Chapter 846

Chapter 846: Entrustment

“Look, those are the ruins of Qinyun Palace!”

Zhong Lei, who had just reached the mountain peak, followed his companion’s pointing finger and saw a vast expanse of ruins atop a steep summit not far away.

With his keen eyesight, Zhong Lei noticed the ruins were overgrown with wild grass, presenting a desolate scene.

What immense power could have reduced such a grand Dao Palace to ruins?

Three years ago, when Zhong Lei had just settled outside Chang’an City, he had glimpsed this Dao Palace on Qinyun Peak from afar.

Back then, Qinyun Palace had seemed like an immortal palace, a place to be admired only from a distance.

Now, he could climb along the ridge and even relieve himself on it without a care.

How drastically things had changed!

“Wow!”

A young newcomer to the Hunting Team couldn’t help but exclaim, “That was a Dao Palace too? How did it end up like this?”

He was a recent immigrant to Chang’an and knew little of its history.

“It’s said that the monks of Qinyun Palace plotted treachery, provoking a flying dragon to attack Chang’an, causing great casualties,” explained an experienced hunter. “Holy Master Wang Chen was enraged and personally ascended Qinyun Peak, leveling the palace with a single palm strike. Not a single monk escaped.”

“A single palm strike leveled it?”

The young hunter was dumbfounded. “Is the Holy Master truly that powerful?”

“Hahaha!”

The experienced hunter laughed heartily. “The Holy Master is unrivaled in the world. With him guarding Taiji Palace, we can ensure the peace and prosperity of millions of common people in Chang’an.”

Zhong Lei nodded in agreement.

When the flying dragon attacked Chang’an City, he had been fortunate enough to witness the two fierce beasts being slain by Wang Chen. Since then, he had regarded the Holy Master as a living deity.

For three years, though the Holy Master had remained in seclusion, his benevolent governance had brought prosperity to millions of common people in both Taiwu and Chang’an.

Now, the two cities were gradually merging, destined to form a vast and unparalleled new Chang’an!

With the fall of Qinyun Palace, many powerful families in Taiwu City, awed by Wang Chen’s divine might, had either fled to other cities or donated most of their wealth to honor Taiji Palace.

The once-mighty Taiwu Pavilion had long since vanished!

Zhong Lei felt deeply grateful for having brought his wife and children to Chang’an City; otherwise, how could he have enjoyed such a stable and happy life?

“Enough chatter,” the captain of the Hunting Team said in a deep voice. “We must pick up the pace; there’s still much ground to cover.”

The hunters nodded and began their descent.

Only the young hunter lingered for a moment, gazing at the ruins of Qinyun Palace before turning his eyes toward Chang’an City, his heart filled with profound admiration and reverence for Holy Master Wang Chen.

Unbeknownst to him, at that very moment, a wisp of invisible human benevolence drifted from him, sweeping across a hundred miles toward Taiji Palace in Chang’an City.

Simultaneously, countless streams of human benevolence rose from within and around Taiwu City and Chang’an City, converging into a mighty current that flowed into the Lingyan Pavilion of Taiji Palace.

Yet, to ordinary eyes, this magnificent spectacle remained utterly unseen!

At the summit of Lingyan Pavilion, Wang Chen, sitting cross-legged upon the dual realms of heaven and earth, opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

This breath was extraordinarily prolonged, expelling all the filth and impurities within his body.

A pair of dark, profound eyes ignited with a divine light.

Crack!

At that very moment, a thunderous roar suddenly descended from the clear, cloudless sky.

Wang Chen’s eyes flickered as he spoke in a deep voice, “Gao Zhuang, summon Mo Han here.”

“Yes!”

Gao Zhuang’s voice promptly responded from outside.

No matter how long Wang Chen had been in closed-door cultivation, this innate martial artist had always remained steadfastly loyal by his side.

Upon receiving the summons, Mo Han quickly arrived at Lingyan Pavilion. “Master!”

Now, Mo Han held the esteemed positions of city lord of Chang’an City and head of Taiji Palace, standing just below Wang Chen and above millions of people in both cities.

As the saying goes, power transforms one’s demeanor. Years of wielding authority and advancing his cultivation level had bestowed upon him the commanding presence and grace of a leader, far surpassing the former prodigy of the Mo family!

Yet, in the presence of Wang Chen, his reverence was far greater than when they first met!

For two years now, Mo Han had formally been Wang Chen’s disciple.

"I am about to ascend…"

Wang Chen’s first words struck Mo Han with great astonishment. “Ah?”

Three years ago, after Wang Chen had subdued Qinyun Palace, Mo Han had thought Wang Chen was leaving.

Instead, Wang Chen had spent another three years in deep cultivation at Taiji Palace.

This had led Mo Han to mistakenly believe that the great mountain he relied upon would endure forever.

Wang Chen waved his hand, signaling Mo Han to listen: “From now on, you will oversee both Chang’an and Taiwu cities, as well as Taiji Palace. I hope you do not disappoint the expectations of the millions of common people.”

All these years, Wang Chen had been able to remain in the Misty Mountains Realm and elevate his cultivation level to its peak thanks to the human benevolence gathered from these millions.

But now, he had reached the limit; without ascending, he would face death.

One must understand that the tolerance of heaven and earth has its bounds!

Upon hearing this, Mo Han felt a surge of emotions, unable to hold back his tears as he knelt down, respectfully bowing to Wang Chen: “I, disciple Mo Han, will obey Master’s command!”

“Very well.”

Wang Chen raised his hand to lift him up, simultaneously handing him a golden key. “This is the key to the secret vault in the Subterranean Palace. I’ve left some things for you inside, which I am also entrusting to you.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Mo Han received it with both hands, feeling a mix of emotions, complicated to the extreme.

There was confusion and sorrow about the farewell, but also a hint of joy at the vast possibilities ahead.

If Wang Chen ascended, then he would become a supreme being, free from any constraints and limitations!

Wang Chen could clearly see what was on his mind and lightly said, “Take care of yourself, go now.”

Mo Han had intended to say more, but hearing Wang Chen’s words, he had no choice but to bow deeply again before exiting the pavilion.

“Gao Zhuang.”

Wang Chen’s gaze turned to the last person beside him. “Your hard work over the years is much appreciated.”

Gao Zhuang, already in tears, knelt without hesitation and replied, “To serve the Holy Master, Gao Zhuang has no regrets!”

Wang Chen smiled warmly. “You still have a long life ahead. If fate allows, perhaps we will meet again.”

Although he had taken Mo Han as a disciple two years ago, he had actually taught Gao Zhuang even more.

Now, Gao Zhuang remained an innate martial artist, but his strength had reached its limit. If he received great fortune and could break through, he too might ascend to the Haotian Realm.

Wang Chen handed Gao Zhuang a magical seal. “This is for you. It contains your aura, so you can wield it.”

“If Mo Han ever acts against the will of the people, you can use this seal to subdue him!”

“Remember, the will of the people must not be disregarded!”