Chapter 93: End of Punishment.
St. Star Academy Cafeteria.
"It's been over twenty days. Mu Chen and Ye Shi should be released soon," remarked Xie Danyan.
Cheng Wanbai nodded, "Indeed! Many are waiting for their release."
"That guy's incredible. Even in solitary confinement, he manages to stir up such a commotion," Xie Danyan said with a hint of annoyance. These days, her grandfather keeps sending messages inquiring about Mu Chen, leaving her exasperated.
"Here comes Ye Rong," Cheng Wanbai noted, looking towards the entrance.
Resting her chin on her hand, Xie Danyan said with interest, "She's impressive! Because of her, Mu Chen, Ye Shi, and Zhuang Yu all ended up at the quarry, yet she managed to escape unscathed. The most talented among the freshmen targeted, truly a femme fatale!"
"It seems she's been roughed up," Cheng Wanbai observed.
Xie Danyan shrugged, "She sought Zhuang Yu's protection, but when the crucial moment came, Zhuang Yu remained silent, angering all her protectors."
Cheng Wanbai looked skeptical, "Those followers of Zhuang Yu are too much. Why not address their grievances with the principal? Bullying a girl is so low."
"Zhuang Yu's protectors are notorious for bullying the weak. But you needn't pity her; she's no saint either," Xie Danyan replied nonchalantly.
Cheng Wanbai glanced at Ye Rong and commented, "She and Ye Shi look nothing alike."
"Indeed," responded Xie Danyan coldly.
Resting her chin in her hand, Cheng Wanbai mused, "Upon his release, Mu Chen will face a department transfer. I wonder if he'll switch to the Dan Institute. The Dean seems keen on recruiting him."
Xie Danyan shrugged, "The head of the Symbol Institute, Song, has come out of seclusion. He seems eager to retain Mu Chen."
...
After obtaining the Level 3 Flame Symbol, Ye Shi frequently attempted to integrate the Solar Essence Flame into his body.
In three days, Ye Shi merged five strands of the Solar Essence Flame.
"Look at this, Mu Chen," Ye Shi, opening his palm, released a flame.
Mu Chen looked at the flame in Ye Shi's hand with a hint of surprise, "The intensity of the flame seems strong. How many Solar Essence Flames have you integrated?"
"Five," Ye Shi replied proudly.
"Impressive," Mu Chen praised generously.
Ye Shi smiled, albeit expressionlessly, "It's decent. I've noticed that with each integration of the Solar Essence Flame, my strength significantly increases. I believe if I absorb two more, I'll advance to a Five-Star Martial Master."
Mu Chen nodded in agreement, "That's great."
The Solar Essence Flame has excellent compatibility. Recently, Mu Chen also attempted to merge the Solar Essence Flame with Qing Ming Flame. So far, the progress is commendable, although not as rapid as Ye Shi's, who merged three Solar Essence Flames in three days.
With his head down, memories of being restrained by the Lion's Stone and the feeling of impending doom lingered in Ye Shi's mind.
Every time Ye Shi thought of the scene where Mu Chen lunged at him, embracing him as blood spurted onto Ye Shi, his heart ached as if it was being cut by a blade.
Once he gains enough strength and finds the opportunity, Ye Shi vowed silently to himself that he would deal with Shi Zi Yu.
"We should leave. If we're late again, that old man will start scolding us," Mu Chen said with a hint of resignation.
Thinking of Xiong Wei, Ye Shi gritted his teeth in discontent, "Fine."
"Kid, you seem to have grown stronger rather quickly. Have you been taking enhancements?" Xiong Wei examined Ye Shi from head to toe and inquired.
Ye Shi shook his head, replying, "No, I haven't."
"You gained so much strength without taking anything?" Xiong Wei remarked skeptically.
"I'm a genius!" Ye Shi said with a hint of pride.
"Really? Maybe these light stones are too trivial for someone as gifted as you," mused Xiong Wei.
Grinding his teeth, Ye Shi swallowed his growing resentment.
"It's odd. Even if you had the highest innate talent, you shouldn't have grown this strong without any aid," Xiong Wei mumbled in confusion.
Ye Shi simply sneered and ignored Xiong Wei.
During his rest, Ye Shi absorbed two clusters of Solar Essence Fire, elevating his strength to the Five-Star Martial Artist realm.
After Mu Chen's Qing Ming Flame merged with the eight clusters of Solar Essence Fire, its quality elevated, pushing Mu Chen's cultivation to the Five-Star Martial Artist realm.
