Chapter 606 - 331: Life in the Abyss, Visitors from the Royal Court

"That’s because Sects like ours have countless precedents to follow. Even so, the process is fraught with danger. If you think success is guaranteed, you’ll pay a heavy price sooner or later!"

Wei Zhenghong warned sternly. This was from his own experience; before he underwent the Melting, he also thought he was guaranteed to succeed without any mishaps.

But it wasn’t until he was on the verge of death that he understood there are no absolutes in this world.

"I was just saying. Who said I wasn’t taking it seriously?" Chu Ran ducked his head and muttered.

"But, as dangerous as it is..." A sharp glint appeared in Wei Zhenghong’s eyes. He clenched his fist, his voice filled with intense anticipation, "It also makes you truly strong. I’ve been wanting to wipe that cold look off Shen Yi’an’s face for a long time. Now, I can finally let out some steam."

Glancing at the muttering Chu Ran, Wei Zhenghong asked, "How have things been within the Sect while I was gone? Have any dark horses emerged at the Peak Star Conference?"

Hearing this, Chu Ran looked up, shocked. "You don’t know?"

"Know what?" Wei Zhenghong frowned. "I was in a medical pod healing my injuries the whole way here. I only mostly recovered two days ago, and you can’t contact the outside world from within a Star Gate."

Chu Ran’s expression turned strange, his eyes darting about. "A lot has happened while you were away. I’m afraid I can’t explain it in just a few words."

"Is that so? Then take your time and tell me." Wei Zhenghong was unconcerned. Just as he was about to lead Chu Ran away, his expression flickered, and he turned his head to look.

With a CLANG, a three-story, streamlined flagship descended diagonally into a berth. Its silver-white hull shone with a liquid-metal luster under the cold lights, and the emblem of a golden crown was etched into its side.

"Is that a ship from the Royal Court?" Wei Zhenghong was a little surprised.

At the same time, a group of people walked in from the connecting corridor of the high-security area, their eyes sweeping over them.

"It’s Han Xingliu," Chu Ran whispered.

Wei Zhenghong’s gaze shifted, his eyes flickering. ’Han Xingliu came to greet them personally. The person arriving must have quite the status.’

Curious, he stared intently at the luxurious flagship. The gangway lowered, the hatch opened, and a slender figure walked out.

The figure’s gaze immediately fell upon Han Xingliu, who was standing at the bottom of the ramp. Though a smile hung on his lips, his eyes were indifferent, and a barely perceptible flash of jealousy and hatred flickered within them.

He didn’t come down right away, instead deliberately standing at the top for a moment, seemingly enjoying the sight of Han Xingliu having to look up at him.

But when he saw that Han Xingliu’s expression remained neutral, he couldn’t help but snort inwardly before finally walking down the ramp.

"Sixth Brother..." Han Xingliu nodded slightly.

’Who is this respectful act for?’ he thought, glancing at the seemingly submissive Han Xingliu with disgust.

His words were blunt, his voice grim and sharp. "Han Xingliu, Father is quite displeased with you. So much time has passed, yet Lu Huai is still here. By rights, he should have already departed for the Royal Court."

Han Xingliu’s tone was flat. "Sixth Brother, the events that have transpired during this time were not something I could..."

"Excuses!"

He was cut off before he could finish. Han Xingliu’s brow twitched slightly as he heard his sixth brother say coldly, "Father has high hopes for you. You should be making it so that no one can utter a word of criticism."

"This should have been a simple matter, yet it has dragged on until now. It’s inevitable that some people will start to have their opinions about you."

"Your lesson is well-received, Sixth Brother." Han Xingliu was displeased but didn’t let it show. ’This matter wasn’t even my responsibility in the first place; I just happened to take it on before I came.’

He had thought it would be a simple task, but then the whole incident with Su Chen happened. Su Chen had transformed, gaining Twin Divine Dawns, which in turn made the Profound Celestial Instrument a hot commodity. That’s why things had been delayed until now.

Although the failure was due to circumstances beyond his control, there was no guarantee that others wouldn’t use it to attack him. The arrival of his sixth brother was proof of that. It didn’t matter what his brother said; the fact that their father had sent him already revealed a certain attitude.

"It’s him?" Wei Zhenghong was rather surprised, while Chu Ran whispered beside him, "Who is that?"

"Han Jingtian, the sixth son of the Hanhai Emperor. He has a Divine Dawn Talent but isn’t a Star Seed. At the Peak Star Conference two sessions ago, he lost to You Jinghong by a single move and missed out on the title of Peak Star."

