Ascending to Godhood: I Can Foresee All Futures

The Ning’an Wang Clan treated Chen Sheng’s visit with an exceptionally grand and formal reception.

The manor’s central gates were thrown wide open, and the honor guard stood in perfect formation. Even the stone lions by the entrance seemed meticulously polished, gleaming with a profound luster in the afternoon sun.

Although Chen Sheng’s cultivation was still at the level of an Innate Martial Master, the twin accolades of "Head of the Ning’an Ten Heroes" and "Innate Enlightenment" made the influence he wielded entirely different.

The former represented the undisputed peak of prestige among the younger generation in Ning’an Prefecture; the latter promised a future of limitless potential.

In the calculations of the great Noble Families, a Martial Dao prodigy likely to reach—or even surpass—the Mystic Realm was far more valuable than any ordinary master.

After all, the entire Wang Clan had only three Mystic Realm experts, yet this was enough to secure their position as one of the six major powers.

If they could bind Chen Sheng to the Wang Family through a marriage alliance or other mutual interests, not only would they gain a significant advantage in the impending battle on Wushan Mountain, but it would also be a staggering long-term investment capable of influencing the clan’s fortune for decades.

If Chen Sheng truly achieved greatness in the future, the Wang Clan would undoubtedly benefit immensely.

Compared to that, a bit of lost face was completely unimportant.

For this reason, Patriarch Wangqingshan had come out to greet him personally, followed by three highly respected clan elders. Such a reception was typically reserved for the leader of a major power.

The carriage wheels rumbled to a halt before a bluestone platform as smooth as a mirror.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Chen Sheng stepped down. Dressed in the jet-black uniform of the Jingwu Bureau with a long saber at his waist, his gait was steady and composed.

His calm gaze swept over the crowd at the gate, finally settling on the man leading them—a middle-aged man with a warm smile but a sharp, hidden glint in his eyes. It was Patriarch Wang, Wangqingshan.

A perfectly measured smile touched Chen Sheng’s lips. He cupped his fists and said,

"Clan Leader Wang, for you to greet me in person... I am truly undeserving and humbled."

"Hahaha."

Wangqingshan laughed heartily.

"Captain Chen, you are now the head of the Ten Heroes. Of course you are worthy of this old man’s personal welcome."

After some pleasantries, Wang Zilan also stepped down from the carriage, the blush yet to fade from her cheeks. Evidently, their "conversation" during the journey had left her quite embarrassed.

Although Chen Sheng had refrained from sparring with her while she was still recovering, he hadn’t let her off easy.

Simply put, while his blade was still, his tongue was not.

It left her feeling rather flustered.

Wangqingshan discreetly gave her a meaningful look.

’Did Chen Sheng agree to the marriage alliance?’

But seeing his glance, Wang Zilan simply lowered her head in silence.

Her reaction made Wangqingshan’s brow furrow slightly. He understood that Chen Sheng hadn’t agreed. However, as the master of a Noble Family, his composure was superb; even though he was inwardly displeased, he showed no sign of it.

’In his eyes, the fact that Chen Sheng came at all proved there was still room for negotiation.’

He immediately extended an enthusiastic invitation for Chen Sheng to enter the main hall for a discussion.

Inside the Wang Family’s antique and magnificent main hall, the clan elders were assembled. They heaped praise upon Chen Sheng, who received it all with a graceful smile, his bearing exceptionally poised.

As for the past unpleasantness, no one dared to mention it.

It was as if the whole "bride-stealing" incident had never happened.

"Captain Chen, about the time you took Zhilan from Luoyun Manor... that incident caused our Wang Family to lose a great deal of face throughout Ning’an Prefecture. It even strained the harmonious relationship between Luoyun Manor and our family."

"However, the Wang Family is not an unreasonable one. Since you and Zhilan are in love, this old man will not stand in your way. Let’s simply pick a suitable date and finalize the marriage contract."

"Zhilan is the pearl of our Wang Family. You’re a lucky man."

Seeing that Chen Sheng showed no sign of mentioning the engagement, Wangqingshan grew restless. And so, with a smile on his face, he brought it up himself in front of all the clan elders.

’He knew Wang Zilan and Chen Sheng hadn’t reached an agreement, but what of it?’

’He had publicly taken away the legitimate daughter of the Wang Clan; he had to give the clan an explanation.’

The subtext of his words, both overt and subtle, was to place the primary responsibility on Chen Sheng’s shoulders. This tactic not only made the Wang Family appear magnanimous but also forced the issue of the marriage contract into the open.

"Yes, this old man thinks it’s a fine idea."

"Zhilan is gentle and virtuous, and Captain Chen is dashing and heroic. It is truly a match made in heaven."

As if they had rehearsed it beforehand, the other Wang Clan Elders all chimed in with their support as soon as Wangqingshan finished speaking.

Chen Sheng, however, simply smiled upon hearing this. He calmly sipped the Spirit Tea in his hand, appearing completely unmoved.

As Chen Sheng remained silent, the atmosphere in the main hall grew heavy. The gazes of several clan elders fixed on him. Seeing this, Wangqingshan raised a hand, silencing the questions that were about to be asked.

He looked at Chen Sheng with a kind expression and asked,

"Chen, what are your thoughts?"

"I appreciate your kind intentions, Clan Leader Wang."

After waiting for complete silence to fall, Chen Sheng slowly set down his teacup.

"However, while I hold a deep friendship with Miss Wang, I only see her as a friend. Furthermore, I will not hide the truth from you all—I am already engaged."

"So, let’s drop the matter."

The moment Chen Sheng finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall froze.

"An existing engagement is no obstacle. Just break it."

Wangqingshan’s smile didn’t waver, as if he thought nothing of it.

Looking across all the powers in Ning’an, there weren’t many qualified to form a marriage alliance with Chen Sheng. After all, both Luoyun Manor and the Iron Sword Sect held grudges against him. Golden Spring Temple was full of monks, and it was highly unlikely that Qingfeng Temple would marry off any of its priestesses.

The only powers qualified for a marriage alliance with Chen Sheng were the Ning’an Wang Clan and the Danxia Sect.