Chapter 313

Chapter 313: The Grandfather Arrives

The Bai residence.

Ye Shi stared intently at Mu Chen, expressing his concern, "How do you feel? Were you injured?"

Mu Chen smiled reassuringly at Ye Shi, "I'm fine, no need to worry."

Ever since entering the Bai Lian Killing Array, Mu Chen has been working to decipher its traps.

A Spirit Tower absorbed all the array methods within the Bai Lian Killing Array. Inside the tower, Mu Chen tirelessly analyzed each one, simplifying complexities and vice versa, until he mastered them all.

Though only fifteen days passed outside, months went by within the Spirit Tower.

After familiarizing himself with all the traps, Mu Chen efficiently broke through the Bai family's defense arrays, astonishing several of the Bai family's reclusive experts.

"Your mastery over the arrays has progressed impressively. If only your alchemy skills improved as swiftly! Half a month to intermediate level, one month to advanced. That old geezer from the Dan Tower would be no match. His era is over," Ye Shi remarked with a smirk.

Mu Chen was at a loss for words, thinking, "Ye Shi's imagination grows wilder by the day."

His venture into the Bai Lian Killing Array gave him access, in a way, to the Bai family's array heritage. Without a proper alchemy heritage, progress would be difficult.

"It's not that easy; you're exaggerating," Mu Chen responded.

Looking a bit miffed, Ye Shi revealed, "While you were in seclusion, the people from Dan Tower caused some trouble for us."

"Was it resolved?" Mu Chen inquired.

Nodding, Ye Shi confirmed, "It was."

The Bai family had a significant demand for basic elixirs. After halting trade with the Dan Tower, they signed a deal with the Dan Qi Pavilion, which also sold a variety of elixirs.

Mu Chen acknowledged with a nod, "That's good to hear." If the expansive Bai family couldn't handle such matters, it would indeed be disappointing.

Ye Shi looked at Mu Chen and said, "Mu Chen, I've heard that there are many benefits to entering the Killing Array. Should I also venture into the Hundred Refinement Killing Array?"

Mu Chen pondered for a moment, then replied, "The formation of the Hundred Refinement Killing Array has been inscribed in the Spirit Tower. It can simulate the array, so you don’t need to enter it directly. You can just challenge the array inside the Spirit Tower."

The Hundred Refinement Killing Array in the Spirit Tower poses no danger, yet it perfectly replicates the lethality of the original array. Moreover, time flows slower within the Spirit Tower, making it ideal for Ye Shi.

The only downside might be the massive consumption of Yuan Stones. However, once they're depleted, more can be earned.

Ye Shi nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Sounds great!"

…………

Crescent Moon Tavern.

"Did you hear? The young master of Dan Qi Pavilion, the one who failed before, has successfully advanced to the Martial Venerate rank."

"Of course, everyone's talking about it! Who hasn’t heard? They say Mu Chen helped him. It was already impressive when he aided a Martial Emperor to advance to Martial Ancestor. And now, assisting a Martial Ancestor to become a Martial Venerate? The younger generation truly is extraordinary."

"No doubt about that. Mu Chen is a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, seemingly capable of anything."

"Rumor has it, Mu Chen stayed in Bai Family's Hundred Refinement Killing Array for half a month and didn't come out. Those who have been indebted to him in the secret realm even planned to unite against the Bai Family. But then, Mu Chen appeared. His knowledge in array techniques must have reached the mid-Eighth Level."

"Mu Chen is amazing, but in reality, Bai Shao is even more exceptional. Ever since Bai Chen Xing recognized Bai Shao, his cultivation has skyrocketed, not to mention Mu Chen's growth."

"Bai Chen Xing has only one biological son, Bai Yan Xing, and Mu Chen is deeply affectionate. Both dote on Bai Shao; she's truly fortunate."

Qu Kun sat in the tavern, quietly listening to the conversation nearby, a hint of pride on his lips.

"Bai Shao's life is good now, but half a year ago, it wasn't all roses. When she first arrived in Zhongzhou, she entered the Array Tower. The Bai family certainly didn't make things easy for her…"

"That’s true. When Bai Shao was still at the Martial Emperor stage, she was ambushed by three Martial Ancestors. If not for the explosive pill she consumed, she might've perished at their hands."

A cultivator whispered, "I've heard that those three Martial Ancestors were sent by Bai Chen Xing's own brother, Bai Li Feng. He coveted Bai Shao's Spirit Patterned Eyes. So, in anger, Bai Chen Xing crippled his own brother, Bai Li Feng."

"It's like the saying, 'Floods can hit even the Dragon King's temple'. Sometimes, family doesn't recognize family. If Bai Shao had been killed by her own kin, things would be different now."

"I thought Bai Shao was doomed when she was accused of stealing the Bai family's forbidden techniques. But then..."

