In no time, Billy and his companion were in mid-air.
“This time, you go first!” The elder looked at Billy. “Give it your all, don’t hold back!”
As he spoke, he raised his hand to form a barrier around them.
This was clearly to protect the fruit trees below.
“Alright!” Billy smiled faintly.
Without any hesitation, he activated the ‘Arhat Palm Strike.’
In the blink of an eye, a massive phantom palm appeared in the sky, blocking out the sun and filling the air with a dense killing intent.
The next moment, the gigantic palm, like a small mountain, crashed towards the elder with overwhelming force.
This time, Billy truly gave it his all, holding nothing back.
He wasn’t worried about killing the elder with one strike.
Even though he couldn’t gauge the elder’s exact cultivation level, he was certain that the elder was at least in the late stages of the Otherworldly Realm, if not higher.
“Impressive!”
Sensing the power of Billy’s strike, the elder’s pupils contracted, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.
As he spoke, he raised his hand to form a mysterious pattern that collided with the phantom palm, creating a powerful momentum.
A thunderous boom echoed across the orchard, deafeningly loud.
Thanks to the elder’s preparation and the barrier he had set up, the orchard below was spared from destruction.
After the explosion, Billy was thrown back five or six hundred meters, crashing heavily into the barrier, feeling dizzy.
The elder, who had taken Billy’s full-force strike head-on, was also pushed back about a hundred meters, his breath slightly disordered.
“You only have an eighth-rank Holy Realm cultivation, yet you can unleash an attack strong enough to kill a third-rank Otherworldly Realm cultivator. You have truly surprised me!”
The elder couldn’t help but comment as he withdrew the barrier.
Then, they both descended to the ground.
“Boss, are you alright?” Frostblade asked.
“I’m fine!” Billy smiled and then addressed the elder. “I’m Billy, Elder Xavier!”
“Hmm?” Hearing his address, Azure Dragon and others were slightly taken aback.
“You knew it was me all along?” Elder Xavier asked.
“I guessed!” Billy smiled again. “But it seems I guessed right?”
“What did you mean by what you said earlier?” Elder Xavier didn’t deny it.
“Todd, why don’t you explain?” Billy turned to Albert Todd.
“Alright!” Albert Todd nodded.
He then recounted the events, including Billy’s previous encounter with Raul Duffy.
“Is what you said true?” Elder Xavier frowned slightly.
“Elder Xavier, if you have any doubts, you can verify it yourself. If I lied, you can deal with me as you see fit!” Albert Todd responded solemnly.
“A bunch of scoundrels!” Elder Xavier frowned again, a cold aura emanating from him.
He then turned to Billy. “Are you interested in joining Canyon View Institute?”
“Strictly, I just want to visit my wife at the Institute!” Billy replied.
“Your wife is at Canyon View Institute?” Elder Xavier was slightly surprised.
“Yes!” Billy nodded. “She recently became an inner disciple of the Institute!”
“What is your wife’s name?” Elder Xavier asked.
“Harleen!” Billy replied.
“Harleen?” Elder Xavier was slightly taken aback. “Is she one of the two girls who lit up the black area of the testing pillar during the last recruitment?”
“Hmm?” Hearing this, Todd was shocked.
He looked at Billy. “Mr Billy, one of those rare geniuses is your wife?”
Although he wasn’t present during the recruitment, the news about Harleen and Ivy had spread throughout Canyon View City!
After all, in the entire history of the Institute’s legacy, only one person had ever lit up the black area of the testing pillar!
And this time, two people did it at once, naturally becoming a hot topic!
“Testing pillar?” Billy was puzzled.
He hadn’t heard about this before.
“Yes!” Albert Todd nodded and explained the testing pillar to Billy and his group.
After hearing Todd’s explanation, everyone finally understood.
“Harleen and my sister are that strong!” Stout exclaimed in amazement.
“Of course! Otherwise, why would Aubree take an interest in them?” Felicia replied.
“Hehe, that’s true!” Stout grinned.
“Let’s talk inside!” Elder Xavier said after some thought and led them into the manor.
“Alright!” Billy nodded.
“Mr Billy, you go ahead with Elder Xavier. I have some matters to attend to,” Albert Todd said to Billy with a slight bow. “Thank you again for saving my life!”
“Todd, you’re too kind. I should be thanking you for bringing me to Elder Xavier!” Billy replied.
“I will look into your granddaughter’s matter. If it’s as you said, I will ensure justice is served!” Elder Xavier said to Albert Todd.
“Thank you, Elder Xavier!” Albert Todd bowed deeply.
Then, Billy and his group followed Elder Xavier into the manor.
Soon, they arrived at a rather simple hall within a building.
“Are you interested in joining the Institute?” Elder Xavier asked Billy first. “If you’re interested, I can recommend you!”
Although he had just met Billy, his keen eye for people told him that Billy was no ordinary person.
Billy’s ability to challenge opponents three or four levels above him spoke volumes.
At least until now, he hadn’t encountered such a prodigy!
“Elder Xavier, is there any way I can see my wife first?” Billy asked.
“As far as I know, your wife and your friend are both being groomed as key talents by the Institute,” Elder Xavier continued. “So unless you officially become an Institute disciple, it will be difficult to see them.”
“Elder Xavier, you can’t help either?” Billy asked.
“No,” Elder Xavier shook his head decisively.
“I need to clarify something with you first,” Billy said after some thought. “After hearing this, you can decide whether or not to recommend me to join the Institute.”
“What is it?” Elder Xavier was slightly puzzled.
“Elder Xavier, have you heard of the Ten Sacred Objects?” Billy asked in return.
“Of course!” Elder Xavier nodded.
“If I’m not mistaken, one of them is inside me,” Billy continued. “And this news has already spread across the Akabuchi star domain. Many factions, including Holy Heaven Sect, know that I possess one of the Ten Sacred Objects!”
Billy had a reason for telling him this. Moreover, as he mentioned, it wasn’t a secret anymore; telling Xavier wouldn’t hurt.
“Is that so?” Elder Xavier’s pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.
He then released his spiritual power to envelop Billy once more.
Two minutes later, he retracted his spiritual power and spoke solemnly. “Are you joking? There’s nothing inside you!”
“Hmm?” Billy was puzzled by his words.
It made sense that he couldn’t sense the treasure’s presence!
But how could he not even sense Purple Spirit? That wasn’t normal!
Could something have happened to Purple Spirit?