My Professions Have Too Much Personality

"Spirit of Sun? The spirit of a Sun Tier Professional?" A fervent glint flashed in everyone’s eyes.

Before the Lost Flame appeared, the only thing connecting the five Ancient Kings of the Morning Star Sea and the Royal Court’s Emperor to the Morning Star Tier was the Royal Court’s Sun Fire Pillar.

Although it was called the Sun Fire Pillar, it was still uncertain whether it had been left by a Sun Tier Professional. It was also possible that the Flame Fire had metamorphosed after being passed down through the years.

The Bronze Ancient King had even ventured deep into the Nether Realm in search of his own professional evolution, nearly causing the Flame Fire to be extinguished completely.

’If one could be chosen by a Sun Tier Professional, they would become the strongest person in the Morning Star Sea...’

"A purple dragon stretched across the sky, coiling for who knows how many thousands of miles. Its might was terrifying. The reason I survived," Qin Yun said, a lingering fear in his eyes, "is probably because I had that tiny sliver of a chance of being chosen."

His words sounded a bit like boasting, but everyone was inclined to believe him. The spirits of the Morning Star Tier were exceptionally proud; if they looked down on you, that was that. To say nothing of the Sun Tier.

The Peng King’s brow furrowed. This was completely different from what he’d expected. Qin Yun’s explanation seemed plausible.

’But can this matter really be settled with just a few words?’

"Do you have proof?" the Peng King pressed.

"I don’t have proof," Qin Yun said, shaking his head. "However, the Spirit of Sun left me a message."

"What message?" Wu Yue couldn’t help but ask.

Qin Yun scanned the crowd and said slowly, "Divine Dawn is the threshold. It said I could bring people with me next time, but they must possess at least Divine Dawn Level Talent."

"’A threshold? What kind of threshold? The threshold to be chosen by the Spirit of Sun?’" everyone’s expressions turned grim. "’Divine Dawn Level is just the minimum requirement...’"

The Peng King’s expression changed instantly. ’This Qin Yun is too cunning. He’s just created a Protective Talisman for himself.’

He was getting antsy and demanded sharply, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that without you, we can’t take anyone with Divine Dawn Level Talent in there?"

Qin Yun gave a bitter smile, his gaze sweeping over his master’s back. "I don’t know either," he said helplessly. "But that’s what the Spirit of Sun told me."

The Peng King seethed with frustration. He was deeply suspicious of this man’s story, but as he glanced at the representatives from the Four Great Sects, he saw that even Wu Yue looked contemplative.

It wasn’t certain how much of his story could be believed, but the most crucial part was that the mention of the Spirit of Sun had captivated them all.

If it was true, then Qin Yun had seemingly become the one and only key.

"Besides, that place is hardly safe, and I have no chance of being chosen myself," Qin Yun quickly added. "Now that I’ve said this, you will all surely make me lead people there. If it weren’t true, why would I be seeking my own death?"

Qi Heng couldn’t help but nod. "Indeed. Since Venerable Qin Yun has said this much, he must be prepared for us to verify it."

’Just what is this guy up to...’ The Peng King’s expression flickered. He truly hadn’t expected Qin Yun to concoct such a story.

With this declaration, true or not, Qin Yun was now untouchable—at least until their next entry into the Lost Flame. Anyone who moved against him would become a public enemy.

Even the Bronze Sect itself couldn’t touch Qin Yun now.

’But while this method serves as a Protective Talisman, he’ll still have to enter the Lost Flame sooner or later.’

’With the Spirit of Sun as bait, not even the Bronze Ancient King can restrain the desires of the other Ancient Kings.’

’What on earth is he trying to do?’

Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang were also deeply confused as they looked at the placid expression on Qin Yun’s face.

Suddenly, Qin Yun looked out the window. His eyes held a mix of surprise, relief, and a fleeting trace of smugness. "The time for the Dark Sun has passed."

"What?" The color drained from Qing Cang’s and Chu Lingyuan’s faces. They only just realized that while they had been talking, the time for the Dark Sun had quietly arrived.

Yet when they abruptly looked out the window, the Flame Fire was burning as brightly as ever.

"This..." Qing Cang’s heart pounded. That unbelievable thought resurfaced in his mind. ’Could Su Chen have actually succeeded? But this is too fast! He only just advanced to Tier Six!’

