Chapter 135

Chapter 135: The Martial Arts Contest Begins

"Did you sleep well?"

Ye Shi opened his eyes to see Xin Ruge bending over beside the bed, their faces mere centimeters apart.

Ye Shi was taken aback but forced himself to stay still.

"Senior sister, why are you here?" Ye Shi looked at the empty bed beside him, feeling a hint of disappointment.

"Your master sent me to wake you up," Xin Rugong said with a teasing smile.

Ye Shi paused, his expression flustered, "Does my master... know I'm with Mu Chen?"

Xin Rugong nodded with mischievous delight, "He couldn't find you in your courtyard. He thought you might be too scared to compete and had fled. To his surprise, he found you and Mu Chen in bed, deeply asleep."

Ye Shi rolled his eyes, retorting, "My master underestimates me. My opponent is just a nine-star martial artist; I could defeat him with a single punch. Running away is a sign of weakness, something only pretty boys like Zhuang Yu would do."

"Junior brother, you're quite assertive. But while you were asleep, you kept snuggling into Mu Chen like a pitiable puppy," Xin Rugong said, taking the opportunity to tease him.

Ye Shi glared at her indignantly, "Senior sister, as a woman, you peeked at someone sleeping, aren't you embarrassed?"

"Why should I be? Both of you are still so young. What's there to see?" Xin Rugong replied nonchalantly.

Ye Shi's face turned red as he shot Xin Rugong an angry glance. She laughed even louder at his reaction.

Head bowed, Ye Shi lamented that Mu Chen always saw him as a kid. With Xin Rugong's comment, he felt even more belittled.

"Senior sister, stop talking nonsense. I've grown up," Ye Shi responded firmly.

Raising an eyebrow, Xin Ruge said, "Oh? How much have you grown? Why not show me?"

Infuriated and embarrassed, Ye Shi snapped, "How can you be so shameless?"

Xin Rugong chuckled, "Little junior brother, you're so sensitive."

Ye Shi clenched his jaw upon hearing Xin Rugong's comment.

"Where's Mu Chen?" Ye Shi asked, keeping his emotions in check.

Xin Rugong shrugged, "He went to cook."

"I wonder what Mu Chen is making," anticipation evident in Ye Shi's eyes.

Xin Rugong rolled her eyes, "A fight's about to start, and he's in the mood to cook. Truly baffling."

Ye Shi waved her off, "Senior sister, you should go. Mu Chen will be back soon."

"I can't leave now. I have to stay for the meal. I've heard Mu Chen is a good cook; I want to see for myself," Xin Rugong responded cheekily.

Ye Shi glared at her, "Mu Chen's cooking for me."

Unperturbed, Xin Ruge responded, "If I don't get to eat, how can you, my junior?"

...

A large crowd gathered in front of the dueling platform.

By the time Mu Chen and Ye Shi arrived, many contestants were already there.

"Younger Brother Mu," Ji Dongcheng greeted Mu Chen respectfully with a bow.

Mu Chen acknowledged him with a slight nod.

Ye Shi, standing behind Mu Chen, studied Ji Dongcheng, finding his voice eerily familiar.

"Zhuang Yu's here," whispers filled the air. Ye Shi immediately shifted his focus to Zhuang Yu.

Zhuang Yu looked pale, as if deeply affected by something, revealing both vulnerability and stubbornness that made people feel sympathetic.

Fu Yuanbao whispered to Ye Shi, "Looks like Zhuang Yu took the breakup with Lan Ruofeng hard. He seems so pitiable. I could lend him my broad shoulders."

Ye Shi rolled his eyes, "Zhuang Yu initiated the breakup! What's there for him to be upset about? And stop dreaming. So many are waiting to comfort him. Who do you think you are?"

Awkwardly, Fu Yuanbao replied, "I was just thinking out loud. Actually, those pretty boys don't have as soft a shoulder as mine."

As soon as Zhuang Yu appeared, several seniors surrounded him with concern. With the rift between Lan Ruofeng and Zhuang Yu, Zhuang Yu was now the coveted bachelor with many trying to win his favor.

Mu Chen, arms crossed, watched this with a faint smirk, thinking that with Lu Yao around, all their efforts were in vain.

...

"You finally got up," Xiong Wei said casually as he approached Mu Chen, his eyes hinting at something unsaid as he glanced at both Mu Chen and Ye Shi.

Ye Shi thought to himself: It seems not just my master knows about Mu Chen and me sharing a bed; Mu Chen's master seems to know too.

Mu Chen replied calmly, "Every moment at night is precious. Though I'd rather stay in bed, I can't miss the competition."

Ye Shi eyed Xiong Wei, thinking: After recovering from his poisoning, Xiong Wei, who used to hide away, is now frequently flaunting his power. Not just the students of Ming Yue Academy, but also many teachers from the Holy Star disdain him. They must have a good reason.

