The Great Venerable rarely had an emotional reaction on its own. In the past, it was always triggered by other professions or by defeating other Chosen Ones. This was the first time it had shown interest in an external object.
This made Su Chen pay even more attention to the charcoal-like object in his hand.
However, he had never heard the name "Fog Ashes" before. He could only put it away for now and study it later.
With a simple turn, the piece of charcoal in his palm vanished. Song Gang, who was still trying to figure out the situation, didn’t notice at all.
Su Chen continued to rummage through the debris on the ground. The remaining items weren’t particularly noteworthy, so he just gathered them and set them aside.
Song Gang deliberated for a long time before finally speaking again. "Star Seed Su Chen, was your purpose in coming here for these two Deceitful God’s Sons?"
’If Su Chen’s goal from the very beginning was the Deceitful God’s Sons, then the Sect’s upper echelons must have received the news long before we did. This would mean Canglan Star is no longer trusted, and the consequences could be severe.’
’But if Su Chen didn’t come for these two, then to some extent, it means the Sect also received the news at the last minute. The outcome would be completely different.’
"Well..." Su Chen stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The surrounding dust had begun to settle. Residents from the nearby urban area gathered at the perimeter, craning their necks to look and discussing the giant face that had just appeared in the sky.
A middle-aged man who looked like the hotel owner, his face a mask of despair, was talking with Ming Lin, who was dressed in a patrol team uniform. After seemingly receiving some form of assurance, the man’s expression gradually softened.
Meeting Song Gang’s expectant gaze, Su Chen finally uttered two words: "It’s complicated."
Song Gang was speechless. ’What does "it’s complicated" even mean? This Star Seed is too good at playing dumb.’
Just as he was about to press for more details, a loud explosion boomed in the distance.
A sudden, deafening blast echoed from the distant horizon, making the clouds churn. A pillar of cyan wind shot up, piercing the heavens. Its edges shimmered with a cold halo, stirring the surrounding air currents.
It then exploded violently. The cyclone swept out in all directions like a tidal wave, and a savage gale raged. A low, muffled roar could be faintly heard rolling within it, carrying a pressure that made one’s heart clench.
Song Gang’s expression changed drastically.
Su Chen’s brow twitched. "There’s someone else here?"
When Qing Cang had vanished earlier, Su Chen guessed he must have been using some method to search for other suspicious individuals.
’But I didn’t expect him to actually find someone,’ he thought. ’That’s just too careless, especially when it comes to colluding with a Divine Son.’
Before Song Gang could react, the air in the sky crackled as several sonic booms erupted in succession. The figure had yet to land, but a sharp, fierce wind blasted them, making it impossible to keep their eyes open.
But it only lasted for a moment. The turbulent storm vanished, and Qing Cang appeared before them, holding a person who was trussed up like a rice dumpling. He slammed the stocky figure onto the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Su Chen subconsciously glanced at the person on the ground. His face was flushed red, and a crystal-clear handprint was visible on his right cheek.
Fan Zhao!
He froze, genuinely surprised that this guy was also here.
’Logically speaking, for something this risky, it would be normal to have a subordinate handle it while staying completely out of it yourself.’
’Even though he sent Fang Luoxun, he himself was watching from nearby.’
’Now he’s been caught red-handed. What room is there to argue?’
’Is he really that stupid?’ Su Chen truly couldn’t figure it out.
Meanwhile, Song Gang’s expression was vacant. He stared blankly at the person on the ground, a chill spreading through his limbs.
’That’s Fan Zhao!’
’Venerable Qin Yun’s student... why is he here? And beaten up like this?’
An incredible thought erupted in his mind: ’Could it be... that Fan Zhao is the one who colluded with the Deceitful God’s Son?’
’This is a disaster!’
He was startled. Before his thoughts could settle, he heard Qing Cang speak as his gaze swept over. Dealing with Fan Zhao hadn’t taken much effort given his power. With a hint of surprise, he asked, "You’re Song Gang?"
Song Gang shuddered and quickly nodded. "Yes, I am, Master Qing. You... you still remember me?"
Qing Cang flicked his sleeve, clasping his hands behind his back. "Of course, I remember. You were in one of the first classes I was responsible for when I took over the Holy Hall."
A hint of joy appeared on Song Gang’s face, but Qing Cang looked somewhat puzzled. "I remember your physical Talent was Profound Purple, wasn’t it? Although your Spirit Talent was only Mo Cui, it was still quite outstanding. How did you end up as the guardian of a resource star?"
"If things had gone as expected, you should have become the master of a hall."
The Bronze Sect commanded numerous Life Stars. In the eyes of ordinary Sect members, a guardian’s status was already quite high, but to Qing Cang, it was a bit low.
Although a resource trading star had plenty of perks, Canglan Star was too close to the Sect’s core. It was a directly-managed star, not under the jurisdiction of any Chairman, making it an unwanted post.
The joyful expression that had just appeared on Song Gang’s face froze. He looked somewhat ashamed and sighed.
"I am honored that you still remember me, Master Qing. After graduating from the Holy Hall, I... I wasted some time... After my Talent declined, it became difficult to make any further progress, so I could only stop here. *Sigh*..."
Hearing this, Qing Cang couldn’t help but show a trace of disappointment in his eyes. He sighed wistfully. "I remember you’re from Xingde Star, without any particular background in the Sect."
"I told you back then that the dazzling world is ultimately just passing smoke. If you aren’t diligent and self-disciplined, you will only waste your own Talent and fade into mediocrity."
Although a guardian was by no means ordinary and could even be considered part of the upper echelon within the Sect, in the grand scheme of the Dust Star Sea, it was nothing special.
Song Gang was increasingly at a loss for words. His cheeks burned as he lowered his head and hastily tried to change the subject. "What... what is the situation now...?"