Chapter 672: Preemptive Strike? Sit and Wait?

Chapter 672: Chapter 363: Preemptive Strike? Sit and Wait?

“Now is not the time to argue…” The Venerable of the Holy Cauldron Sect shook his head, his demeanor elegant and amiable, his voice deep. “This matter happened too suddenly. Zhou Lingtian and many High-tier Professionals present have likely formed their own speculations. The fact that the Ancient Kings cannot return for the time being must absolutely not be leaked.”

“Do you take those guys for fools? Do you think they won’t notice if we try to cover it up?” Wu Yue sneered. “If you ask me, we need to use thunderous methods to shock them so much that they won’t dare to overthink. As for the Long River Family… how about we join forces and annihilate them?”

Not only Chu Lingyuan, but the cheeks of all the Venerables present twitched.

The Long River Family had its own ecological niche. Even when the Ancient Kings were around, they had never made a move to annihilate them. With Xiao Linfeng dying first, wiping out their family right after would just be asking for trouble, as if they were afraid the Dust Star Sea was too quiet.

“Let’s put aside how the outside world will react for now,” the Peng King suddenly said. “Right now, we need to reach a consensus among ourselves.”

They thought, “Since when does the Royal Court include us when saying ‘we’?”

Their thoughts were subtle, but they suddenly realized one thing: with the Ancient Kings and the Hanhai Emperor absent, it seemed like an opportunity for those other factions. However, for them, it seemed to be an even greater opportunity.

Seeing their silence, the Peng King’s expression darkened. The corners of his mouth parted slightly as his gaze fell on Chu Lingyuan. “If any of you harbor ulterior motives and secretly cause trouble targeting the Royal Court, the Royal Court will use all its strength to attack the Bronze Sect!”

“Attack my Bronze Sect?” Chu Lingyuan’s expression froze, and he asked angrily, “What do you mean? Do you think my Bronze Sect would be the one leading it?”

The Peng King shook his head. “I don’t care who leads it. As long as there’s any commotion, the Bronze Sect will bear the brunt of it.”

“What if someone secretly instigates it?” Chu Lingyuan’s eyes twitched.

“I already said, I don’t care what the situation is. As long as the Five Great Sects make any unusual moves, the Royal Court will immediately attack the Bronze Sect,” the Peng King emphasized.

“Peng King!” Chu Lingyuan gritted his teeth. The Bronze Sect had been gradually declining since the display of the Flame Fire’s might. The Flame Fire had only recently improved, and their vitality had not yet fully recovered. Now, Qin Yun was still under house arrest, leaving only him, a Morning Star Venerable, to hold the fort. Even adding the seven Chairmen, their overall strength was at the bottom among the sects. Naturally, the Royal Court wanted to pick on the weakest link.

A cold sneer played at the corners of Wu Yue’s mouth, as if he had thought of something.

Chu Lingyuan’s expression hardened solemnly as he said, “How about this? If there is any unusual movement among the sects, you and I will join forces to attack the True Martial Sect?”

Wu Yue’s expression froze, and he yelled sternly, “Chu Lingyuan!” Chu Lingyuan remained expressionless.

Qi Heng sighed. “Rest assured, Peng King. Right now, joining forces to attack the Royal Court isn’t a good choice for us either.”

As for taking the lead to attack the Bronze Sect, the Peng King was simply telling them that if the Five Great Sects joined forces, the Royal Court might fall short in comparison. However, singling out one sect to destroy would be no problem at all. And who would want to be the one singled out and destroyed?

After threatening each other for a bit, the few of them gradually calmed down.

Li Qingyi said slowly, “This matter hasn’t reached that stage yet. We shouldn’t mess up our own footing. We will follow the Peng King’s words: until the Ancient Kings and the others emerge, we will advance and retreat together with the Royal Court.”

The Peng King nodded, and the others did the same. This was the best approach for now.

“In addition…” Chu Lingyuan only then spoke up, “For the Star Leader’s extra reward, he wants a portion of Flame Fire Golden Sand.”

“The Star Leader…” Hearing this, the Venerables, who had fallen silent, suddenly thought of Su Chen again. The disappearance of the Ancient Kings was indeed a matter of grave importance, but Su Chen’s matter was no small issue either.

The Peng King narrowed his eyes. Even though they had just set a tone of solidarity, he couldn’t help but think that with the Bronze Ancient King absent, the difficulty of plotting for Su Chen seemed much lower. A twenty-three-year-old Star Leader was unprecedented, further proving that the secrets the young man harbored were massive. Wu Yue’s gaze flickered with calculation.

