I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1703 - 142: Deterrence

Chapter 1703: Chapter 142: Deterrence

"The Saint Child’s bloodline is unparalleled; continuing to fight is meaningless. Let’s consider this battle a draw,"

Even after another hit that staggered Zhu Yan, Wang Chan did not pursue his victory. Instead, he gracefully retreated, performed an ancient courtesy, and unilaterally declared the end of the contest.

Wang Tu, with anger flashing in his eyes, let out a low growl, wanting to loudly curse that there’s no such thing as a draw.

But seeing Wang Chan ready to fight another round at any moment, empowered by the Dunjia attached to his body and standing in an unsteady posture that wasn’t too rigid, he could only disperse his bloodline’s power angrily and, grinning through gritted teeth, gave a fist and palm salute to the former Dao Child.

Wang Chan, receiving the acknowledgment, dispersed the Nine Secrets spell and turned to walk back to his seat.

Even though today’s protagonist was supposed to be Wang Tu standing on the platform in Zongheng Valley, the gazes of the young disciples in the stands were all following the understated exit of Wang Chan.

With just one simple match, he had announced his return to the entire Wang Clan, and his willingness to accept a draw rather than to defeat the new Saint Child ultimately showed a mature side to the clan elders.

Having been absent for nearly a decade, Wang Chan had proven his rule and reliable character to the Wang Clan in just one day.

For the Wang Clan, such an outstanding family member would not be left idle. Thus, following the ceremony of the Saint Child’s investiture, the elders sought out Wang Chan, wanting to inquire about his plans for the future.

This is a choice faced by every retiring Dao Child, essentially equating to career direction.

As the holy land of Xiehe and the dominating Wang Clan of the Southern Tianan Continent, naturally there would be many options for the juniors, but aside from some time-wasting mundane affairs, the truly ambitious Wang Clan disciples only had a few choices.

Either enter the Yin-Yang Imperial Palace to study the Yin-Yang Art, enter Zongheng Valley to study the Dunjia Nine Secrets, or go to Heavenly Gang Mountain to study arrays, and of course, nowadays there’s another option added to the Wang Clan: the Star Illuminating Palace with Wang Fuling as its respected head.

As a direct descendant of Wang Fuling, Wang Chan was, by all accounts, supposed to join the Star Illuminating Palace, but the Zongheng Valley elders who had seen his exceptional martial skills today were thrilled, hoping that the former Dao Child would stay in the valley to study the Dunjia Nine Secrets and physical techniques.

"Be it the Starry Sky Great Array or supervising the false stars, both are overly elusive for your current state,"

Elder Fang Yue of Zongheng Valley met with Wang Chan, earnestly persuading him: "You’d better cultivate in the valley first. Your prowess in physical techniques is rare in this world. Coupled with the foundation of the Dunjia Nine Secrets, perhaps in twenty years, you could internalize part of the divine spell. Then if you join the Star Palace, wouldn’t it be killing two birds with one stone?"

"The Elder’s words are very true, but Wang Chan has already made up his mind and can only disappoint your kindness,"

Wang Chan was not swayed by the vision promised by the other party, and his decision was resolute and decisive.

This was not the first time Elder Fang had failed to recruit someone; after all, the Dunjia Nine Secrets were originally meant to strengthen the body with Spiritual Power. But now that physical cultivation is in decline, even the most talented young people in the clan are reluctant to enter the valley to cultivate.

Thinking of this, Elder Fang Yue couldn’t help but complain: "Ever since Wang Fuling created that Starry Sky Great Array, every young person in the Wang Clan is desperate to dive into it. Frankly, it’s because they covet the Starry Sky Great Array’s ability to leverage Heavenly and Earthly Qi in combat. But if one day they are trapped within a realm barrier, or if thunderclouds block the connection to the Divine Array, what can they rely on if not their cultivation?"

"The Elder speaks wisely,"

Wang Chan said with a smile, nodding as if he agreed completely.

