’The Prison King...’ Su Chen thought of the man he’d seen at the Balance Dao Central Hub. ’Ranked third on the Morning Star Chart, out of a total of thirty-six people. His reputation is formidable.’

"So that’s what happened." Chu Ran’s face lit with understanding. "No wonder the Five Great Sects have suddenly gone quiet."

"The Royal Court’s Morning Star Tier experts suddenly vanished from within the Royal Court?" Zhao Ming was still skeptical.

Jiang Mufeng said hesitantly, "It seems to be because of the Lost Flame."

He wasn’t entirely sure either.

’The Lost Flame...’ Su Chen thought about it. He’d heard about it when he first arrived in the Dust Star Sea—a brilliant Flame Fire said to still be burning fiercely deep within the Nether Fog.

’The Hanhai Emperor’s birthday invitation this time might be related to that Lost Flame.’

"The Lost Flame isn’t in the Royal Court. Even if they went to explore it and actually died there, they couldn’t have vanished from within the Royal Court," Zhao Ming said, confused.

Jiang Mufeng sighed. "That’s true, but the Royal Court must have presented some kind of evidence to make the Ancient Kings stand down."

This involved communications at the highest levels, which they had no way of knowing about.

However, to everyone’s relief, this didn’t seem to be an ambush set by the Royal Court, so the anticipated war would probably not break out.

No one wanted to see a war break out.

"Seven Morning Star Tier experts," Zhao Ming said, clicking his tongue. "If they really died... the Royal Court can’t escape responsibility."

"It’s precisely because no one is sure if they’re dead that things have quieted down for now," Shen Yi’an suddenly interjected.

The group discussed it for a while longer.

Chu Ran took a sip of his wine and looked at Su Chen. "Little Martial Grand-Uncle, I hear you’ve been going to the Nether Realm often to mine Netherworld Stones?"

"Yeah, I’m short on Contribution Points, and Netherworld Stones are pretty valuable," Su Chen replied nonchalantly.

"Netherworld Stones? That stuff is hard to mine," Jiang Mufeng said in surprise. Coming from prominent backgrounds, they had never needed to worry about Contribution Points.

"That’s true for others. I heard our Little Martial Grand-Uncle mined four Mother Stones in five days. Everyone in the Nether Hall is talking about it," Chu Ran said.

"Just good luck," Su Chen said with a helpless shrug. The others didn’t make a big deal of it and moved on after a few more remarks.

...

’What’s the deal with the Lost Flame?’ Su Chen was still pondering the matter as he left the banquet.

He didn’t push the rampant speculation from his mind until his Flying Device returned to his Floating Island.

After stepping out of the Flying Device, Su Chen summoned his status panel.

[Thunder Flame Monarch: 21%]

[Red Thunder Master: 21%]

[Fifth-rank Flame Thunder Bone Refining and Body Forging Technique—Mastery: 5%]

[Fifth-rank Flame Thunder Heart Enlightenment Meditation Method—Mastery: 5%]

Looking at the panel, Su Chen couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, even though this wasn’t the first time. ’This is so fast. It’s only been a month and a half, and my development progress is already over 20%.’

This was the development efficiency of a Star Amber Level Talent.

Of course, it was also thanks to his relentless, almost sleepless training. The main reason, however, was that seeing the progress bar advance before his very eyes was incredibly motivating.

’I wonder how incredible the Divine Dawn level is,’ Su Chen thought. He had meticulously researched various sources and confirmed what Chu Ran had said: even within the Sect, there were no records of anyone achieving Divine Dawn level Postnatally.

Take Qin Tianlin, for example. At birth, his Talent on the Physical Side was Divine Dawn, but his spiritual side was weaker—only Profound Purple. It took various methods to gradually raise it to the Star Amber Level.

And just as he had predicted, the turbulent situation meant Qin Tianlin didn’t have the time to keep an eye on them, so Ming Lin’s distribution of the goods went smoothly.

In just a month and a half, he had already purchased fifteen portions of Mid-tier Faceless Ghost Divine Power. He had even fused one portion of Faceless Ghost Essence, and the second would be ready soon.

However, by his calculations, he would need at least another half a month to obtain the final portion of Faceless Ghost Essence.

’Perhaps...’ Su Chen mused, his eyes glinting as he thought of the Faceless Ghost. ’Maybe I should try communicating with it. It would be good to lay the groundwork.’

’I don’t need Divine Blood for now. Time to fleece some High-tier Divine Power.’

’Three portions of High-tier Divine Power can be converted into nine portions of Middle-tier Divine Power, which is enough to create the Essence.’

Su Chen had been thinking about this for a while. These Deceitful Gods were walking treasure troves, but dealing with them required caution.

When the time of the Dark Sun arrived, Su Chen expertly entered the Nether Realm, first heading to the mining area to find Xiao Hei.

