Xia Hanshi looked at Su Chen, who was currently sitting cross-legged in the gravity room. The black-and-red armor clung to his seated figure like a living creature.
Dark red, lava-like veins flowed across the surface of the armor. Black-and-red electric arcs constantly flared up between them, bursting and crackling like leaping lightning snakes.
'This kid... seems to have gotten much stronger again,' Xia Hanshi marveled inwardly.
Last ti, when this kid had just advanced to the fourth tier, he could only sense Xia Hanshi's arrival after he had entered the room.
But this ti, while still inside the gravity room, Su Chen had sensed him in advance. This truly surprised him. Even though he hadn't deliberately hidden his tracks, an ordinary fifth-tier professional would likely find it hard to achieve what Su Chen just did.
Moreover, this state... Xia Hanshi narrowed his eyes, vaguely sensing sothing peculiar.
"What is this..." Xia Hanshi didn't hold back; his curiosity got the better of him, so he asked directly.
Su Chen didn't have to keep too many secrets from Old Xia. Besides, the older man didn't know the exact requirents for this class, so he wouldn't grow suspicious over how quickly Su Chen had acquired it.
Su Chen simply told him the truth. "I took up the class Hong Xuan ntioned."
"Class fusion?" Old Xia was quite astonished. He observed Su Chen carefully. His own ntal-type class was only at the third tier, which certainly couldn't be fused, so he wasn't particularly curious about the class itself.
After a brief estimation, he remarked, "In this state, even Teng Liang might not be your match."
"He forcefully took up a top-tier fifth-tier class, and his class developnt degree is fixed at zero percent. However, as a top-tier class, his strength is no less than a conventional fifth-tier at thirty or forty percent developnt."
He hadn't been back for long, and watching Su Chen gradually grow stronger didn't seem like much at first. But when he actually calculated the specific tifra, he couldn't help but suck his teeth in astonishnt.
After all, Su Chen had only joined the Tribunal for a year and a few months, yet he had already reached this level.
The so-called conventional fifth-tier referred to those whose lower-tier classes were basically upper-level, while the number of top-level or lower-mid-level classes they took did not exceed half of their tier rank.
But soon after, Xia Hanshi sighed. "This thod of class fusion probably isn't a secret in the Royal Court."
It could even be considered the standard configuration for every powerful professional. Single-class professionals might be very rare in the Royal Court, and perhaps naturally at a disadvantage.
"What do you an..." Su Chen stood up, retracting the elental armor on the surface of his body. He followed Xia Hanshi toward the living room, feeling sowhat confused as to why Old Xia would suddenly express such a lant.
"People from the Royal Court have arrived," Xia Hanshi said directly, not keeping him in suspense.
"??"
Su Chen's foot paused on the stairs. He looked at Xia Hanshi in astonishnt, taking a mont to react before saying, "No wonder the Chief looked so grave earlier."
This news was indeed vastly beyond his expectations.
After a long silence, they reached the living room. Only after sitting down did he ask, "Could they have co for..."
Xia Hanshi nodded, his tone heavy. "The Crimson Fla Lightning Exalt."
'Just as I thought,' Su Chen's heart sank slightly. At this juncture, he couldn't help but think of the Exalt.
"How did they find out..." Su Chen was puzzled. Zero had already co over according to its programming to pour them tea.
The Royal Court had been kept in the dark for ten years, yet they found out right when he and Hong Xuan had just gained approval. This was far too coincidental.
"It is said that an Ancient Bronze King sensed it the mont you were acknowledged," Xia Hanshi stated.
"An Ancient... Bronze King?" Su Chen hesitated, unable to resist glancing upward. If the structure of this universe was anything like his past life, just how far away was this Ancient Bronze King when he sensed it?
This was simply monstrous. A chill of horror crept into his heart.
"Then what are their intentions?" Su Chen asked again. "To take away the spirituality, as well as the acknowledged individuals." Xia Hanshi cast a glance at him. Su Chen's heart involuntarily tightened, and then he heard the old man add, "They claid they want to take them back for proper nurturing."
'Thank goodness,' Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief. He knew far too little about the Royal Court. The slightest movent from such a colossal entity could cause imasurable impacts on the Crimson Lightning Planet and on himself. He had no choice but to treat it with extre caution.
"But if that's the case, won't our original plan be impossible to execute? Are they willing to step in and resolve the Holy Banquet?"
Su Chen asked hesitantly.
"They are not willing." Xia Hanshi's gaze turned deep. "They stated it very bluntly. Our location is shrouded in the Nether Mist, making it a ti-consuming and strenuous task to resolve. Moreover, this is only one instance. Even if they solve it now, there will just be another one next ti."
Su Chen furrowed his brows slightly. "Is the Royal Court planning to take it by force? How many people did they send, and what is their strength?"
Xia Hanshi held his teacup, his gaze slightly unfocused as he replied, "The leader is nad Qing Cang. According to Chong Jingtian, he is at least an eighth-tier professional. He promised to take away all the relatives and friends of the higher-ups from the various cities."
