"I’ll go with you!"

Just as Yang Yu was despairing, a voice called out from the VIP section. Everyone turned toward the sound, and when they got a clear look at the person who had volunteered, another uproar erupted.

"Isn’t that the kid who fought with the Third Elder of the Canglan Sect and the Vulture Elder over the Bodhi Pill?"

"He can cure the Black Wind Stronghold Village Chief’s critical illness? He’s just a Tier Nine Spirit Pupil. What could he possibly do?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Shen Haoran paid them no mind. He walked out of the VIP room, leaped into the air, and landed on the auction stage.

"I’ll go with you," Shen Haoran said, standing before Yang Yu with a calm expression.

"You?" Yang Yu stared at Shen Haoran, his brow furrowed slightly.

"What? You look down on me?" Shen Haoran said with a slight smirk.

Yang Yu didn’t answer. He neither confirmed nor denied it.

Seeing this, Shen Haoran took a step forward, leaving only a fist’s distance between them.

"Old Village Chief Yang is afflicted with Nether Poison. After one year, his strength began to fade. After two, his body grew gaunt and his hair turned white. By the third year, he was bedridden, his Spiritual Power almost completely depleted. Furthermore, during these three years, the Nether Poison has erupted every full moon. I imagine Old Village Chief Yang’s Palace becomes a forbidden zone at those times, doesn’t it? After three years, the Nether Poison has seeped deep into his marrow. If it isn’t cured immediately, his life is in grave danger," Shen Haoran said, staring directly into Yang Yu’s eyes.

Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, Yang Yu was stunned. Only a handful of people knew the details of his father’s affliction with Nether Poison. Yet this young man not only knew the exact timing of the poison’s flare-ups but had also described his father’s symptoms perfectly. ’Could he really have a way to cure my father’s Nether Poison?’

"Are you an Alchemist? Can you cure my father’s Nether Poison?" Yang Yu asked anxiously.

"I have a twenty percent chance," Shen Haoran said after a moment of thought.

"Only twenty percent?" Yang Yu let out a bitter laugh.

"The Nether Poison has already seeped deep into your father’s marrow. For him, a twenty percent chance is a luxury," Shen Haoran said in a low voice.

"Heh... you’re right." Yang Yu’s expression darkened. His mother had died young, and his father had raised him single-handedly, teaching him Cultivation and how to be a man. Everything he had today was thanks to his father. ’Now my father is on his deathbed, and as his son, I can’t do a thing.’ A wave of powerlessness washed over Yang Yu.

"So, what’s your decision?" Shen Haoran asked, looking at the dejected Yang Yu.

"Twenty percent it is!" Yang Yu gritted his teeth and agreed. Over the past three years, he had sought out countless High Tier Alchemists, even inviting dozens of Fifth Grade Alchemists. But not only had there been no improvement, Yang Zhentian’s condition had actually worsened. ’Now that I have a twenty percent chance, I have to take it, no matter what!’

"Then I look forward to working with you." Seeing Yang Yu agree, Shen Haoran was secretly delighted. He extended his hand to Yang Yu.

"Right..."

"Young Master, don’t!" Just as Yang Yu was about to shake Shen Haoran’s hand, a voice called out. A moment later, Chao Fei appeared at Yang Yu’s side, with King Chao in tow.

"Young Master, you must not believe this brat’s lies! He is plotting against our Black Wind Stronghold. Not only did he kill several of our disciples, he also cut off one of Tian’er’s arms! We absolutely cannot bring him into Black Wind Stronghold, or it will endanger the Old Village Chief!" Chao Fei said coldly, glaring at Shen Haoran.

"Hmm?" After hearing this, Yang Yu glanced at King Chao’s arm, then back at Shen Haoran, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Is that true?" Yang Yu asked.

However, Shen Haoran merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.

"What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue now that you’ve been exposed? You should have thought about the consequences before you crossed me. Now that you’re in my hands, I’ll show you what it feels like to lose all four limbs! Grandfather, cut off his arm for me!" King Chao sneered, assuming Shen Haoran’s silence was fear.

"Hmph!" Chao Fei snorted coldly. Shaping his hand into a blade, he chopped directly at Shen Haoran’s arm. The sharp force of the blow created a whistling wind that made Shen Haoran’s cheeks sting.

But Shen Haoran seemed to take no notice, his smile never wavering as he simply watched Yang Yu.

SWISH! Just as Chao Fei’s hand-blade was about to strike Shen Haoran’s arm, a long spear appeared out of nowhere to block the attack. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Elder Chao, I don’t know what grievances you two have, but you cannot touch this man. I must take him back with me," Yang Yu said coldly, his gaze fixed on Shen Haoran.

At these words, Chao Fei frowned. Beside him, King Chao flew into a rage. "Yang Yu, what is the meaning of this? This bastard cut off my arm, and you’re still protecting him? Are you two in cahoots, colluding against your own people? Are you planning to work with him to harm Black Wind Stronghold?"

The moment King Chao’s words fell, Yang Yu whipped his head around. His icy eyes stared at King Chao as if looking at a corpse. He unleashed his killing intent without restraint, and the air instantly grew cold.

DRIP. Feeling the palpable killing intent radiating from Yang Yu, King Chao broke out in a cold sweat, too terrified to speak.

"You have no right to question my actions, nor to interfere. I’m not discussing this with you; I’m informing you.

"And one more thing, Elder Chao. Keep your grandson in line. Don’t let him overstep his bounds. Otherwise, the stronghold’s rules make no exceptions," Yang Yu said coldly. With that, he ignored Chao Fei and his grandson, leading Shen Haoran toward a meeting room in the Celestial Martial Auction House.

Watching Yang Yu and Shen Haoran’s retreating backs, Chao Fei’s face grew dark. He was the Grand Elder of Black Wind Stronghold, second in power only to the chief himself. ’Since when does some wet-behind-the-ears brat get to tell me what to do?’

"Grandfather, they—" King Chao began to say, but Chao Fei cut him off.

"Shut up! We’re returning to the stronghold. The plan starts ahead of schedule! Hmph, Black Wind Stronghold will be mine sooner or later!" Chao Fei snorted, then turned and left.

Inside the meeting room, Yang Yu turned to Shen Haoran with an apologetic expression. "I’m sorry. You had to witness that embarrassing display."

Shen Haoran just smiled. ’I knew he would stop Chao Fei. He’s a devoted son, and that’s all that matters.’

"It’s nothing," Shen Haoran said. "When do we leave for Black Wind Stronghold?"

"In two days," Yang Yu said in a low voice. "This is likely my father’s last chance for treatment. I have to make thorough preparations and can’t pass up any opportunity. That’s why I need to find another High Tier Alchemist, in the hopes of buying my father more time."

"I will come for you in two days. I’ll be counting on you then, Brother Shen." Yang Yu gave a deep bow. ’For my father’s sake, humbling myself before Shen Haoran is worth it.’

"We’re both just getting what we need," Shen Haoran said as he helped him up, his eyes filled with admiration.

’Most Cultivators prioritize their Cultivation and becoming stronger above all else. They cast aside so-called kinship, friendship, and love. It’s why this world has grown so heartless. People like Yang Yu, who still understand filial devotion, are truly rare now.’ Shen Haoran felt a sincere admiration for him.

"Alright, I’ll see you in two days," Yang Yu said before hurrying away....