Chapter 668 - 361: Without the Lips, the Teeth Are Cold; Ready to Make a Move

Chu Lingyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, focusing on the white-haired old man at the edge of the crowd. This person was an elder of the Long River Family named Xiao Ding, from roughly the same generation as them. Currently slumped on the ground, completely lacking the demeanor of a High-tier Professional, his eyes were crimson, and tears and snot streamed down his face. Faintly, he emitted twisted fluctuations of Spiritual Power, infecting a large swath of nearby Professionals who wailed simultaneously, "Feng’er!"

The wailing shook the heavens. Chu Lingyuan furrowed his brows deeply, his hands clenching behind his back. Immediately, the Spiritual Power radiating from the old man was halted. Sensing the disturbance, the white-haired old man leaped up from the ground, glaring furiously. "Chu Lingyuan! What is the meaning of this? Can I not even mourn my dead!?"

"Why brutally murder my Feng’er? You must give me an explanation. All of you must give me an explanation!

"The Ancient Kings and the Hanhai Emperor must also give the Long River Family an explanation!

"Did you think you could slaughter the descendants we spent so much blood and sweat cultivating whenever you please!?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Lingyuan keenly sensed a different sort of meaning in the gazes of some High-tier Professionals looking their way. This was exactly what it meant to feel the chill of a shared threat. Xiao Lingfeng’s prospects had been incredibly vast. Moreover, he hailed from the Long River Family, a force second only to the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court, boasting two living Morning Star Tier experts. But what good was all that? He was killed just as easily as anyone else.

The white-haired old man continued to glare, his chest heaving like a bellows. Xiao Lingfeng’s death inevitably brought him heartache, but this sorrow alone wasn’t enough to drive him to challenge the united front of the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court. However, they had all clearly witnessed the final actions of the Ancient Kings. The Zhenwu Ancient King’s impatience, the Hanhai Emperor’s anger and hesitation, and the Bronze Ancient King’s helplessness. Coupled with the information regarding the Lost Flame, this stirred some doubts and speculations within Xiao Ding.

If his guesses were true, the Long River Family might just have a chance to rise to supremacy. Even if he was wrong, with Xiao Lingfeng dead, his violent reaction was perfectly justified. No one could fault him for it.

Someone stepped out from the side. It was Wu Yue, his gaze cold and sharp. "You still want the Ancient Kings to give you an explanation? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Chu Lingyuan’s face darkened, wondering if now was really the time to stir up conflicts.

"Why not?" Xiao Ding showed no cowardice, holding his head high. "Either you beat me to death right here and now, or you tell me when the Ancient Kings will return so I can visit them personally.

"Even if an Ancient King strikes me down on the spot, I’m not afraid!"

Chu Lingyuan’s temples throbbed as he wondered when the Ancient Kings would return, realizing what an old fox this man was. The expressions of the Morning Star Tier experts worsened. How could they possibly know when the Ancient Kings would return? However, they smelled danger in the old man’s words.

The unbroken lineages of the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court had claimed too large a piece of the pie in the Dust Star Sea. Factions like the Long River Family didn’t lack the desire to rebel; they just never had the chance.

"You think I wouldn’t dare?" A ferocious light flashed in Wu Yue’s eyes, but his shoulder suddenly sank as Zhou Lingtian walked up beside him.

"Xiao Ding," Zhou Lingtian called out, his expression sincere. "I know a little about what just happened. The Ancient Kings never intended to kill Xiao Lingfeng; it was just an accident.

"Rest assured, the Five Great Sects and the Royal Court will definitely give you an explanation for this matter. The Peak Star Conference is not over yet. Give me some face for now, alright?"

Xiao Ding looked up at him. Zhou Lingtian was not a member of the Five Great Sects. In fact, back when he was a Star Seed, he had even experienced some friction with them. One or two Sects had even issued bounties on his head, but he ultimately survived the ordeal to become the second-ranked Morning Star Tier.

Various thoughts flashed through Xiao Ding’s mind before he replied in a deep voice, "Fine. I will give you this face, Zhou Lingtian."

Chu Lingyuan narrowed his eyes, casting an obscure glance over Zhou Lingtian. If things were truly as he predicted and the Ancient Kings couldn’t return anytime soon, then Zhou Lingtian would likely become a pivotal force in the Dust Star Sea in one fell swoop.

Wu Yue looked displeased, but a Giant Strength on his shoulder held him down firmly. Having received Xiao Ding’s response, Zhou Lingtian turned his gaze back to Wu Yue. "Wu Yue, could you give me some face as well?"

Wu Yue shrugged his shoulder, shaking off Zhou Lingtian’s hand. Without a word, he turned and walked back.

