Back In Business (1)

There are two main eating halls, each serving a different crowd. The eating hall on the outer grounds are for outer disciples, the hall is much bigger compared to the other and is often crowded during meal times. Another eating hall is located on the inner grounds and it mainly serves the elders, direct and inner disciples. It is usually quiet as the seasoned cultivators no longer need to eat as often.

Breakfast is served from 6 am in the morning and the first lesson of the day starts at 7 am. Ye Chen walked lazily to the eating hall and scooped up a portion of food before looking for a seat.

"If it isn't young master Ye" a voice came from one of the disciples seated.

Ye Chen's eyes twitched as he nonchalantly walked past a dashing teenager who was surrounded by a few female disciples.

Feeling embarrassed at being ignored, Wen Jun quickly stood up, took his tray and sat opposite of Ye Chen.

"Sigh, I'm too tired to deal with you. Go away."

"I will only if you tell me more about you." Wen Jun put on his brightest smile

"...Scram." Ye Chen rolled his eyes.

"Come on, I just want to know about something. We have known each other for so long." The teenager with brown hair persistently replied.

Ye Chen let out an ugly frown as he dug into his meal, ignoring Wen Jun.

To Ye Chen, Wen Jun is not a bad person, but because Wen Jun is the youngest master of the Wen Family, he was brought up as a spoiled and arrogant kid. The Wen Family is a powerful family made up of Gold people. They are known for their innate talent and it was no different for Wen Jun.

He ranked first of the top 10 during the inner sect exams at fourteen, the same time Ye Chen took his when he was twelve. So plainly speaking, they are technically batch mates. They are also selected to be direct disciples at the same time, although by different masters.

Although his achievements were great compared to normal people, Wen Jun feels sour that a commoner like Ye Chen was able to progress at the same time as he did, and Ye Chen was 2 years younger than him.

At first, the taunting felt malicious, but Mu Yang suspects that Wen Jun just wants to be Ye Chen's friend but is too egoistic and shy to do it properly, resorting to being sarcastic to catch his attention. After some time, Ye Chen feels that Wen Jun is someone who is all bark and no bite.

"I don't consider studying with each other during our outer sect years as knowing each other." Ye Chen replied as he picked up his last fried shrimp, stuffing it into his mouth.

"When is the next time you will meet the Mu siblings again?" Wen Jun ignored the sarcasm and went straight to the point.

Ye Chen stopped munching and gave a curious stare, "How is that any of your business, young master Wen?"

"Well, I was thinking and just felt that it is better to have more friends than foes, right Ye-Xiong?" Wen Jun sheepishly smiled.

Ye Chen feels like if he were to continue the conversation any longer he would barf out his dinner last night so he excused himself and made his way to class. After being rejected, Wen Jun returned to his original table where his friends were at.

"Shi-Xiong, why did you have to talk to that brat? I suggest you don't get too close as he is bad news. Someone almost died because of him." a female disciple warned.

"Hmm, I got it." Wen Jun rubs his chin and looks in the direction Ye Chen walked towards.

Of course, Wen Jun knew about this when the incident happened since they were both outer sect disciples at that time. Although he didn't voice it out, he always felt that something was off, the story about how Ye Chen beat up a senior to steal his beast was unbelievable - at least to him.

Wen Jun, coming from a reputable family himself has seen many malicious situations and people. He is quite intelligent and without having to dig out any information, he suspected the authenticity of the story based on just his observations alone.

He concluded that Ye Chen's background, although a commoner, was not a simple person, as two young masters from the distinguished Mu Family frequently visited Ye Chen. The twins were also fiercely protective of him, to the extent of looking like older brothers spoiling their younger sister.

If Ye Chen wanted to buy a rare beast, there is no reason why he wouldn't be able to get it if he were to just ask. The second reason would be Ye Chen's exceptional results. His name was often the top few in the outer sect rankings - it would not be a problem for him to contract his own beast in the future when he is of age. The last and most obvious reason was, he was not even fourteen back then. Even if he were to "steal" the beast, he wouldn't be able to contract it anyway due to the age restriction - Besides, it was already contracted. You can't overwrite an existing contract.

For someone who has not talked to Ye Chen before, during their outer sect years, there is no reason for him to step in to dispel the rumours. Besides, even though he felt that Ye Chen was innocent, everyone who was delighted at his demise has set their mind on believing what they want to believe. Whatever he says won't make a difference anyway.

--

Walking towards Sea Peak's training grounds, Ye Chen plopped his butt onto the wooden log and waited patiently for Elder Ming's appearance. At 7 am sharp, a brown rhinoceros with three horns and two tails ran towards Ye Chen. At the speed it is going, it will knock onto Ye Chen in under five seconds. Without even flinching, Ye Chen hopped up and put both hands behind his back.

"You're so lively today Pi Lu!!! Did you miss me??" The youth chirped as the beast tactfully stopped just an inch away from Ye Chen, burrowing its head into his arms.

"Piuuuuu. Piuuuu!"

"Pi Lu's been whining a whole lot when you're not around." the middle-aged cultivator sighed as he walked towards the hugging duo. "I'm not even sure who it's contracted to anymore."

"This disciple gives his greetings to Shizun." Ye Chen managed to break free from the beast and gesture a bow respectfully. Elder Ming nodded in acknowledgement.

"Pi Lu is such a good boy! Where are the rest?" Ye Chen rubbed the rough skin of Pi Lu and looked around but did not see the few residents of Sea Peak.

"Piuuuuu. Piuuu Piu." Pi Lu tilted his head as it tries to explain to the young man's question.

"I sent them to run some errands, they should be back soon. For now, let us begin our class." Elder Ming gestured to Pi Lu to step aside.

Ye Chen nodded and proceeded to do his usual routine for the past 2 years.