"Deacon Zhou, what's wrong with you?" someone suddenly spoke up, looking at a person by their side.
"It's nothing, just sighing with emotion inwardly." Zhou Yunyang wiped away his tears with his sleeve, his eyes completely red.
"Deacon Zhou truly is a person of temperament." The several people by his side couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Zhou Yunyang waved his hands repeatedly, changing the subject: "In that case, the abnormal movements of the Ancient King Monument truly were because of Star Seed Su."
"It definitely is, ah!" Someone to the side said in succession: "For such a formidable figure like Star Seed Su, isn't it very normal to trigger abnormal movements from the Ancient King Monument?"
"It's just that some people harbor unpredictable intentions, insisting on pulling this matter onto the Ancient King's body!"
"Tsk, with Star Seed Su's posture, I estimate the Star Prime of the tournament after next will belong exclusively to our Bronze Sect, ah!"
Bringing up Su Chen, with the Peak Star Tournament right before their eyes again, the crowd unavoidably began to imagine freely: "He could defeat Qin Tianlin even at the 5th-Tier. After reaching the 7th-Tier and Forging a Holy Class, how incredible will he be?"
"The tournament after next?" Hearing this, Zhou Yunyang couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Seeing him laugh, the crowd's gazes looked over one after another: "What thoughts does Deacon Zhou have?"
The several people all knew that this Zhou Yunyang had a pretty good relationship with many people in the sect, especially the Star Seeds. He might understand more than they did.
"The tournament after next is somewhat too far. I estimate that our Star Seed will have great prospects to accomplish much in the next tournament."
Zhou Yunyang thought about how when he saw Su Chen not long ago, the other party had already advanced to the 6th-Tier. The next Holy Banquet was ten years away. In ten years' time, could Su Chen not advance to the 7th-Tier? This was an almost Set in Stone matter.
"It's hard to say." He couldn't help but say: "One day, we might even see a consecutively re-elected Star Prime."
"Consecutively re-elected Star Prime?"
Hearing Zhou Yunyang say this, the crowd Looked at One Another in Speechless Dismay.
No one said the Star Prime couldn't be re-elected. But those who could seize the Star Prime in the fierce competition were basically all guys in their forties. It was impossible for them to have the opportunity to participate in another iteration.
"Ever since this Holy Banquet began being held, going from one iteration every thirty years to one iteration every ten years, adding them up there have been nearly three hundred iterations, yet there has never once been a matter of a consecutively re-elected Star Prime!"
The crowd's expressions were subtle: "Deacon Zhou has very great confidence in Star Seed Su, ah!"
No one denied Su Chen's formidability, but time was indeed a major problem. Moreover, there was still the massive hurdle of Forging a Holy Class.
To emerge and display his talent in the next iteration was perhaps possible, but to say he would seize the position of Star Prime, that was truly somewhat given to Flights of Fancy.
But refuting Zhou Yunyang's words would make it seem like they didn't really trust Su Chen. Everyone was a shrewd person, so naturally it was impossible to make a mistake on this kind of matter.
Seeing this, Zhou Yunyang also didn't say more. He was a person with very tight lips.
A few days ago, Su Chen had just advanced and his Aura was unstable, which was perceived by him, but over these two days he hadn't told anyone.
Seeing Zhou Yunyang not speak, the crowd tacitly placed their gazes back on the Starfire before their eyes. "It's already been almost an hour, yet the Starfire surprisingly still hasn't extinguished."
"Star Seed Su has fought his way into the top ten!"
Before the words had fallen, an Exclamation of Surprise was heard transmitting from the side.
Zhou Yunyang immediately looked over. It was a group of youths, members of this generation's Holy Hall, yelling and shouting:
"Good heavens, Star Seed Su has already advanced to the 6th-Tier!"
"So fast? Senior Brother Ding Ze was actually not his match."
As expected. Zhou Yunyang's expression shifted slightly. Ding Ze wasn't his match either. That day wasn't an illusion; this Su Chen could truly kill me.
