Chapter 453
by fanqienovelChapter 453: A Punch to Break Through
Xiang Yingzhe, a member of the Xiang family from Daying, is one of the twelve stewards at the Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.
He has achieved perfect mastery in Qi Training.
Among the twelve stewards at the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion, Xiang Yingzhe stands out as a prominent figure.
Despite his rugged appearance and full beard, he is surprisingly young, not yet thirty.
With an above-average root bone and as a direct descendant of his family, Xiang Yingzhe has been nurtured extensively since childhood, reaching the Qi Training ninth level by the age of twenty-five.
Many are convinced that he will break through to open a house before he turns thirty!
Xiang Yingzhe is also the top warrior under chief steward Wu Jingwei; his fiery and rebellious nature is tempered only by his loyalty to Wu Jingwei.
Wu Jingwei’s control over the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion is significantly bolstered by Xiang Yingzhe’s contributions.
Given this, it was hardly surprising that he deliberately arrived half an hour late and displayed arrogance towards Wang Chen, the celestial guardian.
Last night at the pavilion, Xi Manyun had specifically pointed out this individual to Wang Chen.
Meeting him today, it was clear that her description was accurate!
Wang Chen, with a smile, inquired, “Steward Xiang, since you received the celestial talisman, why didn’t you arrive on time?”
His gaze was icy.
Xiang Yingzhe nonchalantly replied, “I told you, I had matters to attend to!”
“Then it seems you do not hold me, the celestial guardian, in high regard.”
Wang Chen sighed and slowly asked, “Xiang Yingzhe, do you acknowledge your wrongdoing?”
“Is it just for being slightly late?”
Xiang Yingzhe sneered, “Though you are a high steward, you cannot falsely accuse your subordinates, or how can you expect to command respect?”
“Still making excuses!”
Wang Chen’s expression darkened as he sternly declared, “Disrespecting orders and defying your superior, your crime warrants severe punishment!”
As soon as he spoke, Wang Chen swiftly reached out to grab.
A large, transparent hand formed from concentrated spiritual energy suddenly appeared and descended upon Xiang Yingzhe.
The Great Capture Hand!
This was a Purple Palace level spell that Wang Chen had acquired with his remaining contribution points before departing from the West Sea Sect.
The spell is relatively easy to practice; essentially, it is a technique for utilizing spiritual energy that incorporates the essence of ordinary martial skills, making it accessible for any cultivator to master its intricacies.
However, the Great Capture Hand requires exceptional control and mastery of spiritual energy, and even those at the initial Purple Palace level may find it challenging to execute successfully.
During his journey to West Zhou, Wang Chen had already advanced this spell to the basic level.
Xiang Yingzhe never anticipated that Wang Chen would actually attack him.
By the time he sensed the danger, he was already firmly ensnared by the great hand, completely immobilized.
Xiang Yingzhe’s face turned a deep purple, his spiritual light flickering, yet he could not break free.
The other stewards present, including Xi Manyun, were all utterly astonished.
Xiang Yingzhe never anticipated it, and neither did the others, that Wang Chen’s demeanor could shift so abruptly and that his strike would be so merciless.
“Master Wang, please show mercy!”
At that moment, a deep voice suddenly resonated in everyone’s ears.
The group of stewards instantly felt a wave of relief, and Xiang Yingzhe, caught in Wang Chen’s grip, showed a glimmer of hope.
Crack!
A bone-chilling snap echoed as Xiang Yingzhe’s bones shattered, his entire body contorting grotesquely.
His eyes bulged, and crimson blood oozed from his mouth, nose, and ears; his throat emitted a gurgling noise.
He attempted to speak, but no words could escape.
Thud!
The steward collapsed to the ground like a heap of mud. Although he wasn’t dead, it was evident to all that he was utterly incapacitated.
Without the aid of heavenly materials and treasures or a spirit pill, it would be impossible for him to live independently in the future!
The conference hall was deathly silent, with even the faintest sound of a needle drop audible.
Wang Chen retracted his hand and turned his gaze to the purple-robed cultivator at the entrance. “Who are you, and why have you intruded into the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion?”
His expression was so indifferent, as if he had merely squashed an ant.
The purple-robed cultivator glared intensely at Wang Chen, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, an invisible aura emanating from his body.
The temperature in the entire conference hall seemed to plummet to freezing point.
All the stewards shivered.
Yet, as the focus of the confrontation, Wang Chen remained unperturbed: “Not going to speak?”
“Chief Steward Wu Jingwei…”
The purple-robed cultivator abruptly bowed to Wang Chen, “I greet you, Master Wang!”
“Ah, it’s Master Wu,”
Wang Chen responded lightly. “I don’t recall issuing you a talisman. How did you come to be here?”
Wu Jingwei felt the Qi and blood surging within him, nearly overwhelming his senses.
Xiang Yingzhe’s half-hour delay wasn’t his own doing; it was under Wu Jingwei’s directive.
The aim was to assert dominance over Wang Chen, to make the new celestial guardian aware of who truly held power over Xun Celestial Guardian’s pavilion.
But Wang Chen was, after all, a celestial guardian and a Purple Palace master. Thus, Wu Jingwei had followed behind Xiang Yingzhe to back his trusted subordinate.
To his utter shock, Wang Chen defied all expectations, turning hostile in an instant and severely injuring Xiang Yingzhe before Wu Jingwei could intervene.
In front of all the stewards, Wu Jingwei felt his pride trampled under Wang Chen’s foot.
That he restrained his fury at that moment demonstrated considerable composure.
“It is customary for a lesser steward to bow before a higher steward.”
Wu Jingwei replied through clenched teeth, then pointed at the writhing Xiang Yingzhe on the ground, demanding, “May I ask, Master Wang, what grave offense has Steward Xiang committed to warrant such a calamity?”
His earlier bravado had faltered under Wang Chen’s imposing presence, and witnessing Wang Chen use the Great Capture Hand on Xiang Yingzhe made him realize the latter was not to be underestimated.
Thus, he sought to challenge Wang Chen on legal grounds.
“I’ve already stated, Steward Xiang disobeyed orders and defied his superior.”
Wang Chen retorted, “Did Master Wu not hear me?”
“Who can corroborate that?”
Wu Jingwei’s eye twitched as he spoke darkly, “Steward Xiang is diligent and kind-hearted; he has always treated others with respect. How could he possibly commit such an act?”
His gaze locked onto Xi Manyun.
Among the assembled stewards, she was the only one not aligned with him and could potentially validate Wang Chen’s claims.
“If Master Wang lacks evidence, then the lesser steward must seek justice from the Grand Celestial Guardian!”
The Grand Celestial Guardian Luo Han was Wu Jingwei’s ultimate reliance!
Xi Manyun felt a cold shiver run down her spine under his venomous stare, trembling uncontrollably.
She knew all too well that speaking up would plunge her into a deadly feud!
Not only would Wu Jingwei target her, but the Xiang family would also seek retribution!
Xi Manyun wanted to speak, but her throat seemed blocked, and she couldn’t utter a word.
Having intimidated Xi Manyun, Wu Jingwei turned his gaze back to Wang Chen.
His expression grew more sinister.
If he didn’t decisively crush Wang Chen this time, his authority and dignity would be irreparably damaged, making it impossible for him to control the Celestial Guardian’s pavilion and the Xun area in the future.
He would never be able to hold his head high again!
Thus, Wang Chen must die!