Chapter 834

Chapter 834: Power and Prestige

The Mo family was considered above average in Taiwu City.

Their strength and influence were decent enough, but when compared to top-tier clans like the Sikong family, they were on a completely different level.

Thus, when the Sikong family decided to target the Mo family, the Mo family had no capacity to resist.

A few families that usually had good relations with them chose to stand by and watch.

Old Master Mo and Mo Han understood deeply that the Mo family could no longer return to Taiwu City.

Unless Wang Chen was willing to abandon White Deer Academy and Ci Shi Pharmacy, constantly acting as their protector, this was simply unrealistic.

As a result, the Mo family swiftly began their relocation efforts.

They moved everything they could, sold what they couldn’t take, and kept whatever was left as a foothold in the city.

As for the family members, the core lineage had to leave, while distant branches could choose to go or stay. Those who opted to remain would no longer be able to rely on the main branch for help in the future.

Meanwhile, the Mo family also invested a large sum of savings to purchase materials and recruit workers to begin large-scale construction next to White Deer Academy.

While the Mo family was busy relocating, Wang Chen quietly arrived in Taiwu City.

He headed for Taiwu Pavilion!

Taiwu Pavilion was the highest authority in Taiwu City, located at the foot of Taiwu Mountain. It stood tall against the majestic peaks and overlooked the vast city, boasting a history of a thousand years.

Ancient, grand, and dignified, in the eyes of countless common people in Taiwu City, it was a figure of immense respect!

However, in Wang Chen’s eyes, although this palace was a magnificent sight, it exuded a sense of decay and corruption.

“Stop!”

At the entrance of Taiwu Pavilion, Wang Chen was blocked by the guarding warriors. “Please present your token!”

Though he could easily dispose of such minor figures with a snap of his fingers, he still followed the rules and spoke in a deep voice, “Wang Chen, the Lord of White Deer Academy, requests an audience. Please relay the message.”

Wang Chen, the Lord of White Deer Academy!

The two warriors stationed at the entrance felt their heads spin, instinctively retreating together and nearly stumbling to the ground.

Three days prior, a significant event had occurred in Taiwu City.

First, the Mo residence was surrounded, seemingly destined for annihilation, and then Qinyun Palace unusually dispatched a formidable force to attack White Deer Academy.

Due to the enormous presence created by Qinyun Palace, many people witnessed what happened next.

In the minds of everyone, the seemingly invincible Qinyun Palace not only failed to capture White Deer Academy but was instead heavily wounded by Wang Chen alone.

Countless witnesses saw the members of Qinyun Palace fleeing in disarray!

Though the battle lasted only a short while, its impact was akin to a tremendous tsunami.

First, people realized that those exalted practitioners were not unbeatable; stripped of their power, they were not so different from ordinary people.

Secondly, Wang Chen, the Lord of White Deer Academy, emerged as a god-like figure!

Ordinary common people might not feel much about it, as the practitioners were far removed from their daily lives, and the battle at White Deer Academy didn’t disrupt their routines.

Thus, this matter was mainly discussed as gossip over tea, and people spoke about it furtively.

However, for the nobles of Taiwu City, it was as if the heavens had collapsed and the earth had split asunder!

They were aware of Wang Chen’s formidable strength, but they had never imagined that he could be so terrifyingly powerful.

After Qinyun Palace’s humiliating retreat, they had fallen into complete silence, a stillness that sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

The city’s factions that had participated in the suppression of White Deer Academy and the Mo family were now living in constant fear, dreading the day Wang Chen might appear at their doorstep demanding justice. How could they possibly cope with such a confrontation?

In recent days, the atmosphere in the city had grown increasingly eerie.

The two guards, both hailing from large clans and possessing considerable strength themselves, had heard numerous tales during this period.

Now, with the legendary figure suddenly appearing before Taiwu Pavilion, how could they possibly remain composed?

The elder of the two guards, with his wealth of experience, noticed that Wang Chen did not seem intent on causing trouble. Swallowing his fear, he mustered the courage to bow and said, “Lord Wang, please wait a moment. I will inform the elder immediately!”

Under normal circumstances, it would require Sikong De Ping, the chief steward of Taiwu Pavilion, to personally handle Wang Chen’s visit.

However, Sikong De Ping was rarely present at Taiwu Pavilion, having led an expedition against White Deer Academy three days prior. It was rumored that he had returned in defeat and had since retreated to Qinyun Palace for closed-door cultivation to heal his wounds.

With Sikong De Ping absent, the burden fell upon the elders to manage the situation!

Taiwu Pavilion was overseen by three elders, each representing a large clan within the city. Typically, these elders would take turns supervising the stewards and officials below.

The elder on duty that day was from the Chen family, an innate martial artist of the Innate Realm.

Upon hearing that Wang Chen was at the entrance, he gasped, his face turning pale as he trembled and said, “Quickly, send word to Qinyun Palace for assistance!”

This elder from the Chen family was ready to flee.

He had no choice; as an aged innate martial artist, he stood no chance against a fearsome figure like Wang Chen!

The trouble caused by Sikong De Ping would have to be resolved by Sikong De Ping himself!

“Elder…”

The guard who had come to deliver the message hesitated before speaking, “In my humble opinion, it seems that Lord Wang does not intend to cause trouble for us at Taiwu Pavilion.”

“Hmm?”

Elder Chen paused, his eyes shifting as he slowly sat back down.

If Wang Chen wasn’t here to cause trouble…

Elder Chen clenched his teeth and spoke in a deep voice, “Relay my command: all on-duty stewards are to proceed to the entrance to welcome him, and ring the Ancient Divine Bell to open the pavilion!”

The elder’s command was swiftly carried out.

Soon after, a deep, resonant chime echoed through the ancient pavilion.

The sound quickly spread across all of Taiwu City.

The bell tolled twelve times, the highest honor reserved for welcoming a distinguished guest!

Elder Chen led all the stewards to the entrance to greet Wang Chen.

This elder was well aware that his actions that day would likely provoke the displeasure of Qinyun Palace, particularly Sikong De Ping.

But he had no other choice; he couldn’t possibly turn Wang Chen away at the door and risk an attack, could he?

If even the elite forces of Qinyun Palace were no match for Wang Chen, what hope did Taiwu Pavilion have of resisting him?

After much deliberation, Elder Chen decided to cast aside his pride and greeted Wang Chen with an ingratiating smile, “I am Chen Zhongjing, elder of Taiwu Pavilion. I apologize for not welcoming you personally upon your arrival, Lord Wang!”

The attending stewards were all struck dumb.

They had never witnessed the elder behave in such a subservient manner.

Especially towards someone so young.

But considering Wang Chen’s formidable reputation, everyone found this behavior entirely justified. They followed suit, bowing and offering their own humble, flattering smiles!