Chapter 22

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Chapter 22: Excited?

In many sects, a respected member held a position even higher than an elder. Some sects appointed individuals who were not part of their core members but had made significant contributions, granting them the same authority as elders. Regardless of the sect, a respected member symbolized status and power.

"Thank you, Palace Master, and esteemed elders, for your kindness," Zhang Yang said politely. Then, he shook his head. "But I must decline. If I become a respected member of the Howling Wolf Palace, it would bring disaster to the palace."

Li Kunhai and the four elders exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

"Are you referring to the Demon Slayer Team?" Li Kunhai asked.

Zhang Yang nodded.

To him, the Demon Slayer Team was no better than a pack of rabid dogs—completely unreasonable. Just because of him and Xue Feishuang, they had sought to annihilate her entire sect. The idea that a single individual’s crime could implicate nine generations was utterly detestable.

"In that case, inviting you to be a respected member might indeed be reckless," Li Kunhai said with a smile. "After all, you only have the Demon Slayer Team as your enemy—at most, the Great Xia Empire, Ziyang Sacred Land, and Golden Cauldron Sacred Land behind them. However, our Howling Wolf Palace has two additional enemies from the four forbidden areas in the Southern Region. That would truly drag you into a conflict beyond measure."

"Ah?!"

Zhang Yang was stunned.

Li Kunhai continued with a smile, "The Vast Forest was originally part of Cangmang Sacred Land. Our Howling Wolf Palace is just one of many sects affiliated with it. Five hundred years ago, Cangmang Sacred Land was on the verge of accomplishing a great endeavor and summoned all its affiliated sects. Unexpectedly, they were attacked by a coalition: the Great Xia Empire, Ziyang Sacred Land, Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, Ghostly Divine Platform, and the Demon Sword Forbidden Area. This alliance nearly took control of the entire Southern Region.

"With no other choice, Cangmang Sacred Land used immortal arts to seal this place, thus creating the Vast Forest. In other words, our enemies are practically the entirety of the Southern Region."

Zhang Yang was taken aback. "So if I were to become a respected member of the Howling Wolf Palace, it would mean becoming an enemy of the entire Southern Region?"

Li Kunhai smirked. "Exactly. Do you still wish to join?"

Zhang Yang turned to look at Xue Feishuang.

Xue Feishuang smiled gently. "I will follow your decision, Junior Brother."

Zhang Yang pondered for a moment. Then, he chuckled.

"If the Demon Slayer Team is backed by the Great Xia Empire, Ziyang Sacred Land, and Golden Cauldron Sacred Land, then what difference does it make if we add Ghostly Divine Platform and the Demon Sword Forbidden Area to the list? They’re all branches of the same rotten tree.

"Since they were willing to unite against Cangmang Sacred Land, they will just as easily unite against others.

"Therefore," Zhang Yang raised his head and met Li Kunhai’s gaze, his eyes burning with determination, "I am willing to become a respected member of the Howling Wolf Palace!"

"Hahaha…"

Li Kunhai laughed heartily.

The four elders also chuckled with satisfaction.

“Such boldness!” Li Kunhai exclaimed. “Young Zhang, even in the face of the entire Southern Region, you show no fear or discouragement. Instead, you display a heroic spirit. I, Li Kunhai, admire you.”

With that, their bond deepened.

Li Kunhai immediately instructed someone to announce Zhang Yang’s new status, carefully omitting any mention of Xue Feishuang. She still worried that news of her survival might provoke the Seventh Prince into even more ruthless retaliation, possibly leading to the annihilation of the Green Sparrow Palace—something she could not bear.

A respected member of the Howling Wolf Palace held a status close to that of an elder, wielding great influence.

Li Kunhai did not hide his reason for inviting Zhang Yang into this position. “Respected Member Zhang, at merely Level Three of the Returning to Origin Realm, you were able to treat the Guardian Pillar as a trivial matter. As far as I know, such a feat has never been seen in the history of the Howling Wolf Palace. Frankly, I never thought a respected member’s level could be so low. Your ability is an enormous asset to our palace, and we must compensate you accordingly.”

“Previously, I had someone investigate, and it seems you haven’t mastered many martial arts techniques. As such, I will grant you full access to the Howling Wolf Palace’s library.”

“If you wish, you may study the Howling Wolf Claw, Wolf-Battle Technique, Infinite Mad Wolf Howl, and other advanced skills. As long as you don’t find it troublesome, you are free to practice any of them.”

Martial arts techniques!

From the names alone, Zhang Yang could tell these were top-tier skills practiced by those at the Infinite Realm—exceptionally powerful.

However, he scratched his head and said, “Palace Master, I’m really not interested in skill-type or secret technique-type martial arts. I only prefer strength-based skills and cultivate only strength-type abilities.”

Li Kunhai and the four elders were taken aback. Was there really a martial artist like this?

Xue Feishuang chuckled. “My junior brother truly cultivates only strength. He has practiced just one movement technique and has no intention of learning another.”

