Chapter 301: The Secret in the Lost Starfire |
Qing Shi is personally handling it?
Su Chen was thoughtful. Then could he discuss it and find a way for the preliminaries that didn't require waiting such a long time?
"If you want to participate, there's one more thing you must adapt to in advance," Jiang Mufeng reminded again. "The Challenge Simulation System of the Peak Star Tournament is almost identical to our sect's, but there are also differences. Weapons can be used."
"Weapons?" Su Chen was somewhat surprised.
"Yeah," Jiang Mufeng explained. "The ranking on our sect's Holy List purely measures one's own degree of effort."
"But this Peak Star Tournament is somewhat different. At the same time, to avoid people saying our sect holds an advantage, in all previous Peak Star Tournaments held in our sect, the Challenge Simulation System has allowed the use of weapons, consistent with the rules of the Peak Star Tournament. They cannot exceed one's own Tier."
"You'd better train with a handy weapon, otherwise you'll suffer quite a loss."
"Like this..." Su Chen nodded, actually not paying it too much mind. Looking at his current combat system, a weapon would instead restrict his performance.
Mentioning the preliminaries, the crowd's topic of conversation diverged quite a bit. Zhao Ming couldn't help but sigh with emotion, "Wanting to stand out from the preliminaries is not easy. Although that top-tier batch of Star Seeds and Divine Dawns won't participate..."
The several people mentioned a few names, such as Fan Zhixing, ranked third on the Bronze Sect's Holy List. His gap with Wei Zhenghong truly wasn't considered too big.
Other sects also had similar people. There were also some factions second only to the sects; the talents they nurtured were not necessarily inferior either.
Speaking to the end, Wei Zhenghong mentioned again, "I estimate those several Morning Star Tiers have already begun discussing the matter concerning Qin Yun."
"This Venerable of ours has always claimed to know nothing at all. Who knows whether it's true or false."
The crowd couldn't help but be somewhat curious. Internally, the Bronze Sect hadn't interrogated Qin Yun too much.
This was the first time since Qin Yun returned that he was making contact with the people of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court.
"Now, the Ancient King no longer absolutely needs to take him as an alternative Successor. I wonder if Qin Yun will spit out some things."
As Su Chen secretly pondered over the time the crowd spent chatting, the banquet had already been prepared. Wei Zhenghong invited everyone to take their seats.
On Yunlong Star, within the joint encampment of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court, inside one of the meeting rooms.
The Ancient Bronze King, Qin Yun, Chu Lingyuan, Qing Cang, King Peng, Wu Yue, and all the Morning Star Tiers were all gathered here.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat dead silent. The crowd's gazes faintly met, and then all fell upon Qin Yun, remaining silent with deep voices.
Sweeping a glance at the Ancient Bronze King, King Peng spoke first. This matter was spearheaded by the Royal Court, so naturally the Royal Court had to take the lead. His voice was heavy and condensed:
"Venerable Qin Yun, I won't say much else. Your Sect Master is right here. I don't know what kind of conclusion you internally reached within the Bronze Sect."
"But previously, the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court jointly explored the Lost Starfire. Currently, there are five dead and one heavily injured in a coma. Only you alone came out alive, and your state seems quite good."
"Now that we are face-to-face, I will only ask you one sentence: Do you truly not know what exactly happened in the Lost Starfire?"
Qi Heng and the others' gazes burned brightly. Although the Royal Court wanted to use this matter to swallow the Bronze Sect, the Four Great Sects didn't have this kind of thought.
Their most primary goal was still to figure out what exactly had happened, and whether any secrets were hidden within.
The gazes of at least six Morning Star Tiers present all landed on Qin Yun. Even he felt as if bearing a massive mountain, his gaze unable to help but look toward the Ancient Bronze King standing before the window.
He had his back to the crowd, lacking any intention to speak. After a long silence, Qin Yun spoke slowly: "I do not know what kind of explanation you all exactly want. How the other few specifically died, I truly do not know."
"Still Playing the Fool." King Peng sneered coldly. Just as he was about to bring out the proof, he heard Qin Yun turn around and say, "However, I did indeed experience some things inside. If you all want to know, I can also talk about it."
His statement changed... Although Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang's faces had no changes whatsoever, their hearts stirred slightly.
King Peng's expression stagnated. He truly hadn't expected Qin Yun to submit so simply.
He had thought this person would insist on his previous statement, claiming he knew absolutely nothing, and then he would bring out the information left by the Prison-Suppressing King, catching the other party Unprepared.
That way, no matter what Qin Yun said, everyone would doubt whether he was truly holding nothing back, and the Royal Court could further apply pressure, thoroughly making the Bronze Sect and the Four Great Sects stand in opposition.
But for Qin Yun to be so cooperative right now truly surprised him somewhat.
The people from the Four Great Sects exchanged a glance. Qi Heng said in a deep voice, "Then please tell us, Venerable Qin Yun."
