Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Ominous Signs

The break soon came to an end. Mu Chen and Ye Shi returned to the academy at sunset, along with Ye Rong.

Shortly after Ye Rong's return, gamblers from the betting house sought Ye Xun.

It wasn't until the gamblers beat Ye Xun up and seized his three million that Wang Li learned about Ye Xun's huge gambling debt.

Watching their only three million Yuan Shi vanish, Wang Li was so upset that she cried uncontrollably.

Ye Xun hadn't expected that the gambling houses in the Imperial City would be so shameless. He only owed a bit over a million, yet with compounded interest, his debt grew to over two million. The enforcers just confiscated his Yuan Shi card without any sense of propriety.

"Enough with the crying! Are you done yet?" An impatient Ye Xun snapped at Wang Li.

Wang Li looked at Ye Xun with a hint of blame, "How could you go to the gambling house? The ones in the Imperial City are notorious!"

Ye Xun retorted with annoyance, "I didn't meddle in your affairs, so stay out of mine."

Wang Li bit her lip, a glint of resentment in her eyes. It seemed Ye Xun felt the need to flex his authority over her at this trying time.

As her dream of a perfect life disintegrated before her eyes, Wang Li was consumed by an agonizing pain deep within.

Sanctum Star Academy.

Holding the Elemental Stone Card in her hand, Ye Rong felt a pang of frustration.

Ye Rong initially believed that selling Ye Shi's father's possessions back to him would yield at least ten or twenty million. But to her astonishment, Mu Chen slashed the price down to three million. To make matters worse, her own father granted her a mere fifty thousand, then dismissed her unceremoniously.

What can one do with fifty thousand elemental stones in the academy?

Before leaving the academy, Ye Rong had visited a few luxury shops. The clerks had looked at her as if she was a jester. She had hoped to flaunt her riches, but now, all her plans had gone up in smoke.

That stingy Mu Chen! Rumors abound about his generosity—never haggling when buying or selling. So why, with them, did he turn so miserly?

Lou Ruoyi, noticing Ye Rong's expression, inquired with genuine concern, "Ye Rong, what's bothering you? You seem down."

With a rueful smile, Ye Rong responded, "I'm fine." The greater the hope, the deeper the disappointment. She had been overly optimistic, and now the reality was hard to bear.

Lou Ruoyi didn't press further, turning to the others, "Did you hear? Envoys from the Mingyue Academy of the Fran Empire are arriving."

"Mingyue Academy? What's their business here?" Bai Le asked, brimming with curiosity.

"They claim it's an exchange. But, who knows their real intent? I suspect they're up to no good," Lou Ruoyi opined.

Relations between the Xuanfeng and Fran Empires weren't exactly warm. The Fran Empire, being more powerful, might be sending these envoys to flex their muscles.

……

"Apprentice! You're back!" Jing Chiyang exclaimed as he strode into Ye Shi's residence.

Ye Shi nodded, "Yes, I am."

Seeing the lavish spread on the table, Jing Chiyang paused in surprise, "A feast from the Tianxiang Tower in the Imperial City?"

Ye Shi nodded again, eyeing Jing Chiyang skeptically, "Master, how did you know it's from Tianxiang Tower?"

"Nonsense. Don't underestimate your master's discernment," Jing Chiyang replied with mock indignation.

The spirit chefs of Tianxiang Tower in Xuanfeng Empire were renowned. Not only could they craft exquisite dishes, but they also retained the elemental energy in the food. There's nothing more satisfying than indulging in delectable food while also boosting one's strength.

Tianxiang Tower's offerings were upscale, reflected in their steep prices. Though Jing Chiyang was a master of his craft, he couldn't afford such frequent indulgences.

"Did Mu Chen buy all this?" Jing Chiyang asked as he started to feast.

Shaking his head, Ye Shi clarified, "No, I did."

Jing Chiyang gave Ye Shi a surprised look, exclaiming, "You bought it?"

To his knowledge, his disciple had a penchant for cheaper food despite his gluttony. How had he suddenly developed such a refined palate? It was quite surprising!

Ye Shi simply nodded, "Yes."

"Why did you buy something so expensive all of a sudden?" Jing Chiyang asked while accelerating his eating pace.

Ye Shi shrugged, "Recently, I've acquired a surplus of elemental stones. Mu Chen advised me to treat myself, to savor the best. Thus, I've ordered Tianxiang Tower to deliver a feast like this daily." With sixty million at his disposal, this indulgence wasn't an issue.

Jing Chiyang, taken aback, thought: 'A surplus of elemental stones? Why not share some with me?'

Ye Shi frowned and said, "Master, you're eating a lot."

Trying to maintain a straight face, Jing Chiyang replied, "I don't want it to go to waste. Wastefulness is disgraceful, as you know."

Ye Shi replied dismissively, "No matter how much, I can handle it."

"How do you find the taste of this food?" Jing Chiyang asked, steering the conversation in another direction.

"It's mediocre. It doesn't even match Mu Chen's usual standard, and yet it's so pricey," Ye Shi said with a critical frown. "But Mu Chen is busy. I can't expect him to cook for me all the time."

