Jing Hongchen said, "Once Grandpa finds out where this Ye Guyi girl is, I'll tell you."
Meng Hongchen nodded eagerly and urged, "Then, Grandpa, you must hurry!"
Cheerfully, she and her brother left the study.
After they were gone, Jing Hongchen sank into his chair with a long sigh. "Truly, daughters—and granddaughters—can't be kept at home once they grow up…"
He had expected that upon hearing Wang Chen liked another girl, his granddaughter's first thought would be to beat Wang Chen senseless. Instead, she blamed him, her grandfather.
This was… beyond his control.
He, the dignified principal of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, master of Mingde Hall, revered by tens of thousands—yet he couldn't even manage his granddaughter's love life.
For all his cunning, ruthlessness, and power outside, before his grandchildren, he was nothing more than an ordinary old man.
Jing Hongchen sighed again. "Forget it. My granddaughter has grown up; she won't listen to me anymore. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. No matter what the future holds, let them decide.
As her grandfather, the most I can do is protect her safety. As for her path forward, that's for the young to walk."
He sat in silence for a long while, finally resolving to no longer meddle in his granddaughter's relationships. He would let things take their natural course.
"Steward," he called.
"Patriarch."
The fifty-something butler entered. He had followed Jing Hongchen since the age of fifteen, for forty years in total. He knew his master better than anyone, and at once noticed Jing Hongchen's mood was different from usual.
Jing Hongchen studied him for a moment, then only said, "In three days, give the young lady the intelligence we've gathered on Ye Guyi."
The butler nodded. Intelligence gathering took time; handing it over too quickly would only expose that the family had known all along but withheld it, which would surely anger the young miss.
Seeing Jing Hongchen appear somewhat weary, he said gently, "Patriarch, if you're tired, perhaps take a walk to clear your mind."
"You're thoughtful," Jing Hongchen replied, waving him off.
The butler bowed and withdrew.
By then, evening had fallen.
In her chamber, Meng Hongchen lay on her soft bed, thoughts spinning endlessly.
Once Grandpa finds where Ye Guyi is, I'll ask her directly about her and Wang Chen-gege's relationship.
*No—that won't do. What if she lies? I need to watch in secret first, see for myself how she and Wang Chen-gege interact.
If it's just a passing encounter or a mere friendship, then I'll let it go.
But… if she really is with him, then what should I do?*
Her delicate face clouded with worry.
But soon her eyes hardened with determination.
*Wang Chen-gege and I have known each other since childhood. Even if Ye Guyi shamelessly seduced him, he'll still like me more.
I'll win him back no matter what!*
Meanwhile, in the Sun family estate, southeast of Mingdu—
A pig-squealing scream echoed from a large room.
"Sun Yu, how did I raise such a son?!" roared Sun Jing. "Who taught you? Who gave you the guts to meddle in the Hongchen family's affairs?
And where did you find the courage to clash with the Wang family's young master?
You little bastard! One of these days, you'll be the death of me!"
Sun Yu—who had just gone to tattle at the Hongchen family—was stripped, strung up, and beaten by his father.
With his belt lashing down like a storm, Sun Jing whipped his son until he howled.
"Father, I was wrong! I won't dare again! Please, spare me!" Sun Yu sobbed pitifully, begging for mercy.
His mother, a graceful middle-aged woman, pleaded, "Husband, stop! Yu'er knows his mistake. He's our only son—you'll hurt him!"
"Silence!" Sun Jing snapped. "This is your fault—you've spoiled him rotten! I've been too busy with official duties to discipline him. Look at what you've raised! Today, I'll make sure he learns his lesson!"
He flung the belt aside, drew a whip from his storage soul tool, and lashed even harder.
"Ahhh! It hurts! Mother, help me! I'll die at this rate!" Sun Yu bawled, snot and tears streaming.
His mother, unable to watch, rushed to shield him. "If you want to hit our son, you'll have to go through me first!"
"Arghh!"
Furious but helpless, Sun Jing threw the whip to the ground and stomped on it.
His wife hurried to apply healing ointment from her storage tool to her son's bleeding welts.
"Does it hurt, son?" she asked tenderly.
Sun Yu glanced fearfully at his father and dared not answer.
Sun Jing caught the look and snorted. "Look at you—crying over a little pain. When I was young, fighting in the Mingdou Mountains against the Star Luo Empire's scum, I took dozens of wounds.
The worst one split my belly open and my guts spilled out—and I didn't even groan!"
Sun Yu cursed inwardly, Here he goes again… being his son is my life's greatest misfortune.
Outwardly, he could only look pitiful.
Seeing his son's cowardice only infuriated Sun Jing more.
