My Professions Have Too Much Personality

Qing Cang’s expression was grim. He glanced at Qin Yun and replied, "That’s what Master said."

"Sigh..." Chu Lingyuan sighed. "I wonder what price Master will have to pay. If this happens too often, it will take a toll on him, even if he’s currently well."

"You should be saying that to Qin Yun," Qing Cang said, shooting a look at the expressionless Qin Yun.

Although the two were conversing via mental waves, they didn’t deliberately conceal them. With Qin Yun’s Morning Star Tier strength, she could easily capture and decipher their conversation.

But Qin Yun took no part in their conversation, her face remaining expressionless.

"Why isn’t Su Chen here this time?" Shen Yi’an asked, looking around.

Wei Zhenghong was also a little confused. "He was notified, wasn’t he? I bet that guy is still developing his class. He trains day and night."

Su Chen rarely left his floating island, a fact that was well-known throughout the Sect.

"Whatever, it’s fine if it’s just the two of us," Wei Zhenghong said dismissively. "Besides," he added irritably, "that bunch only cares whether the Ancient King is coming. They don’t give a damn about Su Chen."

"It’s a matter of courtesy, after all." Shen Yi’an shook his head but said no more.

Behind them, Qin Tianlin stood among a group of Vice Hall Masters. His gaze swept past the backs of Wei Zhenghong and Shen Yi’an, his expression somber.

’Since I’m not a Star Seed, no matter what I do, I can only stand behind them.’

Before long, the Star Gate suddenly flared to life. A ship slid out, clad in stellar alloy, its surface etched with ceaselessly flowing energy patterns. Behind it, a series of magnificent, uniquely designed ships floated out of the Star Gate, gradually approaching the port to dock.

The members of the Bronze Sect all turned their gazes toward it.

HUMMM—The hatches of the five ships opened, and figures began to emerge.

The ones leading the delegations were all Morning Star Tier, their presence imposing. Following behind them were the Star Seeds of each Sect, as well as a number of their high-ranking members.

A quick mental tally revealed nearly ten Morning Star Tier experts, which was a significant portion of all those in the entire Dust Star Sea.

And with one or two Star Seeds following each Morning Star, the number of current and future Morning Stars combined already exceeded twenty.

Just thinking of that number was enough to make many of them click their tongues in silent amazement. It was truly a rare and spectacular sight.

As they exited their ships, the people from the various major Sects and the Royal Court swept their gazes over the Bronze Sect’s welcoming party, their eyes eventually landing on Qin Yun. The five groups gradually merged as they walked forward.

The two sides were not far apart. An imposing aura washed over them as their gazes met and clashed.

In terms of presence and power, the combined force of the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court was naturally superior. Many from the Bronze Sect found their breath catching in their throats, their hearts pounding, and their palms sweating.

In previous Peak Star Conferences, the Sects had always arrived at different times, never deliberately waiting to appear together. The purpose behind this joint arrival was patently clear to both sides.

The eyes of Chu Lingyuan’s trio narrowed slightly as they stepped forward to greet the newcomers. His gaze fell upon an old man at the very front who looked as though a gust of wind could topple him. Chu Lingyuan addressed him with great respect, "Martial Uncle Shiyan."

Hearing this form of address, the Profound Turtle King’s eyes glazed over for a moment. His gaze fell on Chu Lingyuan. "Ah, it’s you. The last time I saw you, you were just a little brat tagging along behind the Bronze Ancient King."

"Indeed... that was nearly four hundred years ago," Chu Lingyuan said with a smile.

Qing Cang had a terrible opinion of the old coot, but he still offered a greeting. Qin Yun also gave a gentle nod, addressing him as "Martial Uncle Shiyan."

"Venerables..." Chu Lingyuan’s gaze passed over the Profound Turtle King to land on the other Morning Star Tier experts.

But before he could finish, he was interrupted.

"The Profound Turtle King has come in person. Does the Bronze Ancient King not plan to come out and greet him?"

As his voice faded, the expressions of everyone present changed, and all eyes fell on the speaker.

The faces of the Bronze Sect members darkened. Wei Zhenghong snorted coldly. This was Venerable Wu Yue of the True Martial Sect, who had always been at odds with them.

Qing Cang’s gaze turned sharp and cold. The Venerables of the Four Great Sects didn’t look too pleased either, and even the Peng King couldn’t help but frown.

Wu Yue was being a bit too hasty. The Peng King had no desire to actually force the Bronze Ancient King out or to make him lose face.

