Chapter 690 - 372: Ancient King Blocks the Door

Even so, it was formidable.

Su Chen sighed inwardly, "With this, if they don’t have a speed-type Holy Profession, let alone Tier Eight, even Tier Nine Professionals might not be able to catch up to me. Well... maybe they have sealing-type Holy Professions...

"Even so, it was well worth the effort to specifically select those high-intensity speed-type special professions. The only downside is the massive consumption.

"The more Holy Professions I have, the greater the consumption. That’s inevitable."

As for the Shadow of Stasis, it was relatively simple. In short, the "Shadow of the Past" was a type of disguise, but one of an extremely high caliber. Because it was a "shadow" of his past, it perfectly matched his own being. He could disguise himself as Tier Six, or even Tier Five. Without specialized methods, it was nearly impossible to detect any flaws.

After a round of testing, Su Chen was highly satisfied with these two abilities.

Returning to the training room, he tentatively circulated his Meditation Technique and Body Refining Technique. CRACKLE! Flames and arcs of lightning emerged, wreathing his body.

The 350% development efficiency boost was extremely obvious. Su Chen immediately felt the increase in efficiency. Although it was still not as fast as when he was at Tier Six, it was undeniably much quicker.

He thought, quite invigorated, "I will continue stacking them. There’s also the Holy Profession, Forging Celestial Mark..."

Even if he could not temporarily transform into True Radiance, relying on the continuously stacked Talents from taking on professions, his development efficiency alone would ensure he was no weaker than True Radiance.

Su Chen then summoned the Residual Spirit. "I’m ready. How can I use the Fire-igniting Ash to silently enter the Flame Space?"

"It’s unlikely to be completely silent, but I understand what you mean. Those guys won’t be able to threaten you," the Residual Spirit said. "First, you need to go to the Netherworld Space."

After tidying up briefly, Su Chen went to the Nether Tower and took out the Fire-igniting Ash. During his scattered pockets of free time, the Fire-igniting Ash had almost fully recovered.

Residual Fire erupted from his body and was ignited by the Fire-igniting Ash, wrapping him within it as he once again arrived beneath the Sun Flame.

"I will tell you a prayer. Mix your blood into the Sun Residual Fire and pray to the Purple Extreme World-Purifying Saint Monarch."

"Pray to who?" Su Chen asked uncertainly.

"The Purple Extreme World-Purifying Saint Monarch," the Residual Spirit emphasized. "That is the professional title of the Spirit of Sun."

"Purple Extreme World-Purifying Saint Monarch..." Su Chen repeated, quite amazed. He hadn’t expected it was possible to pray to Professional Spirituality, though he didn’t ask further.

The Residual Spirit then recited the prayer, "...Forsake the impure for the clear, forsake the dark for the bright, depart from all terrors, and attain great tranquility..."

Su Chen’s eyes flickered. This prayer pointed directly to the Purple Extreme World-Purifying Saint Monarch, utilizing the Sun Residual Fire and his blood. It aligned with the basic logic of a prayer ritual: a target, an offering, and a connection. With this Sun Residual Fire serving as the connection, the prayer could not possibly be misdirected anywhere else.

"...A body like glazed glass reflecting the sun and moon, dual pupils of purifying fire incinerating all illusions..."

Su Chen extended his palm. The center of his hand split open, and drops of blood welled out, accompanied by the chanting of the prayer.

The swirling Sun Residual Fire surrounding him gradually began to change, forming a large ring behind his back. It connected with the Sun Flame, growing increasingly massive and blazing.

Meanwhile, within the Flame Space, several Ancient Kings were gathered inside the largest palace scattered beneath the Spiritual Tower. Some were sitting, while others stood.

"We have explored everything," the Profound Celestial Ancient King said. "We cannot enter those tightly shut palaces. If we try to force our way in, it will provoke the Spirit of Sun."

"The way I see it, the six of us should just join forces and see if we can capture the Spirit of Sun to study it slowly." The Zhenwu Ancient King’s suggestion was as simple and straightforward as ever.

"The Spirit of Sun might not be able to do anything to the six of us, but we might not be able to do anything to it either," the Hanhai Emperor said, holding little hope for that idea.

"Whether we can or not, we have to at least try." The Zhenwu Ancient King frowned, speaking with impatience. "Otherwise, are we really going to be trapped here until the flame’s waning period? Who knows how long that will take? The Royal Court might be overthrown by then."

The expressions of the Ancient Kings varied. The longer they stayed trapped inside, the greater the potential upheaval in the Dust Star Sea.

Seeing the Zhenwu Ancient King speak like this, the Hanhai Emperor couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation. If this reckless brute hadn’t been the first to charge in, leaving everyone in a passive state, they wouldn’t be trapped here in the first place. However, what was done was done, and he couldn’t be bothered to squabble over it. He stated bluntly, "If we want to stabilize the situation in the Dust Star Sea, it’s best to send one person out."

