Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Zhuang Yu's Request

Ye Shi entered the Treasure Pavilion, asking eagerly, "Shopkeeper, is my order ready?"

"It is prepared. This is the blood of a fourth-tier Ice Breath Rock Python. This serpent, having lived for a millennium, shows signs of evolution. Our pavilion lost quite a few experts trying to obtain it."

Ye Shi smirked. The Treasure Pavilion had intended to hunt the python even before he placed his order. Their losses had little to do with him.

Holding the container of blood, an intense aroma wafted into Ye Shi's nostrils. His eyes glittered with anticipation. The quality of this blood was much higher than what he had used previously. With it, his chances of ascending to the Martial Spirit realm increased.

After spending three million, Ye Shi acquired two large vats of beast blood from the shopkeeper.

As he exited the Treasure Pavilion, he happened to bump into Lu Yao.

Upon seeing Lu Yao, Ye Shi immediately became guarded. Mu Chen whispered to him that he'd consulted a fortune teller. The divination revealed that Lu Yao's fate was in direct conflict with both theirs, and any carelessness could result in their deaths at his hands.

If Mu Chen had merely claimed that Lu Yao threatened him alone, Ye Shi might have brushed it off. But since Mu Chen implicated himself as well, Ye Shi couldn’t help but take it seriously.

Ye Shi couldn't help but frown when he saw Lu Yao. He'd initially wondered if Mu Chen had been deceived by some street swindler. However, upon meeting Lu Yao, Ye Shi felt a profound discomfort around him.

"Mr. Ye, it's a pleasure to meet you," Lu Yao approached with a gentle demeanor.

Ye Shi nodded subtly at Lu Yao and discreetly maintained some distance, asking, "What can I do for you, Mr. Lu?"

"I noticed you purchased two jars of Ice Breath Python blood. May I inquire about its purpose?" Lu Yao inquired with a benign smile.

Stroking the space ring on his finger, Ye Shi calmly replied, "I intend to make blood tofu."

Lu Yao remarked, somewhat incredulously, "Joking, surely? That’s a considerable amount of beast blood."

"It's no joke. I love blood tofu, and that's exactly what I'm making," Ye Shi retorted coolly.

"Can you consume all that?" Lu Yao pressed with skepticism.

"How much I eat has nothing to do with you," Ye Shi snapped coldly.

As Ye Shi walked away, Lu Yao watched his retreating figure. A hint of darkness flitted through his eyes. As the top student of Mingyue Academy, no one had ever dismissed him as Ye Shi just did.

"Young master, Ye Shi exudes a vibrant energy. It seems he practices the Hundred Body Refining Technique," Lu Fangming observed.

Lu Yao's eyes narrowed, "I'll need to discuss this with Mu Chen."

Mu Chen has been incredibly generous to Ye Shi. He didn't even withhold martial techniques from him.

...

With a vexed expression, Ye Shi stormed into Mu Chen's room.

Seeing him, Mu Chen asked, "What's wrong? Who upset you?"

"I ran into Lu Yao. He asked about the Ice Breath Python blood. I suspect he's up to something."

Mu Chen, seeing Ye Shi's alarmed expression, replied nonchalantly, "Of course he has a motive. He's after the Hundred-Forge Body Technique. He already approached me about it."

Although Mu Chen hadn't admitted to possessing the book, Lu Yao seemed convinced he did.

He offered 30 million for Mu Chen's Hundred Body Refining Technique.

Mu Chen declined. Although puzzled by the technique's allure to Lu Yao, he knew its value. Handing it over would only bolster Lu Yao's power, placing Mu Chen in danger.

"How did he learn about the Hundred Body Refining Technique?" Ye Shi asked, puzzled.

"I'm not certain, but Lu Yao hails from the Lu family, a prominent clan with a martial emperor in their ranks. Gaining knowledge is trivial for them." What mysteries does the technique hold that Lu Yao pursues it so fervently?

Given the vast wealth and power of the Lu family, such a technique shouldn't typically capture Lu Yao's attention.

Mu Chen hadn't given much thought to the technique before. However, upon closer inspection, he realized it resembled Ye Shi's book: seemingly dilapidated but impervious to fire and water. Mu Chen even tried the blood oath, but the pages remained unchanged.

...

"Young Master Mu, Zhuang Yu is here," announced an attendant of Mu Chen's.

Ye Shi frowned, displeased. "What does he want at this hour?"

Uncertainty flashed in Mu Chen's eyes. In the original story, Zhuang Yu had only to request, and Mu Chen willingly handed over the book. With their current estranged relationship, would Zhuang Yu really risk humiliation?

Ye Shi watched the door with a wary expression.

Seeing Ye Shi tense up, Mu Chen smiled and said, "Relax, Ye Shi. There's no need to be so wary of him."

Flushing, Ye Shi asserted, "I'm not afraid of him. He's an eight-star martial artist, while I'm nine-star. He's no match for me."

Ye Shi might speak bravely, but he felt uneasy. Zhuang Yu's odd charisma had ensnared many senior students.

Mu Chen's eyes flashed coldly, considering Ye Shi's rapid progress had left Zhuang Yu behind. Yet, to increase the academy's odds in a coming challenge, they had gifted Zhuang Yu with treasures to help him break through.

