CSMCDB - Chapter 69
Chapter 69
The Eighth and Ninth Protectors exchanged a glance, then both looked up at the sky. The Tenth Protector looked at Lin Jinyu, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately held his tongue. …It was all based on strength, anyway. As for borrowing influence… well, a little borrowing was fine. After all, Lin Jinyu herself had said the kid had done her a favor.
Unlike Sect Master Lin, these protectors had often sparred with Lin Jinyu before she left for the academy. They had watched her grow up. Because of this, they knew the immense pressure she was under and how hard she worked. It was precisely for this reason that when they saw Lin Jinyu take the initiative to speak to someone and show them goodwill, they were unwilling to interfere. They would even help her keep it a secret.
After all, if Sect Master Lin found out about something like this, he would probably give her another lecture.
As for that kid… if she had the strength to take a spot, then let her take it.
Just as they were thinking this, the various sects began sending out their own outstanding disciples, intending to compete for the opportunity.
Since it was a competition, there would naturally be a fight. Lin Jinyu stood with her sword at the ready, unafraid even of the Star Lord-level competitors among them. Wen Yuncheng didn't say much either. She smiled and asked the Eighth Protector to make some room for her. The Eighth Protector glanced at her, perhaps thinking of the incident with the Third Prince, and waved his hand, telling the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples to clear a space for her. Wen Yuncheng directly summoned all thirty-eight of her cannons in one go, charged each one with energy, and then summoned Number One before sitting down in satisfaction.
Someone in the crowd recognized Wen Yuncheng, and upon seeing the cannons, understood who she was.
With a soft "pop," the barrier around the cushions suddenly dissipated. In that instant, the youths who had been waiting sprang into action, rushing straight for the cushions! Many fought amongst themselves while vying for a spot, and some even unleashed secret techniques to temporarily boost their strength!
Lin Jinyu didn't rush forward immediately. She had been gathering her power for a long time. The moment the barrier broke, she unleashed her sword art. Her moves grew increasingly sharp, carving an ice-blue flower in the air with a resolute sword intent that knew no retreat. With a thrust of her longsword, this "ice flower," brimming with immense energy, shot directly toward the third cushion.
For a moment, even the Star Lord-level cultivators scrambled to get out of the way! Wherever Lin Jinyu's sword pointed, no one dared to block her. With the ice flower clearing her path, Lin Jinyu lightly tapped her foot on the ground and landed directly on the cushion, sitting down.
Wen Yuncheng had also been charging her Star Power Cannons for a long time. The instant the barrier vanished, thirty-eight cannons unleashed a chaotic barrage at the last cushion. As the cannons fired, Number One used its dash skill and charged straight for the final spot! The immense and disorderly storm of Star Power scared off a large group of people, as most of the prodigies were aiming for the first few cushions. Even if someone was willing to brave the cannon fire, Number One's charge was astonishing. Many people snickered to themselves: Do you really think no one will try to snatch it just because you're attacking? Let's see how you get over there yourself in this situation.
However, the moment that thought crossed their minds, their vision blurred. They saw Number One, which had been near the cushion, suddenly switch places with Wen Yuncheng. Wen Yuncheng immediately recalled Number One and sat down on the cushion.
"Eighth Protector, I'll have to trouble you to look after my cannons for me," Wen Yuncheng said, cupping her hands toward the Eighth Protector. The Eighth Protector raised an eyebrow slightly and agreed.
—He hadn't expected this kid to actually have some skill.
The Blood Fiend Sect, the Sky High Sect, the Flowing Cloud Sect, Dream Haven Sect, Chaoyan Pavilion, Zhengxi Tower…
There were also a few exceptionally talented youngsters who didn't belong to any sect but came from renowned families.
"I say, isn't your Flowing Cloud Sect a bit too greedy? There are thirteen cushions, and you've taken two?" someone couldn't help but mock.
"The capable ones get them. How is it greedy when it's a matter of individual skill?" The Eighth Protector sneered and retorted directly, "If you're not convinced, step out and face me. What's the point of hiding in the crowd and talking nonsense."
"…Haha, while that may be true, for your Flowing Cloud Sect to act like this is a bit too conspicuous, don't you think? That little one used external items," an elder from the Blood Fiend Sect said, looking at Wen Yuncheng on the last cushion.
"What if they're external items? Can you produce such items?" The Eighth Protector's sword-like brows shot up, his tone growing even more hostile.
"Thank you for speaking up for me, Eighth Protector, but… Lin Jinyu and I are just friends." Wen Yuncheng's eyes flickered as she stood up from the cushion. Once you were on these cushions, a protective barrier would rise that even a Star Lord couldn't break.
The Eighth Protector frowned. What was with this kid? Now was the time to be concerned about face?
Wen Yuncheng took out the token the First Princess had given her from her storage ring. "Everyone, this is a token gifted to me by the First Princess. Yan Ling of the Star Auction House is my teacher, so there's no need to trouble the Flowing Cloud Sect. I see that among those who have claimed a cushion, there are no members of the imperial family or the auction house, correct?"
A dead silence fell over the crowd.
Wen Yuncheng gave the Eighth Protector a grateful smile and sat back down on the cushion.
"This kid is interesting…" The Eighth Protector was a little surprised. Was she afraid of causing trouble for the Flowing Cloud Sect? Or… was she afraid of causing trouble for Lin Jinyu? But whichever it was, it no longer mattered.
Sitting on her cushion, Lin Jinyu frowned almost imperceptibly. If not for the barrier, the people on the cushions around her would have probably felt the air drop by several degrees.
