Chapter 203
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 203: Handling
In the quiet room, Wang Chen opened his eyes, emerging from the deepest state of meditation.
Over the past few days, he had been constantly on the move, leaving little time for proper cultivation.
In fact, residing in a land devoid of spiritual energy had made daily practice an arduous task.
Now, having arrived at the Celestial Guardians’ residences and activated the formations of the Star Observation Pavilion, he could finally resume advancing his stagnant cultivation level, striving to break through to the Qi Training ninth level.
However, Wang Chen discovered that even with the support of the formations, his training efficiency was disappointingly low.
It paled in comparison to his time in the inner sect of the Yunyang Sect!
Though Wang Chen had mentally prepared himself for this, experiencing it firsthand still left him deeply disheartened.
At this rate, the time required to reach the ninth level would be significantly prolonged!
This was not the outcome Wang Chen desired.
Although he had temporarily extricated himself from the turmoil of the Yunyang Sect, he was not entirely safe in Da Qian, nor could he remain in the Mortal Realm indefinitely. Naturally, the stronger his cultivation, the better.
There were ways to address this issue.
For instance, by enhancing the intensity of the formations and combining them with a spirit gathering formation, the efficiency of his training would undoubtedly improve dramatically.
However, the cost in spirit stones would be exorbitant!
Even though Wang Chen currently had a modest reserve of resources, it would not sustain him for long.
Moreover, he touched the Heavenly Net for Exorcising Evil on his arm.
The Exorcising Net contained a vast amount of pure spiritual energy, which would undoubtedly yield better results for cultivation than the spirit gathering formation.
The problem was that every use diminished its reserves, and once depleted, it would be gone for good.
Unless…
Suddenly, an idea struck Wang Chen, and he swiftly rose, leaving the hidden chamber.
He returned to the first floor of the Star Observation Pavilion.
With a flick of his robe sleeve, the grand doors before him swung open.
By now, the sky had darkened.
Xiao Wan stood at the entrance, and upon seeing Wang Chen, she immediately knelt and greeted him, “Immortal Master.”
Wang Chen said, “No need for formalities. Come in and speak.”
He had sensed her arrival moments earlier.
It seemed the matter had reached a conclusion.
Under normal circumstances, as long as the formations of the Star Observation Pavilion were active, no one without a token could enter.
But now, the formations were entirely under Wang Chen’s control.
As he had anticipated, Xiao Wan had come to report the results of the interrogation.
During the tenure of Wang Chen’s predecessor in South Shao, the Celestial Guardians’ residences had employed a large number of service personnel.
Managers, servants, maids, cooks, gardeners, stable hands…
In total, their numbers exceeded three hundred!
However, before his departure, this fellow disciple dismissed the majority of the staff, retaining only a select group to guard the Celestial Guardians’ residences, awaiting the arrival of the next Immortal Master.
The wait stretched on for three long years!
Over these three years, some of the guards, unable to receive their salaries, sought other opportunities.
Yet, more than thirty individuals chose to stay.
Initially, these individuals were relatively dutiful, guarding the Celestial Guardians’ residences without causing any trouble.
However, as days turned into months and the new Immortal Master failed to appear, they began to harbor strange thoughts.
These individuals exploited the name of the Celestial Guardians’ residences to stir up trouble and seek personal gain, growing increasingly bold.
They even committed heinous acts of bullying and oppression!
With the backing of the Celestial Guardians’ residences, the county government dared not intervene, turning a blind eye to their misdeeds.
The chief manager not only amassed a vast fortune but also took twelve concubines last month, all acquired by force.
He had effectively become a tyrant in South Shao!
Xiao Wan dispatched the Imperial Guard to investigate in the city.
Now, the reputation of the Celestial Guardians’ residences was in tatters, nearly universally despised.
The common people both feared and loathed them, seething with anger but too afraid to speak out!
“These individuals still claim that their actions are for the benefit of the Celestial Guardians’ residences.”
Xiao Wan scoffed: “They argue that without their efforts, the Celestial Guardians’ residences would have fallen into ruin!”
“Ha ha.”
Wang Chen sneered: “So, according to them, they are not only innocent but also deserving of praise.”
Xiao Wan lowered her head: “How should we deal with them? Please instruct, Immortal Master.”
“If their actions were merely for survival, that could be forgivable.”
Wang Chen replied: “But tarnishing the name of Yunyang is an unforgivable crime.”
Forgivable in intention, unforgivable in crime!
Xiao Wan asked cautiously: “What do you mean?”
“Kill them all.”
Wang Chen said lightly: “Confiscate their assets and use them to compensate the victims, and also…”
“Send all the severed heads to the county government office.”
Such minor figures were insignificant; the real concern was the suspicious attitude of the county government.
Ruan Zhaoming, the governor of South Shao County and a member of the Deer Party, allowed these petty figures, who borrowed power to oppress others, to act with impunity. Wang Chen could not believe that Ruan Zhaoming had no intention of deliberately tarnishing the reputation of the Celestial Guardians’ residences.
He might even be supporting them behind the scenes!
No matter what tricks the other side played, Wang Chen had no desire to get entangled with them.
He decided to cut through the chaos swiftly.
Those severed heads would serve as a stern warning.
Everyone should mind their own business.
If they dared to cause trouble again, they should not blame him for being ruthless!
Xiao Wan bowed respectfully: “Understood.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
Wang Chen waved his hand and retrieved two large boxes from his storage bag: “Take this gold and silver. Double the salaries for the Imperial Guard from this, and hire additional hands for the chores.”
Xiao Wan replied: “Understood!”
Wang Chen nodded and suddenly asked: “How much longer do you need to break through to the Innate Realm?”
When he first met Yu Feihong, he thought Xiao Wan, who accompanied him, was merely part of the atmosphere crew, responsible for throwing flowers with her own background music.
But after she joined him, Wang Chen discovered that this beautiful woman was remarkably capable!
She was a competent and reliable assistant.
Considering that Xiao Wan would often represent him in the future, he intended to nurture her further.
It was also a way to protect her.
In response to Wang Chen’s question, Xiao Wan timidly replied: “I need about three years.”
Her current cultivation level had reached the top-level, just one step away from the Innate Realm.
However, that step had trapped countless heroes throughout history.
No matter how exceptional her talent, without the right opportunities, she needed sufficient accumulation to attempt to break through the bottleneck.
“Too slow.”
Wang Chen took out a white jade bottle and handed it to her: “Inside are three Innate Pills. Find a suitable time to attempt your breakthrough. It’s fine to fail once or twice.”
Innate Pills!
Xiao Wan’s mind was struck with thunder, and she was utterly stunned.
Innate Pills, as the name suggests, are elixirs used by martial artists to break through to the Innate Realm.
These pills are incredibly precious, coveted by countless post-natal martial artists who could not obtain them.
In the rivers and lakes of Da Qian, there had been incidents where dozens of sects were embroiled in fierce battles over an Innate Pill, resulting in rivers of blood.
With Xiao Wan’s status, even if she achieved great merit, it would have been unlikely for her to receive an Innate Pill as a reward.
Now, Wang Chen unexpectedly presented her with three Innate Pills.
Xiao Wan received the pill bottle with both hands.
The beautiful woman bent down, trying to get as close to the ground as possible, and trembled as she spoke.
“I am willing to die for the Immortal Master!”
