Unfettered Retribution: Slaughtering My Way through the World

Chapter 158: Chapter 126: Sensation in the Outside World! Mr. Zhuo’s Astonishment

He slowly rose from beneath the Ancient Tree of Life, his robes stirring. He gave a calm glance to Shen Qinghan, still seated cross-legged with her eyes closed and enveloped in a soft halo of light. His gaze then drifted past her shoulder toward the massive, sky-blotting canopy of the ancient tree.

The pollen from the Ancient Tree of Life dissipated faster than he had imagined.

In just a few moments, the pure white pollen that had once filled the air like a stardust mist was now extremely sparse.

While a considerable portion had been voraciously absorbed by his body, which seemed like a bottomless pit, the vast majority had undoubtedly been carried away by the mountain winds, dissolving into the vast mountain range and vanishing without a trace.

While some pollen remained, Chen Xuan quickly took out a porcelain vial and began to collect it.

’This Ancient Tree of Life is truly strange. Its pollen alone can help people achieve a breakthrough. If I could take a branch back to plant, I wonder what the effect would be?’

His mind raced with the possibility.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

’Forget it.’

’This kind of worldly wonder only blooms once every five years on average.’

’Trying to grow it successfully and to scale would likely be harder than ascending to the heavens.’

’I should focus on more realistic matters.’

’Like destroying the Celestial Sword Sect and the Mixed Element Sect.’

’The last time, I utterly humiliated Little Sword Immortal and Jiang Hantian. Knowing how those two sects operate, they’ll definitely continue to cause trouble for me.’

He thought to himself.

’Fine! In that case, I’ll use you to help me break through to the Ninth Layer.’

’As for this time?’

His gaze shifted to the many figures not far away.

’Most of these people have powerful backgrounds...’

’Now that I’ve injured all of them, it’ll probably incite condemnation from the factions backing them.’

’But I don’t need to care!’

’What does mere condemnation matter?’

’When I achieve supremacy, great scholars will justify my actions for me!’

Just then, Shen Qinghan, who was off to the side, finally opened her eyes. She let out a slow breath, a look of shock in her eyes as she rose to her feet.

"Are you done?"

Chen Xuan glanced at her calmly as he put away the porcelain vial.

"I am. I smoothly broke through one minor realm and underwent a refinement. Once I return and consolidate my gains, I might even receive further benefits."

Shen Qinghan nodded in response.

Her gaze fell upon Chen Xuan, her heart filled with shock and doubt.

’I can’t see through Chen Xuan’s realm at all anymore.’

"You... how many layers did you break through?"

Shen Qinghan’s heart trembled as she asked subconsciously.

"Three layers."

Chen Xuan admitted it freely.

"Three layers?"

Shen Qinghan was aghast.

Even though she had already mentally prepared herself.

But she was still stunned by Chen Xuan’s terrifyingly fast progress.

’How can the gap between two people be so vast?’

’To think, I was once considered a top prodigy, famous in my own right...’

’Now my confidence has been completely shattered!’

"Let’s go. We’re heading out!"

Chen Xuan’s voice was calm as he strode into the distance.

Shen Qinghan pressed her pale lips together. After a moment of silence, she finally began to walk, following behind him with graceful steps.

...

「At this very moment.」

Outside, the atmosphere was anything but calm.

As the mystic realm opened and everyone swarmed inside, the leading elders from the major factions all wore heavy expressions.

This was especially true for the elder from the Qingyun Sect.

His expression had been grim from the very beginning.

Because when the mystic realm opened, he had witnessed with his own eyes his sect’s two proudest prodigies being sent flying by a single palm strike from that Chen Xuan, crashing into the realm’s entrance.

If not for the restrictive rules, he would have charged in to check on them long ago...

Even now, his heart was filled with anxiety as he prayed they would be alright.

The surrounding crowd was buzzing with astonished discussion.

"Something’s not right about this Chen Xuan’s strength..."

"More than ’not right’—it’s completely absurd! He’s only ranked twentieth on the Human List, yet he sent the seventeenth and eighteenth-ranked flying with a single palm strike..."

"Could it be that the Celestial Secret Pavilion got the rankings wrong again?"

"They definitely got it wrong! Dammit, what is the Celestial Secret Pavilion doing!"

...

The Celestial Secret Pavilion had made a serious mistake before.

And now, this was even more ridiculous!

The twentieth-ranked on the Human List one-shotting the seventeenth.

How the hell is that possible?

But it had just happened right before their eyes.

For a moment, the leaders of all the major factions frowned deeply.

Many people turned their gazes towards the Martial Alliance Elder, Mr. Zhuo.

Even that old servant from the Sword Sect felt a flicker of doubt and looked over.

After listening to everyone’s analysis, he too felt that something was amiss with Chen Xuan’s strength.

’It’s possible my own young master is truly no match for Chen Xuan...’

And recalling Chen Xuan’s previous roguish tactics, he started to feel uneasy.

"Old Zhuo, what is Chen Xuan’s realm, exactly?"

An elder from the Lingxiao Sect asked with a cheerful smile.

"You want to know?"

Mr. Zhuo looked at him, a smile on his face.

"Would you be willing to share?"

"Beg me. If you beg me, I’ll tell you!"

Mr. Zhuo said with a grin.

"..."

The Lingxiao Sect elder was speechless. After a moment, he swallowed his pride and said with a laugh, "I’m begging you, then. What realm is that Chen Xuan really at?"

"Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed."

Mr. Zhuo chuckled lightly.

"..."

The Lingxiao Sect elder’s face immediately darkened.

’Son of a bitch!’

’That old dog!’

Amidst the crowd’s tense anticipation, a sudden commotion arose from the direction of the array. The sound of chaotic footsteps echoed as a large group of people came rushing out.

Everyone was jolted to attention and immediately looked over.

"Help! Young Master Qingchen is gravely injured!"

"Fairy Qingyue, too! Someone, help us! Please!"

"It’s a disaster..."

From the area of the mystic realm, a wave of panicked shouts erupted.