Chapter 249

Chapter 249.

The young girls of the Array Tower watched Mu Chen and He Jingyue from a distance.

"Ye Shi leaves, and now we have Chen Mu. The world seems filled with geniuses," Gu Yun remarked.

"Exactly," Meng Jing'er nodded in agreement.

"Jing'er, you seem quite taken by Chen Mu! Have you developed a liking for him?" Gu Xiaoyue teased.

Blushing, Meng Jing'er replied hastily, "Xiaoyue, don't make assumptions."

"I heard that during a recent mission, you were nearly hurt by a Grade-6 beast but were saved by Chen Mu," Gu Xiaoyue continued, head tilted, "Such a life-saving favor, how will you repay it?"

Meng Jing'er frowned slightly, "Xiaoyue, enough."

Gu Xiaoyue shrugged, "Such a pity. If only Chen Mu looked different... you two would be perfect together."

"If Chen Mu wasn't as he appears, he would have probably been fought over by now. Jing'er, shouldn't you consider? A handsome face isn't everything; strength is what matters," another girl commented.

Meng Jing'er cast a distant glance at Chen Mu, her eyes filled with regret, "Enough, I'm merely grateful to him."

"Master Tower Lord, someone's got an eye for you. But sadly, your looks deter her," someone teased.

Caressing his face, Mu Chen remarked, "Isn't my foresight impressive?"

"Chen Mu is indeed unique. Most would hide if they looked like him. At least wear a cloth mask! But Chen Mu seems to flaunt his looks as if eager for everyone to see," Gu Xiaoyue complained.

"After all, isn't he often called an oddity? Ever since he entered the Array Tower, I've heard he's never failed a single mission."

"I wonder what Chen Mu and Miss He are discussing."

"It's too distant; I can't make out their words."

...

"Master of the Tower, perhaps you might consider the words of that girl named He Jingyue? As the saying goes, 'Why pine for one when there are countless others?'"

"Plucking that flower from the Bai family could prove dangerous! Given your youth and immense talent, it would be a tragedy if you recklessly attempted that formation and met your end." The tower spirit flapped its wings, attempting to sound sincere, but its tone betrayed a hint of schadenfreude.

Mu Chen scoffed lightly. If Bai Chenxing could pass that Hundred-Refinement Killing Array, then with a bit more time, he'd surely succeed as well. If he's to marry the stone, he must demonstrate his ability to protect it.

"Master of the Tower, spirit stones, spirit stones! Strive to earn more spirit stones! Only with enough spirit stones can the Spirit Tower be constantly improved and repaired."

Impatience crept onto Mu Chen's face. "Haven't I already given you plenty?"

Within the Spirit Tower, there's a dedicated alchemy room capable of concealing the phenomena generated during pill creation. Recently, Mu Chen has secretly crafted and sold numerous seventh-grade elixirs.

"It's not enough, not nearly enough," the tower spirit remarked dismissively.

Mu Chen knitted his brows. "Enough from you. Do you even realize how much you consume? It's more challenging to sustain you than the stone!"

"How can Bai Yenxing compare to me? I'm way cuter and more useful."

"Shut up! How dare you compare yourself to the stone?" Mu Chen replied irritably.

The tower spirit fluttered its wings in resignation, its aura filled with frustration.

"Master of the Tower, you truly lack discernment," lamented the tower spirit.

Each time he sold a seventh-grade elixir or purchased seventh-grade spiritual herbs, he adopted a different identity.

Without a powerful backing, if others learned of his status as a seventh-grade alchemist, large clans might try to recruit him by force.

He possessed five Spirit Towers. Such possessions would surely attract unwanted attention, even from the likes of Martial Sovereigns.

Mu Chen intuited that the relationship among the five towers in the Spirit Realm was rather unique. For the time being, it's best not to reveal his identity.

...

"Bai Yenxing of the Bai family has returned," a young man announced.

A spark of excitement flashed in Mu Chen's eyes. "He's back? Finally..." Mu Chen felt a surge of emotions.

The tower spirit flapped its wings, commenting, "Master, your beloved is back. Are you heading to the Bai family seeking trouble? I'd advise against it."

Mu Chen coldly retorted, "I told you to stay quiet, didn't I?"

As Mu Chen bickered with the mini tower, the youths of the Array Tower began their discussions.

"With Bai Yenxing back, where's Mu Chen? I'm curious to see this pretty boy's face. What capabilities does he possess to bewilder Ye Shi so? I'd love to meet him," Wang Yang exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes! I'm also keen on meeting this Mu Chen, a prodigy skilled in five arts."

"An outsider who lacks Ye Shi's unique status, once in the Central State, I doubt he'll make any significant waves."

"Master of the Tower, everyone seems eager to meet you," the excited voice of the mini tower echoed within Mu Chen's consciousness.

Mu Chen chuckled coldly. A few Martial Kings, none even close to the peak, wish to meet him? They truly overestimate themselves.

"Only Ye Shi and Elder Bai Chenxing have returned, not Mu Chen," Luo Cheng stated.

"I knew it. He wouldn't dare. His appearance would seal his fate."

"Perhaps Mu Chen is already here. Elder Bai Chenxing, being a Martial Sovereign, can refine small worlds where living beings can be kept. Mu Chen might be too embarrassed to show himself and thus, might be inside Bai Chenxing's pocket dimension," theorized Wang Yang.