"This..." Su Chen felt helpless. This was an obvious divide-and-conquer strategy. With a way to survive presented to them, the higher-ups would imdiately split into two factions, making it difficult to pose any trouble for the envoys from the Royal Court.
They were so strong, yet they still used such thods. Was it just to be safe? Or were they planning to take these people away to use as hard labor?
"Not only that, the Nether Mist also severs one's lifespan. He promised to help solve this issue." Xia Hanshi gave a rough description of the Nether Mist's dangers.
"So it's because of the Nether Mist." Su Chen wasn't too surprised; instead, he felt it made perfect sense. "By that calculation, a seventh-tier professional living for over four hundred years sounds about right."
He was still young and had no worries about his lifespan. He only felt that a lingering doubt in his mind had been cleared up.
Following that, Su Chen sighed again. "Promises of both lifespan and safety... If this news spreads, I'm afraid many people will agree. Even if it ans going to the Royal Court just to be gatekeepers, they would probably be willing."
"Greed for life and fear of death is simply human nature," Xia Hanshi shook his head, looking dispirited.
Su Chen couldn't help but ask, "Then what is the decision of the higher-ups?"
"Chong Jingtian wants to wait a bit longer to see if there are any other variables. He speculates that the background of Qing Cang and his group might be sowhat different from the Royal Court we know of."
"Since this group could find the Crimson Lightning Planet, it's not impossible for others to find it as well," Xia Hanshi elaborated. "However, so people are already considering changing sides."
"But no matter what, they ultimately have to make a trip to those ruins to rge the spirituality into one. Only then can Qing Cang take it away."
At this point, Xia Hanshi let out a rare sigh. "According to Wu Chenpei, you caused the manifestation of three dragons and were highly likely to beco the chosen one, which drew Hong Xuan's wariness. But given the current situation, you need to hide that matter and the phenonon of the three dragons."
"If nothing can be done..." His tone carried a suppressed sense of anger and frustration. He drained the tea in his cup in one gulp before continuing, "...then you must leave the Crimson Lightning Planet as an acknowledged individual."
As if to prevent Su Chen from misunderstanding, Xia Hanshi imdiately explained, "They originally wanted to take both you and Hong Xuan. But when Chong Jingtian ntioned that Hong Xuan had died, the other party didn't show the slightest reaction. They didn't even ask how he died. They simply didn't care."
From this point alone, it was obvious that the other party did not care about Su Chen and Hong Xuan, the two acknowledged individuals. They were rely acting on orders.
"Moreover, he brought three juniors along. It seems they also seek to be chosen by the Exalt." Xia Hanshi then added that if they realized Su Chen might beco the chosen one, they might ruthlessly eliminate him to free up the spot.
"I understand." Su Chen appeared very calm as he digested this information. With his interface panel, he didn't need to take risks to compete. Playing it safe was his best option.
"That's about it. Make your preparations. They want to see you first before taking you to see the class spirituality," Xia Hanshi instructed finally, turning to leave.
Seeing him stand up, Su Chen pondered for a mont. Air currents surged near his lips as he murmured, "Let the person before my eyes stumble."
As soon as the words fell, Su Chen's eyelids twitched. The ntal energy he had just converted in his mind was instantly drained by more than half.
anwhile, Xia Hanshi's figure swayed, and he actually stumbled.
"Hm?" He turned around suspiciously to look at Su Chen. "Was that you?"
Su Chen smiled awkwardly. "Just testing a little ability."
"To think you can actually affect ..." Xia Hanshi grew even more astonished. Even if it was just a stumble, it was already unbelievable enough.
'This kid... has a boundless future ahead of him. Unfortunately, the Crimson Lightning Planet is too small to support his rise.'
"Don't show off in front of those people from the Royal Court," Xia Hanshi warned. He was about to leave but looked back at Su Chen, seeming a bit hesitant. After a mont, he said, "I want you to make another gamble."
"Gamble on what?" Su Chen was still analyzing his recent energy consumption and reacted a beat slow.
"Yuandu, Lieyang, and Tianqing hold an abundance of Eldritch God power, and those from the Royal Court are unwilling to help us resolve the Holy Banquet," Xia Hanshi said in a deep voice. "I want to use your precognitive abilities to make a gamble. There might still be hope. If we can find the location of the Holy Banquet's sacrifice, we can handle it with much more ease."
This... Su Chen hesitated to speak. He had originally wanted to bring this matter up with Old Xia, but the arrival of the Royal Court envoys had disrupted his thoughts. He hadn't expected the other party to bring it up first.
"I am willing to give it my best try," Su Chen sighed inwardly. That was the only thing he could say.
After seeing Xia Hanshi out, Su Chen's mind swirled with thoughts. The sudden arrival of the visitors from the Royal Court had disrupted many things, but in the end, he could only sigh and lant, "Plans really can't keep up with changes."
Yuandu's years of preparation and Hong Xuan's long dormancy had all been ruined by Xia Hanshi's decisive actions, and now the current situation was being upended by the Royal Court's arrival.
"I hope there are still variables, otherwise..." Su Chen murmured softly, his thoughts drifting to an unknown place.
