Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Master-disciple Discussion

"Master, I heard the scale of this beast wave is unprecedented?" Mu Chen asked Xiong Wei with grave concern.

Xiong Wei nodded and sighed, "Indeed. It's said that the magnitude of this beast wave is unparalleled. I'm uncertain whether your return now is a blessing or a curse."

If the kingdom falls, it would mark its end. Every survivor would count. Even ants cherish life, let alone humans.

"How is the Xuanfeng Empire faring?" Ye Shi inquired apprehensively.

"The Xuanfeng Empire is small, with a low population and fewer experts. But because of its size, it's also easier to defend. So far, we've managed to contain the beast wave, but..." Xiong Wei trailed off.

"But what?" Mu Chen pressed.

Xiong Wei sighed, "The beast wave has only just begun, and we've already spotted Level 6 beasts. I fear there will be even more."

Ye Shi waved dismissively, "That's it? Just Level 6 beasts? We'll kill them, whether they come one by one or in pairs."

Xiong Wei smiled wryly at the enthusiastic Ye Shi. The latter was truly fearless like a young calf facing a tiger.

"Your grandfather is an 8-star martial emperor. His presence at the frontline has been crucial for the defense. Without him, the situation in the Xuanfeng Empire would be much worse," remarked Xiong Wei.

Ye Shi curiously asked, "It's been so long. Why hasn't grandfather advanced to a 9-star martial emperor?"

Xiong Wei rolled his eyes, "Do you think advancing at the martial emperor stage is that easy?"

"Is it that difficult?" Ye Shi asked, puzzled.

Xiong Wei replied with visible annoyance, "It's difficult, very difficult." Ye Shi always thinks that others cultivate slowly just because he's fast at it. Such an insufferable kid.

"This Ling Huang pill would be better saved for your grandfather. It works best on him," Xiong Wei muttered.

"Master, keep the pill for yourself. I've already prepared a pill for Elder Qu," Mu Chen replied calmly.

Xiong Wei raised an eyebrow, shooting Mu Chen a sidelong glance. He commented sarcastically, "Oh right, how could I forget? There's no way you'd ever forget about him." Qu Kun is, after all, Ye Shi's grandfather. This Mu Chen, always so deferential...

A thought suddenly struck Ye Shi, and he hesitated before asking, "Elder Xiong, do you know what happened to Zhuang Yu and Lu Yao?"

Upon hearing Ye Shi's words, Mu Chen's ears perked up.

Since his arrival, Zhuang Yu had been incessantly pestering him. It was unexpected not to see her around lately.

"The two of them? They seem to have disappeared," said Xiong Wei.

"Disappeared? What do you mean?" Ye Shi asked, puzzled.

Xiong Wei shrugged, "I'm not sure. They've just vanished. It's believed someone took them away. Lu Xingfeng has already relocated the entire Lu family from the Mingyue Empire."

"What?!" Ye Shi exclaimed in surprise, "I never realized before that Lu Xingfeng was such a coward!"

"Spineless, truly," Ye Shi commented with evident displeasure.

Xiong Wei nodded in agreement, "Exactly."

"Master, how's my father?" asked Mu Chen.

Xiong Wei's expression shifted, he sighed, "He's in Liu City."

A chill flashed across Mu Chen's eyes, "Are you referring to the Liu City near the border of Twilight Zone?"

Xiong Wei nodded, "Yes."

"Why would my father go there? It's dangerous, especially if there's a beast tide!" Mu Chen said with a furrowed brow.

Xiong Wei said helplessly, "Your father insisted. I couldn't stop him. But rest assured, over the years, his strength has surged. He's now a king-level expert and can protect himself."

Mu Chen pressed his lips together and sighed softly, "If that's the case, let it be."

"Tomorrow's assembly will likely discuss the candidates for the Tianlan defense line. This line, established post beast-tide by the four nations, is vital. Each country initially wanted to send two or more emperor-level experts."

"However, our country lacks emperor-level experts, and each has their own mission. I intend to propose at the meeting that I go alone," Xiong Wei stated.

Without hesitation, Mu Chen said, "Ye Shi and I will go."

Tianlan's defense line isn't far from Liu City. If he goes there, he might be able to look after Mu Yuanfeng as well.

"Sounds good!" Ye Shi exclaimed.

Xiong Wei frowned, "Mu Chen, think this through."

With narrowed eyes, Mu Chen replied, "Master, I knew the risks when I returned. It's a good time to hone my skills before the beast tide becomes uncontrollable."

Xiong Wei looked at Mu Chen, hesitating, "But..."

Mu Chen waved him off, "Don't worry, Master. I know my limits."

Ye Shi nodded, "Exactly, Elder Xiong. Did you know? I took down an emperor-level beast as easily as slicing vegetables. I'm quite impressive."

Xiong Wei glared at Ye Shi, "I've seen the footage of that fight. Don't assume I'm as naive as those king-level experts. I saw that you were nearly drained after killing that beast."

Ye Shi frowned slightly, "You noticed?"

Xiong Wei glared back, "Of course. Do you take me for a fool? Controlling so many Wang-level Sky-eating Worms at your level is no simple feat."

