Chapter 152

Chapter 152

Mu Chen and Ye Shi stood in front of the third formation, discussing and strategizing.

Ye Shi possessed unparalleled talent in array mastery, surpassing even Mu Chen in certain aspects of array techniques.

With Ye Shi identifying the weaknesses and Mu Chen's adept calculations, both constantly exchanged insights and drew upon Ye Shi's array scripture for reference, ensuring rapid progress in their array mastery.

After four days of effort, they finally achieved a significant breakthrough.

"We start from this nexus," Ye Shi pointed at a tangled node on the array, "If this point collapses, the whole array will break apart by itself."

Ye Shi's eyes glowed with confidence, exuding self-assuredness.

Mu Chen gazed at the spirited Ye Shi, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"My calculations concur with yours."

Mu Chen and Ye Shi produced an array of tools to assault the nexus.

"It seems to be loosening," Ye Shi remarked with a hint of excitement.

Mu Chen nodded in agreement, "It feels like we are almost there."

"Do you two need assistance?"

Mu Chen's brow twitched as the shattered array behind them emitted ripples, and Lu Yao and Zhuang Yu entered.

Ye Shi's expression turned icy.

Zhuang Yu glanced at the empty second array chamber and sized up Ye Shi, "I heard you've found quite a few treasures in this chamber, haven't you?"

Irritably, Ye Shi retorted, "So what if I did?"

Zhuang Yu, slightly disgruntled, said, "Why do you always harbor such animosity towards me?"

Ye Shi frowned. Was he expected to be amiable towards someone constantly trying to outdo him?

"That's how I am. If you can't stand it, then leave," Ye Shi coldly responded.

Zhuang Yu sighed and gazed at Ye Shi with an understanding look, "Ye Shi, you can't always treat people like this; you'll make many enemies."

Zhuang Yu's gaze sent shivers down Ye Shi's spine. He silently thought: I don't act this way with others, only with you.

"Ye Shi, I heard you defeated an eight-star martial spirit?" Zhuang Yu asked curiously.

Ye Shi knitted his brows, glanced at Lu Yao, and snapped, "What's it to you?"

"It might be none of my business, but I heard many students aided you during the battle. Yet, afterward, you kept all the spoils for yourself," Zhuang Yu said with an accusatory tone.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Shi glared at Zhuang Yu, "That's right! I took everything. Do you have a problem with that?"

Zhuang Yu frowned, "You're being too domineering, Ye Shi. Those students helped out."

Ye Shi rolled his eyes. He hadn’t even asked those people for a thank you gift for saving their lives. If not for Mu Chen's timely arrival, he might've... perished.

Ye Shi sneered, "You're so righteous and principled, why don't you hand over your treasures to me?"

Zhuang Yu looked at Ye Shi with an exasperated expression, "You're insatiable, Ye Shi. Despite having so much, you still covet mine."

"Get lost! Scum, stay away from me," Ye Shi retorted with disdain.

Zhuang Yu's face turned ashen, while Lu Yao stepped forward, his icy gaze directed at Ye Shi, "Don't overstep your boundaries."

"Go to hell." Ye Shi unleashed several level-four talismans at Lu Yao.

As Ye Shi acted, Lu Yao was reminded of a previous martial contest where Ji Dongcheng attacked him. Despite winning, it was a humiliating victory, and now his gaze towards Ye Shi was filled with killing intent.

Although it appeared that Ye Shi was striking at Lu Yao, the talisman records suddenly shifted in a mysterious trajectory, heading straight for Zhuang Yu.

Zhuang Yu's eyes widened in shock upon seeing the oncoming talisman records.

"Die, just die already." Ye Shi's gaze fixated on Zhuang Yu, his eyes burning with fervor. "Is it finally time for his end?"

Lu Yao quickly stepped in front of Zhuang Yu, blocking the barrage of talisman records. A chilling gleam radiated from him. As a golden light emanated, an overwhelming pressure bore down on Ye Shi.

Ye Shi felt as if an unfathomable presence had locked onto him. Under its weight, he felt as insignificant as an ant, unable to move an inch.

In the nick of time, Mu Chen activated the third formation, pulling Ye Shi into its confines.

"Boom!" Mu Chen moved swiftly, but the golden light was faster. It struck Ye Shi with immense force.

Upon entering the third chamber of the formation, Ye Shi spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Shi, how are you?" Mu Chen asked, staring intently at Ye Shi, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm alright. Quickly seal the formation!" Ye Shi managed to say before coughing up another mouthful of blood.

Hearing this, Mu Chen rapidly cast a series of sealing gestures over the formation, causing it to close swiftly.

Mu Chen's expression was grim. He had watched helplessly as Ye Shi was harmed right before his eyes, a grave oversight on his part.

The strike powered by the golden light seemed equivalent to a blow from a martial emperor. Mu Chen hesitated for a long moment before checking Ye Shi's condition.

