CSMCDB - Chapter 135
Chapter 135
"Senior Chu, you may act now." Wen Yuncheng wasn't flustered in the slightest, her tone calm and even.
The old man found it amusing. Senior Chu? Where did this Senior Chu come from? But his smile froze on his face before it could fully form. For no other reason than the pressure of a Star Emperor pouring down upon them. Forget him, even the other Star Venerate was instantly rendered immobile.
What was a Venerate? What was an Emperor? The gap between these two cultivation ranks could very well be described as a chasm.
The moment they felt the Star Emperor's pressure, what bounty? What contribution? Capturing Wen Yuncheng?
The old man who had wanted to capture Wen Yuncheng now only regretted how fast his hands had been. Turning to flee now, he was already a step behind that bastard of a middle-aged man!
Flee! Other than fleeing, they had no other thoughts. If they absolutely had to have one, it would be— "Protector, go get him!"
Protector Chu fulfilled both of their wishes at the same time. A giant palm formed of Star Power pressed down from above, suppressing both of them at once. Chu Han was in no hurry; two Star Venerates were like playthings in his hands. He raised his hand and summoned a golden chain. The chain seemed to have a spirit of its own, and in the next instant, it bound the two men together.
"Alright." Chu Han looked at Wen Yuncheng. "You all finish up the battle and tally the spoils. No one else from Fu will be coming." If they were to send more, they'd need at least two Star Emperors. But now that this base was completely exposed and he had shown himself, even the dumbest person in Fu would realize this was a trap. Anyone else they sent would just be throwing their lives away.
"Senior, we need to let that Star King go."
"That's simple." Chu Han discreetly flicked out a burst of Star Power, instantly disrupting Zhao Qiuyu's attack. That Star King had been wanting to escape for ages. Suddenly sensing a fluctuation of Star Power, he didn't hesitate to burn his blood essence and tear through space to flee.
Wen Yuncheng watched her monitor as the man rushed out of the mountain range in one breath, his speed not decreasing in the slightest. He was clearly terrified to the extreme.
…To think he'd so decisively burn his blood essence to escape.
Wen Yuncheng quickly cleaned up the few remaining members on her side, then put away her Air Wing and Star Cannons and flew back.
"…I'm sorry, I let a Star King get away." Zhao Qiuyu appeared very guilty, especially since everyone else had brilliantly completed their mission of annihilation, while her opponent had escaped.
"No, no, no, it's my fault for not telling you. I was mainly afraid you'd let him see through the act… With that Star King escaping, we might get another opportunity," Wen Yuncheng said soothingly with a smile. She walked over to Lin Jinyu's side, checked the Little Ice Mountain's condition, and handed her a bottle of intermediate HP potion. "Have some?"
"I'm not injured." Lin Jinyu glanced at the potion. Wen Yuncheng had given her this stuff to drink before, so she knew its effects. "You, on the other hand, went off taking risks again."
"But I caught two Star Venerates." Wen Yuncheng smiled and took Lin Jinyu's hand. "I'm fine. That Blue Flower Shield was already damaged anyway. I can just buy a new Profound-rank Spirit Treasure."
With enough Star Stones, one could buy Profound-rank Spirit Treasures. Of course, Earth-rank and Heaven-rank ones required a bit of luck.
"I worry about you," Lin Jinyu said. "Even though you're fine, I still worry."
"I know." Wen Yuncheng's voice softened. "I know. I didn't take any more risks." She had prepared sufficient backup plans and hadn't gone off to do anything alone again. Learning the disguise skill had greatly improved her survivability. Of course, even so, Lin Jinyu would still worry. Just as Wen Yuncheng couldn't help but check on Lin Jinyu's situation during breaks in the battle, worrying about her all the same.
Lin Jinyu said no more, simply tightening her grip on Wen Yuncheng's hand, their fingers intertwining.
The battle ended. The Imperial troops came to take over the underground base and retrieve any remaining data from Fu.
As for the spoils of war, Wen Yuncheng and the others naturally divided them. The Star Stones were split evenly, followed by the other items in the storage rings. As for the merits, the Empire had its own standards for evaluation and distribution.
Wen Yuncheng lost a Blue Flower Shield but gained a heart-protecting mirror. It was also a Profound-rank defensive Spirit Treasure, which was pretty good. As for pills, spiritual herbs, or other cultivation methods, secret manuals, and notes, Wen Yuncheng wasn't very interested, so she didn't participate in their distribution. Cheng Jiangliu and the others divided the items, but feeling they had taken advantage of Wen Yuncheng, they pooled a good number of Star Stones to compensate her.
This operation was quite fruitful.
However, this operation ultimately alarmed the black market. They began to suspect that this might have been a trap set by the Empire from the very beginning. But suspicion was useless; they had no proof. And even if they did—
The black market was colluding with Fu; they were already lucky the Empire was turning a blind eye and ignoring them. Where would they get the nerve to question the Empire? The person in charge, however, was still shaken, constantly suspecting that the black-robed person Wen Yuncheng had disguised herself as was actually a certain Star Emperor in disguise.
—No wonder. No wonder he could so easily detect the tracking of a Star King and Star Venerates.
He wiped away his cold sweat nonstop, grateful that he hadn't offended that mysterious black-robed person. He was also grateful that the black-robed person had shown no intention of settling scores with the black market.
It was a beautiful misunderstanding, but it wasn't as if Wen Yuncheng could go and clarify anything. After all, she herself had no idea that the person in charge had imagined her to be some mysterious Star Emperor.
