Wang Chen was not the only one caught in this predicament.

Several cultivators in the crowd shared the same urgency, their expressions tightening as the black-robed man turned to leave. Just as frustration was about to boil over, a sudden burst of laughter rang out.

"Long time no see, Senior Jin. I hope you haven't forgotten this little one."

The speaker was a slightly chubby man clad in extravagant robes, spirit gems sewn into his sleeves without restraint. As he laughed, the flesh on his face jiggled cheerfully—yet oddly, his voice carried a smooth, magnetic quality that cut through the noise and drew every gaze toward him.

The middle-aged man in black halted mid-step.

He turned slowly, his sharp eyes scanning the chubby man with newfound seriousness. That voice… it sounded familiar.

Then realization struck.

His eyes lit up.

"So it is Nephew Yang Kai…"

The moment those words fell, the crowd collectively inhaled.

Whispers erupted like wildfire.

"Yang… Yang Family?!"

"The one with the Grand Formation Master?"

"I heard the world-renowned Formation Master, Yang Li, is their patriarch…"

Wang Chen narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had no prior knowledge of the Yang Family, but the reverence—no, fear—in those murmurs told him enough. This was not an ordinary clan.

Yang Kai clasped his hands politely, his round face wearing a sincere smile.

"Senior Jin, I am in quite a hurry. My father sent me urgently to acquire Blood Demon Ore, but unfortunately, I failed to obtain any. I must return immediately to report the situation. If I'm late…" He sighed softly. "I fear Father may not be pleased."

His words were humble.

Yet the moment he finished speaking, an invisible pressure swept across the area.

Even Wang Chen felt it.

Not killing intent. Not threat.

Just weight.

The kind that came from standing beneath a mountain you knew you could never move.

Senior Jin's expression changed instantly. His earlier indifference vanished, replaced by solemn respect.

"So it is like that…" He nodded firmly. "Nephew should have mentioned this earlier. We cannot afford to delay Grandmaster Yang Li's affairs."

He turned slightly and gestured.

"Although the regular transportation quotas are exhausted, there is still a VIP slot available."

His voice lowered, decisive.

"Come with me. I will personally arrange your transfer to the Soaring Dragon Continent immediately."

The crowd stood frozen.

A moment earlier, they were unwanted burdens.

Now, the rules bent with a single name.

Wang Chen watched the scene calmly, eyes unreadable.

So this was how the world truly worked.

As those words spread through the crowd, countless gazes ignited with naked envy and resentment. Teeth ground quietly, fists clenched within sleeves. If they possessed even a fraction of that influence, they would not be standing here like livestock waiting to be herded.

Wang Chen's eyes flashed with a sharp, calculating glint.

This fat man was his way out.

He could not afford to miss this chance.

Ahead, Yang Kai chatted casually with Senior Jin, laughter flowing as the two began to walk away side by side. Their figures gradually pulled away from the crowd, escorted by authority and privilege.

Just as they were about to disappear from view—

Yang Kai abruptly halted.

His steps froze mid-stride. With genuine surprise in his eyes, he turned his head back, scanning the crowd behind him. His gaze swept past dozens of faces before finally stopping on one figure.

Wang Chen.

Standing quietly. Calm. A faint, knowing smile resting on his lips.

The moment their eyes met, Wang Chen's smile widened just a little, and he gave a gentle nod—nothing excessive, nothing servile.

Yang Kai's pupils contracted slightly.

Senior Jin, who had been leading the way, turned around in confusion. "Nephew Yang? Why did you stop?"

Before Jin could say more, Yang Kai spoke quickly, his tone carrying an edge of urgency.

"Brother, what are you doing?" he said, stepping back a half pace. "You know how much my father wants to meet you. We really can't afford to waste time here."

At those words, Wang Chen shook his head lightly, as if snapping out of a momentary distraction, and drifted closer.

With a mildly apologetic smile, he said in a low, calm voice, "Forgive me. I just noticed something… interesting."

Yang Kai studied him for a breath, then nodded once, accepting the explanation without question.

Senior Jin's brows twitched—but once he realized Wang Chen was being addressed as Yang Kai's brother, he wisely said nothing.

In the line behind them, a cultivator who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Wang Chen for nearly an hour stared in disbelief, his jaw hanging open.

"What the hell, brother?" he muttered under his breath. "You were standing in line with me this whole time. If you'd just said you were Yang Kai's brother, I would've given you my spot…"

Wang Chen, of course, heard none of this.

He walked forward with an even expression, eyes calmly surveying the surroundings as if this outcome had been inevitable.

Then, Yang Kai's voice echoed directly inside his mind.

"Brother," Yang Kai transmitted cautiously, "do you really have the Blood Demon Ore? If you don't, just tell me now—I won't blame you. But once we reach the Soaring Dragon Continent and you still don't have it…" His tone darkened slightly. "The consequences are not something you want to imagine."

Wang Chen didn't hesitate.

He turned his head slightly and met Yang Kai's gaze, nodding with quiet confidence, his eyes steady and reassuring.

Of course, he had already struck a deal with Yang Kai in that fleeting moment—Blood Demon Ore in exchange for access to the teleportation formation.

Of course… he didn't actually have any.

In fact, this was the first time he had even heard of something called Blood Demon Ore.

But none of that mattered.

As long as he reached the Soaring Dragon Continent on time—

He would give Yang Kai as much Blood Demon Ore as he wanted.

And for that matter, what if didn't even bother giving any ore to Yang Kai, What this fellow gonna do... fight him?

At that thought Wang Chen lips curled upwards.

Although most of the time he fought opponents multiple times stronger then himself. However, now that he was given the opportunity to bully the weak.. he looked forward to it.

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