Ch 119

Chapter 119: The Lion's Grand Entrance

As soon as the auction ended, Ye Shi approached Mu Chen excitedly to ask for credit.

"Sixty million has already been raised," Mu Chen said, surprised as he looked at Ye Shi.

Ye Shi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! The ten magic artifacts sold for over 40 million yuan stones!"

The Saint Star Academy was full of wealthy students, especially among the freshman groups who liked to compete and show off. Otherwise, these magical artifacts wouldn't have fetched such high prices.

"The Yunshui Weaving Robe sold for more than six million yuan stones," Mu Chen said, raising his eyebrows as he looked at the final auction list.

Among all the auctioned items, that robe wasn't even the most powerful one. The final price was surprisingly high!

Ye Shi nodded. "A young guy bought it. You should've seen the way all the female students looked at him — like wolves staring at prey. They looked like they wanted to eat him alive. I heard he bought it as a gift for the Eighth Princess."

Mu Chen chuckled to himself. This guy is bold. Daring to snatch something that all those female students wanted — he deserves a beating.

"You really auctioned off that many multi-elemental stones. That's amazing," Mu Chen said with genuine admiration.

Ye Shi blushed slightly at the compliment. "Where? It's only because the magical weapons you repaired are so powerful."

Mu Chen smiled calmly.

"What's that?" Ye Shi asked curiously, pointing at a golden book on the table.

"That's a contract book," Mu Chen explained patiently. "Large families use this when signing big business contracts. If either party violates the terms, they'll suffer consequences — anywhere from serious injury to death."

Ye Shi's eyes lit up brightly. He had always worried that Ye Xun might try to cheat him. With this, he wouldn't have to worry. Mu Chen is really clever!

"How many primordial stones does that thing cost?" Ye Shi asked casually, tilting his head.

"Five hundred thousand," Mu Chen replied calmly.

Ye Shi nearly coughed up blood. "500,000?! Why is it so expensive?!"

"Ye Xun isn't that strong, and he's not that knowledgeable. A low-tier contract scroll should be enough to scare him," Mu Chen added.

Ye Shi looked at the scroll and sighed. "Let's hope Ye Xun isn't too shameless."

Mu Chen sneered and glanced coldly at Ye Shi. "Shi, never place your hopes in others. Counting on someone's kindness is just foolish."

Ye Shi pursed his lips and looked at Mu Chen, a bit of confusion flickering in his eyes.

The rest day was coming.

Ye Shi and Mu Chen planned to leave the academy early, but someone arrived before them.

"Ye Rong? Why are you here?" Seeing Ye Rong made Ye Shi feel uncomfortable.

"I'm waiting for you two," Ye Rong said with a cold glint in his eyes as he looked at the pair.

Seeing Ye Rong's cold smile, Ye Shi suddenly recalled the times he was bullied by Ye Rong as a child. He frowned and said, "You should know where Ye Xun is. Lead the way. If we can get back what belongs to my father, we'll part ways for good."

Ye Rong sneered. "You're really ungrateful. That man raised you for so many years. Now that you know he's not your biological father, you just turn your back on him."

Ye Shi's expression darkened. "Ye Rong, don't try to guilt-trip me. I don't care what others think of me."

No matter what anyone else thinks, Ye Shi thought, Mu Chen will still be by my side.

Mu Chen crossed his arms lazily. "Alright, enough nonsense. Let's go deal with it."

Ye Rong clenched his teeth and walked ahead to lead the way.

When Ye Shi saw Ye Xun, he couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.

Previously, Ye Rong had spread rumors in the academy that Ye Xun was destitute — eating and sleeping outdoors, miserable and homeless. Ye Shi had almost felt bad for him.

But now, Ye Xun appeared in front of them with a flushed face and a noticeably fatter body.

Ye Xun was clearly doing well, probably living luxuriously off ill-gotten wealth. The smell of powder and perfume clung to him — he must have been mingling with women.

Ye Shi frowned, his mood turning sour.

Ye Xun is living comfortably, yet I'm being painted as an ungrateful villain in the academy...

"So, you're here?" Ye Xun said critically when he saw Ye Shi.

"Yes," Ye Shi replied coldly.

Ye Xun looked at Ye Shi with undisguised jealousy. He's only fourteen and already an Eight-Star Warrior. He'll surpass me soon — and I'm over forty.

