Chapter 832

Chapter 832: Crushing (Part 1)

In front of White Deer Academy, the standoff between Wang Chen and Sikong De Ping continued.

On Wang Chen’s side, strictly speaking, there was only him.

Gao Zhuang, who was responsible for holding Sikong Hongfei captive, had no significant impact on the situation, merely serving as a background character.

In contrast, Sikong De Ping’s side boasted thirty-six innate martial artists, two to three hundred heavily armored knights, and twelve supporting cultivators.

Such power was sufficient to conquer any city, with the exception of Taiwu City!

Thus, on the surface, the strength of both sides appeared completely asymmetric.

Yet, the aura that Wang Chen exuded was no less than Sikong De Ping’s, as if he were the one holding the upper hand.

The silence of this standoff was only broken by the arrival of Mo Han and the Mo Family.

Sikong Hongfei’s side acted swiftly, bringing everyone over in just over an hour.

“Fellow traveler Wang!”

Upon seeing Wang Chen standing at the courtyard gate, Mo Han, seated in the carriage, couldn’t help but feel tears welling up in his eyes.

Although this cultivator was dressed in a brand-new robe, it couldn’t hide the scars on his face and hands, and his awkward sitting posture clearly indicated that his legs were broken.

Undoubtedly, Mo Han had endured great suffering during his captivity in Qinyun Palace.

In contrast, the members of the Mo Family were relatively unscathed; though everyone appeared frightened and anxious, none had been harmed.

“Fellow traveler Mo.”

Wang Chen nodded at Mo Han: “I apologize for the suffering you’ve endured.”

Mo Han managed a smile that was more painful than a cry.

He had nearly lost his life due to his association with Wang Chen; it was impossible for him to feel no resentment.

But Mo Han clearly knew who his real enemy was!

Wang Chen owed him nothing but kindness.

The exchange of "hostages" proceeded smoothly; Sikong De Ping refrained from any deceit, having just witnessed Wang Chen’s ruthless tactics.

Wang Chen instructed Gao Zhuang to take care of the Mo Family members and then closed the academy gate.

Now, he truly stood alone against a group of strong enemies.

“Wang Chen!”

With his beloved son safely returned, Sikong De Ping no longer held back and shouted sternly, “I offer you one last chance; seal your cultivation level and kneel in surrender, and I will…”

Rumbling sounds—

Before Sikong De Ping could finish his sentence, a low thunder rumbled from the seemingly clear sky.

It shook the very souls of everyone present!

The startled warhorses reared, nearly throwing their riders off.

The Qinyun Palace formation descended into considerable chaos.

Sikong De Ping clenched his jaw, his expression darkening with displeasure.

He had long known of Wang Chen’s mastery over formidable lightning techniques, having once witnessed him unleash the art of thousands of lightning bolts to annihilate a horde of fierce beasts that had attacked the academy.

Sikong De Ping was also aware that Ji Yun, now missing without a trace, had been granted a beast-controlling treasure by an elder in an attempt to confront Wang Chen and seize the shape-shifting fierce beast under his command.

Thus, Qinyun Palace was certain that Wang Chen was directly implicated in Ji Yun’s disappearance.

It was almost certain that Ji Yun had met a grim fate!

Despite his youth, Wang Chen wielded immense power, and without fully grasping his capabilities, Qinyun Palace dared not act rashly, watching helplessly as White Deer Academy grew stronger with each passing day.

Yet, Wang Chen’s ambitions knew no bounds.

The first cohort of disciples at White Deer Academy numbered three thousand, and the second swelled to over ten thousand, drawing not only the children of common folk but also scions of minor noble families.

Despite repeated attempts by Taiwu City’s elite to suppress the academy, they found themselves increasingly threatened.

Most alarming was the rapid cultivation progress of White Deer Academy’s disciples; within just over a year, they had produced thousands of second and third-grade martial artists.

If this trend persisted, White Deer Academy would soon dominate all factions in Taiwu City.

Compounding the issue, Wang Chen’s reputation, bolstered by Ci Shi Pharmacy, was stellar among the lower echelons of society.

What were his intentions? What was he plotting?

Qinyun Palace could no longer stand idly by. Under Sikong De Ping’s leadership, they formulated a strategy to counter Wang Chen and White Deer Academy.

But just as their plan was set into motion, Wang Chen intervened, using Sikong Hongfei to dismantle their scheme!

Sikong De Ping was so enraged he nearly coughed up blood.

This man must not be allowed to grow any stronger; his power would soon become uncontrollable!

Recognizing the urgency, Sikong De Ping suppressed his fear and apprehension, grabbing a talisman and raising it high: “Cultivator Wang Chen, you defy the alliance’s laws, sow chaos in the region, and your obstinacy will not go unpunished!”

He delivered his proclamation swiftly, leaving no room for interruption.

“Kill!”

At his command, over two hundred heavy cavalry charged toward Wang Chen as Sikong De Ping brandished the talisman.

Their battle cries echoed as the killing intent of their battle array surged, manifesting a colossal, roaring blood beast above their ranks!

Twelve cultivators seated in cloud palanquins formed intricate spells, channeling their energy to bolster the cavalry.

Thirty-six innate martial artists seized long spears from their saddles, imbuing them with innate true energy, and hurled them with full force at Wang Chen.

Their coordination was flawless; their movements were so powerful they seemed to alter the very winds and clouds!

A sinister gleam flickered in Sikong De Ping’s eyes.

The force he commanded was part of Qinyun Palace’s elite, a privilege he owed to his influential father, much like his son!

Sikong De Ping was convinced that Wang Chen could not withstand their devastating assault.

Crack!

As the battle commenced, dark clouds swiftly gathered overhead, and bolts of blue-purple lightning streaked down.

The lightning first struck the blood beast conjured by the heavy cavalry, which lasted mere moments before disintegrating into countless glowing dots.

The charging cavalry groaned in unison, blood streaming from their mouths, noses, eyes, and ears.

They were struck by the violent backlash of their own killing intent!

But the true devastation came from the lightning that struck them after obliterating the blood beast.

Each bolt carried fearsome destructive power, and the heavy metal armor worn by the knights only intensified the damage.

Dozens of knights fell from their horses almost simultaneously, wisps of gray smoke curling from the joints of their armor.

Inside, the men had been reduced to charred remains!

Yet, this was merely the beginning, as more lightning bolts rained down in rapid succession.

In less than two hundred steps, a distance these formidable heavy cavalry could normally cover in a blink, became an impassable abyss of death!

In the next instant, Wang Chen raised his right hand and struck upward.

The thirty-six spears, charged with innate true energy, collided with an invisible barrier.

They shattered and fell to the ground!

Wang Chen remained unscathed.