He quickly walked to the Main Building and brought up the records. Sure enough, the scene event he had set up had already been triggered, and the triggerer was precisely...
"Lao Qing..."
Su Chen stared at the screen. He had worried before that if there was so urgent matter and a higher-up ca looking for him, only to find him missing, they might suspect soone had broken in and abducted him.
It might cause a huge commotion, and when he ca out, explaining it would be extrely troubleso. That was why he left this "scene event" as an explanation.
"If it wasn't an urgent matter, Lao Qing probably wouldn't have forcefully broken in." Su Chen's brows furrowed slightly. He took out his Comm-Bracelet. Just as he connected to the Bronze Core's internal network, a massive amount of information popped up.
Wei Zhenghong, Chu Ran, Jiang Mufeng, and others he was sowhat familiar with had all sent many ssages.
He swiped through roughly, found Qing Cang, and sent a ssage over.
Almost the mont he put down the Comm-Bracelet, he heard the wind howling outside.
When he raised his head again, a fierce gale rushed at his face, causing his breathing to stall. The sound of shattering glass rang out, and Qing Cang had already appeared before him. His expression was stern and cold, his eyes holding both anger and concern.
"Where did you go?" Qing Cang asked coldly.
"Uh..." Su Chen stalled. Seeing Lao Qing's appearance, he didn't dare to banter like usual and hurriedly explained: "I went to the Nether Realm."
"Nether Realm?" Qing Cang's eyes carried scrutiny. "Going to the Nether Realm, how could your physical body disappear?"
"This matter is sowhat complicated to explain."
Seeing the anger spurting from Lao Qing's eyes, Su Chen shifted his tone and added: "But in short, for so reasons, I had already achieved Spirit-Flesh Unity early on. Therefore, heading to the Nether Realm would take my physical body over as well."
"You achieved Spirit-Flesh Unity early on?"
The astonishnt in Qing Cang's eyes flashed past. He reached out a finger and pointed it at the center of Su Chen's brows, saying solemnly: "Do not resist."
Before Su Chen could even react much, Qing Cang had already withdrawn his finger, his gaze amazed: "There truly is no ntal Core, Spirit-Flesh Unity..."
Suddenly, his voice hurried as he asked, "Could it be related to the disappearance of the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted's Spirituality?"
"You know about that?" Su Chen couldn't help but be surprised.
Qing Cang had Words Caught in One's Throat, his face rcurial Mood. He seed to want to curse, but finally said in a muffled voice: "I also only just found out recently."
He had taken a trip to the Ancient King Palace not long ago, only to discover that the Crimson Fla Responding Thunder Great Exalted's Spirituality had disappeared.
It had given him a huge fright at the ti, cold sweat streaming down. The Ancient King had only left not long ago, yet a Morning Star's Spirituality had been stolen. How was he supposed to face his Master?
Only now did he know that the source was still Su Chen.
Coupled with the other party's inexplicable disappearance, which had made him worry for several days, Qing Cang even had the urge to string Su Chen up and whip him.
Seeing Qing Cang's expression growing increasingly unfriendly, Su Chen hurriedly said: "Teacher also knows about this."
Afterward, he hurriedly changed the subject and asked, "Senior Brother, did sothing happen?"
Qing Cang slowly let out a breath. Confirming that Su Chen was safe and hadn't encountered any accidents was enough. As for other matters, they could be temporarily set aside.
His expression turned grave as he said: "Indeed, Qin Yun he..."
When he said this na, there was a bit of Gnashing Teeth, and also a bit of helplessness:
"Within the Flare Realm, he personally killed those few Morning Stars. The Suppressing Hell King grabbed hold of this leverage and used this matter to launch an attack against my Bronze Sect. Three Morning Stars—God-Defier, Black Tortoise, and King Peng—are already on their way."
"I have already closed the Star Gates, but I estimate they set out long ago and could arrive at any ti."
"So it's still because of that matter..." Su Chen was surprised. He hadn't expected that after he had only left for More than Half a Month, the outside world had already undergone a Startling Change.
