Chapter 781

Chapter 781: Two Matters

As Zhao Zhenxuan sat across from the young man sipping tea, a wave of emotions washed over him.

At Wang Chen’s age, Zhao Zhenxuan had broken through to the Marrow Refinement level and was hailed as a prodigy, receiving focused training from his clan. He had reached the acquired realm in just three years.

Such rapid advancement was remarkable, but compared to Wang Chen, a sixteen-year-old innate martial artist, it paled in comparison!

Zhao Zhenxuan knew that the fleeting killing intent he had felt moments ago was born of envy.

With someone as extraordinary as Wang Chen, entry into the path seemed inevitable.

This was something Zhao Zhenxuan could never achieve.

Innate strong fighters, after all, are flesh and blood, driven by desires and emotions. To feel nothing in the face of such talent would be unnatural.

Yet Zhao Zhenxuan was no ordinary man. Having attained the innate level, he possessed a certain grace and composure.

After a moment of contemplation, the city lord of Chibi City set down his teacup and asked, "Young friend Wang, may I ask who your master is and what path you follow?"

Though he had momentarily set aside his murderous thoughts, Zhao Zhenxuan could not rest without knowing more about Wang Chen’s origins.

Wang Chen replied calmly, "I hail from Wujimen."

Wujimen?

Zhao Zhenxuan was momentarily stunned.

He had indeed heard of Wujimen and even knew that the sect’s legacy now rested solely on Shao Hongcheng’s shoulders.

To think that this nearly extinct sect had produced a prodigy like Wang Chen!

Wang Chen continued, "City Lord Zhao, if you have something to say, please speak plainly."

At this point, there was no need for pretense.

Zhao Zhenxuan was taken aback but quickly nodded. "Very well, I shall be direct."

"Young friend Wang, since you have already reached the innate level, why do you remain in Chibi City instead of going to Taiwu Sacred Land to have your name recorded?"

Wang Chen asked, "Taiwu Sacred Land?"

Zhao Zhenxuan was astonished. "You don’t know of Taiwu Sacred Land?"

Wang Chen truly did not.

But he had an old grandfather by his side, a Nascent Soul true immortal who had lived twelve lifetimes, and a simple question would reveal all he needed to know.

Taiwu referred to Taiwu Mountain, and beneath it lay Taiwu City, the foremost city in the Misty Mountains Realm and a sacred destination for countless martial artists, home to the greatest number of higher-level fighters.

Any martial artist who broke through to the innate great realm could journey to Taiwu City to inscribe their name on the World Martial List.

The World Martial List was a mystical artifact; once an innate martial artist’s name was recorded, it would automatically be ranked.

This list was ever-changing; if a name on it fell, it would vanish on its own.

At first glance, this might seem like a mere curiosity, but in truth, only those whose names were inscribed on the World Martial List were eligible to become city lords.

When a city’s leadership became vacant, the next person on the list would ascend to the position.

This was precisely how Zhao Zhenxuan had become the city lord of Chibi City.

Not everyone favored this arrangement, yet the might of Taiwu Mountain was unmatched. Defying its authority would inevitably lead to one’s downfall!

For centuries, few dared to challenge the authority of Taiwu Mountain.

Zhao Zhenxuan explained patiently, concluding, "Young friend Wang, with your talent, achieving an extraordinary state is merely a matter of time. However, as innate martial artists, we require vast resources for cultivation, which no single city can sufficiently provide."

The resources consumed by innate strong fighters in their daily cultivation must be of the highest quality. Only a few large clans with deep-rooted traditions and extensive histories could afford such expenditures.

Thus, a city was essential to meet these needs.

Wang Chen nodded, "I understand."

Zhao Zhenxuan spoke truthfully but omitted that an innate strong fighter had another straightforward method to secure a position, besides registering in Taiwu City.

That method was to defeat another innate fighter and claim their rank!

Zhao Zhenxuan feared that if Wang Chen learned of this, he might develop ambitions that could pose a threat, so he deliberately withheld this information.

However, Wang Chen had obtained more precise information from Elder Yao, making Zhao Zhenxuan’s ploy transparent to him.

Yet, he chose not to reveal the other’s intentions and simply shook his head, saying, "City Lord Zhao, I have no immediate plans to go to Taiwu Sacred Land. I intend to continue my hidden cultivation in Chibi City for a while."

What a joke! If Wang Chen were to rush off to Taiwu Sacred Land, all his previous efforts would be for naught.

If Hu Jiao Jiao, unaware of her current whereabouts, heard Wang Chen’s name and hurried to Chibi City only to find him absent, it would be utterly ridiculous.

As for Zhao Zhenxuan’s feelings and thoughts, Wang Chen was entirely indifferent.

If someone was dissatisfied, they could fight; the loser would have to concede!

Naturally, Zhao Zhenxuan wished for Wang Chen to leave immediately, the farther from Chibi City, the better. Yet, Wang Chen remained resolute, impervious to persuasion.

The city lord of Chibi had no choice but to say, “Young friend Wang, if you wish to cultivate in Chibi City, it is my honor. Should you need anything in the future, do not hesitate to ask.”

If force could not be used, then gentle means must be employed.

Wang Chen smiled, "Thank you, City Lord."

Zhao Zhenxuan added, “I have a residence that is usually unoccupied. If you wish, you are welcome to stay there as long as you like.”

“Your kindness is appreciated, but my current accommodations suffice. Should I need anything, I will seek you out.”

After a pause, he added, “City Lord Zhao, should you ever require my assistance, and it’s not too troublesome, I am willing to lend a hand.”

Wang Chen was uncertain how long he would remain in Chibi City, but considering Hongyi Martial Arts School and Shao Hongcheng, he aimed to establish a good relationship with Zhao Zhenxuan.

Of course, Wang Chen would not make any definitive promises that could place him in a passive position.

Zhao Zhenxuan was seeking just that assurance from Wang Chen and immediately smiled, "That’s splendid!”

The two conversed for another half hour, and after finishing a pot of hot tea, Zhao Zhenxuan took his leave.

As the city lord of Chibi, his daily duties were exceedingly busy, leaving scant time for cultivation. Spending this much time alone with Wang Chen was indeed a rare opportunity.

After Zhao Zhenxuan departed, Elder Yao’s voice resonated in Wang Chen’s mind: “Little guy, I have two tasks for you.”

The first task was that this Nascent Soul true immortal wanted Wang Chen to assist Shao Hongcheng in breaking through to the Post-natal Great Realm.

Shao Hongcheng’s Wujimen was originally founded by Elder Yao himself.

Though the path may be ruthless, he did not wish to see the last remaining branch of his lineage perish.

Thus, he sought to use Wang Chen to aid Shao Hongcheng.

“No problem.”

Wang Chen readily agreed.

The second task was to unlock a treasure vault from Elder Yao’s secret storehouse.

In fact, the two tasks were interconnected because only by locating Elder Yao’s secret vault could Shao Hongcheng have a chance to breakthrough!

Moreover, Elder Yao promised that aside from the resources necessary for Shao Hongcheng’s advancement, everything else would belong to Wang Chen.

Including a divine weapon!