Chapter 266 - 265: Li Zixuan: Senior Brother... Is Actually in the Venerable Realm?

Join the government?

"What do you mean by that?"

Qin Yang frowned and refused without a second thought.

’The Star Martial Police Bureau is so exhausting.’

’You have to rush to the front lines every day.’

’After seeing what happened with Xia He, why would I give up my post as a library steward...’

’...just to suffer for no reason?’

’Impossible!’

"I’m not particularly interested in the Star Martial Police Bureau."

"You’ve misunderstood, Qin Yang. I didn’t mean it like that."

Hearing this, the Commander looked at Qin Yang and spoke in a low voice, repeating himself earnestly, "This is just a suggestion, I’m not trying to force you.

Of course, if you’re worried about the Police Bureau being under the Venerable Alliance...

...I can also arrange for you to be in another department to avoid their jurisdiction. For example, a department directly under the Imperial Capital, or the Observatory. With your Venerable Realm abilities, a meteoric rise wouldn’t be a problem."

As he spoke, the Commander observed Qin Yang carefully, his heart filled with apprehension.

He awaited his answer.

The evening wind blew between them.

After a few breaths, Qin Yang finally spoke. "Commander, let’s just forget about it."

However, Qin Yang just shook his head and said frankly, "You should know my personality by now. I just like to slack off, grab some skewers after work, walk my fox, and live an ordinary life. I don’t have any special hobbies.

The library is great. There’s no need for me to go anywhere else... You should probably look for other candidates."

As his voice fell,

"Is that so..."

Upon hearing this, the Commander’s brows relaxed. He wasn’t particularly surprised by the outcome.

After all, his words had just been a probe.

Judging by Qin Yang’s personality, he was too used to being carefree.

This kind of person was destined to be free from any official restrictions.

He was born to be free.

"It’s alright. I respect your choice. But you’d better be prepared for what’s coming."

The Commander said with a sense of relief. At the end, he suddenly added a reminder, "What happened today has caused a huge stir. It’s already spreading all over the internet, and it will likely have a significant impact on the Heaven-Blasting Gang’s reputation... Do you need the Police Bureau to step in and quell some of the public opinion?"

"The impact on public opinion?"

Qin Yang’s brow twitched slightly at his words, and he pondered for a moment.

’Public opinion can be a minor issue or a major one.’

’It’s a double-edged sword.’

’Using this publicity to make a name for the Heaven-Blasting Gang isn’t just about intimidating Demons. More importantly, it can attract other powerful experts.’

’Who knows how many old monsters are hidden in this world.’

’They’re bound to be curious about the emergence of the Heaven-Blasting Gang.’

’And among them, there’s a high probability of finding experts who have lived for five hundred years!’

’If I really run into one...’

’...I’ll hit the jackpot!’

’I can get another wave of system rewards!’

At this thought, Qin Yang nodded and said,

"It’s fine. Now that the Heaven-Blasting Gang has made its debut, we won’t shy away from gossip and rumors. Just let them talk.

Life is stressful enough. Let’s give everyone something to relax with, something to talk about after dinner."

"Very well."

The Commander nodded lightly. "If that’s the case, we’ll do as you say. If the Heaven-Blasting Gang needs anything in the future, you can contact me directly."

"Yes. Thank you for the trouble."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Elder Li and the others, Qin Yang calculated when Li Zixuan would wake up. Once he had given his instructions, he turned and left the apartment.

Meanwhile, just as they were talking, the Commander’s words became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The storm online was indeed escalating, stirring up a whirlwind of public opinion. Traffic surged, and all sorts of videos—some real, some fake—began to circulate.

The most widely played among them was a fast-cut highlight video.

Set to an ethereal, otherworldly BGM, the music swelled with the sounds of bamboo flutes, strings, and chime bells as eight Venerable Realm experts self-destructed one after another.

And there was Qin Yang, bathed beneath the Jin Yun, his expression terrifyingly calm as he coldly directed the battle.

Opposite him, Meng Tianxuan, with a severed arm and flayed skin, looked like a completely different person from his former suave self. He had been reduced to a mere foil to highlight Qin Yang’s glory!

Netizens watching the video were already lost in a frenzy of excited discussion.

"So cool! So cool! So cool! He’s the Jianghai Sword God’s grand disciple, all right!"

"So this is the Sword God’s grand disciple? Can we call him the second-generation Sword God from now on?"

"So many Venerable Realm experts were willing to die for him... His prestige is off the charts!"

"The Venerable Alliance Leader fled! The second-generation Sword God better kill him! If he doesn’t, I’ll eat three pounds of crap!"

On the trending charts, the new hashtag #Heaven-BlastingGang spread, quickly building a massive, related fanbase. Rumors and gossip were passed around, snowballing and growing ever larger.

Before anyone knew it, the Heaven-Blasting Gang had inexplicably gained a million cyber-members on the internet...

...

...

「High above in the sky.」

Two figures, hidden in a black mist, silently looked down upon the ruins below.

The Nine Celestial Venerables focused his senses, observing the commotion and listening to the joyous cries of the crowd. His black robes rippled in the wind, his expression grim as he seemed to be pondering something.

’After this little probe...’

’...I have a rough estimate of the Venerable-level power in Jianghai.’

’It’s truly terrifying!’

’A total of fourteen Venerable Realm experts showed up.’

"I never expected so many Venerable Realm experts to be hiding in Jianghai... Thank goodness we had that fool Meng Tianxuan to scout the path for us..."

At that moment, his subordinate spoke. "Your Eminence, when do we make our move?"

