Chapter 299: Paying Respects to the Ancient King! |
Su Chen walked out of the Ancient King Palace heavy with worry. Arriving at the edge, he carefully poked his head out and glanced down. The Starfire below was growing increasingly blazing and bright. On its surface, flame light similar to solar prominences surged upward, and a vigorous vitality came rushing toward his face.
The state of the Starfire seems not... Su Chen watched for a while, then returned to the Ancient King Palace.
His eyes shifted slightly. Unbeknownst to him when, a figure had appeared before his eyes. It was exactly the Ancient Bronze King, still with the appearance of a broad-faced middle-aged man.
However, this time it was not a phantom image, but a physical body.
Su Chen muttered secretly. It seemed that when the Ancient King walked outside, he also wouldn't use the appearance of that bronze giant. Well... it would be too eye-catching.
"Sect Master, nothing went wrong with the Starfire, right?" Su Chen asked.
The Ancient Bronze King's mood seemed quite good, bearing a pleasant smile on his face. "It's even a bit better than I imagined."
"I estimate the Radiant Sun Period can be extended by about 5 hours. Under the circumstances of my departure, no problems should arise within ten days to half a month."
"That's truly wonderful." Su Chen chimed in, but inwardly muttered that the shortening of the Dark Sun Period seemed disadvantageous for him mining Nether Realm Stones.
Su Chen pondered, yet realized that he should expand his business of entering the Nether Realm.
"It's all thanks to you." The Ancient Bronze King's gaze fell on Su Chen, pondering slightly. "As a Star Seed, you shouldn't be lacking in normal resources."
"Hmm... let's do it this way. You may go to the Fortune Bronze Core as you please, no longer subject to the limit on the number of times. When you advance from the 8th-Tier to the Morning Star Tier, I will personally step in to deduce it for you."
Su Chen hurriedly said, "This is all what I should do. Enjoying the sect's protection, of course I should do some things for the sect. You needn't reward me excessively."
"Even so, rewards and punishments must still be separated..." The Ancient Bronze King turned around. Before his words fell, his expression abruptly changed. Looking toward the Spiritual Anchor Statue of the Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted, his voice carried doubt and shock. "How did the Spirituality disappear?"
With a flash of his figure, he arrived before the Statue. After confirming it once more, the Ancient Bronze King's expression darkened slightly. "It's truly gone."
Su Chen looked awkward, while the Ancient Bronze King had already reacted, his gaze falling on Su Chen.
Just now, only Su Chen was in this Ancient King Palace, and what disappeared was exactly the Spirituality of the Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted. If one were to say there was no connection, even he wouldn't believe it.
"This Spirituality..."
"Uh..." Su Chen responded cautiously, "Sect Master, if I said I also don't know what happened, would you believe me?"
The Ancient Bronze King's expression shifted continuously. Flicking his hand, the surrounding cyan data light streams intertwined, transforming into a figure not far away. It was exactly Su Chen's appearance.
After his Main Body left, Su Chen appeared shocked, but immediately withdrew his expression. He strolled around the Ancient King Palace, arrived before the Statue of the Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted, and patted it. At this time, nothing happened.
The Ancient Bronze King's eyes flickered. He saw that after Su Chen returned, he took out the Mist Source again, seemingly somewhat hesitant, and then saw the Mist Source vanish in his hands.
The Ancient Bronze King frowned slightly. He had already seen this scene once, so there wasn't much surprise.
And after Su Chen absorbed the Mist Source, he seemed to have perceived something. Somewhat stunned and hesitant, he slowly dragged his feet toward the Statue.
He stretched out his palm and pressed it against the Statue.
A moment later, his expression blanked, evidently also extremely shocked.
'It can even recreate the scene.' Su Chen was quite amazed, muttering secretly. Looking at his own movements, they didn't expose anything, and his reaction was also very normal.
"Did you devour the Spirituality of the Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted?"
