Thinking up to this point, Su Chen took another look at the Development Progress of his Primary Class.
Although he had been developing it whenever he had time, just as always, up to this day, the Development Progress of the Scorching Thunder-Crier Priest was still only 8%, not even breaking into double digits.
'Sigh, it's still a bit too slow. The metamorphosis of the True Brilliance Talent will probably take some more time. However, this Flash-Shadow Body must be completed as soon as possible.'
'Excluding the Wind Chaser Dancer, there are 7 other professions. Overall, they can bring a 350% Development Efficiency boost, which is already extremely considerable.'
The Flash-Shadow Body could not only make up for his shortcomings in speed and concealment, but it also provided a boost to his Development Efficiency.
The current excessively slow development rate had already made him somewhat impatient.
'However, this matter will have to wait until after Qin Yun's banquet. The Remnant Spirit is also quite important.'
Training until mid-afternoon, Su Chen's eyes flickered slightly, and he retracted his training state. Just as he exited the Training Room, his vision went dark, a fierce gale rushed toward his face, and his shoulder sank.
"Good boy!" A familiar voice rang out, and Su Chen relaxed inwardly.
"Senior Brother!"
Su Chen grimaced and bared his teeth, pointing at Qing Cang's hand pressing down on his shoulder. It felt like an iron hoop. Even with his current physique, he felt a faint, intense pain.
"You truly gave me a huge surprise." Qing Cang released his hand, his face still filled with excitement. "Star Prime! That's the Star Prime!"
He clearly understood how difficult it was to seize the position of Star Prime.
When he was young, he had also participated in the Peak Star Tournament. The first time, he could only observe the battles. The second time, he barely squeezed into the Preliminaries. The final time, he ranked in the top ten.
The strength of those fellows was unimaginable.
Although he did indeed harbor some hope beforehand, now that this hope had become reality, it still gave Qing Cang a somewhat surreal feeling.
This was especially true because the format of this Peak Star Tournament was special. That Kingly Phantom was out of the ordinary; it was condensed from the power of the six Kings.
"Senior Brother, my ears are practically growing calluses from hearing those words. Let's just skip over them." Su Chen was a bit helpless.
Qing Cang froze, then laughed and scolded, "I came straight to you the moment I returned to the sect, yet you're acting quite composed."
Su Chen remained somewhat helpless. "Sect Master and the other Ancient Kings have all entered that Pyre Space. It truly is hard to be happy about it."
Hearing these words, Qing Cang's expression also became restrained.
After he emerged from the sect's Star Gate, the first thing he learned was that Su Chen had become the Star Prime. The second thing was learning that the Ancient Kings had all entered the Pyre Space and probably wouldn't be able to return in a short time.
Pondering for a moment, Qing Cang finally said, "The structure of the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court has been maintained for many years, always remaining high and mighty. This will inevitably incur dissatisfaction."
"Now that the Ancient Kings have disappeared, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There will definitely be some ambitious schemers who want to do something."
"However, the human heart is unpredictable, and the Dust Star Sea is so vast. The Five Great Sects and the Royal Court aren't pushovers either. If they really want to stir up some trouble, it won't be that simple. The foundation is still there."
"But there are still the Evil Gods," Su Chen reminded him.
"Evil Gods..." Qing Cang's expression shifted. "They are indeed an uncertain factor, but there's no need to worry too much. Given their nature, it's almost impossible for them to descend into reality with their Main Bodies. At most, they will just stir up some waves."
"With the sect's foundation, there's no need to worry too much."
"Can our Bronze Core's foundation withstand the Morning Star Tier?" Su Chen had just been wanting to ask about this.
Qing Cang shot him a glance and chuckled involuntarily, "Then you look down on our sect way too much. Within the scope of the Bronze Core, any destructive power exceeding a certain scale will be forcefully suppressed."
"If an unauthorized Morning Star power surfaces, it will also be captured immediately. I estimate that right now, only Chu Lingyuan's Morning Star power can be used unrestrainedly within the Bronze Core."
