Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 094

In the upper echelons of the Fourth New Nanjing City, a undercurrent surged due to the “follow-up” actions of the Lin and Chen families. As various forces re-evaluated and re-positioned their relationship with Xiao Yan, some discordant voices began to quietly emerge, like small pebbles cast into a calm lake. Though they hadn’t yet stirred up massive waves, they had created ripples.

The first signs of disturbance appeared in the city’s virtual network.

Anonymous, untraceable posts began circulating in semi-public martial arts forums and encrypted social groups.

The content of these posts subtly pointed fingers at Xiao Yan.

They didn’t directly attack Xiao Yan’s achievements, which were, after all, undeniable and publicly acknowledged throughout the city. Instead, they used a seemingly objective but actually suggestive and questioning tone to raise “doubts” about the terrifying strength Xiao Yan displayed during the city’s defense, which was severely inconsistent with his past records.

“How can an old soldier who barely broke through to Transcendent at a hundred years old, in just three short years, have his strength skyrocket to Transcendent Ninth Grade, capable of slaying a peak Eighth Grade Great Priest? Is this speed not too unbelievable?”

“In the Social Security Bureau battle, his instant kill of a Second Grade official was already a miracle. In this city defense battle, he consecutively slew several high-ranking powerful enemies and even directly withstood the suppression of the evil energy domain… Is this truly something a ‘newly advanced Transcendent with unstable foundations’ can achieve?”

“We respect heroes, but we also need the truth. Is there truly no problem with the source of General Xiao’s strength? Did he use some… forbidden methods strictly prohibited by the Alliance? Or, does he hide some unknown secret within him?”

“I am not questioning General Xiao’s achievements. As an ordinary martial arts enthusiast, I am simply perplexed and… a little uneasy about this kind of strength increase that defies common sense. I hope the relevant departments can conduct a more in-depth investigation to set the record straight.”

These posts were carefully worded, their logic seemingly “reasonable,” skillfully avoiding direct slander. Instead, they focused on “questioning” and “seeking the truth,” making them highly inflammatory and deceptive.

Like a virus, they quietly spread in the corners of the network. Although they were quickly discovered by official security departments, which constantly monitored online public opinion, and prompt measures were taken to delete posts and block sources, many of Xiao Yan’s supporters (such as those within the military, the Lin family, and the Chen family) also spontaneously refuted and suppressed them.

However, these questioning voices, like ink drops in water, though diluted, ultimately left their traces.

For a time, various speculations and rumors about the source of Xiao Yan’s strength began to circulate privately.

Some speculated that he might have obtained some heaven-defying fortuitous encounter or inheritance; some suspected that he might have cultivated some evil secret technique that could greatly enhance strength in a short period but had endless repercussions; some even linked him to the Blood Ghost Cult and the Brain-Devouring Terrors, believing that he might have made some unspeakable deal with these evil entities…

Although these rumors had not yet gained momentum and could not shake Xiao Yan’s current status and prestige, they undoubtedly planted seeds of doubt beneath the calm surface.

These seeds, at the right time, with the right soil and moisture, could take root and sprout, growing into vines capable of shaking a great tree.

…

Xiao Yan naturally learned of these online disturbances through internal channels very quickly.

He merely scoffed at them, not taking them to heart.

He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight. He was currently riding high, and his strength increase was indeed too “abnormal,” so it was expected that it would attract some questions and speculation.

These anonymous, secretive little tricks, in his eyes, were nothing more than underhanded antics by petty clowns. They were either small-minded individuals jealous of his achievements, or certain forces with potential conflicts of interest with him, attempting to suppress him through public opinion.

As long as his own strength was formidable enough and his actions were upright, leaving no substantial weaknesses, these rumors would be like ants trying to shake a tree, unable to stir up much trouble.

He didn’t even bother to trace the source of these posts. Because he knew that in the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and schemes were futile.

The only thing he needed to do now was to continue to improve his strength and break through to a higher realm as soon as possible!

As long as he could step into the Battle King realm and become the new stabilizing force of this city! Then, all doubts would vanish, and all the petty individuals would prostrate themselves at his feet!

However, these online disturbances also served as a reminder to him.

