Chapter 408

Chapter 408: Success

The scream was not real.

In other words, if there had been anyone else nearby, they would not have heard it at all.

However, in Wang Chen’s perception, the scream was so clear, piercing his soul, filled with unspeakable resentment and a hint of curses!

But under the brilliance of the Ancient Stone Tablet, all the ghostly spirits were instantly swept away.

When Wang Chen withdrew his hand, he saw that Uncle Zhong’s complexion quickly returned to a healthy reddish hue, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and a warm smile appeared on his closed eyes.

Threads of Purple Qi began to rise from this old cultivator’s head!

At the same time, the spiritual energy filling the surrounding space surged rapidly into his body.

It actually formed a whirlwind of spiritual energy within the cave!

He succeeded!

Wang Chen could see at a glance that Uncle Zhong had passed the most challenging barrier and successfully opened the great heavenly opening.

He was now establishing the Purple Palace!

Yet, Wang Chen couldn’t care less about his joy for Uncle Zhong because he had unintentionally discovered a new ability of the Ancient Stone Tablet.

Wang Chen had possessed the Ancient Stone Tablet for a long time, but his understanding of this treasure residing in his Sea of Consciousness was minimal and very superficial.

What he knew was that the Ancient Stone Tablet was of a much higher grade than the Heavenly Net for Exorcising Evil and Thousand Transformations.

Perhaps due to his low cultivation level, Wang Chen truly did not know its specific uses.

Now, he realized that the Ancient Stone Tablet at least had the power to suppress and destroy inner demons!

Since Wang Chen began his cultivation journey, relying on the powerful capabilities of the Cultivation Panel, he had quickly improved his cultivation level.

In just a few short years, he had transformed from a young cultivator at the third level of Qi Training to the current Purple Palace master.

Throughout this continuous process of breakthroughs, Wang Chen had hardly ever been troubled by an inner demon.

It was as if inner demons didn’t exist for him at all!

Without a doubt, the Ancient Stone Tablet played a crucial role.

Most astonishingly, the Ancient Stone Tablet could not only suppress one’s own inner demons but also help others eliminate theirs.

This was no ordinary feat!

As far as Wang Chen knew, items that could suppress inner demons were treasures, and something as powerful as the Ancient Stone Tablet was likely rare in this world.

With a flash of thought, Wang Chen reached into his storage bag and pulled out a jade talisman.

He grasped it tightly in his hand.

Crack!

The jade talisman shattered into pieces, with fine dust falling through his fingers.

At that moment, Uncle Zhong slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze was somewhat dazed, then became clear, and finally, it revealed an expression of overwhelming joy.

Wang Chen released his hand, allowing the fragments of jade to fall, and smiled at the old cultivator: “Congratulations, fellow traveler!”

“I… I did it!”

Uncle Zhong murmured, then immediately bowed deeply to Wang Chen: “The master’s grace is like being reborn, Qiu Zhong…”

His hair, once completely white, started to darken, his skin became rosy and full of vitality, and he looked twenty or thirty years younger, no longer frail and weak.

In fact, after breaking through, Uncle Zhong could easily live another seventy or eighty years.

Wang Chen quickly reached out to support him: “No need for such formalities!”

Uncle Zhong straightened up and trembled as he spoke: “I never expected… I never expected…”

He never thought he would truly break through and achieve success.

Especially when he faced his inner demon earlier, he felt completely hopeless, thinking that he was doomed.

However, in that instant, a brilliant light pierced his Sea of Consciousness, breaking the confusion caused by his inner demon, and yanked him back from the edge of the abyss.

Having experienced life and death, he understood the preciousness of life, especially since he had also broken through to a higher realm.

Uncle Zhong deeply understood that his rebirth was mostly due to Wang Chen’s efforts!

He noticed the scattered jade pieces in front of Wang Chen and felt even more grateful.

In Uncle Zhong’s eyes, Wang Chen had clearly used a treasure to save him in those critical moments.

The value of such a treasure was unimaginable, and now it had been consumed for his sake.

“From now on, just give the order, and Qiu Zhong will risk his life without hesitation, or else Heaven will not forgive me!”

Uncle Zhong could only express his inner gratitude in this way.

“It’s not that serious.”

Wang Chen smiled: “You gave me the essence of the wood element, and I returned the opportunity for your breakthrough; we owe each other nothing.”

Uncle Zhong shook his head—such a low-grade essence of the wood element could not compare at all!

He also understood that Wang Chen didn’t want to burden him with guilt.

Wang Chen said: “You just broke through and need to solidify your realm. Stay here for a couple more days. I’ll return to share this good news with Xu Xinlan, so she won’t worry.”

Uncle Zhong’s second breakthrough was certainly not a secret from Xu Xinlan.

Uncle Zhong clasped his hands: “Thank you for your trouble, master.”

“You’re a master now too.”

Wang Chen laughed: “From now on, let’s refer to each other as fellow travelers.”

Uncle Zhong shook his head: “There’s a difference in status; I’ll still call you young master.”

Although he had promoted to the Purple Palace, in his heart, he still considered himself the old steward of the Xu family.

Wang Chen was Xu Xinlan’s man, and since he had given him a second life, calling him young master was only right.

Seeing that he was insistent, Wang Chen also stopped worrying about the title issue.

After leaving the cultivating caves, Wang Chen went straight back to the Xu family.

When Xu Xinlan saw him return, she was very surprised: “My lord, Uncle Zhong…”

It was common for cultivators to close themselves off for ten days or half a month after a breakthrough; the higher the cultivation level, the longer the time needed. In normal circumstances, a breakthrough to open a house typically took three to five days.

Wang Chen returned so quickly after guarding Uncle Zhong, causing her to have a bad premonition.

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Uncle Zhong broke through!”

Wang Chen smiled: “He is now a Purple Palace master!”

“Ah?”

Xu Xinlan could hardly believe her ears, completely stunned.

As a practitioner at the Qi Training seventh level, she knew that for someone of Uncle Zhong’s age, even with ample preparation, the chances of breaking through were very low.

Her only wish was for Uncle Zhong to survive and spend the last moments of his life.

She never imagined he would really succeed!

Xu Xinlan suddenly leaped into Wang Chen’s arms, tears streaming down her face: “Thank you!”

She knew that without Wang Chen, Uncle Zhong would have no chance of breaking through.

Since the family split, Xu Xinlan had regarded Uncle Zhong as her own family.

Wang Chen patted her back and smiled: “Now that Uncle Zhong has achieved his Purple Palace, you should also strive for it.”

If Xu Xinlan could ascend to the Purple Palace before his departure, it would ensure her safety.

Xu Xinlan nodded with a flushed face.

She actually had the talent for cultivation, but everyday matters tangled her, leaving her with little time and energy for training.

Otherwise, she would have long since reached perfect mastery in Qi Training and could have tried to break through and open a house.

Wang Chen whispered in her ear: “I can help you; you know what I mean.”

Xu Xinlan certainly understood, making her blush even more.

But she gave no indication of opposition.