Wei Zhenghong explained, "At the time, I had only just become a Star Seed. I only saw him fight once—he was crazed and frenzied. He should be a Tier Eight Professional by now. He’s a strong supporter of another Emperor’s Son who is a Star Seed. Why would he suddenly show up here?"

"You’re the Bronze Sect’s Star Seed, Wei Zhenghong, aren’t you?"

Wei Zhenghong was lost in thought when he heard the voice. He looked up to see Han Jingtian staring straight at him.

Wei Zhenghong was no coward. He strode forward. "I’m surprised you still remember me."

"I have some impression of you," Han Jingtian said nonchalantly. "At my Peak Star Conference, your rank in the preliminaries wasn’t very high. You were outranked by several Tier Sixes who weren’t even from Sects. And after you went back, it seems Qin Yun nearly put you in a very awkward position. That I remember quite clearly."

’This guy’s tongue is so venomous,’ Chu Ran muttered to himself from behind.

Wei Zhenghong’s expression darkened. He said coldly, "Your memory serves you right. My rank that year was indeed poor. I was in the audience watching you suffer that narrow defeat to You Jinghong. It was such a shame."

A fierce glint flashed in Han Jingtian’s eyes. His lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach them. "Since you’re the Bronze Sect’s Star Seed, and I’m here now, shouldn’t you show me some hospitality?"

His purpose for coming this time wasn’t related to the Bronze Sect, nor was he here on behalf of the Royal Court, so naturally, the Bronze Sect wouldn’t have prepared any grand ceremony for him.

Wei Zhenghong was about to refuse, but Han Xingliu spoke first, "We’ll have to trouble Brother Wei to lead the way."

Han Jingtian watched with cold detachment.

Wei Zhenghong frowned, but he was indeed the Sect’s Star Seed and, on some level, represented its face. "If that’s the case, then you two, follow me."

It wasn’t as if there were any real host duties to fulfill. It was just a matter of taking them to the Sect’s quarters.

"Dragon Abyss is already operational." As they left the Star Port, Wei Zhenghong immediately saw the four satellite cities revolving around the Copper Heart.

A few Flying Devices were dispatched to carry them toward Dragon Abyss.

’Master Qing really has his methods...’

As they neared Dragon Abyss, Wei Zhenghong saw the dense crowds of people and the eye-catching arena in the center. The place looked extraordinarily lively.

"I hear that the Peak Star Arena has integrated the Bronze Sect’s challenge system, with real-time ranking updates. Wei Xingzhong, why don’t you take us to have a look?"

Han Jingtian said suddenly. Wei Zhenghong glanced at him, his face expressionless, as the Flying Device stopped at the nearest station.

The group disembarked in a grand procession, drawing sidelong glances from onlookers.

But soon, the guards and research officers following them dispersed, leaving only the four of them.

"Old Su is actually number one?" Before they had even arrived, Wei Zhenghong saw the huge virtual screens suspended around the Peak Star Arena.

Although it was unexpected, he wasn’t overly shocked. Before he left, Su Chen was already able to defeat his projection. In fact, it was because he had been provoked by Su Chen that he had gone to attempt the Melting Holy Profession without being fully prepared, almost causing him to break down completely.

Second place was He Muyang. As for those guys who had supposedly Melted a Holy Profession, he glanced down the list and found them in the forties and fifties. ’They’re hiding pretty deep,’ he thought.

’They’re certainly patient...’ Wei Zhenghong mused. After all, Old Su was only Tier Six. If they were outranked by him and a new Peak Star were to emerge from their group, it would surely become a topic of gossip.

"Just a Tier Six, yet he ranks above so many Tier Sevens. This Su Xingzhong is truly impressive." As they drew near, Han Jingtian remarked with an unreadable expression, "I wonder if this Su Xingzhong is just that strong, or if this generation in the Dust Star Sea is just full of trash."

A large crowd was perpetually gathered around the Peak Star Arena. A betting pool had even formed, with people gambling on every change in the rankings.

Han Jingtian’s voice was neither loud nor soft, but the nearby Professionals could hear him clearly. Pairs of eyes turned toward them—some sizing them up, some warning, some annoyed.

But they quickly noticed Han Xingliu and Wei Zhenghong standing there—both extraordinary figures—and their expressions changed slightly as they immediately averted their gazes.

’Is this guy crazy?’

Chu Ran was speechless. Just then, he heard someone else nearby speak up, their voice rising and falling with a distinct cadence, "How come number one is a Tier Six?"