Praise?
What the hell is the use of praise?
Su Chen raised his head and looked at the giant dragon's head. Forget directly making him The Chosen, at least give some Reward, right?
Su Chen secretly shook his head and withdrew his gaze, looking towards Taixuan Tianyi who had smashed onto the ground. The surrounding smoke and dust had already faded. Taixuan Tianyi lay on his back on the ground, a large hole caved into his chest, a shocking sight to behold.
But for a Class-User of Taixuan Tianyi's Tier, this wasn't a fatal injury. He was just Severely Injured, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth, his eyes devoid of spirit.
Su Chen had many questions he wanted to figure out through this Taixuan Tianyi, preparing to go down and chat a bit.
However, just as he was about to make a move, he felt a shackling force transmit from his body. When he wanted to descend, this shackling force grew even stronger?
He furrowed his brow slightly and looked up again. "What's the meaning of this? You won't let me deal the killing blow?"
Is this Spirit of the Vast Sun so merciful?
The path to becoming The Chosen was extremely cruel. When the Morning Star Spirit selected, guys with One-Dragon or Two-Dragon Recognition might still have a glimmer of life.
But if they obtained Recognition of the Three Dragons, it was basically only a fight to the death between them, unless one admitted defeat from the very beginning.
Not allowing the killing blow after defeating the opponent; he had never heard of such a thing.
"Or could it be that this Taixuan bloodline still has some Incense and Offering Sentiment with the Spirit of the Vast Sun?"
Su Chen grew thoughtful. Afterwards, he felt this shackling gradually turn into a pull, dragging him towards the Firmament.
The dragon's head above his head had already vanished, transforming into a swirling vortex of Purple Flames.
"This is a passageway." Su Chen felt A Slight Stir in One's Heart and dispelled his Arcane Artifact Enhancement. The surrounding force was already so great that it was difficult for him to resist; he could only obediently let himself be pulled into the vortex.
He only felt a bout of the world spinning. When he opened his eyes again, Su Chen found himself located in a Grand Hall. The surroundings were spacious and silent, and the grayish-brown metal floor was spotless.
And his gaze was immediately drawn to the extremely profound Purple Flame not far away. There was neither wind to fan it, nor did he see bright flames dancing, yet it possessed a kind of quiet, oppressive feeling.
Surrounding it wreathed an illusory dragon phantom, woven from countless fine specks of light. Sometimes transparent, sometimes dense, it seemed ready to soar into the sky at any moment.
"This... is the Spirit of the Vast Sun?" A hint of Suspicion flashed across Su Chen's eyes. "Why is the Spiritual Anchor a cluster of flames? Isn't it a stele?"
If it wasn't a stele, then could he still see the Profession Requirements?
Becoming The Chosen wasn't his goal. His main goal was to record that whatever Holy Sovereign onto his Status Panel.
Only by recording it onto the Status Panel could it produce some magical, emotional reactions under the Panel's influence, thereby bringing benefits that were fundamentally difficult to obtain under normal circumstances.
As long as he saw even a single Profession Requirement, he could record it. Although the Profession Requirements would be insufficient, and although it would lead to a low trigger frequency...
But if the Profession Requirements were in a form not recorded on any physical entity, then even with the Remnant Spirit on him, he doubted whether he could actually sneak a peek.
Just as he was pondering, a muffled voice came to his ear: "Defeated another Three Dragon Phantoms holder. Awarded a wisp of 'Crimson Flame'. Can allow the Ignition Cinders to draw the 'Fire Pillar' for passage within the Spiritual Tower."
Sure enough, there was a Reward. Passing through the Fire Pillar to travel within the Spiritual Tower was equivalent to taking his Access Level a step further.
I still have six Trial opportunities unused. Those old fogeys outside made it so I didn't dare leave my door. Now is the perfect time to bypass them.
Su Chen pondered briefly, and a wisp of Red Gold flame surfaced before his eyes, only as thick as a thumb. He tentatively reached out and grabbed it, and this flame suddenly submerged into his body—
[Crimson Flame: Can significantly reduce the difficulty of Profession Requirements for Fire Element Primary Classes, Specialized Classes, and Holy Classes.]
Looking at the prompt on the Status Panel, Su Chen couldn't help but be amazed. "To think there's actually this kind of thing?"
Reducing the difficulty of specific Professions... Since there's one for reducing Fire Element-related ones, there must definitely be ones for reducing other types as well.
Those Class-Users who truly receive massive Resources for cultivation... how formidable must they be? How many Holy Classes could they have accumulated?
"No, I'm thinking about it wrong..." Su Chen thought again. "Others have no way to integrate un-job-entered Professions into a Holy Class beforehand; they can only job-enter them one by one. This thing can at most promote a certain Profession."
"But to me, it can directly act upon a Holy Class."
Not bad, not bad. Su Chen was quite satisfied. It just so happened that the essences accumulated in his hands were almost enough. He would go back and properly prepare for a Fire Element-related Holy Class.
"If I can obtain another Perfect-Grade Eldritch Source Power, and pair it with this thing, perhaps I can make the Holy Class almost devoid of difficulty..." Su Chen thought to himself.
