Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

As night fell, Wang Chen met with Xi Wanhai, who had come to pay a visit at the Heavenly Master Pavilion.

Xi Wanhai was the Family Head of the Xi Family in Dayi City, the biological father of Xi Manyun, with a cultivation level of the fifth layer of the Purple Mansion.

And it was this Superior from the Purple Mansion who Xi Manyun had summoned back to the Xi Family upon her return.

Among the many local powers in Dayi City, the Xi Family's strength and scale were above average, with a total of two Purple Mansion Superiors in the clan.

However, one of the Purple Mansion elders was nearing the end of his life, and there was no one among the newer generation who could break through to establish their own Mansion. Thus, they faced a generation gap, and their influence was far from its former glory.

Otherwise, Xi Manyun wouldn't have faced such difficulties within the Shangxun Heavenly Master Pavilion.

Xi Manyun wanted to make a mark and take over the "pie" that Wang Chen had tossed out, but relying solely on her own power was far from enough. So, it was perfectly reasonable for her to enlist the help of her father.

Xi Wanhai also made his stance clear to Wang Chen, supporting Xi Manyun in taking over Xiang Yingzhe's "stall" and helping his daughter rise to power!

"Heavenly Master Wang, our Xi Family is willing to serve you."

The Family Head of the Xi Family spoke frankly, "It's just that the Wu Family has great power, and they have the support of the Chief Town Heavenly Master. There's limited assistance we can provide. We hope for your understanding, Heavenly Master."

Wang Chen had no domineering aura that could make others bow their heads in submission immediately upon activation.

A person like Xi Wanhai would certainly not stake his family's future and fate on Wang Chen, a newly promoted Heavenly Master with no real foundation.

He was willing to support Wang Chen in exchange for the opportunity to control a community with five streets and expand his family's influence.

But such support would be fulfilled on the basis of ensuring his family's safety.

This meant that the Xi Family could not openly oppose the Wu Family, nor dare to go against the will of the Chief Town Heavenly Master Pavilion.

After all, Wang Chen was only going to stay here for a mere three years.

"It's no trouble at all."

Wang Chen had never thought that by simply throwing out a "pie," he could win over the Xi Family.

In fact, Xi Wanhai's cautious and reserved attitude was exactly what he needed.

If the other party were an impulsive and hot-headed simpleton, that would have been a massive headache for Wang Chen!

Wang Chen's aim in winning over the Xi Family and using Xiang Yingzhe as a warning to others was ultimately to suppress the local forces represented by Wu Jingwei.

To allow himself to smoothly get through the three years.

He would rather take action himself, donning the Thousand Mechanisms Changing and killing a bunch of traitors, than expect the Xi Family to charge into battle for him.

The first thing that Wang Chen had the Xi Family do was to replace the servants and maids in the Shangxun Heavenly Master Pavilion, and to select a group of elite guards as additional protection.

The previous Heavenly Master was incompetent, allowing Wu Jingwei to seize great power, and it was unknown how much interference had been mixed into the Heavenly Master Pavilion.

Wang Chen couldn't accurately judge how many spies or informants were among those servants and maids.

So he decided to replace them all.

Even if relying entirely on the Xi Family posed a risk, it was still better than leaving things unchanged.

And through such personnel changes, he could further reinforce his authority as the Guarding Heavenly Master!

In fact, even more important were the five hundred Patrol Guards subordinate to the Shangxun Heavenly Master Pavilion.
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It was said that many were from the Wu Family.

But one has to eat one bite at a time; striding too fast or making too aggressive moves can easily give others the opportunity to cause trouble.

Therefore, he had to proceed gradually.

Wang Chen spoke with Xi Wanhai for a full four hours before finalizing the details of their cooperation.

Through the Family Head of the Xi Family, Wang Chen gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of Dayi City, as well as the Xun City District under his jurisdiction.

After the meeting ended, he personally escorted Xi Wanhai out of the Heavenly Master Pavilion.

