Chapter 558

Chapter 558: Fifth Layer of the Purple Palace

“So it’s Senior Sister Mo who has arrived.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Wang Chen rose calmly, “May I ask what brings you here?”

Mo Zhenzhen, the true disciple of Xuan Yuan true master.

She also held another identity—the partner of Zhao Wuji, the former master of Listening to the Waves Manor!

Wang Chen and Mo Zhenzhen had never met before; they were strangers. However, having been reminded by his Senior Brother a few days prior, it was impossible for him not to recognize the imposing female cultivator before him.

“Do you know me?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Mo Zhenzhen’s eyes before she sneered coldly, “Since you know who I am, you should understand why I’ve come!”

Wang Chen shook his head, “I do not know.”

Pfft!

Someone nearby couldn’t help but snicker.

Perhaps they found Mo Zhenzhen’s arrogance unbearable, or perhaps their sense of humor was easily tickled.

However, when Mo Zhenzhen’s gaze swept over them, the laughter died instantly.

“Then I’ll be direct.”

Mo Zhenzhen turned her frosty, ink-black eyes back to Wang Chen, “Listening to the Waves Manor is no place for you. If you leave today, I’ll let this matter rest.”

“Senior Sister, speak with caution.”

Wang Chen replied lightly, “Listening to the Waves Manor belongs to the Changhe lineage. As a disciple of Xuan Yuan, you are overstepping your bounds.”

“When the day comes that you become the Grandmaster of the West Sea Sect, then it will not be too late to speak in such a manner!”

Those present silently cheered for Wang Chen, though fear of Mo Zhenzhen’s authority kept their approval unspoken.

It was clear whose side they were on.

Mo Zhenzhen’s expression darkened, “Wang Chen, are you determined to oppose me?”

Wang Chen remained unperturbed, “It is Senior Sister who seeks to oppose me.”

“Good, good, good!”

Mo Zhenzhen uttered “good” three times in quick succession before turning sharply and striding away, her sleeves flicking behind her.

It was a classic case of a strong start but a weak finish.

This was hardly surprising. Though Wailing City was part of the outer sect of the West Sea Sect, disciples were strictly forbidden from casting spells or engaging in combat within the city. Direct conflict among fellow disciples was absolutely prohibited.

Even as a Golden Core disciple, Mo Zhenzhen dared not violate this sect rule.

Otherwise, even Xuan Yuan true master might not be able to shield her from the consequences.

Yet everyone knew that this high-level Purple Palace cultivator would not let the matter rest. Wang Chen’s troubles were far from over!

The atmosphere in the private room could not return to its former ease.

Wang Chen lifted the goblet from the table and drained it in one swift motion, then smiled and said, “Fellow brothers and sisters, the merriment has run its course for today. Let us gather again another time.”

No one voiced any objections.

Just as Zuo Xiaomo stepped out of the Xiaoyao Pavilion, he pulled Wang Chen aside, his expression deeply conflicted. "Brother Wang, how did you manage to offend that female Demon Lord?"

He didn’t personally know Mo Zhenzhen, but if Lu Ling Shan hadn’t held him back earlier, he would have directly confronted this true disciple. However, having heard some rumors about Mo Zhenzhen, Zuo Xiaomo was deeply concerned for Wang Chen.

Wang Chen chuckled, "You know she’s a female Demon Lord, so what more is there to say? But rest assured, I’m under the protection of the Higher Steward on Changhe Island. No matter how capable she is, she can’t touch me."

Zuo Xiaomo considered this and nodded in agreement. Wang Chen was no longer the obscure Entry Disciple he once was. Having returned early from the Underworld Realm and now a disciple of Changhe Zhenren, his status had significantly changed. If Mo Zhenzhen wanted to manipulate Wang Chen, she would need to stretch her reach far enough!

Relieved, Zuo Xiaomo said, "That’s good to hear."