Qin Yun let out a long sigh of relief, memories seemingly in his eyes. "That day, after we entered the Lost Starfire, in a trance, we seemed to arrive within a Palace."
"A Palace?" The crowd's expressions shifted slightly, sitting up straight one after another.
"Correct, a Palace." Qin Yun's expression was firm. "Stretching vast and boundlessly, covering an unknown distance."
"Afterward, we agreed to split up and explore. What the others discovered, I do not know, but I delved into some places and indeed discovered some information. That seemed to be a place left behind by a Sunless-rank Professional."
"It's truly a Blazing Sun Starfire?"
The crowd's expressions grew even more solemn. They originally had various speculations about that Lost Starfire, the greatest possibility among them being a Sunless-rank Starfire.
"Then why were you heavily injured? Why did the others die?" King Peng frowned deeply, pressing repeatedly.
"Because..." Qin Yun hesitated slightly before saying, "I suspect it should be because someone among us touched the Sunless Spirit."
"Sunless Spirit? The Spirituality of a Sunless-rank profession?" A touch of blazing heat flashed through the crowd's eyes.
Before this Lost Starfire appeared, the only connection the five Ancient Kings and the Royal Court's Emperor of the entire Dust Star Sea had with the Blazing Sun Tier was the Royal Court's Solar Fire Pillar.
Although it was called the Solar Fire Pillar, whether it was specifically left behind by a Sunless-rank Professional still remained in doubt. It was also possible that being passed down for many years had caused the Starfire to undergo a Metamorphosis.
And the Ancient Bronze King had gone even further to seek professional Metamorphosis, delving deep into the Nether Realm, almost causing the Starfire to be completely extinguished.
If one could be Selected by a Sunless-rank Professional, then in the future, they would be the strongest person in the Dust Star Sea...
"A purple dragon crossed the sky, entrenched for who knows how many tens of thousands of miles, its might terrifying. And the reason I could survive..." Qin Yun looked like he still had lingering fears, "...might be because I had a tiny bit of a possibility of being Selected."
These words carried a bit of suspicion of boasting, but the crowd instead believed it somewhat. The Spirituality of the Morning Star Tier was already extremely haughty; if it didn't look highly upon someone, it just didn't, let alone the Blazing Sun Tier.
King Peng frowned deeply. This was completely different from the situation he had anticipated. Qin Yun's explanation seemed reasonable and logical.
But could this matter really be concluded with just these few sentences?
"Do you have proof?" King Peng pressed.
"I don't have proof." Qin Yun shook his head, yet then turned and said, "However, that Sunless Spirit left a message for me."
"What message?" Wu Yue couldn't help but ask.
Qin Yun scanned the crowd, speaking in an Unhurried manner: "Divine Dawn is the threshold. He allowed me to bring people in next time, but they must at least be Divine Dawn Grade Talents."
"Threshold? What threshold? The threshold to be Selected by the Sunless Spirit?" The crowd's expressions were Mercurial in Mood. "Divine Dawn Grade is only the threshold."
King Peng's face instantly changed. This Qin Yun was truly too cunning, directly finding a protective talisman for himself.
He was somewhat unable to sit still, asking sharply, "What do you mean? Are you saying that without you, we have no way of bringing people with Divine Dawn Grade Talents inside?"
Qin Yun gave a Bitter Smile. His gaze swept over his Sect Master's back as he said helplessly, "I also don't know, but that's what the Sunless Spirit said."
For a moment, King Peng was somewhat stifled with anger. He truly doubted this guy's statement, but as his gaze swept over the people of the Four Great Sects, even Wu Yue's face revealed a thoughtful expression.
If one were to ask how much trustworthiness these words had, it wasn't necessarily much.
But the most crucial thing was that the Sunless Spirit had hooked everyone's heartstrings.
If it were true, then Qin Yun seemingly became the sole key.
"Moreover, that place is not a benevolent land, and I don't have the chance to be Selected. Since I've said this, everyone will definitely have me bring people there. If the facts are not so, why would I be Seeking My Own End?" Qin Yun closely followed up with another sentence.
Qi Heng couldn't help but nod. "Indeed. Since Venerable Qin Yun said this, he has definitely made psychological preparations and is not afraid of us verifying it."
What exactly is this guy... King Peng's expression was Mercurial. He truly hadn't expected Qin Yun to come up with such a set of statements.
With these words spoken, regardless of true or false, at least until the next time they entered that Lost Starfire, Qin Yun could not be allowed to have any mishaps. Whoever touched him would become a common enemy.
Even the Bronze Sect themselves couldn't touch Qin Yun.
However, although using this method was a protective talisman, sooner or later, there would come a day when they still had to enter that Lost Starfire.
With the Sunless Spirit as a hook, even the Ancient Bronze King couldn't stop the hearts of the other Ancient Kings.
'What exactly does he want to do?'
Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang were also very puzzled, looking at the calm-faced Qin Yun.
Suddenly, Qin Yun looked out the window. His eyes seemed to hold amazement, seemingly relief, and seemingly a fleeting flash of smugness. "The Dark Sun Period has passed."
