Chapter 223

Chapter 223: News of Zhuang Yu

Qi Leng waved his fan, admiration evident as he observed Mu Chen and Ye Shi.

When Qi Leng had invited Mu Chen and Ye Shi over a month ago, he believed they would accompany him away from the Xuanfeng Empire. Now they indeed sat on his ship.

Initially, he thought they might flee from the pressure of the beast tide. Instead, they had resolved the crisis and retreated successfully.

He had thought the four nations were doomed. Little did he expect the seemingly insurmountable challenge to be resolved by two eighteen-year-olds.

New talents emerge in every generation! With the four-nation beast tide crisis, the fame of Mu Chen and Ye Shi spread far and wide. Mentioning prodigious youths, people everywhere first think of them – such exceptional figures!

"Mr. Mu, are you sure you won't sell that formation?" Qi Leng couldn't resist asking again.

"I'm sorry, senior," Mu Chen responded calmly.

"Ten billion isn't a small amount," Qi Leng remarked with a frown.

Mu Chen gave a resigned smile and said, "It's not about the elemental stones."

The beast tide has already passed, and he's not in a hurry to use the elemental stones. With his capabilities, he wouldn't need to sell the Lingzong array. Mu Chen always felt that Ye Shi's array method book was exceptional. It's better to keep it quiet.

Qi Leng frowned. His superiors tasked him to obtain the array that could assist the Martial Emperor in advancing to Martial Ancestor. Unfortunately, Mu Chen was impervious to persuasion. Qi Leng even considered approaching Ye Shi, but Ye Shi always listened to Mu Chen. No matter how high the offer, Ye Shi remained uninterested.

With Qu Kun advancing to the Martial Ancestor realm, the status of Mu Chen and Ye Shi naturally rose.

Having the esteemed Qu Kun supporting them meant that even if the Danqi Pavilion had a Martial Ancestor backing, Qi Leng wouldn't dare to force the two.

Ye Shi, resting his chin on his hand, said, "Elder Qi, you mentioned there are five Spirit Towers in Lingta Continent? And if one reaches the seventh floor of any of them, they'd be transported to Zhongzhou?"

When Qi Leng first mentioned the five Spirit Towers, Ye Shi hadn't paid much attention. Now, with the beast tide over, he became curious about them.

Qi Leng nodded and explained, "Indeed. The first floor contains first-tier technique knowledge, the second floor has second-tier knowledge, and so on. To ascend, one must comprehend the knowledge. If one fails, they'll be ejected from the Spirit Tower."

"Every individual entering the Spirit Tower perceives unique content. It's a truly wondrous place."

As they discussed the Spirit Tower, a peculiar gleam appeared in Qi Leng's eyes.

"Has anyone been transported to Zhongzhou?" Ye Shi asked curiously.

"The transport criteria from the five towers are: under 30 years old and a seventh-tier technician. No one from our region has met this criteria. However, it's rumored that someone was transported to Zhongzhou over two years ago."

Ye Shi, with genuine surprise, asked, "Who was it?"

"The transported individual was reportedly named Zhuang Yu," answered Qi Leng.

Ye Shi's eyes widened in shock, "Zhuang Yu? It can't be the Zhuang Yu I know."

"Indeed! It's said that Zhuang Yu was originally from the Holy Star Academy. He apparently had some issues with Ye Shi. The Danqi Pavilion has its ways of gathering information."

"Why would it be Zhuang Yu? Does he know these techniques?" Ye Shi muttered to himself, "I thought Zhuang Yu didn't understand them. He's too busy flirting and seducing to learn any real techniques."

"Is this confidential?" Qi Leng asked calmly, sipping his tea.

Without hesitation, Mu Chen asked, "How much?"

Qi Leng smiled, "Ten billion."

"Deal," Mu Chen responded flatly.

"Zhuang Yu didn't transport himself. A young man from Zhongzhou took him," revealed Qi Leng.

A cold light flashed in Ye Shi's eyes. "Zhuang Yu is flirting again, this time with someone from Zhongzhou. He's really indiscriminate."

"A young man from Zhongzhou?" Mu Chen inquired.

"Yes, they say he's 22, with a two-star Martial Emperor cultivation, and like you, Young Master Mu, has the ability to challenge beyond his rank."

When the young man arrived, Mu Chen and Ye Shi were only at the Martial King level. Despite Lingta Continent's reputation for gathering young talents, none of their generation could match him.

The young man was arrogant, looking down on the cultivators of Lingta Continent as if they were mere commoners. Yet at that time, no one in Lingta could really rival him. The gap was just too vast.

His excellence was comparable to the current Mu Chen and Ye Shi – so outstanding it was despairing.

Mu Chen clenched his fist, calming himself, then asked, "Do you know his name?"

"I believe it's Bai Yi," Qi Leng replied.

Mu Chen's eyes narrowed sharply. Ye Shi, observing Mu Chen, reached out to grasp his hand for comfort.

Mu Chen smiled reassuringly at Ye Shi, "I'm fine."

