Gao Wu: A centenarian old man, many children and good fortune! Chapter 100

Time, like a ceaselessly flowing river, another month passed in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Yan remained in seclusion in his secret chamber, cultivating diligently. Aside from occasionally handling necessary matters for the Special Warfare Brigade through encrypted communication, he was almost completely cut off from the outside world.

However, his “silence” did not completely pacify the surging undercurrents of power in Neo Nanjing City No. 4. On the contrary, his prolonged “disappearance” made some factions, who were already harboring malicious intentions, feel that there was an opportunity to exploit, or perhaps… it further confirmed certain suspicions in their hearts.

The rumors about Xiao Yan “cultivating evil arts and harvesting cauldrons,” which had temporarily subsided due to strong official suppression and joint clarification from major forces, began to spread silently again, like mold growing in a damp corner.

This time, the content of the rumors was even more “specific” and “sensational.”

Some people “asserted with certainty” that they had personally seen strange red light emanating from Xiao Yan’s villa (referring to the villas where the five Lin family daughters, and later Lin Yue, Chen Siyu, and Ye Zihan, were housed) at night, accompanied by the painful groans of women.

Some “analyzed” that the reason Xiao Yan was not suppressed by the “Flesh Curtain” was because the evil art he cultivated shared the same origin as the Blood Ghost Cult, and he himself was even a high-ranking member of the Blood Ghost Cult secretly lurking within the Alliance!

Even more people linked the recent sporadic disappearances in the city (though the frequency and scope had greatly decreased) to Xiao Yan, implying that these missing persons had become “sacrifices” for his evil cultivation!

Although these rumors still lacked substantial evidence, with the constant embellishment and deliberate spreading by those with ulterior motives, their influence gradually expanded, even beginning to cause panic and unease among some grassroots soldiers and citizens.

Xiao Yan, this “city hero” who had just been elevated to god-like status, was slowly being slandered and demonized.

And just as this negative public opinion targeting Xiao Yan was surging beneath the surface, another even more explosive and attention-grabbing piece of news, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, rapidly spread through the upper circles of Neo Nanjing City No. 4—

The Three War Kings were about to emerge from seclusion!!!

Nearly a year had passed since the tragic “Flesh Curtain” battle. Thanks to the Alliance’s top medical resources, the boundless investments from their respective families, and the War Kings’ own powerful recovery abilities, the injuries of the “Blazing Sun,” “Azure Mountain,” and “Raging Tide” — three pillars of stability who had been severely wounded in battle — had finally been brought under control and entered their final recovery phase!

According to reliable sources, in at most half a month, the Three War Kings would officially conclude their secluded recuperation and reappear in the public eye!

This news was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the entire Neo Nanjing City No. 4! The return of the three pillars of stability meant that the city’s safety would be maximally guaranteed, enough to deter all petty criminals!

However, accompanying this good news were some unsettling rumors.

Many well-informed individuals were privately discussing: one of the primary goals of the Three War Kings’ emergence from seclusion, besides stabilizing the situation and regaining control, was very likely… to investigate Xiao Yan!

This rumor was not unfounded.

Firstly, Xiao Yan’s speed of strength improvement was indeed too astonishing, already reaching a level that could attract the attention and… vigilance of War King-level existences. No normal powerhouse would remain indifferent to the sudden appearance of an individual with such “abnormal” strength growth beside them.

Secondly, although the rumors about Xiao Yan cultivating evil arts had been suppressed, they had not completely disappeared; instead, they had intensified. As guardians of the city, the Three War Kings had the responsibility and obligation to uncover the truth and eliminate any potential hidden dangers that could threaten the city’s safety.

Thirdly, Xiao Yan’s current prestige and status were soaring, subtly showing signs of overshadowing his superiors. Although he himself seemed to have no ambition, his very existence had already impacted some established power structures. It could not be ruled out that certain forces were secretly fanning the flames, hoping to use the War Kings’ power to suppress or even eliminate Xiao Yan, this “unstable factor.”

For a time, the atmosphere in the upper circles of Neo Nanjing City No. 4 became exceptionally subtle.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the Three War Kings who were about to emerge from seclusion, and… Xiao Yan, who was still in seclusion.

A storm revolving around strength, secrets, power, suspicion, and conspiracy seemed to be quietly brewing.

Many forces that had been hesitating whether to show goodwill to Xiao Yan now paused, choosing to wait and see.

