Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent

Chapter 173: Marquis Chu Ying and Luo Feng

Chu Capital, Marquis Chu Yu’s residence.

“This is the situation.” Di Chu Yu said helplessly, “Among the thirteen royal bloodlines, only seven first-class marquises have guest minister quotas, and I’ve already been to all of them, but there’s no room for negotiation.”

Luo Feng listened and smiled, expressing his gratitude, “Brother Chu Yu, thank you! I know that some relationships among the thirteen royal bloodlines aren’t very good.”

“My guest minister is none other than Luo He the Great Sage. Even if their attitudes aren’t friendly, they wouldn’t dare to act too harshly.” Di Chu Yu chuckled, “However, they didn’t even want to use the guest minister quotas for the previous heavenly-level missions. These guest quotas… they’re indeed hard to come by.”

Luo Feng nodded. From Di Chu Yu’s efforts, it was clear that this matter was troublesome.

“The first-class marquises of the royal bloodlines care most about their own paths of cultivation,” Di Chu Yu pondered aloud, “Once this heavenly-level mission is over, the next important task could be thousands of epochs later… and by then, Brother Luo He will soon become a Divine King and won’t be able to compete at the Chaos Realm level anymore. It’s understandable why they wouldn’t agree.”

“I can’t help them much either.” Luo Feng nodded.

In the governance of the Ancient Flame Kingdom, over ninety-nine percent of the affairs were handled by the first-class marquises of the royal bloodlines, and only truly significant matters were overseen by the Divine Kings. The Divine Kings couldn’t abuse their power by killing the first-class marquises of the royal bloodlines. If they dared to do so, even the Emperor of the Ancient Flame Kingdom might intervene.

The first-class marquises of the royal bloodlines were the core elites nurtured by the royal family. Competition among equals was not a concern, but to bully the weak with superior strength? That would never be allowed!

“Is there another way besides the first-class marquises of the royal bloodline choosing guest ministers?” Luo Feng asked.

“The royal family’s rules state that first-class marquises can select Chaos Realm guest ministers, and the Divine Kings of the royal bloodline can select Divine King guest ministers,” Di Chu Yu explained, “At the same time, the current Emperor can also make exceptions to directly appoint some guest ministers.”

“The current Emperor?” Luo Feng shook his head slightly. Such a trivial matter didn’t need to escalate to the Emperor.

“If the ancestors were to intervene, it wouldn’t be difficult either,” Di Chu Yu added.

“I’ll think about it.” Luo Feng stood up. With his personality, he was reluctant to bother his master, Emperor Chu, so easily.

Yuan had just reached the Chaos Realm and wasn’t in urgent need yet.

Once he became a Divine King, he would find a way then.

Seeking a legacy wasn’t limited to being a guest minister. Even if he became one, it didn’t have to be in the Ancient Flame Kingdom.

“No rush.” Luo Feng’s mind raced with countless thoughts.

…

Chu Capital, Marquis Chu Ying’s residence.

Marquis Chu Ying, who ranked first in the previous heavenly-level mission, naturally received a vast amount of resources. Moreover, he was personally praised and favored by Emperor Qing, one of the most transcendent among the thirteen royal Emperors.

Emperor Qing’s praise alone made some Divine Kings willing to befriend Marquis Chu Ying.

“Lord Marquis, it’s true that Luo He is seeking a guest minister quota. Recently, Marquis Chu Yu has visited many of the thirteen royal bloodlines, trying to persuade several first-class marquises. I heard he’s been rejected everywhere,” a steward respectfully reported.

“A guest minister quota?” Marquis Chu Ying’s gaze turned cold. “For whom?”

“According to our intelligence, it’s for a newly ascended Chaos Realm being. Recently, the Eternal True God ‘Yuan’ from Luo He’s estate has just broken through to the Chaos Realm,” the steward replied.

Marquis Chu Ying chuckled, “His old servant, Luo Sa, has long been a Chaos Realm being, yet he never sought a guest minister quota for him. Now that this Yuan has just made a breakthrough, he’s immediately trying to secure a quota. It seems that, in Luo He’s heart, Yuan is the most important.”

