My Professions Have Too Much Personality - Chapter 333 - 200: Inside the Cauldron

Qing Cang’s expression flickered. He’d received abrupt news of their arrival. For them to be asking his Master to intervene, Ni Chuan’s own plans had clearly gone awry.

To force his way in, he could now only threaten to take his own life.

Ni Chuan was no simple man. If he were actually killed here, the Royal Court would undoubtedly react strongly.

His gaze shifted to the young man standing behind him. The Royal Court was vast and convoluted, and he wasn’t a high-ranking Sect elder in charge of intelligence. Though he knew Ni Chuan, he didn’t know his son.

’But since Ni Chuan spoke up, he must be somewhat confident. Still… this guy doesn’t seem to realize he also has to pass Martial Uncle Red Sun’s trial.’

At this thought, Qing Cang snorted and retorted, “You are not worthy of having my Master act. What happens if your son fails to become one of the chosen?”

“We will leave at once. I would not dare lie before the Ancient King,” Ni Chuan said grimly.

He, too, was helpless. His gaze swept over Lan Hao. ’I don’t know what went wrong. The kid didn’t notify me, so I had to resort to this.’

’This way… even if Ni Chuan backs out later and Master kills him, the Royal Court will have no grounds to complain.’ Qing Cang accepted the proposition. Only then did he turn and call out, “Master.”

The Ancient King’s voice echoed, “Send them all over.”

“Thank you, Ancient King.” Ni Chuan stepped aside, watching as the young man at his side floated past.

Wan Chen sized him up. The newcomer had a placid expression and wore the standard-issue uniform of the Royal Court Guard Army. He didn’t seem particularly remarkable.

“What’s your name?” Qing Cang’s tone was surprisingly mild; he didn’t take out his frustration with Ni Chuan on the son.

“Ni Bin,” he replied.

Qing Cang nodded and had Wan Chen and the others step forward. Su Chen emerged from the crowd, silently falling in behind them.

Ni Bin glanced at him. From Lan Hao’s intelligence, he knew about Su Chen’s situation. ’Just a space filler.’ He paid him no mind.

’The only one worth any attention is Wan Chen. The appearance of the Three Dragon Shadows means his chances of being chosen are high.’

’I wonder what his Talent is.’ Wan Chen speculated. ’Lin Yue and the others are no threat, but this Ni Bin who just appeared out of nowhere… he’s a serious rival.’

’Still hasn’t given up, even now…’ Lan Hao glanced at Su Chen and sneered, though his own mood was foul.

“Lord Qing Cang, might we add one more person?” Chong Jingtian, who was mixed in with the crowd, suddenly asked.

Qing Cang was somewhat surprised, but a glance at the person Chong Jingtian pushed forward was enough for him to lose interest. “You may,” he said dismissively.

Ming Lin was shoved in front of the group by Chong Jingtian, his face a mask of confusion. “Wh-what… why are you dragging me into this?”

He was filled with apprehension, his heart pounding with anxiety.

Chong Jingtian sighed inwardly. He knew, of course, that pushing Ming Lin forward would amount to nothing. But with the Ancient King present, this was undoubtedly a good opportunity to get some face time.

The six of them lined up. Before the watchful eyes of the crowd, they were drawn by an Invisible Power, floating toward the cauldron and vanishing inside.

’Why the cauldron?’

Ni Chuan’s expression changed slightly. ’Isn’t the Spiritual essence supposed to be up there?’

He realized there was something else going on that he didn’t know about. What if something were to happen to them inside?

He was about to speak when a torrent of crimson Energy converged in front of the cauldron, gradually forming a massive screen. He froze, his surprise and suspicion mounting.

…

Su Chen felt the world spin around him. When he found his footing, he was standing on a vast, open metal floor. The crimson metal stretched as far as the eye could see.

Everyone else was there as well, looking somewhat bewildered.

“Aren’t we supposed to be taking the Spiritual trial? Why are we here?” Ni Bin frowned. This scene was completely outside his expectations.

No one could answer him. But then the air before them rippled, and a translucent figure gradually materialized—it was Venerable Red Sun.

“Venerable One…” Wan Chen and the others cried out hastily, and Su Chen chimed in.

“I am Red Sun,” the red-haired, illusory figure said expressionlessly. “I am a Spirit Fragment left behind by my original self. He left behind a final wish: to find an heir.”

“To witness the Spiritual essence, you must first pass my test.”

This Spirit Fragment didn’t seem to possess much sapience; its speech was rather rigid.

’So it’s not just a trial, but a search for an heir…’ Wan Chen frowned at first, but then a gleam flashed in his eyes, and a thrill of excitement ran through him.

The Ancient King hadn’t taken a disciple in many years. Even if one became chosen, there was no guarantee they would become his student.

But now another path had opened up. If he became Venerable Red Sun’s disciple, he would be the disciple of the Master’s late junior brother. That might be an even more treasured position than a direct disciple.

He wasn’t the only one to have this realization. Su Chen’s eyes glinted. ’This path… seems like a better fit for me.’

After all, Qing Cang had already taken a liking to him. The Ancient King was Qing Cang’s Master, so even if he became one of the chosen…

…it was unlikely the Ancient King would try to snatch a disciple from his own student.

’Hmm… I probably can’t hold back too much today,’ Su Chen mused. ’Naturally, you have to do whatever it takes to latch onto the thickest thigh.’

Ni Bin, however, couldn’t help but frown. He was here to become one of the chosen, not to inherit the legacy of a dead man.

Besides, even if he did succeed, his status meant there was no real benefit in it for him.

“If you pass my test, I can use my own power to influence the Spiritual essence and increase your chances of being chosen,” the phantom added.

At this, no one could remain calm.

Wan Chen was stunned. ’He can actually influence the Spiritual essence?’

’Doesn’t that mean a chosen one is guaranteed to appear today?’

At this thought, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of nervousness, and he stretched his limbs.

’This Spirit Fragment can actually influence the Spiritual essence.’ Su Chen was taken aback as well.

Ni Bin reined in his impatience and asked, “Venerable Red Sun, I am not a member of the Bronze Sect. Will I be at a disadvantage because of that?”