The subordinate bowed his head, his eyes fixed on Qin Yang. "The Sword God’s grand disciple is right there. His sect elders just left. Now is the perfect time for us to strike!"

"Strike?"

The Nine Celestial Venerables’ brow furrowed at the suggestion.

The scene from just moments ago flashed through his mind, as if history was about to repeat itself.

Fourteen Venerables had appeared, launching a suicidal barrage of attacks that had nearly blasted Meng Tianxuan, a Celestial Venerable Realm expert, to death.

’And now you want me to go looking for trouble?’

"Absurd!"

The Nine Celestial Venerables’ face instantly darkened. He kicked out and cursed loudly, "Strike my ass! Are you hoping I get myself killed?!"

BOOM!

The Demon from the Beast Body Sect took the blow, blood spurting from his mouth and nose!

He was sent flying several yards, his face a mask of terror as he looked back. His pupils dilated, and his whole body trembled. "I’m sorry, Your Eminence! I was wrong! It won’t happen again."

"Idiot!"

The Nine Celestial Venerables roared,

"The plan has changed! Cancel everything!"

...

...

...

「Inside the room.」

The evening wind rustled the white curtains,

and the scent of gardenias by the bedside wafted through the air.

"Ngh..."

Li Zixuan’s eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. Moonlight streamed in from the window, illuminating her delicate face.

Elder Li and the others were standing beside her.

"Xuanxuan, you’re finally awake!"

Li Qinghe stroked her head. "Master’s technique was too strong! Does it hurt? It made you sleep for so long..."

"Ugh..."

Li Zixuan clutched her head, her consciousness still groggy. She hadn’t recovered from the aftereffects yet and could only look around in a daze.

"Why are you all here?"

Li Zixuan asked groggily, still holding her head. "Have you been waiting long?"

"No, Master told us,"

Li Qinghe said softly, ruffling her hair. "He calculated it perfectly, though. He said you’d wake up at 7:20 PM, and it’s exactly that time. Not a minute off."

"Xuanxuan, how are you feeling?"

Elder Li asked with concern, his eyes narrowed. "Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

"Mm, I’m okay. Just a little dizzy."

Li Zixuan turned to look out the window and saw that night had already fallen. But she clearly remembered it being noon before.

’What’s going on?’

’Did I sleep until nightfall?’

’Wait...’

Li Zixuan’s beautiful eyes focused as she frowned, suddenly remembering something. A memory flashed in her mind. Weren’t they at the apartment?

"Where are the sect seniors! Where are my senior uncles?"

"Oh no!"

Realization dawned on her. She forced herself to sit up and was about to get out of bed to rush to the battlefield!

"Wait, Xuanxuan, where are you going?"

Li Qinghe, quick on his feet, grabbed Li Zixuan’s arm. "You just recovered, don’t run around! The great battle is already over!"

As his words fell, Li Zixuan froze, abruptly turning to look at Li Qinghe in disbelief.

"It’s over?"

"Yes, it’s over."

Li Qinghe nodded, bluffing with a hint of guilt, "You were unconscious until seven o’clock tonight. The battle with the Alliance Leader ended a long time ago. Just lie down and rest."

"Then... what was the result?"

Li Zixuan faltered, slumping onto the bed. She hugged her legs, curling into a ball and burying her face between her knees. Her voice was low. "Tell me... did the senior uncles... self-destruct...?"

"They... they did,"

Li Qinghe stammered, looking away to avoid eye contact with his cousin, his guilt showing.

"After you fell unconscious, a total of fourteen Venerables from our Heaven-Blasting Gang arrived to fight the Venerable Alliance Leader. Eight of them died in battle."

"Eight senior uncles... What about the Venerable Alliance Leader?"

Li Zixuan murmured, lifting her head from her knees with tears welling in her eyes. "What happened to him?"

"Hmph! That shameless villain Meng Tianxuan! The seniors of the Heaven-Blasting Gang blasted him into black slag!"

At this point, Elder Li interjected, gritting his teeth in anger, "But that despicable bastard didn’t die. However, Young Friend Qin’s strength is also extraordinary. He played a crucial role in this battle and managed to balance the situation."

"Senior Brother?"

Li Zixuan was taken aback. "Isn’t he in the Grandmaster Realm? How could he..."

"Hehe, Xuanxuan, it’s normal that you don’t know, since you were unconscious."

Elder Li gently stroked his white beard and said with a smile, "Your senior brother is no simple man. We only found out later... that Young Friend Qin... had already stepped into the Venerable Realm!"

As his voice fell,

BOOM!

"!!!"

Li Zixuan’s eyes widened instantly, and she stared at Elder Li in astonishment. "The Venerable Realm? Teacher, you can’t be tricking me! How old is he...?"

’I clearly remember Qin Yang’s age...’

’He doesn’t seem that much older than me, does he?’

’He’s actually in the Venerable Realm?’

"Age isn’t a measure of everything,"

Elder Li sighed. "I didn’t believe it either at first, but after witnessing Young Friend Qin’s prowess, I had no choice but to accept it. Entering the Venerable Realm at such a young age...

With such talent, it’s no wonder the seniors of the Heaven-Blasting Gang would protect him with their lives!"

As he spoke, he looked at Li Zixuan and said slowly,

"During the day, the eight seniors of the Heaven-Blasting Gang went all out and blasted that Meng Tianxuan into a daze. It was an immensely satisfying sight!"

His words trailed off.

"The senior uncles... they’re all gone..."

Li Zixuan’s gaze softened. She looked out the window at the starry sky, where a gentle breeze stirred the white curtains. The night sky was like a silken tapestry of the galaxy, and it seemed as if eight stars were shining with particular brilliance.

"May you elders... have a safe journey."