"Because of her mastery in array integration, the Bai family targeted her at the Array Tower. I was there, and many from the Bai family went. The most aggressive towards her was Bai Hui, her own grandfather!"

"Thankfully, Bai Chen Xing arrived just in time. Otherwise, it might have ended tragically for Bai Shao, especially if it were at the hands of her own grandfather."

"It’s strange that Bai Shao, being the son of Elder Bai, didn't seek him out upon arriving in Zhongzhou. Instead, she endured hardships in the Array Tower for six months, facing several life-threatening situations. What was she aiming for?"

"Who knows? Before her identity was revealed, Bai Chen Xing's adopted daughter, Bai Jin Le, and Bai Yi often mocked her. She's really tolerant."

…………

As Qu Kun listened, his face darkened. Setting down his cup, he approached the table where the conversation about Ye Shi was taking place.

"Are you saying Bai Yan Xing almost died at the hands of her own family?" Qu Kun asked with a gloomy expression.

"Yes," replied the man in gray, lowering his voice.

"Did Bai Chen Xing's adopted daughter consistently trip up Bai Yan Xing?" Qu Kun asked coldly.

"Seems like it."

"And Bai Chen Xing's fiancée? Did she often pick fights with Bai Yan Xing?" Qu Kun gritted his teeth.

"Friend, it's disrespectful to directly address Elder Bai by his name. He’s immensely powerful," warned the man in black beside the gray-clad man.

"That clueless fool, and I should address him as an elder? He wishes," retorted Qu Kun angrily.

Hearing Qu Kun's words, the faces of the two men he was conversing with paled.

"Who's this, talking nonsense here? You must be a spy from the Ming Clan," a young man dressed in the Bai family's attire sneered at Qu Kun.

Qu Kun's face turned ashen as he glared at the arrogant youth.

…………

"Fight! Fight!" As the conflict erupted, Wang Yang and his group were nearby and witnessed everything.

"Who is that Martial Ancestor? He's powerful!" He Jing Yue looked through the window, observing the ongoing battle.

"Impressive, indeed. He must be a Six-Star Martial Ancestor. Despite being outnumbered, he's holding his own," Wang Yang commented, awestruck.

"He's powerful alright, but daring to clash with the Bai family on their territory? That's even more remarkable. Who is he?" He Jing Yue asked curiously.

"I'm not sure. No one seems to recognize him. The Bai family members are calling him a spy," said Wang Yang.

"A spy?" A hint of suspicion flashed in He Jingyue's eyes.

Wang Yang nodded, saying, "Indeed! Rumors say that this person's audacity exceeds his skills. He even dared to refer to the Bai family's elder as a 'scoundrel'."

He Jingyue responded with silence, "... Bai Chenxing is a Martial Saint, yet this Martial Master speaks so brazenly."

"He doesn't seem like a spy to me," He Jingyue remarked with a frown.

Wang Yang shrugged, "I also doubt he is. But for him to openly insult Elder Bai in public and for no one from the Bai family to intervene? It's odd. Elder Bai is quite influential these days; who in the Bai family wouldn't want to impress him?"

"Even if someone has grievances against Elder Bai, declaring them so openly suggests this person might not be thinking straight," Gu Xiaoyue murmured.

As He Jingyue observed the individual below, an odd feeling welled up within her.

...

The Bai residence.

Ye Shi choked while eating his dried meat.

Mu Chen quickly stood up and patted Ye Shi's back, "Eat slowly, no one's taking it from you."

Ye Shi looked up sharply at Mu Chen, voicing his concern, "I have a feeling something's about to happen."

Mu Chen, puzzled, inquired, "What's about to happen? What are you referring to?"

Ye Shi shook his head, "I don't know, it's just a feeling."

Mu Chen closed his eyes, extending his spiritual sense outward. Almost simultaneously, Bai Chenxing's spirit also spread out.

After Mu Chen's spiritual sweep, his eyes narrowed, a sly smirk playing on his lips.

Bai Chenxing's expression darkened, his entire body trembling.

Ye Shi turned to Mu Chen, asking, "What happened? What did you sense?"

Rotating his eyeballs, Mu Chen replied, "Grandfather has arrived."

Ye Shi excitedly said, "Really? Why hasn't he come to see me? Where is he now?"

Mu Chen smiled at Ye Shi, "He's clashing with the Bai family members. Grandfather is as vigorous as ever, taking on five opponents single-handedly. They're no match for him. It seems his strength has improved; he might be a Six-Star Martial Master now."

Ye Shi: "..."

According to Mu Chen's knowledge, the last time Ye Shi and Bai Chenxing returned to the outer city, they left many cultivation resources for Qu Kun. Without these, Qu Kun's progress would not have been so rapid.

Bai Chenxing gritted his teeth and flew out.

Mu Chen, with Ye Shi in tow, followed closely.