"That's a possibility!"

...

Bai Residence in Central State.

"Uncle Bai, Brother Yenxing, you're back," Bai Yi greeted as he looked at the travel-weary Bai Chenxing and Ye Shi.

Without acknowledging Bai Yi, Bai Chenxing immediately departed with Ye Shi.

If Bai Chenxing ignored Bai Yi, Ye Shi naturally would as well.

Watching their retreating figures, Bai Yi's face alternated between shades of green and white.

As Bai Chenxing's silhouette receded, unease gripped Bai Yi's heart.

Initially, Bai Chenxing disliked Ye Shi, but now, Bai Yi sensed a strong murderous intent from Bai Chenxing. This chilling aura sent shivers down his spine.

Bai Chenxing turned, casting a cold glance at Bai Yi.

"Father, what's wrong?" Ye Shi inquired.

Bai Chenxing shook his head, responding, "It's nothing."

Ye Shi looked at Bai Chenxing with a hint of bewilderment. For a fleeting moment, he felt Bai Chenxing's animosity towards Bai Yi was far more profound than his own, leaving Ye Shi somewhat perplexed.

Owing to Huntian's words, a shadow of doubt always lingered in Bai Chenxing's heart.

If Ye Shi were to be killed by Zhuang Yu, would Zhuang Yu assume Ye Shi's identity and become his son?

It would be challenging for Zhuang Yu alone to impersonate his son, but what if Bai Yi were to assist?

Bai Yi knew every secret of the Bai family. The identity badge he left for Xinyang is a mystery to most, but Bai Yi knows how to access it. What if Bai Yi found someone to imitate Xinyang's handwriting and wrote a different letter...

His guilt towards Xinyang was deep. If Xinyang and his son stood before him, would he dare to harbor suspicions?

The Xuanfeng Empire had faced a beast tide years ago. Without the interventions of Muchen and Ye Shi, and with Qu Kun's advancement to Wuzong thanks to Muchen, Xuanfeng would have been entirely decimated by the beast tide. If Xuanfeng had fallen, his suspicions about Zhuang Yu would never be confirmed.

Bai Chenxing learned many new things during his journey to the outer realms.

For instance, Muchen, in his youth, was a wayward scion, immersed in vices. However, a few years back, he transformed entirely, showing rapid progress in power and mastering every skill with ease. He became the epitome of a prodigal son's redemption.

While others believed Muchen had found his way, Bai Chenxing was almost certain this Muchen was not the one from before.

The old Muchen was arrogant and loved to show off. He once pursued Zhuang Yu. How could such a person undergo a radical change and fall for Ye Shi?

Zhuang Yu had two lovers in the outer realms: Lan Ruofeng and Lu Yao. It seemed Lan Ruofeng had once pursued Ye Shi as well.

Bai Chenxing visited the Lan family and, using the soul-searching technique on Lan Ruofeng's mother, discovered she knew of Yanxing's grandfather. This woman even persuaded Lan Ruofeng to chase after Ye Shi.

Lan Ruofeng did make his move, but by then, Muchen had already won Ye Shi's heart, so Lan Ruofeng missed his chance.

Later, as Muchen rose to prominence, Lan Ruofeng's mother grew to deeply resent him, blaming him for stealing her son's opportunities.

Had Muchen remained the way he was, would Ye Shi have been swayed by Lan Ruofeng's advances? Bai Chenxing thought it very likely.

His son, though outwardly carefree, was sensitive and insecure due to a lack of fatherly love and being targeted by other children in his youth. Without Muchen, if Lan Ruofeng treated Ye Shi kindly, Ye Shi might have been swayed.

If Lan Ruofeng had Ye Shi's full support, things would have undoubtedly turned out differently.

Ye Shi once said that Muchen was quick-witted. During a journey in a secret realm, Muchen was the first to decipher a transport array in a painting, transporting him into the secret realm. At that time, Zhuang Yu had also set his sights on the painting.

If the ones transported into the secret realm had been Zhuang Yu and Lu Yao, Lu Yao's performance would have been much different.

Lan Ruofeng and Lu Yao are both now deceased.

Bai Chenxing narrowed his eyes. Lu Yao's Qi Sea was disrupted by Bai Yi, and then exposed by Muchen. With a damaged Qi Sea, Lu Yao's cultivation wouldn't advance but rather decline. He was assassinated outside.

With a narrowed gaze, Bai Chenxing reflected on his previous tests on Ye Shi. Lan Ruofeng's death seemed to bear Muchen's touch, and Lu Yao's death wasn't unrelated to him either. Muchen was truly an anomaly.

Without Muchen's interference, if Lan Ruofeng had won Ye Shi's heart and received his full support, and if Lu Yao had inherited the Wuzong legacy, all circling around Zhuang Yu, with the boost of Zhuang Yu's fate, they would have prospered...

And then, with Bai Yi emerging as an ally to Zhuang Yu, aiding him to replace Ye Shi's identity and gain his full support, Zhuang Yu would indeed fit the prophecy of the Chosen One...

Bai Chenxing clenched his fists tightly, relieved that either he was overthinking, or the course of events had changed.

Based on current evidence, Muchen genuinely cares for Ye Shi. However, his kindness is so excessive that Bai Chenxing can't help but question Muchen's intentions. Muchen seems to know something, making his background suspicious...

If Muchen is problematic, what should Yanxing do?