Mu Chen contemplated, the Sky-eating Worms, although powerful, consumed a lot of spiritual energy. He'd been thinking of cultivating a few leaders among them to save energy by controlling the minions.

Ye Shi rubbed his nose, "When I dealt with that serpent, I was only an eight-star Wu King. Now, I've reached nine-star. My strength has grown significantly."

Xiong Wei pondered, "How did you advance to a nine-star Wu King? That's not an easy feat."

Ye Shi, eyes darting mischievously, replied, "I just... naturally progressed!"

"I honestly don't know! There wasn't much of a challenge. I just advanced quite naturally, with ease."

Ye Shi downplayed.

Xiong Wei eyed Ye Shi with suspicion, not entirely convinced.

Mu Chen gazed at Xiong Wei and remarked, "Master, why are you so fixated on that stone? It's almost as if the stone is embarrassed by your stare."

Xiong Wei glanced at Mu Chen and teased, "What, can't bear to part with it?"

Mu Chen nodded and said, "Yes! I can't bear to."

Annoyed, Xiong Wei gritted his teeth. "By the way, Ye Shi, where did you get that Level 6 Talisman Script you used? Could it be true, as the outside world suggests, that Mu Chen is a Level 6 Talisman Master?"

Mu Chen and Ye Shi exchanged glances. Mu Chen took out two Level 6 Talisman Scripts and handed them to Xiong Wei, "These are for your protection."

Xiong Wei blinked in surprise, taking a moment to recover. With trembling hands, he accepted Mu Chen's offering.

Liu City.

"Elder Mu, Elder Mu!" Feng Ye entered enthusiastically.

Mu Yuanfeng looked at the joyous Feng Ye and chuckled, "What's the occasion? You seem thrilled."

"Elder Mu, there's news of your son, Mu Chen, and Ye Shi. They've arrived at the Celestial Empire and have joined Elder Xiong," Feng Ye said, bursting with excitement.

Mu Yuanfeng squinted and responded, "Is that so?"

"Mu Chen and Ye Shi have both achieved the rank of Nine-Star Martial King," Feng Ye exclaimed with admiration.

Mu Yuanfeng smiled, "Already Nine-Star Martial Kings? They sure progress quickly."

Their decision to return now indicates their intention to help fend off the beast tide. With their strength added, our chances of survival increase.

Seeing Mu Yuanfeng's evident concern, Feng Ye instinctively dampened his excitement, "Elder Mu, are you worried about Mu Chen and Ye Shi's safety?"

Mu Yuanfeng let out a wry smile, "How can I not be?"

This beast tide, they say, is a once-in-a-millennium event. Elder Qu Kun has reportedly killed two invading Level 6 beasts at the frontier. Without Elder Qu Kun patrolling, our land would've been lost.

"Elder Mu, there's no need for concern. Rumor has it that Ye Shi encountered a Level 6 demonic snake outside the Celestial Empire City. He defeated it effortlessly," Feng Ye mentioned with a grin.

Mu Yuanfeng looked surprised, "Is that true? Is Ye Shi really that powerful?"

Feng Ye nodded vigorously, "Absolutely true."

Mu Yuanfeng, filled with astonishment, remarked, "I never realized Ye Shi was so exceptional."

Feng Ye nodded in agreement, "Indeed, he is."

...

Celestial Empire.

The gazes of countless people were fixated on the Welcoming Inn, with Xiong Wei furrowing his brows at the anomalies arising from it.

Since Mu Chen took residence at the Welcoming Inn, there have been eight occurrences of a phenomenon signaling pill creation.

The commotion caused by Mu Chen was significant, attracting the attention of numerous martial emperor experts.

With an impending battle, no one dares to harbor any ill intentions towards Mu Chen.

Over the past few days, Xiong Wei has dispensed more than a dozen Emperor-grade elixirs.

Ideally, after concocting a Level 6 elixir, an alchemist should rest to rejuvenate their soul power.

But with the Soul Elixir in Mu Chen's possession, his soul power recovers incredibly quickly.

Xiong Wei looked at Ye Shi in the room, teasingly saying, "You've been feeding the Devouring Worms these past days! You treat them so well."

This bastard Ye Shi feeds all the good stuff to those worms, treating them as if they're royalty. Spirit stones, elixirs, treasures; even though Ye Shi is known to be stingy, he's surprisingly generous with these creatures.

Ye Shi glanced at Xiong Wei, "Before Mu Chen left, he asked me to raise some stronger Devouring Worms to be leaders. This way, controlling the worms in the future will be easier. When Mu Chen assigns me a task, I have to do it right."

Xiong Wei paused, "Raising leaders, that's a good idea!"

Ye Shi nodded matter-of-factly, "It's Mu Chen's idea, of course, it's good."

"Is Mu Chen still concocting?" Ye Shi inquired.

Xiong Wei nodded, "Yes. These days, numerous emperor-tier experts have been coming to seek his expertise. They're all looking to purchase various elixirs."

"So, Mu Chen is quite popular," noted Ye Shi.

Xiong Wei affirmed, "Indeed he is."