"Send one person out?" The Zhenwu Ancient King sneered. "Hanhai, you aren’t thinking of sending yourself out, are you?"

The Bronze Ancient King looked thoughtful, his gaze falling on the cluster of black mist in the emperor’s hand. "You want to send Zhen Yu out?"

The expressions of the other Ancient Kings flickered. The mockery on the Zhenwu Ancient King’s face faded, and he let out a cold snort.

The Hanhai Emperor nodded. "Exactly. I was just thinking of sending the Prison King out. As everyone knows, Zhen Yu fell into a coma after coming out of the flames.

"If he were to suddenly awaken, it would inevitably cause rampant speculation in the outside world. This will naturally serve as a deterrent, letting them understand that we still have the ability to influence the outside—or even leave."

His utmost hope was that the outside factions would believe they were capable of leaving but simply chose not to for the time being.

"Zhen Yu." The Hanhai Emperor looked down at the mist. "Once you are out, issue our Dharma Decree. If anyone dares to stir up trouble while we are absent, there will definitely be a reckoning upon our return!"

"There is no need to issue a Dharma Decree," the Bronze Ancient King shook his head. "Such a deterrent will only allow the outside world to see through our bluster. We merely need to have Zhen Yu make an appearance.

"The most troublesome problem isn’t the numerous factions of the Dust Star Sea. They are far too disjointed to unite as one. What’s truly terrifying are the Deceitful Gods."

The others furrowed their brows. Having dealt with those Deceitful Gods for generations, they naturally knew just how difficult they were to handle. Time was the greatest weapon of the Deceitful Gods. They could slowly, bit by bit, probe for weaknesses. Sooner or later, there would come a moment when they figured out the truth.

"Never mind. Let’s send Zhen Yu out first," the Bronze Ancient King said in a deep voice.

The others nodded in agreement. Although the Prison King was formidable in strength, his absence would not hinder the grand scheme of things. Sending him out to pass on a message was a perfectly sound plan.

They stood up and walked out of the palace. Just as they were about to head toward the edge of the flames, their expressions simultaneously changed. They all looked up at the palace tower not far away.

A scorching purple pillar of light shot up into the sky.

"Has the Spirit of Sun lost its mind?" The Profound Celestial Ancient King frowned deeply. However, things seemed different this time; the Spirit of Sun had not appeared.

"It seems something has come in."

The Hanhai Emperor knitted his brows, rings of golden halos shining within his pupils. It wasn’t just him; the other Ancient Kings could see it clearly as well. Within that pillar of light was a cluster of even more blazing and resplendent flames, being guided downward.

"Could it be that guy?" the Holy Cauldron Ancient King couldn’t help but speculate.

"He’s exactly who I’ve been waiting for!" The Zhenwu Ancient King was still the most impatient of the group. He had already leaped into the air, seemingly intending to approach it.

But in the very next moment, a resonant dragon roar echoed out. The Spirit of Sun emerged, coiling across the sky. It stared coldly at the Zhenwu Ancient King, seemingly acting as a guardian.

The Zhenwu Ancient King’s movements faltered.

Within the pillar of light, the flames fell at a blistering speed. In that brief moment of delay, the fireball had already merged into the tower and vanished from sight.

The Spirit of Sun glared fiercely at the Zhenwu Ancient King before fading away.

"Damn it!" The Zhenwu Ancient King looked coldly at the others who had caught up, his tone hostile. "What are you all doing? Are you just going to stand there and watch?"

"Fighting the Spirit of Sun here is extremely unwise. Moreover, we can’t even be sure if that thing was the person from before," the Bronze Ancient King shook his head.

"This tower seems to be guiding it... to that palace." The Profound Celestial Ancient King’s gaze fell on the third floor.

Having already explored this place from top to bottom, they had naturally noticed the palace on the third floor, which was somewhat different from the others. There were no guards outside. At this moment, the intricate patterns on the palace doors lit up faintly, seemingly indicating that someone was already inside.

The Star Dome Ancient King was puzzled. "Can the palaces atop this tower actually be occupied?"

"Let’s go take a look." Exchanging glances, they descended.

They had roughly figured out the habits of the Spirit of Sun. As long as they didn’t step onto the highest floor and didn’t attack the sealed palaces here, that entity would leave them alone.

Inside the palace, the flames swirling around his body gradually receded. Looking at his familiar surroundings, Su Chen was quite amazed. "I was actually guided into this Cultivation Residence.

"However, it seems like I caused quite a commotion..."

A virtual screen popped up, displaying the scene just outside the palace doors. Su Chen’s eyelids twitched. Six Moonlight Tier entities were standing together right outside his door.