"No matter. Since everyone is here, let's go." Chong Jingtian waved his hand.
However, he saw that Wu Chenpei showed no movement, his face expressionless and his eyes fixed entirely on Su Chen.
He had also advanced to the 4th tier? How could he be this fast?
Could it be that he switched to a lower-tier class with simpler requirements to forcibly advance?
Following Hong Xuan's failure, Wu Chenpei had conducted a more meticulous search of Su Chen's files. Information about him before coming to Yingfeng was rather vague.
But the intelligence gathered after his arrival in Yingfeng was very clear. Su Chen had always lived a secluded life; where would he find the time to complete class requirements?
Behind him, Hong Xuan also cast his gaze over. His brow furrowed tightly before smoothing out, presenting an appearance of indifferent tranquility.
"Why bother?" Wu Chenpei shook his head. By forcibly advancing through a lower-tier class, his future prospects were practically ruined, even if one didn't say it aloud.
Before, he might have been able to defeat Hong Xuan, but now, Hong Xuan could likely suppress him with a single hand.
Furthermore, this would inadvertently lower the probability of being recognized by the spirituality. Wu Chenpei only felt it was a pity.
"Let's go," Chong Jingtian did not say much more, merely adding, "The place we're heading next is a secret location, so I will need to seal off everyone's senses. Holy Envoy, please do not resist."
"Please." Wu Chenpei nodded.
Chong Jingtian signaled for You Shan to step forward. She rapidly drew lines of runic seals on the surfaces of Wu Chenpei's and Hong Xuan's bodies, followed by Su Chen and the rest.
The instant the runic seals covered him, Su Chen sensed that his perception of the outside world was cut off, and his mental energy was imprisoned. Everything before his eyes turned pitch black, limiting his awareness to only one or two meters around him.
This sensation was very uncomfortable, but soon, his body uncontrollably flew into the air. In this state, it was extremely difficult to determine direction.
The sound of operating machinery intermittently reached his ears. After an unknown amount of time passed, Su Chen finally felt his feet touch the ground.
Once the sealing of his five senses was lifted, he found himself in a cramped metal corridor, only wide enough for three or four people to stand side by side, though the lighting was bright.
Chong Jingtian led the way, with Wu Chenpei and Hong Xuan following closely behind, and Xia Hanshi and the others behind them, as if fully encircling the two from front and back.
Su Chen, Ming Lin, and the others trailed at the very back.
"When did you advance to the 4th tier?" Only now did Ming Lin have a chance to speak, asking with a rather complex expression.
"Shortly after your advancement." Su Chen thought about it and still chose not to stimulate him excessively.
This pervert... Ming Lin opened and closed his mouth. He wanted to ask what tier of class it was, but reflecting on the fact that the people from Yuandu were still here, he suppressed this urge.
However, he deduced that its intensity couldn't be low. He considered himself to have some understanding of Su Chen; given his personality, the kind of person who could stay cooped up exercising in the Gravity Room without going out for a month...
If the class's intensity was too low, he definitely wouldn't have accepted it.
But if it was an upper-tier, or even a top-grade class, this speed was simply too fast.
When fighting against Hong Xuan, he clearly hadn't developed to the class's limit yet. Now he had already advanced to the 4th tier. Did he not need to complete the class advancement requirements?
Ming Lin couldn't wrap his head around it. He wanted to ask but couldn't readily do so, leaving him feeling suffocated.
Wei Yufan, at the side, kept his head lowered, alienated from the two.
"We've arrived."
Hearing Chong Jingtian's voice, Xia Hanshi and the others paused in their steps. Su Chen halted as well, his first sight landing on Old Pu who was waiting there.
Xia Hanshi... Pu Zhenghong snorted coldly internally, a blank expression traversing his face.
Only then did he notice Su Chen trailing at the very end. A flash of shock couldn't help but inadvertently leak out of his elderly eyes.
Why did he come too? Could it be... 4th tier?
Thinking this, Pu Zhenghong felt a surge of irritation inward. That bastard Chong Jingtian, just to let Su Chen catch up, did he actually make him advance through a lower-tier class?
No... perhaps it wasn't Chong Jingtian, but Xia Hanshi. This old turtle, so short-sighted!
