Chapter 91: Mu Zhi’an’s Revenge is Best Served Fresh
Sunlight streamed through the vibrant autumn leaves, a gentle breeze rustling the branches.
Lan Mulian led Bai Ruoxi and Wei Mengrou to a grand, ancient palace, a massive platform before it, flanked by pink peach blossoms in full bloom, their beauty defying the approaching winter.
“Please wait here for a while. The trials on the nine peaks should be over in about half a day,” Lan Mulian said.
“What about him?” Wei Mengrou asked casually.
“Young Master Mu’s cultivation is average, but he’s quite clever. He should be fine,” Lan Mulian replied with a faint smile. “Even if he fails, he can simply withdraw. An elder will escort him back.”
After all, he had already secured a spot in the sect.
Bai Ruoxi nodded, then frowned, her voice laced with worry. “I’m still concerned. Why would he want to participate in the exams?”
“He’s close to the Ye sisters, and Miss Huang from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps he’s worried about them,” she added, her tone thoughtful.
Lan Mulian raised an eyebrow. “If you’re so worried, Junior Sister Bai, I’ll go to Boundless Sea Peak and check on him.”
She was also curious about his progress.
…
That evening, Mu Zhi’an, having explained the situation to the other candidates at Boundless Sea Peak, had gained their support.
The trials on the nine peaks were unpredictable, and many had despaired upon learning about Boundless Sea Peak’s challenge.
After all, reaching the summit with only their Foundation Establishment cultivation… it was nearly impossible.
But this Mu family young master claimed he could take them all to the summit… if they lent him their spiritual energy.
Many were skeptical.
To pass the exams simply by offering their spiritual energy? It seemed too good to be true.
Those who had come this far weren’t fools. They didn’t believe he was truly altruistic.
“Are you serious, Young Master Mu?” a voice called out from the crowd, sweet and alluring. It was Huang Manting, the temptress from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce.
“You’ve deciphered a small part of the forest’s formation, and you believe you can… take us all with you?”
He smiled calmly. “What would I gain by lying to you all?”
They fell silent, considering his words.
Whether he was lying or not… if it was a lie, wouldn’t he fear their wrath?
He wouldn’t make such a claim without confidence.
Huang Manting stared at him, then smiled. “Very well. I’ll trust you, Young Master Mu.”
“After all, I have nothing to lose.”
Others quickly agreed, afraid of missing out if he truly succeeded.
As Huang Manting had said, they were only contributing their spiritual energy. There was no risk.
He smiled at the thirty or so candidates gathered before him. “Follow me.”
After leading them through the forest for nearly half an hour, he arrived at the formation core where he had meditated the previous day.
He turned to them, bowing. “The preparations will take one or two hours. Please be patient and protect me.”
“If you can truly help us pass the exams, Young Master Mu, we’ll repay your kindness,” someone said.
“Don’t worry. No one will disturb you. This is important,” another said, his voice laced with a chilling intensity.
If someone interfered and disrupted the formation, ruining their chance to join the sect, they would face the wrath of these desperate candidates.
“Thank you,” Mu Zhi’an replied with a smile.
He sat beneath the tree, closing his eyes, pretending to prepare, but in reality, he was simply taking a nap.
Ye Lingxuan sat beside him, her legs tucked beneath her, her sister beside her.
They were captivating, but for the other candidates, passing the exams was paramount. And seeing their connection to Mu Zhi’an, they wisely suppressed any unwanted thoughts.
“How long will the preparations take?” Ye Lingxuan asked, her voice a mental whisper. She was close enough to see that he was sleeping.
He opened his eyes, glancing at the candidates sitting on the ground, then chuckled. “We can leave anytime.”
“Then why are we waiting? Are you deceiving them?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
“I’m not deceiving them. I don’t lie,” he replied, shaking his head.
She smiled, her voice teasing. “You’re quite the charmer, Young Master Mu. Only you know if you’re lying or not.”
He looked at her, her beauty captivating, her slender figure accentuated by her purple dress, her delicate features and rosy lips alluring.
“Do you believe my affection for you is a lie?” he asked, his voice a low murmur in her mind.
Flustered by his boldness, she fell silent, then, noticing the amusement in his eyes, she frowned.
“I saw you leaving traces of your spiritual energy along the way. What are you planning?” she asked, her voice a whisper. She looked at the other candidates, her eyes widening as a realization dawned on her. “Are you going to attack the Third Prince and Gongsun Cheng?”
Despite her youth, she was quite intelligent. If he married her, she would surely be a valuable asset. He smiled at her, admiring her sharp mind.
“I prefer to serve my revenge fresh,” he replied, his voice a soft murmur.
“But it’s already been a night,” she pointed out.
He stared at her, speechless.
He hadn’t realized she had a sarcastic side.
Well, it didn’t matter. Once they joined the sect, he would discipline her properly.
…
Meanwhile, Ye Yu, dressed in black robes, walked through the forest, his gaze alert, scanning his surroundings.
He was puzzled. He had encountered other candidates earlier, but now there was no one in sight.
They couldn’t have all left the forest and started climbing the peak, could they?
It was unlikely. They had been among the first to arrive. Those chosen by the examiner should be the first to leave.
He wondered how Qian’er and Lingxuan were doing.
Mu Zhi’an had taken them away last night.
Alone, for an entire night. And it was Mu Zhi’an.
He imagined unpleasant scenarios, and his expression darkened.
Knowing Mu Zhi’an, having acted so quickly with Bai Ruoxi, he might have taken advantage of his cousins.
His anxiety grew, and he called out to the old man in his mind. “Master, can you possess me and… locate Mu Zhi’an?”
“You’re too impatient. He won’t harm them here,” the old man replied, his voice weary.
“It’s Mu Zhi’an! He might do anything, even during the entrance exams!” Ye Yu retorted.
He had been focused on his cultivation, ignoring his cousins’ affection, and now that Mu Zhi’an had stolen them, he realized his mistake, his hatred for Mu Zhi’an intensifying.
If hatred could be converted into damage, Mu Zhi’an would be dead…
“You…”
The old man sighed, then extended his spiritual sense, searching the forest.
After a moment, he spoke. “He’s at the tree where he was meditating yesterday. You’ll have to backtrack.”
He went back there?
Ye Yu didn’t hesitate. He turned and retraced his steps.
…
The Third Prince, having rested for the night, was also searching for Mu Zhi’an.
“Your Highness, we’ve found him,” an attendant said, rushing towards him, his voice filled with excitement.
The prince looked up, his eyes brightening.
“We discovered traces of his spiritual energy and followed them. He’s at the tree where he was meditating yesterday. He hasn’t moved.”
The prince chuckled. “He thinks the most dangerous place is the safest? Does he truly believe we wouldn’t think of that?”
“Inform Gongsun Cheng,” he ordered.
He watched the attendant depart, then smiled, opening his fan.
This time.., he wouldn’t escape…
