Chapter 854 - Forcing His Way Through

To enter the Heavenly Circulation Palace, one had to be under fifty and have cultivation at the seventh-level Heavenly Star realm or higher—an incredibly demanding standard.

For context, reaching the Heavenly Star realm before turning a hundred was already considered a genius-level talent. Reaching the seventh level before fifty marked someone as an elite among geniuses.

“

Tsk tsk

, the requirements are so high.” Xuan Shitong was also a little lost for words when she heard the requirement.

“Haha, of course, they’re high! Otherwise, how could the Heavenly Circulation Palace claim to be the number one restaurant of Ping Shan Demonic Island? Even the wine here is outrageously expensive, and the first floor alone is beyond the reach of ordinary people,” said Wang Shuang, laughing.

Chen Fan grew more curious about what made the palace and its wine so extraordinary.

“Come on, let’s go in,” Chen Fan said in a low voice, striding toward the Heavenly Circulation Palace.

Xuan Shitong rushed to him and latched onto his arm, looking infinitely flirtatious.

Chen Fan felt his head hurt. Her beauty had already provoked Ye Zimo’s covetous eyes, causing them to provoke the Ye Clan. It seemed like she was trying to put a target on his back again.

The Heavenly Circulation Palace’s first floor was vast and bustling. The tables were all filled with young faces.

Those qualified to enter the Heavenly Circulation Palace were absolutely geniuses and had the capital to be arrogant.

If these people were outside, they would undoubtedly draw the crowd’s attention and bask in gazes of admiration. However, on the first floor, they remained subdued—quietly enjoying their wine, speaking softly, as though afraid of disturbing others or breaking the ambiance.

Chen Fan swept a glance across the crowd. Indeed, even the cultivation of the people on the first floor was strong, with all reaching the seventh-level Heavenly Star realm.

Wang Shuang smiled and said, “Hehe, these people may all look dignified and graceful right now, but they are all very proud and wild. Still, there’s always someone better. The higher the floor, the stronger the people—so these folks can only play humble here on the first floor.”

His blunt words drew sharp glances from the crowd. However, when they saw that he was a half-step Manifestation realm expert, their anger quickly dissipated, and they averted their gazes.

“Come on, let’s go up to the fifth floor.”

Wang Shuang led Chen Fan and Xuan Shitong toward the fifth floor.

The crowd was momentarily stunned. The fifth floor required peak Heavenly Star realm strength just to enter.

Wang Shuang was in the half-step Manifestation realm, so he was okay, but the same couldn’t be said about the other two—an eighth-level and a ninth-level Heavenly Star realm cultivator—with him.

Chen Fan silently followed. Let alone the fifth floor, he could even go to the sixth floor, which required half-step Manifestation realm cultivation. And if he so wanted, he could fight his way to the seventh floor, where only first-level Manifestation realm cultivators were allowed.

Here, cultivation was secondary; strength was paramount.

Even a first-level Heavenly Star realm expert could enjoy a meal on the seventh floor, given that their strength was comparable to an expert at the first-level Manifestation realm.

Chen Fan followed Wang Shuang and continued climbing up the Heavenly Circulation Palace. With every floor he ascended, he could feel the aura inside become much stronger.

It was as Wang Shuang had told him. Every floor had a strength restriction in place.

As they approached the third floor, a guard in the ninth-level Heavenly Star realm stepped forward, blocking their path.

“Hold it right there. They can go up, but not you!”

The guard’s sharp eyes had already assessed Chen Fan’s cultivation, deeming him unqualified to ascend further.

“Move aside, you can’t stop me.” Chen Fan glanced at this guard indifferently and was about to continue climbing the stairs.

The surrounding patrons paused, stunned by his audacity. To try and force one’s way up the Heavenly Circulation Palace? How arrogant.

Immediately, many people put down their wine cups and cast their gazes over.

It wasn’t unheard of for someone to rely on their background and attempt to push through—but those who tried were often sent flying by the guards without mercy.

It seemed another spectacle was about to unfold.

The restaurant buzzed with excitement as guests began betting amongst themselves.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“Say, how many moves do you think this arrogant guy will last?” asked a patron with a smirk.

“Hoho, half a day ago, a demon king’s son from some demonic island tried to force his way onto the third floor with peak-stage, eighth-level Heavenly Star realm cultivation. He lasted three moves before getting blasted out. This kid? One move at best.”

“Haha, fine, then I’ll bet two moves. Loser pays for the wine!”

“Deal!”

“Go back.” The guard standing in the way toward the third floor unleashed a palm strike. The berserk force surged toward Chen Fan like a tide, hoping to drown him.

Just as the crowd was waiting to see how Chen Fan would be blasted down, a palm suddenly appeared in the midst of that qi current, instantly breaking through the guard’s attack and catching his fist.

“I told you, you can’t stop me,” Chen Fan said indifferently.

The ninth-level Heavenly Star realm guard staggered back as if struck by lightning. Unfazed, Chen Fan continued up to the third floor.

That guard’s gaze froze, staring blankly at Chen Fan’s back, shock coursing through him like crashing waves.

This youth was so strong. A mere shake of his arm had made him feel like a fragile boat in a storm, helpless before towering waves. At that moment, he had felt like an ant facing a giant—the gap between them was immeasurable.

The nearby guests were also completely stunned.

The crowd was still betting on how many moves Chen Fan would last. To their surprise, he had repelled the guard to the side with just a shake of his hand. It was completely effortless.

“This...”

“This guy is so strong.”

“Could he really go up to the fifth floor?”

The guests were left gaping, their mouths wide enough to fit a duck egg.

Xuan Shitong and Wang Shuang, however, showed no surprise. For them, this was exactly what they expected from Chen Fan.

For the fourth floor, only peak Heavenly Star realm martial artists could set foot in there.

Chen Fan and Xuan Shitong were both stopped.

Yet, just as with the third floor, Chen Fan effortlessly dispatched the guard and continued onward to the fourth and then the fifth floor with ease.

“Haha, Brother Chen, you’re indeed amazing. Not even a peak Heavenly Star realm expert could resist a move from you. It’s no wonder Ye Zimo was turned into a pig’s head with a slap.”

Wang Shuang was also extremely shocked by Chen Fan’s strength in his heart.

Wang Shuang had partly invited Chen Fan to the Heavenly Circulation Palace to gauge his abilities. Yet, from start to finish, Chen Fan remained as unfathomable as the ocean, leaving Wang Shuang increasingly in awe.

Suddenly, Xuan Shitong suggested, “I heard that the higher the floor of the Heavenly Circulation Palace, the better the wine is. Why don’t we go up to the sixth floor?”