Chapter Sixty-Three: He Zhouzhou’s Decision

Chapter Sixty-Three: He Zhouzhou’s Decision

Never had he imagined that someone would dare to disregard him now.

Though the other party claimed to act out of respect for his reputation, Shen An knew full well that they did not truly care about him.

“It’s the Sun family. The materials you want—many of them can’t be found on the open market, but the Sun family has them all. They began as a family of traditional medicine, and later expanded into mining, owning many mines outside the city. Some of the special stones you need are only in their possession.”

At the mention of the Sun family, Shen An’s eyes narrowed.

The Sun family, like the Chen family, was one of the Four Great Clans.

If one were to rank them by power, the Sun family would even surpass the Chen family.

“The Sun family started with traditional medicine?” Shen An rubbed his nose, falling into thought.

After a moment, he asked, “Do you know the person who hit you?”

“Yes, it was Sun Wu, the grandson of the old master of the Sun family.”

Shen An nodded.

Jiang Meng looked at Shen An, saying nothing, but suddenly clenched his fists.

Though Jiang Meng was reluctant to trouble Shen An, deep down he hoped Shen An would stand up for him.

“By the way, have you been practicing what I gave you?” Shen An asked.

Jiang Meng quickly raised his head. “I have. I practice every day. If my body hadn’t grown much stronger, I might not even be able to stand right now.”

Shen An seemed to understand what was on Jiang Meng’s mind and smiled. “I won’t help you with this matter because I want you to win back your own dignity. In a few days, I’ll have some benefits for you. Then, you can settle your own score. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility for you. It’s only the Sun family—if they want to end up like the Chens, let them come.”

Shen An’s words were laced with domineering confidence. Jiang Meng, whose spirits had been low, suddenly felt his blood surge with excitement, his eyes shining. “Yes, boss! I’ll work hard to cultivate and won’t let you down!”

Neither Mu Linqiu nor Bai Weiwei were surprised by Shen An’s response. He had brought them so many surprises already. Following him now, they knew there was no need for hesitation—just keep moving forward.

Once Jiang Meng had left, Shen An asked, “No one from the Shadow Division has been giving you trouble, have they?” He directed the question at Mu Linqiu.

“No,” she replied.

Shen An nodded.

This seemed at odds with what he’d learned about the Shadow Division from the future. They were known for holding grudges and would never easily let go of someone who had betrayed them, like Mu Linqiu or Viper.

Unable to make sense of the Shadow Division’s current inaction, Shen An decided not to dwell on it.

Mu Linqiu mentioned to Shen An that they really needed more staff. She was getting overwhelmed and would have to hire a professional manager. As an ability user, she couldn’t always handle these affairs herself.

Shen An agreed, though it gave him a headache.

It was a critical time, and with such a vast business to manage on such short notice, he could only hope things wouldn’t go awry.

Afterward, Shen An went upstairs to the Imperial Grand Hotel.

By now, many Awakened had already gathered upstairs.

Thanks to Mu Linqiu’s publicity, quite a number had heard the news and rushed over within a single day. They were delighted at the prospect of gathering and meeting more fellow Awakened.

Shen An’s strength now placed him among the very top of the Awakened, and he was still so young.

Many present wanted to meet him, to make his acquaintance, or even to try to ride on his coattails.

“Boss Shen!”

No sooner had he reached the upper floor than someone greeted him warmly.

Shen An nodded casually, already sizing up the strength of a few of those present. Without betraying any emotion, he walked past them, his mere presence exuding a natural aura of dominance.

That aura made those who had wanted to approach him take several steps back.

When Shen An entered a private room and closed the door, everyone outside was left with a vivid impression of him.

“What a powerful aura.”

“When he walked past me just now, I could barely breathe.”

“My legs are still shaking.”

No one mocked them for admitting this.

Inside the private room, Shen An locked the door. Outside, Mu Linqiu quietly took up her post by his door, standing guard.

Shen An noticed but said nothing.

Mu Linqiu was a born guardian—and a hidden assassin as well.

With a thought, Shen An entered his inner space.

Immediately, a fragrant aroma filled the space.

He gazed at the tree.

Suddenly—

A chime echoed in his mind.

Potential Value +500

Potential Value +500

...

In no time, his potential value rose from 80,000 to 90,000.

He needed 100,000 for the Eye of Insight; only 10,000 more to go before he could purchase it.

Shen An was filled with anticipation.

“The fruit isn’t ripe yet. Maybe if I wait a few more days and come here again, I’ll be able to harvest more potential value.”

He guessed that when the fruit was mature, it would generate even more energy, and then the last 10,000 points would be his.

The thought made Shen An almost giddy with excitement.

Who would have thought that this fruit tree could also generate potential value?

It seemed that anything infused with energy could produce potential value.

Shen An fell into contemplation.

He’d never considered this before—he’d always thought that only things resulting from great transformations could yield potential value.

In fact, not everything he absorbed after such events produced potential value. He recalled that when he absorbed the ironwood, nothing happened, but when he absorbed elemental oxygen, a large amount of potential value was generated.

“So absorbing elemental oxygen works too? Why don’t I feel this during normal cultivation?”

Once again, Shen An began to ponder.

Logically, potential value should be generated continuously as his cultivation speed increased, but so far, he had yet to experience this during ordinary practice.

“Perhaps it’s because there isn’t enough elemental oxygen,” he thought.

Everything would have to wait for the next great transformation to be truly tested.

Letting go of these thoughts, Shen An left the matter aside.

Meanwhile, in a small mountain village, He Zhouzhou was bidding farewell to her family.

“Mom, Dad, don’t worry about me,” she called, waving at her parents.

After getting off the bus, she walked with a spring in her step. “I still need to say goodbye to my fans.”

Thinking of this, she opened her livestream.

Some viewers, having received the notification, quickly joined her channel.

One person, then two—the numbers grew rapidly.

“Hello, everyone. I’m here to say goodbye,” she said, waving at the camera.

“Why, Zhouzhou? What’s going on?” One of her longtime viewers asked with concern.

“Don’t go.”

“Don’t go.”

The bullet screen filled with the same plea, line after line.

He Zhouzhou said, “I’ve thought it through. I can’t livestream forever. Besides, things have changed so much recently, and I don’t know what to do. Thank you all for your constant support.”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and the scrolling comments gradually fell silent.

“I’m going to work at Future Corporation. I heard they’re hiring, and after all, I majored in management!”

She finished with a bright smile, revealing two little canine teeth.