Chapter 509 - 285: Han Xingliu
’The Heart of Spiritual Light...’ Su Chen mused. He downed the Potion in one gulp. A tingling, numbing sensation spread rapidly from the tip of his tongue, followed by a faint sting deep in his throat as it slid down his esophagus and into his stomach.
In an instant, a torrential flood of lightning plasma erupted, surging through his internal organs before gradually spreading to his entire body. Su Chen hurriedly activated his Body Refining Meditation Method.
...
Deep within the Nether Realm, in the place where Black Tuo resided, a dead silence reigned. Endless Netherworld Creatures prostrated on the ground, trembling in fear.
Black Tuo, sitting cross-legged in the center, spoke with a cold, desolate gaze, "Another portion of Fog Ashes has been purified."
At these words, Black Zhao, who was kneeling below, trembled and looked up in astonishment. "The Fog Ashes entwined with the Bronze Sect’s Flame Fire has been purified?"
"No." Black Tuo shook his head. "It was just a weak portion of Fog Ashes, likely a part the Bronze Ancient King separated long ago. But this is the second time. The Bronze Sect has indeed mastered an effective method of purification."
A deep chill swirled in his pitch-black pupils. Although it was only a weak portion of Fog Ashes this time, if he didn’t figure out what was happening, the threat could escalate. In the future, not only Black Tuo’s Fog Ashes, but those of all Deceitful Gods could potentially be purified.
And if they did figure it out, it could in turn become a weapon for them.
"We must find out what’s going on," Black Tuo said, his voice piercingly cold.
Black Zhao couldn’t help but ask, "Have the Believers lying in wait near the Bronze Sect not responded yet?"
"This matter is likely top secret even within the Bronze Sect; it won’t be that simple to figure out." Black Tuo didn’t seem to blame the Believer, merely musing, "We’ll wait for his report and see what the situation is."
"If necessary, I’m prepared to make a trip to the Bronze Sect myself."
Black Zhao was stunned. "You’re going to the Bronze Sect personally?"
"The Peak Star Conference will be a chaotic mix of people—a rare opportunity. Besides..." Black Tuo paused. "...there’s also that Su Chen. A perfect chance to bring him back as well..."
...
The Shenwu Hub, one of the eight major hubs in the Dust Star Sea, was also the Interstellar Hub closest to the Royal Court.
With the venue for the Peak Star Conference moved from the Royal Court to the Bronze Sect, countless factions, large and small, breathed a sigh of relief.
The Prophet Council had already downgraded the interstellar situation rating, and many transit hubs had resumed operations. Amidst the forest of Star Gates, a vast and complex number of ships zipped about on trajectories that seemed chaotic but were in fact impeccably organized.
In addition to these regular routes, above the Star Gates were VIP channels reserved for certain individuals, allowing them to pass through directly without queuing.
At this moment, an exceptionally magnificent vessel drifted into view. Its entire hull was covered in a dark gold metallic shell, its surface as smooth as a mirror, with almost no trace of seams or rivets.
Both sides of the hull were inlaid with countless fine blue light patterns that pulsed rhythmically with its flight.
"Xingliu..."
On the ship’s bridge, before the viewport, a man with a broad back stood with his hands clasped behind him, gazing out at the stars. His voice was deep. "This is your first time going to the Bronze Sect, isn’t it?"
"Yes, Your Excellency." The voice came from behind. The speaker was a young man with a high brow and wide-set eyes. He stood tall, his expression calm.
Standing beside the two of them was another person, one of the Commanders of the Church Army, Ni Chuan, who remained silent.
"What do you know of the Bronze Sect?" the Peng King inquired.
Han Xingliu paused in thought. "Before the crisis of the Flame Fire, they were the head of the Five Great Sects. After the crisis, they fell to the middle of the pack. Ninety percent of the Bronze Ancient King’s energy has been diverted to deal with the Flame Fire. To this day, they should be considered the weakest of the Five Great Sects."
"Correct." The Peng King nodded in satisfaction. "In the past, the Bronze Ancient King was one of those closest to the Sun Tier, not just among the Five Great Sects but even within the Royal Court. A pity. It was precisely for that reason that he fell for a Deceitful God’s trap."
Han Xingliu’s expression shifted slightly. He couldn’t help but ask, "Is it true that we once tried to recruit the Bronze Sect?"
"Correct." The Peng King nodded and turned around. He had a hawkish nose and a gaze as sharp as a torch, making it difficult for anyone to meet his eyes.
"After the Bronze Sect’s Flame Fire was extinguished, the Royal Court and the other Four Great Sects immediately sent people to investigate. They found it enveloped in Fog Ashes."
"We immediately proposed that only the Royal Court’s Sun Fire Pillar could break through the Fog Ashes surrounding their Flame Fire. We invited the Bronze Sect to merge with our Royal Court, and were willing to grant the Bronze Ancient King the same honors as an Emperor."
