Chapter 151

Chapter 151

After ruthlessly ordering everyone out, a few students who were being chased left the array room.

"Senior Ming, I wonder what treasures are inside that eight-star martial spirit's space ring. We did contribute after all," Pan Wu, a fourth-tier martial artist, grumbled to Ming Feifei about not receiving anything from Mu Chen.

Pan Wu gritted his teeth with resentment. He initially hoped to find treasures in the secret realm, but on the first day, he encountered the deadly Yin Zong. Most of his life-saving items were consumed, and Pan Wu's initial enthusiasm was nearly extinguished.

Ming Feifei sneered, her eyes cold as she looked at Pan Wu. "It's a good thing you didn't voice such complaints in front of Mu Chen. Otherwise, you'd already be dead. Worse, we all might have been dragged down with you."

Pan Wu paused, looking somber as he asked, "Senior Sister Ming, do you think Muchen will try to kill us?"

Ming Feifei squinted her eyes, her expression calm. "Why not?"

Many students die in the secret realm every year. Some are harmed by the monsters or traps within, but many more are killed by their own kind.

For cultivators, killing for treasures is quite the norm.

Muchen seemed to have murderous intent just now, but he likely restrained himself to maintain a good image in front of Ye Shi.

If Pan Wu had just provoked Mu Chen with those provocative words earlier, Mu Chen might have really acted.

Mu Chen probably wants to kill them. After all, that butcher, not even twenty years old, possesses the strength of an eight-star martial spirit. He's undoubtedly talented and probably favored by Kong Sha. If Kong Sha learns of his death at the hands of Mu Chen and Ye Shi, the two might be in trouble.

Fortunately, Muchen hasn't lost all his humanity and let them go.

Ye Shi deeply cares for Muchen. If Muchen had killed them all, Ye Shi would surely cover for him.

"To have survived is already a stroke of luck. Don't overthink it," Ming Feifei said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Pan Wu's expression shifted. Over ten Saint Star students had previously died at the hands of that butcher, their deaths horrifying. Recalling the deaths of his peers, Pan Wu couldn't help but feel sorrowful.

"Who would've thought Ye Shi has become a fourth-level array master so quickly?" Mi Qing'er murmured as she walked beside Xie Danyan.

Xie Danyan nodded in agreement, "Exactly."

Mu Chen is already extraordinary, and while Ye Shi might be slightly less impressive, he isn't far behind. The two are quite the pair.

"The second stone chamber contains a Night Pearl technique. Ye Shi has been fiddling with the third formation for quite some time with no results. The difficulty of the formation likely corresponds to the value of the treasure inside. The third chamber must contain something even more extraordinary."

Xie Danyan gave a wry smile and said, "Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with us."

"Right! Ye Shi is going to strike it rich now," Mi Qing'er said with admiration in her eyes.

Xie Danyan smirked, "Let's move on. Instead of envying others, we should find our own opportunities."

Mi Qing'er nodded, saying, "Danyan, you're right."

..........

"Was Lan Ruofeng there just now?" Muchen suddenly asked Ye Shi.

Ye Shi nodded, looking slightly guilty. "Yes, but I have nothing to do with him. I didn't intend to save him initially; he just happened to be in the crowd, and somehow, I ended up helping him."

Scratching his head, Ye Shi felt a bit dejected. He had always wanted an opportunity to deal with Lan Ruofeng, but fate had him inadvertently saving the man.

Mu Chen looked down. He could tell that Ye Shi was reluctant about saving Lan Ruofeng. However, due to coincidences or perhaps fate, Lan Ruofeng survived, just as he had been saved multiple times by Ye Shi in the original story.

"This guy is no good," Mu Chen finally said after a moment of silence.

Ye Shi nodded quickly, saying, "You're right. Initially, that creature didn't even notice me. I didn't want to interfere, but then Lan Ruofeng cried out for help, followed by others...” By the end, Ye Shi's voice trailed off in frustration.

"It's not like he was calling for your help. He was after your life," Mu Chen remarked coldly, arms crossed.

Ye Shi nodded in agreement. "Exactly! It was really dangerous back then."

"Alright, let's not dwell on that trash. Just try to stay away from him in the future," Mu Chen advised.

Ye Shi nodded in agreement.

A hint of coldness flashed in Mu Chen's eyes. As Lan Ruofeng left, Mu Chen secretly placed a Chiming Fragrance on him.

This scent, undetectable by humans, serves to attract high-level monsters. Mu Chen was curious to see if Lan Ruofeng's dwindling protagonist aura would save him from this predicament.

"Mu Chen, come take a look at this formation. I've tried various methods, but I can't break it," Ye Shi said, pointing at the formation on the wall.

Mu Chen approached to study the formation upon hearing this.

Ye Shi took out the formation book and dripped blood onto its pages.

"There were too many people earlier. I didn’t dare open the formation book," Ye Shi admitted with a sheepish grin.

Mu Chen frowned slightly, staring at Ye Shi. Gently, he said, "You did right. However, you could've opened the book; just make sure to eliminate anyone who saw it afterward. They are no match for you."

Ye Shi's face shifted, changing the subject, "I've just broken two formations and feel like I've gained some insights. I should be able to read a bit more now."

The formation book in Ye Shi's possession was peculiar; it could only be read bit by bit. Attempting to understand advanced formation techniques forcefully could lead to backlash.