Ye Shi nodded, comforting, "Mu Chen, even though Bai Yi is strong, he's not stronger than you. He's 22 and only a two-star Martial Emperor. You're already a three-star Martial Emperor."

Mu Chen chuckled, "Indeed! And Shi, you're more capable than Zhuang Yu. By the time you're 22, you'll surpass a two-star Martial Emperor."

Ye Shi nodded confidently, "Of course."

Ye Shi pondered, "Anyone attracted to that pretty-boy Zhuang Yu must be trash. How can such trash be stronger than me?"

"The young man is a seventh-tier array master. Somehow, he protected Zhuang Yu and ascended to the seventh floor of the Array Tower, disappearing from it," Qi Leng shared.

Ye Shi gritted his teeth, thinking, "Zhuang Yu might not have other talents, but he's exceptional at seducing. He's even managed to charm Bai Yi into leaving with him."

With narrowed eyes, Mu Chen asked, "How long since they left?"

"Over two years," Qi Leng replied.

Mu Chen contemplated, "It's been over two years since Zhuang Yu went to Zhongzhou. As the protagonist, wonder how far he's progressed."

"Although Zhuang Yu, hailed as a prodigy, is only a two-star Martial Emperor at the age of twenty-two, it suggests that the geniuses of Zhongzhou might not be much stronger than him or Ye Shi."

"Ye Shi lowered his gaze, a shadow passing through his eyes. It's said that Zhongzhou is a land teeming with talents, abundant in resources. Martial Ancestors are a dime a dozen, and Martial Emperors are commonplace. One wonders how far Zhuang Yu has come in such a place."

“Manager Qi, do you know of Lu Yao’s whereabouts?” Mu Chen inquired.

Qi Ling gave a faint smile, "I've heard of the grudge between Lu Yao and Mu Chen. Back when students from Holy Star and Dark Moon academies competed, both were the stars. heard Lu Yao once bested Mu Chen in the art of inscription."

"Times have changed, and now, Lu Yao is not even fit to compare to Mu Chen's little toe."

Qi Ling nodded, “Indeed, Lu Yao is in Spirit Tower State. He’s an inscriptionist, now a one-star Martial King, having reached the fifth floor of the Inscription Tower. He's a fifth-grade inscriptionist.”

"Among the younger generation, Lu Yao stands out. However, compared to Mu Chen, Ye Shi, and that prodigy from Zhongzhou, Bai Yi, he falls far short."

Ye Shi smirked, "Didn't Zhuang Yu take him along?"

Qi Ling shook his head, “Activating the portal to Zhongzhou isn’t as easy as you think. For the young man named Bai Yi to take Zhuang Yu is already a stroke of luck. It's unlikely he'd expend more effort to bring along a rival."

Mu Chen chuckled, "Is that so?"

Ye Shi shrugged, “Lu Yao's fallen behind. Zhuang Yu doesn’t want him anymore, just like how she gave up on Lan Ruofeng when he wasn’t up to par."

Smiling, Mu Chen mused, "Zhuang Yu's main pursuits should progress evenly, but now, it seems like she ditches one for another quite easily!"

"Lu Yao does have potential, but compared to Bai Yi, the difference is vast; they’re not even in the same league."

Mu Chen’s eyes flickered with changing emotions.

"Lu Yao might not pose much of a threat now, but should he be...eliminated, just to be safe?"

“Mu Chen, what are you thinking about?” Ye Shi asked.

Mu Chen laughed, “I wonder if Stone would leave me if he met the young talents of Zhongzhou."

Ye Shi, a bit aggrieved, bit Mu Chen's shoulder.

"The bond between Young Master Mu and Young Master Ye is truly commendable," Qi Ling remarked with a smile.

Seeing Qi Ling, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Ye Shi's face.

In a tavern in Spirit Tower State, several talented young men gathered.

"Have you heard? The beast waves of the Xuanfeng, Falan, Blood Moon, and Cangqiong nations have been dealt with."

"I've heard. Who would've thought that Qu Kun would advance to become a Martial Ancestor? With one in charge, the beast wave was easily resolved."

"I honestly thought Mu Chen and Ye Shi would've perished in the beast wave, yet they survived."

"Mu Chen and Ye Shi aren't easy to kill! I heard their contributions played a major role in resolving the beast wave."

"That might be an exaggeration. While their combat prowess is extraordinary, if Qu Kun hadn't advanced at a crucial moment, their efforts would've been in vain."

"What do you know? I heard that Qu Kun's advancement was related to the duo."

"I've heard that rumor too. After the beast wave ended, they disappeared."

"Disappeared? Where could they have gone?"

"Who knows? They might come to our Spirit Tower State. Rumor has it Mu Chen's alchemy, talisman, and array techniques have reached the sixth level. He might attempt the Spirit Tower and be transported to Zhongzhou."

"There's still a significant gap between the sixth and seventh levels. Mu Chen is undoubtedly brilliant, but it's not so easy to be transported to Zhongzhou."