In front of the people from Yuandu, he couldn't very well say anything, but the gaze he aimed at Xia Hanshi grew even colder.
Cowardly turtle... Xia Hanshi also swept a glance over Pu Zhenghong. Seeing that the other still seemed to harbor resentment toward him, he sneered inwardly.
"Why does it feel like it suddenly became so fraught with tension," Ming Lin mumbled. Then, seeing Chong Jingtian slowly pull open the metal doors ahead, his attention was drawn away.
"This is..." Su Chen also looked over, everyone's gaze captivated.
As the gigantic metal doors were opened, wisps of crimson mist dissipated outward, mixed with crackling electrical arcs.
"Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted..." Wu Chenpei took a deep breath. After thirty years, he was finally seeing this stone slab again. His younger brother had died because of it.
A trace of longing surfaced in the depths of Hong Xuan's eyes.
"To think it's still shrouded in mist..." Su Chen felt quite amazed. He had thought he would be able to directly see the stone slab or something.
"Wei Yufan," Chong Jingtian suddenly called out. Standing at the very back, Wei Yufan quickly stepped forward.
"You go first," Chong Jingtian said. Wei Yufan had actually already passed the thirty-year-old boundary.
But he still let the other party come; otherwise, knowing Wei Yufan as he did, the man would definitely harbor complaints in his heart.
Looking at the crimson mist before him, Wei Yufan's heart palpitated. He had long heard the related rumors lately, and had been constantly waiting as well.
Faint rumors said that the legendary class was extremely extraordinary and possessed spirituality. To take on the class, one needed to obtain its recognition. If not recognized, one would be severely injured.
"Even though I only have Red Gold talent, it's not like Red Gold talent absolutely cannot gain recognition. Otherwise, the Chief wouldn't have bothered to find people to test it."
He thought inwardly. Looking at this grand lineup, he knew the importance of today. As long as he gained recognition, his wavering foundation would become unbreakable.
Wei Yufan's eyes were resolute. Without hesitating, he stepped inside.
Immediately after, he stumbled backwards out of the room, his face blank. His chest stung faintly, but the injuries weren't severe.
"A 5th-tier could only be injured this much?" Ming Lin mumbled. Hearing this, Su Chen shot him a glance.
"I..." Wei Yufan hesitantly lowered his head to look at his chest. To think it ended before it had even begun?
He looked bewildered, trying hard to recall. All he could remember was a hazy stone slab enveloped in mist. He didn't even have the qualifications to retain the memory?
Wei Yufan subconsciously looked toward Chong Jingtian. There was no disappointment; his failure was expected.
"Step to the back," Chong Jingtian shook his head and tossed him a vial of potion.
His expression fluctuating, Wei Yufan caught the potion. His face taut, he lowered his head and walked toward the very back.
"Ming Lin..." Chong Jingtian called out. Ming Lin quickly stepped forward. Having already grasped the steps, he took a deep breath. Without waiting for Chong Jingtian to urge him, he took a step inside.
He didn't come flying backward instantly. As the crimson mist surged, ripples stirred in Chong Jingtian's eyes. Apart from Su Chen, Ming Lin was also someone he held out hope for.
You Shan cast a gaze of concern.
Wu Chenpei was faintly surprised.
But soon, Ming Lin also stumbled backward out. It didn't seem like he had been blasted out, and he bore no injuries either.
Chong Jingtian hurriedly asked, "How did it go?"
Ming Lin shook his head, his face full of bewilderment.
Visible disappointment surfaced on Chong Jingtian's face. Wu Chenpei's brow smoothed out.
Am I unqualified?
Ming Lin also realized this point. Uttering a helpless, bitter laugh, he walked toward the back.
Chong Jingtian sighed and called out again, "Su Chen."
Everyone's gaze shifted. Wei Yufan and Ming Lin gathered their emotions and looked over, the implications behind their eyes bearing various meanings.
This was already Yingfeng's final hope.
"Hmm..." Su Chen didn't move, however, pondering for a moment before saying, "Let Lord Hong Xuan go first."
He wanted to see what it looked like when truly gaining recognition. That way, if an accident occurred later and he didn't gain recognition, it would be easier to fake it.