The complexions of the several Deacons by his side changed slightly. They had already opened their Virtual Screens. Before they had time to think much, their pupils unavoidably shook violently, helplessly watching as this name, Su Chen, leapt from 10th on the Holy List to become the 2nd.
"This... this... this..." A Deacon who looked mature and prudent was so shocked he couldn't speak.
'This Old Chen, he looks steady and composed on normal days. It's just this much of a big deal.'
Zhou Yunyang caught a glimpse of that Deacon's reaction and found it somewhat amusing, but on his face he didn't reveal the slightest bit.
That Ding Ze had only advanced to the 7th-Tier five years ago. Su Chen could even win against Qin Tianlin; after reaching the 6th-Tier, what did winning against a Ding Ze amount to?
"Second? Star Seed Wei was surprisingly not Star Seed Su's match either?" someone by his side said stammeringly.
"What?" Zhou Yunyang's face stiffened, as if struck by lightning.
'Second? Wasn't it tenth?'
There were not a few people on the Bronze Core's roads, basically all staring at the Starfire. Many people hadn't discovered Su Chen squeezing into the top ten.
When Exclamations of Surprise rose and fell one after another, this name, Su Chen, already stood tall at the second place position, triggering an uproar.
But it quickly turned into an even more intense and passionate discussion.
The Crisis of the Flames had improved, and there was also such a powerful Star Seed currently rising slowly.
Could it be that the Bronze Sect was going to return to its position of a century ago, the head of the Five Great Sects?
Thinking of this, some elders of the sect were unable to suppress their excitement, continuously calling out for the Ancient King's blessing.
The discussion of this matter stretched on for a long time, until the Starfire gradually extinguished.
"Five hours! It extended for a full five hours!" Someone's expression shook, having calculated it.
"The Dark Sun Period was originally just twelve hours. Now it has suddenly shortened by five hours, leaving only seven hours!"
"The Crisis of the Flames has already almost been resolved by a small half!" Some people didn't understand the inside story. Extrapolating like this, the situation was even better than many people expected.
Not a few people had already invited friends and called out to companions to go celebrate.
"A full five hours... that Su Chen truly managed to do it." Qin Yun looked at the gradually extinguishing Starfire in the horizon. The hands clasped behind his back clenched tight, his heart uncalm.
He had also attempted those Mist Embers wreathing the Starfire previously. It was like sinking into a quagmire, difficult to withstand.
Last time, when Su Chen defeated Qin Tianlin and Qing Cang hurriedly left, he had guessed that it should be a summons from the Ancient King.
Not long after, the Starfire faintly had some changes, but it quickly returned to calm. And this time, with the Crisis of the Flames truly improving, he had locked onto this person, Su Chen, at the very first moment.
"Number two on the Holy List, truly Unimaginable, ah!" Qin Yun murmured in a low voice. He was currently extremely regretful over why he hadn't personally acted to directly kill Su Chen back then.
"Sigh, who could have anticipated today..." He turned to sigh lightly.
At the time, he truly believed Su Chen was just a lucky guy. If he personally acted, it was equivalent to Dropping the Mask with Sect Master. It would be difficult to guarantee Sect Master would continue to tolerate him further.
He had originally planned to use a scheme identical to the one he used to frame Wei Zhenghong.
In his eyes, Su Chen came from a Barren Planet. For him to deal with the other party would be nothing more than a breeze. But who could have imagined that this person was completely different from what he expected? His personality was almost like an ascetic monk, and his rise in speed was even more far beyond anticipation.
Then he himself met with the unforeseen event of the Lost Starfire. By the time he returned, Su Chen's status was already unshakeable. Through a Strange Twist of Fate, there were no longer any opportunities to make a move.
'If now...' His heart shifted slightly. Having ground against Su Chen a few times, a feud had already been forged. If he could clear away the hidden danger...
"No..." After thinking for a long time, Qin Yun still shook his head. Even if he now had this protective talisman of the Sunless Spirit on him, if he truly wanted to touch Su Chen, that would be treating that Sect Master of his too much like a clay figure.
