Chapter 249: Defying the Celestial Decree

The Imperial group moved hastily, rushing swiftly towards the direction of the fortress. After a long and hurried journey, they had distanced themselves significantly from the Well of the Stars before finally stopping to rest.

Throughout the journey, Zhao Ruoxi, contrary to her usual behavior, appeared sullen and seemingly indifferent, not sticking close to Qian Ye as she usually did. Qian Ye, perplexed by her change, decided not to ask as the group pressed on urgently.

In reality, the Great Vortex was incredibly vast. Despite their half-day journey, they were still relatively near the high-gravity zone. Night travel in this area was perilous due to particularly formidable nocturnal beasts. Even Ji Tianqing and Zhao Yuying, with their bold nature, preferred to avoid night travel.

After setting up camp and resting, the group finally had a chance to sit and chat.

Naturally, everyone was most interested in the primeval crystal Qian Ye had refined. All eyes were sharp, and Zhao Yuying immediately spoke up, “Little Five, what treasure have you created? Show us and let us see!”

Wei Po Tian, nodding vigorously beside her, seemed eager with anticipation.

Everyone had witnessed the chaotic star power within the well and knew that Qian Ye had absorbed it all, leaving nothing behind. The resulting refined object was undoubtedly extraordinary, perhaps even beyond the highest grade, requiring a new classification altogether.

Qian Ye, however, was at a loss for words, deep in thought. The Book of Black and the Primordial Wings were his greatest secrets, especially the Book of Black. He had an instinctive feeling that it should not be revealed, as its emergence could cause a significant uproar.

The star power from the Nine Origin Stars had been absorbed by the Book of Black, and he had not yet had the chance to examine it in detail. How could he possibly produce the crystal now?

Song Zining, sensing the hesitation, probed gently, “What’s the matter, Qian Ye? Is there something inconvenient?”

Zhao Yuying, speaking bluntly, said, “What inconvenience? We are all allies here. If you must say, only Song Qi is a bit more distant, making him the true outsider.”

Song Zining coughed and replied, “How can that be? Qian Ye and I share a life-and-death bond. To speak of outsiders, there are actually no real outsiders here, as we all have a deep connection with Qian Ye…”

Before he could finish, two piercing gazes fell upon him, cutting like knives, forcing him to halt mid-sentence. Given the limited number of people, Song Zining knew without looking that the gazes came from Ji Tianqing and Li Kuanglan. He had spoken casually, but their strong reactions made him wonder about their experiences with Qian Ye in the high-gravity zone. A sudden realization struck him, but such speculations were best left unspoken.

Seeing the awkwardness, Qian Ye interjected, “There’s really no inconvenience. I just haven’t fully understood what happened. The star power entered my body, then vanished, along with the Heavenly Wind Cloud Smoke Pearl.”

“Nothing at all?” Song Zining asked, surprised.

“Nothing at all,” Qian Ye nodded.

The origin of the Book of Black was mysterious, and Qian Ye did not intend to reveal it to anyone. His statement elicited various reactions, mostly of concern mixed with worry. Though the refinement of star power seemed like a game, the participants were elites, and for ordinary warriors, entering the Well of the Stars was perilous, with failure being common.

Zhao Yuying was the first to express her doubts, “That’s odd. Little Five, are you sure you’re alright? That star power, though seemingly harmless, is actually very potent. Absorbing so much of it isn’t a good thing.”

Zhao Yuying, having experienced the well herself, knew well that the star power, while appearing gentle, was actually fierce and nearly unrefinable. Too much of it could lead to a mix of impure origin power, jeopardizing one’s future prospects.

Qian Ye had absorbed more than anyone else combined. This was why the Jing Tang Li Clan went to great lengths to create the Heavenly Wind Cloud Smoke Pearl, to convert the combined origin and star power into a usable form. The risk involved in this process was immense.

Reassuring Zhao Yuying, Qian Ye shook his head, “I’m fine. It might be due to my unique constitution.”

Qian Ye’s bloodline was already public knowledge, a topic Zhao Yuying didn’t want to bring up. Realizing her slip, she sighed, unsure how to comfort him.

Changing the subject, the group discussed their gains, bringing a sense of joy. Qian Ye had refined two ultra-rare crystals, both invaluable, especially the one providing vampire attributes, which even divine generals would fight for. With this crystal, many previously forbidden techniques could now be practiced, reopening paths once closed. Who would refuse such an opportunity?

