From the Metropolis to the Strongest in the Cosmos

The crowd was astonished by Li Yang’s words.

”This Li Yang is truly... fearless!”

”Doesn’t he know Lord Zheng Hu has come for the opening of this Relic Space?”

Zhao Xiang was also in the crowd, and his expression changed slightly.

’Cousin Li Yang won’t be able to escape.’

This time, Zheng Qian had been blocking the exit of the Relic Space, waiting for two hours without leaving, all just to catch Li Yang on his way out.

”Hmph!”

As Li Yang finished speaking, Zheng Qian snorted coldly. However, he knew his own limits and didn’t step forward to fight.

He suddenly fell silent, a trace of joy appearing in his eyes.

In the distance, several figures flew over. Zheng Hu was among them.

Besides Zheng Hu, there were two other King Level Cultivators!

”Lord Zheng Hu, Lord Sun Zhijun...” Upon seeing these King Level experts, many in the crowd spoke with immense respect.

The three King Level Cultivators stood in midair. Zheng Hu smiled at Sun Zhijun and the other man, saying, ”Let me handle a small matter first.”

Sun Zhijun and the other man nodded with a smile. They stood to the side, looking like they were ready to enjoy the show.

They had also heard about the situation between the Zheng family and Li Yang, and inwardly marveled at the boy’s audacity.

However, this was a matter between Li Yang and the Zheng family, so they had no intention of getting involved.

”Zheng Hu.”

Li Yang looked up at the figure who had flown over and now stood in midair, looking down on him.

’The Zheng family’s King Level expert. An existence the Zhao family would shamelessly grovel to!’

Zheng Hu’s expression was aloof. He looked down from above and asked coolly, ”You are Li Yang?”

His face seemed devoid of any emotion.

Li Yang’s expression was calm as he said, ”Is there something you want?”

His expression was serene, completely devoid of fear, which secretly astonished the onlookers.

Any other Cultivator would have been trembling with fear upon being questioned by a King Level expert. How could they possibly remain so calm?

Seeing how calm Li Yang was, Zheng Hu frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.

He was a King Level expert, one of the Land Immortals. He stood at the very pinnacle of power in Hua Country. How many people could remain so calm in his presence?

However, this flicker of displeasure vanished in an instant.

He stated coolly, ”I heard you stole the Spirit Fruit that Zheng Qian found in the Relic Space. Are you unaware of the Celestial Origin Palace’s rules? How dare you violate them?”

As a King Level expert, he couldn’t attack Li Yang without cause, so he had to find a pretext.

His words caused quite a stir.

”Li Yang stole Zheng Qian’s Spirit Fruit?”

”Impossible. Isn’t Li Yang just an Initial Tier Celestial? Even if he’s stronger than Zheng Qian, it’s by a limited amount. How could he have stolen it?”

”I know what happened. Li Yang consumed a fruit that temporarily skyrocketed his power. Zheng Qian couldn’t even withstand a single one of his attacks.”

”So that’s what happened! A Spirit Fruit for a temporary power boost, on top of stealing Zheng Qian’s Spirit Fruit... Li Yang’s harvest from the Relic Space was quite substantial.”

”Sigh, but it’s all useless now. Lord Zheng Hu has stepped in. Is there any way he can hold on to those Spirit Fruits?”

The crowd murmured amongst themselves.

Hearing Zheng Hu’s accusation, Li Yang sneered. ”Zheng Qian was trying to steal a Spirit Fruit from me. It’s just that he wasn’t strong enough, so I robbed him instead. That’s a violation of the rules? Or would you have preferred I just surrender meekly when they came to rob me?”

As Li Yang finished, Zheng Qian cut in, roaring, ”Li Yang, you’re the one who stole the Spirit Fruit that Sun Yunqiang and I found first!”

”Haha!” Li Yang burst out laughing. ”The Spirit Fruits in the Relic Space are unowned. They belong to whoever can get their hands on them. You think it’s yours just because you saw it?”

Hearing Li Yang, Zheng Hu’s expression visibly darkened. ”Li Yang, I have a general idea of what happened. There’s no need for details. Since you violated the rules of the Celestial Origin Palace, I will now announce your punishment. Hand over the Spirit Fruit you took from Zheng Qian, then kneel and admit your mistake. This matter will end here.”

With his hands clasped behind his back and his face a mask of indifference, he announced Li Yang’s punishment.

Within the Celestial Origin Palace, King Level Cultivators could directly become consuls, with the authority to punish any Cultivator below their level.

Hearing Zheng Hu’s verdict, Zheng Qian’s expression changed slightly. From his perspective, wasn’t this punishment for Li Yang far too lenient?

However, he didn’t dare contradict Zheng Hu’s words.

After speaking, Zheng Hu looked at Li Yang and asked coolly, ”Do you accept this punishment?”

He looked down on Li Yang as a deity would, easily pronouncing his fate.

’Hand over the Spirit Fruit? Kneel and admit my mistake?’

Li Yang stood there silently. Even after hearing those words, his expression remained perfectly calm.

Under the gazes of the entire crowd, he shook his head and said calmly, ”I refuse.”

”This Li Yang is really...”

”He’s completely disregarding the command of a King Level Cultivator.”

Everyone was stunned to hear this.

Zheng Hu was a King Level Cultivator, one of the Land Immortals—an existence revered and fawned over by countless people.

And Li Yang dared to directly refuse the words of such a terrifying powerhouse?

Celestial Level Cultivators were formidable, to the point that even top-tier wealthy clans like the Zhao family and the Zhou family sought to curry their favor.

But that all depended on who they were being compared to.

To put it bluntly, in front of a King Level expert, Celestial Level Cultivators were like ants. If a King Level Cultivator wished it, they could exterminate them with ease!

Although King Level Cultivators weren’t supposed to attack those beneath their level, if a lower-level Cultivator deliberately provoked and disrespected a King Level expert, they would get what they deserved. No one would object to their punishment.

Zheng Qian stared in disbelief. ’Li Yang rejected my father’s command?’

But after a momentary stun, a glint appeared in his eyes.

’Li Yang’s words were, without a doubt, a death wish! Just moments ago, I was thinking my father’s punishment was too light. I never expected Li Yang to court death on his own!’

Li Yang’s refusal gave no hint of whether Zheng Hu was pleased or angered. He said calmly, ”Li Yang, you dare defy my command? I originally intended to give you a light punishment, but since you insist, I will have you kneel on this island for one month. If you realize your mistake after a month, you may stand. If not, you will continue to kneel.”

To the onlookers, this punishment seemed perfectly normal.

Li Yang’s earlier words were a clear provocation to a King Level expert. The fact that Zheng Hu didn’t attack him directly already showed considerable restraint.

”Haha, Zheng Hu, your Zheng family is truly all cut from the same cloth.”

At that, Li Yang suddenly laughed. Then, his smile slowly faded as he said, ”However, you are not qualified to punish me.”

He looked at Zheng Hu, a trace of icy coldness flashing deep in his eyes.

’Twenty-some years ago, the real reason his mother was driven out of the Zhao family was Zheng Hu, who was at the Celestial Level back then.’

’And my father’s recent suicide attempt was also because Zheng Hu had broken through to the King Level.’

’It could be said that Zheng Hu was the root cause of everything!’