Chapter 256

Chapter 256

Inside the Spirit Tower, Mu Chen was constantly merging Qing Ming Flame and Qing Ru Xiaotian.

The two flames blended slowly until they became one, solidifying Mu Chen's strength at the Nine-Star Martial Emperor realm.

The Spirit Tower spun around Mu Chen, jesting, "Congratulations, Master. Finally, there's a gap between your strength and your wife's. Now you won't be overpowered by her anytime soon. Feel relieved?"

Watching the playful Spirit Tower, Mu Chen retorted, "I'd feel relieved if I could strangle you."

"Oh, Master, how cruel! How can you think of hurting cute, innocent me? You're being so unreasonable!" The Spirit Tower fluttered its wings, its eyes blinking in feigned innocence.

Mu Chen stood up, his abundant inner power giving him immense satisfaction. To make a stand in this world, strength is paramount.

If he couldn't show enough might, his connection with Ye Shi, and the Bai family's backing would remain elusive.

Mu Chen opened the door and stepped out.

"Young Master Chen, a message for you," an attendant approached.

"Who is it from?" Mu Chen inquired.

"The messenger didn't say," the attendant replied.

"Thank you." Mu Chen took the letter. After a quick scan, his expression shifted. Ye Shi had informed him of Bai Chenxing's discovery of his true identity, the Existence Pill, and Bai Chenxing's agreement to refine him.

"He figured it out so quickly," Mu Chen mused, reconsidering his opinion of this future father-in-law's intelligence.

"Chen Mu," a gentle voice tinged with a hint of nervousness called out.

Mu Chen looked towards the source and responded, "Miss Meng."

Meng Jing'er approached him and whispered, "How have you been lately, Chen Mu?"

"Quite well," Mu Chen replied matter-of-factly.

"I heard you've been close to Bai Yanxing from the Bai family lately?" Meng Jing'er inquired.

Nodding, Mu Chen said, "Yes, Young Master Bai is amiable and modest. He has given me valuable insights into formations. I'm quite grateful to him."

Biting her lip, Meng Jing'er replied with a hint of regret, "Bai Yanxing might be good, but he's from the Bai family."

Smiling, Mu Chen added, "True, most Bai family members are arrogant. Surprisingly, Young Master Bai is so gentle."

"Members of the Bai family can't marry outsiders. You and him... it's not possible," Meng Jing'er said urgently.

Mu Chen replied calmly, "Miss Meng, perhaps you're misunderstanding. My relationship with Bai Yanxing isn't what you imagine."

Meng Jing'er nodded, saying, "As long as you're aware. Bai Yanxing is noble. He's not someone you..." can covet.

"Miss Meng, was there anything else?" Mu Chen interrupted Meng Jing'er's words.

Meng Jing'er looked at Mu Chen's face, shook her head, and said, "No, that's all."

"Then I'll take my leave," Mu Chen said coldly.

Meng Jing'er frowned, thinking to herself, "Why is Chen Mu so unattractive? He doesn’t need to be handsome, but even average would do!"

"Master Tower, that girl is fond of you. I truly underestimated your charm. To think, even with such an unappealing look, someone still likes you," Tower Spirit excitedly remarked within Mu Chen's consciousness.

Mu Chen rolled his eyes in exasperation, "You think highly of me. She isn't smitten." Even if Meng Jing'er wasn’t interested, he wasn’t ready for her to belong to someone else.

Tower Spirit giggled and replied, "She might not be now, but she’s close."

...

He Jingyue approached with a few people.

"Jingyue, I never expected Bai Yanxing to be Bai Chenxing's son," Ge Xiaodie said.

He Jingyue nodded, replying, "Neither did I. It was quite a shock."

Recalling the situation, He Jingyue couldn’t help but give a wry smile. The Bai family was convinced Ye Shi had stolen their formation techniques. Yet, he turned out to be the son of their genius, Bai Chenxing. Indeed, the world is full of surprises.

Ge Xiaodie asked with a grin, "Is Bai Yanxing still looking for someone named Mu Chen? I heard he even went to the outer city. Did he find him?"

He Jingyue shook her head with resignation, "I don't think he found him; he didn't bring anyone back."

Ge Xiaodie chuckled, "What a pity, I was curious about this Mu Chen." Too bad he doesn’t exist.

He Jingyue asked with confusion, "Xiaodie, why did you suddenly visit our Formation Tower?"

"Word has it a seventh-tier alchemist has emerged in your area. I came to see if I could recruit them," Ge Xiaodie casually responded.

"A seventh-tier alchemist? Why haven’t I heard of this?" He Jingyue asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps they prefer to keep a low profile," Ge Xiaodie replied evasively.

"Doesn’t the Formation Tower already have enough seventh-tier alchemists? Why come all the way here to recruit more?" He Jingyue inquired.

Ge Xiaodie said nonchalantly, "One can never have too much talent."

"Who's that? He's quite unattractive," Yin Jianping, standing beside Ge Xiaodie, said with disdain, looking at Mu Chen leaning against a pillar.

He Jingyue's expression changed, "That's our Formation Master Guild's Chen Mu. Despite his looks, he's formidable—a Martial Emperor and a sixth-tier formation master."

Ge Xiaodie's eyes widened in surprise, "A Martial Emperor? How old is he? Which star level?"