"Let alone one Morning Star, even if several Morning Stars arrived together, they wouldn't be able to do anything about it."
"Morning Star power can actually be distinguished?" Su Chen was somewhat astonished.
"Naturally, it can." Qing Cang nodded. "Every Morning Star is unique and unparalleled."
"That's good then..." Hearing this, Su Chen looked as if he breathed a sigh of relief, but inwardly he was contemplating. Put like this, it truly wouldn't be good for him to take the initiative to attack!
Once the Great Exalted made a move and got into a tangled fight with Qin Yun, it would inevitably be detected by the Bronze Core.
Qing Cang exchanged pleasantries with him for a while before hurriedly leaving. He needed to go find Chu Lingyuan to understand the situation in more detail.
'Since that's the case, I have to go see exactly what kind of banquet this is.' Su Chen opened his Comm-Bracelet, found Qin Lie whom he had added last time, and sent a message over.
As for the several messages the other party replied with, he was too lazy to read them clearly.
...
Several days later, Bronze Core.
Qin Yun's banquet was held in the already somewhat desolate Qin Family Compound. Those invited were all high-ranking members, so the number of people wasn't large to begin with, and it could still accommodate them.
At Bronzeheart Port, a large crowd of people had already gathered, standing together in twos and threes. There were Vice Hall Masters from various halls, as well as Supervisors from various departments. As they conversed, they also frequently looked toward the port.
"I didn't expect you would actually be willing to attend Qin Yun's banquet." On the Flight Vehicle heading toward the location, Chu Ran asked in quite a surprised tone.
"Is it that surprising?" Su Chen was a bit speechless. Chu Ran had already asked him several times over the past two days. Even though he had given a definite answer every time, this fellow had still arrived at his Floating Island early this morning.
Chu Ran hadn't been invited; he was purely here to join in the fun.
"It's more than surprising. This Venerable Qin Yun previously intended to kill you. I see that your magnanimity doesn't seem to be too broad either," Chu Ran muttered.
"It's more than surprising. This Venerable Qin Yun previously intended to kill you. I see that your magnanimity doesn't seem to be too broad either," Chu Ran muttered.
Su Chen glanced at him and shook his head. "When a person is about to die, their words are good. After all, Venerable Qin Yun also bled for the sect when he was young."
These words were actually true. He had performed a Deduction of Qin Yun's entire life experiences. In the period before becoming a Venerable, as well as the period just after becoming one, Qin Yun had indeed sacrificed a lot for the sect.
"Don't be fooled by him. What if he's made up his mind to scheme against you big time? What will you do then?" Chu Ran warned.
Su Chen looked at him in surprise. 'You even know about that.'
Fearing Su Chen would misunderstand, Chu Ran hastily explained, "It's not that my heart is too dark. It's truly because the contrast in this Qin Yun before and after is too great. Saying that he suddenly saw the error of his ways before death is a bit unreasonable."
Su Chen shook his head. "This is the Bronze Core. Furthermore, with so many people present and Venerable Chu Lingyuan keeping an eye on things, nothing will go wrong."
Chu Ran muttered a few words and hadn't yet spoken when he heard Su Chen ask in surprise, "Why are there so many people gathered at the port?"
"Naturally, it's because of you." Chu Ran grinned. "The Qin Family spread word outside, saying that you had accepted Qin Yun's invitation. These people are all very suspicious and aren't sure if it's true."
"So what if it's true or false?" Su Chen was still somewhat puzzled.
Chu Ran's eyes widened. "Old Su, you're underestimating your current influence way too much. That's the Star Prime! A twenty-three or twenty-four-year-old Star Prime! If nothing unexpected happens to you, the Ancient Throne is set in stone to be yours. How the hell can that Shen Yi'an compete with you?"
"You also have a grudge with Qin Yun. If you hadn't agreed, who would dare to come?"
"Originally, Old Wei and Shen Yi'an had no intention of coming. It was only because they heard you were coming that the two of them followed suit and agreed, wanting to watch the show."
