Chapter 613 334: Gathering and a Future Ancient King?

"Yeah," Su Chen responded.

The person struck up a conversation. "Senior Brother Wei is finally back. Without his parties, it's felt like something's been missing lately."

"Yeah," Su Chen agreed casually. Old Wei occupied a unique social niche; no one else had held any gatherings while he was away.

For one, there was no one else with a personality like Wei Zhenghong's. If it had been Shen Yi'an, for example, regardless of whether he was willing to host, probably very few people would have dared to actually go—and not out of fear.

Instead, they would instinctively be on guard, unable to relax.

"Old Su! Old Su!" Just as he entered the main building, Chu Ran sidled up to him, saying with a hint of envy, "A Dual Divine Dawn Star Seed... How do you end up with all the good luck?"

A long time had passed since the news about Su Chen having Twin Divine Dawns came out. Chu Ran had wanted to visit him, but Su Chen had been in the Creation Copper Heart, so he'd had to put it off.

This was the first time they had seen each other since Chu Ran learned the truth.

"Just lucky, just lucky," Su Chen said with a grin.

Chu Ran didn't dwell on it. He grabbed two glasses of wine from a nearby table, handed one to Su Chen, and lowered his voice.

"But the rumors lately haven't been good. Someone's spreading it around that the Ancient King showed favoritism. None of the other Star Amber Talents were able to transform, only yours succeeded."

He had already used the Profound Celestial Instrument once, so it was impossible for him to transform to the Divine Dawn level no matter what. Because of this, he was quite relaxed about the whole thing.

"Where are these rumors coming from?" Su Chen's eyes flickered, though he wasn't particularly surprised.

"They're from the outside. Things are fine within our own ranks, but the rumors from outside are probably meant to stir up trouble. They might also be trying to figure out how you actually transformed and what it has to do with the Profound Celestial Instrument," Chu Ran explained.

"Also, some people are saying you're probably the next Ancient King."

Chu Ran waggled his eyebrows. "When you become the Ancient King, don't forget to look out for me."

'The next Ancient King?' Su Chen froze for a moment, then it dawned on him. 'No wonder those people's attitudes weren't just simple respect anymore.'

"We'll see, we'll see," Su Chen said, not elaborating.

"But you need to watch out for Shen Yi'an," Chu Ran added. "Although no one mentioned it before, everyone figured the next Ancient King would likely be one of you two. Now, before the real competition has even started, it seems like he's already lost."

"He's probably not a malicious backstabber, but honestly, we all keep our distance from him. It's better to be careful. The Qin Family only grew powerful in the last century by relying on Qin Yun, but the Shen Family has been with the Sect for thousands of years."

Su Chen gave him a surprised look, then nodded thoughtfully. Inwardly, however, he felt a bit helpless. He really didn't want to deal with this kind of frustrating drama all day.

'My impression of Shen Yi'an is pretty good. I don't want any animosity to develop between us. As for being the Ancient King... we'll see.'

'If the Great Venerable can transform to the Moonlight Tier, then I couldn't care less about this Ancient King position. But if he can't, or if something unexpected happens, then I'll have to fight for it whether I want to or not.'

*Sigh*... Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh internally. 'This damn Professional Spirituality. No matter how high your Talent is, there's only one spot. If someone else takes it, all you can do is watch.'

'It's so easy for all sorts of conflicts to arise.'

While he was lost in thought, more people arrived one after another. Jiang Mufeng, Zhao Ming, and the others also came and exchanged pleasantries with him.

"Su Xingzhong, long time no see. You're looking more high-spirited than ever."

From their words, Su Chen could also sense a change in them. They seemed more polite—or more accurately, there was a hint of flattery mixed in.

In the past, his relationship with them had been decent. They were polite to each other, but not to this extent.

'Unbelievable...' Su Chen was growing more emotional inwardly, but he responded to each of them as he usually would.

Soon, Shen Yi'an also arrived. His expression betrayed nothing as he exchanged a few simple pleasantries with Su Chen, while the gazes of many others shifted between the two of them.

"Fellow senior and junior brothers." Wei Zhenghong, as usual, made his entrance last. He raised his wine glass, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

"As you all know, I went to Melt my Holy Profession a while ago, but I ran into some complications. After coming back, it's taken me until now to recover and call everyone for a get-together."

'Complications while Melting his Holy Profession?'

Su Chen mused to himself. 'So this is the first gathering since Old Wei got back. I thought I just happened to run into it, but it seems like Old Wei was specifically waiting for me.'

After a few brief pleasantries, the core group of them entered a private room.