Though the taste was lackluster, the meal was rich in energy. Ye Shi felt that with a few more days of such meals, he might break through and become a Nine-Star Martial Master.

Jing Chiyang rolled his eyes. In his disciple's eyes, Mu Chen could do no wrong.

"Mu Chen is good, but isn't he a bit soft? Disciple, when you choose a man, opt for someone more spirited, like me," Jing Chiyang proclaimed, puffing out his chest.

Ye Shi curled his lips, disagreeing internally but not voicing it. He knew what kind of person Mu Chen was, and that was enough.

Trying to steer the conversation, Ye Shi mentioned, "Master, I heard envoys from the Orchid Empire are coming?"

Mentioning the Fran Empire, Jing Chiyang's face slightly faltered, "It's not the Orchid Empire; it's the Fran Empire."

Ye Shi shrugged nonchalantly, "Close enough."

"Are they even comparable? The Orchid Empire and the Fran Empire?"

"What are they here for?" Ye Shi asked with curiosity.

"Those beasts? They've come to plunder," Jing Chiyang replied grimly.

Ye Shi looked puzzled, "Plunder?"

Jing Chiyang nodded, "Indeed!"

"Within the boundaries of the Xuanfeng Empire, there's a mystical realm known as Luo Yu. This realm opens once every twenty years, filled with treasures. The Fran Empire, choosing this specific moment to send delegates, must be eyeing those treasures," Jing Chiyang said, his brows furrowed.

Ye Shi narrowed his eyes, "I see."

Jing Chiyang sighed, "The secret realm was supposed to open next year. Its early opening today restricts entry to those under twenty."

"If it were to open next year, Ye Shi, by then, should be a Martial Spirit, safe and sound. But now... Although he's among the elite of his age, he's still a bit lacking."

A glint of excitement flashed in Ye Shi's eyes, "I've heard there are many treasures in that realm!"

Jing Chiyang looked at Ye Shi's expression and sighed, "It's too dangerous."

"The Luo Yu realm is indeed a blessed place, abundant in opportunities but equally perilous. In the past, less than half of those who entered made it out alive. Now, with the Fran Empire's intervention, the risks have only increased."

...

"You're here?" Xia Qingyan looked at Mu Chen.

Mu Chen nodded slightly, asking with a hint of confusion, "Principal, did you need me for something important?"

"People from the Fran Empire's Mingyue Academy are coming," Xia Qingyan said with a grave expression.

Mu Chen narrowed his eyes, "Mingyue Academy?"

"Recently, Mingyue Academy has produced a prodigy who, at just fifteen, has reached a two-star Martial Spirit level. Additionally, he's a four-star Inscription Master," Xia Qingyan informed Mu Chen.

Mu Chen raised an eyebrow, "A four-star Inscription Master?"

Xia Qingyan nodded, "There are always those who surpass us, and they're formidable. Don't underestimate them."

Mu Chen was considered a prodigy, but compared to this student from Mingyue Academy, there was little difference.

Mu Chen's expression became stern, "What's the name of this four-star Inscription Master from Mingyue Academy?"

"His name is Lu Yao," Xia Qingyan answered.

Mu Chen's heart missed a beat, but his face remained unchanged, "So, his name is Lu Yao!"

Xia Qingyan furrowed her brows. For a moment, she felt a palpable killing intent emanating from him.

"The Luo Yu realm can only accommodate a hundred individuals. The people from Mingyue Academy... their intentions aren't good," Xia Qingyan remarked with concern.

Out of curiosity, Mu Chen asked, "What happens if the one hundred and first person enters?"

"Death awaits. Within the realm, a mysterious force will instantly obliterate the one-hundred-and-first person."

Mu Chen: "..."

...

Hua Shu stood gravely before Lan Ruofeng and Murong Yan.

"Master, are the individuals from Mingyue Academy really that formidable?" Murong Yan inquired.

Hua Shu nodded, "Yes, their collective strength surpasses ours. Among them are two Martial Spirits under the age of twenty."

Lan Ruofeng frowned, realizing that a Martial Spirit under twenty was indeed a rare prodigy.

"One of them is just fifteen and is rumored to be a four-star Inscription Master," Hua Shu added seriously.

Murong Yan was taken aback, "So, Mu Chen finally has a worthy opponent!"

"Indeed!" Hua Shu squinted, "It's not that I want to dampen our spirits, but the gap between a three-star and a four-star Inscription Master is vast."

Many scribes of third-star inscriptions exhaust their lives without ever reaching the fourth level. Although Mu Chen is talented, he seems too unfocused, showing interest in almost everything.

"What do they intend to do?" Murong Yan pressed.

"What else? They're after the available slots! Only a hundred can enter the realm. Mingyue Academy has always been domineering. Who knows how many slots they want this time?"

"That's outrageous! The realm is within our territory," Murong Yan couldn't help but exclaim.

Hua Shu furrowed his brow, "They won't care about that. Rumor has it the principal of Mingyue Academy is coming. While our principal is a two-star Martial Emperor, their's is at a five-star level. In a confrontation, ours would be no match."