Chapter 68: Chapter 68: The Strongest! Shen Xuan

"You’re saying Li Yang is a Cultivator? And he sent Lin Yan, a Middle Profound Level expert, flying with a single kick?" Zhao Qianxing asked in shock.

The only Cultivator in the Zhao family, Zhao Kun’s son Zhao Xiang, was also currently just at the Middle Profound Level.

’Li Yang is even stronger than Zhao Xiang?’

In that instant, a multitude of thoughts flooded Zhao Qianxing’s mind.

He valued Cultivators above all else. ’Such power... and he’s family. My own grandson...’

No matter what, their blood ties to Li Yang were undeniable. Even if Li Yang was hostile, Zhao Qianxing had plenty of ways to slowly dissolve that animosity.

"Dad, so now... what do we do about Li Yang?"

Zhao Kun hesitated. Li Yang’s sudden explosion of power left him with a strange feeling; he couldn’t tell if it was joy or unease.

After all, he was still Li Yang’s uncle, and he knew what a Cultivator meant for the Zhao family.

Zhao Qianxing was clearly reeling from the shock as well. He paused for over ten seconds—so long that Zhao Kun began to wonder if his father had hung up. Finally, Zhao Qianxing spoke. "We’re not just going to ignore Li Yang. We must make a point of severing all ties with him!"

Zhao Qianxing’s voice was grave. "Right now, Li Yang has thoroughly enraged the Zheng family. If they see us having any contact with him, the Zheng family will turn their wrath on us! A King-Level Cultivator is not someone the Zhao family can afford to provoke."

If he had known about Li Yang’s immense power before the conflict with Zheng Yi, Zhao Qianxing would have immediately moved to mend their relationship and welcome Li Guohai and Zhao Rou back into the Zhao family.

However, according to Zhao Kun, Li Yang had now thoroughly offended the Zheng family. Zheng Qian would never let him go. Even if Li Yang survived, he would likely be crippled for life.

Li Yang had revealed great strength, true. But defeating Lin Yan only proved he was at the Peak of Profound Level, at most! To be generous, maybe his power had even reached the incredible Earth-Level!

Could that level of strength possibly stand against a veteran Celestial-Level Cultivator like Zheng Qian? And that wasn’t even counting the King-Level expert backing the Zheng family!

It was like him dealing with an ordinary person; he could cripple them with ease.

In the Cultivation Realm, a world where the strong reigned supreme, being targeted by a King-Level expert... Zhao Qianxing didn’t believe Li Yang had any chance of making a comeback.

Since the boy had no future, they couldn’t afford to be associated with him, even though he had revealed himself to be a Cultivator.

They had to do more than just avoid contact; they had to completely distance themselves to show the Zheng family that they felt nothing for Li Yang.

"I understand, Dad." Zhao Kun nodded.

From the Zhao family’s perspective, there was absolutely nothing to be gained by getting involved with Li Yang, who had so thoroughly offended the Zheng family.

...

While Zhao Qianxing and Zhao Kun were on the phone, Li Yang followed Shao Jie into a room high up in the skyscraper.

’Hmm? Someone’s here?’

Li Yang was taken aback as he stepped into the room.

There was another person sitting inside. He looked utterly ordinary—a plain face, plain clothes. He was the type of person who would be completely unnoticeable in a crowd.

But as Li Yang entered, the man glanced at him. Suddenly, Li Yang felt the air around him thicken. His breathing stopped, space itself seemed to congeal, and he felt as if he were frozen in time. It was as if his body was no longer his own, completely beyond his control.

The sensation, however, vanished in a flash. When Li Yang looked again, the man before him seemed perfectly ordinary once more.

’What level is he? He’s terrifyingly strong!’

A trace of shock flashed in Li Yang’s eyes. At his level of power, even when facing a King-Level expert like Shao Jie, he could sense great strength but nothing more. This man, however, felt as vast and profound as the world itself.

If that man wished it, Li Yang would be utterly powerless to resist.

"Li Yang, this is the Palace Master of our Celestial Origin Palace, Shen Xuan," Shao Jie introduced from the side.

