Chapter 173

Chapter 173

In everyone's eyes, Shen Wang had always been seen as avaricious and greedy, a trait even his admirers and followers had to admit.

Shen Wang was excellent in many ways, but his obsession with material possessions was unbecoming of a transcendent master.

Faced with an opportunity for immense wealth, he surprisingly abandoned his miserly nature, choosing to share the purification array with the world without charge.

Shi Yan's mouth twitched, his eyes unexpectedly welling up, "Brother Shen, you suddenly becoming so generous... I'm not used to it."

Shen Wang sneered, "Since you're so unaccustomed to it, maybe I should charge after all."

Shi Yan hurriedly pleaded, "No, no, Brother Shen, I was just joking."

Seeing this, Shen Wang raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, "Prepare a batch of top-quality jade and jadeite for me, the higher the quality, the better."

Jade possesses a spirit, and though its spiritual energy is weak, it's the best tool for creating arrays and talismans in this age of declining mysticism.

Previously constrained by poverty, Shen Wang could only use lower quality jade for his talismans and arrays. Now, backed by the state's resources, he too began to think big.

Shi Yan immediately agreed, "I'll have it arranged."

Shen Wang casually inquired, "Don't you need to ask your superiors for permission?"

Shi Yan smiled sheepishly, "Given the urgency of our situation, there's a lot to handle. The leaders have delegated small matters to me for direct handling, no need for prior approval, just a report afterward."

After speaking, Shi Yan added, "I should thank the leaders for their trust and support."

Shen Wang: "..."

Disregarding the sycophantic remarks, the bottom line was that Shi Yan had become a trusted confidant of the leadership, effectively a decision-making 'small boss'.

As Shi Yan mentioned, he was now a 'small boss', and with the current special circumstances, a single request from Shen Wang resulted in the prompt delivery of a batch of top-grade jade stones within a day.

In the Gu family's secret chamber, Shen Wang picked up a pale purple jadeite raw stone. Its faint purple hue was stunning, and even unpolished, its translucence was palpable.

Such a stone, if it appeared on the market, would easily fetch millions.

Yet, Shen Wang set it aside, choosing instead a green jadeite. This stone was less attractive than the purple one, but contained a hint more spiritual energy.

Feeling somewhat satisfied, Shen Wang focused intently, using his spiritual consciousness as a blade to meticulously remove impurities from the stone.

The rough exterior of the jadeite crumbled away, revealing smooth surfaces with flowing lines. After an indeterminate amount of time, as the last rune was carved, the jadeite suddenly emitted a faint green glow before quickly dimming.

Placing the completed jade talisman aside, Shen Wang picked up another stone.

This time, Shen Wang secluded himself for three days, neither eating nor sleeping. In these three days, he upgraded the purification array and produced a basketful of top-grade jade talismans and array stones.

The upgraded array was swiftly disseminated. Shi Yan managed to contact metaphysical practitioners from various countries, sharing the array with them.

Initially, upon hearing that the array could purify evil spirits and negative energy, they were skeptical, asking the crucial question, "Why would you give us something so valuable for free?"

Could there be a trap?

Faced with their skepticism, Shi Yan straightforwardly replied, "This array was developed by our domestic array expert, Mr. Shen Wang, in response to this global catastrophe. He is a man of integrity and has chosen to share it freely, without charging any fees..."

"If you don't want it, we won't insist." Shi Yan hadn't even finished his sentence when the previously skeptical foreigner burst into laughter, "Oh, it's Mr. Shen Wang's work? Why didn't you say so earlier!"

Shi Yan, who was about to respect each country's choice and wish them well, was baffled: "???"

The person on the other end of the video conference, beaming with joy, asked without hesitation, "Do you still have those yellow talismans Mr. Shen Wang sold us before? Can we buy more? I'm willing to pay extra."

That's when Shi Yan remembered that Shen Wang had interacted with these people during a previous international competition.