Mu Chen reached out to Ye Shi, checking his pulse. Surprisingly, Ye Shi's condition was much better than anticipated. Although grievously injured, he was not in mortal danger.

"You're alright?" Mu Chen exclaimed with eyes widened, relief evident in his voice.

Ye Shi weakly retrieved a golden formation book from his chest, murmuring, "Most of the attack was absorbed by it."

An emperor-level strike has the power to decimate worlds. Even a martial king would perish under such a blow. Fortunately, the majority of the assault was absorbed by the formation book. His attire, woven from fifth-level blood silkworm silk, also played a crucial role in preserving his life.

Mu Chen let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Store the book safely."

Ye Shi nodded, placing the formation book close to his chest.

Leaning against Mu Chen, Ye Shi couldn't help but feel aggrieved. His previous attempts to kill Zhuang Yu were thwarted by different adversaries. What was so special about Zhuang Yu that he always had someone to protect him?

However, touching the book on his chest, Ye Shi acknowledged that his father had, in mysterious ways, saved his life.

"Does it hurt?" Mu Chen asked, concern evident in his gaze.

Ye Shi shook his head. "I'm okay."

Yet, he found comfort in Mu Chen's warm embrace, reluctant to let go.

Mu Chen administered a healing pill to Ye Shi and began channeling energy into him, helping the medicine take effect.

Mu Chen's expression was dark. Originally, both he and Ye Shi were fated to die at Lu Yao's hands. The narrative's influence was profoundly unsettling.

Standing outside the formation, Zhuang Yu inquired, "Has the formation been sealed?"

Lu Yao nodded. "Yes, from the inside."

Zhuang Yu furrowed his brows. Knowing that Ye Shi was critically injured by the golden light, he deduced that Mu Chen must have sealed the formation, implying a certain distrust towards him.

Lu Yao pondered. Rumor had it that Ye Shi once held off Yin Zong for two days using the second formation. This third formation was likely even more impenetrable.

"Can this formation be breached?" Zhuang Yu queried.

Lu Yao shook his head. "Not anytime soon."

Zhuang Yu sighed in disappointment before asking, "Lu Yao, what was that golden light? It seemed extremely potent."

Lu Yao chuckled, "It's a treasure my grandfather left on me."

The token Lu Yao possessed sealed an attack from his grandfather. Typically, it would only activate under dire circumstances. The fact that it had activated now puzzled him.

"I believe that attack was even more formidable than my master's," commented Zhuang Yu.

Lu Yao smirked, "That attack is equivalent to a blow from my grandfather. Your master is of king rank while my grandfather was an emperor. They're hardly comparable."

Lu Yao's demeanor was calm, but a trace of disdain was evident in his eyes.

Zhuang Yu pondered the implications. If an emperor-level strike hit Ye Shi, who was only at a martial spirit level, would he... die?

Ye Shi had always harbored malevolent intentions towards him. Was it finally his end?

If Ye Shi were to perish, what would become of Mu Chen? Without Ye Shi, what would happen between him and Mu Chen? Zhuang Yu bowed her head, a faint blush crossing her cheeks.

Zhuang Yu hesitated before the formation. Lu Yao looked indecisively at the array in front of him. With a forceful assault, he could probably break through in a fortnight. But the life-saving token he had was now useless. Although Ye Shi was injured earlier, Mu Chen remained unharmed.

He has the strength of a two-star martial master, as does Mu Chen. He doesn't have a high chance of defeating Mu Chen.

The total time inside this secret realm is just a month. Would he risk spending so much time for an uncertain future?

Looking at the formation before him, a sudden surge of unease gripped Lu Yao.

"Let's move on," suggested Lu Yao after some thought. Zhuang Yu nodded, casting a reluctant glance at the closed formation, replying, "Alright."

Ye Shi continuously absorbed energy from the Yuan stone to heal his wounds. In three days, he was mostly recovered.

Ye Shi stretched, "I recovered faster than I anticipated."

Mu Chen smiled, "It's probably the effect of the Hundred Body Refining Technique."

The injuries Ye Shi sustained weren't minor but weren't severe either. A regular one-star martial spirit would take at least half a month to recover to Ye Shi's current condition.

Ye Shi nodded, "You have a point." He had spent so much time and used many Yuan stones on that cultivation technique. If it were useless, it would be a huge loss.

"That fair-faced guy didn't attack the formation," Ye Shi commented with some puzzlement.

"He probably deemed it not worth the effort and retreated," Mu Chen speculated.

Ye Shi clenched his fists, muttering, "It's good he retreated. Had he attacked the formation, I would have given him a taste of my power."

Mu Chen gave Ye Shi a resigned look, "Haven't you learned your lesson? If you encounter him, keep your distance and avoid direct confrontations."

Remembering his near-defeat at the hands of Lu Yao, Ye Shi looked somewhat embarrassed.

The fair-faced guy didn't seem that formidable, yet he had an ace up his sleeve. Ye Shi nearly met his downfall unexpectedly.