"!!!!"
Minister Shen felt as if a weight of ten thousand pounds was pressing down on him, rendering him completely immobile. The sheer disbelief was overwhelming.
As a peak-level super martial artist, his strength in the Super Martial Alliance was on par with the alliance's leader. There were no more than three people stronger than him. Yet now, he was being suppressed by a young man who looked no older than twenty—how could he not be shocked?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
Not only was Minister Shen in disbelief, but even the heads of the super martial families were too stunned to speak. At the Super Martial Assembly, they had assumed Ye Chuan’s strength was only around level five or six.
Now, it was clear they had been utterly mistaken.
Seeing Minister Shen remain silent, Ye Chuan maintained his faint smile. "What’s wrong? Don’t you want my explanation anymore?"
Do you think I spent all that money on cultivation for nothing?
I don’t eat beef.
Though his Crystal Phase strength wasn’t enough to dominate this world, it certainly wasn’t something a mere super martial artist—who hadn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment stage—could command or control.
Minister Shen’s expression grew increasingly grim as he felt his body struggling more and more under Ye Chuan’s pressure.
How is this even possible?!
Just by releasing his aura?!
"Big brother, can you let go of my dad?" A small hand tugged at Ye Chuan’s sleeve. He turned to see Minister Shen’s daughter holding onto him, her other arm clutching a rabbit plushie.
"Daddy… doesn’t feel good."
"Ah, Brother Ye, let it go, let it go." Wang Ba quickly stepped in to mediate. "We’re all just trying our best here."
Minister Shen wasn’t targeting Ye Chuan—he was just baffled by the source of his power, which clearly didn’t resemble that of a super martial artist.
"Ye Chuan, could you release everyone… please?" Wang Yanran also spoke up, gently massaging his shoulders to soothe him.
Ye Chuan wasn’t actually angry. He remained perfectly calm. With a casual snap of his fingers, the oppressive force vanished, leaving Minister Shen and the other family heads gasping in relief as they stared at him in lingering fear.
After this display, everyone except the Wang family finally understood just how terrifying Ye Chuan’s strength truly was.
The condescending looks in their eyes instantly turned respectful.
"......" Minister Shen fell silent. It had been so many years since anyone had ever intimidated him with sheer power.
"Mr. Ye… just how strong are you?"
Even his tone and address had changed, his attitude now far more deferential.
Strength commanded respect—this principle held true not just on the Tianxuan Continent, but even in the Super Martial Alliance. With power like this, killing someone would be as easy as flipping a hand.
"Oh? Still want me to explain?" Ye Chuan smirked.
The words sent a chill down Minister Shen’s spine. His voice dropped even lower as he hastily replied, "N-no, my apologies. I was merely asking."
Ye Chuan tapped the table lightly, suddenly in a better mood. "Yanran, pour the tea."
Wang Yanran immediately prepared a fresh cup for him.
"In the Super Martial Alliance, a ninth-level super martial artist is considered the strongest, right?" Ye Chuan began.
"Yes. Currently, only the alliance leader is at the ninth level, while Minister Shen is half a step into it," Wang Ba chimed in.
"Then what if I told you that even a tenth-level super martial artist is just the beginning?"
Ye Chuan’s calm words detonated like a depth charge in the hearts of everyone present.
What?!
Tenth level… is just the beginning?!
"Little Brother Ye, you… you’re not joking, are you?" Wang Ba asked, his old bones trembling at the thought that his own cultivation was merely the starting point.
"Impossible!" Minister Shen also found Ye Chuan’s claim unbelievable.
"Nothing’s impossible. Think of it like a game where the max level is 100. You’re all still stuck at level eight or nine." Ye Chuan patted Wang Yanran beside him.
"Yanran, show them."
Wang Yanran hesitated briefly before releasing her aura.
"Eighth level?!" Wang Ba was dumbfounded.
Wait, hadn’t his granddaughter just reached the first level not long ago?!
Now she was on par with him?!
Heaven’s falling, the sky’s collapsing!
Not just Wang Ba—the heads of the super martial families, including Minister Shen, were equally stunned.
The proof was right in front of them. They had no choice but to believe it.
"Grandpa, I didn’t mean to hide it from you. My breakthrough only happened these past few days." Wang Yanran looked a little embarrassed. She hadn’t told Wang Ba earlier, fearing it might hurt his pride.
"So… is there still a chance for us to break through too?" Wang Ba hurriedly asked Ye Chuan, voicing the question on everyone’s minds.
"Of course. I happen to have a batch of breakthrough-enhancing pills you can try." Ye Chuan grinned.
Marrow-Cleansing Pill (Beauty Edition)
Sure, its main selling point was beauty enhancement, but it still boosted cultivation speed, didn’t it?
Besides, Ye Chuan had noticed that ever since the spatial rifts appeared, the spiritual energy in the air had grown denser. As long as the rifts remained, the world’s spiritual energy would continue increasing over time.
Might as well cash in on the opportunity by selling these beauty pills for a hefty profit.
He also had other low-tier pills like Deer Blood Pills. With plenty of medicinal ingredients on hand, he could sell them all.
For super martial artists still at lower levels, these pills were treasures. Strike while the iron’s hot—money waits for no one.
Ye Chuan had come prepared. He pulled out a scroll from his spatial backpack and unfurled it on the table for everyone to see.
"These are the cultivation-aiding pills I’m selling. No deception, fair prices."
The family heads crowded around, even Minister Shen unable to resist the temptation.
"Each one… costs at least a million?" Some of the heads glanced at Ye Chuan.
The Wang family was among the wealthiest of the super martial clans, but others weren’t so fortunate. The poorest among them couldn’t even afford a hundred pills.
A hundred million in cash? They had assets, but liquid funds were another matter.
"Limited stock. Only fifty of each available," Ye Chuan said coolly. "If you’re late, don’t blame others for leaving you in the dust."
His words were like kindling to a fire—the super martial families immediately panicked.
"I’ll buy them!"
"I want them all!"