And those forces who already harbored dissatisfaction or hostility towards Xiao Yan, like jackals smelling blood, began to stir secretly, preparing to present their pre-prepared “black materials” about Xiao Yan at the first opportunity after the War Kings emerged.

A storm was brewing, and the winds were rising.

Neo Nanjing City No. 4, this land that had just experienced the baptism of war, seemed to be about to face a new, even more turbulent test.

And the focus of all this, Xiao Yan, seemed… to be completely unaware, still immersed in his astonishingly efficient secluded cultivation.

Inside the secret chamber, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes.

He was not entirely ignorant of the surging tides and hidden currents outside. Through Lin Wei’s regularly sent encrypted briefings (containing only the most important information he needed to know), he had a general understanding of the negative public opinion online and the news of the Three War Kings’ impending emergence from seclusion.

Although his heart stirred, he was not flustered. He had long since disregarded rumors and gossip. As for the War Kings’ investigation… he believed that as long as he left no substantial evidence of cultivating evil arts, coupled with his current strength and his illustrious battle achievements, even the War Kings could not do anything to him based solely on some baseless speculation.

Of course, necessary countermeasures and preparations still needed to be made. And the best countermeasure was to further enhance his strength!

In these two months, he had been single-minded, devoting all his energy to refining his own power and comprehending his realm.

The energy feedback provided by the ten fetuses in his wives’ wombs was like ten inexhaustible rivers of energy, continuously nourishing his physical body and true essence.

The scattered yet precious cultivation insights provided by the eight growing children were like countless shining stars, illuminating his path to a higher realm.

Massive amounts of top-tier cultivation resources were like the most potent fuel, providing solid material assurance for his strength improvement.

With such a multitude of favorable factors superimposed, his strength had once again made significant progress!

The operation of the “Imperial Tai Chi Art” became more seamless and natural, seemingly getting closer and closer to the bottleneck of the cultivation method itself.

He had already gained an initial grasp of the fifth wave of “Nine Thundering Waves,” “Splitting Shore.” Although it was not yet stable, its terrifying power to induce spatial vibrations and tear everything apart was already enough to give him the ability to contend with any peak Ninth Grade opponent!

And his basic strength had soared like sesame seeds blossoming higher and higher!

On the last day of his seclusion, Xiao Yan felt that the vast lake of energy within his body seemed to have finally reached a certain critical point, subtly showing signs of another breakthrough!

He came to the strength testing device, took a deep breath, and unreservedly mobilized the surging Ninth Grade Imperial True Essence within him! His blood surged like mercury, and his muscles and bones resonated like dragon roars!

His eyes narrowed, concentrating all his strength, will, and even his yearning for a higher realm onto his right fist!

Then, he fiercely punched the heavy testing target—his final punch of this seclusion!

“BOOM—!!!!!!!!! ”

An unprecedented, terrifying roar, as if it would shatter the entire secret chamber, exploded!

The incredibly sturdy alloy testing target of the strength testing device actually emitted a “creaking” sound under this punch, unable to bear the load! The numbers on the screen, like a wild horse unbridled, instantly broke through the 60, 000, 70, 000, and 75, 000 marks at an almost insane speed! Finally, it stopped abruptly at a number that made Xiao Yan’s own heart pound!

80, 000 kilograms!!!

A full eighty thousand kilograms!

Not more, not less, just perfectly stepping into the threshold that symbolized the peak of Transcendent Ninth Grade late-stage!

Only the last twenty thousand kilograms separated him from the theoretical limit of Ninth Grade (one hundred thousand kilograms)!

“Finally… I’ve reached it!”

Xiao Yan slowly retracted his fist, feeling the terrifying, seamless, and vast power within him that seemed capable of controlling everything. His eyes gleamed with excitement!

Transcendent Ninth Grade late-stage peak!

Now, he truly stood at the very top of all Transcendent cultivators below the War Kings!

This level of strength was enough for him to handle most challenges and crises! Even when facing the Three War Kings who were about to emerge from seclusion, he had enough confidence and… capital to maneuver!

“It’s time… to emerge from seclusion.”

Xiao Yan slowly exhaled a turbid breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Those clowns outside, it was time to let them experience what true power was!

Moreover…

Counting the time, his wives at home should be due to give birth soon.

A new round of “harvest” was about to begin!