Strongest War Emperor

"Ahem!" Shen Lang coughed dryly and opened the other Jade Boxes.

"These Face Stabilizing Pills... Dad, you don’t get these. They’re for Sis and Mom. Their purpose is simple: to preserve your and Sis’s unparalleled beauty. Even as you get older, your appearances won’t change much. A Profound Level Face Stabilizing Pill should be effective for at least two hundred years. The average person on the Star Continent lives for over one hundred and fifty years, so two hundred years should be passable."

Amidst everyone’s dazed expressions, Shen Lang spoke again. "The Longevity Pill is a bit harder to concoct, mainly because a few of the Spiritual Materials are too rare... This elixir pill not only extends one’s life, but it also contains abundant medicinal power that will be slowly absorbed by the body. So, Dad... when the time comes, don’t be surprised if you find your Cultivation has increased even without you cultivating."

"Whoa..." Yin Kuang poked his head over again.

"As for these large boxes..." Shen Lang opened the remaining Jade Boxes.

"In these boxes are over two hundred Essence Enhancing Pills. Dad, Mom, Sis, and Xiaohong each get fifty. Take one every seven days, which should last for almost a year. These Essence Enhancing Pills can perform Purification of Essence and Marrow and increase your Power. Even if you don’t cultivate for the entire year, just finishing these fifty pills will raise your Cultivation by a huge margin."

"For example, Sis is currently at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven. After finishing these elixir pills, conservatively speaking, she should reach the Qi Martial Realm Seventh Heaven. If she cultivates diligently throughout the year, reaching the Qi Martial Realm Eighth Heaven or Ninth Heaven won’t be a problem..."

"Young Master, this... do I... do I get some too...?" Xiaohong, standing to the side, blushed and whispered.

Shen Lang smiled. "Of course you do. I’ve always thought of you as my little sister, and Mom and Dad treat you like a daughter. If Sis gets some, you definitely get some too."

THUD!

With a dull thud, the tower-like Yin Kuang collapsed pathetically onto the ground.

But at this moment, everyone was still dizzy and dazed. The poor Yin Kuang was completely ignored by this disloyal group.

Even someone as mentally resolute as Shen Haoxuan, who already knew how formidable Shen Lang was, was completely stunned by this scene, rendered speechless.

In this world, Spiritual Qi was becoming increasingly thin. In a sense, Elixir Pills were even rarer than things like Spiritual Artifacts.

Never mind a small family like the Shen Family. Even people like Yin Kuang, from the great and powerful Noble Families of the Imperial Capital, had never seen someone concoct Elixir Pills like this, let alone consume them like they were meals!

One every seven days!

Profound Level Essence Enhancing Pills!

How valuable was a single Essence Enhancing Pill? This was something that would make the families of Yin Kuang and Shui Buyu fight to the death over a single pill!

And if they were lucky, they might get one or two in an entire year!

But here? Shen Lang was telling Shen Moran and the others to take one every seven days!

And from the looks of it, they could have as many as they wanted in the future. Once they ran out, he’d just make more!

The most infuriating part was that even Xiaohong got some!

Xiaohong was just a maid of the Shen Family...

"Xiaodie, this is all Lang’er’s kind intention. Don’t just stand there in a daze. Put them away first."

Shen Haoxuan was the calmest of all. He quickly concealed the fervent blaze in his eyes.

"Then... what about us?"

Two figures flashed, and Zeng Zuimo and Lin Yue once again latched onto Shen Lang’s arms, one on each side.

’Here we go again...’

Right in front of his parents, Shen Lang’s arms were grabbed by two young women again. And these two were extremely bold and forward.

"There are six Face Stabilizing Pills in total. Three of them were prepared for you two and Sister Su Jin. Go get them yourselves. As for the others, don’t call me stingy—you can buy them with money. You should know, Alchemy is easy for me, but finding the materials is hard. Which of them doesn’t cost money? Your families are the last people who are short on cash. If you weren’t my sister’s friends, I wouldn’t even bother making them for you, even if you offered money!"

