Chapter 93: Yuanshi Yuxu Palace

In the early morning, Chu Feng, bathed in the golden glow of dawn, practiced a special breathing technique.

Soon after, he stopped. He was scheduled to visit the mutate organization today; as long as he demonstrated sufficient strength, his parents' safety would be adequately secured in the future.

"Mom, you should come too."

After the family had breakfast, Chu Feng called out to Wang Jing, not wanting her to stay home alone, fearing some unforeseen incident. He had single-handedly eliminated the mutates sent by Xu Wanyi, which must have provoked her. It was hard to say what extreme actions she might take if she went mad.

"All right," Wang Jing readily agreed, as she didn't want her son to worry.

Early morning, Jiangning.

Outside the city, mountains soared into the clouds, with monkeys screeching and tigers roaring. Inside the city, traffic flowed like a river, and skyscrapers rose one after another, exceptionally prosperous. The area outside and inside the city were truly two different worlds. Perhaps only an era resembling the apocalypse could create such a strange spectacle.

At Bihuwan Villa Area, inside Lin Yehan's home, the carved beams and painted rafters gleamed with golden splendor. Even the dining room's decor was exquisite, with crystal chandeliers casting a dreamlike glow. The long table beneath them could accommodate dozens of people dining simultaneously.

Xu Wanyi had been in a very bad mood for the past two days; she even seemed distracted while eating breakfast. In just one night, thirteen mutate experts had completely vanished, which was a significant blow to her. They were all her trusted subordinates, and it had taken a lot of effort and money to gather them. More importantly, this sense of defeat made her feel dejected. She had originally thought she could secretly deal with that ridiculous and pathetic ordinary young man from Mount Taihang. How could she have anticipated such an outcome!

A dark cloud hung over her heart; she wished she could mobilize all the hidden experts within Genes Corp, go directly to Shuntian, and wipe out the entire family! Unfortunately, she wasn't Lin Nuoyi, and didn't possess such authority. Xu Wanyi felt as if she were possessed; she couldn't control herself, wanting to kill that young man in Shuntian immediately.

A mutate approached and reported to her that, apart from Chu Zhiyuan having injured his waist in a fall, Chu Feng and his family of three were doing perfectly fine, with no other incidents.

"The identity of the Ox Demon King is practically confirmed. It's him; I underestimated him before!" Xu Wanyi's face was ashen. Although there was no direct evidence yet, she had a gut feeling. She had been investigating for the past two days and discovered that ever since Chu Zhiyuan injured his waist that evening, her people had started experiencing accidents and subsequently lost contact.

"Bang!" She slammed her knife and fork onto the dining table, her face grim. Her eyes burned with hatred. She had always felt there was something suspicious about her sister's death. Like Mu, her death was highly questionable. If Chu Feng was indeed the Ox Demon King, everything would make sense. Both her sister and Mu had targeted Chu Feng, even ambushing him.

"Even if my sister was in the wrong first and made a move against you, you are unforgivable!" She wouldn't consider her sister's wrongdoing, only her resentment towards Chu Feng.

Lin Yehan walked into the living room from outside. He had just finished a round of boxing, facing the morning glow, with a warm current flowing through his body, and an aura of slight radiance about him.

"Yehan!" Xu Wanyi, holding a pristine white towel, approached him with a gentle smile, carefully wiping away his sweat.

"Something on your mind? You barely touched your breakfast," Lin Yehan asked her.

"I'm thinking of my sister," Xu Wanyi sighed.

"The dead cannot be brought back to life; don't torment yourself," Lin Yehan comforted her, putting an arm around her shoulder. Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Oh, by the way, I heard that apocalyptic blockbuster of yours is progressing quickly and might be released soon?"

Xu Wanyi finally smiled. This was perhaps the only good news she had received, making her quite anticipatory. But she humbly said, "To be honest, it's a bit embarrassing; I only reshot a few scenes. I didn't really participate in the storylines of apocalyptic struggles or fighting strange beasts. Other female mutates played those parts. I heard they hired quite a few mutates this time, so it's like we used body doubles." Although she said this, she was very happy internally. This blockbuster had clearly cast too many prominent figures, and it would undoubtedly be a huge hit. Even though she wasn't the lead actress, her role was substantial. This time, she might become famous across the entire country thanks to this blockbuster.

