C11 They Were Once Again Blocked

Wang Jianxin was well aware that the young man was set on severing ties. Insisting he stay would be futile; it was better to let him go for now.

"Lieh, Uncle Wang owes you and your sister an apology. Tell you what, if you're set on buying it, just pay me 500,000 yuan."

"Uncle Wang knows money doesn't come easy for you, and Xiaoshuang will have plenty of expenses in the future. Consider the remaining money a gift from me to help you and your sister out."

"Thanks, Uncle Wang, but I can't take your offer. I'll work hard to provide for Xiaoshuang's needs. Please, let's just sign the papers!"

Wang Jianxin tried to appeal to Zhang Lieh's emotions, but Zhang was no naive youth; he saw right through it and cut him off, pushing the contract and black card toward him once more.

Wang Jianxin frowned, scolded Xiaohua a few times in frustration, and then 'reluctantly' took the black card and signed the contract.

With that signature, the old rental agreement was rendered null and void.

The contract was executed in duplicate. Zhang Lieh would simply need to deliver it to the law firm, and they would take care of the rest.

From that moment on, the modest house in the slums would officially belong to Zhang.

Of course, this was just the beginning. Given Zhang Lieh's capabilities, he would undoubtedly lead his sister into the privileged district and eventually into the more exclusive aristocratic area.

They would acquire more properties and might even own their martial arts school.

After signing the contract, Zhang Lieh spoke with a hint of sentimentality, "Uncle Wang, regardless of your reasons, I'm grateful."

With those words, Zhang Lieh bowed respectfully and turned to leave without a backward glance. He didn't spare Xiaohua another look from start to finish.

It wasn't until Zhang Lieh had completely vanished around the corner that Wang Jianxin pulled Xiaohua inside the house.

"Xiaohua, you've been too impulsive this time and messed up my big plans!" he scolded her with a dark look as soon as they were indoors.

Xiaohua, still feeling wronged, retorted, "And to think I was putting on an act for that loser. You even hit me for it."

"I just can't wrap my head around it. The Zhang family is down to an idiot and a cripple, yet you're still treating them with such courtesy?"

Wang Jianxin gestured dismissively, "You're missing the point. The Zhang patriarch has always been sly. There's no telling what he might have stashed away. That old man's got his share of treasures!"

"Speaking of which, you and Zhang Lieh are at the same base, right? You used to say he was always at the bottom. So, where's all this money coming from?"

Wang Jianxin glanced at his daughter while fidgeting with the black card in his hand.

Truth be told, Wang Xiaohua was just as baffled. Judging by Zhang Lieh's usual demeanor, he hardly seemed like someone who could just pull out two million yuan on a whim.

"It's baffling, indeed. How does a fool who spent three months killing a White Liquid Jade Worm suddenly come into so much money?"

"Don't fret, Dad. As long as he's at the Black Iron Base, I'll soon uncover the truth."

Wang Xiaohua's eyes gleamed with malice, as if Zhang Lieh was nothing more than an insect under her heel, ready to be crushed at her whim.

Wang Jianxin cautioned her, "Hold on. Your father has it under control. Don't go stirring up trouble. This young man is quite the enigma."

"Oh, come on, Dad. No matter how mysterious, he's still at the bottom of the pack." Wang Xiaohua grabbed the black card from Wang Jianxin's hand with a dismissive laugh, "I'm off to shop!"

...

...

"Federal Newsflash: At 10 AM today, humanity has gained another powerhouse. Congratulations to Yan Tianjun on his ascension to Sovereign. He is the ninth Sovereign of our race and will soon depart for the Fourth Realm."

Zhang Hanshuang had just tuned into the news when Zhang Lieh walked in. She greeted him with a beaming smile, "Brother, you're back."

"Mhm." Zhang Lieh set down the food he was carrying and responded distractedly. His focus was entirely on the man being interviewed on TV, dressed in splendid attire.

"Yan Tianjun, freshly promoted and without a single Heaven Rank Gene. Is he seeking death by venturing into the Fourth Realm?"

One must max out the Super Gene all the way, and only after achieving the Heavenly Calamity Level in the Third Realm and advancing to the Fourth Realm can one truly claim the title of Sovereign.

The might of a Sovereign is so immense that they could obliterate stars with a single punch—a truly fearsome force. Currently, there are fewer than three individuals within humanity who could genuinely claim the title of Sovereign.

Zhang Lieh was quietly pondering this when Zhang Hanshuang overheard him.

Curious, Zhang Hanshuang asked, "Brother, why do you say that going to the Fourth Realm is akin to courting death?"

Zhang Lieh replied with a steady voice, "Many are aware that the Third Realm is the ultimate battleground for humans and Gene Creatures. But do you have any idea what the Fourth Realm entails?"

Zhang Hanshuang shook her head, "I'm not a War God of the Fourth Realm. How would I know what's there?"

"The Fourth Realm," Zhang Lieh declared gravely, "is akin to hell itself."

Zhang Hanshuang was taken aback. "Wasn't all information about the Fourth Realm thoroughly censored by the Federation? How do you know about it, Brother?"

Zhang Lieh gave her a sidelong glance and explained, "As a Genetic Warrior, it's not surprising that I know a bit more. The censorship mainly affects civilians; Genetic Warriors tend to have some knowledge of it."

The truth was that ordinary Genetic Warriors were kept in the dark about the Fourth Realm. Even Sovereign-level Genetic Warriors who had never set foot in the Fourth Realm knew nothing of it.

At this point in time, the number of human Genetic Warriors in the Fourth Realm certainly didn't surpass one hundred. The Federation's information blockade was ironclad.