“Alright, you may leave now.” Marquis Chu Ying ordered.

“Yes.” The steward respectfully withdrew.

Marquis Chu Ying gazed into the distance.

“I’ve been in seclusion for so long, and just after I succeed and come out, I hear this news.” Marquis Chu Ying smiled, “It seems that Luo He and I are indeed fated.”

Marquis Chu Ying had already accumulated the deepest foundation among the seven first-class marquises. Using the vast resources from ranking first in the heavenly-level mission, he had spent over a hundred epochs, finally comprehending a branch of the Great Dao, and had just emerged from seclusion.

Upon emerging, he learned about Luo He seeking a guest minister quota.

“I’ve just comprehended a branch of the Great Dao. My miniature universe and divine body have yet to transform. In name, I am still a first-class marquis of the royal bloodline.” Marquis Chu Ying thought, “With my authority, I can still apply for another guest minister quota by spending some royal family merits.”

Within the royal family, even first-class marquises were treated differently.

Those who had reached the Chaos Realm transcendental level could even receive free opportunities to enter the treasured lands left by Yuan! Ever since Emperor Qing had taken notice of Marquis Chu Ying, his authority had greatly increased.

“Once I break through, I will become a Divine King. I need to start planning for the future.”

“Someone who can become invincible at the first stage of the Divine King realm without relying on external forces is rare on the Origin Continent.” Marquis Chu Ying was well aware of Luo He’s potential.

After making up his mind, Marquis Chu Ying immediately set out alone. He flew over the skies of Chu Capital, soon arriving quietly at the entrance of Luo He’s estate.

…

Marquis Chu Ying stood outside the entrance of Luo He’s estate.

“Send a message,” Marquis Chu Ying instructed the guards at the gate, “Tell them that Marquis Chu Ying has come to visit Luo He the Great Sage.”

“Marquis Chu Ying?” The two guards at the entrance were stunned. He came alone without any attendants? One of the guards immediately ran inside to deliver the message.

Marquis Chu Ying waited at the gate.

“Marquis Chu Ying?” Luo Feng had also arrived at the gate. He was quite curious. Most powerful figures would directly transmit their voice; this Marquis Chu Ying, however, had formally asked the guards to pass on his message.

“Luo He the Great Sage,” Marquis Chu Ying greeted Luo Feng with a smile, “I’ve come today to discuss the matter of the guest minister quota.”

Luo Feng’s eyes brightened. Did this mean there was hope?

“Please.” Luo Feng immediately invited him in.

Inside the guest pavilion.

The two sat down, and Luo Feng personally poured the wine. He asked, “From what you’re saying, Marquis Chu Ying, do you have a way to secure a guest minister quota?”

Marquis Chu Ying nodded, “Among the thirteen royal bloodlines, all first-class marquises are constantly competing, and the resources they receive are not the same.”

Luo Feng nodded.

“I happen to be one of the more outstanding first-class marquises, so I have some authority.” Marquis Chu Ying looked at Luo Feng, “I can find a way to apply for another guest minister quota.”

Luo Feng’s heart surged with joy.

“The guest minister quota is rare. If I need to offer anything in return, just say the word,” Luo Feng said. Although he hadn’t had much interaction with Marquis Chu Ying, he had to admit that among the seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s lineage, Marquis Chu Ying was undoubtedly the most remarkable.

The other six, when faced with Marquis Chu Ying, naturally lowered their heads.

This was because, in the long-standing competition, Marquis Chu Ying had always been far ahead! In the last heavenly-level mission, if it hadn’t been for Luo Feng’s intervention, Marquis Chu Ying would have ranked first in all three sub-missions.

Even with Luo Feng’s involvement, Marquis Chu Ying still ranked first overall.

“It’s just a quota.” Marquis Chu Ying smiled, “I came today because I want to be friends with you, Brother Luo He.”

Luo Feng had thoroughly researched the matter of guest minister quotas over the past few days. He knew that even with Marquis Chu Ying’s special status, applying for another quota would likely require him to pay a price. The royal family’s rules had always been strict: any resource beyond the free allotment had to be exchanged for merits.

