Old Zhang and Lin Fan knew this was definitely not a normal situation. However, they couldn't pinpoint the problem. All they could do was try to calm the agitated hearts of those around them.
"Steady!"
"Don't panic!"
"Maybe it'll be fine after a while."
The tribesmen who had gone outside returned to the house. They looked at the tribe elder with strange expressions. They wanted to understand what was happening, but didn't dare to ask, only silently speculating, their imaginations running wild.
The tribe elder found it difficult to speak.
Wu Sheng sternly warned the tribesmen not to breathe a word of this to anyone, or face severe punishment.
When the tribe elder learned that these two were natives of the planet, he was shocked. He seemed surprised that Wu Sheng was associating with natives. It was difficult for him to comprehend.
Pulling Wu Sheng aside, he said, "Young Master, this master did save my life, but…"
He wanted to say that they shouldn't be mingling with the natives, as it would have a huge impact on their future actions. However, Wu Sheng interrupted him before he could finish.
"Tribe Elder, this master saved your life and has been a great help to me. There's nothing wrong with getting to know them. The most crucial thing is the young man standing next to the master. He's very strong, unimaginably strong."
Old Zhang's acupuncture, while seemingly miraculous to Wu Sheng, didn't make him feel apprehensive. It was Lin Fan, with his constant smile, gentle personality, and friendly words, who was truly frightening. His power was alarming.
The tribe elder looked at Lin Fan in surprise, sizing him up. Lin Fan, noticing the elder's gaze, smiled and nodded in a friendly manner.
"Him?"
Wu Sheng said, "Yes, him. Tribe Elder, don't underestimate him. I used to think his strength was at most Three Radiance Realm, but later I discovered it's far beyond that. His upper limit is unknown, difficult to fathom. He's probably reached an unimaginable level."
Hearing his young master say this, the tribe elder was even more shocked. He had never seen the young master praise anyone so highly. What was most frightening was Lin Fan's age, and the fact that this planet's famous mountains and rivers had only recently revived.
Even with exceptional talent, cultivation shouldn't be this fast.
The key point was the scarcity of cultivation methods here. Without advanced cultivation techniques, how could one reach such a realm?
The tribe elder approached Lin Fan and extended his hand. "May I shake your hand?"
"No need to be so polite," Lin Fan said with a smile, then shook the elder's hand. The elder's palm was rough, which made sense considering his age.
Wu Sheng's expression gradually became serious. He knew the tribe elder wanted to test Lin Fan's strength. Telling the elder so much was less effective than a personal test. Perhaps, for the tribe elder, he would never believe Wu Sheng's words.
The handshake!
"Hello!" Lin Fan greeted him amicably.
The tribe elder, newly recovered from serious injuries, channeled his internal power down his arm and into his hand, wanting a simple contest of strength with Lin Fan, a clash of amplitudes, a direct confrontation of physical power.
Lin Fan was a little surprised, feeling a strange power coming from the other party.
Instantly!
He thought of a kind of competition.
One he'd seen in movies.
Two people shaking hands without any body movement, yet able to make the other person feel their power.
Thinking of this, Lin Fan felt a sense of anticipation.
So the other party wanted to spar with him.
That was great…
He applied a little force.
Crack!
Thud!
The tribe elder instantly knelt down, his face pale. "It hurts… it hurts, it's broken."
Lin Fan was surprised, as if he hadn't expected this to happen. He quickly released his grip. "Weren't you trying to compete with me?"
At this moment, the tribe elder's fingers were twisted and deformed, the bones broken. Fortunately, he had knelt quickly; otherwise, even a slight delay would have resulted in a completely shattered hand.
"I…"
The tribe elder wanted to say something, but Lin Fan's actions had stunned him into silence. He hadn't expected Lin Fan to use superficial strength. He had been using internal force, intending to clash with Lin Fan's internal power.
It was definitely not about who had greater grip strength.
But what was the point of saying anything now? It had already happened.
However, the tribe elder now realized just how powerful Lin Fan was. Even if it were a contest of pure strength, Lin Fan's strength was simply too overwhelming. He himself cultivated body-tempering techniques, and while he wouldn't claim his bones were indestructible, ordinary methods couldn't harm him at all.
He now believed that Lin Fan was truly a powerhouse.
Stronger than himself.
"Need any help?" Old Zhang volunteered. "My acupuncture is very effective. As long as I needle you, you'll definitely be fine."
Hearing this, the tribe elder shuddered.
"Thank you for the offer, but these minor injuries are nothing."
He had to refuse. He still wanted to live. He realized that this old man was probably not so simple. The thought of being needled and suffering the aftereffects terrified him. Who knew what would happen next?
Wu Sheng hadn't told anyone about Old Zhang's ability to enhance strength.
He was afraid of causing trouble for Old Zhang and Lin Fan.
In fact, he was protecting others. With Lin Fan protecting Old Zhang, who could touch them? Perhaps, if they weren't careful, it would be them who ended up dead.
