Chapter 136

Chapter 136: The Ten Million Yuan Stone Deal

"Master, I apologize; I lost," Ji Dongcheng approached with his head bowed, addressing Song He.

Song He looked at Ji Dongcheng with a gleeful smile, saying nonchalantly, "It's alright, Dongcheng. You did your best. Go and rest now."

Ji Dongcheng nodded and took a seat in the stands, a hint of intrigue flashing across Song He's gaze.

Before the match, he had advised Ji Dongcheng to concede. However, Ji Dongcheng's unexpected move caught him off guard.

That young fellow Lu Yao was heavily hit by a dozen level-four charms, and must've been severely injured.

This was perplexing. Just to teach Lu Yao a lesson, Ji Dongcheng spent the equivalent of three to four hundred million yuan stones on a dozen level-four charms?

Song He was well-aware that his disciple, coming from a modest background, had always led a frugal life.

Yet, something was even more mysterious. Ji Dongcheng's soul power was average; he shouldn't have been able to deploy that many charms at once. It seemed he had some special artifact aiding him.

Ji Dongcheng, typically cautious, took such a huge risk. What was he aiming for?

"Senior Ji, you're impressive! Lu Yao was completely outclassed by you."

"That arrogant pretty boy finally got what he deserved."

"How pitiful! He always acts so righteous, but now his true colors are exposed."

"His outfit seems to be a level-five artifact. Otherwise, he might've ended up naked by now."

"What a shame. If it wasn’t for that sturdy outfit, perhaps you, Senior Ji, would’ve been the victor."

As Ji Dongcheng settled into his seat in the stands, several students approached, discussing the match with a mix of sympathy and schadenfreude.

Ji Dongcheng took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart. Those level-four charms drained all his soul and Yuan power. Had he not acted quickly, Lu Yao might've struck back, potentially ending his life.

Ji Dongcheng wryly smiled to himself, thinking of the proverbial risks of pursuing wealth. Without the backing of eight hundred million yuan stones, he might never have challenged Lu Yao, a two-star martial spirit.

With eight hundred million yuan stones, the Ji family could probably rise to prominence swiftly.

...

Ji Dongcheng turned his attention to Mu Chen on the fighting platform.

Mu Chen's strategy mirrored Ji Dongcheng's, bombarding with level-four charms. But while Ji Dongcheng faltered after one attack, Mu Chen persisted.

Mu Chen's soul power and Yuan force far surpassed his peers. Before Zhu Xu could react, Mu Chen's charms inflicted grave injuries. As Zhu Xu tried to recover, Mu Chen struck again and again, finally blasting the heavily injured Zhu Xu off the platform.

Watching Zhu Xu's descent, Mu Chen smiled serenely and said with a hint of arrogance, "I might not have the strongest abilities, but I'm definitely wealthy!"

In the spectators' stand, Xie Danyan looked on in astonishment, wondering, "Just how many charms did Mu Chen use?"

Cheng Wanbai estimated, "At least forty, I'd guess."

"Where on earth did he get so many level-four charms?" Xie Danyan pondered aloud, eyes wide.

Cheng Wanbai gave a wry smile, "Isn't Mu Chen famously rich?"

Xie Danyan frowned, muttering about the audacity of using money to overwhelm opponents. Mu Chen's affluence was certainly enviable.

To waste level-four charms, meant for life-threatening situations, in such a lavish manner...

"Such a spendthrift!" she exclaimed.

"It's a hollow victory," Xie Danyan remarked angrily.

Cheng Wanbai responded with another wry smile, "Does it matter? A win is a win."

A Martial King instructor from Mingyue Academy rushed forward to save Zhu Xu but discovered he had already perished.

"You... You killed him," the Martial King glared menacingly at Mu Chen.

Mu Chen grinned innocently, "I'm sorry, I couldn't control my strength. Zhu Xu's words earlier had me on edge."

"You did it on purpose," Jiang Feilong accused, eyes brimming with rage.

Xiong Wei's presence burst forth, "We agreed before the match: in life and death, fate decides and fortune favours the bold. If one loses their life, it's due to their own lack of strength. Do you intend to break the rules, Jiang Longfei?"

Jiang Longfei's expression shifted several times. Casting one last resentful glance at Mu Chen, he left the platform carrying Zhu Xu's body.

Xiong Wei let out a cold laugh. Before the match, it was Jiang Longfei who boasted the loudest, claiming accidents in fights were unpredictable. Ironically, the first to die was his disciple.

Mu Chen smiled faintly, thinking: It wasn't in vain that he tried so hard to save Xiong Wei. In crucial times, this old man proved to be quite valuable.

Mu Chen's act of killing Zhu Xu was premeditated. Regardless of whether Zhu Xu could defeat him, with Zhu's skills, he'd undoubtedly explore the mysterious realm. If Zhu joined forces with Lu Yao inside, facing two Martial Spirits would be too much for Mu Chen, forcing him to eliminate one preemptively.

Upon seeing Zhu Xu's death, a faint smirk crossed Lian Chengkong's face.

