Chapter 128

Chapter 128: Detoxification

"Master," Mu Chen soared through the air to Xiong Wei's side, softly calling out.

Xiong Wei gazed at Mu Chen, a trace of astonishment in his eyes. In just a few days, Mu Chen's aura had grown significantly stronger. However, that wasn't the main point; Mu Chen now possessed a unique demeanor – that of a master.

The appearance of such a masterful quality in his disciple felt surreal to Xiong Wei.

"Why are you here? To bring me wine?" Xiong Wei asked lazily.

"No wine," Mu Chen replied succinctly.

Xiong Wei looked at Mu Chen with mock exasperation, "Admit it, you're clueless. You visit your master and don't even bring a gift?"

Mu Chen's gaze brushed over Xiong Wei, seemingly indifferent to his words.

"The fiery aura around you seems quite potent," Xiong Wei, seeing Mu Chen's impassivity, grudgingly changed the subject.

Lifting his eyes, Mu Chen coldly addressed Xiong Wei, "Master, I believe it's time to purge you of the cold poison."

Xiong Wei quirked an eyebrow, asking with mild surprise, "Oh? Your flame advanced to Level 5?"

Mu Chen shook his head and replied, "No."

Being just a martial artist, even if he had the means to elevate his flame to Level 5, he wouldn't dare do it now. Level 5 flames were incredibly volatile, overpowering their master. Mu Chen, valuing his life, wouldn't take unnecessary risks.

Xiong Wei raised an eyebrow and said with a teasing tone, "Oh? If you haven't advanced to Level 5, how will you help me dispel the cold poison?"

Mu Chen, unfazed, glanced at Xiong Wei and casually threw out hundreds of array discs.

Xiong Wei squinted, observing the array discs Mu Chen released, including Fire Initiation Array, Fire Gathering Array, and Fire Defense Array. All were Level 4 array discs, forming a fascinating pattern when combined.

Although all the array discs used by Mu Chen were of Level 4, their combined energy was comparable to a Level 6 array disc.

Xiong Wei, with narrowed eyes, gazed at Mu Chen with increased seriousness.

The gap between Level 4 and Level 6 array discs isn't small, and it's not something easily bridged by quantity.

Yet, Mu Chen's array discs possessed the power of Level 6 array discs.

Xiong Wei observed, eyes half-shut, noting that Mu Chen's array disc placements, while seemingly random, seemed to follow a certain pattern.

What Xiong Wei didn't realize was that Mu Chen had utilized the Stacking Array Technique, which didn't merely add the power of the array discs but maximized the potential of each disc.

With a gesture, Mu Chen summoned a ball of Sun Essence Fire at the center of the array.

Hundreds of array discs lit up simultaneously, their golden light converging at the center.

The flame in the center surged, creating a blazing inferno that illuminated half the sky.

"Sun Essence Fire?" Xiong Wei commented, eyes narrowing.

The loyal Sun Essence Fire from the array discs exploded ferociously, inspiring awe in those who saw.

"Taming these Sun Essence Fires is difficult for me currently. However, borrowing their power isn't," Mu Chen remarked, summoning the Blue Abyss Flame which merged with the Sun Essence Fire, elevating the flame's intensity to Level 5.

The flame at the center alternated between blue and red, looking eerily beautiful.

The two flames constantly collided and merged, producing explosive sounds that sent chills down one's spine.

At times, the flame soared dozens of feet high, while at other moments it condensed into a small ball, at times scattering like fireworks, and then coming back together.

Xiong Wei, eyes squinted, showed a changing expression, realizing that while the flame had achieved Level 5 intensity, it didn't seem easy to control.

Hesitatingly, Xiong Wei looked at Mu Chen and chuckled, "Apprentice, this flame seems a bit restless. Can you handle it?"

"I'm not sure. We'll have to rely on luck," Mu Chen replied with a sheepish grin.

Seeing the smile on Mu Chen's face, Xiong Wei felt a surge of annoyance.

How did he end up with such a reckless disciple? Relying on luck? If luck didn't favor them, he could end up reduced to ashes because of this mischievous lad.

"Mu Chen," a voice called out. Ye Shi was flying towards the duo.

"Stone, what brings you here?" Mu Chen greeted warmly, softness evident in his eyes.

"Heard you've come out, so I wanted to check on you. Wow, so many array discs! All Level 4!" Ye Shi exclaimed in surprise.

Thanks to his innate talents, Ye Shi's understanding of arrays advanced rapidly. Although he couldn't create Level 4 array discs, recognizing them wasn't an issue.

"Indeed, all Level 4 array discs. Kid, you've got sharp eyes, you're improving!" Xiong Wei remarked lazily.

Ye Shi shot Xiong Wei a glare and ignored him.

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes, thinking to himself, 'Ye Shi is so rude! Just like his ill-mannered master.'

Ye Shi turned to Mu Chen, eyes gleaming, and asked, "Mu Chen, did you create these array discs?"

Xiong Wei chuckled, "Little Stone, what are you dreaming? Mu Chen is a Level 3 Array Master. These are Level 4 discs."

Ye Shi dismissed him, saying, "What do you know? Mu Chen is a genius. He's not like you. He can achieve anything."

