Chapter 96 – Get Rich
"Wan Bai, I heard that Mu Chen was certified today as a third-level alchemist and a third-level talisman master," Xie Danyan said to Cheng Wanbai, resting her chin on her hand.
Cheng Wanbai nodded and said, "I know, the whole academy is talking about it."
Mu Chen is now a celebrity. Countless people are paying attention to him, and even the slightest disturbance causes a huge stir.
This guy is now the dream guy in the hearts of countless female students. So many people are jealous of Ye Shi—so jealous they can't even sleep at night! Not sure if Ye Shi himself can sleep. But looking at how carefree he is, he probably sleeps like a baby.
Xie Danyan sighed in frustration and said, "Wan Bai, you were right. Mu Chen really is a genius."
Cheng Wanbai smiled bitterly. He had made a mistake by failing to build a connection with Mu Chen earlier. "I heard he left ten third-level Flame Talismans at the Jiyue Auction House, and they're going to be auctioned soon. It's said Ye Shi relied on these to cultivate the Sun Flame Art."
Xie Danyan narrowed her eyes, surprised. "Ten?"
Cheng Wanbai nodded. "That's right."
Xie Danyan frowned, eager to try.
Cheng Wanbai shook his head helplessly. "They say the Alchemist Guild, Talisman Master Guild, Artifact Refiner Guild, and even the royal family are all very interested in the talismans. My family only prepared 400,000 yuan stones—I'm afraid it won't be enough."
Xie Danyan comforted him, "Wan Bai, don't be discouraged. After all, you and Mu Chen do have some connection. Maybe he'll give you a few at a cheaper price."
Cheng Wanbai smiled bitterly. "I hope so."
---
Meanwhile, at Ye Shi's place
"Shitou, did you know the Flame Talismans will be auctioned today at the Jiyue Auction House?" Xin Ruge asked Ye Shi, who was rolling on the bed.
Ye Shi nodded. "Yeah, but the academy doesn't let us leave. Otherwise, I would've liked to go watch."
Xin Ruge glanced at Ye Shi and smirked, "Even if you did go, you wouldn't be able to buy anything with how little you have left on your yuan stone card."
Ye Shi looked at his card guiltily. He only had 20,000 yuan stones left. At his peak, he had nearly five million!
"Though I'm short on yuan stones now, there'll be more soon," Ye Shi said confidently.
Xin Ruge nodded with a teasing smile. "Yeah, you'll be rich again soon."
Ye Shi grinned triumphantly.
"Shitou, has your senior sister been treating you well lately?" Xin Ruge asked.
Ye Shi gave her a wary look. "Senior Sister, are you plotting something by asking that all of a sudden?"
"You brat, your senior sister loves you sincerely!" Xin Ruge said with a serious face.
Xin Ruge stomped her foot. "Ugh, fine, don't look at me like that."
"So, what are you trying to say?" Ye Shi tilted his head.
"I want to buy a Flame Talisman or two from you at a lower price." Xin Ruge gave him a flattering smile.
Ye Shi sighed in relief. "Oh, so you just want a talisman! You scared me. I thought you fell for Mu Chen."
Xin Ruge rolled her eyes. "…Your senior sister already has a boyfriend."
"I know. But compared to Mu Chen, that guy's like dust," Ye Shi said with a shake of his head.
Xin Ruge stared at Ye Shi's smug face and wanted to kick him. Her boyfriend was focused only on cultivating, and comparing him to someone like Mu Chen, who could make so much money… she couldn't help but feel bitter.
"Sorry, Senior Sister, so many people have been eyeing Mu Chen lately that I'm on edge all the time," Ye Shi said, scratching his head.
Xin Ruge laughed. "It's okay, I understand."
"You're too kind. Actually, there were already many girls who liked Mu Chen before, but recently it's gotten worse. I can't sleep at night," Ye Shi said, frustrated.
Xin Ruge rolled her eyes again. "Okay, okay. No need to show off how popular your Mu Chen is… But seriously, he's too soft for my taste."
Ye Shi nodded sincerely. "Senior Sister, you're the best!"
Xin Ruge forced a smile. "Right. Now can we talk about the talismans?"
Ye Shi nodded. "Sure. The auction has ten talismans. If you want one, I'll sell it to you at the lowest auction price."
Xin Ruge forced a smile. "Junior Brother, isn't that too cruel?"
Ye Shi was confused. "Cruel? How could that be? If I sold it to you at the highest auction price, that would be cruel."
Xin Ruge: "…" Those guys at the auction are going to push the price so high—how is she supposed to afford one?
Suddenly, Ye Shi grabbed Xin Ruge's arm in excitement. "Senior Sister, look! That's 180,000 yuan stones coming in. Add that to the 800,000 we already had—that's a million! A great start!"
