Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Exorbitant Reward

Inside the Flame Pavilion.

"Absurd, absurd, absurd!" Ye Shi paced around the room angrily, his eyes glowing red with fury.

Clenching his fists, he fumed about the fools who claimed he admired Lan Ruofeng.

He wanted nothing more than to take him down. If not for the academy's rule against personal fights, he would've done so already.

Rumors even suggested that Mu Chen truly fancied Zhuang Yu and that their relationship was merely a charade. Those idiots knew nothing; Mu Chen and Zhuang Yu had long parted ways.

"Disciple, what are you up to?" Jing Chiyang entered the room.

Ye Shi blushed and approached, respectfully greeting, "Master."

"I heard you had a quarrel with Zhuang Yu?" Jing Chiyang asked, sitting leisurely.

Ye Shi nodded, "Yes."

"I heard you won the argument. Why the long face?" Jing Chiyang inquired.

Ye Shi clenched his teeth, "It's those people claiming I have feelings for Lan Ruofeng and that my resentment stems from love. How could I like such a despicable man? He practices dark arts and plotted against Mu Chen. He's nothing but a sanctimonious hypocrite!"

Jing Chiyang chuckled, "Getting angry won't help. Instead, focus on cultivating. Once you surpass them in power, you'll have the chance to settle scores with those you despise."

A glint appeared in Ye Shi's eyes. He nodded earnestly, "You're right, Master. I'll go buy some cultivation materials."

An excited Ye Shi dashed out, thinking: Power is the ultimate answer. Why does everyone heed my master's words? Isn't it because of his strength?

...

"Uncle Master, our junior disciple is so cute!" A lady in red entered.

Jing Chiyang smiled, "Cute? Hardly noticed. He's young and impulsive. I heard he made that disciple of Master Ziyu cry, a boy crying over a mere scolding. What kind of character is that?"

The red-clad girl giggled, "Master, you're right! Zhuang Yu is a bit soft-hearted."

Jing Chiyang sneered, saying, "That young man sure knows how to put on airs, just as fake as his master, Shi Zi Yu. Always putting on a show to attract others. Speaking of which, did you look into Mu Chen as I asked?"

Xin Rusong frowned, saying, "Mu Chen is indeed an enigma."

"What did you find?" Jing Chiyang inquired.

"As you suspected, he is indeed an alchemist, and a level-two one at that," came the reply.

"I went to Mo City to investigate Mu Chen's background. About a year ago, he was nothing but a good-for-nothing, playboy type. There was some ambiguity between him and Zhuang Yu. But for some reason, a year ago, he changed drastically. His power skyrocketed, he became an alchemist, and he started to keep his distance from Zhuang Yu," Xin Rugong reported.

"Did you find out if he's versed in talisman crafting?" asked Jing Chiyang.

Shaking her head, Xin Rusong responded, "No, there's no evidence suggesting Mu Chen ever learned it."

Jing Chiyang chuckled bitterly, "Your junior told me that Mu Chen learned to create runes in just one day."

"If that's true, then Mu Chen is undeniably a genius." Xin Rugong pondered for a moment.

Jing Chiyang scoffed, "A prodigy? Just because he knows some side skills doesn't mean much. Oh, and your junior mentioned that Mu Chen initially applied for the Alchemy Institute, but someone tampered with his application, redirecting him to the Talisman Institute. Is that true?"

"There is more. Lan Da, who's responsible for admissions at the Dan Institute, manipulated things to ensure Mu Chen's name appeared in the Fu Institute. Moreover, it seems that Fan Li, who oversees evaluations in the Fu Institute, is somewhat connected to Lan Da," Xin Rugong said with a wry smile. "It wasn't easy for Mu Chen to get into the Holy Star Academy."

"The situation at the Shu Institute is a mess. For just one Mu Chen, they're moving heaven and earth, involving people from two different institutes. At this rate, they'll ruin the reputation of the Holy Star Academy," Jing Chiyang remarked coldly.

Xin Rusong chuckled, "Junior did leave a recording of Mu Chen's talisman auction in the Treasure Pavilion. It seems Fan Li is about to be utterly disgraced."

Jing Chiyang scoffed, "He got what he deserved. That man is so petty. Mu Chen embarrassed him in front of the yellow class. Serves him right."

...

Ye Shi stood in the Holy Star Academy's shop, looking at the price of beast blood, feeling a sudden shock in his heart.

Before, buying beast blood was always Mu Chen's task. Ye Shi only used it. Mu Chen always said it wasn't expensive, but looking at the prices now, it's clear Mu Chen wasn't being truthful! Ye Shi thought back to how Mu Chen seemed to spend money like water and wondered where it all went. Now, realizing much of it was spent on him, he felt guilty.

"Shi Tou," Mu Chen called out.

