Beyond the Well of Stars, An Wen stood on a high place, silently watching as the great stars in the well flickered one after another. The stars on the side of dawn were naturally bright, and when their star power was harnessed, they became even more prominent.
Not only An Wen was watching; most of the strong figures of Evernight were present. Seeing Qian Ye smoothly harnessing two great stars, Rollo remarked, “I never thought he could reach this level. An Wen, isn’t this comparable to you?”
An Wen replied indifferently, “If we compare the ranks, my demonic aura is slightly inferior. After all, this is the Dawn Enlightenment.”
“Still, it’s not much of a difference. But, Edward, doesn’t this guy have bloodline lineage from the Blood Race?”
“Indeed,” Edward said with a grim expression. Having fought with Qian Ye, he naturally knew the strength of Qian Ye’s bloodline. If Qian Ye was a pure-blooded Blood Race, it would be uncertain whether the identity of the Holy Child could fall to him.
Rollo, however, couldn’t quite understand, “With a bloodline of the Blood Race, how can he still cultivate the Dawn Enlightenment?”
This question that overturned common sense naturally had no answer. At that moment, Dusk suddenly let out a low cry, shouting, “The third one!”
In the well, three dazzling stars formed a triangle, surrounding Qian Ye, and the surging star power was continuously pouring into the Skywind Cloud Smoke Pearl.
At this point, the Skywind Cloud Smoke Pearl had transformed into a small sun, and in the intense light, a crystal was beginning to take shape.
For a while, everyone’s gaze converged on the Well of Stars, looking at the three blazing great stars in silence.
After a while, An Wen said, “What a clever scheme!”
Dusk spoke softly, “First, he cleared the small stars, then set up a trap, using Song Zining as bait, so that Qian Ye could freely refine the primal crystal.”
Trading Song Zining for An Wen, from the current perspective, the Empire had gained the upper hand.
“What kind of quality will this primal crystal be?” Rollo was very curious.
The Blood Race, being the most knowledgeable about humans, Edward slowly said, “It might be of the highest quality. Li Xu, you explain.”
A vampire marquis who had been hiding in his cloak stepped forward. He lifted his hood, revealing a middle-aged face, and bowed slightly to the top young figures of Evernight, saying, “Your Highnesses, you might wonder why I have a human name. It’s quite simple: just a few years ago, I was still a human, born to the Li family of Jing Tang.”
With this explanation, An Wen realized, nodding, “I see. That’s why the Blood Race suddenly has such things as Angular Blood Pillars. As for the Spider Demon…” He glanced at Rollo and added, “It must be a secret transaction between you.”
Edward and Rollo remained expressionless, as if they hadn’t heard anything. Such matters could not be spoken of, and even if someone guessed, they would not admit it.
Aiden snorted and said to Li Xu, “You’re already a marquis now. It seems the Blood Race put a lot into you. Which duke or prince granted you your first embrace?”
Li Xu replied, “I cannot say.”
“Go on, it doesn’t matter who it was anyway.”
Li Xu bowed slightly and said, “When I was in the Li family, I had access to some confidential information. According to the Li family’s classification, there are thirteen great stars beneath the Well of Stars that are beneficial to humans, one bright star, and seven extreme stars.”
An Wen shook his head and said, “There are more than thirteen great stars on the side of dawn, at least twenty-four, or perhaps more. Who knows?”
Li Xu’s expression changed slightly, unable to conceal his shock. In the past few days, he had come to know An Wen’s strength. This clear judgment suggested that An Wen’s level might already surpass that of the ancestor of the Li family.
Li Xu cleared his throat and said, “Extreme stars and bright stars are easier to recognize because of their surging star power. In comparison, the great stars are much more ambiguous. This… the Li family’s records might be incorrect.”
Edward interjected, “Continue.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Humans divide the rank of primal crystals into four grades: ordinary, medium, high, and super. Being able to draw the star power from a single great star means it’s of high quality. Three or more, and it might be super. By this classification, high quality corresponds to our marquis-level source blood, and super quality to dukes.”
Hearing this, everyone felt a bit heavy-hearted. An Wen saw this and said, “Adding an honorary marquis is not a big deal.”
Rollo sighed bitterly, “I’m afraid it’s not just one.”
They had multiple Angular Blood Pillars and white spider eggs, so the Empire surely had more than one Skywind Cloud Smoke Pearl. Now that the obstacles were cleared, based on Qian Ye’s current performance, one Skywind Cloud Smoke Pearl meant one high-quality primal crystal. So, in the future, the increase in humans would not be just one but a batch of quasi-gods.
An Wen firmly said, “That’s not a problem! Don’t forget, Her Majesty the Witch hasn’t made her move yet.”
Everyone’s spirits were invigorated.
At this moment, someone suddenly felt the light brighten a bit. Looking down into the well, they were shocked: “The fourth one!?”
Now, around Qian Ye, there were four blazing great stars, and the surging star power was like a torrent of fire. The Skywind Cloud Smoke Pearl before Qian Ye had already melted, and the primal crystal in the flames was growing continuously.