The Suppressing Hell King's awakening brought unexpected changes. He frowned and said, "Such a massive lineup, with three Morning Stars all deployed. Aren't they afraid their ho base will be stolen?"
Hearing these words, Qing Cang's sowhat worried expression suddenly paused. These past few days, he had been constantly worrying about how to deal with this matter, and had actually subconsciously ignored this point.
He hesitated: "Probably no one would dare go to the Royal Court's ho base, right?"
The prestige of the Royal Court had reigned over the Dust Star Sea for countless years and was deeply rooted in people's hearts. Even he hadn't considered during this ti that the Royal Court was already empty, and perhaps he could use this to do sothing.
Su Chen didn't delve deeply into this matter either; he rely asked casually. He then shifted the topic: "They're coming for Qin Yun. Are we still going to defend Qin Yun to the death?"
"If they were truly only coming for Qin Yun, then it would be simple." Qing Cang sighed, staring fixedly at Su Chen.
"Not coming for Qin Yun... then it's..." Su Chen was puzzled, but seeing Qing Cang's gaze that held deep aning, his heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but feel guilty. "Could it be they want to take the opportunity to make a move against ?"
"You guessed correctly. The Royal Court has coveted you for a long ti. Of course, there's also our Sect's Starfire. If they succeed, it's Killing Several Birds with One Stone." Qing Cang sighed. He then roughly relayed to Su Chen the matter of Qin Yun being instigated to rebel by the Royal Court.
"Qin Yun encountered an attempt to instigate his rebellion, but didn't agree, instead giving us ti to prepare in advance." Hearing this, Su Chen imdiately felt it was Unimaginable.
If others saw this performance by Qin Yun, they might still be Suspicious, but Su Chen knew about the Remnant Spirit. If Qin Yun truly changed his nature, the first thing he would do was tell Qing Cang about the Remnant Spirit.
And Qing Cang clearly didn't know, which proved Qin Yun was entirely faking it.
What does he want to take the opportunity to do?
Su Chen pondered for a mont, then shifted to remind him: "This Qin Yun suddenly changing his nature, we have no choice but to guard against it."
"Naturally, he is currently still in custody."
Su Chen nodded secretly. Lao Qing wasn't that easy to trick. He then heard Qing Cang say:
"It's a good thing you returned early. Prepare to retreat first along with Wei Zhenghong and the others."
"Retreat?" Su Chen's heart palpitated. He asked in astonishnt, "The situation has deteriorated to this extent?"
Qing Cang flicked his sleeve, saying helplessly, "The things Qin Yun did truly incited public anger. I'm afraid not many people believe that our Bronze Sect truly knew nothing about this matter."
"Right now, even if we kill Qin Yun, I'm afraid it won't help matters. The Bronze Core doesn't even have a single usable Morning Star right now; it is unprecedentedly weak. Even with the thods Teacher left behind, we might not be able to hold out until the next Sacrificial Ritual. Since the Royal Court has co, they must also be bringing their Foundation."
"The next Sacrificial Ritual?" Su Chen had an exploring tone.
Qing Cang nodded: "Indeed. This matter was initiated by the Suppressing Hell King. But in two and a half months, they still have to report to the Ancient Kings. If this matter isn't concluded, it will be difficult for him to account for it."
"Moreover, the longer the ti, the greater the possibility of other sects providing support."
"We can't hold out?" Su Chen hesitated.
"Sigh..." Qing Cang let out a long sigh. "Our 'Bronze Shield' was forged using the Starfire as its core energy source. But the Starfire right now is rely not needing maintenance, rather than having thoroughly shaken off the entanglent of the Mist Embers. It cannot supply energy; we can only rely on the power Master left behind when he departed to support it."
"Starfire?" Su Chen's expression flickered slightly. Doesn't this fall into my area of expertise?
Seeing the change in Su Chen's expression, Qing Cang instantly knew what this brat was thinking.
He shook his head and said Resolute and Decisive: "Don't even think about it. I won't let you attempt it."
Su Chen was stunned. "Why?"
