Chapter 402 Gaining the First Soul Bone

Fang Ping had clearly noticed Chen Fei’s rapid progress, and it drew a faint curve of satisfaction at the corner of his lips.

To him, it had been a long time since he’d encountered a talent like Chen Fei.

Although Chen Fei’s foundation had been rough at the beginning, the grinding in the Body-Tempering Grounds had shaped him into something far more refined.

What pleased Fang Ping even more was Chen Fei’s ability to absorb and apply lessons immediately—

each time he got beaten, he adapted. He never stumbled at the same spot twice.

Of course, Fang Ping would never openly admit that, in these lonely years, chances to beat someone up like this had become rare…

Time continued to tick by.

Chen Fei was still being “educated” under Fang Ping’s fists.

Meanwhile, back at the Five Elemental Gates, the first to exit was Ji Wugou.

She emerged looking completely at ease—

as if the deadly Ghost King Palace was just a holiday resort.

Soon after, others began to file out one by one.

When all had emerged, only the Water Gate still had a half-lit symbol—indicating one person remained inside.

“Hmm? Who’s still inside?” Ji Wugou glanced around.

Seeing it wasn’t anyone she recognized, she immediately lost interest.

Fan Chen chuckled softly and turned to the Dao Child beside him.

“Not worried at all?”

The Dao Child replied calmly:

“The world is peaceful. It’s only the fools who stir trouble for themselves.”

Qin Shuang couldn’t hide her glee upon realizing that Chen Fei still hadn’t emerged from even the Ten Direction Gates.

“Interesting! Too interesting!

Who would’ve thought he’d fall so far?”

No one replied to her arrogant outburst.

Instead, their eyes turned toward the main hall ahead.

“No point wasting words with you all.

Yin Tianfeng, weren’t you planning to steal my bloodline?

I’ll be waiting above.”

Ji Wugou shot him a cold glance and let out a sneer before vanishing toward the main palace.

Yin Tianfeng sneered back and followed.

Most others began to move as well.

Only Fan Chen and the Fairy of the Peach Grove remained.

The Dao Child gave a faint flicker.

“Thinking of making a move?

I advise you to wait.”

Fan Chen frowned.

He had just locked onto the Dao Child’s presence moments ago, but the boy had slipped away again—making it hard to judge.

After a cold snort, he turned and left.

The fairy looked at the still-unentered Water Gate, her expression complicated.

After the rest had departed, Wang Fang suddenly appeared beside the Water Gate.

“Hehe, Chen Fei!

You’ve interrupted my fate more than once.

Now it’s my turn!”

With that, he vanished into the Water Gate.

Chen Fei, of course, had no idea what was happening outside.

Right now, he was finally able to withstand some of Fang Ping’s attacks.

Though “withstand” was generous—it just meant he wasn’t being flung through the air every other second.

“Not bad! You’ve made real progress,”

Fang Ping commented with approval.

But Chen Fei’s eyes held firm resolve.

He knew Fang Ping had compressed his strength to match his cultivation level—

yet he still couldn’t fight back.

That only meant one thing—there was still plenty of room for growth.

And he would not give up.

With a deep breath and burning fighting spirit, Chen Fei declared:

“Again!”

Fang Ping smiled at his stubbornness.

Cultivation realm suppression was, in truth, a false concept.

Real suppression came from experience and instinct—

and that’s where Chen Fei was losing.

But that also meant there was room to grow.

Fang Ping resumed his assault.

However, he soon noticed something different.

“Hmm?”

Chen Fei had started to counterattack!

“Not bad—you’re using your brain.”

Fang Ping struck Chen Fei’s shoulder.

This time, instead of dodging, Chen Fei used his physical body to take the hit head-on, stabilizing himself, and counterpunched right back.

His Qi also held a peculiar property—it could tear at the soul!

Though Fang Ping was strong, he was only using a Soul Projection here.

Now that Chen Fei was tapping into the Void Heaven Cauldron’s power, he was definitely giving Fang Ping a headache.

Still, Fang Ping could easily dodge if he wanted.

But gradually… the pressure began to build.

Chen Fei had switched tactics—a brawler’s method!

He relied on his tough physique to trade blows with Fang Ping, using his own injuries as a path to get close.

Faced with this insane style, even Fang Ping showed a hint of helplessness.

This little brat… wasn’t it easier when you were just a punching bag?

Shaking his head, Fang Ping finally got serious.

“You’ve improved quickly.

Now, if you can survive this one last strike, we’ll call it done.”

Just as he finished speaking, Fang Ping vanished before Chen Fei’s eyes.

Chen Fei didn’t hesitate.

He raised his hand to block, twisted his body, and used a flickering shadow-like motion to deflect the attack—clumsy, maybe, but effective.

Fang Ping struck three times, but Chen Fei dodged each blow perfectly—

and on the last one, he even touched Fang Ping’s soul body!

“Not bad… You really are full of surprises.

This is yours now.”

Fang Ping finally stopped and tossed the Soul Bone to Chen Fei.

Chen Fei gripped it tightly, resisting the sudden surge from the Void Heaven Cauldron within.

“Many thanks, senior.”

He still didn’t know why Fang Ping was doing this, but he could tell Fang Ping had no ill intent.

Fang Ping nodded solemnly.

“Soul Bones are powerful, yes…

But never forget to guard your heart.

That is the rarest treasure of all.”

He sighed.

“The chaos of the world blinds many.

The more you see, the easier it is to be lost.”

Chen Fei was puzzled.

“Senior, what do you mean?”

But Fang Ping only shook his head, his figure beginning to fade.

“You’ll understand in time.

Some truths… can only be seen when the time is right.”

Chen Fei looked down at the Soul Bone in his hand.

Before he could say anything more, a light gate opened beside him and swallowed him whole.

As the light dimmed, Chen Fei was transported out of the Law Enforcement Hall.

What he didn’t see, though, was a blinding beam of golden light illuminating the hall just after he vanished.

“Resolve… and protection.”

On the empty throne, Fang Ping reappeared, though from now on, there would be only nine Ghost King Tokens left in the entire palace.

“Seems like those old geezers still can’t compare to me,”

he murmured with a grin, staring at the token in his hand.

Then his gaze turned, sharp and distant, toward the Five Elemental Gates.

“Let’s see…

Just how much more can you surprise me?”