"All you think about are girls instead of cultivating! No ambition! No awareness of the bigger picture!
Annoying Wang Chen is one thing, but you—of all things—had to drag in the Hongchen family.
You think you can use them against Wang Chen? Do you know who they are? Do you understand the power balance between the Hongchen family and the Wang family?
Over a few rumors, you dared involve them? One wrong move, and the Hongchen family will kill you without hesitation!
They only sent people to question you this time. Next time, they might want your head!"
Grinding his teeth, Sun Jing declared, "From now on, you'll stay home and cultivate. Step outside again, and you're no son of mine.
I'm only forty-one—I can always have another child!"
With that, he stormed out, leaving behind his bewildered son and distraught wife.
Meanwhile, at the Wang estate—
After dinner, Wang Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, cultivating.
He had reached the peak of Rank 29. Only a thin barrier separated him from Rank 30, Soul Elder.
Focused, he circulated his Tongmai Gong technique again and again. The bottleneck weakened under the pounding of his soul power, fragile as paper.
Sweat beaded his forehead, his jaw clenched as he poured every ounce of strength into the breakthrough.
Wave after wave of soul power surged within him.
Then suddenly—
A powerful fluctuation burst from his body, shaking the room's furnishings.
Wang Chen's eyes snapped open, flashing with light. His aura now burned brighter and stronger than ever.
Rank 30—achieved!
Exhaling, he felt the transformation. His soul power was denser, his body lighter and stronger.
Most importantly, reaching Rank 30 meant he could obtain his third soul ring.
With a third ring, every aspect of his strength—body, power, quality of soul force—would rise significantly.
And more crucially, his secret art Ring Tempering would also become far stronger.
After all, the gap between a hundred-year yellow ring and a thousand-year purple ring was vast. With Ring Tempering, his combat ability would surge again.
But Wang Chen wasn't in a rush. He intended to absorb Spirit Gold first to enhance his body before hunting a soul beast for his third ring.
The stronger his body, the higher-aged soul ring he could withstand.
A higher-aged ring meant more soul power, potentially pushing him past Rank 32 in one leap.
It would also grant greater boosts to his physique and attributes.
So instead of settling for a two-thousand-year ring now, he would wait. With patience, he might claim a ring over five thousand years old.
And cultivating soul power didn't require a ring immediately, so there was no real loss in waiting.
The purification of the Soul-Devouring Dagger must proceed quickly, Wang Chen thought.
But that little angel Ye Guyi… she's proud, yes, but not too bright. Otherwise, in the original story, she wouldn't have revealed her Angel Spirit in front of so many Titled Douluo and Super Douluo evil soul masters, just because she thought the so-called Alliance Leader Shangguan Wei'er was backing her.
With effort, I'll soon be able to befriend her. Then I can persuade her to help purify the dagger.
Rubbing his chin, he gazed at the bright moon outside. Now—how best to draw close to a proud little girl like her?
Seven days passed in a blink.
At Ye Guyi's home—
Thanks to his timely rescue from Sun Yu's harassment and his maturity, charm, and interesting nature, Wang Chen had earned her trust.
They now met freely, even in her home. One could call them friends.
At this moment, they were sparring.
Ye Guyi refrained from using her soul skills, relying only on her soul tools and raw power, clearly unwilling to reveal her Angel Spirit—the nemesis of evil soul masters.
Outwardly, she appeared as a third-rank melee-type soul engineer with a mediocre martial spirit.
With a twist of her wrist, she produced a three-star melee soul tool longsword. About 1.1 meters long, blade only three centimeters wide, gleaming gold. Its three core arrays were set into the hilt.
She slashed crisply at Wang Chen. The blade shimmered, weaving into a veil of sword shadows.
Wang Chen narrowed his eyes, his keen spiritual power tracking every trajectory with ease.
With a sweep of his soul tool spear, he deflected her strike and countered toward her abdomen.
In close combat, reach was king—spears held the advantage over swords.
Ye Guyi twisted aside, her speed as a Soul Elder letting her evade. She instantly pressed forward, thrusting her sword upward toward his chest.
Wang Chen swung his spear crosswise, blocking the thrust. Metal clashed, sparks flew.
They traded blows, neither gaining the upper hand.
Ye Guyi marveled. She knew she was stronger, faster, and more powerful. Yet Wang Chen's skill let him hold his own against her.
Her impression of him shifted—from "weak" to "a combat genius with exquisite technique."
And, not far away, in the shadows—
A delicate, beautiful figure watched quietly, her eyes glimmering with complicated emotions.
It was none other than Meng Hongchen, secretly observing Ye Guyi…