Chapter 156

"Chapter 156: Seeing Through"

Several instructors from Mingyue Academy gathered, engaging in casual conversation.

"It's unexpected that the Dean secretly brought Yin Zong along," one of them remarked.

"Yin Zong's strength has astonishingly reached the eight-star martial spirit level. It's impressive! Given his talent, he might advance to a martial king in just a couple of years."

"Back in the day, Yin Zong's enrollment was truly a sensation. Had it not been for his inadvertent killing back then... he wouldn't have been sidelined by the principal for so many years."

"Students from Shengxing Academy are too arrogant. Their best student might not even withstand a single move from Yin Zong," said Zhu Xu's instructor with a gloomy face, as Zhu Xu, his star student, was defeated by Mu Chen.

"Exactly. Just by looking at Mu Chen's delicate face, one can tell he's not battle-hardened. He's merely opportunistic."

"It's been days. Muchen might've already been killed by Yin Zong."

"The tutors of Mingyue Academy exchanged glances. They all knew about Yin Zong's temperament. He didn't even spare students from his own academy, let alone those from Shengxing."

"If Mu Chen truly died, it would be a waste," a female instructor sighed.

"It's indeed a pity. But keeping Mu Chen alive poses a great threat to Mingyue Academy."

"If only Mu Chen belonged to our academy."

"Enough. Those who are dead, are dead. What's the point of discussing a dead person? Given Yin Zong's nature, he would never let Muchen off the hook." The tutor of Zhu Xu remarked coldly, still holding a grudge over Zhu Xu's death at Muchen's hands.

The instructors looked at each other with odd expressions.

"Surely Yin Zong hasn't killed all the students from Shengxing?"

"It's very likely."

"If many Shengxing students died, I hope they won't retaliate out of desperation."

"What's there to fear? They're no match for us."

"If anything, it's the Shengxing folks who are to blame for being so ostentatious," said another instructor coldly.

"That's true."

The strength of Mingyue Academy clearly surpassed Shengxing's. However, the previous competition between the two academies resulted in a draw, leaving the instructors of Mingyue with suppressed frustration.

…………

At Shengxing Academy, several heads of departments convened.

"Those shameless guys from Mingyue Academy sent an eight-star martial spirit into the secret realm. We're in big trouble," Lu Han couldn't help but say.

"I hope nothing happens to Muchen. It'd be a tragedy if he dies in there. Such a waste of talent," Song Cheng lamented with a grim expression.

"Hmph, watch your mouth, or I'll tear you apart," Xia Qingyan scolded with a dark expression.

Song Cheng quickly tried to placate her, "I was just spouting nonsense. Mu Chen is under heaven's protection; nothing will happen to him."

Xia Qingyan glared fiercely at Song Cheng.

Hao Tu awkwardly rubbed his nose, swallowing the words he was about to say. He had wanted to lament about Muchen's unfortunate fate too.

"In previous years, about one-third of the people survived the secret realm. This year, it's hard to say."

Lei Cheng gave an awkward smile and said, "Let's not be too pessimistic. It seems that the dean sent four four-star martial artists in there!"

Xia Qingyan gave a bitter smile and remarked, "The two of them would be lucky just to protect themselves."

Xia Qingyan wasn't very optimistic about the dean's two disciples. Although they were talented, they lacked experience. And the one from the Mingyue Academy was an eight-star martial artist. The gap was simply too large.

"The situation inside is uncertain. Even if Mingyue Academy sends in an eight-star martial spirit, who knows what could happen? Perhaps he'll be devoured by a beast immediately upon entering," Yan Wu said with a confident smile.

Xia Qingyan narrowed her eyes, a hint of comfort showing, "It's possible. If it's true, then that's good. Even if the chances are slim, it's still a possibility."

"Alright, everyone, don't get intimidated by the eight-star martial spirit. For all we know, he could be all show and no substance. Let Muchen and Yeshi deal with him. They might just take him down," Di Han said with a chuckle, trying to reassure the group.

Xia Qingyan shot Di Han an annoyed look. Realizing his comment might've been off the mark, he lowered his head in embarrassment.

"..."

"The Secret Realm."

"Bad news travels fast. Although there were few people inside the secret realm, the news of Lan Ruofeng's death reached Zhuang Yu quickly."

"Lan Ruofeng is dead?" Zhuang Yu murmured, feeling a sense of loss.

Lan Ruofeng was Zhuang Yu's first lover. Despite his recent behavior, Zhuang Yu still held special feelings for him.

"Ruofeng was too careless," Zhuang Yu sighed.

"I think it wasn't carelessness. He was set up," Lu Yao posited.

Zhuang Yu looked at him in confusion, "Set up?"

Lu Yao nodded, "Yes, I've seen that Flower Shadow Fox Snake before. It had just fed on a Level 4 Speedy Antelope. So theoretically, it shouldn't have been interested in Lan Ruofeng."

"Then why did it happen?" Zhuang Yu wondered.