Bear Wei rolled his eyes, thinking to himself: Mu Chen and I are obviously different. He is my junior, and I am his senior; I am the master, and he is the apprentice.

Mu Chen nodded, saying, "Indeed, it was my design."

"You've become a Level Four Array Master?" Ye Shi widened his eyes in delighted surprise.

Mu Chen nodded, saying, "I owe it all to you."

Ye Shi cast a proud glance at Mu Chen, musing how the old wave gets surpassed by the new. In this analogy, he felt like the old wave about to be overtaken by Mu Chen, the new wave.

The array book in Ye Shi's possession was extraordinary. Many of its array techniques were beyond the reach of Xuan Feng Empire. Without that book, Mu Chen's advancement to a Level 4 Array Master would have taken at least another month.

Ye Shi grinned and clenched his fist, saying, "Fantastic! Now that you're a Level 4 Array Master, let's see who dares belittle you, especially when compared to that scoundrel from the Ming Yue Academy."

Mu Chen squinted, unsure about the influence of the original story on the current situation. In the original tale, he was killed by Lu Yao. Dealing with this Lu Yao could be tricky, but he wasn't the foolish protagonist from the original.

Bear Wei looked at Mu Chen with a peculiar expression, "So, you really are a Level Four Array Master."

Mu Chen nodded and replied, "Yes, I am."

Bear Wei: "..."

"Wow, such intense flames!" Ye Shi exclaimed as he observed the fire at the center of the array. The essence of the sun's fire was continually being infused, making the flames burn brighter.

"Mu Chen, why are you kindling such a massive fire? Planning to barbecue something?" Ye Shi turned and asked.

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes, retorting, "With a fire this massive, any meat would turn to ash."

"With the essence of the sun, the fire's intensity has reached Level Five," Mu Chen said calmly.

Ye Shi's eyes darted around, then he excitedly turned to Bear Wei, "Elder Bear, with this Level Five flame, we might be able to purge the cold poison from your system."

Annoyed, Xiong Wei shot a glare at Ye Shi, "Look at that fierce flame. Instead of curing me, it seems more like he's trying to kill me. What a disaster to have accepted such a troublesome disciple."

Ye Shi frowned at Xiong Wei, "Mu Chen is just trying to help. If you're scared, don't blame him."

Bear Wei: "..."

"Who are you calling scared?" Xiong Wei roared.

Mu Chen stepped in front of Ye Shi, reassuringly saying, "Master, don't take Ye Shi's words to heart. He's just rambling."

"Who's rambling? I'm being serious here!" Ye Shi whispered defensively from behind Mu Chen.

Bear Wei shot Ye Shi a fierce glare. Undeterred, Ye Shi pouted from behind Mu Chen.

"Apprentice, if you were to act now, what are your chances?" Xiong Wei asked with a grave expression.

"Perhaps 30%," Mu Chen pondered and replied.

Xiong Wei shot a disgruntled look at Mu Chen, suspecting ulterior motives or even revenge.

"Not even fifty percent confident," Bear Wei grumbled.

Ye Shi glared back at Xiong Wei, declaring confidently, "Mu Chen is just being modest. He actually has a 40% chance." He nudged Mu Chen and whispered, "Right?"

Mu Chen shook his head, "No."

Ye Shi: "..."

Flames at the array's center transformed into a wolf and a tiger, fiercely clashing.

Mu Chen hesitated before admitting, "Honestly, I'm not even thirty percent confident."

Ye Shi blinked rapidly, thinking about the implications. It would be troublesome if they accidentally harmed the powerful Martial King, a rare treasure even in the academy.

"Maybe we should wait a bit longer," Ye Shi suggested, looking downcast.

Given Mu Chen's capabilities, it shouldn't be long before he reaches the Spirit Warrior level. Then, they can try to upgrade the Qingming Flame to Level Five, increasing their chances.

"Proceed, but please be cautious," Bear Wei said with a sigh.

Ye Shi gave Bear Wei a puzzled look, "Don't you want to live?"

Bear Wei responded with a wry smile, "Life and death are fated; wealth and honor are destined."

Ye Shi looked at Bear Wei, whose demeanor now exuded a transcendent aura, with a mix of bewilderment and admiration.

Bear Wei squinted in frustration. The Mingyue Academy demanded sixty spots as soon as they spoke, clearly showing ill intent. The principal is only a two-star martial emperor, while the figure from the Mingyue Academy is rumored to be a five-star martial emperor, possibly even stronger. The principal might not be able to hold his ground alone.

It's a disgrace to have an outsider show off on one's turf.

If he could cure his cold poison and advance to martial emperor now, he might deter Mingyue Academy somewhat.

Given Mu Chen's intelligence, he would not suggest detoxifying the cold poison himself, unless he was apprehensive of the Mingyue Academy.

"Senior, I didn't expect such profound insights from you!" Ye Shi looked at Xiong Wei with a hint of amazement.

Bear Wei replied, somewhat annoyed, "My insight is far beyond yours, kid. If you're worried about getting caught in the crossfire, you better stay back."

Ye Shi puffed out his chest defiantly, "I'm not afraid at all."

Mu Chen glanced at Ye Shi, advising, "Ye Shi, stand back and ensure nobody comes close. We don't want any disturbances during the detoxification process."

Ye Shi nodded and, glancing back every few steps, distanced himself.