**Ding ding ding ding**
Everyone looked in one direction, where Ghostfire stepped out at Bazel's signal, a pale face showing a slight smile as he faced hundreds of Daoyu Empire elites.
Pausing for a moment, Ghostfire's hoarse voice said, "Everyone, Brother Bazel has just arrived in the empire and will be dealing with many of you in the future. As a welcome gift, he is willing to share some information about the Starry Sky War College to help you avoid being too lost."
Everyone was excited; it was finally beginning. They came to this banquet to find suitable allies, but more importantly, to gain intelligence about the Starry Sky War College, which was crucial for the assessment.
Bazel stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Strictly speaking, they were all peers, but to Bazel, they were all ants. He didn't mind sharing some secrets that only a few top elites knew.
"The Starry Sky War College has a long heritage. Eight branches are in the Inner Universe, and two are in the Outer Universe. Our Outer Universe Youth Council has members who studied at the Ninth Branch, so we are not completely unfamiliar with the college. The Starry Sky War College is more of a battleground than a school because everything you want must be fought for, not assigned. There are no dedicated mentors there," Bazel said casually.
Everyone was shocked. No mentors? How could that be called a college?
Bazel smiled, "I don't know about other colleges, but at the Ninth Branch, you must fight to learn. Even to ask a mentor for guidance, you must pay a price. The Starry Sky War College has mentors, but they may or may not teach. So, remember, fighting is always the main theme at the Starry Sky War College. Learning is also achieved through fighting. Don't treat it like a school; it's a battlefield."
"Bazel, is it true that the Starry Sky War College has ancient trial domains?" someone asked.
Bazel smiled, "That's classified information, I can't disclose it."
"Bazel, do you know why the Tenth Branch descended upon the Canglan Territory? Is it really decided by the Ten Arbitrators?" another person asked.
Bazel similarly brushed off the question. He knew some information, but these ants didn't deserve to know because they couldn't even enter the Starry Sky War College. Only the universe's top geniuses and elites could compete there.
Lu Yin watched the scene unfold. Bazel's gaze was filled with pity and arrogance, which made him uncomfortable but powerless to change it.
Gulbach and Gureis prepared to leave, uninterested in listening further.
Schulz had left long ago.
Lu Yin was also about to leave when suddenly Bazel loudly said, "Everyone, I have one more announcement," then looked at Lu Yin, "Prince of Zishan, please stay."
Lu Yin turned back, his eyes questioning.
Bazel smiled, "Councilor Wendy Yushan has asked me to announce the cancellation of your engagement, effective immediately."
Lu Yin's pupils constricted, an overwhelming anger surged through him, and he clenched his fists tightly.
Everyone was stunned. Gulbach and Gureis, who had just reached the door, also froze.
Huo Xiaoling and others, Jenny Aouna among them, were similarly shocked.
No one had expected this. Bazel had announced it in front of everyone, which was a blatant insult.
Suddenly, mocking laughter echoed around. Lu Yin was a prince, but a prince in name only, and not many cared about him. Especially since he aimed to marry Wendy Yushan, many had mocked him. Now, this mockery reached its peak, and everyone looked at him with derision.
Lu Yin's eyes turned icy as he stared at Bazel.
This banquet was a conspiracy against him, designed for this moment. Bazel had no intention of sharing information about the Starry Sky War College, only to gather everyone and announce this in front of them, using the Outer Universe Youth Council's name. This name was enough to spread the news across the universe.
Originally, Lu Yin's desire to marry Wendy Yushan was a joke on Zhenyu Star. But from this moment on, it would spread across the universe because it was announced by the Outer Universe Youth Council.
Ras laughed coldly with satisfaction.
Jenny Aouna looked dazed, a hint of pity flashing across her eyes.
Huo Xiaoling's gaze was complex, showing a trace of sorrow.
Tianming and others frowned tightly. This was too much. Bazel intended to make Lu Yin a laughingstock across the universe. Unless he married Wendy Yushan, this would forever be a stain on him.
Gureis immediately walked to Lu Yin's side, tugging at him, "Let's go."
Gulbach also pulled Lu Yin, "Sorry, I didn't expect this."
Bazel smiled, "Apologies, this is Councilor Wendy Yushan's order. As compensation, I can promise you that if you successfully enter the Starry Sky War College, I can recommend you to join the Outer Universe Youth Council."
Everyone's expressions changed again, unsure of what to think. This statement was too vicious. Even if Lu Yin entered the Outer Universe Youth Council by his own merit in the future, he would be labeled as having received compensation. Bazel was determined to ruin him.
Lu Yin's pupils were bloodshot. He rarely felt such anger. The first time was because of Liu Shaoge, causing him extreme pain. The second time was in his dream, with the jade finger crushing the starry sky. The third time was now.
Gulbach held onto Lu Yin, whispering, "Don't act rashly, he's an Explorer."
Lu Yin glared at Bazel, his eyes chilling to the bone. For a moment, Bazel felt a cold shiver down his spine, his expression changing. He felt he might have made a lifelong mistake, but then he dismissed it, smiling. A mere Melder, even if talented, couldn't surpass Ghostfire, and there were too many geniuses in the universe. This kind of person couldn't even enter the Starry Sky War College, let alone threaten him.
In the end, Lu Yin said nothing and left amidst mocking and pitying gazes.
Outside the hotel, Gulbach patted Lu Yin's shoulder, "Sorry, it was my idea to come. I didn't expect this."
Gureis also looked at Lu Yin, worried.
Lu Yin shrugged, smiling, "It's nothing, just a canceled engagement. I never intended to marry her anyway."
Gulbach sighed, "Brother Lu, the universe is cruel. Without strength, you are always a weakling. The weak have no sword to defend their dignity. Wendy Yushan told us five this, and until you have that sword, don't overthink," he said, then left with Gureis.
Lu Yin stood still. His heart was far from calm. What had just happened would be unforgettable for life. He felt extreme humiliation—Bazel and Wendy Yushan.
Soon, the news spread quickly, and Lu Yin became a subject of universal ridicule, seen as a toad trying to swallow the sky.
Five days later, a massive spaceship passed through the three-ring continent into the endless darkness of space. It carried the Daoyu Empire's young elites, bearing the empire's hopes for the Starry Sky War College.
Even Undying Yushan appeared at the space station to see them off.
No one knew how many would enter the Starry Sky War College; they only hoped not to return empty-handed.
Bazel was also there. Ghostfire boarded the spaceship. He came to see him off. He was confident in Ghostfire, believing no Melder could defeat him, not even the Inner Universe's prodigies. Entering the Starry Sky War College should be easy.
"Councilor Bazel, I heard you held a banquet a few days ago. How are our empire's young ones?" Undying Yushan asked Bazel.
Bazel smiled, "They have great spirit."
Undying Yushan nodded, "Is that so," he said, coughing twice and gently placing his hand on Bazel's shoulder, "Thank you for the trouble of announcing Little Yin's canceled engagement, but this is an internal matter of our empire, not for you to announce." As he spoke, his tone grew colder, and the hand on Bazel's shoulder grew heavier.
Bazel initially didn't mind, but as the pressure increased, his expression changed. He tried to resist, but no matter what, he couldn't shake off Undying Yushan's hand. It was like a mountain pressing down on him, immobilizing him. Suddenly, a terrifying pressure descended, Bazel's face turned pale, and he spat blood. A brutal Devouring Bear appeared on his body, trying to resist, but it was shattered in less than a second.
Undying Yushan slowly withdrew his hand, smiled at Bazel, and walked away.
Throughout, Bazel had no chance to resist, even using his innate gift. The surroundings remained unchanged, with not even a crack in the ground.