The Ancient Bronze King looked at Su Chen hesitantly. Walking forward, his pupils emitted a faint green light as he swept a glance over Su Chen's body once more. Just like before, there were no anomalies.
"How could it be like this..." He no longer knew which time this was that he had discovered such inexplicable things on Su Chen's body.
Su Chen said helplessly, "Sect Master, I also don't know what happened. After absorbing this Mist Source, an unseen voice told me to go to the Spirituality of the Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted, and then I found out the Spirituality had been devoured."
The Ancient Bronze King frowned slightly. The disappearance of the Spirituality was one thing, but more importantly, he couldn't grasp whether this was ultimately a good thing or a bad thing for Su Chen.
But right now, he couldn't deduce any clues either.
"Never mind." After careful consideration, the Ancient Bronze King shook his head. "First, let's observe what anomalies might appear later. If any situation arises, come find me immediately."
"Alright." Su Chen seemed helpless, but breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Although purifying the Mist Embers was a great merit, this was after all a spiritual Foundation passed down through generations.
Turning around, the Ancient Bronze King's gaze looked far into the distance. "Hmm... they arrived at quite an opportune time. As a Star Seed, you should also head over to welcome them."
"However, it is best if you and I do not appear at the same time today, to avoid anyone associating it with you."
This matter of purifying the Mist Embers was still too unimaginable. The Ancient Bronze King didn't wish to expose it so easily.
"Understood." Su Chen shared the same thought. He was still thinking of hoodwinking the Black Buddha, so he definitely couldn't let anyone associate the purification of the Mist Embers with him.
At the Star Gate Port where the Bronze Sect connected to the outside world, in order to welcome the luxurious lineup of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court arriving together, all external work here had been suspended earlier, thoroughly clearing out this area.
Many high-ranking members of the sect were here. At the very front were the three individuals: Chu Lingyuan, Qing Cang, and Qin Yun. Behind them were several Department Heads, Wen Jing, Wu Feng, and others.
Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi'an stood in the same row as these Department Heads.
"Is Sect Master truly going to come?" Chu Lingyuan sent out a mental fluctuation, asking Qing Cang beside him.
Qing Cang's expression wasn't very good. Glancing at Qin Yun, he replied, "That's what Sect Master said."
"Sigh..." Chu Lingyuan sighed. "I wonder what kind of price Sect Master will have to pay. With so many occurrences, even if Sect Master's body has no issues, problems will be born."
"You should say these words to Qin Yun." Qing Cang glanced at the expressionless Qin Yun.
Although the two were conversing via mental fluctuations, they hadn't deliberately concealed them. With Qin Yun's Morning Star Tier strength, she could easily capture and analyze them.
But regarding their exchange, Qin Yun didn't participate whatsoever, her expression remaining expressionless from start to finish.
"Why didn't Su Chen come again this time?" Shen Yi'an swept a glance left and right, unable to help but ask.
Wei Zhenghong was also somewhat confused. "He should have been notified, right? I guess this guy is still developing his professions; when he trains, it's often day and night without end."
Su Chen rarely left the Floating Island where he resided, which was well-known within the sect.
"It doesn't matter, it's enough that the two of us are here." Wei Zhenghong didn't care, saying crossly, "Besides, what that group of people cares about is whether the Ancient King will come or not. They don't care at all if Su Chen comes or not."
"It is a matter of etiquette after all." Shen Yi'an shook his head, but didn't say anything further.
And behind them, Qin Tianlin was mixed among a crowd of Vice Hall Masters. His gaze swept over the backs of Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi'an, his expression dead silent.
Not being a Star Seed, no matter what he did, he could only stand behind the Star Seeds.
They didn't wait long before the Star Gate abruptly lit up. A spaceship glided out of the Star Gate, wrapped in Starlight Alloy, with energy patterns etched on its surface roaming ceaselessly. Behind it, one luxurious spaceship of varying designs after another drifted out of the Star Gate, gradually docking at the Port.