If the full extent of the Fourth Realm's horrors were common knowledge, it's likely that no one would dare to venture there again. Without the influx of powerful Genetic Warriors, the Sovereigns and War Gods remaining in the Fourth Realm would eventually be annihilated.

Their demise would signal a regression for humanity, potentially reverting to an era where they would be subjugated and exploited by alien races from Outer Space.

The reason Zhang Lieh was privy to such information was quite straightforward—he himself had been a Genetic Warrior who had ventured into the Fourth Realm.

Had the Heavenly Calamity Level creatures been detected earlier, humanity might have avoided a total extinction event.

But that's a moot point. Even if the Super Gene had been discovered earlier, it wouldn't have made a difference. Given the current level of combat prowess among human Genetic Warriors, they stand no chance against the Heavenly Calamity Level Gene Life.

Humans were able to hunt down Heavenly Calamity Level creatures thanks to a decade of resource accumulation. Nowadays, it was something humans hardly had to consider.

But just because others didn't consider it, didn't mean Zhang Lieh couldn't.

With this in mind, Zhang Lieh narrowed his eyes and whispered to himself, "Since I've come back, I won't let humanity's tragedy happen again."

Hanshuang chuckled and asked, "Brother... what are you mumbling about?"

Zhang Lieh quickly replied, "Nothing, let's eat. After we're done, I need to head out."

Zhang Hanshuang's face fell slightly as she asked, "Oh, did Uncle Wang agree to sell us the house?"

"Absolutely. When your brother's on the case, success is guaranteed!"

"Really? That's amazing! You're the best, brother!"

"Ha, we've got a home now. This will be our home from now on!"

The small house was filled with Zhang Hanshuang's laughter, as melodious as a silver bell.

After a joyful lunch with his sister, Zhang Lieh returned to the Black Iron Base and checked out the trading section.

All five of his Great Belly Devil Frog Pouches had sold, and the auction system he'd set up had netted him a hefty profit.

In the base, the main currency wasn't federal money but points earned from trading the flesh and blood of Gene Creatures.

Zhang Lieh's five pouches had brought him over 13,000 points, averaging about 2,000 points each—a significant windfall.

Zhang Lieh wasn't in a rush to leave the base and continued to peruse the trading section. He had realized during his encounter with the Great Belly Devil Frog that he lacked an effective group combat skill, which had hampered his efficiency. Now, he was on the lookout for a suitable Water Attribute Genetic Martial Skill.

Unfortunately, despite an extensive search, he found numerous fire attribute group combat Genetic Martial Skills but none that were suitable for the Water Attribute.

Either the skills were of a lower tier, or they didn't match Zhang Lieh's criteria for group combat skills.

If he couldn't find one himself, he'd make the owner of such a skill come to him.

Moments later, a post offering 10,000 points in exchange for a high-tier Water Attribute group combat Martial Skill appeared prominently on the trading forum.

Naturally, the post remained anonymous. Zhang Lieh, known as the bottom-dweller on the rankings, certainly didn't want to draw undue attention to himself.

Having completed his task, Zhang Lieh left the Black Iron Base, setting out for Blood Crystal Valley to continue his ambitious herb-gathering venture.

Yet, no sooner had he stepped out than he was confronted. The culprit was none other than the persistent Wang Xiaohua, who this time had enlisted the help of Qin Xiaotian, Qin Xiao's cousin, and their crew.

Before he knew it, a group of over ten people had encircled Zhang Lieh.

At the entrance of the base, onlookers quickly began to murmur among themselves.

"Wow, that's an intimidating crowd. Looks like there's no way out for the bottom-dweller now."

"Indeed, of all people to antagonize, he had to pick Wang Xiaohua."

"Poor guy, second to last on the Genetic Ranking must be feeling down."

"Not at all, that person has been down for a while. The bottom-dweller hid his Genetic Ranking a month ago."

"Hey, I remember someone saying the bottom-dweller was no ordinary Joe. Come on, show yourself—does your face hurt yet?"

"Truthfully, I'm curious to see what's so special about this bottom-dweller."

Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Zhang Lieh retorted with heated annoyance, "Wang Xiaohua, haven't you had enough?"

"Oh my, Xiaotian, look at this guy. He's getting feisty with me," Wang Xiaohua said with exaggerated coyness to the young man beside her.

Qin Xiaotian couldn't help but chuckle, his fair and unblemished face showing a trace of scorn. "So you're Zhang Lieh? Xiaohua mentioned you've been quite active lately."

"Spill it, what kind of stroke of luck have you stumbled upon recently? Share it, and I'll grant you a swift end!"

Qin Xiaotian, ranked third on the Void Combat Power Board and cousin to the formidable Qin Tian, was known for his clean-cut appearance and honorable demeanor. However, his reputation for pettiness preceded him.

With his cousin's near-unbeatable strength in the Void Realm, few dared to cross paths with him.

To be frank, Zhang Lieh had no desire to lock horns with this fellow right now, but the situation seemed to leave no room for a peaceful resolution.

Looking at the rankings on the Combat Power Board, it was clear that this guy's mutated genes were maxed out. In fact, with Qin Tian in the picture, his Super Gene Count was even higher than Zhang Lieh's.

When it came to cultivation techniques, he was currently at a disadvantage. His sole edge was the Super Soul Jade he possessed.

But even with the Super Soul Jade, he might manage to hold his own against Qin Xiaotian for a while, but Qin had a whole host of minions at his beck and call.

Engaging in this fight would be tantamount to suicide.

Thus, the only viable option for Zhang Lieh was to strategically retreat and bide his time for a future confrontation.

"Heh, you think you can take me down? With your ragtag bunch, you don't stand a chance!" Now that the gloves were off, Zhang Lieh couldn't afford to appear weak. With a scornful chuckle, he unleashed his full Origin Power.