Chapter 399 Unstable Foundation

“Get out of my way!”

Chen Fei growled as he swept the Wufeng Greatsword in a broad arc, forcing back the surrounding phantom cultivators.

As they retreated, he caught on to a critical weakness—they were slow when acting alone. Only when grouped together did they pose a real threat.

The key to breaking this formation was clear: divide and conquer.

But the narrow space on the Stairway to Heaven didn’t allow for much movement.

At first, his agitation from the earlier soul-pressure had thrown him off balance.

He hadn’t taken time to observe their attack patterns properly.

“No, I need to calm my mind.”

Forcing himself to focus, Chen Fei parried two more waves of attacks.

This time, he noticed something: their movements followed a pattern.

“A formation? That must be it.”

If this was a formation, then it would have weak points.

And the cramped stairway didn’t just hinder him—it limited the phantom cultivators as well.

His movement technique had always been his weaker area, so he’d trained it hard. Now, it was finally paying off.

Instead of relying on brute force, Chen Fei started weaving through the formation like a slippery fish.

His movements became fluid, and his greatsword danced with precision—redirecting heavy strikes and creating openings.

Spotting a staggering enemy, Chen Fei seized the moment—a clean strike, then another.

With each successful blow, his momentum grew, and his attacks became sharper, fiercer.

Finally, as the last phantom warrior fell, Chen Fei stood panting—but triumphant—at the threshold of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Turning back, the stairway and the plaza remained unchanged, but his respect for the Ghost King Palace had deepened.

“No wonder this place has such a reputation.”

He reflected on what had just occurred.

The soul-pressure in the plaza was a test of courage.

The stairway was a test of composure and insight—how quickly one could find the path forward in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Both were dangerous, but once the logic behind them was cracked, the tests weren’t impossible.

And now, the real trial began—the Law Enforcement Hall itself.

After a deep breath, Chen Fei stepped inside.

From the outside, the hall had looked lit and majestic.

But upon entering, a cold, oppressive atmosphere immediately enveloped him.

At the far end was an empty throne.

Though unoccupied, it radiated such imposing presence that Chen Fei could easily imagine the might of the one who once sat there.

The hall was massive but eerily empty.

Every step echoed, adding to the chilling ambiance.

“You withstood the soul-pressure—impressive.”

A deep voice suddenly echoed through the chamber.

Startled, Chen Fei looked up.

A man now sat on the previously empty throne.

He was just as described in the old records—stern and dignified, his expression naturally commanding.

“Junior Chen Fei greets Senior,”

Chen Fei said respectfully, though inwardly he was shocked.

Was this… a living person inside the Ghost King Palace?

He had seen many detailed descriptions in his research, but some aspects of the palace remained vague.

When he had asked Miao Yue about those details, her reply was cryptic:

“The truth of the Ghost King Palace can only be understood by those who enter it.”

Now he understood what she meant.

“No one has made it this far in many years,”

the man said, rising from the throne.

“I am Fang Ping, the 235th Lord of the Law Enforcement Hall.”

“Greetings, Lord Fang,” Chen Fei bowed again.

Fang Ping smiled approvingly.

“Not bad. No wonder you made it past the Stairway. You’ve got brains.”

He stepped down from the throne and approached.

Chen Fei instinctively tensed.

Fang Ping might seem friendly, but anyone who could serve under an Ascension-level immortal as a hall master must have terrifying power.

Probably at least Void Realm.

“Relax. I’m only here to reward you for passing the first two trials.”

Fang Ping’s face was smiling, but it somehow made him look even more intimidating.

The kind of smile that made people wish he were angry instead.

Ignoring Chen Fei’s stiff expression, Fang Ping turned toward the hall entrance, pausing in the shadowed doorway as nostalgia flickered across his face—then vanished.

“You’ve only just stepped into the Human Dao Realm, haven’t you? But… something’s off.”

He turned and stared at Chen Fei with a gaze so sharp it felt like he could see through him.

“Your qi is thick—solid even. It should mean your foundation is firm.

But during the stairway trial… your power was scattered. Your control was terrible. Odd…”

He began circling Chen Fei, deep in thought.

Chen Fei stayed alert, every nerve taut.

Then—

Clap!

“I’ve got it!”

Fang Ping slapped his hands together.

“Kid, your foundation is all messed up!

Come on, let me teach you properly!”

Before Chen Fei could react—everything went black.

Fang Ping chuckled, patting his hands.

“Strong bones. Let’s see how many layers you can endure. What a fun little guy.”

Then, he vanished, as if he’d never been there.

The Law Enforcement Hall was quiet again.

Solemn. Majestic. Unmoving.

When Chen Fei opened his eyes, he found himself in a dark void.

Before he could get his bearings, a sharp gust hit the back of his head.

A fierce strike slammed into him before he could turn, sending him flying.

He wiped the blood from his mouth.

That same eerie sensation returned—just like in the Caged Dream World.

No qi.

No Void Heaven Cauldron.

Nothing.

But this time… it fueled his rage.

“I don’t care what you are—come out and face me!”

He roared and charged into the darkness.

But he struck nothing.

Just as he realized he’d missed, a barrage of fists came from all directions.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Muffled impacts rained down on him.

Chen Fei suddenly felt like he was being ganged up on in the dark.