Ascending to Godhood: I Can Foresee All Futures

Chapter 286: Chapter 165: Nine Nether Profound Gang (2)

Initially, although the Wang Family had lost face over the bride-snatching incident, Wangqingshan was a man of profound cunning and didn’t lash out at once.

Instead, he observed with a cold detachment, even tacitly allowing the legitimate daughter, Wang Zilan, to be taken away by Chen Sheng.

In his eyes, for Chen Sheng to dare to so brazenly snatch the bride for Wang Zilan, he must have been deeply in love with her, or at the very least, valued her immensely.

The Wang Family could use this as leverage, compelling him to come to their door and apologize, thus seizing the upper hand and, in the process, restoring their reputation.

But he had never expected that after Wang Zilan returned home, there would be no move from Chen Sheng at all, as if the whole affair had never happened.

This left Wangqingshan with the stifling frustration of a punch hitting empty air, making him feel he had completely misjudged the situation.

And now, Chen Sheng, as a mere Earth Fiend, had defeated a Profound Gang expert, comprehended a Mental Realm, and his fame was skyrocketing. He was even being hailed as the foremost figure of Ning’an Prefecture’s younger generation.

His potential and strength were now on a completely different level!

Wangqingshan quickly weighed his options. He believed that with Chen Sheng’s current power, he was strong enough to influence the outcome of the battle at Wushan Mountain. That being the case, they could no longer afford to let things drag on.

After all, the Wang Family truly lacked confidence in the Wushan Mountain battle.

As for Lu Xuanzhou of Luoyun Manor, after this defeat, he was no longer a major concern.

If they could befriend Chen Sheng and form a marriage alliance, it would undoubtedly be a boon for the Wang Clan.

For Noble Families, assessing the situation and putting interests first was paramount.

A little loss of face was an acceptable sacrifice in the face of immense potential benefits.

”Someone, bring Miss Zhilan here.”

Wangqingshan turned and gave the order, his voice having regained its calm.

A short while later, Wang Zilan, dressed in a simple, elegant white gown, walked in gracefully.

After the bride-snatching ordeal, she had grown thinner, and her temperament had settled, gaining a certain tranquility in her expression.

But facing the Clan Leader, Wang Zilan still felt a sense of trepidation.

The scolding she had expected upon her return never came; on the contrary, everything seemed normal. But this normality only made her more anxious.

”Zhilan greets the Clan Leader.”

Wang Zilan gave a respectful curtsy.

”Have a seat.”

Wangqingshan revealed a warm smile and gestured to a nearby chair. ”Has your cultivation been going well lately?”

Wang Zilan sat as instructed and answered cautiously,

”Thank you for your concern, Clan Leader. Everything is fine.”

”That’s good.”

Wangqingshan nodded, then mentioned as if in passing,

”Speaking of which, have you been in contact with that Captain Chen from the Jingwu Bureau recently?”

Wang Zilan’s heart tightened.

”To answer the Clan Leader, we have not been in contact since I returned home.”

”Sigh...”

Wangqingshan sighed softly, his expression turning magnanimous. ”Young people are bound to be impulsive. While that previous incident was embarrassing for the Wang Family, upon reflection, the fact that Chen Sheng would do such a thing for you shows the depth of his feelings. It is the true nature of a young hero.”

Then, his tone shifted as he spoke earnestly,

”Zhilan, my dear, since the two of you are in love, this marriage should be settled sooner rather than later. The Wang Clan is not an old-fashioned family. As long as Chen Sheng is willing to pay a formal visit, state his intentions, and account for his rash actions... I am willing to let bygones be bygones.”

Hearing this, Wang Zilan’s heart sank, and a troubled expression crossed her face.

”Clan Leader... you may be mistaken. Between Captain Chen and myself, there are... no romantic feelings. What happened that day was more a matter of Captain Chen acting out of consideration for our past acquaintance, as he could not bear to see me in such a difficult situation.

”We... are not what you imagine, Clan Leader.”

What Wang Zilan said was essentially the truth.

She knew Chen Sheng’s attitude toward her better than anyone else.

It was more of a transaction than affection, and his promise was limited to a potential title at best.

”What?”

Wangqingshan’s smile froze. His brow furrowed as his sharp gaze scrutinized Wang Zilan. ”Are you telling the truth?”

”I would not dare to lie,” Wang Zilan said, lowering her head.

Wangqingshan was silent for a moment before suddenly asking,

”Then have the two of you... been intimate?”

’If they had a physical relationship, then he’d have a much stronger justification.’

’Are the women of the Wang Family to be trifled with?’

’Touch one, and you must take responsibility!’

The color drained from Wang Zilan’s face. Steeling herself, she shook her head.

”No.”

Wangqingshan stared at her intently. The atmosphere in the study grew heavy, with only the drip-drip of the water clock breaking the silence.

After a long moment, he leaned back in his chair, his expression grave and his tone leaving no room for argument.

”Whether it happened or not... sometimes, that’s not for you alone to decide.”

