Chapter 160

Chapter 160

"Today is the last day," Ye Shi said, savoring the dense spiritual essence of the secret realm.

"Our gains have been decent, but it's a shame there wasn't more time," Mu Chen said with a hint of regret.

"Indeed," he mused. Despite the vast expanse of the secret realm, there were still areas he hadn't explored. Those benefits would now be left for future visitors. "I wonder if Master is worried about me," he whispered to himself.

Mu Chen smiled, "He probably is. Jing Chiyang really does care about you."

As for his own master, it was hard to predict. The old fellow was probably more concerned about whether he had enough wine to drink.

Lost in thought, Ye Shi mumbled, "Maybe my master thinks I'm dead by now."

Mu Chen shot Ye Shi a look, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Ye Shi sheepishly stuck out his tongue, smiling awkwardly.

Lowering his gaze, Mu Chen thought to himself; Jing Chiyang would never think Ye Shi is dead, but maybe he believes I am.

Ye Shi counted the jade boxes in his hands, "Including the one we used, we have gathered thirteen millennium spirit herbs."

Zhuang Yu and Lu Yao had harvested eleven millennium spirit herbs. Even though they acquired more than Ye Shi, he wasn't particularly pleased. After all, they had unlocked twenty-six barriers, but only half contained the herbs, while Zhuang Yu and Lu Yao opened twelve, and only one was empty.

"Put them away quickly. Let's not draw attention," Mu Chen advised.

Nodding, Ye Shi replied, "Alright."

"Mu Chen, how can Zhuang Yu be so lucky?" Ye Shi murmured, feeling slightly envious.

After all, he's the protagonist! However, they did get more herbs than Zhuang Yu, proving that luck isn’t everything.

"Luck has its limits," Mu Chen calmly noted.

Ye Shi nodded, agreeing, "You’re right."

With a mischievous tone, Ye Shi said to Mu Chen, "I heard Lu Yao was attacked yesterday! I wonder if he survived."

The old patriarch of the Lu family deeply cared for Lu Yao, providing him with a life-saving talisman and artifact.

Word was that the attacker was powerful, but still unsuccessful.

"He survived but is injured," Mu Chen shared.

The identity of the attacker who emerged yesterday remains unknown, but rumors suggest they possess the strength of at least a five-star martial spirit.

The moment Lu Yao faced danger, Zhuang Yu tearfully blamed Ye Shi, indirectly suggesting that they were the culprits, leading to Ye Shi's furious rebuttal.

Many students could vouch that Mu Chen and Ye Shi were elsewhere when the incident occurred, clearing their names.

Lu Yao's mishap made everyone realize that there might be a hidden expert within the secret realm, causing unease among the participants.

"Mu Chen, any idea who the attacker might be? Could it be another agent sneaked in by the dean?" Ye Shi speculated.

Mu Chen shrugged, "I doubt it." Considering the resources of the Saint Star Academy, producing those twin four-star martial spirits was already a feat. Why would they have another hidden trump card?

"If not the dean, then who? Could it be someone from Ming Yue Academy?" Ye Shi pondered aloud.

Shaking his head, Mu Chen responded, "I'm not sure. Just be cautious."

Ye Shi lowered his gaze, a cold glint in his eyes. "Mu Chen, with Lu Yao injured, should we seize this chance to rob him?"

Mu Chen gazed at Ye Shi, pausing in thought, and said, "Let it be. In a short while, we'll be transported out. Let's not complicate things further."

Ye Shi pouted, a bit deflated.

With a touch of resignation, Mu Chen reached out and pinched Ye Shi's face. "There's always tomorrow, plenty of opportunities await. No need to rush, impatience won't make things come any faster."

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Ye Shi bashfully nestled into Mu Chen's embrace, who wrapped an arm around him.

Inside the cave.

Zhuang Yu asked Lu Yao with concern, "Are you alright?"

Lu Yao shook his head, "I'm fine. Unfortunately, I couldn't catch him. Being almost killed and not even knowing who it was is somewhat humiliating."

"I've spoken to Mu Chen and Ye Shi. It wasn't them. There might be other experts in this realm, but it doesn’t make sense," Zhuang Yu murmured.

Lu Yao squinted, estimating the attacker's strength to be around a six-star martial spirit. Such a presence in the realm was truly unexpected.

Judging by the man's posture, it certainly didn't resemble Mu Chen or Ye Shi.

"That person won't return, will he?" Zhuang Yu asked with deep concern.

"I'm not sure, but if he does, leaving won't be so easy for him this time," said Lu Yao, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

Zhuang Yu, puzzled, asked, "Why?"

Smiling, Lu Yao said, "I've set up a barrier. If he returns, he won't survive."

Zhuang Yu hesitated slightly before asking, "So, the same goes for anyone else who might come?"

Lu Yao nodded, giving Zhuang Yu a profound look, "Yes, it applies to everyone."

Zhuang Yu lowered her gaze, a mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes.

