Chapter 149

Chapter 149.

Ye Shi blinked. It seemed laughable that Lan Ruofeng was calling him for help, but it wasn't a joke—it was the truth.

Watching the disheveled, dog-beaten appearance of the pursued Lan Ruofeng, Ye Shi felt a strange pang in his heart. But there was no time for distractions.

Upon Lan Ruofeng's shout, Yin Zong quickly noticed Ye Shi's presence.

Ye Shi frowned, recalling Mu Chen's words: "Even if you see a Shengxing student being pursued, don't meddle."

Initially, Ye Shi thought such a scenario unlikely, but now it was unfolding right before his eyes.

Yin Zong eyed Ye Shi with a hint of excitement.

The already exhausted students, as if grasping a lifeline, swiftly gathered around Ye Shi.

"Shengxing Academy sent over a bunch of ants. Killing them gives no sense of accomplishment. Such a disappointment," Yin Zong remarked with disdain.

A few Shengxing students turned red with anger, shaking in fury, but no one dared to retort.

Yin Zong smirked at Ye Shi, "You look a bit stronger than them. But not by much. What a shame you look so average. Otherwise, we could've had some fun. I've heard you're quite wealthy. Perfect timing, as I'm a bit strapped for cash."

Face reddening, Ye Shi lashed out with his whip.

Dodging, Yin Zong playfully teased, "Upset because I'm not interested? Or just embarrassed?"

Ye Shi gritted his teeth, "Go to hell!"

Ye Shi struck again with his whip, but Yin Zong merely laughed. "Don't be hasty. I'll deal with them first, then take care of you. Even if you're not my type, the fact that Mu Chen fancies you piques my interest."

Ye Shi was livid, but Yin Zong nonchalantly brushed him off and targeted a female student from Shengxing Academy with his sword.

Ye Shi quickly moved in front of her, blocking the attack.

Yin Zong chuckled, "Trying to play the hero? It's not as easy as you think."

Ignoring Yin Zong's jibe, Ye Shi lashed out once more.

"Using the same move again? Don't you get tired of it?"

Before Yin Zong could finish, Ye Shi unleashed a dozen fourth-tier seals. To ensure Ye Shi's safety, Mu Chen had loaded his ring with hundreds of them. Ye Shi hadn't expected to use them on his very first day in the secret realm.

The whip was just a feint, and Yin Zong fell right into Ye Shi's trap.

Underestimating his opponent, Yin Zong was hit squarely by the seals, spitting out blood. The only reason Lu Yao could withstand Ji Dongcheng's attack was because he wore a fifth-tier protective armor. Arrogant Yin Zong wore none.

With a vicious expression, Yin Zong grabbed a student. To Ye Shi's horror, the student turned into a withered husk in Yin Zong's grip.

"Blood Transformation Technique."

Watching this, dread spread across the faces of the gathered students.

"Go to the stone chamber over there. I'll hold him off," Ye Shi shouted.

The "Blood Transmutation Technique" is a forbidden art. Through this art, one can heal injuries by absorbing the vitality from the living. Due to its grievous nature against natural order, it's said to have been destroyed.

Ye Shi initially feared Yin Zong's power and intended to flee at the first opportunity. However, learning that Yin Zong practiced the Blood Transmutation Technique made him reconsider; if the students became sources of energy for Yin Zong, he would become even more formidable.

Upon hearing Ye Shi's words, the students hurriedly moved towards the stone chamber.

After Ye Shi had disrupted the protective formation outside the stone chamber, it hadn't fully reset, allowing a few students to easily enter.

"It's a sealed chamber! Why did Senior Brother Ye Shi bring us here? There's no way out!"

"Brother Ye Shi, did you perhaps guide us the wrong way?"

"There's a formation on this stone wall. We can only proceed to the next stage after breaking it, but it seems so complex to unravel!"

"Oh heavens, what are we going to do? We could all die!"

Lan Ruofeng paled, biting his lips nervously. While many students questioned Ye Shi's decision amidst the fear induced by Yin Zong's pursuit, none seemed resolute enough to leave the stone chamber.

"Whoosh!" Ye Shi suddenly appeared within the chamber.

He detonated a level-four artifact, over ten level-four talismans, and three Thunder Pearls, barely holding off Yin Zong. Yet, this wouldn't detain him for long.

Several students, upon seeing Ye Shi, looked upon him as if he were their savior.

Without acknowledging the crowd, Ye Shi swiftly retrieved a formation disk.

Inhaling deeply, Ye Shi watched as intricate symbols flowed from the door's formation into the disk.

The previously disrupted formation quickly began to mend itself.

Ye Shi channeled a series of techniques towards the door's formation, hastening its recovery.

The students of Holy Star Academy watched Ye Shi's series of moves, utterly dazzled.

Just as Ye Shi finished repairing the formation, sounds of violent disruptions echoed from beyond the stone wall.

Ye Shi withdrew materials from his spatial ring, attempting to reinforce the formation as best he could.

