you were to die twice over, I’ll still outlive you."

With that, Tu Guanghe departed from the hall.

The color of the Dong Family ancestor's face immediately darkened. That was indeed his greatest worry. The lifespan of an Amethyst Cradle cultivator was a mere 3000 years, while Shambhala cultivators boasted a longevity of 10,000 years. If Tu Guanghe were a qi refiner, he wouldn’t have much longer to live. But as a Shambhala cultivator, he was still young.

"Hmph," the old ancestor of the Dong Family grumbled.

...

Wu Yuan followed behind Zhuo Haiyue’s entourage as they departed from the Immortal Army’s main hall, soaring freely through the sky without any restrictions from the arrays. Their journey brought them swiftly to a sprawling and opulent estate, centered around a magnificent hall.

Stepping into a side hall, Zhuo Haiyue beckoned to Wu Yuan. "Li Xia, sit," she commanded in a calm tone, assuming the host seat.

"Your Highness, I..." Just as Wu Yuan was about to speak, a red-robed figure interrupted him.

"Childe Li, if Her Highness instructs you to sit, you sit," the figure following closely behind him spoke. The person had an androgynous voice, and their figure was wrapped entirely in clothing that concealed their exact form, making it impossible to determine their gender.

It wasn’t just this person, Wu Yuan could not make out the slightest detail of any of the individuals accompanying the silver-armored woman.

Abandoning formalities, Wu Yuan complied and took his seat.

“Li Xia, I hope you truly have no objections to me forcing your reconciliation with the Tu Family,” Zhuo Haiyue said, her aura now slightly withdrawn as her gaze warmed towards him. This only enhanced her beauty.

“I have no objections,” Wu Yuan said in a low voice.

"You need not be so reserved; you are unlike the Amethyst Cradle cultivators in the hall just now," Zhuo Haiyue remarked casually.

Wu Yuan's pupils constricted. What did she mean by that?

"You only began cultivating a few decades ago, yet you’ve already reached the first-stage Golden Core phase, grasped the third step of the Dark Earth Sword Array, and possess a formidable soul," Zhuo Haiyue looked down at Wu Yuan from her seat, continuing softly. "Your immortal root is extraordinary, at least of the fourth degree, along with exceptional Dao comprehension aptitude and soul talent."

"The future of those Amethyst Cradle cultivators cannot be compared to yours."

Wu Yuan continued to listen, but inwardly he felt a storm of emotions. Wasn’t Her Highness Haiyue a little too overpowered?

In just a moment, she had practically seen through him.

"Your Highness, you have flattered me," Wu Yuan said respectfully.

Zhuo Haiyue smiled. "There’s no need to be so shocked. I have watched the battle recording. The Dark Earth Sword Path is a powerful sword methodology indeed. Ordinary Amethyst Cradle cultivators may be unaware of it, but not me. As for your recent breakthrough, I learned about it from the Redmoon Immortal Tower."

"I possess the authority to access a certain level of confidential information from the Immortal Tower," Zhuo Haiyue stated matter-of-factly, causing Wu Yuan’s astonishment to grow even further.

Authority within the Immortal Tower? Along with her position as the general of a second-tier city branch of the immortal army and the level of her bodyguard, Zhuo Haiyue's status was so noble that it spoke for itself.

"When I suggested that you mend relations with the Tu Family, it was with your well-being in mind. As far as I know, you don’t stand to lose anything," Zhuo Haiyue remarked, her gaze fixed on Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan nodded in agreement. He had indeed not been disadvantaged in any way.

"I do not like to mince words," Zhuo Haiyue continued coolly. "I'm doing this not because I have a good impression of you. I would like to extend an invitation for you to become part of my Immortal Guard."