Just as he was calculating, he actually heard the Spirit of the Vast Sun's voice again: "The Taixuan family once offered Ritual Sacrifices for ten thousand years. Leave... Taixuan Tianyi with his life."
Hm?
Su Chen was surprised. There actually really was an Incense and Offering Sentiment. But they offered Ritual Sacrifices to you for ten thousand years; what does that have to do with me?
Regarding Taixuan Tianyi, he truly hadn't decided whether to kill him or not. After the other party was defeated, he would naturally lose the possibility of becoming The Chosen and wouldn't have the qualification to continue staying here either.
He originally wanted to ask the other party a few things. If the other party was cooperative, he wouldn't mind sparing his life.
However, since this Spirit of the Vast Sun personally spoke up...
He thought for a moment and probed: "Then... give me another Morning Star Tier item."
As his voice fell, Su Chen could clearly feel the profound Flamelet in the center seemingly tremble violently. The air flow within The Hall quickened a bit.
But the next moment, with a
clang
, that Flamelet actually truly spat out an item. It was five silver-gray metal spheres strung together, their surfaces already corroded and pitted.
This was the Five Path Prayer Beads, the weapon originating from the Morning Star of the Celestial Vault Order—Exalted Gongzheng.
Su Chen recognized it immediately. After going out last time, he had inquired about all the weapons of these Venerables.
"It actually gave it to me..." Su Chen grew thoughtful.
Looking at it this way, this Spirit of the Vast Sun couldn't just do whatever it wanted. It seemed to also have to follow certain rules. Otherwise, it wouldn't need to trade with me; it could just issue an order directly.
This situation was also beneficial to him. At least he wouldn't have to face any accidents arising from this guy's preferences.
"Understood, I will spare his life." Su Chen picked up the weapon and added, "However, as for those old fogeys outside, I can't guarantee anything."
"I will expel him and send him away..." The Spirit of the Vast Sun's voice seemed a bit muffled, as if it was in a very bad mood.
"Wait, I have a few questions to ask him," Su Chen hurriedly said.
The Spirit of the Vast Sun didn't respond. A Purple Flame vortex surfaced beneath Su Chen's feet, pulling him in.
"Is this the Fire Pillar..." Su Chen muttered to himself. He returned once again to his own Cultivation Sanctum.
That Taixuan Tianyi was still lying on the ground. Su Chen didn't pay it any mind, first summoning the Remnant Spirit:
"Taixu, why is this Spirit of the Vast Sun's Spiritual Anchor a Flamelet?"
Hearing Su Chen's voice, the already somewhat anxious Remnant Spirit jumped in shock and hurriedly asked, "What's the situation? Did you win?"
His words were quite hurried, extremely concerned about the battle's outcome.
"I won," Su Chen said carelessly.
"That's good." The Remnant Spirit breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was currently still in Su Chen's hands, it wasn't impossible to reverse the situation. If Su Chen lost the qualification to become The Chosen, it wouldn't be a good thing for him.
The subsequent plan still required using The Chosen as bait. If Su Chen lost the qualification to become The Chosen, naturally they couldn't continue.
However, he was also somewhat amazed. He hadn't expected that the True Radiance of the Taixuan family actually couldn't defeat Su Chen.
"I asked you, why is this Spirit of the Vast Sun's Spiritual Anchor a Flamelet?" Su Chen urged upon seeing the Remnant Spirit remain silent.
The Remnant Spirit withdrew his Thoughts and said, "Spiritual Anchors have always been Infinite Oddities. The Spiritual Anchor of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith has always been that Flamelet."
"Always a Flamelet?" Su Chen asked, seemingly doubtful. "Then where are the Profession Requirements recorded? The vast majority of Morning Star Spirits seem to use Stone Slabs that record Profession Requirements as their Spiritual Anchors, right?"
"That's because they are Morning Star Spirits." The Remnant Spirit didn't take this question to heart; this fell under the category of common sense.
He explained: "The Profession Requirements of the Sovereign of the Purple Zenith are all within the memory of the Spirit of the Vast Sun. After being Selected, you will naturally learn of them."
"I see." Su Chen grew thoughtful. Finally, he asked Unhurried, nonchalantly, and feigning indifference, "Then is there a way to learn the Profession Requirements in advance?"
"Learn the Profession Requirements in advance?" The Remnant Spirit didn't understand. "Without gaining Recognition, what use is learning the Profession Requirements?"
"I have a Profession that requires collecting high-tier Profession Requirements. Even just any random one will do. If it can't be done, then forget it." Su Chen shook his head, unwilling to force the issue.
"Wait." The Remnant Spirit's heart stirred, and he suddenly said, "It's not impossible."
"You have a Method?" Su Chen felt a slight palpitation in his heart and asked faintly.
The Remnant Spirit pondered: "If you can obtain the rest of my Primal Source power, and pair it with Divine Blood and Faith Essence, perhaps we can deduce one or two Profession Requirements through Deduction."
Without being Selected, learning the Profession Requirements was useless. He didn't mind using this to exchange for his Primal Source power.
How to become The Chosen was his final card. Everything else was harmless.
