Wu Chengyang had been defeated!
Now, he had no spirit left to contend with Chen Jin's dragon-tiger battle.
In Wu Chengyang's own words.
Chen Jin was a once-in-a-millennium genius.
To break free from the shackles of the heart with his own strength alone was something that even disciples of the Changsheng family could not accomplish.
Only Chen Jin!
Chen Jin's heartbeat gradually slowed.
Upon hearing Wu Chengyang's words, he said lightly, "Why would I kill you?"
"Keeping you alive is of great use to me."
A living Wu Chengyang was more valuable than a dead one.
Not far away.
Li Erzhou plopped onto the ground with a thud.
When Wu Chengyang was defeated.
He realized that the Li family had also lost.
Even the last shred of a chance to turn the tables had been extinguished by Chen Jin!
"Luofeng, take Elder Li to rest. He's tired," Chen Jin ordered.
Luofeng, enduring the pain, agreed.
Only then did Chen Jin notice Luofeng's injuries. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "You're injured? Then you should rest first and let someone else handle it."
"Mr. Chen, I can do it!" Luofeng insisted stubbornly.
Chen Jin's tone was calm, "My order, do you dare not obey?"
"I..."
Luofeng felt guilty and finally had to say, "Your subordinate obeys!"
Li Erzhou and several other important figures from the Li family were escorted away. The courtyard, which had been bustling with activity earlier, became quiet again.
Only Wu Chengyang and Chen Jin remained.
Looking at Wu Chengyang kneeling on the ground, Chen Jin dragged over a chair and sat opposite him.
"Let's talk, mind if I do?" Chen Jin asked.
Wu Chengyang snorted, "I have nothing to talk about with you. At most, I'll die. A swift blade for a quick end, worthy of a young man's spirit!"
Chen Jin took a few breaths.
This battle had taken a significant toll on him.
Facing Wu Chengyang, who was ready to die, Chen Jin continued, "I just want to talk to you about things on this path. As for where your Wu family is, I already know all of it. Tomorrow, I will take you to that island."
Wu Chengyang's expression shifted slightly.
He looked up at Chen Jin, clearly not expecting Chen Jin to know the Wu family's stronghold.
This was a terrifying prospect.
"Are you sure you want to be enemies with our Wu family? You must understand that being enemies with our Wu family is being enemies with the entire hidden aristocratic world. The consequences of this are something that you, and even the whole of China, cannot bear," Wu Chengyang gritted his teeth.
Chen Jin chuckled upon hearing this.
He shook his head and said, "I don't want to discuss these matters with you."
Wu Chengyang fell silent.
"I just want to know some secrets about the Shackles Realm. You can choose not to tell me, of course. It's your right," Chen Jin said.
Wu Chengyang's face clearly showed hesitation.
A gust of wind blew.
It smoothed out the frown on Wu Chengyang's brow.
After he had thought it through, his entire demeanor became calm.
"You want to know?" Wu Chengyang asked.
"I'm guessing you want to know about the power division within the Shackles Realm? After all, you didn't even understand how to break free from those shackles before, you were a complete outsider."
He had been won over by Chen Jin's charisma.
That was why he was willing to tell him these things.
Chen Jin nodded.
Wu Chengyang spoke with a rather agitated tone, "Let me put it this way, there are levels of strength within the Shackles Realm. For example, you and I. I have only broken free from the shackles of my left arm, while you have broken free from the shackles of your heart. The difference in the location will bring about a difference in strength."
"Besides that."
"There are some who have broken free from two shackles, or even three. These individuals are far stronger than those who have broken free from one shackle."
"And I have only broken free from one shackle."
Chen Jin interrupted Wu Chengyang, "I want to know, how many shackles are there in the human body?"
Wu Chengyang shook his head, indicating he did not know.
"Even you don't know?" Chen Jin was surprised.
"Or, you're unwilling to tell me?"
Wu Chengyang said with a wry smile, "Regarding these matters, I truly know very little. I have no intention of hiding anything from you."
"However, from what I know, those who have broken free from three shackles are already rare. Some legendary powerhouses can even break free from four or five shackles. For convenience in identification, we've established a rule: the number of shackles a person breaks free from determines their realm. For example, both you and I are in the First Level of Shackles Realm."
Chen Jin suddenly understood.
Since some people could break free from four or five shackles, it meant there might be even more shackles within the body.
If all the shackles within the body were broken, how strong could humans become?
Chen Jin could not comprehend it, let alone imagine it.
After saying all this, Wu Chengyang said sincerely, "Actually, with your talent, under the cultivation of a hidden aristocratic family, you might have had a chance to reach the Yaoguang Realm! In our common terminology, a Yaoguang Realm powerhouse can be called a king. For example, my great-grandfather was the true Southern King!"
"As for the Li family's Southern Heavenly King, it's just a cheap imitation."
"How old is he?" Chen Jin was shocked.
"Over a hundred and fifty, but I estimate he can live to five hundred. Kings of this caliber can no longer be constrained by human rules."
Wu Chengyang even mentioned that at the Yaoguang Realm, most people could already withstand nuclear weapons.
Though the certainty was not absolute.
Chen Jin fell into contemplation.
This meant that if he wanted to deal with these enemies, he needed to master even greater power.
If these people could withstand nuclear weapons, China would once again fall into chaos!
No!
It wasn't just China.
The entire world would likely be carved up by these hidden aristocratic families!
Chen Jin would not allow such a thing to happen!
They chatted for half the night.
Wu Chengyang increasingly felt that Chen Jin was an extraordinary individual and repeatedly invited him to join the Wu family as a son-in-law.
Chen Jin politely declined.
At nine o'clock the next morning, major news portals broke astonishing news—
The Li family was being investigated!
This was a prominent family that had flourished alongside the nation!
Everyone knew what the investigation into the Li family signified; it was bound to create a monumental stir throughout the entire Lingnan region!
However, what was surprising was that the Lingnan military had no objections and even expressed their support for this wise decision at the first opportunity.
This greatly disappointed some who were hoping to watch a spectacle.
Chen Jin entrusted the handling of this matter entirely to Xu Yaoyao, as she was one of his most trusted individuals and was also familiar with this line of work.
While this news swept across the nation, Chen Jin had already set off with the injured Wu Chengyang for that mysterious island.
This island did not exist on any map.
The fleet sailed majestically towards the island, with dozens of armed helicopters circling overhead, creating an impressive spectacle.
After three hours of sailing, a vast island appeared in Chen Jin's sight.
Chen Jin stood on the deck, gazing at the island.
For some reason.
This island evoked a sense of oppression in his heart, as if he were facing a primordial beast.
Upon reaching five nautical miles from the island, Chen Jin ordered the fleet to halt.
He disregarded all objections and, taking Wu Chengyang alone, proceeded to the island by speedboat.
Knowing the danger, he headed straight into the lion's den!