The incessant sounds of impacts made the students' hearts race.

"Senior Brother Ye, will this formation hold?" Xie Danyan nervously inquired.

Xie Danyan's luck was certainly poor, encountering a dangerous figure like Yin Zong on the very first day.

Ye Shi frowned, replying, "It might hold for about the duration of an incense stick burning."

Xie Danyan's face turned grim, looking at Ye Shi with a mix of shock and dismay.

Ignoring Xie Danyan, Ye Shi approached the second formation within the chamber.

Ye Shi had previously studied this formation and was well-acquainted with its intricacies.

Retrieving a dozen formation flags, he arranged them into a unique pattern. The flags emitted a yellow light and once merged with the formation, created a temporary breach.

"Quickly, go through!" Ye Shi ordered.

Seeing this, the students immediately entered the formation.

Ye Shi was the last to enter the second stone chamber.

Once inside, he promptly collected the formation flags.

As soon as the flags were retrieved, the second formation began to reseal itself, slightly calming the apprehensive students.

"Junior Brother Ye Shi, you're truly remarkable! I've heard that in the previous batch, a two-star Martial Spirit and several Martial Masters bombarded this second formation for seven days to no avail and eventually gave up," Ming Feifei remarked.

Ming Feifei's words instilled some confidence; if a group that powerful couldn't break the formation, it was indeed formidable.

Ye Shi simply shrugged, replying, "It's nothing special."

All formations can be forcefully broken with brute strength, but that approach is exhausting. Pinpointing weaknesses makes the task significantly easier.

The formation book in Ye Shi's possession was extraordinary. Complex formations that perplexed formation masters of the Xuanfeng Empire seemed rudimentary to him.

The deeper he delved into formations, the more Ye Shi realized the profoundness of his own book.

This made him even more curious about his father's origins.

After fully repairing the second formation, Ye Shi took a moment to survey the chamber. While empty, the walls were adorned with twenty-four luminous pearls, each containing a breathtakingly beautiful dancing maiden.

The group of students had long noticed the luminous pearl in the stone chamber. Although they all coveted it, no one dared to take it.

Ye Shi sneered, murmuring, "Such a beautiful luminous pearl, but it's more show than substance. However, women tend to like such pretty things. These twenty-four pearls could fetch a good price at an auction."

Walking beside Ye Shi, Xie Danyan explained, "Ye Shi, these pearls aren’t just for show. The figures inside, though appearing to dance, are actually demonstrating martial techniques."

Ye Shi closely examined one of the pearls and indeed found it to be true.

He took all the luminous pearls from the wall and stored them in his spatial ring.

Lan Ruofeng, looking at the luminous pearl in Ye Shi’s hand, showed envy but chose not to comment, adhering to the principle of "to the finder belongs the spoil."

With the luminous pearls removed, the room darkened significantly. Some students spontaneously produced luminous stones for illumination. As Ye Shi was storing the pearls, a loud bang echoed once again.

Xie Danyan's face paled again, remarking, "It seems the first formation has been breached." Ye Shi's estimation was spot on; it was roughly the time it took to burn an incense stick.

"Ye, how long can this formation last?" A student asked.

"Two days," Ye Shi replied indifferently.

If the formation hadn’t been previously damaged, even relentless bombardment by Yin Zong for weeks would prove ineffective. But now, even repaired by Ye Shi, its cracks had weakened it considerably.

"Two days?" Xie Danyan's face paled further.

Ye Shi contemplated the continually bombarded stone wall, narrowing his eyes.

By the entrance, Ye Shi set up three Thunder Pearls, several fourth-level talismans, and another formation. If Yin Zong broke the second formation and carelessly stepped into Ye Shi's trap, the Thunder Pearls and talismans would instantly activate, severely injuring him if not worse.

Gazing at his handiwork, Ye Shi smiled smugly.

Seeing Ye Shi's confident grin, Lan Ruofeng felt an unexpected allure emanating from him.

As Ye Shi regained his composure, he realized Lan Ruofeng's presence.

Ye Shi had always sought an opportunity to eliminate Lan Ruofeng. Unexpectedly, fate had him saving Lan instead.

Observing Lan Ruofeng's defeated demeanor, Ye Shi felt a sudden sense of disappointment.

Reflecting on the situation, Ye Shi recognized that Yin Zong, an eight-star martial spirit, was far superior. Lan Ruofeng's plea under such circumstances seemed to be a trap, intensifying Ye Shi's resentment towards him.

Xie Danyan stood far from Lan Ruofeng. Earlier, during their escape, Lan had tripped her, nearly causing her death.

The thought of once being enamored with such a hypocrite made Xie Danyan shiver in disgust.

Outside the formation, Yin Zong furiously attacked. The formation stood firm, reminiscent of a turtle's resilient shell. Despite wanting to abandon his efforts, pride prevented Yin Zong from doing so.

Frustrated, Yin Zong glared at the formation barrier, yearning to see through to the other side.

He patiently waited for the moment he could break the shield, vowing to annihilate everyone inside.