The nearby High-tier Netherworld Creatures were already accustomed to his presence.

"Master! Master!"

Xiao Hei scampered over excitedly and presented his harvest from the past three days: a total of five Mother Stones.

Su Chen only wanted Mother Stones now, as they fetched the highest price and were easy for Ming Lin to sell. He let Xiao Hei eat all the Child Stones, causing its body to become more solid and its fur to take on a glossy sheen.

Behind it were several other Netherworld Creatures, Xiao Hei’s underlings, who looked at Su Chen with reverence.

"Excellent, excellent." Su Chen reached out and took the stones, very pleased with his subordinate.

Receiving praise, Xiao Hei was clearly even more excited. It let out a wolf-like howl and beat its chest at the sky.

Although he was used to it by now, Su Chen still found it a bit strange to see a Black Ape letting out a wolf’s howl.

After taking the Mother Stones out of the Nether Realm, Su Chen re-entered. This time, instead of going to the mining area, he picked a direction and headed outward.

’Xiao Hei is really competent,’ Su Chen thought. Over this period, it had followed his mining instructions perfectly.

’Having a work crew to do the job for me is certainly convenient. It saves a lot of time.’

’I wonder what else, besides an Outer Realm Spirit Body, could quickly strengthen a Netherworld Creature. If it becomes more powerful, it would be a great help to me.’

As he was thinking, Su Chen suddenly stopped. A strange expression crossed his face as he realized how much he trusted Xiao Hei—so much that he was even thinking about how to increase its power.

’It’s only been a few months since I first met this creature. Is this just because it’s one of my Believers?’

Su Chen grew pensive. ’No wonder I was able to trick my old friend Black Tuo into giving me a drop of Divine Blood.’

’Even I’m subject to this subconscious trust in my Believers.’

’As long as a Believer can get things done and prove their value, the benefits will surely follow. Maybe it’s not just about fleecing them for Divine Blood and Divine Power...’

Su Chen tried to understand the mindset of a Deceitful God. The Faceless God he was about to contact was different from Black Tuo. It had no direct connection to the name "Su Chen," which might make tricking it more difficult.

Su Chen planned his approach carefully, constantly refining the script in his mind.

As his Flame Fire rekindled, he found the boundary. Just like last time, he performed only the most basic prayer.

The faceless humanoid symbol on the ground began to emit an intangible glow. A voice—faint yet layered, a chorus of men, women, old, and young—rang in his ear: "For what purpose have you summoned Us?"

"Great Faceless God, I require you to bestow upon me three portions of High-tier Divine Power."

Su Chen stated his request.

As expected, just like last time, the voice fell silent for a moment before its tone changed completely. It became sinister and mournful, as if men and women were entwining themselves around Su Chen, whispering in his ear:

"My humble Believer, what deed will you perform to please Us that requires the aid of three portions of High-tier Divine Power?"

"Do you know of Su Chen?" he asked tentatively.

"Su Chen of Red Thunder Star. The one chosen by the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator. The one being targeted by Black Tuo." The sinister voice seemed to waver with interest.

’It really does know. It’s even been paying attention to me.’ Su Chen felt a sense of reassurance. Now that he knew this, his plan was halfway to success.

"You are truly omniscient. It is indeed him. I am currently lying low in the territory controlled by the Bronze Sect and have recently discovered a Black Tuo Follower from Red Thunder Star. He seems to have targeted Su Chen and is making a series of moves."

After he finished speaking, the Faceless Ghost didn’t respond.

Su Chen wondered, ’What does its silence mean?’

"Black Tuo... as I thought..." the Faceless Ghost sighed faintly. "Three portions of High-tier Divine Power. We understand. Humble Believer, We hope you will bring Us a surprise."

’The Faceless Ghost is more decisive than Black Tuo,’ Su Chen noted. ’Perhaps it’s because Divine Blood isn’t involved.’

The Netherworld Space before him twisted, and three translucent, snake-like streams of power emerged, floating before Su Chen.

The Faceless Ghost’s voice rang out again. "Humble Believer, do you have any other requests to make of Us?"

’This one seems more agreeable than Black Tuo.’ Su Chen’s mind raced. After a moment’s thought, he said:

"Great Faceless God, I recently made contact with a high-ranking member of the Bronze Sect. He has some questions, and if they can be answered, it might allow me to get closer to him."

"Oh?" The Faceless Ghost sounded somewhat surprised. "A high-ranking member of the Bronze Sect... Humble Believer, you have already given Us a surprise."

"What is the question?"

’It’s actually working...’ Su Chen was thrilled. He realized he had previously overlooked another use for the Deceitful Gods: they were walking encyclopedias.

’As Deceitful Gods who are suspected to have no limit to their lifespans, the scope of what they’ve experienced and know must be boundless.’