My Professions Have Too Much Personality

Chapter 385 - 225: The Focus of All Eyes (Part 2)

In the blink of an eye, all the streams of light collapsed inward and condensed, growing ever more dazzling as if brewing something momentous.

"This..." Zhou Yunyang’s expression stilled.

Qin Tianlin had already sensed the disturbance and turned around, his pupils constricting. He was all too familiar with this scene—it meant someone who met the Ancient King Stele’s criteria had just appeared.

Years ago, his grandfather, now Venerable Qin Yun, had triggered just such a world-shaking phenomenon.

’Could it be...’ he thought, unable to contain his excitement. ’Have I... have I finally met the criteria?’

Just then, the golden ball of light swirling on the Ancient King Stele exploded, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight toward him. Qin Tianlin’s eyelids trembled as he involuntarily extended his arms.

WHOOSH!

The hair by his ear stirred as the streak of light flew past his shoulder. The excited expression on Qin Tianlin’s face froze solid.

’It’s... not me?’

’Then in that direction...’ An unbelievable thought suddenly surfaced in his mind. Without even lowering his arms, he whipped his head around to look, and his face changed drastically.

Su Chen was enveloped in the golden torrent of light, floating in the air as a pillar of light shot skyward, piercing straight into the cosmos.

Liquid flames of light flowed across the surface of the pale golden, sky-piercing pillar, glorious and as dazzling as a solid object.

......

Elsewhere, a figure hurried down a long metal corridor and up a flight of stairs, finally arriving at the top floor of the building.

He knocked gently on the heavy metal door and, after hearing a response, carefully pushed it open and entered.

Venerable Qin Yun was sitting cross-legged in the center of the room. Torrents of Energy interweaved and converged around him, causing the space to twist unnaturally.

Streams of multicolored Energy gushed from nodes in the four corners of the room. Far from chaotic, they interwove according to some profound principle, flowing along specific, meridian-like paths.

Some of the Energy condensed into a thin, translucent crystalline layer on his skin, while the rest transformed into threads of light that burrowed into his body.

"Venerable, the new head of logistics has been chosen. It’s Chang Youqi..." he reported in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yun slowly opened his eyes. All the streams of Energy swirling around him sank back into his body. He sighed softly. "Understood."

His subordinate said in a low voice, "Chang Youqi is one of Venerable Chu Lingyuan’s people... With him in that position, I’m afraid we will face significant restraints from now on."

"Well, that’s because Hu Qi was sloppy," Qin Yun said faintly. "He gave them leverage. How could he possibly expect to get away without paying a price?"

He had long expected this, so he wasn’t particularly surprised.

’So Qing Cang, my little junior brother, is finally going to meddle in the Sect’s affairs as well.’

He paused for a moment before adding, "Though he’s not the youngest anymore."

"That Su Chen... he’s supposed to arrive today, isn’t he?" Qin Yun asked.

"Yes." The subordinate nodded. "He arrived today and has already headed to the Bronze Core to register his identity."

"Also..." He hesitated, his speech faltering. Qin Yun’s gaze hardened, and a tangible pressure began to emanate from him. "What is it?"

"It’s the Young Master. He went to the Bronze Core as well."

"Didn’t I tell him not to cause trouble?" Qin Yun frowned, retracting his vital aura. He unfolded his legs from their cross-legged position and walked to the window.

From there, he could overlook the entire Bronze Core, with the distant Bronze Tower facing it from across the expanse.

’A war of words is pointless; it only serves to needlessly lower one’s own status.’

He knew his master’s attitude, so he understood that truly replacing Su Chen would be no simple task. It would likely take years and had to be approached slowly.

To go and belittle him with a few sarcastic remarks now would only be counterproductive.

Although he was a Morning Star Tier with an illustrious status, he could only truly influence a small minority within the Sect.

"The Young Master said he was just going to the Ancient King Stele to try his luck," the subordinate said hurriedly.

Hearing that, Qin Yun’s brow finally smoothed over, and he nodded. "That’s wise enough. If he can get a reaction from the Ancient King Stele, people will be able to judge for themselves who is superior."

Qin Yun gazed into the distance through the floor-to-ceiling window. "It’s just that, with his personality, can he really keep his mouth shut... Hm?"

Before the words were out of his mouth, Qin Yun froze. A blazing pillar of light was reflected in his pupils.