The sensation of the Solar Essence Fire merging into his body was warm and pleasant. Ye Shi cherished this feeling and would always take out an inscription whenever he was free to absorb its essence. Fortunately, Mu Chen was efficient at drawing flame inscriptions, otherwise, they couldn't meet both their demands.
"Mu Chen, how many days have we been here?" Ye Shi asked.
"Twenty-five days," Mu Chen replied calmly.
"Only five days left," Ye Shi said, sounding a bit disgruntled.
Mu Chen nodded, asking, "Oh? Thinking of leaving?"
Leaning on Mu Chen, Ye Shi responded, "This isn't too bad." Despite the tough conditions of the quarry, with Mu Chen by his side, Ye Shi didn't find it unbearable.
"But I've run out of beast blood, and our provisions are almost depleted," Ye Shi said with a hint of disappointment while holding his ring.
Before, Ye Shi thought his storage ring was spacious enough. Now, he wished it was bigger to store more food and beast blood.
Mu Chen gently ruffled Ye Shi's hair, soothingly saying, "Hang in there a few more days, and we can leave."
Ye Shi nodded in acknowledgment, "Alright."
"How's your study on inscription techniques coming along?" Ye Shi inquired.
Mu Chen smiled, "It should be fine."
Furrowing his brow, Ye Shi voiced his concern, "Even if the Inscription Academy accepts your application, Mu Chen, you have to produce a second-level inscription to be admitted."
"I know. Don't you trust me?" Mu Chen winked at Ye Shi.
Ye Shi hesitated, "I trust you, it's just..." He trailed off, worried that if Mu Chen failed, it would be embarrassing.
...
Time flew, and the month's duration soon came to an end. Knowing they would leave the next day, Ye Shi was in high spirits even while moving enormous rocks.
"Kid, you seem to be in a good mood," Xiong Wei remarked, observing Ye Shi with an idle glance.
"Not really," Ye Shi replied, looking down.
"You're practically grinning from ear to ear, and you say you're not happy? Kid, when you leave, turn over a new leaf. Otherwise, it won't be long before you're back here," Xiong Wei advised while shaking his foot.
Ye Shi frowned in annoyance. He wasn't the one causing trouble; it was Zhuang Yu and Ye Rong who were.
Zhuang Yu was an idiot to defend Ye Rong.
Unbeknownst to Ye Shi, Ye Rong had a tough time lately.
Many who initially were unaware of the strained relationship between Ye Rong and Ye Shi gave her some respect because she was Ye Shi's sister. However, when everyone found out Ye Rong had joined Zhuang Yu to cause trouble for Ye Shi, it was clear they didn't get along.
Ye Rong's actions led to both Ye Shi and Zhuang Yu's detention. Furthermore, Jing Chiyan and Shi Zi Yu had a major fallout over this, making Ye Rong quite unpopular.
Ye Rong's decision to follow Zhuang Yu and confront Ye Shi was a momentary lapse in judgment. The subsequent cold treatment she received in the academy almost drove the always-pampered Ye Rong to the brink of collapse.
Ye Shi was unaware of Ye Rong's plight, but even if he knew, he wouldn't pity her.
"So, kid, what do you think of the quarry?" Xiong Wei asked Mu Chen.
"It's nice, the sunlight is brilliant," Mu Chen responded with a smile.
The sunlight at the quarry is especially intense, making it an ideal location for crafting the Tier-3 Flame Sigils. The success rate here is significantly higher, and the quality of the sigils produced surpasses those from elsewhere.
"Would you consider staying a few more days?" Xiong Wei inquired.
"No!" Ye Shi interjected.
"I wasn't asking you!" Xiong Wei said, glaring at Ye Shi. Turning to Mu Chen, he added warmly, "You know, some people hope you'd stay a bit longer."
Ye Shi, somewhat agitated, responded, "Who? That despicable Shi Zi Yu?"
Xiong Wei paused for a moment, then said with a mix of amusement, "Scoundrel? This is the first time I've heard someone refer to Shi Zi Yu that way. He'd find it quite intriguing."
Ye Shi remained silent.
"It's not Shi Zi Yu," Xiong Wei clarified.
"Not Shi Zi Yu. Lan Ruo Feng?" Ye Shi contemplated with furrowed brows.
"Neither Shi Zi Yu nor Lan Ruo Feng," Xiong Wei said, turning to Mu Chen, "Want to take a guess, young man?"