After a while, Wu Sheng discussed something with the tribe elder.
"Tribe Elder, you've sensed their unique abilities, haven't you?" Wu Sheng asked.
The tribe elder said, "I underestimated this planet. I didn't expect Young Master to be so observant."
Wu Sheng smiled. It was just a coincidence. If not for luck, he might not have encountered them and wouldn't know any of this.
"The ancient ruins are definitely not simple. In our current situation, trying to excavate them would be extremely dangerous. I think we can cooperate with them and explore the ruins together. To be honest, Tribe Elder, you asked me why my strength has greatly improved. It's because we explored a place together and shared some treasures."
"Their trustworthiness is guaranteed."
The guarantee of others was never as convincing as that of one's own people.
The tribe elder said, "You want to borrow his strength?"
"Exactly, borrow it. Because he has the strength to help me uncover the true nature of the ruins," Wu Sheng said.
This was called mutual benefit. He knew the location of the ruins, and Lin Fan had the strength. They could share the rewards. Together, they were an unstoppable combination.
The tribe elder worried, "If other large tribes find out we're cooperating with natives, it might cause unnecessary trouble."
"Haha," Wu Sheng laughed. "Tribe Elder, you're overthinking it. Only what we hold in our hands is truly ours. What can they do even if they know? They can only watch us obtain things from the ruins that they can't."
"That makes sense," the tribe elder nodded.
Wu Sheng said, "Then we can set off for their city now and discuss it with their leader."
"What's there to discuss with their leader? They're all here. We can just go directly to the ruins," the tribe elder said, puzzled. Why bother with such complications?
Of course, Wu Sheng wouldn't tell the tribe elder that he had gradually noticed Lin Fan's somewhat detached attitude towards worldly gains, a mindset that Wu Sheng himself couldn't match. Moreover, they had treated him well, and deep down, he didn't want Lin Fan and the others to be taken advantage of.
That leader, on the other hand, was very shrewd.
With him in charge, they certainly wouldn't lose out.
Wu Sheng could also maintain a clear conscience, not deceiving those who were his friends.
He naturally wouldn't share this observation with the tribe elder.
The tribe elder was a seasoned veteran. If he could get more benefits, he definitely wouldn't share them. Everything was for the tribe; he wouldn't care about much else.
Yanhai City.
Special Department.
One-Eyed Man and the others had been having a good time recently. The items brought back from Changbai Mountain had enhanced their strength. Lin Daoming and the others had returned to cultivate advanced techniques.
The sparks between Lin Daoming and Liu Haichan were particularly intense.
Both wanted to prove they were the strongest.
Master Yongxin, however, no longer struck his wooden fish. Instead, he cultivated the techniques traded by Wu Sheng. This was like opening a new door for him.
At the same time, he secretly vowed to prove to everyone…
Who said Buddhist cultivators were just meat shields?
He would become a meat shield capable of both enduring and dealing damage.
With this as his goal, he diligently cultivated.
At this moment, One-Eyed Man stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the scenery outside, pondering something. He constantly monitored the situation at Changbai Mountain. That live streamer, Sun Xiao, was quite resilient, enough to make him envious. But it was all just small-time stuff.
Nothing major.
Old Master Xu from headquarters often called him. There was no way around it. After all, Yanhai City had Lin Fan, who had initially entered Changbai Mountain like it was no man's land, unstoppable, and naturally obtained more treasures.
Lin Daoming, Liu Haichan, Yongxin, and the others were all improving their strength.
Although they might not be able to compete with the Starry Sky experts, they at least saw hope.
At this time, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Jin He Li, dressed in her usual style, walked in on high heels, sexy and alluring.
"Lin Fan is back, along with a group of Starry Sky experts. They've requested to see you."
Hearing this, One-Eyed Man was slightly startled and quickly stood up.
"Bring them to the conference room. Notify everyone not to disturb us and ensure the research lab is secured."
He knew these things were unlikely to happen.
But just in case.
He was puzzled. Lin Fan hadn't been to Changbai Mountain recently, so how did he end up with Starry Sky experts? He didn't know that outstanding individuals shine wherever they go. If you don't seek them out, they will come to you. This is the only worry of exceptional people.
Conference room.
One-Eyed Man saw the group of Starry Sky experts.
He only recognized one of the two leading figures, Wu Sheng. He hadn't met the other elder before.
"Welcome, welcome."
One-Eyed Man greeted them with a smile.
As the head of the Yanhai City Special Department, he possessed authority and was impeccable in his hospitality. As long as you didn't show any hostility, he would treat you as a distinguished guest.
Wu Sheng said, "Chief Xu, this is the Tribe Elder of my clan."
"Tribe Elder, hello, I've long admired your name," One-Eyed Man said with a smile.
"Chief Xu, hello," the Tribe Elder replied. However, his voice sounded a bit strange. One-Eyed Man was slightly surprised but didn't dwell on it.
Perhaps it was a unique quirk.
Like… being a bit effeminate.