"The time for the Dark Sun has passed?"

The Peng King, Wu Yue, and the others all turned to the window in unison, stunned.

The Royal Court’s cycle of light and dark had been going on for a century. They all knew the exact time of the transition to the Dark Sun.

Wu Yue’s heart shook violently. ’Could it be that Su Chen and the Bronze Ancient King are actually solving the problem with the Flame Fire? Instead of falling deeper into trouble, they actually have a way to deal with the Fog Ashes.’

’If so, might that Ancient King find a method for his professional evolution in the process and grow even stronger?’

The Peng King’s fist clenched, then relaxed. In the short half-day since his arrival at the Bronze Sect, he had faced far too many surprises.

If the duration of the Dark Sun was shortening, or even ending entirely, it meant the Bronze Ancient King’s emergence wasn’t a costly last resort, but a display of effortless power.

In that case, the Royal Court’s plans would be utterly ruined.

For a moment, he was at a loss as to what to do next.

Only then did the Bronze Ancient King’s voice sound out, "This matter is concluded for now. Go and report to the other Ancient Kings and the Hanhai Emperor."

With complicated feelings, everyone stood stunned for a long moment before finally replying, "Yes."

Everyone dispersed. Soon, only the master and his three disciples remained in the room.

"Lingyuan, Qing Cang, you are dismissed as well," the Bronze Ancient King said with a wave of his hand.

"Yes, Master." Chu Lingyuan and Qing Cang rose. Before leaving, they glanced at Qin Yun, whose expression was as calm as ever.

The Bronze Ancient King turned, his gaze falling upon the disciple who had served him for several hundred years. His eyes held a complex emotion that ultimately settled into stillness.

"What is it you’re trying to do, that you feel the need to guard against even me?"

Qin Yun remained silent and sighed inwardly. He couldn’t help it. Back at the Star Port, he’d had a nagging suspicion that his master wasn’t just reacting to the situation but had truly found a solution for the Fog Ashes.

’This created a problem. He was no longer the sole candidate. His master now had all the time in the world to wait for the next generation to rise and find a more suitable successor to the title of Ancient King.’

’In turn, this meant the Bronze Ancient King might not continue to protect him so staunchly. The proof was his master’s silence just now in the face of the others’ questions. His master also wanted to determine if he had been lying.’

’And he knew full well that he had indeed hidden many things. Although the Prison King was unconscious, there was no guarantee he hadn’t left some trace behind.’

’For now, his only choice was to reveal certain things to protect himself. He even had to be on guard against his own master settling old scores.’

"How much of what you just said was true, and how much was false?" the Bronze Ancient King asked, his gaze cold and his voice low. "You brought up the Spirit of Sun. That is something all the Ancient Kings and the Emperor care about. I can no longer protect you."

"Every word was true," Qin Yun finally said, his voice grave. "I am also truly willing to take those of the Divine Dawn Level there for the Spirit of Sun to choose from."

The Bronze Ancient King stared at him for a long time before saying indifferently, "Fine. Do as you please."

...

「At the same time」

At the Copper Heart Department, an eerie silence had fallen. Everyone stood frozen, staring up at the Flame Fire that should have gone out but was still burning brightly.

"The Flame Fire... the Flame Fire..." an old Steward stammered, his body trembling and tears streaming down his face.

The younger generation’s joy was uncontainable, their cheers echoing far into the distance. The Hall Masters were far more composed, though their faces were flushed as they let out long, heavy breaths.

"Holy shit, the Flame Fire didn’t go out today!"

On Wei Zhenghong’s Floating Island, everyone had been drinking merrily. Chu Ran looked up in utter disbelief, wine cup still in hand, and stared at the fiercely burning Flame Fire outside. The expressions of the others changed as well, and they all hurried to the window.

Even Shen Yi’an shot to his feet, his gaze trembling and his fists clenched tight.

"Could it be... the Ancient King found a way to resolve the Flame Fire crisis?" Wei Zhenghong’s voice trembled.

Su Chen took a closer look and saw the glint of tears in Old Wei’s eyes.

’He’s this emotional...’ he thought, suddenly realizing that even just shortening the duration of the Dark Sun was of immense significance to the people of the Bronze Sect.