Chapter 393 - 304: Fame Shakes Bright Moon (2)

Chapter 393: Chapter 304: Fame Shakes Bright Moon (2)

In the midst of their conversation, Yu Taoran arrived. He stared at Yu Changsheng’s familiar face, his mind reeling despite having prepared himself for this moment.

"Changsheng?"

Yu Taoran asked tentatively, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Grandfather." Yu Changsheng turned to face Yu Taoran, a slight smile gracing his lips as he nodded in greeting.

"Yes, yes, good! It’s good you’re safe. That’s all that matters."

After a moment, Yu Taoran’s face broke into a brilliant smile. He eagerly patted Yu Changsheng’s hand, suppressing the shock in his heart. He let out a breath and chuckled.

"I’m fine. I was on a sect mission to eliminate a Dark Stream stronghold here. I was afraid of tipping them off, so I didn’t tell you beforehand."

Yu Changsheng retrieved Chen Geng’s Storage Pouch from a distance. His tone was gentle as he explained, handing the pouch to Yu Taoran.

"So that’s what this was about," Yu Taoran said, understanding dawning on him. He had certainly heard about the Dark Stream. His expression then turned to one of confusion as he looked at the Storage Pouch being offered to him, then back at Yu Changsheng with hesitation.

"Take it. It’s the Storage Pouch of a Golden Core expert. There should be plenty of good things inside, which will be perfect for the family’s needs. I don’t really have any use for it anymore."

Yu Changsheng smiled, and before his grandfather could refuse, he took Yu Taoran’s arm and placed the pouch in his hand.

"This..." Yu Taoran’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked deeply moved. Seeing the undeniable resolve in Yu Changsheng’s eyes, he finally nodded after a moment and said with a smile:

"Alright, then. In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony."

He then sighed, his gaze filled with deep emotion and a hint of apology. "All these years, the family hasn’t been able to help you with much. Now, you’re the one we have to rely on."

"What are you saying? We’re family. There’s no need for such formalities," Yu Changsheng said with a frown, shaking his head.

"Greetings, old sir!"

Zhang Tianwen and Li Minghan looked at Yu Taoran and greeted him politely and respectfully.

Yu Changsheng returned to the present and quietly made the introductions for Yu Taoran. "These two are my fellow disciples from the Beast Taming Peak, Zhang Tianwen and Li Minghan."

Only then did Yu Taoran seem to notice them. A natural smile spread across his face as he slapped his forehead and said:

"Forgive my oversight. So, you’re friends of Changsheng’s. As talented disciples of the Wanxiang Sect, you’ve gone to great trouble to accompany him to Bright Moon City and help us eliminate this threat. Come, this is no place to talk. If you wouldn’t mind, let’s head back to the mansion and have a seat."

"Of course."

The three of them had no objections, and under Yu Taoran’s lead, they headed toward the Yu Mansion.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after the trio had left, figures began to slowly arrive at the scene. Their cultivation levels varied, but most were prominent figures in Bright Moon City. However, they all remained eerily silent, eventually turning their gazes toward the Yu Family’s estate, the unconcealable horror and shock evident in their eyes.

Yu Changsheng hadn’t made any special effort to conceal the scene of Yu Taoran’s arrival, so those who had been watching from the shadows had seen everything quite clearly.

After a long while, someone in the crowd finally spoke.

"To think that Golden Core Expert was actually one of the Yu Family... Yu Changsheng..."

"How is that possible? Yu Changsheng is so young! A Golden Core Expert at his age..."

"I’d long heard that the Yu Family had produced a genius disciple who was making waves in the Wanxiang Sect. I was skeptical at first, but now it seems the rumors were true..."

Everyone had different reactions. Some seemed indifferent, their expressions unchanged. Others looked conflicted and sighed deeply. But in the end, all their expressions melted into a single look of reverence.

"From Yu Taoran’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment... to Yu Changsheng’s Golden Core now... the Yu Family has truly produced a peerless talent. They’re about to soar to the heavens, a complete rise to power."

"From now on, anyone in Bright Moon City who even thinks of making a move against the Yu Family had better weigh their own strength carefully. The Yu Family... is a power you can only befriend!"

...

In an instant, news of the battle spread throughout Bright Moon City at an incredible speed. The tales about Yu Changsheng grew more and more fantastical with each retelling, but they all ended with a sigh of admiration.