"Alright." Li Kunhai did not take offense. With a wave of his hand, he said, "The Howling Wolf Palace also possesses a divine martial arts technique known as Cang Wolf Power. Elder Four, please retrieve it."

The fourth elder complied and soon returned with the Cang Wolf Power manual, handing it to Zhang Yang.

Another divine power!

Zhang Yang’s excitement surged.

He immediately opened the manual to study it.

Xue Feishuang smirked beside him, already knowing that some people were simply born to be motivated.

After reading for a moment, Zhang Yang’s brow furrowed.

“Is the cultivation difficulty high?” Li Kunhai asked. “This divine martial arts technique was created by a Small Boundless Realm expert of our palace after observing a real divine beast—the Cang Wolf—in battle and meditating for three years. It is indeed quite difficult to master.”

Zhang Yang replied, “Actually, it’s not that bad.”

Li Kunhai chuckled. “What do you mean? Speak freely, we are all on the same side here.”

"Alright." Zhang Yang said, "This Cang Wolf Power feels a bit weak."

Silence.

The entire room fell into a stunned hush.

Only Xue Feishuang stifled a laugh—she was used to this.

Li Kunhai’s eye twitched slightly. He felt a mix of embarrassment and mild irritation. "Heh… What other divine powers have you cultivated, Respected Member?"

Zhang Yang didn’t hesitate. “I have cultivated five divine powers: Diamond Dragon Strength, Giant Elephant Power, Demon Elephant Power, Ant King Power, and Baxiang Power.”

"…"

Li Kunhai was speechless.

These five divine powers were all legendary. Ant King Power and Baxiang Power, in particular, were widely acknowledged as some of the greatest among top-tier divine abilities.

The other three were also far superior to Cang Wolf Power.

There were thousands of divine powers in the world; these five alone ranked in the top two or three hundred. Cang Wolf Power, in comparison, wouldn’t even make it into the top thousand.

It was, indeed, weak.

Li Kunhai frowned. "But as far as I know, divine power martial techniques are particularly unique. The stronger they are, the more they rely on bloodline requirements and strict cultivation conditions."

Zhang Yang nodded.

Li Kunhai’s heartbeat quickened.

To cultivate these five divine powers, at least four different bloodlines were required. How could a single person possess so many?

And yet, Zhang Yang had managed to do it.

At that moment, Li Kunhai realized he had completely underestimated Zhang Yang. He had thought Zhang Yang was simply a talented young cultivator—but this was far beyond mere talent.

This wasn’t genius.

This was monstrous.

A once-in-a-lifetime existence.

Li Kunhai took a deep breath before making a decision. "I believe Zhang Yang should be appointed as the Grand Respected Member of the Howling Wolf Palace. What do the four elders think?"

"Agreed!"

"Absolutely agreed!"

"The Howling Wolf Palace indeed needs a Grand Respected Member."

"I fully support it!"

Li Kunhai smiled and declared, "Respected Member Zhang Yang, from this moment forward, you are the Grand Respected Member of the Howling Wolf Palace. Your status surpasses that of the four elders."

"Ah?"

Zhang Yang blinked in surprise. His status had risen this quickly?

"No, no, I can’t accept such a title." Zhang Yang waved his hands in refusal.

But the four elders bowed in unison and said, "We greet the Grand Respected Member!"

Zhang Yang was left speechless.

It felt like they were forcing the position onto him.

Xue Feishuang chuckled. “Junior Brother, since the Palace Master recognizes you and the elders support you, just accept it. You’ll be able to contribute more to the Howling Wolf Palace in the future.”

Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment.

Then, he sighed and finally agreed.

Li Kunhai and the four elders nodded in satisfaction, their gazes toward Zhang Yang growing more intense. They felt as though they had struck gold.

Xue Feishuang smiled and said, "Junior Brother, since you are now the Grand Respected Member of the Howling Wolf Palace, you should master the palace’s unique martial arts technique. So, cultivate this Cang Wolf Power."

"Okay," Zhang Yang agreed.

Li Kunhai and the others were taken aback. Their powerful martial techniques had been rejected for being too weak, and yet now he was only willing to cultivate this one because of his status. The situation felt somewhat awkward.

"Then, I will arrange a cultivation room for the Grand Respected Member," Li Kunhai offered.

Zhang Yang replied, "No need, I’ve already mastered it."

Li Kunhai chuckled. "Grand Respected Member, please don’t joke. Although Cang Wolf Power may be weak in your hands, it is still not an ordinary martial technique. There’s no way you could master it after just one glance."

Zhang Yang shrugged and threw a punch, producing a deep, commanding wolf howl.

Li Kunhai and the four elders stared at him, dumbfounded.

Xue Feishuang laughed and asked, "Exciting, huh?"

Li Kunhai managed a dry laugh. "Exciting!"

Xue Feishuang added, "It will be even more exciting in the future."

Li Kunhai: "……"