Lu Yao observed her expression, feeling a surge of mixed feelings.

...

The time to close the secret realm was nearing, and Jing Chiyan was waiting just outside.

Jing Chiyang didn’t expect Xiong Wei to arrive, yet he appeared early, seemingly having lost some weight.

Xia Qingyan looked around nervously, her face showing signs of fatigue.

Kong Sha arrived early, as did Lian Cheng Kong. The atmosphere between the two academies was tense.

The teleportation array outside the secret realm emitted golden glows.

Almost simultaneously, all the students inside the secret realm were transported out.

"Ouch!" Ye Shi fell hard from the sky, letting out a cry of pain.

A soft moan emerged from beneath Ye Shi. Realizing he had landed on someone, he quickly scrambled to his feet.

Recognizing the person he had landed on, Ye Shi was taken aback.

Ye Shi frowned, thinking to himself, "Of all people to land on, it had to be Zhuang Yu. What strange fate is this?"

Strangely enough, Zhuang Yu's body felt as if it had no bones – soft and comfortable. No wonder so many men are attracted to him.

Mu Chen, with arms crossed, leaned in and whispered into Ye Shi's ear, "How did it feel to land on Zhuang Yu?"

"Nothing special. It felt hard and uncomfortable," Ye Shi replied, shaking his head hastily.

Seeing the evasive look in Ye Shi's eyes, Mu Chen chuckled, "Really? You seemed rather delighted when you landed."

"I did not!" Ye Shi replied indignantly.

While Mu Chen and Ye Shi bantered, both Kong Sha and Lian Cheng Kong were growing increasingly anxious.

Out of the twenty students from Ming Yue Academy that entered, only six remained. Saint Star Academy started with eighty and twenty-four were left.

Among the six from Ming Yue Academy, Kong Sha quickly noticed Yin Zong was missing.

Lian Cheng Kong initially wasn't too concerned seeing some students, including Cheng Wanbai and Xie Danyan, return. But after scanning the surroundings and not finding Jing Feiyue or Jing Feili, he became anxious.

"Where's Zong'er?" Kong Sha asked, his face turning grim.

Lu Yao approached Kong Sha with a heavy heart, "Master, my senior brother has passed away."

Kong Sha's expression dramatically changed.

Kong Sha had been prepared to confront Saint Star Academy for Yin Zong's actions within the secret realm. He hadn't anticipated Yin Zong's demise there.

"How did this happen? How did he die? How could he?" Kong Sha coldly questioned Lu Yao.

Yin Zong was an eight-star martial spirit; none who entered were her match.

Three and four-star martial artists from Saint Star survived, but Yin Zong did not.

Lu Yao felt a pang of jealousy; it was clear that Kong Sha favored Yin Zong more.

"Senior brother met his end at the hands of Mu Chen and Ye Shi," Lu Yao said with a mournful expression.

Kong Sha lifted his gaze, directing a murderous look at Mu Chen and Ye Shi.

Xiong Wei, overhearing the conversation, quickly moved to shield Mu Chen and Ye Shi from Kong Sha's glare.

Jing Chiyan, a step behind Xiong Wei, shielded Ye Shi.

Kong Sha's eyes met Xiong Wei's, radiating an icy intent to kill.

Xiong Wei met his gaze calmly, fully on guard.

Watching Xiong Wei, Mu Chen felt a newfound respect for his master.

...

Lian Cheng Kong took out a green compass. As soon as it was revealed, a golden glow radiated from Ye Shi's body.

Lian Chengkong stared intently at Ye Shi, his face slightly cold. "How did your senior brother's spatial ring end up on you?"

Mu Chen raised an eyebrow; Lian Chengkong had actually left a mark on Jing Feili's spatial ring.

Bear Wei gazed at the golden glow emanating from Ye Shi, his heart sinking suddenly. He thought to himself: It's not just that Mu Chen and Ye Shi managed to kill those from the Mingyue Academy who were involved in the secret realm plot, but they even eliminated the disciple who was supposed to be in the secret realm, too. These two are quite ruthless.

"Your senior brother was killed by someone, and we killed that person, seizing his spatial ring as spoils of war. Your senior brother's spatial ring was also inside," Ye Shi declared calmly.

Ye Shi looked at the compass in Lian Chengkong's hand, secretly relieved. If Jing Feili's spatial ring had Lian Chengkong's mark on it, Jing Feiyue's certainly would as well. Fortunately, he had discarded that ring, or he would be in big trouble now.

Upon hearing Ye Shi's words, Bear Wei let out a sigh of relief. So that's what happened.

There's a rumor that the dean's disciple, Jing Feili, was a four-star martial spirit and was killed by that eight-star martial spirit from the Mingyue Academy. Yet, Ye Shi and Mu Chen teamed up and managed to take him down. Impressive!

"Feili is dead, but what about Feiyue? Have you seen her?" Lian Chengkong asked anxiously.

Ye Shi blinked, replying, "I wouldn't know."