Deduction?
Su Chen thought of that Void Power. So it was through this Method. But it seemed he still needed his lost Primal Source power!
Su Chen's brow furrowed slightly. This was a troublesome matter.
Originally, he was just apprehensive that the Ancient Kings outside would associate things with the Remnant Spirit, thereby further associating that he was someone from the Dust Star Sea, and then associating him with Su Chen.
Therefore, even though this Remnant Spirit tempted him with a Morning Star Artifact last time, he still wasn't prepared to scheme for this Primal Source power.
But... now the Ancient Kings had already associated him with it. Mentioning this Primal Source power again wouldn't have as grave of future consequences.
Suspecting thirty to forty percent is Suspicion; suspecting seventy to eighty percent is also Suspicion.
This matter involved his ultimate goal. Even if it meant taking a risk, he had to figure out a way.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he inquired, "Your Primal Source power is in the hands of the Vast Sea Emperor. If I trade with them directly, they will probably associate it with you, and my identity might also be exposed. When that time comes, your ending won't be good either."
"Is there a simpler Method? Although I want to complete that Profession, this Method is too risky."
Su Chen tossed this question back to the Remnant Spirit. This guy was very smart; let him figure out how to swindle that thing over.
Hearing this question, the Remnant Spirit instantly fell silent. That thing had been stripped from his body, after all. No matter what Method they thought of, it was unavoidable that they would associate it with him.
...
Defeated...
Outside The Hall, the various Ancient Kings watched the gradually dissipating scene, their expressions grave.
"He actually lost," the Xuantian Ancient King muttered. This situation vastly exceeded their expectations.
Taixuan Tianyi's accumulation and Foundation made even them look askance, yet he still managed to lose to this "Tai Xuanhong".
Not only did he lose, but he lost cleanly and crisply. To truly reverse the situation, it only took two punches.
"Is there anyone who still suspects he is Su Chen?" the Bronze Ancient King suddenly spoke, his voice bland. "It has nothing to do with Su Chen's Class Traits. Excelling in speed and Physical Strength; it should be a body-tempering-type Profession."
They had all witnessed Su Chen's battle with the Kingly Phantom at the Peak Star Tournament.
If one had to force a similarity, one could only say that they both used their fists to end the battle.
But even the Zhenwu Ancient King couldn't speak such a forced line.
"What a piece of trash," the Zhenwu Ancient King said coldly. Naturally, he was speaking of Taixuan Tianyi.
The several Ancient Kings were all somewhat speechless. At the same age, they were far from being Taixuan Tianyi's match. Naturally, no one argued with the Zhenwu Ancient King.
The Star-Firmament Ancient King hesitated and said, "It's a pity that this Taixuan Tianyi couldn't bring this Tai Xuanhong out. Then the Method to leave..."
The Xuantian Ancient King, however, didn't care: "Bringing him out has a way of chatting if brought out; not bringing him out has a way of chatting if not brought out."
"While that may be true, this person is clearly young. What if he harbors a grudge against us because of this and is unwilling to speak anymore..." The Ancient King Sacred Cauldron was quite worried. Between themselves, they fought and made peace, made peace and fought. One second they were dealing killing blows, the next they were smiling and greeting each other; they had long been accustomed to it.
But young people might not necessarily be able to swallow this anger!
The Xuantian Ancient King shook his head and chuckled lightly. "This little friend is not an impulsive person. Us staying here brings him no benefits either."
"Mhm, then let's go have a chat."
The figures of the several of them descended.
...
Meanwhile, the Bronze Core, deep within the Punishment Hall.
The atmosphere here was solemn and grave. Qin Yun remained sitting cross-legged in his cage.
Qing Cang had a dark expression, pacing back and forth. His gaze occasionally looked towards Qin Yun in the cage. The other party's eyes were lowered, showing no abnormalities.
By his side was Lin Langtian, who had just been transferred back not long ago, as well as a burly, well-built man, his expression also not looking too good.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps rang out. It was Wu Feng dragging Zou Wen, who was already like a dead dog, walking in. His entire body was covered in scars, and some skin and flesh were even curled back.
He Chengying's gaze fell upon Zou Wen, a flash of irritation crossing his eyes.
Zou Wen barely managed to raise his head and look at He Chengying. A flash of guilt crossed the depths of his eyes, only to disappear immediately.
Wu Feng said in a deep voice: "He has a brand in his Spiritual Entity, so we could only force a confession through other Methods. What Venerable Qin Yun said is eighty to ninety percent true."
"Zou Wen..." A hint of heartache flashed across He Chengying's eyes. He turned to look at Qing Cang. "Senior Brother, it was my lax discipline over my subordinates."
"I can't blame you." Qing Cang's expression was ugly, but he shook his head and comforted him, "I've seen Zou Wen's Data. He's probably an extremely high-level nail planted by the Royal Court. This kind of nail might not be used even once in tens or hundreds of years; it's impossible to guard against."
Lin Langtian said in a low voice: "Since what Zou Wen said is true, then this matter is probably troublesome. God-Defier, Black Tortoise, and King Peng are probably already not far from the Sect. We need to make plans early."