Chapter 555

Chapter 555: Entering Changhe

In the West Sea, on Changhe Island.

From a distance, the great island lay across the azure waves like a giant ship. Wang Chen immediately controlled the flying ship to lower its altitude, departing the vessel as he neared the island’s outer edge.

Changhe Island was the main island of the Changhe lineage, featuring an enormous formation of restrictions that prohibited flying on the island unless one possessed a special pass.

He hovered in the air and flicked his wrist, sending out a letter symbol.

The infused magical symbol instantly transformed into a streak of light and soared into the distant clouds.

In those clouds, a magnificent mountain peak could faintly be seen.

Boat Leaf Peak, the tallest peak of Changhe, and the dwelling place of Changhe Zhenren!

After a moment, the thick cloud surrounding the peak suddenly parted, revealing a long spiritual bridge that quickly extended before Wang Chen.

The spiritual bridge, made of the world’s spiritual energy, seemed both real and illusory, resembling a rainbow.

Without hesitation, Wang Chen stepped onto it.

In an instant, he felt an invisible force draw him along the bridge, carrying him straight to the summit of Boat Leaf Peak.

At the peak, a massive cloud-like rock jutted out over the cliff, and seated upon it was a robed practitioner with flowing white robes.

Wang Chen was delivered to the front of this practitioner by the spiritual bridge.

As soon as he stood firm, Wang Chen performed a deep bow, saying, “Disciple Wang Chen pays respect to the true master!”

“No need for formalities.”

Changhe Zhenren smiled slightly and waved his sleeve gently, saying, “Sit.”

A cushion appeared silently beneath Wang Chen.

Wang Chen sat down as prompted.

Changhe Zhenren gazed at him for a moment before suddenly sighing, “I never expected this, truly unexpected.”

Wang Chen remained silent.

Changhe Zhenren clearly did not wish for him to act as a comic foil and asked directly, “Wang Chen, do you wish to become my disciple and join the Changhe lineage?”

Without thinking, Wang Chen bowed deeply, “Disciple Wang Chen pays respect to Master!”

Changhe Zhenren smiled slightly, accepting Wang Chen’s profound bow calmly.

Once Wang Chen finished bowing, he spoke, “From today onward, you are my thirty-fifth true disciple.”

This Golden Core true master handed Wang Chen a storage bag. “This is a gift for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Wang Chen received the storage bag with both hands, feelings difficult to express flooding his heart.

He once had a mentor.

Yet, barring unforeseen events, he may never have the chance to see that mentor again in this lifetime.

Changhe Zhenren was Wang Chen’s second master!

In terms of cultivation level, Changhe Zhenren definitely surpassed Changchun.

Furthermore, the West Sea Sect was far beyond the comparison of the Yunyang Sect; even if their strengths were equal, Changhe Zhenren would still outshine.

However, at this moment, Wang Chen thought of his own mentor.

He suppressed his feelings and took something from his storage bag, presenting it to Changhe Zhenren, “Master, this is a small token of appreciation from your disciple, please accept it.”

Wang Chen’s gift for becoming a disciple was a nest stone.

Wang Chen had destroyed several Evil Nests in the Underworld Realm and obtained a few nest stones.

The largest one was, of course, the trophy from defeating the giant cocoon Evil Nest, but that had already been given to Master Bai Jun as proof of his accomplishments, so he could never retrieve it.

This stone was the second largest in both size and quality.

Although it couldn’t compare to the nest stone from the giant cocoon Evil Nest, exchanging it would easily earn him a few thousand merit points!

“Good.”

Changhe Zhenren gladly accepted Wang Chen’s gift.

In truth, for a Golden Core true master like him, a nest stone was hardly significant.

But as the saying goes, “a light gift bears heavy meaning”; Wang Chen’s offering held profound significance!

It was worth it for him to grant a true disciple spot.

After a moment of thought, Changhe Zhenren said, “Wang Chen, normally, there would be a ceremony for you to officially become my personal disciple, inviting fellow peers to witness and congratulate.

However, I worry that some may take the opportunity to cause you trouble. It’s better to avoid extra issues; let’s skip the ceremony. I will issue a letter to officially recognize you as my disciple. Would that be acceptable?”

Though his words sounded cautious, Wang Chen understood that this was Changhe Zhenren’s greatest concern for him.

With Wang Chen’s status, becoming a Meridian Disciple so quickly was already quite a spectacle. Being publicly acknowledged by Changhe Zhenren would undoubtedly attract a lot of jealousy.

Being a Golden Core true disciple was certainly like stepping into the heavens!

Wang Chen had no intention of drawing such large attention or inviting unnecessary troubles, so he wholeheartedly agreed to Changhe Zhenren’s proposal, “I can fully accept this!”

“Very well.”

Changhe Zhenren called out, “Hóng Zhì, where are you?”

A middle-aged cultivator appeared silently nearby, bowing, “Disciple is here.”

Changhe Zhenren pointed to Wang Chen, “This is your junior brother Wang Chen; please take care of him.”

Then he introduced Wang Chen, “This is your senior brother, Cao Hóng Zhì.”

Wang Chen immediately bowed, “Greetings, senior brother.”

Cao Hóng Zhì smiled, “Hello, junior brother.”

Cao Hóng Zhì seemed to be about forty, with a refined appearance, a fair face without a beard, and an air of cultured elegance.

He possessed the complete stage of the Purple Palace cultivation level!

Changhe Zhenren said to Wang Chen, “Wang Chen, I must enter closed-door meditation for a period due to certain matters. During this time, if you have any questions, you can ask Hóng Zhì. I will teach you true methods once I emerge.”

Wang Chen lowered his head, “Yes.”

Changhe Zhenren brushed his sleeve, “Hóng Zhì, please take junior brother down.”

“Understood.”

As Wang Chen followed Cao Hóng Zhì down the mountain, he instinctively glanced back.

The giant rock was now shrouded in ethereal shadows, and no one could be seen.

Cao Hóng Zhì led him to a city at the foot of Boat Leaf Peak.

The two walked down the mountain for quite a long time, and during the walk, Cao Hóng Zhì shared many stories about Changhe Island.

There were only three thousand official disciples in the Changhe lineage, but the population of Wang Ye City reached one hundred thousand, most of whom had served the Changhe lineage for generations.

Of course, Wang Ye City was also the liveliest place on Changhe Island.

Cao Hóng Zhì led Wang Chen around the city and then asked, “Junior brother, do you plan to settle here, or seek another place for secluded cultivation?”

As a personal disciple of Changhe Zhenren, Wang Chen had the right to choose an unoccupied area on the island as his own territory.

If he wanted a lively life, Cao Hóng Zhì could allocate a residence in the city for Wang Chen.

Wang Chen thought for a moment and asked, “Is there a place outside the city for lodging?”

Living in the city would bring many troubles; right now, Wang Chen only wanted to cultivate well and elevate his realm.

But the city also had its own benefits and conveniences, especially since Wang Ye City lay at the foot of Boat Leaf Peak.

Thus, Wang Chen compromised a bit and chose to live in the outskirts outside the city.

After pondering for a moment, Cao Hóng Zhì suddenly recalled something and said with a smile, “There actually is an empty manor. Since junior brother wants a quiet place to live, I’ll allocate this manor to you.”

Wang Chen expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, senior brother!”