“Everyone.” Chu Lingyuan swept his gaze over the group, having already noticed their unusual expressions, and his tone gradually turned cold. “Don’t harbor any thoughts that you shouldn’t have.

“You all haven’t left yet, remember.”

Everyone’s expressions tightened as they inevitably thought of the wisp of Flowing Light the Bronze Ancient King had flicked out before his departure. This was the Bronze Sect’s territory. It had profound foundations, and items capable of bearing an Ancient King’s power were everywhere. Conversely, it had been inconvenient for the other Ancient Kings to leave anything behind when they departed.

“You worry too much. It’s just Flame Fire Golden Sand. We can easily scrape together a portion and send it over,” the Peng King said, shaking his head.

***

BANG!

In the challenge room of the Peak Star Arena, a muffled thump rang out, followed by billowing Energy leaking into the air.

Han Xingliu was blasted backward once again, slamming into the wall and leaving a trail of blood. Falling to the ground, he forcefully propped himself up. He was a bloody mess. The Armor on his body was already battered beyond recognition, and the blood-red scales covering his skin were shattered to pieces.

“I’m afraid I can only last this long.”

Han Xingliu’s chest heaved. He felt a wave of dull pain; his internal injuries were extremely severe.

“I surrender!” Only when pushed to his absolute limits did he finally speak.

The “King’s Shadow” paused its movements and gradually vanished from his sight. Han Xingliu lay on his back for a moment before reaching into the void, pulling out a vial of green Potion, and drinking it down. Soon, the injuries on his body began to heal at a visible rate, and he was no longer a bloody mess. He changed into new clothes and rested for a bit longer before pushing the door open and stepping outside.

As soon as he pushed the door open, Han Xingliu’s expression faltered slightly. Before coming in, he had been able to faintly hear sounds from outside, but now it was so quiet that it was somewhat eerie. However, he didn’t pay it too much mind. Perhaps one of the Ancient Kings had found the noise annoying.

He mused inwardly, “I must have lasted nearly half an hour. The strength of this King’s Shadow is far too terrifying. I estimate that Sheng Huaixu and the others wouldn’t have lasted as long as I did.

“Direct combat has some variables, but this method actually has fewer.”

Although he made this estimation, he wasn’t entirely certain, so he prepared to head out and take a look.

He stepped over the railing and leaped down. With a muffled THUD, he stumbled as his feet hit the ground. His bodily injuries hadn’t fully healed, and just this slight movement made his blood surge and his face flush red. After calming his breathing for a moment, he looked up, his expression inevitably showing some astonishment. Looking out through the narrow entrance, he could barely see a single figure.

But when he had entered, the outside had been packed with people.

Where had everyone gone? Harboring a faint, ominous premonition, he quickened his pace to step out, only to be instantly startled. All the spectators outside had vanished without a trace, leaving only rows of fully armed soldiers from the Bronze Guard Army. Up on the viewing platform, the Ancient Kings, the Emperor, and even the Morning Star Venerables had disappeared.

“What in the…” Han Xingliu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. For a moment, he even suspected that the Bronze Sect was planning some sort of drastic move.

“Your Highness.” A voice suddenly came from behind. It was Ni Chuan, who seemed to have been waiting there for a long time. When he first came out, Han Xingliu had been so shocked by the situation outside that he hadn’t noticed the man at all.

“Commander Ni.” Han Xingliu’s expression relaxed, finally seeing someone on his side. He hurriedly asked, “What happened? Where are the Ancient Kings? Where did everyone go?”

Ni Chuan’s expression was complicated. He paused before saying concisely, “It’s a long story. The Ancient Kings and the Emperor have all entered the Flame Space. Chu Lingyuan ordered a lockdown, and the Venerables have gone to discuss what to do next.”

“Father and the Ancient Kings all entered the Flame Space?” Han Xingliu was slightly shaken. His first question was, “Who was acknowledged? Su Chen or Xiao Linfeng?”

Ni Chuan replied, “It was Xiao Linfeng.”

“So it was him…” Han Xingliu didn’t seem too surprised; instead, he felt a faint sense of relief. Xiao Linfeng was merely a junior from the Long River Family and not a member of the Five Great Sects. If he was the one acknowledged by the Spirit of Sun, he would be much easier to manipulate than Su Chen.

Moreover, due to some unspeakable, dark jealousy, he didn’t want Su Chen to be acknowledged and gain yet another halo of glory. Thinking of this, he shook his head with an indescribable tone and said, “What a pity. To think Su Chen wasn’t acknowledged. Based on age, he had the advantage.”