"I knew Xiaolang was the best to us!"

Zeng Zuimo and Lin Yue cheered in unison and immediately let go of Shen Lang’s arms.

However, the Jade Boxes were all in front of Luo Dieqi, so they didn’t dare to act rashly.

Luo Dieqi smiled sweetly, beckoned them over, and said, "Don’t listen to Lang’er’s nonsense. I know his temperament very well. Since Alchemy isn’t a big deal for him, you’ll naturally get your share. Moran has a quiet personality; she wouldn’t bring people home unless they were very good friends. Since you’re her good friends, how could Lang’er possibly ask for too much?"

A cheer immediately erupted inside the pavilion.

Yin Kuang scrambled up from the ground and started howling like a berserk bear.

At this, Shen Lang pursed his lips and shook his head. Then he looked at Shen Moran and said, "By the way, Sis, don’t participate in the family’s martial arts competition today. Leave it to me."

"Mm."

Shen Moran smiled and nodded lightly. She was completely obedient to her younger brother and had full confidence in everything he did.

Shen Haoxuan was taken aback and said with some hesitation, "Lang’er, you mean you’re going to participate in the family competition in a bit? This..."

"Dad, I haven’t participated in the family competition for many years. Although my stage isn’t here, since I’m part of the Shen Family, it’s best to resolve some troubles sooner rather than later." Shen Lang said faintly, "I don’t care about the title of ’waste,’ but I want people to know that your son is no waste! From now on, no one can point fingers at our family! Not the Shen Family, and not any power in Celestial Phoenix City!"

"My Lady, you... why are you crying...?" Xiaohong exclaimed in surprise.

Only then did everyone notice that Shen Lang’s mother was continuously wiping away her tears.

"Mom..." Shen Moran’s voice was a little choked up as she helped Luo Dieqi wipe the tears from her face.

"I’m not crying, I’m just happy..." Although Luo Dieqi was crying, her eyes were filled with a smile.

For so many years, this family had been barely surviving under immense pressure, especially after Haotian became gravely ill...

Now, things were better. Lang’er was finally accomplished.

Not only had he cured Haotian’s illness, but he also possessed such a heaven-defying talent for Alchemy...

And from the sound of it, he had also made significant progress in Martial Arts. Otherwise, with his calm personality, he wouldn’t have said such arrogant words.

...

"Auntie, you should be happy. With Xiaolang here, everything will change!"

Shui Buyu, who hadn’t spoken until now, suddenly stepped forward.

Shui Buyu hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Actually... I don’t know how to say this, I hope Auntie won’t blame us for taking matters into our own hands... The night before last, we all sent messages to our respective families... We’ve already decided that each of our five families will send an expert over. From now on, these people will stay here to protect you and Uncle! I know our methods might seem a bit opportunistic, and to be blunt, it’s our families trying to win over Xiaolang. But there’s also genuine affection involved, because Moran is our good friend..."

"We can’t let our good friend’s family be bullied!" Lin Yue said, waving a delicate fist.

"That’s right! Just because of our relationship with Sister Moran, we absolutely will not allow anyone to disrespect you again! We never knew before, and Sister Moran never said anything... If it wasn’t for that fellow Chu Qingcheng telling us to come take a look, we probably wouldn’t even know Brother Lang by now!"

Yin Kuang let out a howl, shaking the tiles on the pavilion roof and making them CLATTER.

The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly became a little strange—a mix of indignation, warmth, and heartfelt emotion...

"I, Shen, thank you all first. However, the matter of sending people to guard us needs further discussion. We aren’t in any real danger, actually..." A trace of emotion also appeared in Shen Haotian’s eyes.

He was also genuinely happy that his children were friends with such individuals.

"Dad, this is a kind gesture from Brother Kuang and the others. You don’t need to worry about it. Just act like it’s not happening," Shen Lang consoled him.

Then, he stood up and said, "Mom, please distribute those Elixir Pills first and put the rest away... The event over there has probably been going on for a while. Since there’s nothing else to do, I’ll go take a look."