Qing Cang clasped his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth, and slowly said: "Originally, I also wanted to let you give it a try. But after thinking it over again and again, I still vetoed this idea."
"These Core Fog-Embers are different from the middle and outer layers; they are the most dangerous and highest intensity. Moreover, Master is not here. If any accident occurs, I simply have no way to protect you."
If Su Chen failed the Purification, so be it. The problem was that after failing, he wouldn't be able to pull Su Chen out. This was his biggest worry.
This... Su Chen hesitated and said: "Senior Brother, let try. I have a certain level of confidence."
"No." Qing Cang's attitude was very firm. "Previously, you could make pointless attempts because Master was there to back you up. But now there is no one to back you up. You should still retreat first."
"If the Bronze Core holds out, naturally there are no worries. If it can't hold out..."
"Senior Brother!" Su Chen interrupted sternly, his expression solemn: "Do you truly think I can escape? Since the Royal Court has made their move, not to ntion being fully prepared, they should have considered everything they needed to consider. If I escape, I'm afraid it would play right into their hands."
"Moreover, since I entered the Sect, it has been three or four years. The Sect's provision has never been lacking. When push cos to shove, how can I run away?"
"Furthermore, I really am very confident. Just let give it a try."
Qing Cang's eyes trembled. For so reason, it was as if voices echoed in his ears: "Master, we have received the provision of the Bronze Sect for generations. The Starfire is about to overturn; how can we stand by and watch? Please let us undergo Fire rging!"
About a hundred years ago, his two Senior Brothers had used their bodies for Fire rging under these circumstances, creating the opportunity for Master to stratify the Mist Embers.
After a long while, Qing Cang's expression changed several tis before he finally nodded.
Seeing Qing Cang agree, Su Chen let out a sigh of relief. He was truly afraid this Senior Brother would refuse to the death, and then he would be at a loss.
"While they haven't arrived yet, let's go."
Now that his thoughts had shifted, Qing Cang acted with the speed of lightning. He had already pressed down on his shoulder. Air explosions bood, and rolling wind waves subrged the Floating Island. But now Su Chen wasn't the sa as before; he didn't have that feeling of "his vision blurring" before being yanked far away.
He could clearly see the changes in his surrounding vision.
"Lao Qing's Primary Class is wind-based, so he's naturally adept at speed. However, if I were to use Flash-Shadow Body at all costs, I shouldn't be much slower than him."
Su Chen speculated inwardly. Flash-Shadow Body was no longer just about speed; it involved a more advanced ability.
Of course, Lao Qing definitely had other thods.
As his Thoughts churned, Su Chen's gaze gradually turned cold and desolate. The Royal Court... I'm still not strong enough...
If he were already a Morning Star at this mont, what God-Defier, Black Tortoise, King Peng? The three great Morning Stars combined might not necessarily be his match...
Qing Cang remained silent the whole way. The two of them very quickly approached the Starfire. They didn't stop, directly sinking into the deepest parts of the Starfire.
The Starfire's burning was still vigorous here. The Core Fog-Embers were so dense that they no longer resembled mist, wrapping around the lower half of the Starfire like black oil.
Between the two, they were separated by a thin layer of green data streams, avoiding mutual Erosion.
Qing Cang's expression was grave. He held back Su Chen, who was just about to walk forward: "If an accident occurs, I truly won't be able to save you."
Su Chen comforted him: "Rest assured, Senior Brother. This is my own choice."
Seeing that Su Chen didn't look nervous, Qing Cang's heart also eased sowhat.
...
At the Bronze Core, within the Artifact Hall, Zhou Yunyang stood before the window, looking worriedly at the outer cyan barrier: "An unprecedented crisis..."
The matter of the Royal Court attacking was already widely known throughout the entire Bronze Sect. There were hardly any people on the Bronze Core.
This was even more unnerving than the last Crisis of the Flas. After all, the Ancient King had been there last ti. But this ti, the strongest mbers of the Sect were only those Heads of Seats and Qing Cang.