Wang Zilan looked up, stunned.

”On the day of the bride-snatching, everyone was watching. You are the legitimate daughter of the Wang Family, a representative of our family’s honor and reputation. Chen Sheng took you away in public. To outsiders, you are already his woman. This perception has been set in stone, regardless of the actual facts.”

Wangqingshan’s voice was calm but carried a heavy pressure. ”So, do you understand what I mean? This marriage is no longer just about you. It’s about the reputation and future of our Ning’an Wang Clan.”

Wang Zilan’s face paled slightly.

She understood.

’The Clan Leader is determined to force this outcome, even if it means exploiting public opinion to solidify the marriage alliance.’

’The Wang Family needs to bind itself to Chen Sheng, and I am the most convenient tether.’

”Of course,”

Wangqingshan’s tone softened, becoming persuasive. ”If Chen Sheng knows what’s good for him and is willing to unite with our Wang Family through marriage, the clan will naturally not mistreat you. A handsome dowry, a magnificent wedding—it will all be prepared for you.

”The Wang Family will also be your strongest backing. This is the best outcome for you, for him, and for the clan.”

”Clan Leader, I...”

Wang Zilan’s heart was a turmoil of emotions. She wanted to explain but didn’t know where to begin.

She did harbor complex feelings and expectations for Chen Sheng, but she was also keenly aware that it was little more than a one-sided, extravagant hope.

’With Chen Sheng’s current status, power, and cold-hearted nature, would he ever accept a marriage alliance that was all but forced upon him?’

”Say no more.”

”You will go to the Jingwu Bureau yourself, see Chen Sheng, and relay my intentions to him. Just say... that I invite him to the residence for a talk. There are some matters we need to discuss in person.”

Wangqingshan waved his hand dismissively, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

In his eyes, although Chen Sheng’s talent was impressive, he was ultimately of common birth with no powerful backing. The Wang Family, on the other hand, was one of the six great powers of Ning’an Prefecture, the foremost Noble Family in Ning’an.

A marriage alliance between them was a win-win situation.

If Chen Sheng were a smart man, he would not refuse such a generous offer.

Wang Zilan looked at the Clan Leader’s unyielding expression and knew that further words would be useless.

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, a mix of complex emotions rising within her: the sorrow of being used as a pawn, yet also a faint, flickering glimmer of hope.

’Maybe... he’ll actually agree?’

After a few moments, Wang Zilan concealed the complex emotions in her eyes, lowered her gaze, and replied respectfully,

”Yes, I understand.”

.....

「Jingwu Bureau, sixteenth sublevel, secret chamber.」

Several days had passed in a blur since the start of his seclusion.

VMMMM—!

Chen Sheng’s tightly shut eyes snapped open.

In that instant, a light interwoven with shadows and a golden-crimson hue flashed in the depths of his eyes before vanishing. The entire dim chamber seemed to be lit for a moment by an unseen force, and the very air grew still.

With a mere thought from Chen Sheng, the acupoints all over his body burst open.

WHOOSH—!

Streams of Gang Qi—so condensed they seemed tangible, their color a deep, near-black hue yet shimmering with a faint golden halo—gushed from his body like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

In an instant, it coalesced three feet from his body, forming a phantom Golden Bell—ancient, heavy, and covered in faint, flowing blood-colored patterns and a golden radiance.

As the Golden Bell solidified, the blood-red runes on its surface grew ever clearer, faintly forming profound patterns. The newly added pale golden halo lent the bell an aura of majestic righteousness that repelled all evil, complementing its already formidable defense.

The Nine Nether Profound Gang was complete!

The Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique had also naturally advanced to a higher realm.

Chen Sheng slowly retracted the projected Gang Qi. The phantom Golden Bell dissolved into motes of light and flowed back into his body.

He then exhaled a long breath of turbid air, which condensed into a faint, grayish-gold trail that hung in the air for a long moment before dissipating.

A moment later, Chen Sheng’s mind delved into the depths of his consciousness, and the pale gold Celestial Book Panel quietly materialized.

[Blood Slaughter Floating Light Body - Great Success (698/1000)]

[Six Extremes Golden Bell Technique - Perfection (6/2000)]

[Mental Realm - Level One (36/500)]

[Fishing Toad Force Secret Technique - Perfection (1566/2000)]

[Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber - Perfection (1798/2000)]

Looking at the updated progress on the panel, Chen Sheng nodded to himself in satisfaction.

His arduous cultivation over the past few days had not been in vain.

What pleased Chen Sheng most was the progress of his Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber.

Perhaps it was due to his comprehension of the Mental Realm.

The progress of this Saber Skill had been astonishingly fast lately. In just a few short days, it had already neared the Perfection realm. Chen Sheng was eager to see what new transformations would occur when it finally broke through.

Unfortunately, after that rapid burst of progress, the advancement of the Demon-Suppressing Triple Extremes Saber had slowed down again. It seemed he would need to put in more days of arduous practice.

————

The second Chapter will be a little late, it’s not finished yet.

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