Chapter 401 A Bit Itchy

Inside the Ghost King Palace.

Ji Wugou was the first to step out from the Ten Direction Gates.

Entering the Ghost King Palace with the Ghost King Token, the Ten Direction Gates were merely its outer region.

Though they held valuable items, they were only impressive depending on who was looking—

for someone like the Ji Clan, they weren’t even worth a glance.

A trace of disdain flickered across Ji Wugou’s face.

“That’s it? Way too easy.”

She took a glance at the wide plaza before her and casually strode forward.

Before her stood five elemental gates, each a different color:

Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, and Gold—corresponding to Fire, Wood, Earth, Water, and Metal.

Ji Wugou paused thoughtfully.

“Heard the Fire Gate has some fun stuff inside. Let’s have some fun.”

Despite the lethal reputation of the Ghost King Palace, Ji Wugou treated it more like an amusement park than a deadly ruin.

As she approached the Fire Gate, a golden light surged from her forehead, enveloping her completely before pulling her inside.

The symbol on the Fire Gate flickered—half of it lit up, indicating that someone had entered.

If a second person tried to enter, the gate would close until the one inside emerged.

The second person to exit from the Ten Direction Gates was Yin Tianfeng.

Not a single sign of combat could be seen on his body.

He walked calmly onto the plaza and glanced at the Fire Gate’s lit symbol. A sneer formed on his lips.

“I’ll let you go for now. Once I finish the Five Elemental Gates, I’ll come play with you.”

Turning, he headed toward the Water Gate.

Each of the Five Elemental Gates represented a different elemental origin.

Though they looked like simple portals, each one housed an independent inner world—and more importantly, they were burial grounds for enemies slain by ancient immortals.

Meaning: they contained countless Soul Bones, many belonging to powerful beings felled in ancient times!

This was where the real rewards lay.

But acquiring those Soul Bones wouldn’t be easy.

One by one, more people exited the Ten Direction Gates.

Despite the crowd, no one fought on the plaza. Everyone had a clear goal, and each dove into a different elemental gate.

Among them, only Chen Fei was lagging behind.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.

Chen Fei was panting hard in the dark space, utterly exhausted—but a smile still graced his lips.

In the past, Chen Fei had always been poor at dodging.

In most fights, he relied on tanking enemy attacks head-on.

But after being battered by 128 waves of lightning spells, he had developed reflexes so sharp they were practically instinctive.

Now, he could react the moment lightning began forming.

This was real improvement—solid, fundamental progress that surpassed any increase in cultivation realm.

“That was one hell of a chase… but now it’s my turn!”

With a cold smile, Chen Fei launched his counterattack.

Lightning bolts passed close enough to brush his robes, but none hit him.

If one observed closely, they’d notice that his body twitched slightly just before the lightning struck—

a subtle, reflexive movement that avoided the attacks by a hair’s breadth.

In that narrow window, Chen Fei struck.

His attacks were light as dragonfly taps, but each time he touched a shadow, it exploded into pieces.

He moved swiftly from one to the next—his strikes becoming more fluid, more deadly.

By the time all 128 shadow figures shattered, he paused.

“Come on! Who’s next?!”

“I have to say… your progress is truly impressive.”

The deep voice of Fang Ping rang out.

Chen Fei wasn’t surprised—it was obvious this had all been his doing.

Still, as he recalled Fang Ping’s overwhelming strength, a flicker of caution crossed his face.

Clack.

A single light shone down from above, illuminating Chen Fei—and revealing Fang Ping’s figure, bathed in radiance.

Chen Fei couldn’t help but grumble internally.

Damn, even a solemn guy like him has a flair for dramatic entrances.

He muttered in his heart, but dared not lower his guard.

“This place is the Law Enforcement Hall’s Body-Tempering Ground.

Since its creation, 354 disciples have passed the trial—you are the 355th.”

Fang Ping spoke like a historian reciting sacred lore.

Chen Fei didn’t care. Being number 355 wasn’t anything to brag about.

But Fang Ping’s next sentence did pique his interest.

“However, in terms of completion time, you rank among the top ten.”

Hearing that, Chen Fei’s brows rose slightly, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips.

Fang Ping clearly noticed and chuckled.

“Don’t get cocky. This field hasn’t been activated in ages.

I’m feeling a bit itchy. I’ll suppress my cultivation to match yours—

if you can defeat me, the Soul Bone is yours.”

As he spoke, a silver Soul Bone hovered in his palm.

Though Chen Fei knew little about them, he had seen one before from Ancestor Tianqing—

and this silver Soul Bone was clearly of immense quality!

Even the Void Heaven Cauldron within him stirred with rare excitement.

“Just as I thought—Soul Bones are a powerful tonic for the cauldron!”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Fang Ping smiled faintly.

“I said ‘if’ you beat me. With your current level, that won’t be easy.”

Just as his voice fell—

BOOM!

A thunderous shockwave erupted.

The white light and Fang Ping vanished at once.

Chen Fei felt like he’d just been hit by a truck—his entire body flew backward.

Fortunately, all the training in this field hadn’t been for nothing.

Even midair, he forcibly twisted his body, landing in a surprisingly agile pose.

But as soon as he hit the ground—

WHOOOSH!

A burst of wind came from behind.

This time, he reacted instantly, lifting his arm to block the strike.

“So you can sense me… but can you react in time?”

Fang Ping’s voice came from the left.

Chen Fei’s pupils shrank.

Then—another hit sent him flying.

His face felt shattered—his nose sore, eyes stinging, tears streaming.

“What now? Giving up already?” Fang Ping’s mocking tone rang out.

Chen Fei took a deep breath, flipped up from the ground, and charged without a word.

“Using your strengths, good! But not nearly enough!”

Fang Ping praised with a nod—then struck without mercy.

Like a ragdoll, Chen Fei was launched again.

Fang Ping seemed to find great amusement in this one-sided beatdown, taunting Chen Fei as he bounced him around like a sandbag.

Chen Fei gritted his teeth, not uttering a single word.

At this point, words meant nothing.

When you can’t even land a counterattack, what good was talking?

However, deep inside, he was changing.

His understanding of his physical body and power had transformed.

Even while being beaten, he constantly analyzed how to reduce damage the moment the blow landed.

It sounded cowardly, sure.

But learning to minimize injury was the first step to dodging altogether.

And Chen Fei believed—

One day, very soon—he would dodge even Fang Ping’s attacks.