Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Second-Tier Alchemist Certification

"Young master, I have news about the individual you wanted me to track. Ye Shi has moved to the Mu residence and shares a good relationship with Mu Chen. Mu Yuan Feng is also fond of him, and I heard he spent a hundred thousand spirit stones to buy Ye Shi an enrollment booklet for the Holy Star Academy," a man in black reported to Lan Ruo Feng.

With narrowed eyes, Lan Ruo Feng mused, "It's surprising that Mu Yuan Feng values Ye Shi so much."

Why is Mu Chen so kind to Ye Shi? Is it mere fondness, or perhaps Mu Chen knows of Ye Shi's connection with Qu Kun and wants to benefit from it?

Lan Ruo Feng frowned, a nagging feeling telling him to seek out Ye Shi or risk losing something valuable. Just the thought of Ye Shi made Lan Ruo Feng uncomfortable.

"Young Master, Ye Shi has advanced to a seven-star martial artist. He is indeed quite talented," the man in black remarked.

Lan Ruo Feng nodded, "Indeed, he is. But he might have just overused elixirs to get there."

"Ruo Feng," Zhuang Yu called as she stepped out.

Lan Ruo Feng's gaze softened upon seeing Zhuang Yu, and he thought: If only Ye Shi had half the beauty of Zhuang Yu, I wouldn't be so conflicted.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhuang Yu inquired.

Lan Ruo Feng smiled, "Thinking of you. What else could be on my mind?"

Zhuang Yu shot Lan Ruofeng an annoyed glance, saying, "Such flattery!"

Holding Zhuang Yu close, Lan Ruofeng thought: With Ye Shi soon to be at the Saint Star Academy, there's no need for me to seek him out now. We will inevitably meet there.

Once at the academy, after experiencing the wider world, Ye Shi will understand Mu Chen's true stature amidst the talents of Holy Star.

Considering Ye Shi's overlooked status in his clan and the early loss of his parents, surely, he would be swayed by just a hint of kindness from me.

…………

Muchen and Ye Shi located an alchemist guild in the city and entered.

"May I assist you?" A young woman in blue robes inquired as she stepped forward.

Pointing to Mu Chen, Ye Shi said, "He wishes to undertake the second-tier alchemist certification."

"Please, follow me." The young woman seemed unsurprised by Ye Shi's words, making him reflect on the differences between large and small cities.

"For the Level 2 Alchemist certification, there is a fee of three thousand spirit stones," the young lady remarked casually as she walked ahead of the two.

Upon hearing the girl's words, Muchen's expression remained unchanged. However, Ye Shi stumbled, nearly falling over.

"Stone, are you okay?" Mu Chen inquired, looking at Ye Shi.

Shaking his head, Ye Shi replied awkwardly, "It's nothing."

Secretly, Ye Shi lamented: I had only considered the benefits of Muchen becoming a second-level alchemist, like the extra yuan stones he'd earn monthly. I hadn't realized the certification would cost three thousand yuan stones – that's ten months to break even if he succeeds, or years of my earnings if he fails!

"Young Master Mu, please proceed. As for you, sir, you cannot enter," the lady in green attire said, blocking Ye Shi's path.

Ye Shi cast an uneasy glance in the direction Mu Chen had left, pacing back and forth nervously.

The woman in green watched as Ye Shi paced, his actions disrupting the guild members' concentration, and had him removed.

Coincidentally, as Ye Shi was escorted out, Ye Rong happened to witness the scene.

"Ye Shi, were you thrown out? Where's Mu Chen? Let me guess, he dumped you, right? I thought about warning young master Mu to be discerning, but it seems unnecessary now," Ye Rong said with a touch of schadenfreude.

A cold gleam flashed in Ye Shi's eyes as he lunged at Ye Rong. Ye Ming, caught off guard, shouted, "Master Ye Shi!"

Ye Shi's punch landed on Ye Rong, causing her to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Typically, given Ye Rong's temperament, she'd have unleashed a tirade after such an indignity. However, upon seeing the murderous look on Ye Shi's face, fear gripped her, making her want to flee.

"Kill her! Kill this wretched girl. She has troubled me before, and now she seeks to come between Muchen and me," a voice echoed in Ye Shi's mind. His hand, however, had already acted.

Ye Ming was taken aback by the sudden menacing aura from Ye Shi, exclaiming, "Young Master Shi, please calm down!"

Ye Shi's hand shot towards Ye Rong's throat. Panicking, she backed away, her earlier arrogance evaporated, replaced by sheer terror.

Ye Shi's eyes were blood-red. Then, Muchen emerged, commanding in a low tone, "Ye Shi."