Despite opposition from the accompanying elders, Shen Wang had sold many talismans to these foreigners.

Through their incessant chatter, he roughly understood the situation.

It turned out that these people had caused trouble abroad and were worried about retribution from the powerful Ying Country. Unexpectedly, Ying Country soon became embroiled in a conflict between vampires and werewolves, leaving them no time to bother with them.

While they were feeling relieved, a surge of evil spirits and negative energy suddenly appeared in their country, and they had to fight to protect their homeland.

It was during this battle that they realized the yellow talismans sold by Shen Wang were far more effective than they had imagined!

Not only were they useful for attacking and combating evil spirits, but they also dispersed negative energy. They even healed wounds inflicted by evil spirits or corrupted by negative energy, serving as a versatile tool for attack, healing, and support.

A small piece tucked away was indeed as convenient and effective as Shen Wang had claimed, discreet and indispensable for home defense and counter-attacks!

Overwhelmed by the endless praises from the other end, Shi Yan's ears were nearly ringing. Finding a brief pause, he quickly interjected, "In that case, note down this array. It serves the same purpose as the talismans – the yellow paper pieces you mentioned."

This time, the other party hastily grabbed paper and pen, earnestly noting down everything without any doubt.

After this experience, when contacting the next person, Shi Yan didn't waste words. He immediately mentioned Shen Wang, "Our country's master, Shen Wang, has developed an array with effects similar to the talismans..."

Indeed, the skepticism from the other side greatly diminished, and he successfully promoted the purification array.

After hanging up the last video call, Shi Yan couldn't help speculating, "Could it be that Brother Shen knew there would be a time when these talismans would be needed, which is why he sold them against the elders' wishes?"

The more Shi Yan thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and he couldn't help but feel a deep respect: He had underestimated Brother Shen.

Shen Wang felt a chill down his spine, frowning with the sensation of being thought of behind his back.

"What's wrong?" asked Gu Dongting, who was beside him.

"Nothing, someone might be badmouthing me behind my back," Shen Wang didn't take it to heart, as his prominence from the purification array had led to inevitable gossip, "Let's continue."

Gu Dongting nodded, looking at the handful of jade talismans and array stones in his hand, "There are too many, I can't use all of these."

"They're not just for you," Shen Wang touched his nose, "We once held an auction using Qingcheng Mountain's techniques and made a lot of money. I didn't have much use for it, so I had Shi Yan buy some jade stones for me."

"These jade talismans... keep half for yourself, and distribute the rest to your family."

After saying this, Shen Wang observed Gu Dongting for a moment, awkwardly adding, "It's not like I prepared them especially for you, I've given some to my friends and family too..."

Shen Wang rambled on, not even sure what he was saying, feeling embarrassed. Amidst this, Gu Dongting suddenly stepped forward and hugged him.

"Thank you," Gu Dongting's muffled voice came through.

He truly hadn't expected that Shen Wang would also think of his family.

These jade talismans were crystal clear and exceptionally beautiful in color, containing a faint spiritual energy, resembling less a weapon for attack and more like exquisitely crafted ornaments by a master jade carver.

But beyond their beauty, holding them in hand, Gu Dongting could feel their extraordinary power, stronger than any talisman he had ever seen, likely even capable of withstanding his deadliest strike.

Shen Wang, generously and without asking for money, stuffed a whole box full of such high-quality jade talismans into Gu Dongting's hands.

"No need to thank me," Shen Wang said, momentarily lost in thought, then gently reciprocated Gu Dongting's embrace.

After a while, Gu Dongting looked up, his eyes slightly red, "Shen Wang, are you hiding something from me?"

Shen Wang was taken aback and chuckled awkwardly, "What are you talking about..."

"I can feel it," Gu Dongting interrupted his evasive answers, his gaze firm, "As your partner, I have the right to know everything about you."

Shen Wang tried to argue, but Gu Dongting softened his tone, looking at him with slightly reddened eyes, "Shen Wang, please don't hide anything from me, okay?"