Lu Yao shrugged, "Someone might have drugged him, making him attractive to the snake."

Zhuang Yu blinked, a spark of realization flashing across her mind, exasperatedly exclaimed, "It must be Yeshi! He's always despised Lan Ruofeng. I never expected him to be so ruthless, even to a fellow student."

Lu Yao paused, internally rolling his eyes. It wasn't Yeshi; it was Muchen who probably had a longstanding grudge against Lan Ruofeng. The secret realm was the perfect opportunity.

"Inside the Secret Realm."

"Muchen, Lan Ruofeng is dead," Yeshi said excitedly, clinging to Muchen's arm.

Muchen nodded, "Indeed."

"They say he was devoured by a Flower Shadow Fox Snake. There's nothing left of him, such a pitiable end," Yeshi remarked with mixed feelings.

"What a pity," Muchen replied with a smile.

Yeshi continued, "That snake was at Level 4's peak, equivalent to a nine-star martial spirit. It shouldn't have been interested in a six-star martial artist like Lan Ruofeng. I wonder why it chose him."

"Maybe it was just hungry. Desperation can drive one to do anything," Muchen suggested nonchalantly.

Yeshi shrugged, "I think his bad karma caught up with him. Out of everyone, it chose him."

Muchen nodded, "Exactly."

"Self-inflicted miseries can be fatal," Yeshi lamented.

"Muchen," a soft voice called out from behind Muchen and Yeshi.

Yeshi turned around to see a woman of exquisite beauty.

"Who are you?" he demanded, stepping protectively in front of Muchen.

Jing Feiyue stared coldly at Muchen and Yeshi, questioning, "I heard the person from the Mingyue Academy was killed by the two of you. Where's his spatial ring?"

"Right here," Yeshi responded, lifting his hand.

"Give it to me!" Jing Feiyue said coldly.

"No, it's my trophy," Yeshi replied dismissively.

Jing Feiyue glared at Yeshi, warning, "If you're wise, you'll hand over the spatial ring. Otherwise... you'll regret it."

Jing Feiyue and Jing Feili were always nurtured as Liancheng's secret talents. To them, the so-called "prodigies" in the academy were a joke. However, Muchen and Yeshi from this batch couldn't be ignored by the siblings.

Watching Muchen and Yeshi's growing fame while she and her brother remained obscure deeply upset Jing Feiyue. After hearing of her brother Jing Feili's death, she was on the brink of collapse.

The Blood Silk Armor Yeshi wore was initially intended for her brother by the dean. But it was forcibly taken by Jing Chiyang. If her brother had had the armor, perhaps he wouldn't have been killed. Jing Feiyue looked at Yeshi with a hint of murderous intent.

Yeshi looked at Jing Feiyue disdainfully, remarking, "Little girl, what can you possibly do to us?"

Jing Feiyue cast a cold glance at the two of them, particularly put off by Yeshi's careless demeanor.

"It was you who killed Lan Ruofeng, wasn't it?" Jing Feiyue scoffed.

"He was unlucky and got eaten by a beast. Is that our fault?" Yeshi replied sarcastically, hands on his hips.

Jing Feiyue gave a chilly laugh, "Perhaps it has nothing to do with you, but it certainly involves the Muchen beside you."

Yeshi frowned, annoyed, "What nonsense are you spouting? What does Lan Ruofeng's death have to do with Muchen?"

A white rat scurried onto Jing Feiyue's shoulder. She petted its head, "You might deceive others, but not my little white rat. Lan Ruofeng had a beast-attracting scent on him. Without it, the beasts wouldn't have attacked him."

Yeshi's expression shifted, and he couldn't help but glance at Muchen.

"Even if Lan Ruofeng had some scent on him, it doesn't necessarily mean Muchen was involved! Lan Ruofeng offended many. There were plenty who wanted him dead," Yeshi retorted.

"The beast-attracting scent is a rare commodity. Ordinary people can't obtain it. Only someone as affluent as Muchen, with plenty of sycophants around, could easily acquire it," Jing Feiyue remarked sarcastically while observing Muchen.

[Unnamed character] looked down, wondering if Lan Ruofeng was truly harmed by Muchen.

Ye Shi suddenly recalled the moment Lan Ruofeng left the formation chamber. Mu Chen seemed to have flicked his sleeve, a seemingly ordinary gesture, yet it was crystal clear in Ye Shi's mind at this moment.

"There are plenty of rich people in Shengxing. It's not just Muchen who could afford it," Yeshi countered dismissively.

Jing Feiyue smiled, "That remains to be seen."

Yeshi stared at Jing Feiyue, demanding, "What do you want?"

"Give me Yin Zong's spatial ring," Jing Feiyue ordered gravely.

Yeshi scoffed, "No."

Killing Yin Zong had taken all of Yeshi's strength. In doing so, he had almost exhausted his fourth-level runes. Those runes cost a significant amount.

"If you don't, then await death. Murdering a fellow student is a capital offense," Jing Feiyue said with a chilling gaze.