Xin Ruge watched Ye Shi's delighted face and thought: A million! If that's the base price, there's no way I can afford even one…
"Ah! Another 900,000 just came in!" Ye Shi exclaimed.
Xin Ruge stared at him in awe. Seeing his joyful expression, she suddenly had the urge to dump her cultivation-obsessed boyfriend and find someone who could actually earn money.
No wonder everyone's jealous of Ye Shi. Having a rich and devoted partner really is something special.
By the end of the day, Ye Shi's yuan stone card went from 20,000 to 9.65 million.
"It's done!" Ye Shi beamed.
Xin Ruge nodded. "Yeah, it's over."
"Where are you going now?" she asked.
"I'm going to Baoge! I'm buying a bigger spatial ring and twenty roasted chickens!" Ye Shi declared, fists clenched.
Xin Ruge watched him leave and was speechless.
---
At the Auction House
Mu Chen and Ye Shi couldn't attend, but Mu Yuanfeng and Chen Da did.
Mu Yuanfeng tried to stay low-profile, but the auction house had excellent intel and arranged a private room for him.
Seeing high-level figures madly bidding on Mu Chen's talismans, Mu Yuanfeng was overwhelmed with emotion.
At the same time, he found it odd—Mu Chen had never shown interest in talismans before. When did he learn to make them?
Chen Da squinted, thinking, I only wanted to find someone reliable for Ye Shi. Turns out Mu Chen is way beyond excellent.
---
At Saint Star Academy
A group of freshmen gathered to gossip:
"Did you hear? Mu Chen's ten talismans sold for over 10 million yuan stones!"
"I heard 80% of it went to Ye Shi's card."
"After getting the money, Ye Shi spent 500,000 on a bigger spatial ring—he's loaded!"
"Mu Chen really spoils Ye Shi. Didn't he even take a slap from Shi Ziyu for him?"
"This Mu Chen is amazing—he rose from the bottom like a shooting star!"
"Some say Zhuang Yu is also interested in Mu Chen!"
"Well, who wouldn't be? But judging by Mu Chen's attitude, no one but Ye Shi catches his eye."
Ye Rong stood to the side, listening, feeling bitter. Mu Chen had become the ideal man for all the girls, and Ye Shi was the target of all their jealousy.
---
Zhuang Yu & Lan Ruofeng
"Ruofeng, did you hear? Mu Chen's Flame Talismans sold for over ten million yuan stones," Zhuang Yu said with wide, innocent eyes.
Lan Ruofeng replied with difficulty, "I heard. It's all people talk about."
"Mu Chen gave almost all that money to Ye Shi. That spendthrift! No matter how rich Mu Chen is, he'll be drained dry." Zhuang Yu said worriedly.
"Why are you meddling in other people's business?" Ye Shi suddenly said, stretching lazily. "I'm a spendthrift? Mu Chen doesn't mind—who asked you?"
Ye Shi had come to the cafeteria on a whim, not expecting to run into Zhuang Yu—his mortal enemy.
"Even if you don't admit it, it doesn't change the fact that all the money you spend is Mu Chen's," Zhuang Yu said seriously.
Ye Shi rolled his eyes. He never denied it! Of course he couldn't earn that much on his own.
"Even if you don't admit it, the yuan stones Mu Chen earned were all for me. That money has nothing to do with you," Ye Shi said provocatively.
Zhuang Yu blushed. "You… Ye Shi, you're so shameless. Sooner or later, Mu Chen won't be able to stand you."
Ye Shi shrugged. "Nonsense. Mu Chen said I'm too frugal. He said spending yuan stones gives them value, and the more I spend, the more motivated he is to earn. He said no matter what happens, he'll never let me starve."
Ye Shi grinned cruelly. "Compared to me, you're dreaming. Even if you have many admirers, none of them will give you what Mu Chen gives me."
He shot a disdainful glance at Lan Ruofeng, who stiffened.
Zhuang Yu bit his lip in silence, unable to refute.
Xin Ruge came up, pulled Ye Shi away, and said, "Junior Brother, let's go eat together."
Ye Shi looked reluctant. "Senior Sister, why are you dragging me away? I was about to give him a proper lesson."
Xin Ruge said, "Okay, if you want to get thrown into the quarry again, go ahead and start a fight."
Ye Shi pouted and muttered, "He's lucky…"
"Come on. He's not as strong as you, not as rich, not as skilled. Why even bother arguing with him?" Xin Ruge said.
Ye Shi thought about it and grinned. "You're right."
Zhuang Yu stood in silence, feeling heartbroken after hearing everything.
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