"However..." The Peng King sneered. "No one in the Bronze Sect, from top to bottom, was willing. Two of their Morning Star Tier experts forcibly merged their bodies with the fire. I’ll give the Bronze Ancient King some credit; he’s quite a character. He actually managed to rip the Fog Ashes apart, carving out a sliver of hope for survival. That’s how we got the bizarre sight we have today—a Flame Fire that flickers in and out of existence."
"The Bronze Sect was unwilling to merge with the fire back then. Why would they be willing now?" Han Xingliu asked, slightly puzzled.
"Their willingness is irrelevant." The Peng King shook his head, his eyes cold and indifferent. "There are only two ways to solve the Bronze Sect’s Flame Fire crisis. First, use the Royal Court’s Sun Fire Pillar to forcibly dissolve the Fog Ashes enveloping their Flame Fire."
"Second, the Bronze Ancient King merges his body with the fire to enhance its power. But before he dies, he must choose a successor to inherit the title of Ancient King."
"Time waits for no one. Right now, his only successor is Qin Yun."
Han Xingliu understood. "So, if we can get ahold of Qin Yun, or even force her to her death, the Bronze Ancient King will be left with no other choice."
"Exactly." The Peng King nodded, satisfied with Han Xingliu’s quick comprehension. "This is a rare opportunity."
Hearing this, Han Xingliu seemed puzzled again. "Your Excellency, in that Lost Flame incident, five Morning Star Tier experts perished, and the Prison King remains in a coma. Did we have a hand in that?"
Hearing this, Ni Chuan, who stood to the side, felt his eyelids twitch. He was also extremely curious about the matter.
The Peng King’s expression, however, turned grim. He slowly shook his head. "The Royal Court had no hand in that affair."
The risks involved were too great. Besides, they had genuinely lost a Morning Star Tier expert, and the Prison King was severely wounded. That was no small loss, even for the Royal Court.
The Peng King elaborated, "Using the situation with Qin Yun to push for the fire-merging is one factor. Figuring out what truly happened in the Lost Flame is another important objective."
"I see." Han Xingliu frowned slightly.
The Peng King changed the subject, asking, "As for this Peak Star Conference, are you confident?"
At this question, a confident smile appeared on Han Xingliu’s face. "Rest assured, Your Excellency. At present, in the entire Dust Star Sea, there are only nine people qualified to participate in the Peak Star Conference who have also completed the Melting Holy Profession."
"Among them, the greatest threats are Sheng Huaixu and Luo Yao. Both have Divine Dawn Level Star Seeds, but they are younger than me. The position of Star Head is as good as mine."
Hearing this, the Peng King grew even more satisfied. "The current Emperor first gained that position of Star Head, which is ultimately why the previous Emperor favored him. Your older brothers are all exceptional, yet none of them managed to become Star Head. If you can succeed..."
The Peng King left his sentence unfinished, but Han Xingliu’s heart pounded with excitement. He nodded firmly.
After speaking, the Peng King added, "However, something rather astonishing happened at the Bronze Sect not long ago."
"Oh?" Han Xingliu listened intently.
"Commander Ni," the Peng King called out suddenly.
Ni Chuan, looking a bit surprised, turned his gaze and nodded slightly. "Your Excellency."
"What is your impression of Su Chen?"
"Su Chen?" Ni Chuan was momentarily stunned. He never expected to hear that name again, much less from the Peng King himself.
He pondered for a moment. "He has a tenacious will. As for anything else, I don’t know much."
After failing to secure the Spiritual property on Red Thunder Star, he had faced considerable censure, so he truly wasn’t familiar with what happened to Su Chen afterward.
The Peng King said slowly, "Not long ago, this Su Chen, as a Tier Five Professional, defeated Qin Yun’s grandson—Qin Tianlin, a Tier Six Professional with a Divine Dawn Level Talent. Su Chen now holds the top spot for Tier Six on the Bronze Sect’s Holy List."
"What?" Ni Chuan’s expression was one of pure shock. "A Tier Five defeating a Tier Six? And his target had a Divine Dawn Level Talent?"
’A guy from a Desolate Planet could do that?’
Even Han Xingliu couldn’t help but ask in surprised disbelief, "Has the younger generation of the Bronze Sect really declined to such an extent?"
The Peng King remained noncommittal, gazing at the Star Gate that nearly filled his entire field of view. "This person is rather interesting. Worth keeping an eye on."
...
「In the training room.」
Su Chen’s figure was completely enveloped in the light of the Red Thunder flame, which flickered and pulsed, letting out a CRACKLING sound that almost entirely obscured his silhouette.
Faintly, one could also hear the distinctive sound of metal being forged—like the muffled thud of a hammer repeatedly striking hot iron.