"Su Xingzhong?" Wu Feng asked, a bit puzzled.
Su Chen, however, nodded. "There are two bodies. They seem to belong to the Faceless Ghost and Black Tuo."
Wu Feng’s expression turned even uglier. His icy gaze looked like it could flay Fan Zhao and Fang Luoxun alive. "Colluding with two at once. You’re really something."
Fan Zhao was completely stunned. ’Where did the Faceless Ghost Divine Son come from? Wasn’t it just Black Tuo?’
The others looked at each other in confusion. Qin Tianlin frowned, both surprised and disappointed that two Divine Sons had failed to kill Su Chen.
"Two Divine Sons of a Deceitful God? The nerve of him to come up with that! All those years he’s lived have gone to the dogs!" Wei Zhenghong’s voice boomed.
The faces of those in Qin Yun’s faction turned grim, and they quickened their pace, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible.
Watching the miserable-looking Qin Tianlin and his group, Wei Zhenghong grinned, feeling gleeful.
"The situation is unpredictable right now. It’s best not to leave the Sect’s core area," the more level-headed Shen Yi’an reminded him.
"Mm," Su Chen nodded. He followed the others, switching to a Flying Device and heading for Copper Heart.
...
At the same time, outside the Ancient King Hall, three figures landed simultaneously. Chu Lingyuan was in the center, with Qing Cang to his right and Qin Yun to his left.
"Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since the three of us have had an audience with Master together," Chu Lingyuan said suddenly, his tone complex as he looked up at the great bronze hall before them.
Qin Yun remained expressionless, and Qing Cang’s voice was even more indifferent. "Let’s go, Senior Brother. Master is waiting."
Chu Lingyuan sighed softly. The three of them stepped into the hall and, looking at the Bronze Giant before them, bowed in unison. "Master."
"Mm." The Bronze Ancient King nodded. His gaze fell upon the three of them, and he let out a melancholic sigh. "I have had thirteen students in total. Some were killed by our enemies, some sacrificed themselves, and some died of old age. Now, only the three of you remain."
Perhaps because it was such a rare occasion for the three to be gathered, the Ancient King’s heart was also filled with a mix of complex emotions.
Hearing this, the three wore different expressions. Their eyes flickered as if they had all thought of something, but none of them spoke.
"Qin Yun," the Bronze Ancient King suddenly called out.
Qin Yun stepped forward with a nod. "Master."
"You went to the Royal Court to attend Hanhai’s birthday celebration. Why did you enter the Lost Flame?" the Bronze Ancient King asked.
The matter remained a mystery. The Royal Court had offered no explanation.
"Reporting to Master," Qin Yun replied after a moment of thought. "When I arrived at the Royal Court’s capital, I was indeed there to attend the Hanhai Emperor’s birthday celebration. Everything proceeded as usual, but near the end of the banquet, the Hanhai Emperor suddenly summoned several of us to a secret location."
"It was only then that we learned the Royal Court had used a special method to anchor the Nether Realm near the Lost Flame and had invited us to explore it together."
"So urgent," Chu Lingyuan frowned. "Didn’t any of you think to discuss it with your respective Sects first?"
"We naturally declined at first," Qin Yun said, shaking his head. "We all said we needed to discuss it with our Ancient Kings. But the Hanhai Emperor claimed that the Lost Flame had been showing frequent anomalies lately, and if we missed this window, there would be no other chance."
"He also had the Prison King and the Night King accompany us. Although the five of us had our doubts..." Qin Yun paused here, his expression appearing extremely sincere as he continued, "with the Lost Flame right before us, the opportunity was perhaps truly rare. That is why we agreed."
"You didn’t even have time to leave a message?" Chu Lingyuan was still not convinced.
Qin Yun sighed softly. "The Hanhai Emperor did give us the chance to withdraw. We were free to do so, but if we did, we would have missed the opportunity."
’Something’s fishy,’ Chu Lingyuan’s brows knitted tightly. But considering the circumstances at the time—the urgency, plus the two Morning Star Tier experts from the Royal Court accompanying them—it would have indeed been difficult for Qin Yun and the others to refuse outright.
Qin Yun did not respond.
After a long silence, the Bronze Ancient King asked again, "What was the situation inside the Lost Flame?"
Qin Yun sighed and gave a bitter smile. "Master, you may not believe me, but I truly don’t know what happened in there."
He explained further, "As soon as we entered the Nether Realm, we were indeed in the area enveloped by the Lost Flame. But for some unknown reason, something went wrong, and the Flame suddenly swallowed all of us."
