Originally, the Great Elder had intended to greet Wang Chen and, at the same time, hand over the Wang Family's financial report for Wang Chen to review.
But when he saw that Wang Chen clearly had important matters to attend to, he immediately decided not to disturb his leisure, planning instead to report the finances after Wang Chen finished his business.
As for the financial report… whether it was reviewed a day earlier or later didn't matter—after all, the money wasn't going anywhere.
Thus, the Great Elder bowed respectfully toward Wang Chen, then revealed a knowing smile that only "men who understood" would recognize, and slipped away quickly.
Seeing this, Wang Chen's mouth twitched slightly. He knew that the Great Elder had completely misunderstood his situation with Ye Guyi and Zhao Yurou.
However, Wang Chen couldn't be bothered to explain. Some things only got worse the more you tried to clarify them—and as the Clan Leader of the Wang Family, he had no need to explain anything.
With an unchanged expression, Wang Chen led Zhao Yurou and Ye Guyi toward the most central area of the Wang Family estate.
At that moment, Zhao Yurou, who was following behind Wang Chen, widened her eyes in disbelief.
That old man just now seemed to be the Wang Family's Great Elder, a powerful Soul Douluo, Wang Lu.
One had to understand that in all of Mingdu, Soul Saints who were also Rank 7 Soul Engineers were extremely few. Everyone in that circle either knew each other personally or at least knew each other by name and reputation.
As for Soul Douluo-level powerhouses—each and every one of them was renowned throughout the city.
But… how was this possible?!
The Great Elder of the Wang Family had actually bowed respectfully to Wang Chen! Was she seeing things? Or had she mistaken someone for someone else?
Zhao Yurou quickly denied that thought. She hadn't mistaken him for anyone else. Even without using her spiritual power to probe, she could clearly sense that old man's soul power fluctuations—far more terrifying than her own had been even before she was injured.
That old man was definitely the Great Elder of the Wang Family.
If that was true, then the only possible issue had to lie with Wang Chen.
Immediately, Zhao Yurou used her spiritual power to probe Wang Chen's strength—but to her shock, the moment her spiritual sense approached Wang Chen, it was blocked as though it had slammed into an invisible barrier.
Her spiritual power was bounced back instantly, preventing her from seeing even the faintest hint of Wang Chen's depth.
Wang Chen naturally noticed Zhao Yurou's spiritual probing, but he didn't care. After all, with the abnormal situation before her eyes, it was only natural she would feel uneasy and curious.
Seeing her spiritual power blocked, Zhao Yurou swallowed hard. To repel her Soul Saint-level spiritual power so easily—Wang Chen's strength had to be beyond Soul Saint.
Looking at Wang Chen's tall, youthful figure and the vibrant aura of life radiating from his young body, Zhao Yurou's mind buzzed.
No way. This young man—about the same age as Guyi—you're telling me he's above the Soul Saint level?
Zhao Yurou felt her brain go blank. The shock was simply too great—it had far exceeded the limits of what she could process.
A whirlwind of messy thoughts filled her mind:
Could Wang Chen actually be an old monster disguising himself as a youth?
Or maybe he's the descendant or illegitimate son of some Rank 9 Soul Engineer from the Wang Family, wearing a precious soul tool that blocks spiritual detection…
Otherwise, how could he possibly make the Great Elder, a Soul Douluo, bow to him?!
Within the Wang Family, aside from the Clan Leader himself, there was absolutely no one else whom the Great Elder would salute.
Therefore, Wang Chen couldn't possibly be just some random member of the Wang Family.
But thinking about it this way, things actually started to make sense.
Wang Chen was so outstanding that it was hard to imagine the Wang Family producing someone like him.
As these wild thoughts flashed through Zhao Yurou's mind, she glanced at Ye Guyi—who was staring straight at Wang Chen's back, completely oblivious to the earth-shattering implications of what had just happened.
Zhao Yurou couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. She had originally intended to keep an eye on Ye Guyi's "potential suitor" and act as her gatekeeper—but who could have expected things to take such a turn?
Now she couldn't even see through Wang Chen's power herself, let alone "screen" him for Ye Guyi.
Before long, Wang Chen brought Ye Guyi and Zhao Yurou to the very heart of the Wang Family estate.
Ye Guyi, who had been quietly watching Wang Chen's back all along, raised her head as Wang Chen stopped walking.
When she saw the luxurious grand hall before her—the pavilions and towers, the artificial mountains and fountains, and the adjoining side hall—she was completely stunned.
Even though she was still young and hadn't seen much of the world, she still understood that anyone who could live in such a place had to hold an incredibly high position. If not the Clan Leader, then at least one of the most powerful figures in the family.
Ye Guyi asked in disbelief, "Wang Chen, this place… is your new home?"
Zhao Yurou also turned to look at Wang Chen curiously, waiting for his answer. Everything she had seen along the way had already shocked her beyond words.
She had now firmly decided that Wang Chen must be the illegitimate son of some powerful figure.
As for other possibilities—such as Wang Chen being a top-tier powerhouse himself—she had already ruled them out. Not because she doubted his talent, but simply because he was far too young.
No matter how extraordinary his innate talent might be, at his age, it was impossible for his cultivation to exceed the Soul King level.
Looking at the two women's stunned faces, Wang Chen felt in an exceptionally good mood. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he said slowly,
"That's right. This place is my new home—and I am the Clan Leader of the Wang Family."
At this point, Wang Chen no longer cared if others found out that he was the Clan Leader.
Ever since mastering the Power of Origin, his strength had increased tremendously.
Even if a Rank 9 Soul Engineer or a Titled Douluo came to challenge him, who would win or lose, live or die—it would depend on whose methods were superior.
Strength was a man's confidence—his capital.
With such overwhelming power, in the Sun Moon Empire, as long as he didn't rebel, commit treason, or offend Kong Deming or the Emperor himself, no one could do anything to him.
The moment Wang Chen said this, both Ye Guyi and Zhao Yurou's jaws dropped.
"The Clan Leader of the Wang Family? How is that possible?!"
Zhao Yurou exclaimed in disbelief. No matter how she looked at Wang Chen's youthful face, she simply couldn't connect him with the title of Clan Leader of the Wang Family.
Wasn't the Clan Leader supposed to be Wang Yan—the near Rank 9 Soul Engineer and peak-level Soul Douluo powerhouse?
How could it possibly be this young man?
Ye Guyi's head was full of question marks.
Wait, how long has it even been since I last saw him? How did Wang Chen suddenly become the Clan Leader of the Wang Family?
Wasn't he about the same level as me before—just a little stronger in our sparring matches?
Ye Guyi immediately assumed Wang Chen was joking.
Blinking her big eyes, she asked uncertainly, "Wang Chen, how did you become the Clan Leader of the Wang Family? Aren't you about the same age as me?"
Wang Chen laughed heartily, his demeanor confident and composed. He pushed open the large doors with ease and gestured for them to enter.
Ye Guyi and Zhao Yurou exchanged glances—although their hearts were full of confusion and shock, they still followed Wang Chen into the grand hall.
Inside, the decorations were incomparably luxurious—glittering with gold and jade. Soft carpets covered the floor, and a faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air.
In the center stood a massive redwood table, neatly arranged with exquisite tea sets and delicate pastries.
Most striking of all, two rows of maids stood quietly on either side of the hall.