Chapter 127

Chapter 127: The Downfall of Ye Xun

Another rest day.

While Mu Chen and Ye Shi were busy preparing and stayed within the academy, Ye Rong couldn't wait to head out.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Rong spent all 50,000 Yuan stones. Thinking of the 3 million Yuan stones Ye Xun possessed, she hoped he could spare some for her and left the academy full of anticipation.

When Ye Rong arrived at the courtyard residence where Ye Xun was staying, she discovered he had been evicted a few days earlier for failing to pay with spirit stones.

Upon hearing the news, Ye Rong was filled with confusion, sensing an ominous feeling deep within. Ye Xun had three million yuan stones; even if he were to splurge, it shouldn’t be possible to spend everything so quickly.

Ye Rong inquired around and found Ye Xun's new residence.

Ye Xun's new place was small and dilapidated, filthy with a mix of dubious individuals. It took Ye Rong quite some time to confirm that Ye Xun indeed lived there.

As Ye Rong entered the hut, she found Ye Xun lying listlessly on the bed, appearing utterly defeated.

"Father," Ye Rong called out with a furrowed brow.

Seeing Ye Rong, Ye Xun's eyes widened in surprise, "Rong, is that you? Do you have any yuan stones? Share some with your father."

Ye Rong was taken aback. She had come to ask him for money. How did it turn into him asking her?

"Father, didn't you have three million spirit stones?" Ye Rong inquired, frowning.

Ye Xun scowled. "It was just three million. It's all spent."

Ye Rong froze, that was three million yuan stones! To have spent it all, her heart ached so much that she trembled.

"Father, where's mother?" Ye Rong glanced around the room and noticed there wasn't even a vanity table. Knowing Wang Li always valued her appearance, even in dire situations, it felt odd that there wasn’t even a mirror in the room.

Avoiding eye contact momentarily, Ye Xun responded bitterly, "Forget about her. When she saw my misfortune, she left with a rich man."

Shocked, Ye Rong exclaimed, "Mother left? Father, could there be a misunderstanding?"

"How could I be wrong? She left me for someone else," Ye Xun mumbled.

Gazing into Ye Xun's face, suspicion grew in Ye Rong's heart.

Ye Rong tried to reason with Ye Xun about the yuan stones but left disappointed when she couldn't gain any advantage.

As Ye Rong stepped outside, her father's words about her mother's actions weighed heavily on her mind.

Upon further investigation, Ye Rong discovered that Wang Li hadn't run off with a rich man, but rather Ye Xun had sold her to a brothel due to his financial troubles.

Although furious, Ye Rong felt powerless to confront her father and returned to the academy in a daze.

...

"Ye Rong, why did you come back so quickly?" Lou Ruoyi inquired.

With a bitter smile, Ye Rong replied, "Without money, only have two relatives left in the Imperial City. One has fallen on hard times, and the other... has become a prostitute."

With things being so dire, lingering outside seemed pointless.

"There's a letter for you. The messenger seemed urgent and insisted you read it personally," Mi Xue handed a letter to Ye Rong.

As Ye Rong read the letter, her face went through a spectrum of emotions.

The letter was from Wang Li, bitterly condemning Ye Xun for his lack of morals, selling her to a brothel for just fifteen thousand yuan stones.

Only after reading the letter did Ye Rong realize that Ye Xun had a gambling addiction, owing huge debts. His gambling had made him forsake his family.

Frowning, Ye Rong pondered how Ye Xun had fallen so low. After reading the letter, everything became clear.

"Ye Rong, what does the letter say?" Bai Le asked.

Shaking her head, Ye Rong replied, "Nothing important."

Noting her distressed expression, Bai Le chose not to press further.

Wang Li's plea for help was clear in the letter. To redeem her from the brothel would cost at least two hundred thousand spirit stones. Where could Ye Rong find such a sum?

Regardless of everything, she was a student of the Sacred Star Academy, a prestigious title. With such a status, how could she have a mother who was a prostitute?

Avoiding her roommates, Ye Rong burned the letter to ashes.

Under strict watch in the brothel, Wang Li had gone through great lengths to send this letter, but Ye Rong coldly snuffed out her glimmer of hope.

...

Ye Shi was engrossed in his array book, so much so that he didn't notice Jing Chiyang entering.

Only when a soft cough reached his ears did Ye Shi look up.

Somewhat surprised, Ye Shi looked at Jing Chi Yan, "Master, when did you arrive?"

With narrowed eyes and a stern tone, Jing Chiyang remarked, "I've been here for a while." Concerned about his disciple’s lack of alertness, he added, "This isn’t good..."

"Oh," Ye Shi responded nonchalantly.

Rolling his eyes, Jing Chiyang teased, "I heard you've been shirking your responsibilities lately?"

"Neglecting my duties? Not at all!" Ye Shi replied with confusion.

Jing Chiyang, trying to contain his amusement, retorted, "Really? I heard you've been researching arrays, even telling the dean of the Array Department that he could consult you for any problems."