Wang Chen patted Zuo Xiaomo’s shoulder and asked with a smile, "When will I get to toast to your and Junior Sister Lu’s wedding?"

Zuo Xiaomo rubbed his hands together, a shy expression crossing his face. "Soon, very soon."

Wang Chen laughed heartily. After bidding farewell to Zuo Xiaomo, he soared away from Wailing City, riding his Yaoguang Sword back to Changhe Island.

However, just as Wang Chen had flown a hundred miles, his vision suddenly inverted, the starry sky turning upside down. An invisible force, like a massive net, instantly enveloped him!

Though startled, Wang Chen remained composed. He let out a resonant cry, and a burst of silver light erupted from within him. In the next moment, a brilliant sword light streaked across the sky. Simultaneously, Wang Chen’s body plummeted sharply, narrowly evading the oppressive force that sought to ensnare him.

His instincts warned him that being caught by this force would spell disaster.

"Hmph!"

Wang Chen heard a cold snort, and the scene before him returned to normal. Above the West Sea, the moon shone brightly, and a gentle breeze carried an air of tranquility, as if the earlier disturbance had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

The attackers had vanished without a trace.

Wang Chen shook his head. He hadn’t anticipated Mo Zhenzhen’s audacity to ambush him on his return journey. She must have employed some formidable spirit tool or treasure to trap or displace him. If she had succeeded, crushing him would have been effortless.

But Mo Zhenzhen had clearly underestimated Wang Chen’s combat prowess, and her plan had failed. Yet, she was decisive; after her failed strike, she retreated a thousand miles, leaving Wang Chen no opportunity to retaliate. Wang Chen had no evidence or leverage against her.

Let it be, he thought.

He opened his mouth and retracted the Sword Pellet he had expelled earlier, then resumed his flight on the Yaoguang Sword, speeding toward Changhe Island.

Upon returning to Listening to the Waves Manor, Wang Chen entered closed-door cultivation, dedicating himself to breaking through to the fifth layer of the Purple Palace.

Truthfully, he wasn’t afraid of confronting Mo Zhenzhen, but her cultivation level was undeniably superior. If they were to clash in a life-or-death struggle, Wang Chen couldn’t guarantee victory. As a true disciple of the Xuan Yuan true master, Mo Zhenzhen was undoubtedly a prodigy, having reached a high-level Purple Palace at a young age. She was likely to refine a Golden Core in the future, earning her the favor of her elders. This was why she had developed such a domineering and ruthless demeanor.

Naturally, Mo Zhenzhen would have a few aces up her sleeve; possessing two or three treasures was to be expected. This woman was not to be underestimated!

Yet, the stronger the opponent, the fiercer Wang Chen’s battle intent grew. The journey of cultivation was long, and only those who laughed last were the true victors. Strength was the ultimate measure in this realm!

Time flowed quietly, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Wang Chen sat cross-legged in the quiet room of Listening to the Waves Manor. Suddenly, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to gather rapidly around him, continuously being absorbed into his body. His robe billowed without wind, and an arcane aura radiated from him. A faint purple light flickered at his brow.

【Preheaven Five Element Technique – Experience +1】

【Preheaven Five Element Technique (Fifth Layer): 0/500】

He had advanced!

Wang Chen’s eyes snapped open, a five-colored divine light swirling within them before fading back to normal. He smiled faintly.

This time, Wang Chen had not expended Heavenly Merit points to break through. With his current root bone and comprehension, successfully advancing from the fourth to the fifth layer was no small feat. If it hadn’t been for the provocation from Mo Zhenzhen, he might not have mustered the momentum to break through in one go.

However, he suspected that when he aimed to progress from the sixth to the seventh layer, he would encounter a bottleneck. Unfortunately, enhancing his root bone and comprehension required a substantial amount of Heavenly Merit points—far too many. Otherwise…

Wang Chen shook his head, dispelling the tangled thoughts from his mind. He began to consolidate his newfound level.