Chapter 992

Chapter 992: Martial Saint

Wang Chen was taken aback by Princess Qingyun’s unexpected nocturnal visit.

Although their master-disciple relationship had always been kept under wraps, the princess had consistently sought his guidance discreetly during daylight hours.

Over the past few months, her visits had settled into a predictable routine.

Tonight, however, was a clear deviation from the norm.

“What’s the matter?”

Wang Chen observed that the princess’s eyes were red, as though she had been weeping on her way over.

Princess Qingyun pressed her lips together and glanced back at Uncle Sun, who had accompanied her.

He exhaled deeply and silently withdrew from the chamber.

Only then did Princess Qingyun bow to Wang Chen and declare, “Master, I’ve come to bid you farewell.”

Wang Chen, puzzled, inquired, “Farewell? Where are you off to?”

No sooner had he spoken than glistening tears welled up in the princess’s eyes. “I… I am to be wed to Dayan!”

Dayan?

Wang Chen’s brow creased. “A marriage of alliance?”

“Yes.”

Princess Qingyun nodded sorrowfully, “I… I am to marry the third prince of Dayan…”

Upon hearing her tale, Wang Chen came to understand that there had been a longstanding alliance between Great Liang and Dayan.

Given Princess Qingyun’s youth, it would typically be acceptable to postpone the marriage for another couple of years, but for reasons unknown, since the previous year, Dayan had been pressing Emperor Shaowu to hasten the princess’s nuptials.

Bound by their alliance and under the shadow of Northern Great Qi’s threat, Emperor Shaowu found himself unable to annul the marriage and thus resolved to send Princess Qingyun to Dayan the following month.

Wang Chen couldn’t help but sigh, “Is there anything I can do to assist you?”

Though Qingyun was his disciple and he harbored a deep affection for her, treating her as a younger sister, she was, after all, Emperor Shaowu’s sister and not his kin. Therefore, he felt powerless to intervene, especially in matters concerning an alliance between two nations.

Princess Qingyun murmured, “I wish to ask you to escort me to Luoyuan. Would that be possible?”

Ah, the plight of being born into the royal family!

Wang Chen felt a pang of sympathy and nodded. “If His Majesty consents, I shall escort you to Dayan.”

Luoyuan was the capital of Dayan.

“Splendid!”

Princess Qingyun dabbed at her tears and exclaimed joyfully, “I knew you cared for me the most!”

She then presented a food box she had brought along. “Master, these are pastries I made myself, for you to enjoy as a late-night snack.”

After Princess Qingyun’s departure, Wang Chen opened the food box before him.

Inside lay an assortment of colorful pastries; though the craftsmanship was modest, it was evident they were crafted with heartfelt effort.

Wang Chen selected one and sampled its flavor.

The taste was quite delightful.

Then, he noticed a thick stack of books pressed beneath the pastry tray.

All of them were original copies from the Ten Directions Daoist Collection.

Undoubtedly, these books were what Princess Qingyun had stealthily taken from the palace library to honor him.

Indeed, during her recent visits, his dear disciple had never arrived empty-handed.

Recalling the moments they had shared, Wang Chen felt a tinge of melancholy.

The following morning, Wang Chen unexpectedly received an imperial decree.

Emperor Shaowu summoned him to the palace.

In the palace’s study, Wang Chen once again met the Emperor of Great Liang.

Compared to their first encounter, Emperor Shaowu looked noticeably more haggard, with deep dark circles under his eyes and even a few gray hairs at his temples, as though he had aged several years.

"Rise, my loyal minister."

The Emperor gestured for Wang Chen to sit and then said, “Wang Chen, you are aware of Qingyun’s situation, correct?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Wang Chen replied calmly, “Her Highness wishes for me to escort her to Dayan.”

“It is I who have failed her.”

Emperor Shaowu sighed and declared, “Wang Chen, I appoint you as the Crown Prince’s Protector and marriage envoy to ensure Princess Qingyun fulfills the marriage alliance between our two nations!”

Wang Chen bowed deeply. “I obey your command!”

“Proceed.”

Emperor Shaowu waved his hand but suddenly added, “Remember to protect her well!”

Wang Chen nodded, “Yes.”

After leaving the palace and returning home, Wang Chen summoned his servants and gave them a few instructions before quietly departing the city for Qingmu Mountain, thirty miles to the southwest, to prepare for his breakthrough to the seventh-tier realm.

The seventh-tier in martial arts is known as the Martial Saint, the pinnacle of strength in this world. Beyond it lies the supreme Martial God.

However, since the Martial God Yue Yao shattered the void a millennium ago, no new Martial Gods have emerged in the Cangqing realm.

Thus, the seventh tier is regarded as the zenith.

Considering the potential disturbances from such a breakthrough, closed-door cultivation at home was not advisable. Therefore, Wang Chen sought a cavern deep within Qingmu Mountain.

After a brief clean-up, he sealed the cave entrance with a massive stone and officially began his breakthrough.

Although Wang Chen’s experience points for the sixth level of the Bloodshed Wheel were just one point shy of being complete, that point was not easily obtained, especially as it pertained to the core of the technique.

Wang Chen spent a day and a night optimizing his condition to its peak.

Then, he placed a five-hundred-year-old wild ginseng in his mouth and activated the six powers of the Bloodshed Wheel: Corpse Dog, Hidden Arrow, Sparrow Shade, Thief Swallowing, Non-Poison, and Purification, fully charging towards the final bottleneck—Stinking Lung.

The Stinking Lung, also known as the Sense of Smell, corresponds to the sea bottom wheel, governing the breath cycles.

Compared to the first six wheels, this last wheel encompasses the widest scope, making the breakthrough exceedingly challenging!

Throughout history, countless masters who practiced the Seven Spirits have faltered at this barrier, failing the breakthrough and even suffering lung explosions that led to death, making it far more perilous than the first six.

But Wang Chen was different from those who had failed; he now practiced dual cultivation and understood himself far better than ordinary people, having reached an intricate and profound level.

Embracing the one, Wang Chen swiftly entered a profoundly mysterious turtle-breathing state.

His breathing became exceedingly long, dropping to a very low frequency, taking a breath only after a considerable amount of time.

Yet, the potent energy surged and flowed within Wang Chen’s body, repeatedly washing through his organs and drawing on the obscure qi that existed.

After an unknown period, Wang Chen’s breathing suddenly became rapid; with each inhale and exhale, the wind and thunder howled, reverberating throughout the cavern, releasing increasingly powerful energy.

The ginseng in his mouth was reduced to nothing, its pure medicinal power silently nourishing Wang Chen’s five organs and helping him replenish his depleted vitality.

Until the critical moment arrived.

Boom!

The giant stone blocking the cave entrance was forcefully pushed aside by an invisible force, with cracks forming on its surface.

Within the cavern, Wang Chen, sitting cross-legged on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes.

In his gaze, countless lightning bolts appeared!

【Name: Wang Chen (Ling Zhiyuan)】

【Age: 18】

【Cultivation Level: Martial Saint】

【Technique: Bloodshed Wheel (Stinking Lung): 0/700】

【Skill: Qi Observation Technique】

【Potential: 1890】

【Luck: 386】

Seventh-tier Martial Saint, breakthrough successful!