Chapter 142: Forced Purchase

Chapter 142: Forced Purchase

Bai Ziyue sighed. "The credits we earned from the last Duel Hall match were all used up in just one month of training."

"Why don't we try again? This time, I'll take the challenge," Mu Kuang suggested.

"The same trick works only once," Mu Feng replied, shaking his head. "If we go again, everyone will already know our strength, and we won't make much."

Turning to Yun Qingwan, he asked, "Wan'er, how do most students in the academy earn credits?"

"Most take on missions from the Mission Hall," Yun Qingwan explained. "The academy accepts assignments from various regions and nations. Completing those missions can reward a significant number of credits."

"Alright," Mu Feng nodded. "Let's grab something to eat first, then check out the Mission Hall. If it works for us, we can try taking some missions."

The group headed toward the academy's dining hall, a lively and bustling place. Meals could be purchased with gold coins instead of credits, making it accessible for most students.

Before reaching the dining hall, they noticed it offered two main options: a premium section serving beast meat and spirit grains rich in spiritual energy and nutrition, and a basic section with more affordable, ordinary fare.

Gold wasn't an issue for Mu Feng, and since Bai Ziyue and Mu Kuang followed him, they weren't short either.

"Brother Feng, you and Wan'er grab a seat. We'll get the food," Bai Ziyue said cheerfully, heading with Mu Kuang to the premium section.

An Unexpected Encounter

As Mu Feng and Yun Qingwan sat waiting, he smiled and said, "Wan'er, I have a gift for you."

"A gift?" Yun Qingwan asked curiously.

Mu Feng opened a long wooden box he had retrieved from his storage ring. Inside lay a three-foot-long white sword. Its blade, neither metallic nor iron, gleamed like jade or bone. A faint multicolored aura surrounded it, while its hilt, fiery red with dragon-scale engravings, was adorned with a tassel of colorful silk.

This was no ordinary weapon—it was a top-grade Tier-2 elemental sword.

The blade had been crafted from the rib of a fire flood dragon, forged by a master craftsman and inscribed with Tier-2 runes by Mu Feng himself. Although it could have supported Tier-3 inscriptions, Mu Feng's current capabilities limited him to Tier-2 runes. Still, for Yun Qingwan, currently at the seventh stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, the sword would suffice even as she advanced into the Condensed Qi Realm.

"It's beautiful…" Yun Qingwan exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with delight.

"This sword is called Wanqing. Do you like it?" Mu Feng asked with a smile.

"I love it. As long as it's from you, I'll always love it," Yun Qingwan replied, kissing him on the cheek before carefully examining the sword with obvious affection.

Unwelcome Attention

Nearby, a group of students passed by. Among them, a yellow-robed young woman stopped, her gaze fixed on the sword with a glint of desire.

"You like that sword, Fei'er?" asked a brown-robed young man beside her.

"Mm, my sword broke during my last mission," the yellow-robed woman, Chu Fei'er, replied.

"If you like it, I'll buy it for you," the brown-robed young man, Feng Yi, offered eagerly, clearly trying to win favor.

The other students, sensing an opportunity slipping away, clicked their tongues in annoyance.

By then, Bai Ziyue and Mu Kuang had returned with food. However, before the group could start eating, Chu Fei'er and her companions approached their table. Noticing the three new students' single-stripe academy badges, the intruders' expressions became condescending. However, when their eyes fell on Yun Qingwan, awe momentarily replaced arrogance.

Her ethereal beauty, noble aura, and natural elegance made even Chu Fei'er feel a pang of jealousy and hostility.

"Excuse me, junior sister," Feng Yi began. "How much for that sword? I'm willing to pay double its value."

Yun Qingwan glanced at his badge, smiled politely, and replied, "I'm sorry, senior, but this sword is not for sale."

Her gentle demeanor left Feng Yi momentarily dazed. Even Chu Fei'er felt a sting of irritation at how mesmerized her companions seemed.

"We'll pay three times the price," Chu Fei'er pressed, her tone growing impatient.

"I said it's not for sale. Please leave—we're trying to eat," Mu Feng interjected, his tone firm.

"Who do you think you're talking to?" a young man in the group snapped, flipping Mu Feng's food tray onto the ground.

"Damn it, are you looking for trouble?" Mu Kuang growled, rising with clenched fists.

Mu Feng's expression darkened, though he remained seated.

"I want that sword," Chu Fei'er declared haughtily. "Feng Yi, grab it. Give them 3,000 gold coins if you must."

Feng Yi reached for the sword on the table, but before he could touch it, a flash of light streaked past. A white dagger appeared in Mu Feng's hand and was plunged into Feng Yi's palm, pinning it to the table.

Thud!

"Aaahhh!" Feng Yi screamed, blood pouring from his hand. Yun Qingwan instinctively pulled the sword close and leaned toward Mu Feng for protection.

The commotion drew the attention of everyone in the dining hall.

"Don't take what doesn't belong to you," Mu Feng said coldly.

Chu Fei'er and her companions froze, stunned by the sudden and decisive act of violence. Feng Yi, trembling in pain, used his uninjured hand to pull the dagger out, letting out another anguished cry. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Mu Feng.

"You bastard! I'll kill you!" Feng Yi roared, lunging at Mu Feng with the dagger.

Before he could land the strike, Bai Ziyue's sword flashed, deflecting the attack with a sharp clang.

Mu Feng rose calmly and delivered a swift kick to Feng Yi's chest, sending him flying into another table. Feng Yi landed hard, coughing up blood.

"What are you waiting for? Help me!" Chu Fei'er shrieked at her companions. Realizing their predicament, the other three men snapped out of their shock and charged at Mu Feng and his group.