Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Same People, Different Fates.

"Would you like to give it a try?" Mu Chen asked Ye Shi, pondering.

Ye Shi nodded, replying, "Yes, indeed!"

"If it becomes too painful, don't blame me for not warning you," said Mu Chen with utmost seriousness.

Ye Shi responded nonchalantly, "Don't worry. If you can handle it, I surely can."

Mu Chen furrowed his brows, giving Ye Shi a displeased look. Ye Shi awkwardly stuck out his tongue in response.

Mu Chen contemplated for a moment and said, "Next time I gather materials for body refining, I'll prepare an extra set for you."

"Would that be too much trouble?" Ye Shi asked with a bashful look.

Mu Chen shook his head, "Not at all. It's just a bit of beast blood."

Ye Shi nodded, "That's good to know."

...

The next day.

Dressed in a loose bathrobe, Ye Shi stood next to Mu Chen, curiously inquiring about a blood-filled bucket, "What kind of blood is this?"

"It contains chicken, duck, rabbit, sheep, and wolf blood," Mu Chen replied indifferently.

Scratching his head, Ye Shi asked, "Didn't you mention that using fierce beast blood provides better results for body refining? Aren't chicken and duck blood too mild?"

"I've already added the more intense wolf blood. Considering it's your first time, I didn't want to use overly potent beast blood in case you couldn't handle it," Mu Chen explained.

Ye Shi nodded, understandingly stating, "I see! This beast blood actually smells quite pleasant."

Mu Chen, "...", internally thinking, "What on earth is she smelling? How can she not find it repugnant?"

"Did you understand the body refining technique I taught you?" Mu Chen inquired.

Ye Shi nodded with a hint of impatience, "Yes, you've asked me several times already."

"Once I leave, you can begin. If it's too much, come out immediately. Don't push yourself," Mu Chen advised earnestly.

Ye Shi nodded, "I understand."

Reluctantly, Mu Chen exited the room. Ye Shi then disrobed and immersed himself in the wooden tub.

With eyes closed, Ye Shi quickly became engrossed in his cultivation.

As soon as Mu Chen stepped outside, he perked up his ears, listening intently for any sounds from Ye Shi.

Unexpectedly, Ye Shi was calm and his practice of the Hundred Forging Body Technique went smoothly, allowing him to reach the Four-Star level.

"How did the Hundred Forging Body Technique feel to you?" Mu Chen asked, looking at Ye Shi with suspicion.

Ye Shi responded with wide, mesmerized eyes, "It was very comfortable. The essence from the beast blood in the tub continuously entered my body. It was so pleasurable. Why did you scream like a slaughtered pig when doing it?"

Mu Chen, "..."

Mu Chen thought to himself: Different characters have different fates under the author's pen. Some are mere cannon fodder, destined to be neglected and ill-fated.

Whereas Ye Shi seems to be favored by the author. He's talented, has a unique bloodline but unfortunately, competes with the protagonist for the same love interest, leading to his tragedy.

"If you felt comfortable, that's all that matters," Mu Chen replied, albeit a bit forced.

"It was very pleasurable, just not stimulating enough," said Ye Shi, sounding slightly regretful.

Mu Chen, "..."

Ever since his first attempt, Ye Shi became obsessed with body refining, and soon the rabbit and chicken blood no longer satisfied him.

Realizing that practicing the Hundred Forging Body Technique was easy for Ye Shi, Mu Chen gradually replaced the milder bloods with the more intense ones, like wolf and tiger blood. This led to an increase in Mu Chen's expenses, but selling pills for a few hours a day more than covered the cost.

"You seem to be in high spirits," Mu Chen remarked upon seeing Ye Shi.

Ye Shi nodded, "Yes, because body refining feels so good!"

Mu Chen took a deep breath. The body-refining process was excruciating for him, but for Ye Shi, it seemed like a pleasure. Yet, Ye Shi's refining results appeared to be even better than his own. Squinting, Mu Chen thought, "It's always comparing oneself to others that leads to frustration!"