Just as the online questioning of Xiao Yan’s strength began to ferment, the Alliance military’s official reward for his immense contributions in the city’s defense finally arrived, albeit in an extremely shocking manner, proclaiming the higher-ups’ absolute trust and strong support for him!

On this day, Xiao Yan received an official notification from the Fourth New Nanjing Command Headquarters, instructing him to go to the headquarters to receive his reward.

Under the joint witness of Deputy Commander Liu Zhenbang and several high-ranking generals, a special commissioner from the Alliance Central Merits Management Committee solemnly read out the commendation order to Xiao Yan and immediately transferred the reward to his personal account.

When he saw the dazzling string of zeros on his personal terminal, even with Xiao Yan’s current state of mind, his breathing couldn’t help but quicken slightly!

[Alliance Merits Management Office: Respected General Xiao Yan, you are hereby rewarded for your decisive contributions (rated as ‘Primary Merit’) in the “Fourth New Nanjing Defense Battle”: 8000 points of Special Grade Merit!]

[Alliance Ministry of Finance: Respected General Xiao Yan, you are hereby rewarded for your outstanding contributions: 100, 000, 000 (one hundred million) Alliance Credit Points!]

[Alliance Logistics Support Department: Respected General Xiao Yan, you are specially allocated a batch of the following rare cultivation resources: Myriad Year Warm Jade Marrow x 1, Dragon Blood Body Tempering Liquid (Concentrated) x 3, Nine Revolutions Spirit Condensing Pill x 5, Deep Sea Cold Iron Essence x 10 kilograms… (Please refer to the attachment for a detailed list)]

Eight thousand points of Special Grade Merit!

A full one hundred million credit points!

And a large batch of top-tier rare cultivation resources that he had only heard of, were priceless on the market, and were exclusively for Battle King-level powerhouses!

The generosity of this reward far exceeded the initial rewards announced at the commendation ceremony! It could even be said that he was treated directly as a meritorious official of Battle King level!

This was undoubtedly the highest level of recognition and final assessment of his achievements by the Alliance’s top brass! It was also a huge investment in his future potential! Furthermore, it was the most direct and resounding rebuttal to the questioning voices on the internet!

“General Xiao,” the special commissioner from the central government said with a genial smile, his tone filled with respect, “In addition to these tangible rewards, the Alliance high command has also specially upgraded your privileges. Effective immediately, all your consumption on the Alliance internal network resource library and exchange platform will permanently enjoy — a 90% discount!”

A 90% discount!!!

This news shocked Xiao Yan more than all the previous rewards combined!

The Alliance’s internal resource library was all-encompassing, from cultivation techniques and combat skills to divine weapons, from natural treasures to genetic agents, everything was available! But the prices were equally exorbitant! Even Battle General-level powerhouses needed to expend massive amounts of merit and credit points to exchange for some top-tier resources!

And now, he had actually obtained a permanent 90% discount privilege?!

What did this mean? It meant that he could acquire resources at one-tenth of the price that others would have to pay ten times for! This meant that his cultivation speed and strength improvement efficiency would once again reach an unimaginable level!

This was simply… a heaven-defying treatment!

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement in his heart, and solemnly saluted the special commissioner, Deputy Commander Liu, and the others in gratitude.

…

With this astronomical wealth and heaven-defying privilege, Xiao Yan immediately secluded himself in the Special Operations Brigade’s personal training room.

The first thing he wanted to do now was to convert these resources into tangible combat power!

He reopened the [Resource Exchange Center].

His goal was clear—higher-level teachings for “Imperial Tai Chi Art” and “Nine-Fold Thunderous Wave”!

Previously, due to his limited funds, he had only exchanged for the introductory sections of these two top-tier cultivation techniques and combat skills. Now, with this massive sum and the 90% discount privilege, he could finally purchase all the subsequent teaching content without any reservations!

