"Ah, that matter." Hearing this, Chu Lingyuan sounded resigned. "I’ve sent people to investigate, both openly and covertly. All I can say is that it wasn’t someone from the Sect. Without any more leads, there’s nowhere to start looking."
Qing Cang nodded. He had only asked casually, with no intention of digging any deeper.
...
He streaked through the air, the scenery blurring past him. Qin Yun’s speed was immense; in the blink of an eye, he had traveled from the Ancient King Hall to the Copper Heart Department.
He immediately spotted Qin Tianlin waiting for him at the Copper Heart Port.
Flying wasn’t permitted over Copper Heart. Under normal circumstances, even someone like Qin Yun wouldn’t break that rule.
"Tianlin."
A shadow fell over Qin Tianlin. He looked up and quickly called out, "Grandfather."
"Why are you waiting here? Where are the others?" Qin Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.
"I had them go on ahead," Qin Tianlin quickly explained.
"Hmph." Only then did Qin Yun nod. He turned and strode onto the main path.
Qin Tianlin hurried to keep up, looking like he wanted to say something but held back.
"Ask what you want to ask," Qin Yun said, his voice calm.
"This business with the Lost Flame... can it be contained?" This wasn’t just a question for him, but for everyone in Qin Yun’s faction.
’Does Grandfather actually know what happened? Can he explain it clearly? And will the Ancient King truly do everything in his power to protect him?’
Suddenly, someone by the roadside caught sight of them. The person’s face went pale with shock as they hurriedly called out, "Venerable Qin Yun!"
Qin Yun gave a cool nod and continued walking, still not answering Qin Tianlin.
The Sect members they passed who suddenly caught sight of him were all pale with astonishment. Even though word had spread that Venerable Qin Yun would be returning soon, seeing him so suddenly was still a shock.
"Are you afraid?" Qin Yun finally asked after they had passed several large halls,
Qin Tianlin quickly replied, "No, I’m just... just concerned."
"There is nothing to be concerned about." Qin Yun paused. "This matter will be resolved with Perfection."
Qin Tianlin didn’t understand what Qin Yun meant by "Perfection," but he still played along, putting on a relieved expression. "That’s good, then..."
After that, a heavy silence fell between them.
’For some reason, grandfather seems a little different than before. But I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.’
Lost in thought, he was startled when Qin Yun, walking ahead, suddenly stopped. His grandfather’s voice held a note of surprised disbelief. "Where is the stele?"
Qin Tianlin then realized they had reached the plaza outside the Bronze Tower. The conspicuous Ancient King Stele still hadn’t returned.
Qin Tianlin’s expression soured. He had been actively trying to forget that memory, but since his own grandfather was asking, he had no choice but to explain what happened...
"Oh?" A sharp glint flashed in Qin Yun’s eyes, but he concealed it just as quickly. "The Ancient King Stele flew off, hovered over Su Chen’s Floating Island for a moment, and was then taken back by the Ancient King?"
"That’s right." Qin Tianlin nodded, then hesitated. "Lately, there have been rumors that the Ancient King has been corrupted by the Flame Fire and is in serious trouble. That’s why the Ancient King Stele made a move, to select the next Ancient King ahead of schedule."
After speaking, Qin Tianlin couldn’t help but ask, "That can’t be what’s happening, can it?"
’It’s one thing for Su Chen to monopolize a Morning Star Tier position, but is it possible he could become the next Ancient King?’
He found this completely unacceptable and desperately wanted to hear his grandfather deny it.
However, after a moment of deep thought, Qin Yun said slowly, "That’s not entirely impossible."
Qin Tianlin was visibly shaken. "The An... Ancient King really has a problem?"
He quickly added, "Then again, some people are saying it was because Su Chen’s Talent is so high that it caused the Ancient King Stele to react."
"His Talent is high?" Qin Yun asked, slightly taken aback.
"Right, you don’t know yet." Qin Tianlin suddenly remembered and hurried to explain. "Su Chen’s Talent is actually Star Amber Level."
"Star Amber Level?" Qin Yun was aghast, his eyes turning deep and unfathomable. "My dear junior brother... he truly knows how to hide his secrets."
"Yes, so..." Qin Tianlin said carefully, "is it possible that it really was because of Su Chen himself?"
Yet, Qin Yun still shook his head. "A Star Amber Talent is indeed unexpected, but the Ancient King Stele is no ordinary object. It is a derivative of Moonlight Tier Spiritual essence. It is nigh impossible for anyone else to make it stir. Only the Ancient King himself..."
’I am Star Amber Level myself, and I’ve been acknowledged by the Ancient King Stele, but in all these years it has never flown to me.’
’Something feels off,’ Qin Tianlin thought. ’If the Ancient King is in trouble, shouldn’t that be a bad thing? Why does Grandfather seem faintly excited?’
"You seem quite eager for me to say something that refutes Su Chen," Qin Yun said, reining in his emotions as he walked straight past the plaza.
Qin Tianlin’s expression was bitter. "Su Chen’s Star Seed Position is already secure. I..."
"Don’t be impatient." Qin Yun stopped and turned. "The future is a long one..."
Qin Tianlin looked up blankly, meeting his grandfather’s eyes, which were as calm as stagnant water. He grew even more surprised.
’Before, when facing Su Chen at the Ink Jade Level, Grandfather never seemed this calm.’
’But now that Su Chen’s position is so secure, Grandfather is becoming more and more detached.’
"Though he may be Star Amber, his Talent is still inferior to yours. Don’t you have the confidence to suppress him?" Qin Yun asked.
"I do!" Qin Tianlin subconsciously puffed out his chest. ’Su Chen just got a head start. If I had the chance to witness the Spiritual essence of the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator, I’m confident I could become the chosen one too.’
The bitterness in his heart came only from the fact that he could no longer deal with Su Chen through normal channels. It wasn’t that he lacked confidence in facing Su Chen himself.
"Now *that* is the grandson of Qin Yun." Qin Yun nodded in satisfaction, then turned and continued walking. He asked casually, "How far are you from becoming the top of Tier Six?"
Qin Tianlin replied in a low voice, "Once I’ve secured my current class, I should be just about there."
Qin Yun nodded. "And what about Su Chen? How many Tier Six cultivators has he surpassed?"