Chapter 162

Chapter 162

"Master, with five billion, the item you desire might be out of reach," Mu Chen mused, crossing his arms.

Xiong Wei nodded in agreement. "Indeed, five billion can't buy it." Cold Ice Jade Marrow, priced at three billion, could fetch over ten billion at auction. It's a sure bet.

"Don't we have you?" Xiong Wei said, his eyes gleaming as he looked intently at Mu Chen. "Apprentice, can you lend me some?"

This disciple of his was quite adept at making money. Everyone at the Saint Star Academy knew that Mu Chen was wealthy.

Ye Shi quickly stepped in front of Mu Chen, saying anxiously, "No way! Mu Chen doesn't have any money. Besides, he has a family to support."

Xiong Wei gave Ye Shi an exasperated roll of his eyes. This guy Ye Shi was quite the penny-pincher!

Mu Chen gave a slight smile and said, "Master, most of my spirit stones have already been spent."

Mu Chen was speaking the truth. Before entering the secret realm, he had mostly spent his spirit stones on materials to craft runes. The materials for fourth-tier runes were expensive. The reward he paid to Ji Dongcheng also took a hefty sum.

He didn't have many spirit stones left, but he did possess over a dozen elixirs, all crafted from millennium spirit herbs found within the secret realm. He had over thirty such pills. Selling them could easily fetch a billion, but those elixirs were meant for consumption.

Xiong Wei glanced at Ye Shi and Mu Chen, grumbling, "I was just joking. I knew better than to rely on you two."

"There are three months left before the auction. We should head to Tianxin City early. Just outside the city lies the Beast Forest. I'll hunt some King-tier beasts to make up for it," said Xiong Wei nonchalantly, hands behind his back.

Mu Chen narrowed his eyes. A good-quality King-tier beast's corpse could be sold for fifty or sixty million without a hitch.

By this calculation, one move from Xiong Wei was equivalent to months of his hard work. Strength truly mattered. With strength, one could earn spirit stones faster.

Ye Shi brightened up. "You're going to hunt King-tier beasts? That's great! Elder, with your size, you could use some exercise."

Xiong Wei thought, "Is Ye Shi suggesting I'm fat? This meddlesome kid! He should just mind his own business and make sure Mu Chen doesn't get fat."

Ye Shi thought gleefully that, after practicing the 'Hundred Tempering Body Method' to this point, he needed the blood of King-tier beasts. The blood was pricey and hard to buy. How would he get it?

Just as he was pondering this, a solution presented itself with Xiong Wei's intention to hunt beasts. He could conveniently get some beast blood.

Xiong Wei, observing Ye Shi's expression, frowned and questioned, "Little Stone, what are you plotting?"

Ye Shi shook his head, replying, "Nothing at all! I'm an upright person."

Xiong Wei glared coldly at Ye Shi, commenting, "With your sneaky expression, I bet you're scheming against me."

Ye Shi responded indifferently, "Elder, there's something wrong with your perception. How could I look sneaky?"

"You two haven't really hunted beasts, have you? It's a good opportunity to accompany me and get some experience, so you don't wet your pants in fear when you encounter a beast," Xiong Wei proclaimed confidently.

"Elder, you're underestimating us," Ye Shi protested. "When we're with you and encounter formidable beasts, we can back you up. Maybe, in dire situations, we might even save your life."

Xiong Wei laughed dismissively, "If I have to rely on you two for my life, I'd probably be in grave danger."

Ye Shi glared at Xiong Wei, saying, "Elder, you shouldn't look down on others like this!"

Mu Chen lowered his head, thinking it was indeed beneficial to have Xiong Wei guide them in combat. With such a master by their side, they could fight freely without worrying about safety.

...

Mu Chen went to bid farewell to Xia Qingyan. She didn't hold him back and gave him some insights on inscriptions, reminding him to study them well.

Mu Chen and Ye Shi boarded Xiong Wei's flying boat, embarking on their journey to Tianxin City.

"Elder, this flying boat of yours is quite slow. It's like an old-fashioned car," Ye Shi remarked after finishing his day's cultivation and stretching.

Xiong Wei, lounging on a rocking chair, responded with a roll of his eyes, "Be grateful you have a ride. Don't underestimate this boat. It's a fifth-tier flying boat, worth twenty million."

Ye Shi sighed. Xiong Wei was always looking for bargains. The boat was indeed fifth-tier, but its age and wear had reduced its value. Many parts were defective. It was almost scrapped before Xiong Wei bought and refurbished it.

The boat had patches everywhere, looking quite shabby.

If not for Mu Chen's repairs during their idle time, the boat would have been even slower.

"Elder, for a royal-tier expert like you, this old boat does a disservice to your stature," Ye Shi murmured.

"This is the demeanor of a sage. True sages are understated, something you wouldn't understand," Xiong Wei replied with pride.

Ye Shi rolled his eyes. To him, Xiong Wei was just a broke fellow who wasn't doing well.

"Elder, there's another flying boat approaching," said Ye Shi, looking out and speaking out of sheer boredom.

Xiong Wei took a sip of his wine, replying nonchalantly, "Let them approach. What's the rush? Are they racing to reincarnate?"