Seeing his expression, Shen Wang fell silent for a few seconds, then sighed, "How come you're so perceptive."

Gu Dongting smiled, "I'm not this perceptive with others."

Shen Wang sighed again, sat down with Gu Dongting, and after setting up a concealment array, he slowly began, "Dongting, Gu Yuanjun has plunged the whole world into chaos with his power, and he's so strong that no one can stop him."

"Except me."

Gu Dongting's pupils constricted sharply, "But his strength far surpasses yours."

Shen Wang was undoubtedly powerful, but his strength was within the realm of understanding. In contrast, Gu Yuanjun's immense power, manifesting even in a mere breath, was terrifying.

Even Gu Dongting had to admit that Gu Yuanjun's strength far exceeded that of anyone in the world.

The realization dawned on Gu Dongting why Shen Wang had been working so hard these past few days.

He upgraded the array, devoted himself to crafting countless jade talismans and array stones, arranged for the safety of friends and family, even the Gu family was well taken care of, and he no longer scrimped on the money he once treasured so much...

"Dongting, do you believe in the 'Child of Destiny'?" Shen Wang, in a calming manner, tightened his grip on Gu Dongting's hand, trying to soothe him with his gentle tone.

"I don't believe it!" Gu Dongting's eyes reddened as he spoke vehemently, "Those people on the immortal mountain say Tang Jiu is the Child of Destiny! I don't believe it! There's no such thing as a Child of Destiny in this world. Neither Tang Jiu nor you are..."

"I am indeed not," Shen Wang revealed a smile, a mix of happiness and pride, "But you are."

Gu Dongting was momentarily stunned.

"You are the Child of Destiny. It's just that Gu Yuanjun schemed against you, trying to let Tang Jiu steal your fate, hence he stole your identity."

"Without Gu Yuanjun, without Tang Jiu, you would lead the metaphysical world to new heights, becoming a legend, and even in this age of decline, you would find a ray of hope..."

This was the brilliant life that should have belonged to Gu Dongting.

"In your previous life, everything you had was stolen, and you met a tragic end. In this life... you will become the person you were meant to be."

Shen Wang's voice was incredibly compelling, almost allowing one to visualize the future he described: the foremost figure in the metaphysical world, admired by all, with a bright future.

But Gu Dongting, without blinking, stared at Shen Wang, "What about you?"

Me? The smile on Shen Wang's face slightly faded, and he spoke softly, "I am the person meant to correct this erroneous fate for you."

"What do you mean?" Unknowingly, Gu Dongting's voice trembled, even his usually steady sword-wielding hand shook in Shen Wang's grasp.

"Gu Yuanjun is a mistake, like a bug in a program. I exist solely to eliminate this bug," Shen Wang's gaze was incredibly gentle, and he remained calm.

Yet, in Shen Wang's eyes, Gu Dongting saw his own panic-stricken self, biting his teeth hard, his mind racing with countless thoughts.

He wanted to say, 'what does this world have to do with us,' to say, 'it doesn't have to be you,' to suggest they leave this place... but in the vast world, there seemed to be no place for them.

Gradually, Gu Dongting's hand ceased trembling, and he seemed to calm down, "Though I face a million foes alone, I shall go forth. Some things must be done by someone."

Shen Wang nodded in agreement but also sensed something amiss.

Then, Gu Dongting looked up, his gaze resolute, "I won't hinder any of your decisions, but... I've always had one regret."

A cautious question mark appeared on Shen Wang's forehead.

"You and Xiao Hei Ge had a night of passion, and I'm your acknowledged partner, yet between us, it's been purely platonic. I'm not satisfied with that," Gu Dongting stood up, his long, slender, snow-white fingers lightly flicking off his white robe, "You always say we are one and the same, so equal treatment shouldn't be too much to ask."

Shen Wang: "???"

Why did the subject suddenly change?!!