In any case, he already knew one piece of the class information.
Chong Jingtian frowned, not knowing what Su Chen meant by this. Who knows if this spirituality's standards would rise after recognizing Hong Xuan?
"Truly worthy of being Yingfeng's Core Seed, so broad-minded," Wu Chenpei praised. He couldn't care less why exactly Su Chen let them go first; perhaps it was to see what the scene of gaining recognition looked like.
Unfortunately, the person recognized could not be faked.
Chong Jingtian was just about to say something, but was pulled back by Xia Hanshi. "Let Hong Xuan go first."
What the hell were this master and disciple up to? Seeing this, Chong Jingtian couldn't say much further.
He could only helplessly watch as Hong Xuan adjusted his breathing, stepped forward, and entered the crimson mist step by step.
Before long, the crimson cloud of mist that had maintained this state for many years in their hands immediately underwent a change.
Its surface flowed rapidly like wind rolling away scattered clouds, forming a howling vortex. A portion of the haze contracted and solidified at a speed visible to the naked eye into a lifelike small crimson dragon.
The dragon's head was majestic, its molten gold vertical pupils opening amidst the flashes of electricity, its scales radiating a dazzling brilliance. Following that, it condensed into a stream that flowed around the mist.
The expressions of Chong Jingtian, Jiang Shumo, and the others changed slightly. This sort of anomaly was enough to prove certain things.
The corners of Wu Chenpei's mouth curled up somewhat. "Two Dragon Phantoms. Hong Xuan has gained recognition."
"Two Dragon Phantoms?" Chong Jingtian's gaze turned frosty. "What does this mean?"
Wu Chenpei was in a delightful mood and explained, "It's merely a sign of being recognized. When the spirituality manifests as a dragon, one dragon phantom is considered barely recognized, two dragons means they've actually caught its eye, while three dragon phantoms means they can receive the spirituality's favor."
There was such an anomaly? Su Chen listened in the back, mumbling internally. In that case, if he didn't gain recognition later, it would be difficult to put on an act.
Wu Chenpei cast an obscure glance at the changes in expression of the remaining few and shook his head inwardly. "Yingfeng truly knows too little. Fortunately, we hid that person back then."
He couldn't help but recall a secret Yuandu had kept hidden for many years.
Ten years ago, there were actually not three, but four people in the Royal Court's spaceship that fell from the sky.
It was just that the last person had been thrown too far away and fell into a critical coma. They were discovered by Yuandu, who were cleaning up the area, and secretly hidden away for many years.
At first, they treated him well, but later resorted to every conceivable means, extracting a great deal of information from his mouth.
The origin of this Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted was extraordinary, even involving a living bigshot in the Royal Court.
Unfortunately... He then recalled the battle for the stone slab from years ago. At that time, although they didn't know the stone slab's specific importance, they also understood it definitely wasn't an ordinary item.
But in the end, they were a step weaker than Yingfeng. If the stone slab were in their hands, they wouldn't have needed to go to such great lengths.
However, now, things had ultimately come to fruition. 'Our Yuandu will eventually become the master of Crimson Thunder, and even step out of this Crimson Thunder Planet.'
With the fruits of years of scheming right before his eyes, Wu Chenpei's thoughts unconsciously wandered, a deep, suppressed fervency shining in the depths of his eyes.
In front of them, the speed of the two lifelike small dragons swirling around the crimson clouds slowed down, gradually returning to stillness.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Hong Xuan strode out. His steps were steady and powerful, his eyes clear. Completely departing from Wei Yufan and Ming Lin's previous bewilderment, his memories had not been erased.
"How was it?" Wu Chenpei asked to obtain further confirmation.
"As it should be." Hong Xuan's words were indifferent, as if gaining recognition was merely within expectations. However, the slight tremble at the end of his sentence still betrayed his inner lack of calm.
A Morning Star Tier! It held the mighty power to shake a planet. Such a struggle and recognition of spirituality would cause ripples even in the Dust Star Sea, drawing the attention of numerous factions.
He hadn't expected to complete it so silently. Although this was only the first step, there was no longer anyone on this entire planet qualified to contend with him.
As long as he proceeded step by step, the probability of him becoming the Chosen One was extremely high. When that time came, he could reforge his family's glory.