"Such a beautiful flying boat! Elder, compared to that, ours looks like a beggar's," Ye Shi muttered.

"What's the use of a pretty boat? It'll just attract bandits. They're prime targets," Xiong Wei retorted sarcastically.

"The 'Lian Yan' flying boat is so beautiful!"

"Thud." Xiong Wei suddenly rolled off his chair onto the floor.

Ye Shi looked at the astonished Xiong Wei, a glint of surprise in his eyes. "Elder, what's the matter with you?"

"What did you just say? The ship's name is Lian Yan?" Xiong Wei said in a panic.

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "Yes! That's what's written on the ship."

"We need to leave, now." Xiong Wei's face turned pale, as if facing a great enemy.

Ye Shi blinked in confusion, "Leave? Where to?"

"Anywhere, as long as we avoid that ship," Xiong Wei replied.

Ye Shi, still puzzled, asked, "Why should we avoid that ship?"

Xiong Wei glared at Ye Shi impatiently, "Just stay away from it! Why are you asking so many questions?"

Ye Shi puffed his cheeks, saying, "We can't outrun them. Our ship is so slow. Yours is, anyway."

Xiong Wei sighed, "...It's not like I can afford a better one."

"Senior, are you scared?" Ye Shi looked at Xiong Wei, seeking clarity.

Xiong Wei, slightly irritated, said, "Scared? Why would I be?"

"Why you're scared, how would I know? I can't read your mind," Ye Shi mumbled innocently.

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes, thinking: It's a wonder Master Jing Chi Yan hasn't been driven mad by such an annoying disciple.

...

"Oh! A beauty is coming out from their ship, elder. She's stunning," Ye Shi whispered.

Xiong Wei quickly ducked, hiding in a corner.

Ye Shi watched Xiong Wei's sneaky actions with suspicion.

"Elder, she's looking in our direction. Want a peek?" Ye Shi teased.

"Shut up, Ye Shi!" Xiong Wei snapped.

Ye Shi shot Xiong Wei an unhappy glance, wondering why he was being told to be quiet.

Leaning against the ship's rail, Ye Shi observed the woman on the Lian Yan.

Dressed in red, she looked enchantingly seductive, yet beneath that allure, she emitted a formidable aura, incredibly captivating.

"Their ship is coming towards us," Ye Shi turned to find Xiong Wei gone.

Ye Shi frowned in confusion, "Has Xiong Wei... run away?"

The two ships sailed side by side, very close to each other.

"Young man, you're quite handsome!" Ji Feiyan teased, smiling slyly at Ye Shi.

"Thank you for the compliment, elder," Ye Shi replied, blushing.

Although she was a bewitching woman, Ji Feiyan's aura was overwhelming, even stronger than his master's, making Ye Shi feel pressured.

"You must be Xiong Wei's disciple, Mu Chen," Ji Feiyan said.

Shaking his head, Ye Shi answered, "No, I'm Ye Shi."

Ji Feiyan nodded, "Oh, I see."

Mu Chen stepped out from the cabin, and Ye Shi pointed, saying, "This is Mu Chen."

Ji Feiyan, narrowing her eyes, sized up Mu Chen, "Impressive. You look so much younger than your master."

Mu Chen: "..."

"Where's your master?" Ji Feiyan inquired.

"He's hiding," Ye Shi answered, blinking innocently.

Ji Feiyan chuckled, "Hiding, is he? I heard he advanced to become a Martial Emperor. Why has his courage diminished with increased power? Back in the day, even when he was weaker than me, he dared to peek while I was bathing."

Ye Shi: "..."

Mu Chen: "..."

Ye Shi eyed Ji Fei Yan, thinking: Xiong Wei sure has good taste! Such a beautiful woman!

Ji Feiyan crossed her arms, thoughtfully observing both Mu Chen and Ye Shi.

"Impressive, very impressive. At such a young age, already a four-star martial spirit. Your potential is limitless!" Ji Feiyan said with a faint smile.

"You honor us with your words," Mu Chen replied respectfully.

"I've heard that Yin Zong met his end at your hands. Quite accomplished for your age," Ji Feiyan remarked.

Mu Chen frowned, thinking: She's from the Fran Empire. Is she here for trouble?

"Don't worry. Yin Zong killed a promising junior of the Ji family. His death by your hands pleases me," Ji Feiyan chuckled.

Hearing this, Ye Shi felt a growing fondness for Ji Feiyan. "We were just fortunate to have defeated him. Elder, are you here to see Xiong Wei?"

Ji Feiyan nodded, "Indeed. I've traveled a long way to see him, but he seems reluctant to meet me."

Ye Shi spoke with evident frustration, "Elder Xiong, this really isn't right of you."

"Tell me about it," Ji Feiyan remarked with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"Xiong Wei, come out! I've seen you; stop hiding," Ji Feiyan called out.

"Elder Xiong Wei has hidden himself inside the cabin," Ye Shi informed.

Ji Feiyan tilted his head, smirking devilishly, "Hiding, is he? Growing ever shy, it seems. Honestly, at his age and still blushing!"

With a swift leap, Ji Feiyan landed on the boat where Mu Chen and others were.