The others also shared their successes, with even the least valuable crystals fetching a good price. There was never too much of such items.

However, Song Zining had the least gain. Despite sweeping through many Dawn Stars and outwitting An Wen, he failed to refine a single crystal, a classic case of harming himself. Ji Tianqing suggested compensating him, but Zhao Yuying vehemently opposed it. The young lady of the Youguo Dukedom, despite sharing life-threatening moments with Song Zining, always found him disagreeable.

Song Zining, unfazed, fanned himself and smiled, “I don’t mind the small losses. Once my business picks up, money won’t be an issue. Even now, money is just a number to me.”

Zhao Yuying, annoyed by his boasting, sneered, “And what kind of business are you in, Seventh Young Master?”

Smiling, Song Zining replied, “Nothing big, just building some warships to sell in my spare time.”

“Warships? Oh, ah?” Zhao Yuying, lacking composure, couldn’t hide her shock. “You’re building warships? By what standards?”

A crafty merchant might label a civilian airship with a small cannon as a warship.

“Of course, by the Empire’s military standards.”

This announcement stunned the group. The Empire’s military standards were known and stringent. Even an armored gunboat, a step down, was expensive, affordable only to select clans. True warships, starting from frigates, were massive, often weighing thousands of tons.

Even powerful families like the Zhao Clan built few warships, perhaps less than ten a year. This was a business reserved for top families and the Four Great Clans, making it hard to imagine Song Zining getting into it.

It was a bold claim, but knowing Song Zining, he wouldn’t lie about something so serious.

“Where is your warship workshop, then?” Wei Po Tian interjected, pondering if he could acquire a few ships. Though once rivals, Wei Po Tian, now a man of responsibility, thought of his family’s interests.

Pointing upwards, Song Zining replied, “In the Neutral Zone.”

Ji Tianqing, with a puzzled look, asked, “You plan to build your workshop in the Neutral Zone?”

“Where else? The Empire? Would they let me?”

Unable to respond, Ji Tianqing sighed and shook her head.

As they chatted, evening arrived. A cold night breeze sent shivers through the group.

Song Zining, sensing something, took out his divination sticks and began to use his Celestial Mechanics. This time, the process was difficult, with his origin power flowing into the sticks, yet no result forthcoming.

Watching, Qian Ye wanted to intervene but hesitated. In the Great Vortex, Celestial Mechanics were not particularly effective. Yet, Song Zining, teeth gritted, persisted.

After a long struggle, Song Zining’s face flushed, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Shocked, Qian Ye supported him, asking, “What happened?”

To reach the point of bleeding, Song Zining must have encountered a significant figure.

Scanning, Qian Ye found Song Zining merely weak in origin power, otherwise fine. Reassured, he asked, “What’s going on?”

Wiping his mouth, Song Zining, looking defeated, glanced at Zhao Ruoxi, “It’s because of your sister.”

Turning, Qian Ye saw Zhao Ruoxi looking away, clearly hiding something. “Ruoxi, what’s the matter?”

Confused, Zhao Ruoxi replied, “What? Nothing is happening.”

Coughing, Song Zining said, “Miss, you’ve been in the Great Vortex long enough. Isn’t it time to return? If you stay longer, Prince Gao Yi will have my skin!”

Reluctantly, Zhao Ruoxi huffed, “His problem, not mine.”

Qian Ye, grimacing, looked around. This sister was not one he could control.

Serious, Song Zining said, “Miss, haven’t you noticed the unusually strong power of the Mandala Flower here?”

Curious, Zhao Ruoxi turned, “Of course! Do you know why?”

“I don’t,” Song Zining replied, earnestly.

Taken aback, Zhao Ruoxi, enraged, gripped the Mandala Flower, using it as a hammer against Song Zining. The world-renowned spirit weapon was being used as a mere club.

Without the Dark River Flower, the Mandala Flower was inert, making Zhao Ruoxi just an ordinary girl. Song Zining deftly blocked her, avoiding physical contact, surprising Qian Ye with his newfound decorum.

Finally, Song Zining, keeping Zhao Ruoxi at bay, shouted, “Miss, if you don’t go back, do you want to get us all killed?”