This was just supposed to be a probe. The Bronze Ancient King’s absence would convey a great deal on its own; there was no need to ask such a question and put the Bronze Sect in an impossible position.

The Profound Turtle King was even more displeased. "The Bronze Ancient King is the head of a Sect, while I am just an old coot at the Morning Star Tier. It would be my honor for him to greet me, and it is perfectly reasonable for him not to."

"If you have a problem with the Bronze Ancient King, state it yourself. Don’t use me as your pawn."

Wu Yue pretended not to hear him, but he didn’t press the matter further. It was enough to have thrown out that question and made the Bronze Sect lose face.

’Didn’t Qing Cang say Master would be coming?’ Chu Lingyuan’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he didn’t dwell on it. He simply said calmly, "If Venerable Wu Yue wishes to see the Ancient King, you may accompany me to him shortly."

"It has been some time since I’ve seen the Bronze Ancient King, but there’s no need for a private audience," Wu Yue said, shaking his head in refusal.

"Heh..." Chu Lingyuan shook his head and changed the subject. "We have already arranged your accommodations. Please, follow me."

The Peng King’s eyes narrowed. ’So the Bronze Ancient King really isn’t planning to appear. Has his condition deteriorated to such a degree?’

’In that case, this merger is very much achievable,’ he thought, his mood brightening considerably.

Even his response became much milder. "Brother Chu, you’re too kind. The Peak Star Conference has long-established precedents. We can simply follow the usual procedures; there’s no need to make any special arrangements."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the massive group merged and proceeded toward a large Flying Device that had been specially summoned for them.

However, as they were passing a transparent viewport in the corridor, Wu Yue suddenly stopped, forcing the entire massive procession to halt as well.

His gaze passed through the viewport toward the distant Flame Fire. He remarked, as if filled with emotion, "This strange spectacle of the Flame Fire extinguishing and reigniting... truly, one can only witness such a sight at the Bronze Sect."

The expressions of many from the Bronze Sect flickered, and they clenched their fists. Chu Lingyuan’s gaze turned icy, and though Qing Cang remained expressionless, a chilling killing intent surfaced in his eyes.

As if oblivious, Wu Yue continued his lament. "I wasn’t the one leading the delegation for the previous Peak Star Conferences held at the Bronze Sect, so I’ve never had the chance to witness this spectacle. I suppose I’ll get to broaden my horizons this time."

The Peng King shot a displeased glance at Wu Yue. The Royal Court’s goal was a merger, not annihilation; he didn’t want excessive humiliation to make the Bronze Sect’s resistance too strong.

He took the initiative and said, "Venerable Wu Yue, you can take your time to appreciate the view later. For all of us to be standing here, halted by your words, is somewhat discourteous."

"Ha..." Wu Yue let out a soft chuckle. ’The Royal Court speaking up for the Bronze Sect... everyone knows exactly what they’re plotting.’

Therefore, he wasn’t angry at all. In fact, he was rather pleased. Perhaps he would even live to see the day the Bronze Sect disappeared completely.

"Let’s go," he said, lifting his head to step forward. But before he could even take a step, his expression changed abruptly.

It wasn’t just him. All the Morning Star Tier experts present turned to look at the distant Flame Fire, which had suddenly flared several degrees brighter. A vast and mighty presence washed over them.

Even from such a great distance, all the Morning Stars could feel the vigorous, soaring, and unquenchable vitality that suddenly erupted from the Flame Fire—a vitality in no way inferior to that of their own Sects’ flames.

"This..." The Peng King’s expression changed. ’Wasn’t the Bronze Sect’s Flame Fire about to be extinguished?’

Wu Yue’s face sank, his expression turning ugly. ’Such vigorous life! How could this possibly be the sign of a flame about to die out?’

The others also wore looks of shock and doubt.

The members of the Bronze Sect exchanged bewildered glances. Qin Yun’s eyes flickered. ’How could such a sudden change happen? What did Master do?’

"Master!" Qing Cang suddenly cried out, a note of delight in his voice.

Only then did everyone snap back to reality, turning to look in the direction of the voice.

Not far away, a figure was materializing. He had a broad, stately face and an indifferent expression, and a faint stream of cyan light swirled around his body. It was the Bronze Ancient King himself, in the flesh.

The Flame Fire surged, and the Ancient King himself had arrived.

The dejection of the Bronze Sect’s members was swept away, their faces lighting up with joy. Meanwhile, the people from the Four Great Sects and the Royal Court wore varied expressions, each lost in their own calculations.

But in the next moment, as if by a shared, unspoken agreement, they all bowed in unison and declared as one, "We greet the Ancient King!"