’The Palace Master of the Celestial Origin Palace?’

Hearing Shao Jie’s words, Li Yang froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The Palace Master of the Celestial Origin Palace... that was the strongest person on Earth, a terrifying being whom the United States had once targeted with a nuclear weapon, only to fail to even scratch him!

It was because of him that the status of Cultivators had been elevated to an unprecedented height, to the point where ordinary people didn’t dare offend them in the slightest.

The saying "one man can stand against a nation" was just a euphemism when it came to him!

If Shen Xuan truly wished it, he wasn’t just a match for a nation; he’d be their ancestor!

Li Yang held such an expert in deep awe and had, of course, hoped to meet him one day.

He had assumed, however, that it would take a very long time. How could one possibly meet such a legendary figure so easily?

And yet, here he was, seeing him in the flesh!

Still reeling, Li Yang quickly bowed his head respectfully. "Palace Master."

Shen Xuan was slowly sipping his tea. He saw Li Yang’s momentary shock and his swift recovery, and he couldn’t help but nod to himself in approval.

He smiled. "Li Yang. A Celestial-Level Cultivator at eighteen. You’re the youngest on Earth to reach this realm. Very impressive."

Li Yang’s heart skipped a beat.

’I just broke through to the Celestial Level alone in my room,’ he thought. ’Nobody saw it. How does Shen Xuan know?’

He didn’t dare ask, however, and simply stood quietly to the side.

Looking at Li Yang, Shen Xuan smiled. "So, what are your plans? Do you intend to cultivate on your own, or will you join the Celestial Origin Palace?"

Shen Xuan was clearly delighted that someone so young had reached this realm, and his tone toward Li Yang was quite warm.

"I’ll join!"

Li Yang answered without hesitation the moment Shen Xuan finished speaking.

He had already planned to join the Celestial Origin Palace once he reached the Celestial Level. Now that he had, of course he would choose to join.

Besides, Zheng Yi had smashed the two vials of Anticancer Agent. Li Yang knew the Celestial Origin Palace had a supply, so he would have tried to join to get his hands on it even if he hadn’t met the strength requirement.

After saying that, Li Yang couldn’t help but add, "Palace Master, I heard from Shao Jie that the Celestial Origin Palace has the Anticancer Agent..."

At this, Shen Xuan gave a faint smile. "Of course. The Anticancer Agent was created right here in the Celestial Origin Palace. We make it using the blood of a King-Level mutated beast that I slew. Only the surplus we don’t need is ever released to the outside world."

’The blood of a King-Level mutated beast?’

Li Yang was stunned by Shen Xuan’s revelation.

He never would have imagined such an origin for the Anticancer Agent.

’No wonder.’ It all made sense to Li Yang now.

If a miracle drug like the Anticancer Agent had actually been developed by a pharmaceutical company, the profits involved would be astronomical. After all, what powerful figure isn’t afraid of getting cancer someday?

And yet, the Anticancer Agent was still somehow available to the public.

The reason, he now realized, was that control over the Anticancer Agent lay with the Celestial Origin Palace, not with some massive pharmaceutical corporation.

"However, everything within the Celestial Origin Palace must be acquired through exchange," Shen Xuan added.

Li Yang’s heart leaped into his throat the moment he said that.

Shen Xuan smiled. "No need to be nervous. As a Celestial-Level Cultivator, you will immediately receive 100 contribution points for joining the Celestial Origin Palace. It will be very easy to exchange for the Anticancer Agent."

With a wave of his right hand, a floating interface materialized in mid-air.

"These are the items currently available for you to exchange. Take your pick."

’A floating interface?’

Li Yang stared, stunned by a scene that looked like something straight out of a science fiction movie.

"It’s just an application of technology, Li Yang," Shao Jie explained from the side. "It’s extremely difficult to produce, so it can’t be mass-produced yet, but our Celestial Origin Palace has fully mastered it." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Li Yang nodded and looked at the contents of the list.

His eyes lit up when he saw the first line.

1. Anticancer Agent, one dose. Contribution Cost: 1 point.

The very first item on the list was the Anticancer Agent, and it only required 1 contribution point!