Wen Yuncheng and her friends returned to the Imperial Capital. A few days later, the Empire announced the operation to exterminate Fu. Of course, they didn't reveal the identities of this group of young people, only giving them encouragement, merits, and rewards.
Each of them went to the Imperial Treasury to select one item to take with them.
Wen Yuncheng chose a silver, ring-shaped bracelet, then spent 500 points to expand two slots.
Expanding the equipment template was getting more and more expensive. Now it was actually two hundred and fifty points for a single slot… Wen Yuncheng missed the days when it was 50 points per slot.
Xingyi Bracelet: Can be controlled by thought, its size changed at will.
Lin Jinyu selected a scabbard. It was unknown what sword this scabbard belonged to, but even on its own, this Profound-rank scabbard was extraordinary. Lin Jinyu chose it simply because she sensed the fluctuation of sword intent from it.
This operation was quite fruitful.
The Empire had captured two Star Venerates from Fu. Whether they could get information about Fu from them remained to be seen. If the two didn't cooperate, it wasn't as if the Empire couldn't use "forbidden arts" to forcibly extract and plunder their memories for information. It was just that such a method was ultimately too evil, and the Empire wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary.
The key to this operation was Wen Yuncheng. For this reason, the three Protectors of the Nation and the Emperor summoned Wen Yuncheng together, and they agreed to all of her requests to try out various secret realms.
"There are still twelve types of minor secret realms you haven't been to. Because you captured two Star Venerates, Father Emperor, the Protectors, and the high-ranking members of the imperial family discussed it and have agreed to your request," the First Princess said. "However, you only have three days of cultivation time in each secret realm."
"That's enough, thank you, Your Highness!" Wen Yuncheng bowed to Wei Qingyu. If it weren't for the First Princess's trust and support from the beginning, Wen Yuncheng would never have been able to easily make contact with that middleman, nor would she have received Chu Han's help. The entire series of subsequent gains would have been nothing but smoke.
"If you want to thank me, then work hard and cultivate to the Star Emperor realm." The First Princess smiled calmly. "…Perhaps you've sensed it. The continent… it might not remain peaceful for much longer. My investment in you is just for the sake of a better life in the future."
"I will do my best," Wen Yuncheng promised. She looked directly into the First Princess's eyes, her gaze incomparably firm. "Even if you wish to become the Empress in the future, as long as I can be of help, I will do everything in my power."
"…Don't speak nonsense in the Imperial Palace." Wei Qingyu couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead. She waved her hand. "Go, go. I appreciate the sentiment. It's enough that you have this intention."
Wen Yuncheng's eyes curved into crescents. She had originally wanted to give Wei Qingyu another "good person card," but seeing the look on the First Princess's face, she was afraid she'd be thrown out by the guards, so she said nothing. She obediently began to prepare for her upcoming tour of the secret realms.
This time… she didn't want to just sightsee. Wen Yuncheng wanted to try her luck. What if she could find a Profound-rank or even a Earth-rank Spirit Treasure in a secret realm? She still had an empty slot in her equipment bar.
Wen Yuncheng left the Imperial Palace and was just about to tell Lin Jinyu that she would be going to cultivate in the secret realms for a while when she received a communication from her.
The Little Ice Mountain said she had refined the scabbard and obtained the sword intent comprehension of a senior. It seemed she could even grasp new techniques from it, so she needed to return to the Flowing Cloud Sect for a period of secluded cultivation.
"I see. In that case, remember to use the dragon blood to temper your body when you get back," Wen Yuncheng reminded her, afraid Lin Jinyu might forget. She herself wasn't in a hurry and planned to use the dragon blood after she came out of the secret realms.
Two months later.
Host: Wen Yuncheng
Race: Human
Age: 21
Class: Mechanical Overlord
Level: 52
Experience: 43385/53000
Points: 14,456
Her birthday this year didn't come with any big surprises. Perhaps it was because their relationship was very stable, combined with Wen Yuncheng cultivating in the secret realms and Lin Jinyu digesting her insights to break through to the second layer of the Star Spirit realm. For a combination of reasons, the two just met up on the day, had a simple meal, and then held hands while watching the stars at night. The birthday passed just like that.
Fu had lost a base and two Star Venerates in one go, a truly devastating blow to their vitality. Fu had probably never expected Chu Han to intervene. After all… in previous base exterminations, it was mostly the Dragon Tiger Guard who took action.
During the two months Wen Yuncheng spent "checking in" at secret realms and sightseeing for Spirit Treasures, Fu also became uncharacteristically quiet. They didn't stir up the slightest trouble, temporarily and quietly withdrawing from the public eye.
However, even if they were lying dormant, Wen Yuncheng wouldn't let these "experience dungeons" go.
After finishing her tour of the secret realms, Wen Yuncheng found Yan Ling and asked for a private cultivation chamber. She went into seclusion inside to temper her body with dragon blood and strengthen herself.
1947, this physical constitution I've gained through external items… it's still different from others who constantly improve theirs through Star Power.
[That can't be helped. After all, Mechanical Masters aren't skilled in close combat to begin with,] 1947 said honestly. [But you can rest assured about your lifespan. Once your level is a bit higher, you'll be able to unlock longevity potions.]
Wen Yuncheng nodded and focused on refining the dragon blood. Once this period of seclusion was over, she could go check on that Star King she'd let escape. The man seemed to have stayed in one place for a long time, which might be another base.
Mm, to be precise, it might be another experience dungeon.
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