'So that's how it is...' Su Chen suddenly realized that because this Peak Star Tournament had ended so hastily, he didn't have a very profound understanding of the influence this identity brought.
Humβ The Flight Vehicle docked at the port. The moment he stepped out, a massive amount of gazes converged on him, faintly carrying surprise, astonishment, and confusion...
But immediately after, this transformed into waves of enthusiastic greetings. "Star Seed Su Chen..."
"Your Excellency..."
"Grandmaster-Uncle..."
"Junior Martial Uncle..."
Surrounded by the crowd, Su Chen headed toward the Qin Family Compound.
Qin Lie had been waiting here for a long time. His expression was quite apprehensive, and he only let out a long sigh of relief when he saw Su Chen arriving surrounded by the crowd.
Outside the gates, it was even more extraordinarily lively. Some uninvited guests had also come, faintly bearing a bit of the demeanor from their peak.
What a pity that those people had all come for Su Chen. As soon as they saw Su Chen arrive, they rushed forward en masse.
However, there was no sign of anger on Qin Lie's face. On the contrary, he felt quite fortunate. If Su Chen hadn't come, that would have been true trouble.
What a pity that those people had all come for Su Chen, not for the Qin Family. However, there was no sign of anger on Qin Lie's face. On the contrary, he felt quite fortunate. If Su Chen hadn't come, that would have been true trouble.
...
"Do we really have to give this item to him?" Qin Yun was wrapped in fine fur clothing, his words faintly carrying a bit of reluctance.
Beneath his clothes, arms as thin as bamboo poles were holding a Black Gold Casket. Inside it was a lump of an irregular object faintly glowing red, looking like charcoal.
"I obtained this item many years ago, but I never found a suitable method to refine it."
The Remnant Spirit's voice rang out by his ear, "My remaining Primal Source has already been abandoned, and your body has been hollowed out even more. I haven't extracted much Primal Source. As for this banquet of yours, Chu Lingyuan will definitely be keeping a close watch. I can only attach myself to an object and wait until there is no one around to make my move."
"With his current horizons, he already looks down on ordinary items. You only have this one item."
"Don't worry. Once I seize that Su Chen's body, this thing will naturally be returned to you."
As the voice spoke by his ear, a barely perceptible wisp of Purple Flame suddenly merged into this charcoal-like object.
Qin Yun shook his head almost imperceptibly and closed the box. A knock sounded at the door.
Qin Lie said in a low voice, "Father, the guests have all arrived. Su Chen has also arrived..."
Within his words, there was a hint of urging, as if wanting Qin Yun to quickly go out and welcome them.
"The tea cools when the person leaves. But I haven't left yet." Qin Yun's gaze turned slightly cold. Before Su Chen agreed to come, all the invitations sent out by the Qin Family had sunk like stones into the ocean.
It was only after Su Chen accepted his invitation that those people, while praising Su Chen's broad magnanimity, finally accepted the Qin Family's invitation.
When had he ever suffered this kind of cold shoulder? Seeming to detect Qin Yun's dissatisfaction, the Remnant Spirit's voice drifted over, "The higher his status is now, the more advantageous it will be for us later."
"True..." Hearing this, Qin Yun's expression relaxed. He shook the clothes on his body. The black Chains binding his body and merging with the ground also slowly moved along with his movements.
...
Inside the banquet hall, it was already quite lively. The total arrangement was less than ten tables. Qin Yun had not invited anyone at the Department Head level. Those guys, he had previously treated them with courtesy and hadn't offended them.
However, everyone had gathered in front of one of the tables, making it extraordinarily lively.
"Star Seed Su, ever since seizing the Star Prime, this counts as your first public appearance, right? ...I toast a cup to you..."
"Watching the battle recordings, the strength of that 'Kingly Phantom' has probably almost caught up to me. Junior Martial Uncle shattered it in just two moves. Your strength is truly unfathomable; it's probably not much different from mine."