And the first thing Xi Wanhai did when he returned home was to summon Xi Manyun.

"I've already come to an agreement with Heavenly Master Wang."

He said to his daughter, "Go ahead and do what you need to do; I will allocate a batch of reliable personnel to support you."

"Thank you, Father!"

Xi Manyun was instantly overjoyed, her smile blossoming like a gorgeous flower.

"Don't get too happy too soon."

Xi Wanhai couldn't help but throw a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm, "The Wu Family won't let things go easily, and the Xiang Family will definitely cause trouble. You need to be prepared and not let anyone get the upper hand over you."

Xi Manyun nodded, "Don't worry, father, I know my limits."

She had asked Xi Wanhai to meet with Wang Chen, naturally preparing herself mentally to face the challenges ahead.

To truly take control of the street quarters was not going to be an easy task.

Looking at the radiant expression on his daughter's face, Xi Wanhai felt a stirring in his heart, "Yun'er, what do you think of Heavenly Master Wang?"

Xi Manyun was taken aback, "Think what?"

She quickly realized what he meant and her pretty face flushed with embarrassment, "Father, what are you talking about!"

Xi Wanhai chuckled, "This new Heavenly Master is young yet has already achieved Breakthrough Mansion. In the future, the Golden Core stage is within reach, and he's laudable in both talent and appearance, you really could consider it."

The thoughts of the Family Head of the Xi Family were actually quite pragmatic.

The biggest issue for the Xi Family was the lack of a successor. Once the Purple Mansion Elders pass away, it would be very difficult for him alone as a Superior to support the current situation, let alone seek further advancement.

But if Xi Manyun could become a Taoist companion with Wang Chen, the situation would be vastly different.

Given Wang Chen's age and the full support of the Xi Family, even the position of Chief Town Heavenly Master might not be out of reach.

At the very least, the Xi Family could gain a future Unlimited Purple Mansion.

Protecting the family business would no longer be a problem.

With such thoughts in mind, Xi Wanhai was willing to accept the olive branch Wang Chen had thrown out.

"I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Xi Manyun, feeling both embarrassed and impatient, lost all her usual poise and composedness and turned to run into the inner courtyard.

Xi Wanhai was left smiling wryly in silence.

He knew very well that even though Xi Manyun was currently flushed with embarrassment and annoyance, once she calmed down, she would weigh the pros and cons by herself.

There was no need for him to beat around the bush.

The Xi Family Head shook his head, put his thoughts to one side for the moment, and then carefully considered the issue of staffing arrangements.

This was the first task he had undertaken for Wang Chen, and he certainly couldn't mess it up!

Meanwhile, Wang Chen was unaware that Xi Wanhai was even contemplating the idea of matchmaking him with Xi Manyun as Taoist companions.

He stayed in the Shangxun Heavenly Master Pavilion for seven days, waiting until the housekeeping maids and guards were replaced and the internal affairs of his domain were in order before he began his next course of action.

During that time, Director Wu Jingwei made no moves, as if he had already admitted defeat to Wang Chen.

Even the "victim," the Xiang Family, seemed to accept their bad luck and handed over the management rights of the street quarters to the Xi Family.

What was expected to be a tumultuous power transition turned out to be surprisingly smooth.

But Wang Chen didn't become complacent; instead, he grew even more vigilant.

With no reaction from the Chief Town Heavenly Master above and the local families below keeping their heads down, it didn't seem plausible to Wang Chen that his reputation alone was suppressing everyone.

Underneath this calm surface, there might well be an undercurrent lurking.

If it broke out, it would be powerful enough to shatter someone to pieces!

On one hand, Wang Chen had the Xi Family gather information for him, monitoring the movements of the other families.

On the other hand, he decided to personally go down to the streets to have a look around and gain a firsthand understanding of the situation in Xun City District.

Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself, you will not be endangered in a hundred battles. When it came to intelligence, Wang Chen trusted only what he could see and verify himself.

Even with the Xi Family, he only had partial trust!

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