The sun was already high in the sky. Chu Feng and his family arrived at their destination. This large compound covered a vast area. Its gray walls were old and gave off a somewhat oppressive feeling. Outside the gate were many large trees, so big that it would take two or three people to encircle them. Chu Feng had passed by this place before, but had never been interested in exploring it. Today was different; he was actually here for an interview, to enter this official compound.

This area was very quiet, with a sense of solemnity and dignity. Chu Feng didn't particularly like this atmosphere and had initially felt some resistance, but today he had no choice but to come. As he entered the compound and saw the bluestone-paved paths, he was slightly surprised. It had an ancient feel inside, and the style was completely different. In the compound, several ancient trees stretched out their branches, with old vines climbing upon them. The air was quite fresh.

"Hmm?!" Especially when Chu Feng saw a plaque in the courtyard, he almost thought he had come to the wrong place.

"Jade Void Palace!?" He was quite astonished. Wasn't Jade Void Palace the legendary dojo of Yuanshi Tianzun?

Chu Feng was speechless. The outside of the compound was so serious, even oppressive, yet the inside was completely different. Whose idea was this? Chu Zhiyuan and Wang Jing also had strange looks in their eyes. The solemnity and dignity they had perceived earlier seemed to be undermined here.

Immediately after, Chu Feng saw someone who startled him so much he almost turned around and left. He really didn't want to encounter that person. Zhou Yitian, that terrible director who had endlessly pestered him for filming, was actually here too! At that time, the Ox Demon King roamed Mount Taihang, majestic and awe-inspiring. Yet, he was later invited to act by this director and was so scared he fled in disarray. That scene had stunned a group of people. This was, to date, the only person who had made Chu Feng flee without a fight.

"Are you here for the interview? This way, please," Zhou Yitian greeted them with a pleasant expression.

This terrible director was one of the staff here? Chu Feng found it absurd. He wanted to turn around and leave immediately. If this guy had infiltrated the so-called "Jade Void Palace," could this place be reliable?

"Are you a staff member here?" Wang Jing asked politely.

"You could say that. Recently, I wanted to ask people from the Jade Void Palace for help, so I'm temporarily stationed here," Zhou Yitian said with a smile, appearing quite affable. An ordinary person would surely find him friendly, but in Chu Feng's eyes, this person couldn't be more unreliable! He really wanted to say, "Go make your movies; don't cause trouble here!"

Zhou Yitian was very enthusiastic. He came over to lead the way, guiding them further inside, past one courtyard after another. This place truly covered a vast area, which was extremely rare in Shuntian where land was precious. It also showed how influential this department was; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to occupy such a location.

Finally, Chu Feng couldn't hold back and spoke to this unreliable director. He asked him why such a serious department had a bronze plaque inscribed with "Jade Void Palace" hanging inside.

"It's simple," Zhou Yitian explained, "Jade Void Palace is Yuanshi Tianzun's dojo, symbolizing immense divine power and gathering all immortals. This is an organization of mutates, so the name has a deep meaning."

"Deep meaning, my foot!" Chu Zhiyuan almost blurted out, because he also found it too strange.

"Let me tell you, don't disbelieve me," Zhou Yitian said mysteriously. "It truly has profound implications. The higher-ups all tacitly agree to call this place Jade Void Palace and recognize its status. Do you think it's simple?"

"Is it that profound?" Wang Jing was not afraid; she dared to speak her mind even standing in this special compound.

Zhou Yitian nodded very seriously and said, "Don't you consider what kind of place this is? It's the headquarters of the mutate organization. Could the person who commands them be simple?"

Chu Feng couldn't help but say, "Don't tell me the leader here is Yuanshi Tianzun!"

"As expected of a mutate, truly sharp-witted; you thought of it instantly," Zhou Yitian said with an admiring expression, making Chu Feng want to slap him. Was this really called sharp-witted?

Soon, Zhou Yitian lowered his voice again and said, "However, you can't call him 'the leader.' That being holds an extremely transcendent and mysterious status. Only powerful enough individuals can address him as 'Teacher.' Others call him... never mind, ordinary mutates won't even get to see him."

The family of three exchanged glances, wondering what kind of place they had truly come to. Was Jade Void Palace really so transcendent and powerful?

"Is Jade Void Palace's mysterious master very strong?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"Of course!" Zhou Yitian nodded gravely, stating with an unquestionable tone, "He's probably one of the top experts among humans!"