“Brother Chu Ying, thank you.” Luo Feng said, “I will remember this favor.”

Marquis Chu Ying nodded.

That sentence was enough!

The more powerful a being was, the more they valued the law of cause and effect!

Marquis Chu Ying was fully aware that the struggles at the upper levels of the Origin Continent were brutal! The royal families of the two great ancient kingdoms were constantly competing with each other. There were also ancient beings outside the royal bloodlines, individuals who could rival emperors and monarchs.

For example, the Ruler of the Myriad Realms, the Eastern Extreme Region, the most dazzling second-stage Divine Kings, and the powerful alien beings lurking in the shadows.

Each one was vying for the resources left

behind by Yuan.

“I am excellent among the first-class marquises, but after becoming a Divine King, it will be much harder to maintain that excellence. I will need both my own strength and allies,” Marquis Chu Ying had high hopes for Luo Feng.

“Is the quota for Yuan?” Marquis Chu Ying asked.

Luo Feng nodded, “Yes, it’s for him.”

“Have him come to my residence,” Marquis Chu Ying said, “By the time he arrives, the quota should have already been approved.”

“Alright.” Luo Feng nodded.

…

“I’ll become a Chaos Realm guest minister?” Yuan, who had just broken through and whose divine body was still growing, had been in seclusion to stabilize his strength when Luo Feng summoned him out.

Luo Feng said, “By becoming a guest minister of the Ancient Flame Kingdom, you’ll immediately receive a merit quota of one hundred thousand. With that, you can go to the Hall of Inheritance and choose the legacy you need most. Later on, you can accumulate merits to exchange for more resources.”

Yuan, having spent so much time in Chu Capital, was well aware of how precious a guest minister quota was!

Many Chaos Realm beings had spent their lives in the Ancient Flame Kingdom, willing to work for the first-class marquises of the royal bloodline just to earn a quota.

“This quota wasn’t easy to get, was it?” Yuan asked.

“Yuanzu, go directly to Marquis Chu Ying’s residence. When you arrive, Marquis Chu Ying will see you and handle everything,” Luo Feng said.

Yuan nodded without saying much, “Alright.”

He immediately set off for Marquis Chu Ying’s residence.

Luo Feng watched Yuan leave, a smile forming on his lips.

“Everything is finally settled.” Luo Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan, the other pillar of the human race, had now become a guest minister. With the right inheritance and resources, the path ahead would be much smoother.

…

Marquis Chu Ying was thorough in his work. That very day, Yuan became a Chaos Realm guest minister! He even visited the Hall of Inheritance and chose a legacy that suited him.

When this news spread, it stirred discontent among some of the Chaos Realm beings in Chu Capital. They had tried everything to secure a quota, yet now a newly ascended Chaos Realm being had obtained one so easily!

But with Luo He the Great Sage and Marquis Chu Ying backing him, they could only grumble.

Not long after, Marquis Chu Ying broke through and became a Divine King!

He became the fourth Divine King of Emperor Chu’s royal bloodline, sparking widespread excitement. At Marquis Chu Ying’s Divine King banquet, Luo Feng personally brought gifts to offer his congratulations.

******

After Marquis Chu Ying became a Divine King, Luo Feng entered seclusion again, focusing entirely on cultivation.

Time passed day by day.

As the effects of the Clear Heart Spirit Liquid finally wore off and only a trace of the Primordial Crystal Spirit Fruit’s effects remained—

“The Ten Directions World Form?” Inside the Star Tower, Luo Feng sat cross-legged, staring at some materials before him.

He had been wholeheartedly focusing on comprehending the extremely difficult ‘Ten Directions World Form’ without expecting to succeed during his time in the Chaos Realm! Even if he failed, it would still be a form of honing his understanding.

But at that moment, a complete ‘Ten Directions World Form’ suddenly formed in Luo Feng’s mind.

“I’ve comprehended it?” Luo Feng murmured to himself.

Sometimes, surprises come just like that.

(End of this chapter)