The crowd from the Bronze Sect cast their gazes over.
Buzz— The cabin doors of the five spaceships opened respectively, and figure after figure walked out from within.
Those leading the teams were all Morning Star Tiers, looking dignified and imposing. Behind them followed the Star Seeds of the respective sects, as well as a portion of their high-ranking members.
Counting roughly, there were already nearly ten Morning Star Tiers present, which could be considered a small half of the entire Dust Star Sea.
And behind each Morning Star Tier followed one or two Star Seeds. The Morning Star Tiers of the present age and the Morning Star Tiers of the future—added together, the number had exceeded twenty.
Merely thinking of this number, many people secretly clicked their tongues in their hearts. This was truly a rare Wonder.
Stepping out of the spaceships, the people from the major sects and the Royal Court simultaneously swept their gazes over the Bronze Sect's welcoming Array. Their gazes landed on Qin Yun again. As they walked forward, the five forces gradually converged.
The distance between the two sides was not far. An imposing momentum came rushing toward their faces as their gazes met and clashed.
If discussing momentum and strength, it was naturally the combined team of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court that was superior. Many from the Bronze Sect felt their breathing slightly stagnate; their hearts palpitated, and their palms broke a sweat.
In the past, the arrival times of the various sects for the Peak Star Tournament had been scattered, one after another; they had never deliberately waited to arrive together. What their purpose was at present, both sides were well aware.
Chu Lingyuan's trio's eyes narrowed slightly, and they had already stepped forward to welcome them. Their gazes landed on the elderly man at the very front who looked like he would fall over from a gust of wind. They called out with rather respectful demeanors, "Grandmaster-Uncle Shi Yan."
Hearing this address, the Black Tortoise King's eyes couldn't help but blur for a moment. His gaze fell on Chu Lingyuan. "It's you. The last time I saw you, you were still a little brat following behind the Ancient Bronze King."
"Indeed... it's already been nearly four hundred years." Chu Lingyuan wore a smile.
Qing Cang had an extremely poor impression of this old immortal, but still offered a greeting. Qin Yun also nodded gently, addressing him as "Grandmaster-Uncle."
"Respected Venerables." Chu Lingyuan's gaze moved past the Black Tortoise King, landing on the other Morning Star Tiers.
But before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
"The Black Tortoise King has come personally. Is the Ancient Bronze King not preparing to come welcome him?"
As the words fell, the expressions of the people present underwent various changes, their gazes all landing on the person who spoke.
The expressions of everyone from the Bronze Sect didn't look too good. Wei Zhenghong coldly snorted. This was Venerable Wu Yue from the True Martial Sect, who had historically been at odds with them.
Qing Cang's gaze was coldly severe. The Venerables of the Four Great Sects, however, didn't have very good expressions either. Even King Peng couldn't help but furrow his brows.
Wu Yue was somewhat too anxious. King Peng didn't wish to absolutely force the Ancient Bronze King to come out, or to make the other party lose face.
This was merely a probe. If the Ancient Bronze King didn't appear, it could indirectly convey many things. There was no need to ask this unnecessary question and put the Bronze Sect in a spot where they couldn't step down.
The Black Tortoise King was even more displeased. "The Ancient Bronze King is the head of the sect, while I am merely an old immortal Morning Star Tier. Coming to welcome me is naturally my honor, but not coming to welcome me is also to be expected."
"If you have an opinion about the Ancient Bronze King, express it yourself. Do not use me as a gun."
Hearing this, Wu Yue simply acted as if he hadn't heard it, but didn't say anything further either. Tossing out this sentence and dropping the Bronze Sect's face was enough.
Didn't Qing Cang say Sect Master would come? Chu Lingyuan frowned slightly, inevitably somewhat confused, but didn't ponder deeply over it. He said flatly, "If Venerable Wu Yue wishes to see the Ancient King, just accompany me later."