Mu Chen took a moment to appraise Ye Shi before sighing and saying with deep implications, "Shi, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there. Don't be too kind-hearted."

"I understand," Ye Shi replied, forcing himself to stay firm.

"What's inside this stone chamber?" Mu Chen inquired, changing the subject.

Relieved that Mu Chen didn't dwell on the topic of killing, Ye Shi responded, "Twenty-four Night Pearls. Combined, they form a technique." Ye Shi took out one of the Night Pearls from his spatial ring to show it.

Mu Chen nodded, saying, "Impressive. The treasures in the chamber below must be even more valuable."

Ye Shi nodded, "That's what I think as well."

Lan Ruofeng hurriedly maneuvered through the mountains. Although he had escaped from Yin Zong's clutches, he was injured during the pursuit. Previously, to save his life, he had suppressed his injuries, but now they were getting out of control.

"Ruofeng!" A familiar voice called out.

Seeing the two approaching figures, Lan Ruofeng's expression twisted. Zhuang Yu was unexpectedly with Lu Yao, and they seemed to be in harmony, as if perfectly matched.

"Why are you with Lu Yao?" Lan Ruofeng asked Zhuang Yu, unable to contain his reproach.

Monsters allied with Lu Yao had slaughtered many from their Saint Star Academy. Lu Yao even aimed to wipe them all out, yet Zhuang Yu was now by his side.

Zhuang Yu lowered her head, somewhat hesitant, "We just happened to run into each other."

"Young Master Lan, you look rather pitiful," Lu Yao remarked with a hint of schadenfreude.

Lu Yao glanced disdainfully at Lan Ruofeng. Seeing the scorn in Lu Yao's eyes, Lan Ruofeng felt as if his heart had been stabbed. Both Mu Chen and Lu Yao looked down on him, treating him like trash.

Lan Ruofeng's expression darkened for a moment. Zhuang Yu looked him over, concern evident in her voice. "Ruofeng, what happened? Did you encounter a magical beast?"

Lan Ruofeng glanced at Lu Yao, a hint of madness in his eyes. "No magical beast. But I did encounter an Eight-Star Martial Spirit."

"An Eight-Star Martial Spirit? Ruofeng, are you sure you didn’t mistake it for an Eight-Star Martial Master?" Zhuang Yu tilted her head, laughing lightly.

Lan Ruofeng stared at Zhuang Yu's smiling face, his expression contorted for a moment. He was in no mood for her jokes at this time.

"It truly was an Eight-Star Martial Spirit. He's notoriously brutal and practices the Blood Transformation Technique. He's killed many students from our Saint Star Academy, threatening to wipe us all out." The butcher had once vowed to trap every single student of the Saint Star Academy.

Zhuang Yu looked at Lan Ruofeng, blinked, and asked, "Ruofeng, are you delirious? If such a powerful individual exists, how did you escape him?"

"He was defeated by the combined efforts of Mu Chen and Ye Shi," Lan Ruofeng stated, fixing his gaze on Lu Yao.

Upon hearing Lan Ruofeng's words, Lu Yao raised an intrigued eyebrow, maintaining his composed demeanor.

Seeing Lu Yao's unfazed expression, Lan Ruofeng frowned. He had expected Lu Yao to show some surprise upon hearing of the man's death. Yet, Lu Yao appeared completely indifferent.

Lu Yao remained outwardly calm, but a storm brewed within.

Had he died? Deep down, Lu Yao had hoped for the death of his fellow disciple. They were rivals, and their relationship had always been tense.

However, if Yin Zong, who was significantly stronger than him, was defeated by Mu Chen and Ye Shi, then those two might be far more formidable than he had imagined.

Zhuang Yu looked at Lan Ruofeng, her eyes filled with a touch of helplessness.

"Ruofeng, Mu Chen is but a Two-Star Martial Spirit, and Ye Shi just a One-Star. Even if they teamed up against an Eight-Star Martial Spirit, the gap between them is vast."

Zhuang Yu gazed at Lan Ruofeng with a mix of sympathy and pity. Lan Ruofeng couldn't help but give a bitter smile internally. In Zhuang Yu's eyes, he might seem like a delusional madman.

Lu Yao narrowed his eyes at Lan Ruofeng. "You claim Mu Chen and Ye Shi saved you. Where are they now?"

Lan Ruofeng was initially reluctant to engage further with Lu Yao. However, recalling something, he shared, "They're currently at Yun Qing Mountain. They've unlocked a treasure trove of a formation master and gained many benefits, including a set of techniques involving twenty-four Nightlight Pearls—truly invaluable."

"The butcher's spatial ring also ended up in their hands. Even if they do nothing from now on, their gains would be substantial."

"When we left, they seemed to be attempting to unlock the third layer of the formation treasury. If they succeed, who knows what incredible treasures they might acquire?"

Zhuang Yu listened with astonishment evident on her face, while a hint of jealousy appeared on Lan Ruofeng's.

Lu Yao narrowed his eyes. Initially, Lan Ruofeng seemed to disregard him, but now, he was spilling everything. Was Lan Ruofeng trying to pit them against each other?

Yin Zong's spatial ring ended up with Mu Chen? Apart from other items, he had obtained the Blood Transformation Technique from the legacy of the demonic skeleton master. If that technique were lost, it'd be a problem.