"That is..." The subordinate also saw the heaven-and-earth-spanning pillar of light and was visibly shaken. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "Venerable, Venerable... The Young Master... he succeeded! He’s gained the recognition of the Ancient King Stele!"

He recognized this phenomenon and instinctively thought of Qin Tianlin.

After sharing the good news, he couldn’t help but look over at his master.

Because of the angle, he could only see his master’s profile. But on that face, there was none of the joy and relief he had anticipated. Instead, his expression was incredibly grim.

"Su Chen... How is this possible? An Ink Jade Talent... can also gain recognition?" Qin Yun muttered to himself, his eyes filled with utter disbelief.

He remembered how he had endured countless hardships, once sitting before that stele for half a year just to get the barest glimpse of its secrets.

’And this Su Chen... he only just arrived...’

’It was Su Chen...’ The subordinate’s heart lurched in shocked disbelief. It was a rare sight to see his master’s face gradually twist into a savage expression.

"How can this be!"

......

Above the Bronze Flame, inside the Ancient King Hall, Qing Cang respectfully held out his hands. The crimson crystal block in his palms floated out, gradually expanding as it moved.

By the time it floated before the Bronze Giant seated in the hall, it had already reverted into a Stone Slab shrouded in crimson mist.

The Bronze Ancient King waved his hand, and the Stone Slab settled into a nearby crimson statue. The statue’s face was indistinct, but its posture was majestic, and a crimson dragon coiled around it.

The once stone-like statue began to tremble ceaselessly, as if it had gained a Spiritual essence, and flames and electric arcs erupted around it.

Four other statues of different colors stood beside it, and they too began to tremble as if in welcome.

Only then did Qing Cang truly let out a sigh of relief. He surveyed the five statues, feeling both gratified and inspired. This was the foundation the Bronze Sect had built over the ages.

"Thankfully, I did not fail your command, Master," Qing Cang said respectfully.

"Mm, you have done well." The Bronze Ancient King nodded.

"I succeeded only thanks to your protection, Master," Qing Cang said with a sincere expression.

Then he added, "Master, I would like to borrow the Profound Celestial Instrument from the Profound Celestial Sect."

"You wish to borrow that device to improve Su Chen’s Talent?" the Bronze Ancient King asked, looking down at him.

"That’s right." Qing Cang nodded. "The five resources for improving one’s Talent are no longer of much help to Su Chen. If we want to improve his Talent significantly, the simplest method available is to use the Profound Celestial Instrument."

"Hmm..." the Bronze Ancient King mused. "I had the same idea, but we will have to wait. I have already inquired. The Royal Court made a request to borrow it six months ago, and the Profound Celestial Sect has long since agreed."

"What..." Qing Cang frowned. "Why would the Royal Court suddenly want to borrow the Profound Celestial Instrument?"

His question received no answer. Qing Cang sighed, helpless. "Since the Profound Celestial Sect has already agreed, then there’s nothing to be done. Su Chen will just have to wait."

"You seem to be paying special attention to Su Chen," the Bronze Ancient King noted, somewhat surprised. He knew the disposition of this youngest disciple of his better than anyone.

Whether one called him easygoing or just plain lazy, his greatest pleasure was typically teaching the younger generation in the Holy Hall. He rarely ever took such a personal interest in any one individual.

"You didn’t know?" Qing Cang was taken aback. He had assumed his master had already seen what was unique about Su Chen.

He quickly added, "Forgive me, I misspoke..."

"It’s fine." The Bronze Ancient King didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he asked, "What is it that I should know?"

"Su Chen is..." Qing Cang was just about to speak when he saw the Ancient King abruptly look up as if he had discovered something. A strange light bloomed in his pupils, and he seemed startled. "How can this be..."

Qing Cang swallowed the words he had been about to say and looked at his revered master in confusion.

Ever since the issue with the Bronze Flame had made it difficult for him to leave the Ancient King Hall, he had rarely seen his master show any emotional fluctuation.

"Su Chen..."

He heard his master utter those two words and, startled, quickly asked, "What about Su Chen?"

The Bronze Ancient King’s fingertip twitched, and a virtual screen unfolded. It displayed the scene before the Bronze Tower, beneath the Ancient King Stele.

Su Chen was enveloped in a torrent of golden light, a blazing pillar shooting straight into the cosmos.

"This is..." Qing Cang was dumbfounded. In a rare breach of protocol, he rushed outside the hall without first announcing his departure to the Ancient King.

Even from such a great distance, he could see the blazing pillar of light that pierced the cosmos.