Chapter 274: A Farewell Moment

Mu Chen stepped into Gu Xun'er's room.

"Xun'er, guess what I've brought for you?" Mu Chen flipped his palm, revealing a small object. It had a jade-like texture, a shimmering surface, and an otherwise unremarkable appearance.

"What's this?" Gu Xun'er asked.

"A fragment of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade," Mu Chen replied with a smile.

"The fragment? From the Xiao Family?" Gu Xun'er asked in astonishment. Seeing Mu Chen nod, she pressed further, "How did you manage to get them to give it to you?"

"They didn't have much of a choice," Mu Chen said with a sly grin. Unintentionally, he realized he had grown to enjoy this feeling of control—manipulating people and events as if everything were within his grasp.

As Mu Chen explained, Gu Xun'er began to understand the entire sequence of events.

"So that's how it happened. Hehe, Mu Chen-gege, you're so cunning. I bet the three major families in Wu Tan City still have no idea they've been played," Gu Xun'er said with a laugh.

"They should count themselves lucky to have been toyed with by me. If you hadn't told me not to kill them outright, I wouldn't have bothered with these schemes," Mu Chen replied.

With his soul at the Emperor Realm, Mu Chen could have easily wiped out the Xiao Family. These ploys were merely him adhering to Gu Xun'er's request. If he had resorted to threats, there was no way the Xiao Family would have held onto their heirloom.

"Here, take it," Mu Chen said, handing her the fragment.

"You're giving it to me?" Gu Xun'er asked, surprised.

"Of course." Mu Chen nodded.

"But this is a fragment of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade," Gu Xun'er reminded him.

"It's just a key to the Dou Emperor's estate," Mu Chen replied nonchalantly.

As a traveler from another world, Mu Chen knew exactly what treasures lay in the Ancient Emperor's estate. To him, they weren't of much use.

"You're really giving it to me?" Gu Xun'er asked again.

"Didn't I say so?" Mu Chen replied, chuckling as he gently took her hand and placed the fragment into her palm.

"Thank you, Mu Chen-gege," Gu Xun'er said gratefully.

"Ding!"

"Congratulations! You have completed the task: Help Gu Xun'er obtain the Xiao Family's fragment of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade. Reward: 80,000 Dou Qi points and 80 skill points."

"Ding!"

"Congratulations! Your Dou Qi has reached the next level. You have advanced four levels. Current level: Eight-Star Fighter (12/19,890)."

"Ding!"

"A new task has been assigned. Please proceed to the Nalan Family in the Gamma Empire's capital and assist Nalan Jie in curing his chronic ailment."

"There's no need to thank me. Now that you've completed your mission, are you planning to stay in the Xiao Family?" Mu Chen asked.

"I…" Gu Xun'er paused before her eyes sparkled with realization. "Mu Chen-gege, are you saying you're leaving?"

"Yes," Mu Chen confirmed, patting Gu Xun'er's head. He couldn't help but admire how perceptive she was.

"Where are you going?" Gu Xun'er inquired.

"First, to the Gamma Empire's capital. After that, I might visit the Tagore Desert," Mu Chen explained.

The Gamma Empire's capital held an opportunity Mu Chen intended to seize. Similarly, the Tagore Desert contained another significant chance. If time allowed, he also planned to explore the Black Plain.

With his system now capable of traversing realms, Mu Chen only needed to stay in the Doupo World for three months before moving on. The vast multiverse was full of treasures, beauties, and opportunities he wanted to explore.

"Alright. Since you're leaving, I'll return to the Gu Clan. The grand elder's task is complete," Gu Xun'er said.

After chatting with Gu Xun'er for a while, Mu Chen left the Xiao Family to inform Ya Fei of his temporary departure. He then returned to the Xiao Family's estate.

As soon as Mu Chen stepped into his room, a silver light slashed toward him.

"Hm?" Mu Chen frowned, sidestepping the attack and striking the assailant's wrist, causing the sword to clatter to the ground.

"Xiao Yu, do you ever stop?" Mu Chen said coldly. "I helped your family overcome a crisis, and this is how you repay me?"

"You got what you wanted. Why should I thank you?" Xiao Yu retorted.

"Xiao Yu, you've attacked me one too many times. Today, I need to teach you a lesson on behalf of your grandfather," Mu Chen said sternly, releasing a surge of soul energy that immobilized Xiao Yu.

With a flick of his finger, Xiao Yu was lifted off the ground, her body rotating until she was facing downward and her back was turned to him. Slowly, she drifted closer to Mu Chen.

"What… what are you doing?" Xiao Yu asked nervously, her voice tinged with an odd excitement.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Mu Chen countered.

"You better not do anything rash!" Xiao Yu warned.

"Isn't this what you wanted? Isn't that why you keep trying to kill me?" Mu Chen's tone grew colder.

With another flick of his finger, Xiao Yu's clothing began to loosen, revealing her fair skin.

"What… what are you doing?" Xiao Yu asked in a panic, her mind racing with fear. Had Mu Chen truly lost control?

Smack!

Mu Chen's hand landed sharply, the sound echoing through the room.

Xiao Yu's mind blanked.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

The blows continued, one after another, for what felt like an eternity. Only after ten long minutes did Mu Chen finally stop.

When Mu Chen released his soul energy, Xiao Yu stumbled out of the room, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion. She didn't understand why she had gone to his room to confront him upon hearing of his departure. Was she… reluctant to see him leave?

As she walked

away, Xiao Yu's heart churned with emotions she couldn't untangle. Had she, somehow, fallen for Mu Chen?