"Inside, it was a bizarre and phantasmagorical world, with many scenes that are hard to describe. I was in a daze the whole time, with no idea how long had passed before I managed to get out."
"The moment I came out, I was drifting in the Star Realm, severely injured and on the brink of death."
Qing Cang finally couldn’t help but interject, "You have no useful information whatsoever. Do you expect to use these words to answer to the other Sects, let alone the Royal Court?"
"This is what I experienced. What, would you rather I fabricate a suitable excuse?" Qin Yun retorted.
Qing Cang shook his head. "Telling me is useless. Five Morning Star Tier experts are dead. Their resentment and fury will inevitably seek an outlet. How do you plan to deal with it?"
"If the situation becomes untenable, I will naturally provide a proper accounting," Qin Yun said in a flat tone.
But Qing Cang pressed on, "What do you mean by ’untenable’? And what kind of ’accounting’?"
"Then what are your thoughts, Junior Brother?" Qin Yun did not answer directly, but asked a question in return.
Qing Cang made no attempt to be subtle. "I suggest that taking your own life is the best option. You could merge your remaining life-fire into the Flame Fire and still make a contribution to the Sect."
"Furthermore, for the sake of the bigger picture, you cannot wait until the other powers force their way to our door before you do it."
Being forced into suicide versus choosing to do so would have completely different implications for the Azure Dragon Sect. The former would only prove the incompetence of the Sect and even the Ancient King, leading to a collapse in morale, while the latter would be seen as Qin Yun’s own choice.
Qin Yun’s eyelid twitched. Even Chu Lingyuan was taken aback; those words were far too blunt.
The Bronze Ancient King rebuked him, "Qing Cang!"
"Master." Qing Cang quickly lowered his head.
"Things have not yet reached that point," the Bronze Ancient King said calmly. "Although it is difficult for me to leave, I will not be bullied by just anyone. Let us wait and see how they react."
"Yes." Qing Cang nodded, holding absolute reverence and trust for his Master.
"Qin Yun," the Bronze Ancient King said again.
"Master."
"For the time being, keep your people in line." As he said this, the Bronze Ancient King’s voice turned colder. "Colluding with a Divine Son of a Deceitful God... What a disgrace!"
"Yes," Qin Yun hurriedly replied.
"Also, for now, focus on recuperating from your injuries. I am handing all Sect affairs over to Lingyuan for the time being. Do not interfere," the Bronze Ancient King added.
Qin Yun’s eyes, which had remained largely emotionless since he entered the hall, finally showed a flicker of turmoil. But in the end, he only nodded and said, "Yes, Master."
"You may go."
Hearing this, the three withdrew from the great hall. No one spoke. Qin Yun transformed directly into a streak of Flowing Light and shot toward Copper Heart.
Qing Cang stared at the gradually receding streak of Flowing Light, then turned to ask, "On your way here, did you notice anything unusual?"
"Nothing," Chu Lingyuan shook his head. "When I found him, his injuries were indeed extremely severe. He was on the verge of death."
"Moreover..." he said with some hesitation, "if he really knew why the others died, there would be no need for him to hide it. It’s possible that, just as he said, he truly knows nothing."
Qing Cang frowned. "You can know a person’s face, but not their heart. Perhaps this involves the secret of the Lost Flame."
Chu Lingyuan sighed softly. "About that incident back then... it wasn’t entirely his fault. After all, Junior Brother Dongling was... by a Deceitful God..."
"That is a bygone matter, Senior Brother. There is no need to bring it up again," Qing Cang interrupted, his face devoid of expression. He then changed the subject. "Is there any new information from the Royal Court? How is the Prison King? Has he woken up?"
"Not so fast," Chu Lingyuan shook his head. "The representatives from the major Sects have not all arrived yet. Determining whether the Prison King can be awakened must be done under the witness of all the Sects."
"Mm." Qing Cang nodded, then added, "We need to strengthen the patrols within the Sect and in the surrounding areas."
"Two Divine Sons came this time, one from the Faceless Ghost and one from Black Tuo. I suspect they haven’t given up their ambitions and are still trying to extinguish our Flame."
"Two Divine Sons?" Chu Lingyuan’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t known about this; back at the Star Port, he had thought there was only one.
He nodded grimly. "I understand."
"Also," Qing Cang thought for a moment before asking, "what’s the situation with that stolen Spiritual Fire?"