With the Dark Stream affair settled, Yu Changsheng and his companions were in no hurry to leave. They spent the next few days staying with the Yu Family. For Cultivators, the more powerful they become, the more blurred their perception of time. Since he had made this rare trip to Bright Moon City, Yu Changsheng naturally wanted to spend quality time with his family and take care of a few other matters.

...

However, the hunt for the Dark Stream was far from over. As their strongholds were dismantled one after another, rage and panic began to spread through the organization. The campaign, which swept across more than half of the Martial Continent, was only growing more intense.

The Profound Yin Sect was located in the far western reaches of the Martial Continent. Its sphere of influence, strictly speaking, covered a radius of ten thousand li. However, compared to the other two major sects, it had always maintained a low profile. Its disciples rarely ventured into the outside world, so despite being the strongest, its presence had remained minimal over the years, and it seldom meddled in worldly affairs.

But now, the affair with the Dark Stream had thrust it into the spotlight, drawing a great deal of attention from all corners.

The headquarters of the Profound Yin Sect was situated on a boundless red plain. Viewed from high above, the plain looked as if it were stained with blood, a startling patch of color in the landscape. A sinister wind howled, stirring up crimson gusts that carried the faint, intermittent scent of blood.

At the far end of this plain stood several mountains that towered into the clouds. Each was distinct, but three, in particular, drew the eye. One was as black as ink, oppressive and foreboding. Another was as scarlet as blood, radiating a palpable sense of unease and a bloody aura. The last was a deep, abyssal purple, shaped like swords and sabers thrusting straight into the heavens.

These were the three mountains of the Profound Yin Sect: Xiong Mountain, Slaughter Mountain, and Evil Mountain! They also represented the sect’s three distinct lineages: the Fierce, the Slaughter, and the Evil.

These three mountains were not natural formations but were artificially created. Legend had it that at the founding of the Profound Yin Sect, the first Sect Leader used his immense Divine Techniques to forge them. They served as the very foundation of the sect and were, in fact, three colossal Sect’s Treasures—one of the sect’s greatest hidden strengths!

At this moment, atop the peak of Slaughter Mountain, palaces stood in neat, dense rows. Within one of the grand halls, the Slaughter Mountain Peak Master, Zhu Zhengping, was dressed in a moon-white robe. He had the appearance of a middle-aged man, and between his brows—perhaps it was a trick of the light—was a hint of scholarly elegance. His entire demeanor was like that of a tireless teacher from the mortal world; his every move was plain and simple, embodying a return to true nature.

Yet at this moment, a shadow of gloom flickered across his brow. Looking down at the subordinate half-kneeling before him with a bowed head, Zhu Zhengping spoke calmly:

"Ta’er’s Soul Lamp has shattered, signifying his unfortunate demise. Has this matter been fully investigated?"

Before the subordinate could answer, the space not far in front of Zhu Zhengping suddenly twisted. A middle-aged Cultivator clad in a crimson robe appeared. He glanced at the kneeling subordinate before turning his gaze to Zhu Zhengping. With a slight smile, he answered first:

"Don’t bother. Your subordinate won’t find anything regarding Yan Ta’s death. But we at the Dark Stream, on the other hand, know a great deal."

As this middle-aged Cultivator in the crimson robe appeared, wisps of Blood Evil Qi seemed to leak from him, naturally and almost unintentionally. The very air trembled, and faint sounds of wailing ghosts and howling beasts echoed around him. This was none other than the Dark Stream Sect Leader, Tong Yuanzheng!

Zhu Zhengping showed no surprise at Tong Yuanzheng’s appearance. With a wave of his hand, his subordinate silently withdrew. Zhu Zhengping simply arched an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Tong Yuanzheng, and said coolly, "What’s this? A surprise visit without any warning? Do you really think Slaughter Mountain is your home now?"

"I never said that," Tong Yuanzheng replied with a shrug and a slight smile at Zhu Zhengping.

"I only came to give you a piece of information. Your beloved disciple, Yan Ta, fell at Huishui Mountain. During that time, the only people who visited Huishui Mountain were a group of disciples from the Wanxiang Sect."

"At the time, my Dark Stream had received a contract to intercept and kill them—something Yan Ta was also aware of. Unfortunately, my people underestimated the strength of those disciples and had no choice but to retreat in failure."