Chapter 715, The Black Box

Translator: Silavin

 

Hearing Qin Yichen’s words, Ju Lingren could not help but sigh softly, a trace of apprehension flashing through his eyes.

 

No one had expected that he, a Peak Stage Martial Emperor, had nearly been killed by this strange type of energy.

 

Upon hearing Qin Yichen mention his Master, Ju Lingren’s eyes flickered with excitement. A youth who appeared no more than nineteen years old possessed such capabilities—what kind of formidable expert must his Master be?

 

A Peak Earth Grade Alchemy Master? Perhaps even Heaven Grade!?

 

At this thought, Ju Lingren’s eyes burned with intensity. If he could recruit such a supreme expert, it would undoubtedly represent an incomparable asset for their Gathering Space Tower!

 

Without hesitation or concealment, he recounted the entire sequence of events in detail.

 

Ju Lingren’s account differed little from what the mercenary had described at the Crystal House, revolving fundamentally around the bizarre incidents involving the Shooting Star Spirit Crystals.

 

However, Ju Lingren’s version proved considerably more comprehensive.

 

“Master Chang and I… we made contact with that thing,” Ju Lingren said, his eyes thick with wariness.

 

“Which thing?” Qin Yichen’s brow furrowed. His mind stirred abruptly, recalling the black box he had caught a glimpse of earlier.

 

“That black box, just what’s inside it?” Qin Yichen asked directly.

 

He immediately sensed his bluntness might be inappropriate, yet Ju Lingren appeared entirely unbothered.

 

Instead, intense apprehension suffused Ju Lingren’s expression, as though recalling something extraordinarily terrifying. He shook his head, deliberately avoiding the subject, and replied with a bitter smile, “The higher-ups have ordered me to dispose of that thing as quickly as possible…”

 

Evidently, he felt reluctant about discarding something he had obtained through painstaking effort, coming close to death to obtain. Yet, this was the command of Gathering Space Tower’s higher-ups.

 

Nevertheless, he understood their reasoning.

 

Ancient records from the Heart Trial Territory documented numerous catastrophic disasters triggered by Shooting Star Spirit Crystals.

 

Clearly, Gathering Space Tower’s upper echelons had classified these particular Shooting Star Spirit Crystals within that dangerous category. Otherwise, what could possibly threaten a Peak Stage Martial Emperor with death through mere contact. He had merely placed it in a box!

 

“Branch Master Ju, might I examine it?” After brief contemplation, Qin Yichen enquired.

 

“Well…” Hearing these words, Ju Lingren hesitated. Not because he begrudged access, but because the object was too bizarre. If Qin Yichen also fell victim, who would purge the residual special energy from his own body?

 

“Don’t worry, I will be cautious. Moreover, I guarantee complete removal of that energy from your body within three days.”

 

Qin Yichen spoke calmly. In truth, he possessed the capability to entirely eliminate the special energy in a single treatment. However, to gain access to that object, he deliberately retained leverage. This ensured Ju Lingren would cooperate with him.

 

As anticipated, witnessing Qin Yichen’s resolute determination, Ju Lingren could only sigh and nod in tacit agreement.

 

However, he chose not to accompany Qin Yichen outside, instead remaining to meditate and recuperate his injuries.

 

Despite Qin Yichen’s removal of more than half that special energy, he remained profoundly wary of that black box.

 

“Master Qin, how do you wish to proceed?” Watching Qin Yichen emerge, several Gathering Space Tower experts immediately approached with anxious enquiries.

 

“Since more than half has been removed. We’ll conclude today’s treatment here. At this rate, within three days, I can completely purge that vile energy from your body.” Qin Yichen glanced back at Ju Lingren, whose complexion had improved considerably compared to earlier, and spoke.

 

“You have our gratitude, Master. Gathering Space Tower will certainly provide compensation that satisfies you!”

 

Observing Ju Lingren’s slightly restored colour, the heavy stones that had weighed upon these experts’ hearts finally settled.

 

Ju Lingren served as this city’s Branch Master. As a Peak Stage Martial Emperor, he represented apex combat capability for their Gathering Space Tower here. Otherwise, the organisation would never have offered an Honorary Guest Officer position merely to contain his injuries.

 

“Take me to examine that object,” Qin Yichen stated calmly.

 

“That object? Which object?”

 

Confusion flickered through their eyes. Suddenly, as though realising something, their expressions transformed dramatically.

 

“Master Qin…”

 

Nearby, Chairman Wen vaguely surmised what Qin Yichen referenced, Undoubtedly, it was the very thing responsible for Master Chang and the Branch Master’s current condition!

 

“Just escort me there. You don’t need to approach it. What’s more, should any of you get injured by it, I can purge the energy!”

 

Observing their hesitant expressions, Qin Yichen understood their concerns.

 

Once he successfully treated Master Chang and the Branch Master, he could legitimately assume the position of Gathering Space Tower’s Honorary Guest Officer. This was a status rivalling that of Ju Lingren!

 

Ultimately, after glancing towards the tacitly consenting Ju Lingren, the others sighed and nodded towards Qin Yichen before ascending the upper floors.

 

“Simply wait here for me.”

 

Passing Long Qingyao, Qin Yichen murmured softly. Her eyes brimmed with puzzlement, though he lacked time to explain.

 

Following them up the staircase, a sizable chamber materialised before Qin Yichen’s eyes.

 

As his eyes swept across this chamber, even Qin Yichen’s considerable composure could not prevent his pupils from contracting sharply.

 

The chamber ahead stretched spaciously like a small hall, divided roughly into left and right sections. Within these two areas, innumerable Shooting Star Spirit Crystals arranged themselves in neat, orderly rows!

 

At a glance, thousands upon thousands existed!

 

Upon first stepping into the chamber, Qin Yichen immediately detected dozens of concealed gazes sweeping across his person. Evidently, the security measures here exceeded even those surrounding the crystal display cases below!

 

Standing at the entrance, Qin Yichen momentarily froze in astonishment. Only after considerable time did he gradually recover his composure.

 

[Truly befitting Gathering Space Tower! The Shooting Star Spirit Crystals in this branch alone has reached a terrifying quantity!]

 

Surprise flickered through the others’ eyes at how rapidly Qin Yichen regained his equilibrium.

 

When they had first arrived here, they had been utterly stupefied. Some couldn’t even recall how they’d descended the stairs afterwards.

 

Subsequently, Qin Yichen’s gaze shifted towards his immediate front. It was the hall’s central depths. There, a pitch-black box rested quietly. Behind it lay several Shooting Star Spirit Crystals he had previously witnessed being carried inside.