"I think this Peak Star Conference can also come to an end," the Peng King finally spoke up. "The top spot has already been decided—it’s Su Chen. As for second place, give it to Xiao Lingfeng. Xingliu will take third."

He spoke simply and casually. Besides the top spot, to Han Xingliu, there was no difference between second and one-hundredth place.

Hearing this, Xiao Ding only snorted coldly. The man was dead; what the hell was the use of a second-place title?

Chu Lingyuan also realized the Peng King’s intention: he wanted to wrap this up as quickly as possible so they could convene a strategy meeting. This incident had occurred far too suddenly and indeed required careful discussion. If the Ancient Kings truly couldn’t return in the short term...

Chu Lingyuan’s gaze fell on Su Chen as he said in a deep voice, "Su Chen, this session of the Peak Star Conference progressed too quickly, and the award ceremony has not yet been prepared. Could you wait for a few days?"

Su Chen nodded in agreement. "Of course." As long as the rewards were substantial, he didn’t care about some ceremony.

"Since the Peak Star Conference has concluded, everyone should leave the Bronze Sect as soon as possible." Chu Lingyuan glanced around and issued the eviction order.

They were kicking everyone out already? The spectators below exchanged bewildered glances. Even a fool could sense that the atmosphere was off. In the distance, the Bronze Guard Army surged forward like a torrent, clearly moving in to lock down the area.

The numerous participants of the Peak Star Conference were somewhat at a loss. Every previous Peak Star Conference had all eyes on it, brimming with extraordinary excitement. Yet, their session felt entirely anticlimactic. But since the big shots had already made their decisions, the participants naturally didn’t dare to protest and took their leave one after another.

The Star Seeds wore complex expressions as their gazes fell upon Su Chen. This man was the strongest among them, and he was so incredibly young... Gathering their emotions, they maintained proper etiquette regardless of what they felt inside.

As the hosts, Su Chen, Wei Zhenghong, and Shen Yi’an saw off the last guest before finally preparing to leave. The spectators had already been mostly cleared out.

"Han Xingliu really can hold on," Wei Zhenghong remarked, looking up. Calculating the time, Han Xingliu had been holding out for nearly half an hour, fighting until he was covered in blood.

"If Su Chen hadn’t emerged so suddenly, the top spot would have undoubtedly gone to Han Xingliu," Shen Yi’an sighed with deep emotion.

"Holy crap, holy crap... Old Su, you’re so fucking fierce!" Chu Ran darted out from nowhere, his face flushed red. "You actually defeated the condensed power of the Six Kings? A twenty-three-year-old top ranker! It’s unprecedented!"

Seeing his blustering manner, Wei Zhenghong scolded, "That’s enough! Look at yourself. Act your age!"

Chu Ran’s expression froze. Feeling somewhat disgruntled, he muttered, "Your jaw dropping earlier wasn’t much better than me."

Wei Zhenghong ignored him. As the group boarded the Flying Device, Su Chen cast one last glance back. The final scene that caught his eye was Qin Yun being lifted up by Chu Lingyuan.

***

"Qin Yun..." Chu Lingyuan hauled the emaciated Qin Yun up from a half-kneeling position. Her body had been nearly hollowed out, leaving her so weak that a gust of wind could snuff out her life.

"Lingyuan," Qin Yun forced herself to speak, her voice hoarse.

"Did what just happened have anything to do with you?" With the other Morning Star Tier experts gone, leaving only the two of them, Chu Lingyuan pressed Qin Yun for answers.

"Hah..." Qin Yun forced a self-deprecating smile. "Lingyuan, look at my current state. What could I possibly have done?

"Besides, those Ancient Kings had always been scheming for this. They went in willingly. What does that have to do with me?"

"But you were the one who brought out the Sun," Chu Lingyuan said coldly.

"Lingyuan, although I brought out the Sun, he has nothing to do with me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been screwed over by him to this extent. My Life Origin is practically damaged beyond repair." Qin Yun let out a tragic laugh. "Look at me. I have less than a hundred years of my lifespan left."

Chu Lingyuan remained silent for a long moment, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Qin Yun continued, "As for when the Ancient Kings will be able to come out, I don’t know either. Unless one of them becomes the acknowledged master, forcing their way out will be extremely difficult.

"The Sun Flame is currently in its Vigorous Stage. Who knows how long it will take to reach its waning phase."

Qin Yun had entered that Flame Fire before, so Chu Lingyuan somewhat believed her words.

"So they really can’t come out in the short term..." he thought, his heart sinking as his mind raced with the implications.

With Xiao Lingfeng dead here, the Long River Family held the moral high ground. If this matter couldn’t be kept under wraps, it would likely set off monstrous waves.