The only Morning Star was still locked up in the Punishnt Hall.
Behind him, He Peiting was also present, his expression also sowhat unnerved and solemn. Deep down, however, he was scheming: "The Royal Court has grasped the timing extrely well. The ti gap is only these two or three months. If they succeed, they succeed..."
"It's a pity the Divine Blood and Faith Essence sent previously were all purged, and the latest batch hasn't been delivered yet. Such a great opportunity for Falling Fire!"
Hei Tuo felt it was truly a pity in his heart. Right now, the Bronze Sect couldn't even fend for themselves. He could hardly find a better opportunity than this, but unfortunately, this Advent Body of his couldn't exert much power at all...
And right at this mont, his expression suddenly changed slightly. He looked up towards the direction of the Starfire; the remaining Fog-Embers had been triggered by soone.
Wanting to perform Purification on the Fog-Embers at this ti, resolving the Crisis of the Flas to fight against the Royal Court?
Those were the densest Fog-Embers. Who had that kind of confidence? Su Chen?
"Thinking too simply. That's the most essential part. Perfect timing..." He returned to his senses, stood up, and said, "Master, I'm going to the restroom."
Zhou Yunyang waved his hand without even turning his head, a hint of Doubtful and Uncertain flashing through his eyes. He saw that on the barrier at the end of his line of sight, Patterns resembling water ripples faintly surfaced.
"They're here..." Zhou Yunyang murmured inwardly.
And He Peiting had already left the office, passed through the corridor, and arrived at the restroom, finding a stall.
"I want to see just who it is! If it's Su Chen, it's perfect timing to take him in."
A black gleam flashed in his eyes. He mobilized the remaining bit of power in this Advent Body, attempting to hook up with the Fog-Embers deep within the Starfire.
Because the distance was close, he could imrse his consciousness into the Fog-Embers. But without the assistance of Divine Blood and Faith Essence, that was all he could do.
It wasn't of any use on normal days, but right now, perhaps it could exert so unexpected effects.
...
Seeing Su Chen being swallowed by the black oil-like Fog-Embers, Qing Cang also quickly walked to the churning Fog-Embers. Spreading his five fingers, wisps of wind streams sank into it, attempting to sense Su Chen's condition.
His brows furrowed tightly. After a mont, he still sighed. He simply couldn't penetrate into it, nor could he sense Su Chen's physical condition.
"I hope he..."
Before his voice fell, Qing Cang's expression suddenly changed in shock. He saw that the cluster of black oil-like Fog-Embers suddenly began to tremble violently. It actually gradually condensed into a cross-legged pitch-black figure, its surface boiling like oil.
"Black Buddha?" His expression was horrified. The Fog-Embers had never undergone this kind of Transformation before. This sudden unforeseen event was definitely not a good sign.
"How could this happen..." Qing Cang was uneasy in his heart, his mind sinking to rock bottom. He already regretted agreeing to let Su Chen take this risk.
And just as he was restless with anxiety, he suddenly turned his head to look outside the Starfire, his expression ugly: "Why did it have to be at this ti..."
Qing Cang looked outside the Starfire, then turned to look at the Fog-Embers condensed into the form of Black Buddha before him, then looked back again, repeating this several tis back and forth. His expression was rcurial Mood, conflicted and uneasy.
"Damn it!" He was Gnashing Teeth, veins throbbing on his forehead. He fiercely stomped his foot and disappeared from here.
...
Within the Fog-Embers, the grayish-white earth spread out. Su Chen looked at the Phantom Image of Black Buddha sitting cross-legged before him, just as always. He was already thoroughly familiar with this and was preparing to enter a combat state.
However, he saw that Phantom Image of Black Buddha suddenly tremble. It actually didn't launch an attack at him imdiately as it had in the past.
Instead, it slowly raised its head. Its expression was no longer wooden and icy. Its eyes even carried scrutiny, amusent, and appraisal as it actually emitted a hoarse, deep voice: "Su Chen... it really is you."
Su Chen's eyelids twitched. This Phantom Image of Black Buddha... ca alive?
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