Since he couldn't influence these matters, he could only focus on himself. He reined in his thoughts and felt his body, which was still in the fused state. "Compared to my normal state, my overall strength has increased by about seventy or eighty percent. Thanks to the extra reward reducing my consumption, the drain on my stamina and ntal energy has decreased by around half compared to my first fusion."
"My endurance has increased significantly."
This state was also a burden on the body. Otherwise, during his first battle with Hong Xuan, the other party wouldn't have waited until the very end to use it, only to imdiately collapse into weakness afterward.
And during their last battle, his opponent hadn't used it right from the start either, clearly intending to save it as a trump card, only to be instantly killed by him in one move.
"But I can use it as a routine ability. Coupling this state with Gluttony, fighting at full strength for half an hour won't be a problem."
"As for this new fusion ability..." Su Chen made a brief estimation before concluding, "It's very powerful."
Making Old Xia stumble hadn't completely drained his ntal energy; he still had a little left. If it had been in the past, this word spirit command wouldn't have worked at all.
Releasing the fused state, the ensuing feeling of bodily weakness still left him a bit unaccustod.
He glanced at his interface panel—
[Word Spirit Law Master: 20%]
[Calamity Patroller: 20%]
[C-Rank Cloud Dragon Tempering thod—Mastery: 40%]
[C-Rank Mirage Sea ditation thod—Mastery: 40%]
The Exalt's favor was indeed incredible; the efficiency of his class developnt progress was rising rapidly.
"This place truly gives off the feeling of a starry sky city..." Qing Cang stood on the street, watching the bustling crowds around him while ignoring their strange glances. Above him, hovercars shuttled back and forth with constant whistling sounds. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
He loved the local customs and practices of different places. They always gave people a distinct feeling.
Compared to Qing Cang, who was thoroughly enjoying himself, the three young people beside him didn't have nearly as much patience. After wandering around for the better part of the day...
Lan Hao finally couldn't hold back and said, "Teacher Qing, are we really just letting them easily discuss counterasures? What if they are unwilling to hand over the class spirituality and sche in the dark?"
Qing Cang's gaze landed on the massive virtual advertisent on the side of a tall building ahead. He shook his head mildly. "Give them so ti to digest the news. I believe they will make the wise choice. It's not like we didn't offer them a way out. With the strength of these people, they still hold considerable value."
"A long delay breeds complications," Lan Hao couldn't help but say. "With your strength, is there even a need to say so much to them?"
A trace of disdain flashed across Lin Yue's eyes as she reminded him, "This place is covered by the Nether Mist. If we fight, we must be cautious. It's better to play it safe."
"Furthermore, Teacher Qing has already explained the dangers of the Nether Mist and promised to take them away to resolve their troubles. Even if one person doesn't know what's good for them and wants to resist, the others won't agree to it."
Hearing this, the gloominess in Lan Hao's eyes vanished in a flash. Qing Cang nodded in agreent and added, "Not only that, but this place is, after all, Martial Uncle's mother planet. It is the place of his birth. Even though he didn't grow up here, there's still a lingering sentintal connection. If we can avoid using force, we shouldn't use it."
"I'm sure if Master knew, he would be pleased as well."
At the ntion of the Ancient Bronze King, the expressions of the three shifted slightly. Wan Chen chid in at the right mont, "The Ancient King possesses a benevolent heart, sitting alone atop a star, protecting billions of living beings."
"You ah, you..." Qing Cang chuckled, amused. "What, are you all thinking of becoming the chosen one of the Crimson Fla Lightning Exalt, thereby catching Master's eye?"
The eyes of the three flickered. The preciousness of the Crimson Fla Lightning Exalt wasn't rely because it was a Star-tier class, but rather because of its close connection to the Ancient Bronze King.
This one-plus-one relationship was imnsely profound.
"Teacher Qing, if you were to ask anyone in the Dust Star Sea, who wouldn't want to?" Wan Chen smiled gently, defusing the blunt question.
Qing Cang smiled faintly. "Therefore, being able to fight for this opportunity for the three of you is exceptionally precious. If word got out, I'm afraid the entire Dust Star Sea would fall into unrest."
"We dare not forget Teacher Qing's grace," the three said in unison, their voices laced with genuine sincerity.
"However, I suggest we resolve this matter as quickly as possible," Wan Chen murmured. "Setting aside when this planet might fall prey to an Eldritch God, it's not guaranteed that we are the only ones who know about the Crimson Fla Lightning Exalt."
"With your sudden movent, coming to such a small place, perhaps so observant individuals have already noticed."
Qing Cang turned his head and gave him a deep look. "You've considered things quite thoroughly."
"It's just minor details," Wan Chen quickly replied.
Qing Cang looked up and said, "Calculating the ti, they should have discussed just about enough. Let's go then. It's a good ti to et that surviving acknowledged individual. Perhaps... I might accept an excellent disciple."
"Then we offer our congratulations to Teacher Qing in advance," the three spoke up one after another. They truly had no desire to experience any local customs; they simply wanted to co into contact with the spirituality of the Crimson Fla Lightning Exalt as quickly as possible. That was the only thing they cared about.
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