Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Making Things Difficult

Ye Shi, filled with excitement, clutched Mu Chen's hand so tightly that Mu Chen felt a pang of pain.

"Did we break even?" Ye Shi asked eagerly.

Mu Chen smiled and replied, "Indeed! We broke even."

Although the previous ten or so stones were ruined, unearthing such a magical tool was a profit. The luminosity emitted by this hammer rivaled even a sixth-level magical instrument.

"Fantastic, I've broken even," Ye Shi said, elated.

"Not just breaking even, we've made quite a profit. I've always told you, Shi, you have a good eye," Mu Chen remarked with a subtle smile.

Clenching his fists, Ye Shi thought: Whatever Zhuang Yu can do, can do as well.

Ye Shi, eyes shining brightly, reached out to touch the hammer on the ground.

"Ah!" Ye Shi's face turned red with strain. He couldn't lift it! The weight was too much for him.

Mu Chen observed Ye Shi and frowned, asking, "Are you alright?"

Shaking his head, Ye Shi replied, "I'm fine." But how would he manage to lift such a valuable find that was so heavy?

Mu Chen tried to lift the hammer, but to no avail. He frowned, thinking, "What in the world is this? Why is it so heavy?"

"Gentlemen, if you cannot lift it, why not sell this stone hammer to our Betting Stone Pavilion? I assure you a fair deal – fifty million. How does that sound?" A middle-aged man in ornate clothing stepped forward.

Ye Shi shook his head and replied, "That won't do."

Fifty million for a weapon he couldn't even lift? They must be dreaming. Had they never seen a Yuan stone? Such a heavy hammer must be worth at least half a billion.

Ye Shi may not be well-versed, but he knew the item he held was worth far more than fifty million.

Grade-six refining materials are rare in this world, and grade-six refiners are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. For a martial emperor to find a suitable weapon is no easy task. He wasn't sure of the grade of his instrument, but it surely rivals a grade-six artifact. Thinking of buying it for fifty million? Does he take him for a fool?

The middle-aged man looked at Ye Shi, frowning slightly, and said earnestly, "Young man, fifty million is not a small amount. Greed will only lead to one's downfall. One must know when to stop and be content."

Mu Chen clenched his fists, glaring at the middle-aged man. A hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes. Was this man trying to force a sale?

Ye Shi furrowed his brow. The man's tone was calm, but it carried an eerily sinister undertone that was unsettling.

"Fifty million is way too little. It wouldn't even fill the gaps between my teeth," Ye Shi muttered discontentedly.

A silent, oppressive aura began to emanate from the middle-aged man.

Sensing the spiritual pressure from the man, Ye Shi exclaimed furiously, "What are you trying to do? Bully me?"

Mu Chen frowned. This man was a martial emperor, and dealing with someone stronger was always a hassle.

The middle-aged man smiled, suppressing his aura, and said dismissively, "If you don't wish to sell, take your hammer and leave."

Mu Chen could clearly sense the underlying threat in the man's words.

They might not act in the pavilion, but outside, they'd be unrestrained.

Mu Chen noticed that not just the owner, but many eyes were fixated on them, many filled with greed.

Mu Chen tried to store the hammer in his spatial ring, but to no avail.

Onlookers whispered amongst themselves at his failed attempt.

"It must be an ancient artifact. Many ancient weapons can't be stored in spatial rings; they must be carried."

Ye Shi put all his strength into trying to drag the stone hammer. Surprisingly, it budged a little, but despite exerting all his might, it only moved slightly.

The middle-aged man looked at Ye Shi's efforts, a glint of surprise in his eyes.

"Gentlemen, please take what's yours and leave. If you insist on leaving it here, I'll have to keep it for you," said the middle-aged man, coldly urging them.

Ye Shi's face paled and then reddened in quick succession.

"Little Shi, I told you to eat more and gain some strength. Now, see? You're falling short," Xiong Wei's voice rang out.

Seeing Xiong Wei, Ye Shi's spirits lifted. Without strength, even if they obtained treasures, they would still be at the mercy of others. It was infuriating.

To Ye Shi, Xiong Wei appeared grander than ever.

Upon seeing Xiong Wei enter, Mu Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

The moment Ye Shi unveiled the hammer, Mu Chen had crushed a messaging charm to inform Xiong Wei. Finally, Xiong Wei had arrived in the nick of time.

Xiong Wei walked over and effortlessly hoisted the hammer.

Admiration gleamed in Ye Shi's eyes. "Elder, you're truly impressive!"

Xiong Wei replied, "Naturally. You've a long way to reach my level."

While Ye Shi looked up to him in admiration, Xiong Wei secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Xiong Wei thought to himself: It's a good thing he had exerted all his strength; otherwise, he might have embarrassed himself. This hammer is incredibly heavy, but its uniqueness is evident.

On seeing Xiong Wei, the expressions of those around quickly changed.

"Little Shi, you're so lucky!" Ji Feiyan remarked with a smile, eyeing Ye Shi. She had tried her hand at stone gambling too but had lost thirty million with no return, leading her to give up.

Ye Shi replied with a proud grin, "I know! I feel lucky too."

"Are you Xiong Wei, sir?" the owner asked respectfully.

"Indeed," Xiong Wei replied, standing tall and imposingly, his aura making it hard for others in the place to breathe.

"It's an honor to have you here, sir. Your presence truly graces our establishment," the owner said with utmost respect.