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes in exasperation. "This disciple of mine truly has no shame."

"Listen," Xiong Wei said menacingly, "No matter how you do it, you must win this match. If you lose, I'll treat you to stir-fried bamboo shoots with shredded meat."

Ye Shi glared at Xiong Wei, "And if I win? What then?"

"If you win, so be it," Xiong Wei said as a matter of fact. "As my disciple, shouldn't it be expected of you to defeat someone as weak as a two-star martial spirit?"

Ye Shi was taken aback, "A two-star martial spirit is weak? Then what's Mu Chen, who has just entered the realm of martial spirits?"

"Kid, be careful. If you lose, I'll beat you until you look like a pig's head." Xiong Wei rolled up his sleeves, flaunted his chubby arm, and confidently walked away.

Ye Shi glared at Xiong Wei's retreating figure.

"Mu Chen, once I become stronger, I promise to give him a solid beating for you," Ye Shi declared passionately.

Mu Chen nodded with a faint smile, "Good, beat him hard."

The surrounding students remained silent, stunned by the exchange.

Fu Yuanbao looked puzzled, "Elder Brother Mu, did you offend Senior Bear Wei? He seems to be picking on you intentionally."

"Why would I? He's my master. I ought to respect him. Why would I ever offend him?" Mu Chen asked with an earnest expression.

Fu Yuanbao secretly rolled his eyes, thinking, "Mu Chen is not one to sincerely respect his master."

This young man is cunning. As a merchant, he's the kind to strip a deal bare.

Mu Chen reflected: During the detoxification process for Xiong Wei, I accidentally singed his behind. He didn't say anything then, but he must hold a grudge. Honestly, with Xiong Wei's capabilities, such minor injuries would heal easily.

For such a grown man, my master holds onto trivial grudges. How petty!

"Fu Yuanbao, which one is Zhu Xu?" Ye Shi inquired.

"The one in the red robe," answered Fu Yuanbao.

Upon hearing this, Ye Shi looked at the man in red. While most men might appear effeminate in red, this man exuded a malevolent aura in the color.

...

"The competition will commence shortly. Contestants, please take your places."

At the command, twenty participants took their spots on the ten platforms.

Lu Yao, dressed in white, gracefully positioned himself on one of the platforms, capturing the admiring glances of many female cultivators.

"Lu Yao is quite handsome!" Xie Danyan gushed from the stands.

Cheng Wanbai chuckled and teased, "Danyan, have you fallen for him?"

"Even if I did, he's already caught the eye of that voracious seductress, Zhuang Yu. I'm just admiring," Xie Danyan replied nonchalantly.

From Xie Danyan's words, Cheng Wanbai understood she was simply admiring Lu Yao's good looks. While Lan Ruofeng was also handsome, looks don't put food on the table; it's a man's abilities that truly matter.

Lu Yao faced his opponent, idly fanning himself with a folding fan. His gaze was indifferent, but a hint of disdain was visible deep within his eyes.

Saint Star Academy sending a nine-star martial master against him was not something Lu Yao outwardly expressed, but inwardly, he was very displeased.

With an air of superiority, Lu Yao gave Ji Dongcheng the initiative to strike first.

Ji Dongcheng stared intently at Lu Yao, his eyes burning with a desperate determination.

"Mu, I've heard you're a genius at Saint Star Academy, skilled in many arts but lacking in combat. I suggest you step down. I tend to go overboard and wouldn't want to ruin such a prodigy," Zhu Xu sneered, brandishing a blood-red sword.

Mu Chen merely chuckled in response. The more Zhu Xu boasted now, the more embarrassed he'd be upon defeat.

Ye Shi anxiously watched Mu Chen's platform, twirling his whip in anticipation.

"Let the competition begin!"

Following the referee's command, Mu Chen and Ji Dongcheng made their first moves, releasing a barrage of magical seals.

A massive burst of flames arose as Ji Dongcheng’s dozen fourth-level talismans targeted Lu Yao.

Due to Lu Yao's overconfidence, he nearly got knocked off the platform by several fourth-tier seals, leaving him disheveled and angered.

After taking such a significant hit, Lu Yao glowered at Ji Dongcheng.

Lu Yao glared at Ji Dongcheng with a fierce expression.

Just as Lu Yao prepared to teach Ji Dongcheng a lesson, Ji Dongcheng vanished from sight.

Though he won the match, Lu Yao was left shaking with rage.

As Ji Dongcheng retreated, he glanced back at the charred Lu Yao, thinking: This should do. The final payment of eight million should now be mine.

Ji Dongcheng felt a twinge of regret. Lu Yao's attire was likely a five-tier Celestial Silken Robe. If not for that robe absorbing most of the impact, he might have completely thrown Lu Yao off the platform. If Lu Yao was disqualified, then...

Ji Dongcheng shook his head, refusing to let his thoughts wander further.