Hong Xuan calmed his state of mind and stated indifferently, "Holy Envoy, since the matter is concluded, then let us take our leave first."
Hearing his arrogant words, Ming Lin's fury was already ignited. He glared at Hong Xuan coldly, yet he was helpless.
He hadn't gained recognition, so his anger was like impotent rage; he didn't even have the right to speak.
Wu Chenpei shook his head, his tone carrying a few hints of reprimand. "Chief Inquisitor Xia's student hasn't gone in yet, how can we leave first?"
Seeing the two singing the same tune, Chong Jingtian's already ugly expression darkened even further.
Xia Hanshi narrowed his eyes slightly, standing toward the back corner, looking like an old man with one foot in the grave.
Right, there's still Su Chen. Ming Lin snapped back to his senses and couldn't help looking at Su Chen beside him, whose expression had remained completely tranquil from the start, not knowing what was going through his mind.
Su Chen's talent is comparable to mine; I'm afraid it'll also be difficult for him to gain recognition. Ming Lin couldn't help but sign in sorrow inwardly.
But then again, Su Chen had defeated Hong Xuan. It wasn't entirely impossible for him to gain recognition.
Listening to what that Wu Chenpei said, there was also something about One Dragon Phantom or Three Dragon Phantoms. Even if it wasn't Two Dragons, gaining a One Dragon Phantom would be good, too.
Wei Yufan, on the other hand, was expressionless. After thinking it over, he actually hoped Su Chen would come out just like him, utterly bewildered and at a loss.
"Su Chen, come on up," Chong Jingtian called out, unable to suppress a few ripples of emotion in his heart.
Since recognition also had tiers, given Su Chen's current situation, the probability of obtaining a One Dragon Phantom should be very high.
As for becoming the Chosen One later, they could figure out another way.
"Coming." Su Chen didn't seem disturbed by Hong Xuan. He walked up with quick steps.
Standing to the side, Hong Xuan watched Su Chen cross paths with him. The consistent indifference remained on his face, but his gaze couldn't help but follow the other's figure.
Having come to this planet for many years, Su Chen was the first person to make him feel surprised. Not only was his advancement speed fast, but his strength was also formidable.
Thinking back to that miserable defeat previously, Hong Xuan couldn't help but feel a few ripples of emotion even now, shaking his head inwardly once again.
"Unfortunately, in order to catch up to me, he took a class in a rush. Its tier is definitely not high. He has already lost all qualifications."
A Morning Star spirituality possessed extremely high standards. If one had previously taken a lower-tier or even mid-tier class, the possibility of gaining recognition was basically cut off.
Looking at the crimson clouds before him, Su Chen's eyes flashed, and he stepped inside with a single stride.
Chong Jingtian and the others couldn't help but muffle their breathing, seemingly afraid of disturbing him.
Stepping into the mist, Su Chen felt the world spin, as if he had stepped into another dimension. Billowing clouds surged all around him, seemingly stretching on endlessly.
It was somewhat sweltering, and a faint prickling pain transmitted from his skin. He was actually being struck by electrical arcs from all sides.
Not far ahead of him stood a dilapidated stone slab.
Su Chen subconsciously tried to get a clear look, but the surface of the stone slab was similarly covered in a layer of hazy mist. Faintly, he could see golden symbols one after another.
But upon closer inspection, he couldn't see anything clearly.
"I'm still not permitted to look now?"
Su Chen mumbled internally. He searched around left and right but didn't discover any so-called class spirituality.
He was about to walk forward, but after taking only a single step, Su Chen suddenly froze, as if something had locked onto him.
"Is it... this stone slab?"
Su Chen uncertainly stared at the stone slab before him. He faintly sensed a feeling of joy being transmitted from its surface, even bearing a hint of intimacy.
"Hmm? Could I have gained recognition this easily?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow, speculating with some uncertainty. "But how could there be a feeling of intimacy?"
Right after, a stream of light shot out from the stone slab, swirling around the surface of Su Chen's body, seemingly trying to verify something.
And soon, Su Chen felt the pleasant surprise and intimacy transmitting from the stone slab gradually transform into bewilderment and confusion.
