My Professions Have Too Much Personality

"Steward Zhou, what’s wrong?" someone suddenly asked, looking at the man beside him.

"It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a bit emotional." Zhou Yunyang wiped his tears with his sleeve, his eyes completely red.

"Steward Zhou certainly feels things deeply," the few people beside him couldn’t help but remark.

Zhou Yunyang waved his hands dismissively and changed the subject. "So that means the strange activity from the Ancient King Stele really was because of Su Xingzhong."

"Of course it was!" someone nearby chimed in. "For someone as incredible as Su Xingzhong, isn’t it perfectly normal for him to cause a reaction from the Ancient King Stele?"

"It’s just that some people with ill intentions insist on pinning this on the Ancient King!"

"Tsk. With Su Xingzhong’s current trajectory, I bet the Peak Star in two conferences’ time will be someone from our Bronze Sect!"

With the mention of Su Chen and the Peak Star Conference just around the corner, the crowd couldn’t help but get excited. "He defeated Qin Tianlin as a Tier Five. Once he’s Tier Seven and has completed the Melting Holy Profession, how terrifying will he be?"

"In two conferences’ time?" Zhou Yunyang couldn’t help but laugh when he heard that.

Seeing him laugh, all eyes turned to him. "Steward Zhou, what are you thinking?"

They all knew that Zhou Yunyang was on good terms with many in the Sect, especially the Star Seeds, so he likely knew more than they did.

"Two conferences from now is a bit too far off. I expect our Star Seed here to be a strong contender at the very next one."

Zhou Yunyang recalled seeing Su Chen not long ago. ’He’d already reached Tier Six. The next Holy Banquet is in ten years. Is there any way Su Chen *won’t* reach Tier Seven in that time? It’s practically a sure thing.’

"Who knows," he couldn’t help but say. "One day, we might even see a repeat Peak Star."

"A repeat Peak Star?"

Hearing Zhou Yunyang’s words, the others exchanged glances.

There was no rule against someone winning the title of Peak Star twice, but the ones who managed to win amidst such fierce competition were usually in their forties, making them too old to have another chance to compete.

"The Holy Banquet has been held for nearly three hundred sessions, starting from once every thirty years before changing to once every ten. In all that time, there has never been a repeat Peak Star!"

The expressions on their faces grew complicated. "Steward Zhou, you certainly have a lot of faith in Su Xingzhong!"

No one denied Su Chen’s incredible talent, but time was a major issue. Plus, there was still the great hurdle of the Melting Holy Profession to overcome.

It was possible he could make a splash at the next conference, but to say he could seize the title of Peak Star was pure fantasy.

But to refute Zhou Yunyang would make it seem as if they lacked faith in Su Chen. They were all sharp enough not to make a mistake like that.

Seeing their reactions, Zhou Yunyang said no more. He was a tight-lipped man.

’A few days ago, Su Chen had just advanced, and his aura was unstable. I noticed it, but I haven’t said a word to anyone in the past two days.’

When Zhou Yunyang fell silent, the others, by unspoken agreement, turned their gazes back to the Flame Fire before them. "It’s been almost an hour, right? The Flame Fire still hasn’t died down..."

"Su Xingzhong broke into the top ten!"

The words were barely out of his mouth when a shocked cry erupted nearby. Zhou Yunyang immediately looked over to see a group of young people—members of the current Holy Hall—shouting excitedly.

"Holy crap, Su Xingzhong has already reached Tier Six!"

"So fast? Even Ding Ze was no match for him."

’Just as I thought.’ Zhou Yunyang’s expression flickered. ’So Ding Ze was no match for him either. It wasn’t my imagination that day... Su Chen could really kill me.’

The stewards beside him paled slightly and pulled up their virtual screens. Before they could even process the news, their eyes widened in shock as they watched the name ’Su Chen’ leap from tenth place on the Holy List to second.

"This... this... this..." One of the stewards, who usually looked calm and composed, was too shocked to form a complete sentence.

’Old Chen is usually so unflappable,’ Zhou Yunyang thought. ’And he’s getting this worked up over something so minor?’

Zhou Yunyang found the steward’s reaction amusing, but he let none of it show on his face.

’Ding Ze only reached Tier Seven five years ago. Su Chen beat Qin Tianlin, so what’s so surprising about him defeating Ding Ze now that he’s Tier Six?’

"Second place? You mean even Wei Xingzhong was no match for Su Xingzhong?" someone next to him stammered.

"What?" Zhou Yunyang froze as if he’d been struck by lightning.

’Second place? Not tenth?’

There were quite a few people on the Copper Heart path, most of whom were staring intently at the Flame Fire, so many hadn’t noticed Su Chen break into the top ten.

By the time gasps of shock began to ripple through the crowd, Su Chen’s name was already standing firm in the number two spot, causing an uproar.

But the uproar quickly morphed into a fervent and intense discussion.

The Flame Fire crisis was abating, and at the same time, such a powerful Star Seed was rapidly rising through the ranks.

Could the Bronze Sect be about to reclaim its position from a century ago as the leader of the Five Great Sects?

At this thought, some of the older Sect members couldn’t contain their excitement, repeatedly thanking the Ancient King for his blessing.

The discussion on this matter dragged on for a long time, continuing until the Flame Fire gradually died out.

"Five hours! It was extended by a full five hours!" someone calculated, their expression one of shock.

"The Dark Sun normally lasts for twelve hours. It’s just been shortened by five, leaving only seven!"

"The Flame Fire’s threat has been reduced by almost half!" someone who didn’t know the full story calculated. The situation was even better than many had expected.

Many people were already gathering their friends and calling for companions to go celebrate.

......

"A full five hours... Su Chen actually did it." Qin Yun watched the Flame Fire fade from the sky, her hands clenched tightly behind her back. Her heart was anything but calm.

She had once tried to withstand the Fog Ashes that coiled around the Flame Fire. It was like being trapped in a mire, impossible to endure.

The last time Su Chen defeated Qin Tianlin, Qing Cang had left in a hurry. She’d guessed it was likely a summons from the Ancient King.

Not long after, the Flame Fire had shown faint signs of changing, but it quickly returned to normal. This time, however, with the crisis truly abating, she immediately knew Su Chen had to be the cause.