"It has indeed been some time since I've seen the Ancient Bronze King, but there's no need for a private audience." Wu Yue shook his head in refusal.
"Heh..." Chu Lingyuan shook his head. Turning around, he said, "Residences have already been arranged for everyone. Please follow me."
King Peng's eyes narrowed. The Ancient Bronze King truly wasn't preparing to appear, huh. Had the situation deteriorated to this extent?
Then this matter of convergence had great prospects. Thinking of this, his mood became rather cheerful.
Even his response became much milder: "Brother Chu is too polite. There are already established precedents for holding the Peak Star Tournament. Just following past customs is fine; there's no need to specially arrange anything else."
The group exchanged pleasantries for a bit. The massive team converged and walked together toward the large Flight Vehicle specially dispatched here.
However, while walking past a transparent porthole in the corridor, Wu Yue suddenly stopped, causing the massive team to have no choice but to halt as well.
His gaze passed through the porthole, looking toward the Starfire in the distance. He seemed to sigh with emotion, "This strange sight of a Starfire extinguishing and then reigniting can only be seen in the Bronze Sect."
The expressions of many people in the Bronze Sect shifted slightly, clenching their fists. Chu Lingyuan's gaze was cold and severe. Qing Cang was expressionless, yet awe-inspiring killing intent couldn't help but well up in his eyes.
Wu Yue seemingly didn't notice, continuing to sigh, "I wasn't the one leading the team during the previous Peak Star Tournaments held at the Bronze Sect, so I've never witnessed this strange sight. This time, I truly must broaden my horizons."
King Peng shot a displeased glance at Wu Yue. The Royal Court's goal was annexation, not annihilation. They didn't want to cause the Bronze Sect's resistance to become too heavy due to excessive humiliation.
He proactively spoke up, "Venerable Wu Yue can take his time looking later. For all of us to stop here just because of your single sentence is somewhat lacking in etiquette."
"Hah..." Wu Yue chuckled lightly. Everyone was perfectly clear in their hearts what kind of intentions the Royal Court harbored in speaking up for the Bronze Sect.
Therefore, he wasn't angry either, but rather quite cheerful. Perhaps within his lifetime, he could still see the Bronze Sect thoroughly wiped out.
"Let's go." He strode forward with his head held high, but before he could even take a step, his expression abruptly changed.
It wasn't just him. All the Morning Star Tiers present looked toward the Starfire in the distance. It had actually grown several degrees brighter abruptly, a vast and boundless intent rushing toward their faces.
Even separated by a great distance, the Morning Star Tiers could all feel the vigorous vitality suddenly transmitting from that Starfire, high-spirited and inextinguishable, not inferior in the slightest to the Starfire of their own sects.
"This..." King Peng's expression changed slightly. Wasn't this Bronze Sect's Starfire about to extinguish?
Wu Yue's face sank, his expression looking quite poor. With such vigorous vitality, how could this be the image of imminent extinguishing!
Shock and doubt also seemed to appear on the faces of the others.
The crowd from the Bronze Sect looked at one another in speechless dismay. Qin Yun's eyes flickered slightly. How could such a turn of events suddenly occur? What had Sect Master done?
"Sect Master!" Qing Cang suddenly called out, carrying a bit of joy.
Only then did everyone snap back to their senses, looking in the direction of the voice.
Not far away, a figure was surfacing. Broad-faced and calm-looking, his entire body was wreathed in faint cyan light streams. It was exactly the Main Body of the Ancient Bronze King.
With the Starfire soaring high, the Ancient King's Main Body had descended.
The Bronze Sect crowd swept away their declining momentum, their faces full of joy. Meanwhile, the expressions of the people from the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court varied, each with their own thoughts.
But immediately after, as if they had discussed it beforehand, everyone bowed in unison and spoke In Unison: "We pay our respects to the Ancient King!"