[“Imperial Tai Chi Art” Explained by Battle God Luo Feng (Complete set, Second to Ninth Layers)]

[Original Price: 200, 000, 000 Credit Points / 2000 Special Grade Merit (Can choose either for payment)]

[Price after 90% discount: 20, 000, 000 Credit Points / 200 Special Grade Merit]

[“Nine-Fold Thunderous Wave” Explained by Battle God Luo Feng (Advanced Chapter – Fourth to Sixth Waves)]

[Original Price: 300, 000, 000 Credit Points]

[Price after 90% discount: 30, 000, 000 Credit Points]

[“Nine-Fold Thunderous Wave” Explained by Battle God Luo Feng (High-Level Chapter – Seventh to Ninth Waves)]

[Original Price: 500, 000, 000 Credit Points]

[Price after 90% discount: 50, 000, 000 Credit Points]

Looking at the still considerable prices even after the 90% discount, Xiao Yan felt it was incredibly worthwhile! At the original price, just buying all the teachings for these two cultivation techniques and combat skills would have bankrupted him, and he might even have needed to take out huge loans! But now, he only needed to pay one-tenth of the cost!

“Exchange all!” Xiao Yan didn’t hesitate! He chose to pay for the combat skill teachings with credit points and the cultivation technique teachings with Special Grade Merit, which would maximize the retention of the more versatile Special Grade Merit.

[Exchange successful! 100, 000, 000 Credit Points and 200 Special Grade Merit have been deducted.]

[Your current Credit Point balance: 20, 000, 000 points.]

[Your current Special Grade Merit balance: 10700 points.]

One hundred million credit points vanished instantly, but in exchange, he gained the complete inheritance of two top-tier cultivation techniques and combat skills! Xiao Yan felt it was more than worth it!

Immediately afterward, he turned his attention to the [Weapons and Equipment] section.

Although the Mountain Shaking Blade was heavy and sturdy, it was ultimately only a Battle General-grade weapon. Facing potential Battle King-level enemies in the future, and even confronting the elusive high-ranking members of the Blood Ghost Cult and the Terror Mothers, a true divine weapon capable of wielding his peak Ninth Grade or even higher power was crucial!

Filter conditions: [Weapon Type: Battle Blade], [Grade: Battle King Grade], [Properties: Lightning affinity, Strength amplification, Armor-piercing/Evil-dispelling].

Soon, a domineering battle blade radiating purple lightning appeared at the top of the list!

[Divine Weapon: Thunder Prison Blade]

[Grade: Battle King Grade (Initial)]

[Material: Unknown Star Core Fragment, Lightning-Struck Divine Wood, Deep Sea Thunder Dragon Reverse Scale fused and forged]

[Properties: The blade body contains violent thunder and lightning power, with a natural restraining effect on evil spirits and dark energy; special energy circuits can greatly amplify the explosive power of the user’s strength-based true essence; the blade edge is incomparably sharp, with inherent armor-piercing and energy conduction effects, highly compatible with lightning-attributed or strength-based cultivation techniques and combat skills.]

[Note: This blade is fierce and domineering, unusable by those without unwavering willpower and formidable strength. Use with caution!]

[Exchange Requirement: 500, 000, 000 Credit Points / 5000 Special Grade Merit.]

A Battle King-grade divine weapon! And its properties perfectly matched the formidable power of “Imperial Tai Chi Art” and the thunderous might of “Nine-Fold Thunderous Wave”! Furthermore, it had a natural restraining effect on the Blood Ghost Cult and abyssal energy!

This was simply the ultimate weapon tailor-made for him!

Five hundred million credit points or five thousand Special Grade Merit! Even with a 90% discount, it would still require fifty million credit points or five hundred Special Grade Merit!

Xiao Yan looked at his remaining twenty million credit points and then at his more than ten thousand Special Grade Merit.

“Merit points have other important uses, I can’t easily use them,” he immediately decided. “Loan!”

He reconnected to the Alliance’s internal financial system. This time, he directly applied for a thirty million credit point interest-free loan!

It was approved almost instantly!

“Exchange for [Thunder Prison Blade]! Use credit points for payment!”

[Confirm payment of 50, 000, 000 Credit Points for [Thunder Prison Blade]?]

“Confirm!”

[Exchange successful! 50, 000, 000 Credit Points have been deducted. The divine weapon [Thunder Prison Blade] will be delivered to your designated location by the Alliance’s highest-level armed escort, estimated within one hour.]