For allowing the Starfire to face the danger of extinguishing, that Sect Master of his was already extremely remorseful. And in order to solve this trouble of the Crisis of the Flames, he had already sacrificed two Morning Star Tier students.
Seeing the possibility of resolution right before his eyes, if it was snuffed out by him, even if he was involved with the Sunless Spirit, Qin Yun didn't doubt in the slightest that that Sect Master would slap him to death on the spot.
"Forget it. If the plan succeeds, he also won't be enough to fear."
Just as he was pondering, Qin Yun's eyes flickered, and he turned around. The room door was quietly opened, and a gloomy-faced Qin Tianlin walked in.
"Grandfather," he called out.
Qin Yun said flatly, "I heard you are currently preparing to advance to the 7th-Tier. I originally wasn't prepared to disturb you."
"You weren't prepared to notify me, but there were other people to report it." Qin Tianlin pursed his lips, ultimately still unable to hold back from saying, "Su Chen cannot be left to his own devices."
Number two on the Holy List. When he learned this news, he was truly startled, his state of mind completely thrown into chaos. Thinking left and right, he ultimately still came to seek out Qin Yun.
He had originally wanted to advance to the 7th-Tier and shake off the situation of being suppressed by Su Chen. But who could have imagined that this guy was even faster than him, becoming number two on the Holy List in a single bound.
He estimated that even if he advanced to the 7th-Tier, winning against Ding Ze might not be a problem, but it was absolutely impossible for him to be Wei Zhenghong's match.
This person was rising too fast.
"Cannot be left to his own devices?" Qin Yun's brows furrowed slightly. "What do you want to do?"
Qin Tianlin's expression shook, saying in a low voice, "If we act swiftly, we might be able to kill this person before the Ancient King can react. Even sacrificing an 8th-Tier, or even a 9th-Tier, would be worth it!"
Hearing Qin Tianlin's words, Qin Yun was actually not surprised, merely saying faintly, "Then let me ask you: trading it with your life, is it worth it?"
"My life?" Qin Tianlin's complexion changed slightly.
"Do you take the Ancient King for a fool?" Qin Yun snorted. "Never mind whether we can succeed or not, even if we do succeed, the lives of the two of us, grandfather and grandson, will also have to be forfeited!"
"Would the Ancient King go so far as to, for a dead person..." Qin Tianlin couldn't help but say.
"It's not as simple as you think." Qin Yun frowned. "Some things can be done, some things cannot be done. You have been influenced too deeply by Su Chen. Why bother caring about him? Walk your own path well, the time is still very long."
"I've already said it. This grandfather of yours, to put it nicely, is cautious; to put it harshly, is overly fearful. This matter, even using his life to trade for it would be worth it." A burst of sneering laughter transmitted to his ears:
"That Su Chen is extraordinary. Looking at the current posture, it's already Set in Stone that he will be the inheritor of your Bronze Sect's next Ancient King!"
"When he becomes the Ancient King, how will you manage yourself then?"
"Grandfather..." Qin Tianlin lowered his head and drooped his brows. "If Su Chen becomes the Ancient King, how should we manage ourselves?"
Qin Yun took a deep look at Qin Tianlin. "If he becomes the Ancient King, I will be able to make you become the Dust Star Sea's first Sunless Rank!"
"Sunless Rank?" Qin Tianlin completely hadn't expected this answer. Raising his head in astonishment, he faintly carried a bit of being Unimaginable.
Qin Yun sighed lightly inwardly. This Su Chen had already almost become Qin Tianlin's nightmare. If he didn't give him a bit of hope, he would probably be entangled with Su Chen all day long.
"Do you know that purple Starfire I melded into your body a while ago? I brought that out from the Lost Starfire. Once the Peak Star Tournament is over, I should be taking some people to enter that Starfire again."
Qin Yun Stopped at the Point. Qin Tianlin's heart palpitated, yet flames of hope ignited in his eyes once more.
But a burst of sinister laughter transmitted to his ears: "Hahaha!"