Outside, Wei Zhenghong had only exchanged a few glances with him.

But as soon as they entered the room, Wei Zhenghong walked over. "Old Su, you really gave me a huge surprise. The moment I got back, your news hit me like a ton of bricks. You're too much of a monster, Melting a Holy Profession at just Tier Six."

"I had Master Qing secretly test out that training projection of yours. It's really amazing. Although it didn't last long, during the process, it felt even a bit stronger than me."

"Alright, alright, stop flattering me," Su Chen said, waving his hands dismissively and smiling wryly.

"It's not flattery, just the truth," Wei Zhenghong said with a wave of his hand. He raised his glass and spoke in a clear voice, "I know there have been some rumors lately, both inside and outside the Sect."

"Old Su transformed to a Dual Divine Dawn Talent. Some are saying the Ancient King has mastered some kind of method, but the cost is enormous, so he only favored Su Chen and isn't planning to use it on anyone else in the Sect."

Chu Ran's expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Wei Zhenghong to bring the matter up so openly.

The others were also surprised, exchanging glances with one another.

"I think that's a load of fucking bullshit!" Wei Zhenghong shouted. "If the Ancient King had such a method, he would never hide it away. These are just rumors spread by people with ulterior motives."

Wei Zhenghong scanned the group. "I don't care if Li Guanting and his cronies believe it or not, but if any of us here fall for such a rumor, then you'd be the stupidest of idiots!"

'This Old Wei...' Su Chen listened quietly from the side, a sense of admiration growing in his heart. 'This is actually a sensitive topic. Bringing it into the open like this could offend people. It takes some guts.'

The others' eyes darted about, mostly landing on Shen Yi'an. The few Star Amber Level members present had been promoted using the Profound Celestial Instrument, so Wei Zhenghong's words definitely weren't aimed at them.

"Old Shen," Wei Zhenghong said bluntly, calling him out a moment later, "what do you think about this? You haven't fallen for it, have you?"

The atmosphere immediately grew quiet. Everyone held their breath, their wine glasses frozen awkwardly in their hands, not knowing whether to raise them or set them down.

On the surface, there were only two factions in the Bronze Sect. One belonged to Chu Lingyuan, the other to Qin Yun. As for the Double Ninth Tier Chairmen who had Melted their Holy Professions, they tried not to offend either side and would carry out any orders they were given.

Now that Qin Tianlin was dead and Qin Yun was under house arrest, Chu Lingyuan's faction held the most power. Su Chen, who had no foundation of his own, was temporarily classified as being part of Chu Lingyuan's faction.

But Shen Yi'an did not actually belong to Chu Lingyuan's faction.

For a moment, no one could figure out what Wei Zhenghong was trying to do. Was this a veiled threat? A warning?

"Wei Zhenghong, you look down on me too much." Shen Yi'an's gaze was lowered, his voice indifferent and calm. "I am Shen Yi'an, not Qin Tianlin."

He didn't say whether he believed the rumors or not; of course he knew what Wei Zhenghong was trying to say.

"Do you think my Shen Family has endured in this Sect for thousands of years by relying on schemes and trickery?" Shen Yi'an's voice grew louder, sharp and resolute.

"We rely on rules! Not just the rules of my Shen Family, but the rules of the Sect! I would never even think of overstepping those boundaries, let alone actually do it!"

"Well said!" Wei Zhenghong praised loudly, raising his glass. "Then it seems I was judging a gentleman by my own petty standards. We drink from the same pot. The stronger you all become, the stronger the Sect becomes, and that benefits every single one of us."

At this, Su Chen also stood up and said sincerely, "You are all broad-minded people. It is my good fortune to be in the same sect as all of you."

His sentiment was genuine. He really didn't want another Qin Tianlin to pop up and disgust him, forcing him to waste a great deal of mental energy dealing with it.

Everyone else also rose to their feet, raising their glasses in agreement. Wei Zhenghong bringing the matter into the open had actually made the atmosphere much more harmonious. The party didn't break up until everyone was roaring drunk.

WHOOSH... A cold wind blew against his face, but Su Chen's eyes were clear. With his current physical constitution, there were very few people present who could actually get him drunk.

Boarding the flying device, Su Chen thought with emotion, 'Old Wei really has guts and integrity. Shen Yi'an didn't seem to be faking it, either. Mmm... this is for the best.'

Strictly speaking, ever since he had arrived at the Bronze Sect, aside from Qin Yun's faction, which was after his Star Seed position, there really hadn't been anyone hostile toward him.