"We’re going too! I want to see the excitement! Let me see what the people of this selfish, heartless family look like!" Yin Kuang shouted.

Su Jin’s expression darkened. "Buyu and Zuimo will go with Xiaolang. You stay out of it. You big oaf, you’re more trouble than you’re worth. You can stir up trouble out of nothing. You can’t go!"

"But I..." Yin Kuang’s face fell, long as a mule’s. Then he immediately said in a fawning tone, "I won’t do anything, I won’t say anything! Can’t I just be Xiaolang’s follower? I’ll do whatever he tells me to do. If he doesn’t make a sound, I’ll be a mute. How about that?"

Shen Moran smiled and shook her head. "Let him go too. If you don’t, it’ll probably be more painful for him than killing him."

"Yeah!"

Yin Kuang, Shui Buyu, and Zeng Zuimo immediately fell in behind Shen Lang, swaggering towards the Shen Family’s Martial Arts Arena.

The downpour grew heavier...

The Shen Family’s architecture was rather impressive. The corridors were long and covered, so even in a heavy downpour, one didn’t need an umbrella to walk from Shen Lang’s home to the Martial Arts Arena.

However, before they even reached the Martial Arts Arena, Shen Lang frowned and came to a stop.

In the distance, to his front right, a somewhat familiar figure stood in a pavilion, hands clasped behind his back.

The figure looked aloof, lonely, world-weary... and punchable.

Just as Shen Lang’s group of four approached, the man began to recite in a sonorous, theatrical voice, drawing out his words:

Outside the pavilion, a storm is raging,

The wind is not strong.

Someone is singing,

His name is Vicissitude...

"..." Shen Lang’s eyes went wide. He was speechless.

Unexpectedly, the fellow continued:

The starry sky is very dark,

A silver river divides it in two.

This side is heaven, 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

That side is also heaven.

Shen Lang couldn’t take it anymore. "Heaven my ass! Instead of attending the Shen Family’s year-end competition, you’re here reciting some nonsensical, neither-rhyming-nor-parallel, neither-modern-nor-ancient, dogshit poetry... Don’t you feel like you’re so bored your balls ache?"

"Hahaha..."

Yin Kuang was the first to break, clutching his stomach and bursting into laughter.

Shui Buyu and Zeng Zuimo both couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking their heads repeatedly.

"Shen Lang!" Shen Jianfeng spun around, his face filled with grief and indignation. "My business is none of your business!"

The Shen Jianfeng of this moment had lost his former high-spirited look. Instead, he had taken on the air of a down-and-out scholar. His face was unshaven and haggard, his appearance unkempt.

Shen Lang shook his head. "Like hell I care about you... It was just one competition. To fall this low after one loss, where did your heart for the Martial Arts go? Where’s the forbearance and determination you had when you hid the matter of your Dual Martial Souls? If you keep this mentality, forget the Purple Chu Country, the Western Wilderness, or the Star Continent—you won’t even make it out of Celestial Phoenix City!"

"Fine, clinging to a wine jug and reciting poetry here is also a way to live. You just go on ahead."

As Shen Lang spoke, he didn’t stop walking. In a short while, he reached the end of the corridor, turned a corner, and vanished from Shen Jianfeng’s sight.

’Fuck, couldn’t he have been a little more tactful... But it seems like he’s right...’

Shen Jianfeng clutched the wine jug, staring blankly into the distance, silent for a long time.

...

The Shen Family’s Martial Arts Arena was already a sea of people. A thousand-odd people had gathered there, creating a lively and bustling scene. Not even the downpour could dampen their enthusiasm for a moment.

The entrance to the Martial Arts Arena was blocked by a wooden fence. A large awning overhead blocked the rain. Many people were gathered there, with more continuously walking inside. It seemed the event hadn’t truly begun yet.

"Hey, look! It’s that waste, Shen Lang! That waste came to the Martial Arts Arena too!" someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed.

Everyone turned to look and, sure enough, saw Shen Lang slowly approaching with Yin Kuang and the other two.