Xiong Wei, elated, watched the scene unfold, "Tsk, my disciple is impressive! In just a few moves, he defeated someone who talked big but was of little skill."

"Hmph, always looking for shortcuts," Kong Sha clenched his fists, his gaze coldly fixed on Mu Chen on the stage.

He'd tasked Zhu Xu with killing Mu Chen. Yet, this fool was so arrogant he got killed by Mu Chen before he could even make his move. Ineffective and a liability.

On the stage, Mu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, a light smile on his lips, exuding an extraordinary aura.

In contrast, Lu Yao was a mess, hair disheveled. Their disparity was clear.

"Using tricks? What's the fuss? Winning is winning, and that proves strength," Xiong Wei retorted dismissively.

Kong Sha's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he stared at Mu Chen on the challenge platform.

The one who previously fought with Lu Yao followed the same strategy as Mu Chen. Were they both directed by the Saint Star Academy's upper echelons, or was Mu Chen the mastermind?

Ye Shi was a formidable opponent, managing to whip his adversary off the platform in no time.

Zhuang Yu won his match quickly as well. His platform was adjacent to Ye Shi's, and Zhuang Yu's opponent was a Nine-Star Martial Artist.

Ye Shi initially doubted Zhuang Yu's chances of winning. However, he soon realized something was off. Zhuang Yu's opponent seemed disoriented, underperforming repeatedly, until, inexplicably, he lost.

Ye Shi observed Zhuang Yu intently, thinking of him as a bewitching presence that seemed to make men lose their senses.

...

The Saint Star Academy secured victories in five matches. The principal, Lian Chengkong, was pleased with the results, knowing that Saint Star wasn't as strong as Mingyue Academy. Achieving a tie was commendable.

While Lian Chengkong was satisfied, Kong Sha was not.

Kong Sha had initially expected Mingyue to win at least seven matches. Little did he know, Zhu Xu would underestimate his opponent and lose his life, and another student would inexplicably lose to an opponent of lesser strength.

As soon as the match ended, Kong Sha left with a dark expression.

In a spacious lounge, the elite students of Mingyue Academy gathered.

"The competitors from the Martial Arts competition were careless. We only secured five spots. For the upcoming Art Techniques competition, everyone better be alert," Kong Sha admonished coldly.

Tong YaoYao frowned. She had assumed that Mingyue's strength would guarantee victories in at least seven or eight matches. Yet, Zhu Xu, second only to Lu Yao in strength, was shockingly defeated in mere moments.

Tong YaoYao discreetly glanced at Lu Yao. Zhuang Yu's opponent, Jin ShiYu, should've had an easy win against an Eight-Star Martial Artist, yet he lost. Suspiciously, Lu Yao had met with Jin ShiYu before the match.

Could it be that, smitten, Lu Yao instructed Jin ShiYu to intentionally lose to impress Zhuang Yu? Tong YaoYao quickly dismissed this unlikely thought.

"In the Art Academy match, anyone who underestimates their opponent and loses will face severe consequences," warned the instructor.

Lost in her thoughts, Tong YaoYao was jolted back to reality by the instructor's voice and hurriedly joined the others in acknowledgment.

"Lu Yao, that Mu Chen is trickier than we imagined. Be on your guard," Kong Sha warned him seriously.

Lu Yao nodded gravely. Recalling Ji Dongcheng, anger bubbled within him. A minor figure he'd overlooked had caused him such embarrassment. Lu Yao was certain someone else was targeting him, possibly Mu Chen.

Regardless, he wouldn't let Ji Dongcheng or Mu Chen off the hook.

...

Zhuang Yu, preoccupied, dismissed congratulatory classmates and retreated to his room.

Before the match, he had confided in Lu Yao about his lack of confidence in winning. He didn't want to lose face, disappoint his master, or appear inferior to Ye Shi.

At the time, Lu Yao reassured him he wouldn't lose. And indeed, he didn't.

Zhuang Yu sighed. His opponent that day hadn't seemed to give his best. It was probably Lu Yao's doing. Gratitude and guilt welled up within him, realizing Lu Yao sacrificed two slots for his sake.

"Zhuang, Lan Ruofeng is here to see you."

Zhuang Yu frowned, replying, "Ask him to leave. I don't want to see him."

Immersed in thoughts of Lu Yao's affection and sacrifice, Zhuang Yu felt increasingly wary of the seemingly scheming Lan Ruofeng.

Lan Ruofeng, hearing Zhuang Yu's victory, had prepared a feast to celebrate and mend their strained relationship. But Zhuang Yu didn't even want to see him.

Lan Ruofeng clenched his fists, with Mu Chen ahead and Lu Yao behind him. When would his time to shine come? It'd be great if these two just took each other out.

Lan Ruofeng gazed upon Zhuang Yu's separate courtyard, a mocking sentiment bubbling up within him.

Perhaps Zhuang Yu had long wished to leave me. But because Mu Chen didn't favor him, he grudgingly stayed. Now, with someone rivaling Mu Chen's status appearing, he eagerly cast me aside.

The more Lan Ruofeng thought about it, the angrier he became.