My Professions Have Too Much Personality

’Old Qing is handling it personally?’

Su Chen grew thoughtful. ’If that’s the case, maybe I can negotiate a way out of such a long preliminary selection process.’

"If you’re going to participate, there’s one more thing you’ll need to get used to ahead of time," Jiang Mufeng added. "The Peak Star Conference’s challenge simulation system is nearly identical to our Sect’s, but with one difference: you can use weapons."

"Weapons?" Su Chen sounded surprised.

"Mhm," Jiang Mufeng explained. "Our Sect’s Holy List rankings are purely a measure of individual effort."

"But the Peak Star Conference is a little different. To prevent anyone from claiming our Sect has an unfair advantage, the challenge simulation system has always allowed weapons whenever the conference is held here. This is consistent with the official Peak Star Conference rules, which state that a weapon cannot exceed the user’s own Tier."

"You’d better find a weapon that suits you and get some practice in, or you’ll be at a real disadvantage."

"I see..." Su Chen nodded, though he wasn’t too concerned. Given his current fighting style, a weapon would probably just hinder him.

As the conversation turned to the preliminary selection, Zhao Ming lamented, "It’s not easy to distinguish yourself in the preliminaries. Even though the most Top Level Star Seeds—the Divine Dawns—won’t be participating."

"But the group right below them is still frighteningly powerful."

They mentioned a few names, like Fan Zhixing, who was ranked third on the Bronze Sect’s Holy List. The gap in power between him and Wei Zhenghong wasn’t very large.

The other Sects had similar individuals, and even some of the lesser factions had prodigies who were by no means inferior.

Eventually, Wei Zhenghong added, "I’m guessing those Morning Star Tier experts have already started their discussion about Qin Yun."

"This Venerable of ours has been claiming he doesn’t know anything. Who knows if it’s true or not."

The group couldn’t help but feel curious. The Bronze Sect hadn’t subjected Qin Yun to any intense questioning internally.

This was his first time coming into contact with people from the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court since his return.

’Now that the Ancient King no longer needs him as a backup heir, I wonder if Qin Yun will finally reveal something,’ Su Chen mused internally.

As the group chatted, the banquet was prepared, and Wei Zhenghong invited everyone to take their seats.

...

「In a meeting room at the joint station of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court on Cloud Dragon Star.」

The Bronze Ancient King, Qin Yun, Chu Lingyuan, Qing Cang, the Peng King, Wu Yue—all the Morning Star Tier experts were present.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. The experts exchanged subtle glances before their gazes all fell upon Qin Yun, and they remained grimly silent.

After a glance at the Bronze Ancient King, the Peng King was the first to speak. Since the Royal Court had initiated this inquiry, it was only natural for them to take the lead. His voice was deep and grave.

"Venerable Qin Yun, I won’t waste words. Your master is here, and I don’t know what conclusion your Bronze Sect has reached internally."

"But when the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court jointly explored the Lost Flame, five died and one was left severely wounded and comatose. You are the only one who made it out alive, and you appear to be in reasonably good shape."

"So now, with all of us before you, I will ask you just one question: do you truly have no idea what happened inside the Lost Flame?"

The gazes of Qi Heng and the others were piercing. Although the Royal Court wanted to use this incident to absorb the Bronze Sect, the Four Great Sects had no such intention.

Their primary goal was simply to find out what had happened and whether any secrets were being concealed.

With the gazes of at least six Morning Star Tier experts fixed on him, even someone of Qin Yun’s stature felt as though he were shouldering a great mountain. He couldn’t help but glance toward the Bronze Ancient King, who stood before the window.

His master had his back to them all, showing no intention of speaking. After a long silence, Qin Yun slowly began to speak. "I don’t know what kind of explanation you all are looking for. I truly don’t know the specifics of how the others died."

"Still playing dumb," the Peng King sneered. Just as he was about to present his proof, he heard Qin Yun change his tune. "However, I did experience certain things in there. If you wish to know, I can tell you about them."

His story had changed. Though Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang’s expressions remained impassive, they were stirred inwardly.

The Peng King’s expression faltered. He truly hadn’t expected Qin Yun to yield so easily.

He had assumed the man would stick to his original story, claiming to know nothing. Then, he could present the information left by the Prison King and catch him completely off guard.

That way, no matter what Qin Yun said, everyone would doubt whether he was telling the whole truth. The Royal Court could then apply further pressure, driving a permanent wedge between the Bronze Sect and the Four Great Sects.

But Qin Yun’s current cooperation had genuinely taken him by surprise.

The members of the Four Great Sects exchanged a look. Qi Heng said in a heavy tone, "Then please, Venerable Qin Yun, tell us what happened."

Qin Yun took a long, slow breath, a look of recollection in his eyes. "On that day, after we entered the Lost Flame, we found ourselves in a daze, as if we had arrived inside a palace."

"A palace?" Everyone’s expression shifted slightly, and they all sat up straighter.

"That’s right, a palace." Qin Yun’s expression was resolute. "It was a vast, sprawling complex, stretching farther than the eye could see."

"Afterward, we agreed to split up and explore. I don’t know what the others discovered, but I ventured deeper and did find some information. It appeared to be a place left behind by a Sun Tier Professional."

"So it really was a Sun Flame?"

Everyone’s expressions grew even more grave. They had already speculated about the nature of the Lost Flame, and the leading theory had always been that it was a Sun Flame.

"Then why were you so severely injured? And why did the others die?" the Peng King demanded, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Because..." Qin Yun hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I suspect one of us must have disturbed the Spirit of Sun."