"..."
On either side of Su Chen sat Shen Yi'an and Wei Zhenghong. Qin Lie stood to the side like a lackey.
Although it was Qin Yun's banquet, it felt like Su Chen's venue.
Suddenly, the extremely ear-piercing sound of clanking chains rang out. Even amidst the mingling of cups and goblets, it was extremely clear.
It caused the atmosphere to stagnate instantly. The crowd's gazes drifted, turning in unison toward the entrance of the hall. Looking like a withered ghost, Qin Yun stood there, dragging black chains behind him.
Even knowing that Qin Yun was already a setting sun in the west, looking at him now, everyone couldn't help but tremble inwardly.
"Everyone, please return to your seats," Su Chen spoke mildly.
Only then did the others suddenly awaken. They successively returned to their seats, their eyes seemingly filled with curiosity, wondering what thoughts this fading Venerable actually harbored.
"It is the honor of this Qin Yun, and the honor of the Qin Family, that you were all able to grace us with your presence." Qin Yun's very first words caused quite a few people present to reveal a Complex Expression.
He truly was a setting sun in the west; to think Qin Yun could actually utter such words!
"Especially Junior Brother Su Chen." Qin Yun's deep and profound gaze landed on Su Chen.
Su Chen hadn't sat down the entire time. At this moment, his voice was calm. "You're too polite. Since Senior Brother invited me, how could I not come?"
Hearing this, Qin Yun sighed deeply and smiled bitterly, "Junior Brother is so broad-minded, it truly makes me sweat in shame. In the past, Senior Brother walked down the wrong path and offended you many times."
Su Chen was still muttering inwardly about exactly what method the Remnant Spirit would use to make its move, but outwardly he said, "It was all a misunderstanding... No..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Qin Yun. "No, it wasn't a misunderstanding. I, Qin Yun, still have this bit of courage to take responsibility."
"Wrong is wrong. It's just that..." He dragged the chains, walking forward step by step, his voice slow and deep.
Every step seemed to tread upon the drumbeat of a heart, and cold sweat had already broken out on the foreheads of the others.
Wei Zhenghong subconsciously clenched his fists tightly. Shen Yi'an waited with bated breath, also feeling somewhat uneasy in his seat. Qin Yun's many years of imposing prestige hadn't been built on empty talk.
But even as he walked right up to Su Chen, Su Chen remained calm from beginning to end.
Even Qin Yun, looking at Su Chen's tranquil appearance, couldn't help but marvel at this moment...
What a pity. If only he were Tianlin!
"...It's just that..." Qin Yun finally continued, "Many people in the Qin Family are innocent. As for those who had once corrupted the sect's rules and reputation, I have already dealt with them."
"I only hope that Junior Brother can look after my Qin Family more in the future."
Qin Yun had indeed cleaned out a batch of people; Su Chen had also heard rumors of this.
Wei Zhenghong held up his teacup, a cold sneer on his lips. What kind of posture was Qin Yun striking? Under the public eye, was he intending to put Su Chen on the spot, forcing him into a position where he had no choice but to agree?
"Additionally..." Without waiting for Su Chen to respond, Qin Yun spoke again. "There is also a meager gift to present, as a small token of my feelings."
A meager gift?
Su Chen was rather surprised. Then he saw Qin Yun raise his hand, impressively holding a Black Gold Casket. Right in front of the crowd, he slowly opened it, and a charcoal-like object wreathed in sparks came into view.
"This is..." Su Chen glanced at it but didn't recognize it.
"Could this be... Morning Star Embers?" someone nearby exclaimed in shock.
"Hall Master Zhang indeed has good eyesight." Qin Yun nodded slightly. "This item is indeed Morning Star Embers. After a Morning Star dies, they transform into Starfire. If they suffer an accident, there is a chance they will turn into Embers. These condense the essence of a Morning Star, and one can extract the profession they held during their lifetime from within."
Extract a profession? Su Chen's heart stirred slightly. There was actually such a thing?