"Alright, alright, I’m just venting a bit. I know you young people see the Star Illuminating Palace as the future of Xiehe; we old folks can’t stop you,"

Elder Fang Yue knew Wang Chan was just placating him and said helplessly, "Just don’t neglect your physical techniques and Dunjia cultivation while studying the star arrays."

"Thank you for your teachings, Elder. I will certainly keep them in mind,"

Seeing Wang Chan so affable and compliant, Elder Fang Yue couldn’t help but recall when Wang Chan first sought out Zongheng Valley for his studies. Back then, he was as sharp as an unsheathed steel blade, his eyes filled with iron-blooded pride.

And after his major defeat, not only has that sharpness been hidden away, but his temperament has also become so smooth - truly, adversity is the best crucible for growth.

Upon thinking this, Wang Fang couldn’t help but sigh, "It seems that accident has given you a lot."

...

Favoring the new and despising the old is human nature, and even a holy place like the Wang Clan cannot avoid it.

The Star Illuminating Palace, as the newly rising combat division of the Wang Clan, has proven its strength countless times.

Even considered as the ultimate direction of Xiehe martial arts, it is only natural for the most distinguished disciples of the Wang Clan to flock to it.

Apart from those who are the legitimate heirs of the main veins of the various divisions, most disciples choose the Star Illumining Palace as their career path after completing their studies.

It is for this reason that the recruitment conditions of the Star Illuminating Palace have become increasingly stringent, just as Wang Fang said.

Whether it’s researching star connection or supervising the construction of artificial stars, the requirement for professional level is extremely high here.

Many Wang Clan disciples think that being able to use the Starry Sky Great Array means they can conduct research, which is a grave mistake in itself.

If entering the realm of martial arts research is equivalent to being in the Mortal Realm, then entering the realm of array research is equivalent to transcending the Mortal Realm, and for studying the Starry Sky Great Array, one must at least start from the Martial Ancestor Realm.

Just this one criteria almost completely cuts off the possibility for most Wang Clan disciples to enter the Star Illuminating Palace.

That is exactly the greatest predicament currently faced by Wang Chan; despite having combat strength comparable to the peak of the Fierce Realm, his cultivation progress has slowed down over the years due to his injuries.

But difficulties exist to be solved, and Wang Chan, unable to proceed through normal channels, was not entangled and directly left Southern Tianan Continent for Longzhou.

As the seventh-generation direct descendant of Wang Fuling, Wang Chan faced no pressure taking such shortcuts.

More importantly, he wanted to verify his suspicions. Only by visiting that gathering place of kings could he proceed boldly with his plan.

Twenty-eight stars hovered above the Lin Chuan Plain, with a dome-like barrier inverted over it, enveloping the entire plain.

Having knocked open the barrier with a secret technique, Wang Chan, as he wished, met with the elites of the Yin-Yang Imperial Palace, as well as his own master who taught him the Yin-Yang Art—Wang You.

"Lingxiao Sect’s Heavenly Pond’s reputation for healing is well-deserved. You’ve recovered quite nicely."

After giving Wang Chan a once-over, Wang You, the Pavilion Master of the Yin-Yang Pavilion in Yan Fu City, asked with a smile, "Are you here in Lin Chuan this time to join the Yin-Yang Imperial Palace?"

"Master, you are still as humorous."

Releasing his tightly clenched fists, Wang Chan let out a breath and chuckled in reply: "I came to Lin Chuan seeking Ancestor’s help to open a back door for me since my cultivation is insufficient to enter the Star Illuminating Palace."

"Then you may have to wait."

Wang You "hmm"ed and said, "Your Ancestor is currently preparing for a major event, and won’t have the time to see you anytime soon."

"What major event?"

Wang Chan asked knowingly.

"Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t make that demon spill its secrets, and the research has stalled; therefore, we decided to evaporate the upper layer of the Lin Chuan Plain, exposing the Blood God World along with the contaminated underground long river, as a threat to that stubborn demon."