Chapter 559 - 309: Peak Star Arena

Qin Tianlin’s expression changed uncontrollably. Ever since this voice, accompanied by that purple Flame Fire, had appeared in his body, it would often have sudden fits, its emotions extremely volatile.

He suspected it was because the other party’s Spirit Body was incomplete, but it had never displayed such a terrified emotion before.

’What’s going on? What happened?’ Qin Tianlin asked repeatedly in his mind.

"How can this be? It’s impossible, utterly impossible..."

But the voice just kept repeating those words, growing increasingly frenzied until it became indistinct, a mess of SIZZLING and CRACKLING.

’Sun Residual Fire?’ Su Chen thought, surprised as he looked at the panel that had suddenly appeared.

’Was that faint, scorching heat coming from the soles of my feet the Sun Residual Fire?’

’Where did this thing come from? Qin Tianlin?’

’It even has a Spirit Fragment inside? Like some kind of portable spirit guide?’

The text on the panel revealed a wealth of information, raising a series of questions in Su Chen’s mind.

Moreover, this thing’s function seemed to be useful for the Great Venerable. The Great Venerable had been in a dormant state for a rather long time, ever since swallowing the External Spirituality.

Su Chen wasn’t sure when the Great Venerable would awaken, but it seemed this Sun Residual Fire before him could act as a catalyst.

’No wonder he can plunder others’ professions... The Sun Residual Fire...’

In his mind, he immediately connected the dots. Qin Yun had brought the Sun Residual Fire out of the Lost Flame and given it to Qin Tianlin.

Qin Tianlin used this Sun Residual Fire to plunder other people’s professions.

But at the same time, it seemed to contain the lingering Spirit Fragment of some unknown entity.

’And this thing seems to have targeted me,’ Su Chen thought, recalling Qin Tianlin’s bizarre actions.

’Shaking hands to make peace... He probably wanted to initiate physical contact, making it easier for this Sun Residual Fire to pour directly into my body.’

’But I didn’t take the bait, so he just attacked outright. What was his goal? To kill me right here on the spot?’

He doubted it. ’Qin Tianlin can’t be that stupid. If I just dropped dead here, he wouldn’t be able to escape the blame.’

’A Spirit Fragment... Is it trying to seize a new host?’

It didn’t take long for numerous theories to flash through Su Chen’s mind, but it was hard to reach any firm conclusion...

"This guy has a huge secret. I can’t figure it out for now. I need to observe him more closely." The voice in his ear finally calmed down and responded.

Qin Tianlin couldn’t help but curse, "Any fool can see he has a secret! I want to know what that secret is, and what just happened!"

The voice in his ear vanished again. The Spirit Fragment hidden inside Qin Tianlin’s body was also finding the situation incomprehensible.

What it had sent out was no mere wisp of fire, but its core Origin—the kind that could not be regenerated.

Although it lacked any destructive power for the sake of Concealment, it was not something a Tier Six Professional could simply erase.

This guy’s body seemed ordinary, but once the Residual Fire entered, it vanished without a trace, like a stone dropped into the ocean.

It had never encountered such a situation before and was utterly shocked. But at the same time, it felt a thrill of excitement. This man, Su Chen, might be its greatest prize since its re-emergence.

"Something else?"

Qin Tianlin’s expression was dark and uncertain. He was startled by Su Chen’s voice and looked up to see that the other man had turned back around. His eyes were completely devoid of emotion, like a pool of stagnant water, and the sight made Qin Tianlin’s heart skip a beat.

Qin Tianlin didn’t know if Su Chen had discovered the purple flame’s test.

"I..." His voice trailed off. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that quite a few people were now looking their way.

After Qin Tianlin had called out "Wait," Su Chen had paused before turning to ask what was the matter. But now Qin Tianlin was just standing there frozen, unable to give a reason, which was certainly strange.

Qin Tianlin was frantically trying to cook up an excuse. Before he could speak, he felt a weight on his shoulder as a familiar, gentle voice said, "For the two of you to shake hands and make peace is a great blessing for our Bronze Sect."

He glanced over instinctively and saw his grandfather standing beside him, an arm resting gently on his shoulder.

Qin Tianlin’s heart lurched. He hadn’t made any physical contact with Su Chen. He had no idea what method the voice in his ear had used, or whether his grandfather had noticed anything.

’Shaking hands and making peace? Which one of your eyes saw that?’

Su Chen looked up as a shadow fell over him from behind. It was Chu Lingyuan. "Indeed. You’re both disciples of the Sect. Is there anything that can’t be resolved?"

With a casual remark each, the two Venerables led Su Chen and Qin Tianlin away separately.

"Just now, did you sense anything unusual?" Chu Lingyuan was walking ahead with his head held high, but Su Chen suddenly heard his voice.

’He noticed?’

Su Chen was surprised. ’But he probably isn’t certain,’ he thought. ’Perhaps he just sensed something was off.’

Explaining the matter would be too complicated. Besides, Qin Yun currently acted as a "Protective Talisman," and Su Chen planned to use Qin Tianlin as bait later. After some consideration, Su Chen shook his head and said, "I didn’t notice anything."

"Mm," came Chu Lingyuan’s response. A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyes. ’Was it my imagination, or is the root of the problem elsewhere?’

"What did you do?"

In another area, surrounded by a crowd, Qin Tianlin looked at the expressionless Qin Yun, his conscience pricking him.

"Nothing."

"Ruthlessness is not a flaw, but arrogance will lead you to a dead end," Qin Yun warned, his mental transmission carrying a bone-chilling cold. "This is the last time I’m telling you: do not try to pull any tricks on Su Chen within the Sect."

Qin Tianlin remained silent. Usually, at a time like this, another voice would be ringing in his ear, heaping scorn upon his grandfather.