Qian Ye felt as if there was a bottomless black hole in front of him, swallowing whatever amount of the Dawn Enlightenment’s original power he poured into it. But with the massive infusion of original power and the star power of the four great stars, the still-forming primal crystal began to exude a scorching aura, even the burning original power flames could not obscure it.
According to Song Zining’s original plan, Qian Ye should have stopped at this point, leaving some original power to set a trap for the dark races. No matter where this trap was set, it would always be a threat.
However, in Qian Ye’s perception, there was more than one great star showing signs of activity. After a moment’s thought, he abandoned the original plan and poured all his power into the primal crystal.
As the fifth, sixth, and even seventh great stars lit up, the powerful figures of Evernight were left speechless.
Finally, after absorbing the star power of seven stars, the primal crystal was fully refined, and Qian Ye leaped out of the Well of Stars and returned to the ground. Seeing that the number of great stars was limited to seven, the tense minds of the Evernight people relaxed, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. But then they realized something was wrong—this was a primal crystal condensed from seven great stars. What was there to be happy about?
Upon stepping onto the ground, Qian Ye wavered slightly. Wei Po Tian rushed over to support him and led him back to camp to rest.
Looking at Qian Ye’s retreating figure, An Wen suddenly said, “Is he really only at the fifteenth level?”
Both Edward and Rollo Aiden had fought with Qian Ye recently. Rollo sighed, “Wasn’t it clear when we faced him? There were six original power vortices.”
“Could it be that the great stars on the side of dawn are especially easy to sense?” Dusk asked.
“No!” An Wen firmly denied.
After a long silence, he said, “Tomorrow, Aiden will go down the well and clear all the small stars, paving the way for Her Majesty the Witch.”
An Wen didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken meaning. They were now in a corner, and if the Witch couldn’t claim the dark star, in this invisible contest, Evernight would have lost.
In the Imperial camp, everyone held their breath, looking at the primal crystal in Qian Ye’s hand. The primal crystal was a pale red, with a faint aura surrounding it, and inside, a streak of golden liquid flowed back and forth. With a little original power, a layer of faint crimson-golden flame would ignite on the primal crystal, somewhat resembling the Dawn Enlightenment.
Ji Tian Qing looked at it for a while and let out a breath, saying, “This primal crystal can ignite a fire of original power similar to the Dawn Enlightenment. Whether attached to bullets or swords, it is extremely powerful. From this, it can be said to be of super quality!”
“We’ve hit the jackpot!” Song Zining patted Qian Ye’s shoulder heavily.
Qian Ye hadn’t expected to produce a super-quality primal crystal in one go. In the Empire, such things were priceless, and they directly enhanced combat power, making them highly sought after. However, many wanted super-quality primal crystals, but only the noble families could afford them.
Next, Aiden and Zhao Yu Ying took their turns, both with the clear goal of clearing the small stars. They each gained some success, but it was of the lowest quality, barely refining.
The next day, An Wen appeared again. Without Song Zining’s interference, he managed to activate four great stars in one go, successfully refining a drop of ducal-level source blood.
An Wen showed no joy, for Qian Ye’s feat of activating seven great stars had overshadowed his own.
“Not good!” Song Zining’s face changed, “An Wen is also clearing the way for the Witch!”
Wei Po Tian was confused, “Are the great stars obstacles too?”
Song Zining said gravely, “To us, they are resources. But to the Witch, they are obstacles. Her goal is only the dark star!”
Ji Tian Qing’s face also changed, “That dark star is enough to refine two drops of source blood! And who knows what kind of abilities it might have. Should you go again and set another trap?”
Song Zining shook his head, sighing, “To set a trap, you need the ability. I can seal off the great stars, but I am powerless against the dark star.”
Ji Tian Qing sighed, “There’s no choice. If the Witch can truly trigger the dark star, we can only let her. Even if there are consequences, it will be years later.”
“So, what should we do now?” Everyone looked at Song Zining.
Song Zining pondered for a moment and said, “Setting a trap for the other side is a one-time tactic. If they wait longer, the trap will fail. So, for now, there’s only one way: they make theirs, and we make ours. Even if we gain less this time, with Qian Ye, it won’t be too bad. Comparatively, our strength has improved.”
Everyone nodded, and Qian Ye said, “I’ll go again.”
After a day of rest, Qian Ye, though not in his best state, was close enough and ready to try once more.
Song Zining pointed at Ji Tian Qing, “Lady Tian Qing, use whatever you have. No more holding back.”
Ji Tian Qing was taken aback, “What am I holding back?”
Song Zining explained, “I observed in the well and noticed that the more unique the original power infused, the more likely the resulting primal crystal will have unique abilities. Our original power doesn’t match the Dawn Enlightenment, so we might as well try various techniques and secrets. Perhaps we’ll get a pleasant surprise.”
Ji Tian Qing nodded, agreeing that this was a feasible idea.
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