"So, they want me to stay for three more days?" Mu Chen asked tentatively.
Xiong Wei nodded, "Exactly."
"Three days? In three days, the transfer will be complete," Ye Shi mused, "Is it someone from the Sigil Academy?"
"Ye Shi, I might have underestimated you. You're not as clueless as I thought," Xiong Wei teased.
Ye Shi's expression stiffened momentarily. Can't this old man give a straightforward compliment?
"The headmaster of the Sigil Academy, Song Cheng, has returned. He's worried about poachers from the Elixir Academy and wants to keep you at the Sigil Academy," Xiong Wei informed.
Ye Shi rolled his eyes, saying, "You didn't actually agree to him, did you?"
Xiong Wei chuckled sheepishly, "They offered five million Yuan stones to have you stay an additional three days. It seemed like a good deal to me."
"Elder, someone of your stature should have principles. You wouldn't bend over for a mere five million Yuan stones, would you?" Ye Shi exclaimed in disbelief.
Xiong Wei hesitated before replying, "But it's five million! Not fifty thousand, not five thousand, but five million! Wouldn't you be tempted?"
Ye Shi was silent. Of course he'd be tempted; he was broke!
"Elder, you're a master! Would someone of your caliber really be short of five million?" Ye Shi cried out in disbelief.
Xiong Wei sighed, "Not all masters are wealthy. Times are tough. Even great talents might not have much. Mu Chen's earning potential far exceeds his own level; even I can't guarantee such income."
"So, you accepted the offer?" Ye Shi inquired with a frown.
Smiling at Ye Shi, Xiong Wei explained, "I was about to, but before I could, Lu Han, the head of the Elixir Academy, arrived. When he met Song Cheng, they broke into a fight, leaving me on the sidelines."
Ye Shi raised an eyebrow, "A fight? Perfect! Like two dogs fighting over a bone. Just by looking at their followers, you can tell neither of them is up to any good."
Xiong Wei: "..."
Initially, Ye Shi was concerned that Xiong Wei might hinder them, but surprisingly, Xiong Wei graciously let them go, catching Ye Shi off-guard.
Jing Chi Yan was already waiting outside. Seeing him, Ye Shi couldn't help but feel elated.
"Master," Ye Shi greeted happily.
"You've lost weight," Jing Chi Yan observed.
Pinching his face, Ye Shi lamented, "I've eaten everything in my spatial ring. I've been hungry for days and my waistline's shrunk."
Jing Chi Yan rolled his eyes inwardly. It was just a casual remark, but Ye Shi took it seriously. To Jing, his disciple looked the same, if not a bit plumper.
"Once I have more Yuan stones, I'll get a bigger spatial ring," Ye Shi mused, clutching his ring.
Xin Ru Ge looked enviously at Ye Shi, thinking, 'Ever since Ye Shi spent time with Mu Chen, he's become just as extravagant. But at least Mu Chen can afford it.'
"Disciple, you've advanced to a 5-star martial artist?" Jing Chi Yan asked in surprise. Such rapid progress within a month was truly astonishing.
"Yes!" Ye Shi replied proudly.
"Well done," Jing Chi Yan patted his disciple's shoulder in approval.
"Master, look!" Ye Shi opened his palm to reveal a ball of Sun Essence Flame.
Jing Chi Yan's eyes widened, "You've merged with the Sun Essence Flame?"
Nodding, Ye Shi said, "Yes!"
Hearing the suppressed gasps around them, a twitch appeared at the corner of Jing Chi Yan's mouth.
Although the Sigil Master Association had theorized that the new Flame Sigils could extract Sun Essence Flame, it was still theoretical. Now that theory had been proven, making Mu Chen even more sought after.
"Put it away," Jing Chiyang said.
Noticing the covetous green eyes around him, Ye Shi sensed something amiss. Upon hearing Jing Chiyang's words, he swiftly extinguished the flame in his hand.
Standing somewhat reservedly beside Mu Chen, Ye Shi remarked, "A lot of eyes are on you."
Mu Chen gave a wry smile, saying, "Indeed." If it weren't for Jing Chiyang standing by, I might have been torn to shreds by the crowd.
...
Well no one said anything so I will do what I want.
The cultivation levels are like this-
1 Martial practionar
2 Martial warrior
3 Martial spirit
4 Martial king
5 Martial emperor
6 Martial master