The loud laughter carried sarcasm: "This grandfather of yours truly knows how to deceive you. Sunless Rank? I was exactly brought out by him from the Lost Starfire. If he could designate whoever to become a Sunless Rank, would he still be Hamstrung at Every Turn here?"
Hearing these words, Qin Tianlin's expression couldn't help but sink again.
"Tianlin..." Qin Yun had been staring at Qin Tianlin's expression all along, suddenly speaking: "You are somewhat out of the ordinary lately. Has that purple Starfire had any other abnormal movements?"
The struggle in Qin Tianlin's eyes flashed past fleetingly, but he shook his head and said, "It hasn't."
Before his voice faded, his pupils contracted. He only saw his own grandfather already appearing before his eyes, stretching out a hand to point towards the center of his brow.
He subconsciously wanted to resist, but his entire body was confined. A touch of shock and anger couldn't help but flash across his eyes.
Qin Yun's brows were locked tight. After a moment, he withdrew his finger with some Suspicion. 'That old ghost's Spirit Shards are locked dead tight. It shouldn't have disturbed Tianlin.'
'Could it truly be purely influenced by Su Chen?'
"What are you..." Qin Tianlin's complexion wasn't too good to look at.
And Qin Yun's tone also became quite a bit gentler: "I was merely verifying some things. Don't take it to heart. After the Peak Star Tournament, it will naturally become clear."
"Understood." Qin Tianlin's expression withdrew, saying in a low voice, "I will definitely obtain a good result in the Peak Star Tournament."
Qin Yun didn't actually need Qin Tianlin to obtain any results in the Peak Star Tournament. But after thinking about it, he didn't explain either.
For Qin Tianlin to have a goal and not constantly stare at Su Chen was also not bad.
Walking out of the room, Qin Tianlin was emotionless. Voices continuously rang by his ears: "This grandfather of yours will only make you wait. My Method is still better; it can guarantee you astound the world with a single brilliant feat. Su Chen, Star Seeds, Star Prime, none of them will be your match."
Qin Tianlin's eyes shifted. "I will dispatch people to do as you instruct. With the Peak Star Tournament imminent, even if some people suddenly go missing, there shouldn't be anyone who cares."
"Five hours, truly just right." Su Chen raised his head, looking at the gradually extinguishing Starfire. This was the Ancient Bronze King's most optimistic anticipation; it truly wasn't off by a single minute.
Withdrawing his gaze, he walked into the Nether Tower, preparing to enter the Nether Realm as usual.
The grayish-white land spread out beneath his feet.
However, this time he actually perceived that the consumption of his Psionic Power was actually a massive five or six times more than before.
"What's going on?"
Su Chen was somewhat puzzled. Even until he completely entered the Nether Realm, this abnormal consumption still existed.
'The consumption to maintain my Spiritual Entity's existence in the Nether Realm is also more than several times higher than before. Just because I advanced to the 6th-Tier?'
Su Chen was full of doubt and confusion. Lowering his head to look left and right, his heart violently skipped a beat.
'This is my flesh body!?'
'I brought my flesh body in too!'
He was somewhat astonished. Carefully perceiving, he pinched his arm, confirming that he indeed existed in the Nether Realm in the form of a flesh body, not a Spiritual Entity.
'This...' Su Chen frowned, hurriedly attempting to sense the Reality World.
The surrounding scenery gradually collapsed. Su Chen returned to the Nether Tower, touching his own body, unable to help but sigh in relief:
"Good thing I can come back. Although my flesh body was also brought in, reality still retained some sort of anchor."
The Nether Realm was eerie, treacherous, and unfathomable. In the One in Ten Thousand chance he couldn't come back, the trouble would be massive.
After confirming he could return, Su Chen couldn't help but speculate: "Is this also the effect of Spirit-Flesh Unity?"
This was his first time entering the Nether Realm since advancing to the 6th-Tier. The only difference from before was the so-called Spirit-Flesh Unity.
He looked thoughtful. "No wonder those several Morning Star Tiers entered the Nether Realm from within the Royal Court, yet in the end even their flesh bodies were wrapped up into the Lost Starfire."