Qing Cang’s tone was calm. He continued to gaze down at the high-rises and streets below as he spoke:

"My martial uncle, the junior brother of the Bronze Ancient King, once held the Morning Star Tier profession of the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator. I have come on my master’s orders to retrieve his Professional Spirituality."

Having said this, Qing Cang fell silent, seeming to give the three of them time to react.

Chong Jingtian’s heart sank. ’So they really are here for the Great Venerable.’ But the three of them already had a plan. Feigning the perfect amount of surprise and confusion, he said:

"The Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator? We’ve never heard of him. We have heard of the Morning Star Tier, though. Ten years ago, investigators from the Royal Court seemed to have come for that very reason, but we assisted their investigation for a long time and found nothing."

Qing Cang turned around, seemingly unsurprised by this response. "A while ago," he said slowly, "the Great Venerable Red Flame Thunder Resonator should have acknowledged two people. My master sensed it."

"Someone who can receive his acknowledgment is no simple person. As the most powerful faction on this planet, can it be that you gentlemen truly don’t know?"

Chong Jingtian felt a chill. ’The Bronze Ancient King is that powerful? He could sense it from so far away?’

But on the surface, he showed a look of sudden realization. He exchanged a glance with Zhou Yanwu as if for confirmation before saying, "Are you referring to that half of a Stone Slab, sir?"

"We only discovered that a few years ago. We didn’t know what it was at first and only made some discoveries recently. If we had known it was this so-called Morning Star Tier profession, we would have contacted the Royal Court long ago."

Qing Cang chuckled, his expression unreadable. "Not contacting the Royal Court... isn’t necessarily a bad thing."

Chong Jingtian and the other two were stunned. ’What does he mean by that?’

Then, Qing Cang continued, "In that case, please hand over the Spirituality. I will also be taking the two people who were acknowledged."

He was demanding to take the Spirituality directly... leaving no room for negotiation.

Chong Jingtian’s mind raced. He didn’t answer directly, asking instead, "About taking the acknowledged individuals, I was wondering..."

The three men beside Qing Cang secretly shook their heads. ’These guys ask too many questions. Do they really think we’re going to harm them?’

"You needn’t worry about that." Qing Cang explained with a smile, "Although they haven’t been chosen by the Spirituality, acknowledged individuals are still quite valuable. I will take them back and train them well."

"In that case..." Chong Jingtian gritted his teeth and said, "To be honest with you, sir, the Deceitful God’s Followers on our planet are plotting a Holy Banquet. We’re on the brink of disaster. Could I ask for your assistance?"

’The Holy Banquet...’ Qing Cang’s expression shifted slightly. ’Has it really gotten to this point?’

The three young men were also a little surprised.

Qing Cang took a long look at Chong Jingtian and his companions, his expression hardening. "This is not a transaction," he said coolly. "I came on my master’s orders. I am taking the Spirituality, and I am taking the people."

Whether you agree or not... Chong Jingtian and the others naturally understood the unspoken threat.

Lan Hao shook his head. "The Holy Banquet summons the Deceitful God. Stopping it requires an immense price. You are shrouded in Nether Fog, which is troublesome to clean up. Even if you stop it this time, there will be a next time."

He might as well have just said, ’Just lie down and wait for death.’

"However, I can take you, along with your families and friends, away from here," Qing Cang offered at the right moment.

’Their strength is quite impressive. It would be a waste for them to die here.’

The three men didn’t respond to the offer, their expressions shifting.

After a moment, Chong Jingtian finally spoke with a bitter smile, "Sirs, I’m afraid you won’t be able to take this Spirituality with you... at least, not for now."

"Oh?" Qing Cang’s eyes narrowed, a chilling glint within them. "Gentlemen, was I not clear enough, or are you overthinking things?"

"There is something you don’t know, sir," Chong Jingtian finally explained. "The Stone Slab is split in two. We only have one half. If we’re talking about the Spirituality, I’m afraid it has also been split in two."

"Is that so?" Qing Cang was astonished; this was something he hadn’t expected. He was suspicious. "With only half, the Spirituality can still grant acknowledgment?"

"At this point, why would I deceive you, sir?" Chong Jingtian said helplessly. "However, we do know the location of the other half. It will simply take some time to retrieve."

’Take some time...’ Qing Cang fell silent. He vaguely suspected these people were trying to stall, to drag things out until the Holy Banquet began and force him to call for reinforcements.

’But surely they’ve considered the consequences of trying to use me like that.’

"I want to secure the first half of the Spirituality now," Qing Cang said in a low voice, his gaze growing more scrutinizing.

"We can prepare it immediately," Chong Jingtian readily agreed. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Qing Cang added a heavy warning, "Let me be blunt. I am not a bloodthirsty person, but if I cannot complete my master’s orders, I hope you gentlemen won’t blame me for being ruthless."

"We understand," Chong Jingtian nodded.

Seeing that their expressions were normal and they didn’t seem to be stalling intentionally, Qing Cang’s tone softened slightly. "I want to see the two acknowledged individuals."

"No problem." Chong Jingtian first nodded, then added helplessly, "However, I’m afraid you can only see one of them."

"Why is that?"

Another unexpected complication. Qing Cang couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation.

"One of them is dead." Not knowing if the other party had a way to verify this, Chong Jingtian could only be honest.

Wan Chen and the other two frowned slightly, exchanging a glance.

"Dead?" Upon hearing this, Qing Cang was somewhat surprised, but his brow relaxed a little. ’This has nothing to do with me. It happened before I arrived, so Master won’t blame me.’

"Then I’ll just see the one."

Qing Cang’s calm reaction was a bit surprising to Chong Jingtian, but he also let out a sigh of relief. "No problem."

"Also..." Qing Cang added, "Since half of the Spirituality can still produce an acknowledged individual, let Wan Chen and the others give it a try first."

Chong Jingtian looked at the three young men, and his heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He had a sinking suspicion that this man not only intended to take the Spirituality, but also wanted to use this opportunity to see if his own people could gain its acknowledgment.