Throughout the long history of the Sun Moon Empire, those who reached the Soul King realm before the age of fifteen were exceedingly rare.
Without exception, every one of them who survived became a great figure of the Empire—recorded in history books, remembered through the ages, admired by generations.
As for someone reaching the Soul Emperor realm before fifteen? Impossible. Too absurd. Nowhere in the Sun Moon Empire's history was such a thing recorded. The idea itself was unimaginable.
Seeing Elder Wang Yuan's look of disbelief, Wang Chen nodded… then shook his head.
Under Wang Yuan's puzzled gaze, Wang Chen calmly said:
"I've already reached the Soul Emperor realm."
Wang Yuan: (O_o)?? Soul Emperor? Is he serious, or just trying to amuse me?
At first, Wang Yuan didn't believe him. He laughed nervously:
"Chen'er, you must be joking with your grandpa."
But Wang Chen's expression was deadly serious.
"I'm not joking."
The smile on Wang Yuan's face froze instantly.
"Chen'er… your grandpa is old. I can't take such shocks…"
Wang Chen knew that no matter how many times he explained, words alone couldn't convince him. This was beyond ordinary comprehension.
So, he simply released his soul power.
The unmistakable aura of a Soul Emperor burst forth.
The force slammed into Wang Yuan like a thunderbolt. His mind went blank, his body swayed, and he plopped back into his chair as though struck by lightning.
Wang Chen twitched the corner of his lips, silently thinking:
If he can't handle this, what's he going to do later—when he sees me, as a Soul Emperor, slay a Soul Douluo? Collapse from shock?
It took a long moment before Wang Yuan finally recovered from the impact.
Then, panic flickered in his eyes as he anxiously questioned Wang Chen: Had he taken some kind of life-burning pill? Had he forcibly boosted his cultivation with forbidden methods?
After repeated reassurance, Wang Yuan finally accepted the truth.
His gaze locked on Wang Chen, shining as though beholding a priceless treasure.
Soul Emperor. Fourteen years old.
Genius? No—genius wasn't enough. This was a monster. A freak of nature.
My Wang Clan has birthed such a heaven-defying prodigy! Heaven has blessed us indeed! In time, once Chen'er grows fully, our clan will surely rise to the very top of the Sun Moon Empire!
How had Wang Chen leapt from Soul Ancestor to Soul Emperor in just three short years? He had no idea.
But it didn't matter.
As long as this cultivation was genuine and not the result of overdrawing his potential, this was enough.
The Wang Clan was destined to flourish!
But soon, Wang Yuan's excitement turned to worry.
Yes, Wang Chen was a Soul Emperor—but he hadn't yet matured. If this news leaked, many wouldn't allow such a talent to grow unchecked.
"Chen'er…" Wang Yuan asked gravely, "You haven't told anyone else about your Soul Emperor cultivation, right?"
Wang Chen, of course, understood his concern. His true strength was far greater than it appeared, but to spare the elder from another shock, he decided not to say too much.
He shook his head.
Wang Yuan exhaled in relief, murmuring:
"Good, good… The tallest tree in the forest is the first to fall.
Remember this, Chen'er—until you become a Titled Douluo, you must learn to hide your brilliance. Don't reveal your true self. Not even to me…"
Finally, Wang Yuan clutched his arm, eyes filled with sorrowful determination.
"Chen'er… now that Xu Tiannan is Crown Prince, if the Wang Clan ever faces calamity… You must leave. Hide your name. Cultivate in secret. Then, when your strength is sufficient, rebuild the clan.
As long as you live… the Wang Clan will rise again."
…
A quarter-hour later.
Wang Chen left Wang Yuan's home.
Walking along the clan's paths, he passed familiar faces. Every clan member he met carried a faint shadow of worry in their expressions.
He sighed inwardly.
In every clan, there are those like Wang Yan—selfish, willing to sacrifice everyone for their own ambition. But also those like Elder Wang Yuan, who would lay down everything for the family.
…
After visiting a few more elders, Wang Chen went to check the place where he and Meng Hongchen had left messages for one another.
There, he found a letter from her.
Reading it, a smile tugged at his lips as he thought of the delicate girl he hadn't seen for a month.
Time slipped by, and the next day arrived.
—Treasure Pavilion, Room 607.
Here, Wang Chen and Meng Hongchen had agreed to meet.
At first, the room had merely been a place to exchange secret messages.
But once Jing Hongchen stopped interfering in their private meetings… it had become their date spot.
As Wang Chen stepped into the room, the first thing that caught his eye was a stunning girl in a blue dress.
Silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, shimmering with a cool luster.
Her face was exquisite, like the finest porcelain doll, her snow-pale skin glowing with faint radiance. Her sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with brilliance.
Her slender waist and graceful curves outlined perfection.
Her long legs, wrapped in white silk stockings, stretched like carved jade pillars—so beautiful it stole the breath away.
While Wang Chen admired her ethereal beauty, Meng Hongchen suddenly leapt forward—three steps in two, springing into his arms.
She clung to him like an octopus, her soft voice melting into his ear:
"Brother Wang Chen…"
The sound was tender, sweet enough to drip water, making anyone's heart lighten instantly.
Holding her delicate body, Wang Chen carried her to the sofa and sat down.
Looking at the girl nestled in his embrace, a warm smile spread across his face. One arm circled her slender waist, the other gently stroking her smooth, flawless back.
Meng Hongchen leaned into his chest, enjoying the warmth of his touch and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Her eyes closed, her breathing filled with his scent, her face pressed softly against him.
The two simply sat in silence, entwined, as though time itself had stilled. The room was filled with sweetness and warmth.
After a long while, Meng Hongchen tilted her head up slightly. Her sapphire eyes locked onto Wang Chen's dark ones.
Their breaths mingled—then overlapped.