"Did you bring the Yuan Stone card?" Ye Xun asked anxiously.

"Yes. Sixty million yuan stones. It's not much — just what rightfully belongs to my father," Ye Shi said.

"What's the rush? Give me the card and I'll give you the item," Ye Xun said smugly.

"The card's here." Ye Shi pulled it out from his spatial ring.

Ye Xun's eyes gleamed when he saw the ring. According to Ye Rong, Ye Shi's spatial ring was as large as a house.

He had always wanted a bigger ring but couldn't afford one. With 60 million in hand, he wouldn't need to hold back anymore.

Wang Li, who was standing nearby, rushed forward eagerly when she saw the stone card.

But with a flick of Mu Chen's hand, the Yuan Stone card floated into Mu Chen's grasp.

"Madam," Mu Chen said coldly, "this is a transaction. Hand and hand — one gives, one receives."

Wang Li was stunned, then forced a smile. "Yes, yes, you're right, Young Master Mu."

"Here." Wang Li handed over a book.

Ye Shi quickly grabbed it.

While it would've been difficult for Wang Li to snatch something from Ye Shi, it was easy for Ye Shi to take something from her.

Ye Rong grew anxious. "Ye Shi! What are you doing?! We agreed on a simultaneous exchange! Are you breaking the deal?!"

Wang Li remained calm. "The book's in your hands. Where's the Yuan Stone card?"

Mu Chen narrowed his eyes as he inspected the book in Ye Shi's hand. "This isn't it. Ye Shi, give it back."

Ye Shi looked stunned. "Are you sure?"

"This book is new. It's a fake," Mu Chen said flatly.

Ye Shi clenched his teeth and nodded. As expected... Ye Xun never intended to give it up.

Both sides stared each other down.

"You're trying to cheat me empty-handed?!" Ye Shi said, fists clenched in fury.

"It's just a joke," Ye Xun said dismissively. "Besides, you're so strong — who knows if you'll even keep your word?"

Ye Shi's face was dark. This shameless bastard…

Ye Xun narrowed his eyes. He had thought it over last night — he couldn't bring himself to give anything up.

First, the book might be some priceless treasure, even if he didn't understand it yet.

Second, while 60 million was a lot, it would be gone eventually. If he handed over the real book now, Ye Shi would never give him more money again.

"Fine. Let's make a contract," Mu Chen said, pulling out the golden scroll.

Ye Xun's expression changed. "Mu Chen, what's that supposed to mean?"

Mu Chen replied coolly, "Just that we don't trust you, and you don't trust us. A contract ensures both sides are bound — and violating it leads to serious consequences."

Ye Xun's face paled. He knew he couldn't fool Mu Chen, and now the scroll was here.

"Fine. But the price isn't 60 million — it's 100 million," Ye Xun smirked.

"You're dreaming!" Ye Shi exploded.

Mu Chen sneered and with a flick of his sleeve, sent Ye Xun flying.

Though both were Nine-Star Warriors, Ye Xun had relied on pills and resources to get there. He was no match for Mu Chen, whose strength came from grueling cultivation and rare flames.

Before Ye Xun could react, Mu Chen carved a series of talismans around his head. His hair was burned and his blood boiled.

"Mu Chen! What are you doing?!" Wang Li screamed.

Ye Rong froze, afraid to intervene.

Mu Chen smirked coldly. "Greedy and shameless."

Wang Li turned pale.

"You really think you have leverage?" Mu Chen scoffed. "If I kill you and search your homes, I bet I'll find what I want."

"You're dreaming! If we're dead, you won't find anything!" Wang Li shouted in panic.

"Maybe," Mu Chen smiled and stomped on Ye Xun's belly. Ye Xun screamed like a pig being slaughtered.

When Mu Chen lifted his foot, a large patch of Ye Xun's stomach had been burned.

Ye Rong stared in disbelief. He had thought Ye Shi was cruel — but compared to Mu Chen, Ye Shi was a saint.

"Can't find it? Maybe you'll be willing to tell me now," Mu Chen said with a casual smile, and kicked Ye Xun again, eliciting another agonized scream.

Ye Shi blinked, watching Mu Chen silently. This side of Mu Chen was a bit unfamiliar… but also more real.

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To be honest I also don't understand the title 🥲