"That powerful?" Even Chu Feng was astonished. He knew that Bodhi Genes had Sakyamuni's disciples, and Genes Corp had Leizhenzi. These individuals were suspected to have become mutates over twenty years ago. At that time, the drastic changes to heaven and earth hadn't even truly begun! One of Sakyamuni's disciples, Qianye, had once battled the White Snake on Mount Taihang. Although his fate remained unknown, his strength was undoubtedly immense.

"Extremely powerful! He's almost unbeatable in the world!" Zhou Yitian praised profusely.

"If he's that powerful, why didn't he show up when the Beast Kings caused chaos? He should have personally eliminated the Azure Wolf King and the Eagle King," Chu Feng said. Due to his preconceived notions, he always found Zhou Yitian peculiar. How could someone who handed out business cards all over Mount Taihang be considered reliable?

"I'll tell you some top-secret information, but don't spread it indiscriminately," Zhou Yitian whispered. "The master of Jade Void Palace didn't appear because he's undertaking an earth-shattering endeavor!"

"What major endeavor?" Chu Zhiyuan asked.

"He's fighting a war in the Fengchan land; he wants to conquer that place! It's a chaotic battlefield there, with strange creatures running rampant, Beast Kings lurking, and boundless terror!" Zhou Yitian's expression was solemn.

Chu Feng's expression changed for the first time. The battlefield in the Fengchan land was absolutely terrifying. If the master of Jade Void Palace was fighting there, he must undoubtedly be a peerless expert.

Zhou Yitian informed them in a very low voice, saying, "The Azure Wolf King's massacre of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Eagle King's beast tide, and the overwhelming strange beasts outside Shuntian City are all the cunning tricks of strange creatures, intended to exhaust human experts and make them leave the famous mountains and great rivers to quell the chaos. However, the higher-ups have strategic resolve."

Chu Feng nodded, no longer thinking he was spouting nonsense.

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly asked, "Since there's a Jade Void Palace, could there also be an Eight Scenic Palace and a Biyou Palace?"

Wang Jing's expression was strange. She thought her husband was being too fanciful. The Eight Scenic Palace was associated with Laozi, and Biyou Palace with the Grandmaster of Heaven. Was he really going to group them with Jade Void Palace? To their surprise, Zhou Yitian was startled. He then looked left and right, and seeing no one, he nodded and said, "Reportedly, that is indeed the case!"

Wang Jing immediately felt bewildered. There were actually three mutate organizations: the Jade Void Palace, Eight Scenic Palace, and Biyou Palace?!

"I only just found out myself, a secret I got from a very important friend." Then, Zhou Yitian whispered, "The master of the Eight Scenic Palace is also a peerless expert, but this mutate organization has very few members. Biyou Palace is said to be in the ocean. You should know that there are also mysterious ancient trees in the vast oceans, such as the Fusang Divine Tree. Of course, the dangers in the sea are even more terrifying, and the Beast Kings are too formidable. The master of Biyou Palace is definitely a tough one, immensely powerful."

Chu Feng and his family remained silent for a long time. These revelations were truly astonishing.

"However, it's rumored that the master of Biyou Palace has also returned. He plans to first conquer a famous mountain on land," Zhou Yitian informed them.

Currently, the master of Jade Void Palace is campaigning in the Fengchan land. The masters of the Eight Scenic Palace and Biyou Palace are also each attacking a famous mountain, advancing on three separate fronts. This was consistent with the information Chu Zhiyuan had learned from his old classmate. The nation wanted to secure two or three of the most important famous mountains, and it turned out that each location was guarded by a peerless expert.

"So, Jade Void Palace, Eight Scenic Palace, and Biyou Palace are all very strong?" Wang Jing asked.

"Of course!" Zhou Yitian replied. "They dare to fight fiercely against Beast Kings from all corners of the world; how strong do you think they are? Furthermore, even experts from major powers, such as Genes Corp's Leizhenzi and Bodhi Genes' Sakyamuni disciples, have registered at Jade Void Palace."

This showed how powerful the Jade Void Palace organization was; even the major conglomerates showed great respect. Their experts had all registered there.

"We're here. Quite a few people have shown up today," Zhou Yitian's voice returned to normal as he led them to the assessment area.