Chapter 857

Chapter 857: Trouble Approaches

As a Golden Core cultivator, Wang Chenming still carried the dignified demeanor of a true master.

After concluding their serious discussions, he summoned musicians and singers to liven the atmosphere, toasting with Wang Chen while sharing tales of beauty and pleasure, as well as intriguing countryside anecdotes, fostering a warm and congenial mood.

Once the gathering ended, Wang Chenming arranged for Wang Chen to be escorted back, making no further mention of the Sanqun Wang Family or the Qianxing Meeting.

By the time Wang Chen returned to his residence at the talisman shop, the night had deepened.

He found Su Ziling dozing in his bedroom, where the bed had been neatly prepared with fresh, new bedding.

“Master, you’ve returned!”

Startled awake, Su Ziling rubbed her drowsy eyes and quickly offered, “Let me fetch you some water!”

“No need to hurry.”

Wang Chen gently took her small hand and sat beside her on the bed. “Let me see how much your cultivation level has advanced over the past year.”

Su Ziling’s cheeks flushed a soft pink. “I—I promise I’ll break through to open a house this year!”

Her cultivation was currently at the Qi Training ninth level, while Wang Chen had already solidified his Golden Core, making the gap between them feel even more pronounced.

The young girl felt the weight of her cultivation progress.

“Ninth level of Qi Training—you’re nearing the peak,” Wang Chen said, sensing the energy within her body with satisfaction. “You’re progressing well. Breaking through to open a house requires time and accumulation; there’s no need to rush or set strict deadlines.”

After a brief pause, he added, “I’ve prepared a spirit pill for you, and I’ve also set aside a portion of condensing elixir treasures. You needn’t worry about these things; just focus on your training.”

“Okay.”

Su Ziling was deeply moved and instinctively nestled into Wang Chen’s embrace. “Master, you’re so kind to Ziling!”

So kind that she felt she could never repay him in this lifetime.

Wang Chen chuckled softly, gently stroking her hair. “It’s late; time to sleep.”

As usual, the two shared the bed.

However, Su Ziling was restless, pressing herself closer to Wang Chen, as if wishing to merge completely with him.

Over the past year, she had grown accustomed to Wang Chen’s presence and protection, enduring many sleepless nights.

Only after experiencing loss did she truly understand the beauty and value of what she now had.

Her eyes closed, her delicate body shifted, her face grew warmer, and her breathing gradually deepened.

In response, Wang Chen gave her a light tap on the backside. “Stop fidgeting and go to sleep.”

Su Ziling finally settled down, though she felt a pang of disappointment.

Soon, she drifted into a hazy slumber.

Wang Chen, however, found himself wide awake, his heart of the path slightly unsettled.

Su Ziling’s intentions were clear—with the slightest gesture from him, everything would fall into place.

Wang Chen was no ascetic monk, and sharing a bed with such a charming companion, how could he remain indifferent?

Yet, Su Ziling possessed exceptional root bone talent. Due to her family circumstances, she had missed the optimal time for cultivation. Now was her chance to catch up and strive forward. Losing her Yuan Ying body would make it exceedingly difficult for her to achieve greatness in the future.

Wang Chen did not wish to ruin her journey of cultivation for a fleeting moment of pleasure, so he suppressed his desires.

Even if he desired to act, it would have to wait until after Su Ziling achieved Golden Core condensation!

The next day, after waking, Wang Chen took out a letter symbol and sent it off.

This letter symbol was addressed to Hu Jiao Jiao, but its contents were intended for the fox queen.

Wang Chen needed to learn more about the secrets of Yuan Ying condensation to avoid being manipulated by Wang Chenming.

Even if the other party showed no signs of malice.

After dispatching the talisman, Wang Chen returned to his former craft, using ground fire to refine spirit tools.

The technique he had mastered, Nine Directions in Weapon Refining, was now listed among the Basic Methods. With his Golden Core cultivation level, he could now control the Life Creation Cauldron to refine spirit tools without the aid of the Little Cauldron, doing so as effortlessly as moving his own limbs.

Each spirit tool he crafted was a masterpiece!

As a Golden Core true master, Wang Chen was eligible to establish a cave dwelling or secure a position within the Qianxing Immortal City system.

Within the seventy-two departments of Qianxing Immortal City, any true master could find a respectable position, earn a handsome salary, and cultivate in comfort, without the need to engage in the laborious task of weapon refining.

However, Wang Chen preferred not to become too deeply involved with the upper echelons of Qianxing Immortal City; in fact, he was prepared to leave the place altogether.

The primary reason for refining spirit tools was to maintain the status quo and to provide Su Ziling with something to occupy her time during her cultivation.

The talisman shop had effectively reopened, and business was booming.

News of Wang Chen’s advancement to Golden Core had spread, attracting many cultivators eager to purchase spirit tools.

Though Wang Chen was indifferent to the income, seeing Su Ziling busy and content each day made it all worthwhile.

Five days later, Wang Chen received a reply.

As anticipated, the letter was personally returned by the fox queen, and it bore a secret seal.

In her letter, the beast lord informed Wang Chen that demons differed from human cultivators; advancing to beast king status, equivalent to the Yuan Ying level, did not require settling karmic debts with heaven and earth.

But she also knew that for human cultivators, a Golden Core must repay these karmic debts to condense the Yuan Ying!

As for the Misty Mountains Realm, it was indeed no ordinary small world. Wang Chen’s ascending in this realm was already an extraordinary miracle; he should not hope to return to plunder spiritual resources.

Theoretically, as long as Wang Chen did not break through to transforming into a spirit, he could re-enter the Misty Mountains Realm.

However, he had already incurred the world’s awareness against him, and any further disturbance would invite heavenly punishment.

Did he truly believe the world’s consciousness was passive?

In such a scenario, dying without a burial place would be a mild fate; the cost was something Wang Chen could not bear!

Finally, the fox queen advised Wang Chen to seek out a grand sect to break the Golden Core and condense the Yuan Ying through proper channels.

After reading the reply, Wang Chen couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

A grand sect?

While the fox queen’s suggestion seemed sound, it was, in reality, a poor idea.

Wang Chen understood all too well that, as an outsider Golden Core, joining a grand sect would grant him a certain status and position, but obtaining opportunities to plunder spiritual resources from the lower realms would be exceedingly difficult.

He might have to endure numerous trials, amass vast merits, and in the end, it would still depend on luck.

This was even less appealing than joining the Sanqun Wang Family!

At least with them, the conditions were clear and upfront.

After much deliberation, Wang Chen decided to set this matter aside—he was only at the first layer of Golden Core; there was no need to rush.

The Yuan Ying was still a distant goal!

Resolved, he chose not to dwell on it and to live his life steadily.

As days passed peacefully without incident, just as Wang Chen had grown accustomed to this way of life, a customer suddenly arrived at the talisman shop one morning.

The visitor, clad in a brocade robe, exuded an imposing presence, striding with the confidence of someone accustomed to authority, acting as if no one else were around.

“Lu has come to meet you, fellow traveler!”

Upon seeing Wang Chen, he grandly bowed, saying, “I apologize for my abrupt visit today; please forgive me!”

“You’re too polite, fellow traveler.”

Wang Chen returned the bow unruffled. “May I ask what brings you here, Lu?”

He sensed that trouble was on the horizon!

Because this person had a face that seemed to invite conflict!