Because Ye Shi's cultivation had already reached nine-star martial artist level, the academy, fearing rapid progress might undermine his foundation, hadn't granted him any treasures to assist his ascension to martial spirit.

With the academy's aid, Zhuang Yu quickly advanced, threatening to catch up with Ye Shi.

Thankfully, while Zhuang Yu advanced rapidly, Lan Ruofeng's performance was just average. Many of Mingyue Academy's top students could rival him.

The protagonist's halo was indeed a tricky thing to deal with!

"Let him in," Mu Chen told the attendant.

Without waiting for Mu Chen's approval, Zhuang Yu barged in.

"Mu Chen, congratulations on becoming a martial spirit! Many teachers in the academy hail you as the most talented student in centuries! Your uncle would've been overjoyed with your achievements," Zhuang Yu greeted warmly.

Mu Chen cast a dismissive glance at Zhuang Yu, remarking, "Zhuang, coming to see me must be about more than just offering congratulations."

Zhuang Yu sheepishly grinned, hesitating a bit before admitting, "I have a favor to ask this time."

Ye Shi, standing beside Mu Chen, interjected coldly, "If it's so audacious, perhaps it's best left unsaid."

Zhuang Yu frowned, ignoring Ye Shi.

Ye Shi noticed that Zhuang Yu was treating him as if he were invisible, causing him to feel slightly irritated.

"Elder Brother Mu, do you possess the Hundred Tempering Body Mantra?" Zhuang Yu eagerly inquired, eyes fixed on Mu Chen.

Clutching his teacup, a chilly smile crept onto Mu Chen's lips. Much had changed, yet Zhuang Yu still approached on Lu Yao's behalf. Would he and Ye Shi meet their end at Lu Yao's hands?

"I don't," Mu Chen replied.

Zhuang Yu furrowed his brows, "Elder Brother Mu, why the secrecy? With all the spirit beast blood you purchased earlier, wasn't it for body tempering?"

"It wasn’t for body tempering. It was for making blood tofu," Ye Shi interjected.

Zhuang Yu looked skeptical, "Ye, are you treating me as a fool? All that beast blood just for blood tofu? Can you even consume that much?"

Ye Shi glared at Zhuang Yu defiantly, "It's none of your business how much I eat. I can stomach anything."

Zhuang Yu mentally rolled his eyes. To think that Ye Shi took pride in such a voracious appetite.

"Elder Brother Mu, the Hundred Tempering Body Mantra originally belonged to the Lu family. It was taken by a traitor. For years, the Lu family has been searching for it. To you, it may not be invaluable. Why not return it as a favor?" Zhuang Yu pleaded earnestly.

Mu Chen offered a faint smile, "Younger Brother Zhuang, it's not that I don't want to help, but I truly don't have it."

Zhuang Yu's face darkened, a touch of resentment in his eyes, "Elder Brother Mu, why deceive me? The Lu family is willing to pay 30 million for it, a generous offer indeed."

Ye Shi rolled his eyes dismissively, "Merely 30 million spirit stones. Mu Chen, who's adept at making money and now as a martial spirit, can easily earn more. Such an amount is trifling to him."

30 million spirit stones is astronomical for an ordinary martial master, and still a hefty sum for the average martial spirit. Yet, for Mu Chen, it was merely a few days' worth of earnings, especially after profiting from the sale of several inscribed weapons.

Zhuang Yu, still frowning, said, "It's still a treasured heirloom of the Lu family."

"You believe every word that pretty boy says? He's just an outsider. Are you planning on betraying us?" Ye Shi remarked disdainfully.

Ye Shi squinted at Zhuang Yu, clearly annoyed. Zhuang Yu had become close to Lu Yao, who had only been at the Saint Star Academy for a few days, and was now ardently defending him.

Zhuang Yu, unimpressed, responded, "Ye Shi, there's no deep-seated animosity between our academies. The Dark Moon Academy is here for a friendly exchange. Why are you being so aggressive?"

"People always aim higher, and water flows downward. Zhuang Yu, are you considering joining the Dark Moon Academy?" Ye Shi questioned with a displeased tone.

Zhuang Yu's expression shifted, "Ye Shi, don't speak nonsense."

Ye Shi scoffed and turned his head away.

Observing Zhuang Yu's reaction, Mu Chen's expression changed slightly. From the looks of it, Ye Shi's casual mention of Zhuang Yu wanting to join the Dark Moon Academy might not be baseless.

Zhuang Yu in the story is portrayed as naive and innocent. If an elder from the Dark Moon Academy extended an invitation, Zhuang Yu might indeed be tempted.

The Saint Star Academy had invested heavily in Zhuang Yu. If he switched to the Dark Moon Academy, the principal might literally die from anger.

Seeing Zhuang Yu leave empty-handed brought a sense of satisfaction to Ye Shi's heart.

"The Hundred Tempering Body Mantra is truly remarkable! Perhaps it hides a treasure within." Ye Shi said, eyes gleaming.

Mu Chen nodded, "It's possible."

"If there's a treasure, we'll be rich!" Ye Shi exclaimed, clearly excited.

Mu Chen chuckled wryly, even if there was a treasure, they wouldn't know how to utilize it.