"What?" Qing Cang and Chu Lingyuan's faces changed slightly. Only then did they realize that amidst the crowd's conversation, the Dark Sun Period had already arrived Silently and Stealthily.
But as they abruptly looked out the window, the Starfire was blazing as before.
"This..." Qing Cang's heart jolted. That Unimaginable thought once again surfaced in his heart. 'Could Su Chen have truly succeeded? But this is also a bit too fast; he only just advanced to the 6th-Tier!'
"The Dark Sun Period has passed?"
King Peng, Wu Yue, and the others also looked out the window in unison, their hearts unable to help but be stunned.
The Bronze Sect's switching between Radiant Sun and Dark Sun had continued for a century. Exactly what time they alternated, they were all perfectly clear as well.
Wu Yue's heart shook violently. Could it be that the Ancient Bronze King was resolving the Starfire's trouble? He hadn't sunk deeper and deeper, but instead had a way to deal with those Mist Embers.
Then could this Ancient King, in the process, find a method for professional Metamorphosis and become stronger and stronger?
King Peng's palm clenched tight, then released. Coming to the Bronze Sect, in just a short half-day, the surprises brought to him were truly too many.
If the Dark Sun Period was shortened, or even completely ended, then the Ancient Bronze King's appearance this time wasn't consuming a price, but was Doing with Ease.
Then the Royal Court's plans would thoroughly fall through.
For a time, it was hard for him to grasp what exactly he should do next.
It was only at this moment that the Ancient Bronze King's voice finally transmitted over: "This matter will temporarily come to a close. You all should go report to the other Ancient Kings, as well as the Vast Sea Emperor."
The crowd's minds were complex. After being stunned for a long time, they finally said, "Yes."
The crowd dispersed respectively. Very quickly, only the four master and disciples remained in the room.
"Lingyuan, Qing Cang, you two also go attend to your business." The Ancient Bronze King waved his hand.
"Yes, Sect Master." Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang stood up. Before leaving, they still shot a glance at Qin Yun. The other party's expression was as calm as ever.
The Ancient Bronze King turned around, his gaze falling on this disciple before him who had served him for hundreds of years. His eyes were somewhat complex, but ultimately returned completely to dead silence:
"What exactly do you want to do, to actually guard against even me?"
Qin Yun remained silent, sighing secretly. He was also very helpless. Previously at the Starport, he had faintly guessed that Sect Master probably wasn't improvising, but had truly found a method to resolve the Mist Embers.
And this would bring about a problem: he would no longer be the sole alternative. Sect Master completely had time to wait for the next generation to rise and seek a more suitable Ancient King Successor.
And this, in turn, would lead to the Ancient Bronze King not necessarily continuing to forcefully protect him. Just now, facing the others' questioning, the Ancient Bronze King's silence was corroborative evidence. This Sect Master also wanted to confirm whether he had lied previously.
And he clearly knew that he had indeed concealed many things. Although that Prison-Suppressing King was in a coma, it was hard to guarantee whether he had left any traces behind.
Right now, he could only speak out about some things to protect himself, and even had to guard against this Sect Master before him settling accounts on certain matters.
"What you just said, how much of it was true and how much was false?" The Ancient Bronze King's eyes were cold and severe, his voice deep. "You spoke of the Spirit of the Vast Sun. This is a matter that all Ancient Kings and the Emperor care about. I can no longer protect you."
"Every sentence is true." Qin Yun finally spoke, saying in a deep voice, "I am also truly willing to bring Divine Dawn Grades there to prepare for the Sunless Spirit's Selection."
The Ancient Bronze King stared at him for a long time before saying indifferently, "Never mind, do as you please."
At the same time, the Bronze Core plunged into an eerie silence. Everyone halted in their steps, raising their heads to look at that Starfire that should have extinguished, yet was still blazing bright.
"Starfire, Starfire..." An old Deacon trembled all over, tears and snot flowing horizontally, yelling hoarsely.
The younger generation displayed undisguised joyful excitement, their boiling voices linking into one and spreading very far. The Department Heads, on the other hand, were much more mature. Their faces faintly flushed red as they exhaled a breath of turbid air.
"Holy shit, the Starfire actually didn't extinguish today!"
On Wei Zhenghong's Floating Island, everyone was drinking to their heart's content. Chu Ran looked up in Unimaginable disbelief, a wine cup still held in his hands, looking at the still-blazing Starfire outside the window. The others also all changed expressions one after another, coming to the window.
Even Shen Yi'an abruptly stood up, his eyes trembling, both hands clenched tight.
"Could it be that the Ancient King found a method to resolve the Crisis of the Flames?" Wei Zhenghong's voice faintly trembled.
Su Chen looked carefully. This Old Wei's eyes actually had a bit of glistening light flickering in them.
"So excited, huh..." He suddenly realized that even if it was merely shortening the Dark Sun Period, it still held tremendous significance for the people of the Bronze Sect.