At Muchen's call, the rage in Ye Shi's eyes subsided, and he slowly released his grip on Ye Rong's neck.

Seeing Ye Shi regain his composure, Ye Rong staggered back in alarm.

Mu Chen frowned, a hint of concern evident in his eyes.

Seeing Muchen's expression, Ye Shi hesitated before beginning, "Muchen, I..." He wanted to explain, but words eluded him.

Muchen reached out, grasping Ye Shi's hand and calmly said, "Ye Shi, let's go."

Ye Shi took solace in their interlocked fingers, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

Ye Rong, still shaken, watched their retreating figures, her eyes seething with resentment.

Only when the two had moved some distance away did Ye Rong dare to complain bitterly, "Ye Shi, that madman, he wanted to kill me! I really don't understand why grandfather tolerates him. Such a person would be better off dead."

Ye Rong's voice was raspy, a consequence of the recent strangulation attempt.

"Sister, please calm down. Are you alright? Can you still participate in the Sacred Star Academy's enrollment?" Ye Wu said with feigned concern, a glint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Ye Rong gritted her teeth, replying, "Save your pity."

"What exactly happened to Ye Shi?" Ye Cheng asked, puzzled.

When Ye Shi was at the Ye residence, he was always docile. Ye Cheng couldn't believe that Ye Shi had the guts to lay a hand on Ye Rong, especially out in public.

Ye Ming frowned, recalling the sudden violence. The Ye Shi he knew wasn't impulsive like this.

"Perhaps it's something to do with my sister's taunts," Ye Wu speculated.

"A vulnerable spot? Was it Mu Chen?" Ye Cheng mused.

Ye Wu nodded, saying, "Probably. Given how Ye Shi is, only someone with as peculiar tastes as Mu Chen could appreciate him. When little sister suggested that Mu Chen might leave him, it naturally enraged Ye Shi."

"Ye Shi has such a fiery temper, yet Mu Chen tolerates it. Could he possibly have masochistic tendencies?" Ye Rong remarked maliciously.

Ye Cheng, gazing at Mu Chen's retreating figure, commented, "A silver spoon in one's mouth paired with a worthless stone—it’s rather fitting."

"That Mu Chen, he exited the Alchemist Guild so quickly. He probably failed," Ye Wu speculated.

As they conversed, several Level 1 Alchemists emerged.

"That young man earlier was impressive; he produced a Level 2 elixir on his first try."

"Indeed! He looks to be just 14 or 15. The younger generation is truly exceptional these days."

"That guy seemed to be in a rush due to concerns about his fiancée. He hastily took the badge and the level-two alchemy robe and left."

"I overheard the maids inside saying his fiancée is some plain-looking girl. I wonder what he sees in her."

"That young man is quite arrogant. Even when Miss Cheng Wanbai of the Cheng family approached him, he seemed indifferent."

"..."

Ye Wu furrowed his brows, asking, "Are they referring to Mu Chen?"

Ye Cheng nodded thoughtfully, responding, "It must be him."

"He actually became a Level 2 Alchemist," Ye Wu commented with a complicated expression.

…………

A woman of breathtaking beauty emerged from the Alchemist Guild. Seeing her, both Ye Wu and Ye Cheng's faces reddened with embarrassment.

Observing the pigheaded reactions of Ye Wu and Ye Cheng, Ye Rong's expression filled with disdain.

"Miss, don't be upset. He's just a level-two alchemist; nothing extraordinary. Our clan has many," the maid in blue said to Cheng Wanbai.

Cheng Wanbai squinted her eyes, replying, "What do you know? While our family has many level-two alchemists, none are as young as him. And you haven’t seen his alchemical techniques—smooth and flawless, absolutely impeccable. Such precision—I’ve only seen it in my father.”

The maid in blue muttered resentfully, "Still, he's... quite rude."

"Talented individuals often have eccentric temperaments. Find out where he went," Cheng Wanbai instructed nonchalantly.

The maid nodded, responding, "Yes, Miss."

Watching Cheng Wanbai's departing figure, envy flashed in Ye Rong's eyes.

"Snap out of it. They've left," Ye Rong told Ye Wu and Ye Cheng, sounding rather annoyed.

"That young lady is truly stunning!" exclaimed Ye Wu.

Ye Rong rolled her eyes, retorting, "Yes, she's beautiful, and she's wearing a level-two alchemist robe. Too bad! She's smitten with Mu Chen, which has nothing to do with you two."

Ye Cheng furrowed his brow, remarking, "She's taken a liking to Mu Chen; I'm afraid Ye Shi might be out of the picture."

"Even without her, Mu Chen would've eventually grown tired of Ye Shi's brutish demeanor," Ye Rong said irritably.