The stream of light circling around his body sped up, and the emotions from the stone slab grew increasingly intense.
"What's going on with it?" Su Chen had an ominous premonition. "Did it discover something?"
Su Chen's brow knitted tightly, suddenly forming a hypothesis. "Could it be that because I already know one of the Great Exalted's class requirements, there's some sort of bizarre connection, causing this stone slab to immediately misunderstand something?"
"But now that it looks closer and discovers I'm a fraud, is it getting angry again?"
Su Chen really hoped that wasn't the case. His heart tightened, but his feet slowly moved forward, raising his vigilance internally. Whatever happened, he definitely had to forcefully gather the class information on this stone slab before heading out.
The crimson radiance swirling around him moved faster and faster, and the emotions transmitted from the stone slab gradually morphed from suspicion into shock and fury.
However, the scene Su Chen imaginedâwhere he was blasted outâdid not occur. The stream of light swirling around him abruptly collapsed and fused back into the stone slab.
To his surprise, the anger from the stone slab even gradually dispersed.
Shortly after, a crimson dragon phantom darted out from the stone slab. Its upper half was lifelike, but its lower half turned into a ribbon, blurry and indistinct, as it slowly drifted toward him.
"What does this mean? Does this mean I've gained recognition?"
"This is what a One Dragon Phantom is?" Su Chen was stunned, but swiftly deduced the reason. "Although this spirituality thinks I'm deceiving it, it still recognized me, just barely."
"This spirituality still follows its rules."
Su Chen thought to himself, frowning as he looked at the crimson small dragon before him. Only a One Dragon Phantom?
And at this moment, the anger transmitted from that stone slab had already vanished, faintly revealing a sense of disgust.
"Disgust?" Su Chen's gaze focused slightly, and at the same time, he received fragmented information from the stone slab.
"...Spirituality intact, reveal requirements..."
It needs the spirituality to be intact to reveal the class requirements?
After waiting this long, I'm still not allowed to see?
Su Chen couldn't help sneering. "What nerve!"
At this moment, as he kept pacing forward, he was already less than a step away from the stone slab.
He moved abruptly. Black lightning burst outwards from his entire body. A pale lightning mark surfaced between his brows, and a chillingly cold and desolate aura erupted, resembling a descending calamity!
Holy Hand EnhancementâCalamity Lord Form!
Holy Hand EnhancementâCalamity of Azure Thunder!
With both arms shooting out, two twisting black pillars of lightning explosively charged forth, slamming heavily onto the stone slab mere inches away. The hazy mist covering its surface was instantly ripped away.
The stone slab, carved with golden symbols, appeared incomparably clear before his eyes.
Following that, an emotion far more furious than before transmitted from the stone slab. Strands of crimson electric light burst forth, seemingly intending to smite this offender to death with heavenly lightning punishment!
ăDiscovered class requirements for Crimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted. Supplement to class requirement two: Annihilate oneself with the Mark of the End Thunder, then undergo Nirvana and be reborn by the Seed of Crimson Fire.ă
Directly following it, there was another line of textâ
ăCrimson Flame Responding Thunder Great Exalted sensed an outside spirituality intending to show disrespect towards the host, and unavoidably became angry.ă
Right after, the crimson mist behind Su Chen surged. The billowing clouds and flowing crimson light intertwined in the air, gradually solidifying into a towering silhouette. Its face was hidden within a burning halo, making its true appearance indiscernible.
Immediately, the shock and fury transmitting from the stone slab collapsed, transforming entirely into reverence.
Subsequently, Su Chen only felt the wind howling behind him. The mist in the surroundings actually began to thin out. Even more so, three massive dragons seemed to charge in from the outside, unexpectedly coalescing into an even sturdier crimson dragon that swam around Su Chen, letting out high-pitched roars.
ăThe fragmented outside spirituality offered its utmost respect toward the Great Exalted. The host has obtained the highest level of recognition. Gained Spiritual FavorâInitial Fire Rekindled: Can restore body to peak condition at any time. Single use only.ă
Looking at the words appearing on his panel, Su Chen suddenly broke into a bright grin. A monkey-brained phrase surfaced in his mindâ
"What you have is female; mine is male."
(End of this chapter)