Chapter 1033

Chapter 1033: Return (End)

Before descending into the Cangqing Realm, Wang Chen meticulously crafted two higher-level spiritual symbols.

One he kept close to his person, and the other was entrusted to Su Ziling for safekeeping.

During Wang Chen’s closed-door cultivation, should the nameless small valley be invaded by a strong enemy and a critical situation arise, Su Ziling could instantly activate the spiritual symbol in her possession to send an immediate warning to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen’s spirit could also sense such events from within the Cangqing Realm.

Now, even before the ten-year period had elapsed, he experienced a powerful premonition.

Something had gone awry in the Haotian Realm!

Wang Chen swiftly made a decision and summoned Xi Jun to his side.

"Master!"

Xi Jun hurried over, and upon seeing Wang Chen, her heart pounded fiercely. She instinctively sensed that something was amiss.

Wang Chen smiled gently and said, "I have encountered a minor issue in my cultivation and need to enter a period of secluded cultivation. From now on, you will oversee all matters of the Hanhai Dao Palace. If you encounter any issues you cannot resolve, consult with Wu Zhao or Ling Zhiyuan."

Originally, Xi Jun was an ordinary mortal with no innate talent for cultivation.

However, after the completion of the Great River and Mountain Formation, Wang Chen utilized the formation’s destructive power to cleanse Xi Jun’s bones and marrow, opening her energy field and propelling her directly into the ranks of cultivators.

As Wang Chen’s closest confidante, Xi Jun had been cultivating alongside him for several years, benefiting from the spiritual energy of the Great River and Mountain Formation. She had now reached the cultivation level of a Celestial Master.

Although in this world martial prowess overshadowed Daoist abilities, being a Celestial Master was still a significant achievement.

Moreover, as long as Xi Jun remained within the Hanhai Dao Palace under the protection of the Great River and Mountain Formation, no one in the world could harm her in the slightest!

This was also part of Wang Chen’s preparations for his eventual return.

"Master…"

Xi Jun immediately rushed into Wang Chen’s arms, tears brimming in her eyes.

"It’s alright."

Wang Chen gently stroked her silky hair and smiled, "Just continue to cultivate diligently in the Dao Palace. My safety will be in your hands, so await my exit from the hidden chamber."

His return did not signify a permanent departure; he would surely descend again in the future.

Until he had fully mastered this world.

When that time came, it would be a simple matter for Wang Chen to bring Xi Jun to the Haotian Realm.

"Mm!"

Xi Jun nodded firmly.

Xi Jun was never one to be willful or capricious; her entire being was devoted to Wang Chen. Although she felt anxious at this moment, she firmly committed his instructions to memory.

"Deliver this letter to Wu Zhao."

Wang Chen retrieved a letter and a palm-sized jade Ruyi from his storage space.

Wu Zhao was far away in Daye, thousands of miles from the Hanhai Dao Palace. Unable to bid farewell in person, Wang Chen had penned his thoughts in this letter to prevent any misunderstandings.

As for the jade Ruyi, it was a magical artifact specifically crafted by Wang Chen for Xi Jun.

It served both as a protective talisman and a control device for the Great River and Mountain Formation, ensuring Xi Jun’s safety!

After Wang Chen returned to the Haotian Realm, this body still needed to remain here and required protection.

Entrusting the Hanhai Dao Palace and the Great River and Mountain Formation to Xi Jun made Wang Chen feel most at ease!

In fact, he had concealed a bit of mystery within the jade Ruyi.

It might not be necessary, but caution is always wise!

After assisting Xi Jun in refining the jade Ruyi, Wang Chen escorted her out of the hidden chamber.

Then he sealed the chamber and activated the protective formations!

Wang Chen had set up another formation within this chamber, integrated into the core of the Great River and Mountain Formation. Even if the Great River and Mountain Formation were completely destroyed, it could still operate autonomously for a considerable time.

This served as a final safeguard.

Having made all the preparations, Wang Chen sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused on the Cauldron Spirit deep within his Sea of Consciousness.

That was the beacon of the Haotian Realm!

【Fortune -1000】, 【Fortune -1000】, 【Fortune -1000】…

His fortune points plummeted instantaneously at an astonishing rate.

In the next moment, Wang Chen’s spirit abruptly detached from his body, piercing through the thick layers and the Dao Palace, soaring straight towards the sky!

He once again touched the origin of this world, ascending continuously amidst the vast, chaotic void, following the Cauldron Spirit towards the heavens.

Half a month later, Wu Zhao rushed to the Hanhai Dao Palace from Daye.

The Empress of the Great Zhou immediately left her duties upon receiving the news and hurriedly made her way here.

However, she could only meet Xi Jun, who was guarding the Dao Palace.

After reading the letter Wang Chen had left for her, this increasingly imposing empress shed tears of emotion.

Although Wang Chen did not mention it in the letter, her intuition told her he might be gone for a very long time!

To Wu Zhao, Wang Chen was both a mentor and a brother, the person in whom she had placed her truest and purest feelings.

Being an emperor was already lonely; without Wang Chen’s companionship, protection, and guidance, Wu Zhao wondered if she could endure the long years ahead.

Although they had been apart often in the past years, this time felt truly different.

At the same time, Ling Zhiyuan, who had completely eliminated the southern barbarians and returned to the north, was leading an army into the northern border counties that had previously been ceded to Da Qi.

Holding a spear, he gazed at the towering city in the distance, revealing a faint smile.

Behind Ling Zhiyuan, chariots and horses moved in unison, and thousands of soldiers marched forward in perfect formation.

The earth trembled, and a new storm was about to arrive!

Yet, all of this had nothing to do with Wang Chen returning to the Haotian Realm.

Inside the underground cave of the nameless small valley, Wang Chen slowly opened his eyes in the hidden chamber.

A profoundly mysterious aura emanated from him, instantly dissipating into the surrounding space, followed by an overwhelming power that enveloped his entire being.

The Qi and blood that had stagnated within him for nearly a year surged instantly, causing all his joints to emit a series of intense sounds, while the Golden Core hidden within his Qi Sea rotated rapidly, continuously absorbing the powerful energy from the outside world.

In this moment, Wang Chen completely lost control over himself.

However, his cultivation level was rising at an astonishing speed.

Golden Core second level, Golden Core third level, Golden Core fourth level…

Wang Chen’s Golden Core grew visibly larger, breaking through level after level with such speed that even he felt bewildered.

He was worried that if this continued, he might self-destruct due to the overwhelming force!

Luckily, this explosive upgrade came to a halt after breaking through the seventh level, stopping further ascension.

Despite this, Wang Chen, who had regained control over his body, still felt as if he had consumed vast amounts of celestial wine. Not only was his head spinning, but his movements were also sluggish and stiff, as if burdened.

Yet, the spiritual energy within him had reached its peak, almost overwhelming his Qi Sea and meridians!

Wang Chen could only activate the Preheaven Five Element Technique to gradually wear down the pure spiritual energy forcibly infused into his body.

It took him a full three hours to adjust his state to a level where he could fight.

Even during this process, Wang Chen sensed movements from the outside but did not lose his focus.