Ye Shi glanced at Xiong Wei with a somewhat strange expression, thinking, "The owner was so bossy with us, but in front of Xiong Wei, he's as timid as a mouse in front of a cat. never realized Xiong Wei could be so imposing!"

Xiong Wei couldn't help but shoot Ye Shi a smug look.

The receptionist glanced at Xiong Wei and then at Mu Chen, a hint of realization crossing her eyes.

The competition between the students of Mingyue Academy and Shing Star Academy was the talk of the town, and Mu Chen, who stood out during the competition, became a topic of many conversations.

Mu Chen's fame came not only from his outstanding talents but also from his extravagant spending.

Starting from scratch, Mu Chen, known for his generous spending, quickly became an icon for young practitioners.

As the receptionist observed Mu Chen, she thought to herself: Rumors have it that Mu Chen is generous, especially when spending on his fiancée, Ye Shi. They seem to hold true!

"Senior, he wants to spend fifty million on this hammer," Ye Shi pointed at the gem shop owner, complaining.

Had Xiong Wei not shown up, the gem shop owner would most likely have forced a sale.

Xiong Wei's brows furrowed as he coldly eyed the owner, "Are you trying to take advantage of my nephew's lack of experience?"

"It was a misunderstanding," the gem shop owner murmured, his head lowered in embarrassment.

Ye Shi took pleasure in seeing the owner's submissive demeanor.

Xiong Wei, holding the heavy hammer, left the gem shop with an imposing aura, accompanied by Mu Chen and Ye Shi.

As soon as they left, the spectators burst into conversation.

"The young man who revealed the spiritual artifact is Ye Shi! So young, and already a Martial Spirit expert."

"What kind of fortune is this! Not only is he talented, but he's also incredibly lucky."

"Kids these days are so ostentatiously wealthy; it's truly enviable."

"That spiritual aura is so potent, it must be worth seven or eight hundred million."

"..."

"Senior, how many spirit stones do you think this heavy hammer is worth?" Ye Shi leaned in to ask Ji Feiyan.

Ji Feiyan stroked his chin, pondering, "At least five hundred million, I'd reckon."

Ye Shi immediately approached Xiong Wei, saying, "Senior, five hundred million, I'll sell it to you."

Ye Shi gritted his teeth silently. The hammer was indeed valuable, but it was so heavy he couldn't even lift it, let alone use it against an enemy. Worse, he couldn't store it in his spatial ring.

"You want to sell it to me?" Xiong Wei asked with a hint of surprise.

Ye Shi nodded and replied, "Indeed! After all, five hundred million can't buy the Cold Ice Jade Marrow. Why not buy this hammer? With it, you might even challenge a sixth-level beast. Who knows, you might earn enough to buy the Cold Ice Jade Marrow."

Xiong Wei frowned. Comparing the worth of the Cold Ice Jade Marrow and the stone hammer was challenging: one could boost one's level while the other could enhance combat power.

Ji Feiyan chuckled, saying, "Little Shi, are you trying to milk everything out of your senior Xiong, pushing him to risk his life?"

"If he doesn't want to risk his life, he can sell his services," Ye Shi said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Annoyed, Xiong Wei responded, "Go on, how much do you think my services are worth?"

Ji Feiyan playfully patted Xiong Wei's arm, saying, "Awei, do you think my price is too low? I'm just tight on money. But don't worry, if you marry me, I'll work hard to support you."

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes. If he agreed, Ji Feiyan would have him at his beck and call, forcing him to earn money endlessly.

Xiong Wei handed over a card with spirit stones to Ye Shi, saying, "Five hundred million."

Mu Chen took the card, transferred one hundred million to Ye Shi's account, and said, "Master, I'll pay you one hundred million first. As for the remaining four hundred million, you can owe it to us and pay back gradually."

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes, thinking: This foolish disciple of mine. Shouldn't he have said, "I'll only take a hundred million, and the rest is on the house"?

Ye Shi watched Mu Chen's actions without intervening and earnestly said, "Senior, please give us an IOU for the four hundred million. And please repay it as soon as possible."

Xiong Wei: "..."

"What, are you afraid I'll default?" Xiong Wei said, glaring at Ye Shi.

Ye Shi nodded, saying, "Yes, I am."

Xiong Wei was fuming at Ye Shi's blatant agreement.

"I'm a Martial Emperor! Do you think I'd default on you?" Xiong Wei exclaimed.

Ye Shi bit his lip, responding, "Well, it's hard to say."

Xiong Wei: "..."

Xiong Wei stormed off in anger, and Ji Feiyan, trying to hold back a laugh, asked, "Awei, where are you heading off to in such a hurry?"

Ye Shi blinked, adding, "Senior, be careful out there. Don't get killed by a beast."

Xiong Wei glared at Ye Shi, retorting, "If I were to be killed by a beast, then I wouldn't be able to repay the spirit stones, right?"

Ye Shi blinked again, thinking to himself: Exactly!

Mu Chen smiled, saying, "Master, Shi truly worries for your safety."

Xiong Wei huffed coldly. All Ye Shi cared about was the Yuan stones.

The news of Ye Shi's exorbitantly priced magical equipment spread like wildfire, overshadowing Zhuang Yu's news about the Clear Heart Jade.

Ye Shi quickly became a person of interest, and with his influence, many gamblers became restless.

Zhuang Yu, who couldn't help but keep tabs on Mu Chen and Ye Shi, received the news as well. Upon hearing it, she couldn't suppress the resentment she felt towards Ye Shi.