Chapter 232: Life really is full of ups and downs—City Lord Ding is overwhelmed with emotion!

Not long after.

By the time Jiang Chen arrived before the great gates of the City Lord's residence.

He immediately drew the attention of the guards stationed there.

They raised their heads to look, sizing him up with a few glances.

Seeing the stranger before them, someone they had never laid eyes on, they were instantly put on guard and stepped in his way: "This is the City Lord's residence. No idlers allowed. Do you have an invitation?"

Jiang Chen smiled and said casually, "I am a man of the Jiang clan of Cangwu. I come this time bearing the clan chief's orders, here specifically to meet your City Lord. Now—are you going to block me?"

The moment these words left his mouth, every guard present had their pupils contract sharply, their bodies trembling!

They knew full well that, in today's Wudan City, the most fearsome presence was not their own City Lord, but the Jiang clan, whose fame was at its peak!

Offend the City Lord, and there might still be a slim chance of survival.

But offend the Jiang clan, and it was certain death—ten deaths with no life, not the slightest hope of escape!

Because even if the Jiang clan itself did not lift a hand.

Those eager to curry favor with the Jiang clan would all rush to strike first, using the likes of them as a gift to win merit!

At this thought, sycophantic smiles immediately bloomed across their faces, and they stepped aside from afar, clearing a wide path.

Then, with utmost deference, they said: "This lowly one failed to recognize greatness, not knowing the Young Master of the Jiang clan had come in person. Any offense was unintentional—please be magnanimous. Now, allow this lowly one to lead the way for you."

Seeing the guards' before-and-after contrast so stark, Jiang Chen felt not the slightest surprise.

For he understood that the Jiang clan of today was long past what it once was.

The four characters "Cangwu Jiang clan"—that was the greatest golden signboard in these lands; none dared offend it lightly!

Afterward, Jiang Chen was just about to refuse their offer to lead the way.

But then he recalled that he was here on this trip representing the Jiang clan and the clan chief.

If he were to casually sweep the area with his spiritual sense, it would likely be somewhat lacking in courtesy.

So, with a turn of thought, he nodded and accepted.

Seeing this, all the guards at the gate breathed a sigh of relief.

The leader stepped forward, bowed his body, extended his right hand, and said respectfully, "Please enter."

Jiang Chen did not linger, and at once strode inside under the nervous gazes of the many guards.

Entering the interior of the City Lord's residence, he passed along several gravel paths and arrived at a courtyard.

Soon, Jiang Chen caught sight of Ding Xuan's figure.

At this moment, City Lord Ding was wholly focused on practicing his fist art.

Between each stance and form, gusts of force shot out in all directions—majestic and awe-inspiring, truly astonishing!

However, this was only the view of an ordinary person.

From Jiang Chen's eye, however, the man's fist art was riddled with openings, breakable with a casual hand!

At this moment, noticing someone approaching, Ding Xuan halted his movements, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and only then turned his head to look.

Gazing at Jiang Chen's face, his brow furrowed—he did not recognize him at first glance.

For the changes in Jiang Chen were truly too great.

After awakening the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body and breaking through to the Yuanhai Realm.

His features had become more defined and profound, and his stature had grown considerably taller as well.

Compared to his former frail and thin appearance, he was a completely different person!

"And you are?"

Ding Xuan's brow was tightly furrowed, deeply puzzled.

He was stunned to discover that he could sense a faint, elusive pressure emanating from the other party!

To be able to give me such a feeling—could it be that this person is a Yuanhai Realm cultivator?

Ding Xuan's heart gave a jolt; he truly could not gauge the other's depths.

But just then, Jiang Chen suddenly gave a light chuckle: "City Lord Ding, it has been far too long. Jiang Chen comes this time bearing the clan chief's orders, making a special Dengmen visit to see you..."

After all, City Lord Ding had undertaken many actions to curry favor with his clan, and had even won the clan chief's attention.

So, as a junior, he did not presume upon his Yuanhai cultivation base to embarrass the man before the eyes of those around him.

As Jiang Chen's words fell.

Ding Xuan was as if he had heard a ghost story—his heart gave a lurch, and he suddenly widened his eyes, staring at Jiang Chen!

His eyes were filled with disbelief.

Jiang Chen? How could it be that boy?

At this moment, monstrous waves surged within Ding Xuan's heart.

He truly could not connect the tall man before him with the Jiang Chen of the past!

However, after this prompt, and a few more glances.

He seemed to truly notice that the other's brows, eyes, and the placement of his features bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Chen's!

Ding Xuan barely managed to forcibly suppress his shock.

But then, suddenly recalling something, his heart leapt straight to his throat in an instant!

Wait... that boy has broken through to the Yuanhai Realm?!

The corner of Ding Xuan's mouth twitched; he felt it was utterly beyond comprehension.

He would never have dreamed that not only had that old fellow Jiang Hongguang's cultivation base surpassed his own, reaching the Yuanhai Realm.

But now, even Jiang Chen, this junior, was no exception!

When did breaking through to the Yuanhai Realm become so easy?

Ding Xuan silently lowered his head, gazing at his own hands, and gradually began to doubt his life.

He suddenly felt that all his years of cultivation had been cultivated onto a dog!

He had given up every comfort and trained bitterly for a whole month, yet hadn't even broken through a single minor realm.

But Jiang Chen had broken through even a major realm successfully.

Such an enormous contrast — whoever it happened to, no one could stand it!

While lost in dejection, Ding Xuan subconsciously raised his head and glanced at Jiang Chen again.

When he noticed the inexplicable smile at the corner of the other's mouth.

He suddenly felt his heart jolt, realizing something.

The Jiang Clan Leader had even sent the clan's prodigy out to meet him.

Could it be that my efforts (bootlicking) have finally received a response from the Clan Leader, my lord?

Thinking of this, Ding Xuan's heart surged with emotion at once!

If it were really so, he could finally consider himself to have endured through to the end!

Under the miraculous methods of the Jiang Clan Leader.

Even that old fellow Jiang Hongguang, who already had half a foot in the coffin, could break through to the Origin Sea realm.

So how could he himself not?!

At this moment, seeing the expressions on Ding Xuan's face constantly shifting, his body even trembling with excitement.

Jiang Chen smiled, no longer keeping the other man in suspense.

He immediately waved a large hand, took out three Marrow Washing Pills from the Purple Mansion space, and held them out before Ding Xuan.

"During this period, all the efforts you have made for our Jiang family have been seen by the Clan Leader, my lord."

"He is very satisfied with you, which is why he specially instructed me to bestow these three Marrow Washing Pills upon you."

"City Lord Ding, from now on you may rest assured — as long as you serve our Jiang family loyally and wholeheartedly, we will absolutely never let you suffer losses casually. In fact, if you do well, a mere Origin Sea realm is nothing — for you, it is only a starting point......."