[Weren't you eager to get involved with Lin Jinyu?] 1947 chuckled.
It can't be trouble, though, Wen Yuncheng replied helplessly. She didn't want Lin Jinyu to get punished again when she returned.
Moreover, she didn't want to bring trouble to Lin Jinyu.
It wasn't just because she couldn't bear to see her get hurt, but also because… she was still very weak. She had no money, no power, and was all alone. Right now, she simply couldn't create that much value. An investment? It shouldn't be Lin Jinyu investing in her; Lin Jinyu was still growing herself.
Of course, there was also the fact that if she accepted the Flowing Cloud Sect's patronage—her identity wasn't a secret, and neither was the engagement. If word got out, it would be… very bad for Lin Jinyu. Wen Yuncheng might be secretly happy for a moment, but she was unwilling to bring that kind of "trouble" to Lin Jinyu.
"I like her, so I'm afraid of others prying, afraid of others finding out…" Wen Yuncheng sighed inwardly. Even rumors were unacceptable. Who knew… if the Little Ice Mountain would really start keeping her distance to avoid suspicion? For the future Sect Master of the Flowing Cloud Sect, reputation was very important.
Suddenly, the distant toll of a bell rang directly in her mind. Wen Yuncheng felt her body and soul instantly cleansed and purified. She raised her head in a daze. On the empty throne, a burly figure seemed to have appeared…
It was just a silhouette; she couldn't make out a face.
Wen Yuncheng closed her eyes and let her mind settle. Her consciousness drifted far away, arriving in a brand-new world.
She felt as if she were floating in the night sky, surrounded by all sorts of twinkling little stars. With just a lift of her hand, she could pluck one from the sky.
—"Three."
Three chances.
Wen Yuncheng, in her conscious form, seemed to understand. She looked at the star-filled sky, her gaze sweeping over each one as she continuously rushed forward.
So the opportunities have been transformed into different stars?
She could only choose three, so… which three would call to her? Which would attract her, which would be the opportunities that truly belonged to her…
A very, very small star, one whose light was incredibly faint, caught Wen Yuncheng's attention. She hesitated, raising her hand, and the little star began to drift closer to her. But… but this star was so small and so dim. Should she really choose it?
In the next second, Wen Yuncheng's resolve hardened, and she snatched the little star into her consciousness. She herself was a being of consciousness, so the little star merged directly into her body, twinkling within her.
Soon, Wen Yuncheng found the second and third stars. With all three found, she stopped and went no deeper. Perhaps there were brighter, better stars further on, but the three she held in her hand now were the best for her.
Wen Yuncheng thought she heard a soft chuckle. She looked toward the starry sky but saw no one. The moment she thought of leaving, her consciousness blurred, and when she opened her eyes, she was "back" on the cushion. Wen Yuncheng couldn't help but look up at the figure on the throne again, feeling as if that "person" had glanced at her.
—"An interesting little one, indeed." The figure on the throne was merely a residual echo of consciousness. He sighed with emotion. As expected, this continent ultimately belonged to the young.
There were no raw materials.
Wen Yuncheng was a little disappointed. Sitting on the cushion, she looked at the three items that had appeared before her: an unfamiliar spirit fruit, a dark, shuttle-like weapon, and… a white jade seal?
[That spirit fruit is a Mountain River Fruit. It's said that back when the Xuan King's Manor existed, King Xuan used it to reward his outstanding subordinates. It can help them temper their physical bodies! Consuming it multiple times in conjunction with training can allow one's body to achieve the effect of suppressing mountains and rivers.]
Wen Yuncheng: ! Really?
[There might be some exaggeration, but it's hundreds of times more advanced than Body Tempering Fruits and the Fire Tempering Bath.]
Wen Yuncheng was instantly overjoyed and carefully placed the fruit into her storage ring. Now was not the time to eat it. Since it was a treasure, she should naturally wait until she was in a safe place to consume and digest it.
She glanced to her side and saw that the others had not yet woken up. She then turned her attention to the remaining two items. For these two… she'd try dripping some blood.
[Flying Sky Shuttle: Yellow-rank Spirit Treasure. Controlled by one's mind, can inflict mental damage.]
[Mountain River Seal: Profound-rank Spirit Treasure.]
Huh? Was that it for the Mountain River Seal's description?
[It was what King Xuan used to stamp documents back in the day. What more of a description do you need?] 1947 said, exasperated.
…Awesome. So the experts back then used Profound-rank Spirit Treasures for something as simple as stamping documents!
[King Xuan was not a Star King-level figure, but a Star Emperor. He was just called a king in that era.]
Wen Yuncheng nodded. Of course, she knew he wasn't a Star King. The so-called kings of that time were the self-proclaimed kind. Otherwise, how could a mere Star King build such a massive tomb for himself, let alone a Xuan King's Manor? What a pipe dream that would be.
It was just that, she had just been lamenting how poor she was and how she didn't need to expand her equipment slots, and now they were full. Really…
The Mountain River Seal, the Flying Sky Shuttle…
The Mountain River Seal could probably only be used as a weapon to smash things. But since it was a Profound-rank Spirit Treasure that had entered her equipment template and could be used as equipment, Wen Yuncheng faced no restrictions in using it. As for the Flying Sky Shuttle? Attacking one's consciousness… that was not a common method at all. Its effect was almost like a stun grenade. Making an enemy dazed for even a moment could create a huge opportunity, and directly destroying an enemy's sea of consciousness could turn them into an idiot… Of course, the Flying Sky Shuttle wasn't that overpowered.
The opportunities gained from this cushion… were quite bountiful.
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