"Perhaps in his early twenties, a one-star Martial Emperor, I think," He Jingyue answered uncertainly.

Ge Xiaodie paused, "Only in his early twenties? That's impressive. Brother Yin became a Martial Emperor at twenty-six. What a waste given his looks."

Yin Jianping's eyes flashed menacingly, "A one-star Martial Emperor? Should I give him a test?"

He Jingyue frowned, "Is that wise?"

Ge Xiaodie smiled, "Brother Yin is always eager to fight, but don’t worry, Jingyue, he knows his limits."

He Jingyue reluctantly agreed, "Alright then."

Mu Chen, leaning against the pillar, observed He Jingyue and the others from a distance.

A handsome man shouted without warning and aimed a palm strike at Mu Chen.

Meng Jing'er, watching from the side, couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

"Master Tower, some fool wishes to challenge you," Tower Spirit shrieked excitedly in Mu Chen's consciousness.

Mu Chen swiftly drew an array of formation glyphs. Yin Jianping's attack collided with the glyphs and was repelled. Yin Jianping's expression changed dramatically as he retreated, while Mu Chen's glyphs pursued and exploded upon him.

Mu Chen, with his sleeves flowing, gazed nonchalantly at Yin Jianping, thinking a novice Martial Emperor dares challenge him? How foolish.

Yin Jianping's face alternated between shades of green and white as he looked at Mu Chen.

Meng Jing'er's heart raced as she looked at Mu Chen, thinking: Apart from his face, Chen Mu is truly flawless.

Mu Chen cast a fleeting glance at the group and then turned to leave.

Ge Xiaodie frowned, "Jingyue, your Formation Tower is hiding such an expert. That formation technique was exceptional. Brother Yin is a two-star Martial Emperor and has faced four and five-star Martial Emperors. I never expected him to be repelled so easily."

"Are those four and five-star Martial Emperors just trash?" A mocking voice came.

Ge Xiaodie looked in the direction of the voice, finding Ye Shi standing there with a smirk.

"Mr. Bai, what brings you here?" He Jingyue asked.

Ge Xiaodie hesitated for a moment, surmising who had arrived. Her anger faded quickly, and she regarded Ye Shi with increased caution.

Ye Shi shrugged, staring at Yin Jianping, and said, "I'm here for fun. Hey, pretty boy, better spill it now, or you'll be stuck as a two-star Martial Emperor for life."

He Jingyue looked at Ye Shi in confusion. Yin Jianping's face alternated between shades of pale and green, finally spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He Jingyue eyed Yin Jianping, her expression perplexed. Chen Mu had seriously injured Yin Jianping with just one move. She seemed to have greatly underestimated Chen Mu's prowess.

"Mr. Yin, are you okay?" He Jingyue asked with concern.

With hands behind his back, Ye Shi chuckled, "He'll survive. Chen Mu knows restraint."

Hearing Ye Shi speak, Ge Xiaodie's face turned red with embarrassment.

...

After being critically injured by Chen Mu's single move, Ge Xiaodie felt awkward lingering around. She left with Yin Jianping to the temporary residence prepared for them in the Array Tower.

"So weak! The Array Tower has become a nest of incompetents," Ye Shi boasted.

He Jingyue gave a helpless smile, "Chen Mu was too ruthless. I initially thought, given his humble origins, he could forge a bond with the people from Dan Tower. Maybe, escape from the Array Tower's alchemists."

Inwardly rolling his eyes, Ye Shi thought, Mu Chen's alchemy skills are extraordinary. What could that bunch of fools from Dan Tower possibly offer?

"Those incompetents, at most, are sixth-level alchemists. They're of no real use," Ye Shi said disdainfully.

He Jingyue sighed, "Ye Shi, you're worldly and know many powerful alchemists. But Chen Mu is not like you."

With hands behind his back, Ye Shi pondered: Of course Chen Mu is different. He's a seventh-level alchemist. I rely on him for pills.

Lowering her head in thought, He Jingyue murmured: Ge Xiaodie is the granddaughter of Ge Yi, the vice president of Dan Tower. A mere seventh-level alchemist shouldn't have caught her attention.

"Che Men just battled with that guy. I wonder if he's injured. I'll go check on him," Ye Shi said.

He Jingyue's face twitched. Considering how powerful Chen Mu was, how could he possibly get hurt?

He Jingyue stared at Ye Shi's retreating figure, feeling a bit helpless.

He Jingyue looked at He Xian, who appeared unexpectedly. Startled, she said, "Grandfather? You saw everything?"

He Xian nodded, "Yes. The people from Dan Tower are too arrogant. Without any warning, they challenge the practitioners from Array Tower. However, I never expected Chen Mu to be so formidable."

"Chen Mu truly is impressive," He Jingyue whispered.

With narrowed eyes, He Xian stated, "He's a seventh-level Array Master."

Frowning, He Jingyue questioned, "Seventh level?"

He Xian affirmed, "Yes. That move, the Array Annihilation Technique, is undoubtedly of the seventh level. We can't let the Bai family snatch him away."

Biting her lip, He Jingyue thought she had only seen one genius like Ye Shi. Now, another had emerged in the form of Chen Mu.

"Why would he hide his true strength?" He Jingyue wondered.