SSS-Rank 10x Reward System: Accepting Disciples to Live Forever-Chapter 181: Yun Family Situation

Flying through the skies above Ancient Sword City, Wang Chen wore a contemplative expression. The wind rushed past his ears, but his thoughts were far louder than the city below.

The conversation he had with Yang Li replayed in his mind again and again, every word examined, every pause dissected. No matter how many times he turned it over, he couldn’t find anything overtly wrong.

And yet...

Something felt off.

Not wrong in a way he could point to—but wrong in the way a missing piece makes an entire puzzle feel incomplete.

It was as if he had overlooked something fundamental.

Suddenly, like a spark flaring in the dark, a thought surfaced.

Wasn’t there someone in history who openly fought against the Upper Realm...?

His brows knit together.

Strange.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall the name. The memory felt deliberately blurred, as if something—or someone—had reached into the river of history and erased the details.

That realization made Wang Chen’s heart tighten slightly.

Why can’t I remember...?

Shaking his head, he forced the thought aside. Whatever that forgotten figure was, it wasn’t something he could unravel midair.

As Ancient Sword City’s skyline drew closer, his figure descended smoothly, returning to his temporary residence—the Yun Family mansion, standing proudly at the city’s center.

...

"Master, you’re back!"

The moment Wang Chen stepped into the courtyard, Rong Lua and Young Master Yun hurried forward, greeting him almost in unison. Their movements were crisp, respectful—perhaps a little too eager.

A heartbeat later, Ancestor Yun arrived behind them, his steps measured and dignified, though unmistakably slower.

Ancestor Yun’s expression darkened the instant his gaze landed on the two figures standing before him.

The almost comically fawning posture of Rong Lua and Young Master Yun made his already sour mood worsen.

Damn it... these old bones really are getting rusty, he cursed inwardly.

Wang Chen’s lips twitched subtly at the sight—especially when his eyes lingered on Young Master Yun’s exaggeratedly respectful stance.

This brat... Wang Chen thought. I have a feeling he’s going to get me into trouble sooner or later.

Still, memories of Young Master Yun’s earlier decisiveness surfaced in his mind. Whatever else could be said, the lad had guts—and more importantly, the ability to recognize opportunity when it mattered.

Because of that, Wang Chen didn’t mind helping him if the need arose.

With those thoughts settled, Wang Chen smiled faintly and spoke casually, as if offering tea rather than a fortune-altering reward.

"Hm. Rong Lua, Young Master Yun," he said, voice light, "I still haven’t properly rewarded the two of you for your actions last time."

He paused just long enough for the air to tighten.

"Go on," he added. "Ask for whatever you want."

Ancestor Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

What—?

Even he felt his heart skip a beat. Such an opportunity was not something that came lightly—especially when offered by someone like Wang Chen.

For a fleeting moment, even Ancestor Yun felt a pang of envy toward the two juniors standing in front.

Meanwhile, Young Master Yun let out a long, almost imperceptible sigh of relief.

It was the sound of someone who knew he had gambled everything—and finally, unmistakably, won.

Thankfully, Wang Chen’s worry proved unnecessary.

Without the slightest hesitation—or shame—both of them stepped forward to voice their wishes.

Rong Lua was the first to speak. The Nascent Soul cultivator from the Thousand Sword Sect straightened his posture, his expression solemn, almost reverent.

"Master," Rong Lua said earnestly, "my cultivation has been stuck at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm for a long time. No matter how I cultivate, no matter how I polish my foundation, I can’t take that final step. I feel as if there’s an invisible wall blocking my path."

He clenched his fists.

"Please... show me the path ahead."

For a fleeting moment, Wang Chen’s expression froze.

Hmm. Good question.

I’d also really like to know the path ahead.

Inside, Wang Chen let out a silent, helpless sigh.

Now that he was only at the Golden Core Realm, the problem Rong Lua described was something he himself would have to face sooner rather than later. Lin Huang had already reached Golden Core, and Li Mie would follow soon enough. At this rate, his disciples would be catching up to him alarmingly fast.

Then what? Master and disciples at the same realm?

The thought alone made Wang Chen’s scalp itch.

How embarrassing would that be...

In Wang Chen’s heart, a master should always stand at least one realm above his disciples. Anything less felt... wrong.

Outwardly, however, he maintained a calm façade. He looked at Rong Lua for a long moment, then shook his head slowly, a trace of disappointment crossing his face.

"Now is not the time yet," Wang Chen said evenly. "Don’t rush. Focus on consolidating your foundation. When the time comes, the path will naturally reveal itself."

With those words spoken, he resisted the urge to spread his hands and sigh openly.

How am I supposed to show you the path, he thought dryly, when I haven’t even walked it myself?

If this question had come from one of his disciples, Wang Chen would have already unleashed a flawless torrent of profound-sounding nonsense, mixed with just enough truth to pass as enlightenment.

But Rong Lua wasn’t his disciple.

And Wang Chen was far too lazy to fabricate wisdom for someone he didn’t feel obligated to deceive.

So he simply... didn’t.

Rong Lua, however, showed no sign of doubt.

To him, Wang Chen’s words were no different from a divine decree. If the Master said the time wasn’t right, then it wasn’t right—there had to be a deeper reason beyond mortal comprehension.

Satisfied, Rong Lua stepped back respectfully.

Wang Chen internally shrugged and shifted his gaze toward the last person standing.

Young Master Yun.

This one... was different.

Wang Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of interest passing through them.

Now let’s see what you want.

Rong Lua fell into deep contemplation.

He had long since reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm; there was a reason he had asked for the path beyond. Wang Chen’s words did not disappoint him—on the contrary, they unsettled him. The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was off. His foundation was solid, his dao was stable, yet... perhaps too stable.