Ye Shi thought for a moment, then said, "Oh, that old man was the dean? He didn't ask me any questions before leaving. He underestimated me! We could've discussed it. I might've had the answers."

Jing Chiyang smirked, "You're quite confident..."

The dean of the Array Department, Hao Tu, may seem simple-minded, but he's an accomplished fourth-level array master. It's amusing that Ye Shi would think of discussing array techniques with him.

Nodding confidently, Ye Shi declared, "I feel my array skills have greatly improved recently. I might even participate in the Array Department's competition."

Jing Chiyang responded exasperatedly, "Focus on your training. Try to reach the Martial Spirit level soon. Don’t be like Mu Chen, dabbling in everything but mastering nothing."

Ye Shi defended, "Master, don't belittle Mu Chen! He's not a jack of all trades; he's a master of all!"

Jing Chiyang scoffed, "A master? Of all his skills, none are at the fourth level. Did you know, one of the visitors this time is a fourth-level inscription master?"

Dismissing him, Ye Shi retorted, "What's so special about the fourth level? When Mu Chen reaches his age, he'll be a fifth-level inscription master."

Jing Chiyang replied helplessly, "He's only fifteen."

Ye Shi smirked, "Exactly! So much older than Mu Chen!"

Jing Chiyang was speechless, thinking, "Only a year difference."

Changing the subject, Jing Chiyang commented, "Disciple, the spiritual energy in this room is quite good."

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "Yes, I've placed a few Juyuan arrays in the room, but the effects aren't particularly pronounced."

"Juyuan array? Did Mu Chen give it to you?" Jing Chiyang inquired.

Ye Shi shook his head, replying, "No, I made it myself."

Jing Chiyang paused in surprise, asking, "You crafted it yourself?"

Ye Shi nodded in affirmation, "Indeed!"

The Juyuan array subtly enhances the concentration of Qi in the room. Since Ye Shi cultivates using Yuan stones, this modest increase in Qi doesn't significantly aid his cultivation. However, it does make the room feel slightly more comfortable.

Jing Chiyang looked at him in astonishment, remarking, "You really have a knack for array formation!"

Ye Shi said proudly, "Of course! Mu Chen once told me I'm a genius in array crafting."

"Genius? What you need to focus on is cultivation, always cultivation. As for elixirs, ask Mu Chen. Weapons? Ask Mu Chen. Array tools? Ask Mu Chen. Yuan stones? Ask Mu Chen. Trust me, with the amount of money he makes, he wouldn't mind you helping him spend it!" Jing Chiyang commented with a cold smirk.

Jing Chiyang, once penniless at a lower martial rank, felt a pang of jealousy seeing how prosperous Mu Chen had become.

Ye Shi rolled his eyes in resignation, saying, "I can't always rely on Mu Chen for everything."

Jing Chiyang rolled his eyes in response, thinking how naive his disciple could be.

"This Juyuan array, it's a second-level formation, right? So, you're a second-level array master?" Jing Chiyang asked, furrowing his brow.

Ye Shi nodded in agreement, "Yes."

Jing Chiyang gazed at Ye Shi in shock. Ye Shi's recent interest in array formation suggested he might possess talent akin to Mu Chen's.

"Master, what's the matter?" Ye Shi asked.

Jing Chiyang sighed, advising, "If you wish to study array formations, do so, but don't neglect your cultivation."

Ye Shi nodded understandingly, "I get it."

.........

Five days into Mu Chen's retreat, beams of blue light emerged from his residence, presenting a spectacular sight.

Hao Tu waited eagerly for Mu Chen's emergence. Seeing the commotion, he was overjoyed.

As soon as the disturbance began, several experts quickly congregated around Mu Chen's residence.

"Dean, with all this fuss from Mu Chen, he should be finishing his retreat soon," Di Han said excitedly.

Hao Tu nodded in agreement, commenting, "Indeed, well observed."

"Such a powerful flame force! I wonder what's going on," Di Han muttered.

Hao Tu stroked his beard, suggesting, "We'll know once he comes out."

Mu Chen opened the door and stepped out.

Hao Tu gazed at Mu Chen, momentarily stunned. Mu Chen's eyes glowed blue, indicating he was at the pinnacle of the Nine-Star Martial Master level, on the verge of breaking into the Martial Spirit realm.

Before Hao Tu could speak, Mu Chen soared towards Bear Wei's mountain peak, ignoring everyone.

Watching Mu Chen's retreating figure, Hao Tu was livid.

"That insufferable kid!" Hao Tu fumed.

"He's incredibly fast!" Di Han exclaimed.

"Chase him! Hurry!" Hao Tu urged frantically.

Heeding Hao Tu's command, Di Han quickly pursued Mu Chen, noting, "We're nearing the stone quarry."

Reluctantly, Hao Tu halted. The stone quarry was Bear Wei's territory, and trespassing carelessly might provoke the man—a situation best avoided.