Ye Shi turned around to see Mu Chen and became slightly anxious.

Ye Shi had heard multiple times about his tirade against Zhuang Yu—his rude demeanor and lack of grace, making him look like a fishwife. He could disregard others' opinions, but not Mu Chen's.

"What's up?" Ye Shi asked apprehensively.

"There's something we need to discuss, but let's step outside," Mu Chen proposed. Ye Shi nodded and silently followed him out.

"Qian Dongting, Senior Qian, is heading back to Mo City this afternoon. If you have any items to send to Uncle Chen, we can entrust him. They must be worried about us since we've been away for so long," Mu Chen shared.

Ye Shi blinked excitedly, "Can we really send something to Uncle Chen? That's great! Is that why you wanted to talk to me?"

Mu Chen nodded, "Exactly! What else did you think?"

"Nothing... nothing much," Ye Shi mumbled, thinking it might be about Zhuang Yu.

Unable to hold back, Ye Shi asked, "Did you hear about my fight with Zhuang Yu?"

Mu Chen nodded again, "I heard about it."

"Are you angry?" Ye Shi asked cautiously.

Mu Chen gently ruffled Ye Shi's hair, "Why would I be mad at you? However, many people pursue Zhuang Yu, and by doing this, you've made yourself a target. Most of the current rumors favor Zhuang Yu."

Ye Shi pouted, "I'm not afraid."

"Alright, let's not dwell on that. Let's go," said Mu Chen.

Ye Shi nodded in agreement, "Alright."

"Mu Chen, I've learned that there's an opportunity to transfer institutes in three months. If you pass the assessment, you can move from the Fu Institute to the Dan Institute," Ye Shi suggested thoughtfully.

Mu Chen replied nonchalantly, "No rush. To refine a level-three elixir, one needs at least the strength of a three-star martial artist. Making level-two elixirs is no longer challenging for me. Before I advance to three-star martial artist level, I want to study runes more deeply. I've always been interested in them."

Ye Shi nodded, "Whatever you decide is fine."

Mu Chen looked down, thinking about Fan Li from the Fu Institute, who had lost face because of him and was not on good terms with him. The Dan Institute wasn't any better. Although Fan Li was just a regular instructor at the Fu Institute, Lan Ruofeng's uncle, Lan Da, was a significant figure in the Dan Institute.

Mu Chen thought it would be better to stay in the Fu Institute. After all, what he needed wasn't guidance from instructors but the vast knowledge contained in the books of the Holy Star Academy. But accessing those books was expensive!

...

Ye Shi watched as Qian Dongting and his group departed, a certain sadness evident in his eyes.

"Mu Chen, what did you give to Qian Dongting?" Ye Shi curiously inquired.

Mu Chen shrugged, a bit embarrassed, "I wanted to buy some special products, but I've almost run out of yuan stones. So, I had to share some of my insights on alchemy."

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen with a puzzled expression, "Your father is a level-three alchemist, and you're at level two. What can your alchemy insights offer him? You really didn't put much thought into that gift."

Mu Chen sighed resignedly, "It's all I could do, given my lack of yuan stones."

"Being out of yuan stones is a real predicament," Ye Shi remarked regretfully, "By the way, I heard that the Spring Rain Rune you asked me to auction has several bids. Maybe we can sell it now."

Mu Chen shook his head, "Let's wait. Some people might not have bid yet. Many like to bid at the last moment."

Ye Shi nodded, "Alright, I also heard about a mission hall in the Holy Star Academy where we can earn yuan stones. Shall we check it out?"

Mu Chen nodded in agreement, "Sure."

As Ye Shi and Mu Chen approached the mission hall, they noticed many alchemists present. At the top of the bounty board, a single mission caught the attention of many.

"In search of a Grade 2 Spirit Pill, specifically one that can tame magical beasts and make them enamored. Offering 100,000 spirit stones per pill."

Ye Shi's eyes widened, saying, "Mu Chen, a Grade 2 Spirit Pill for 100,000 spirit stones each!"

Mu Chen replied with a wry smile, "Spirit stones aren't easily obtained. Historically, the only pill that meets these criteria is the Beast Spirit Pill, but it has been extinct for a millennium."

Scratching his head, Ye Shi asked, "What should we do then?"

Mu Chen, narrowing his eyes, said, "The buyer didn't specifically mention the Beast Spirit Pill. As long as it helps in taming the magical beasts, maybe we can explore alternative methods."

"100,000 spirit stones for each pill! You must find a way," Ye Shi urged earnestly.

Mu Chen nodded, "I understand."

Mu Chen, with a slight squint, mused, "The Saint Star Academy sure has its fair share of high rollers! Offering such a price for a Grade 2 pill, and yet someone dares to do so."