Chapter 289: Chapter 284: A Different Kind of Emotion
"I’m not too sure about the details myself," Mu Chen said with a shrug. "But I hope you can keep it a secret for me, Brother Xu. I’d rather not get taken away to be studied or something."
Xu Fei chuckled. "Don’t be ridiculous. You’re Stone City’s savior. Besides, I’m a Martial Artist myself, so of course I wouldn’t go blabbing about this. Still, Mu Chen, you’re truly defying the heavens." As he spoke, Xu Fei’s expression grew filled with admiration. "You must be the first in the history of the Extreme Martial Continent to control two Attributes. Tsk tsk, it feels like fate that I got to meet you."
Mu Chen smiled faintly. "Don’t make me sound like some kind of monster. Brother Xu, we should probably get going. If I’m not mistaken, a top-three Mercenary Corps must have more than just a hundred men, right? If War Wolf sends more people to hunt us down, we’ll be delayed for a long time."
Xu Fei nodded. "That’s right. The War Wolf Mercenary Corps has two thousand members. And he didn’t even bring his two brothers with him today. Otherwise, even with your Ice and Fire Burst, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have won this battle."
Mu Chen frowned. "In that case, we need to leave even more urgently. Mercenaries are a hot-headed, impulsive bunch. Since War Wolf suffered such a heavy blow, someone will likely be out for revenge immediately."
Xu Fei said, "There’s no time to lose. Let’s go."
With that, Mu Chen climbed directly into the carriage, only to be met with a pair of eyes sparkling with excitement. He cleared his throat. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ah? Oh... I wasn’t looking at you," Wan Xian’Er said, turning her head aside. She drew back the curtain and gazed at the patch of forest ravaged by the Ice and Fire Burst, the shock in her heart still lingering.
’Dual Attributes, Ice and Fire Burst... This isn’t something a human should be able to do. Just what kind of person is this Mu Chen?’ The Hurricane Horse Carriage, driven by Xu Fei, sped into the distance, leaving the battle site behind. The chirping of insects once again filled the quiet night sky. With these thoughts in mind, Wan Xian’Er’s mind gradually drifted into a reverie.
Seeing that Wan Xian’Er didn’t answer, Mu Chen could only rub his nose and sit down cross-legged. The carriage was very spacious, large enough for five people to sleep side-by-side. However, men and women should maintain a proper distance, so Mu Chen instead immersed his consciousness into his Dantian, preparing to cultivate. A moment ago, after simultaneously releasing two types of Attribute Elemental Power, an idea had suddenly occurred to him. ’Since the Ice and Fire Attributes can be used separately to create the power-amplifying effect of Ice and Fire Burst, could I try fusing them together?’
Mu Chen knew that any force, when concentrated, would be several times more powerful than when applied separately. But this was just a theory. To date, no one had ever managed to fuse two attributes, not even when wielded by two different people. It was simply too dangerous; a loss of control would create a situation far beyond what an ordinary person could handle. For that reason, Mu Chen didn’t attempt it rashly.
Taking a deep breath, Mu Chen took out two more Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals from his Storage Ring. ’After absorbing one hundred and fifty Attribute Spirit Crystals, I can feel my Martial Artist Realm advancing at a terrifyingly fast speed. I’m on the verge of breaking through from a Five-Ring Martial Spirit to a Sixth-Ring Martial Spirit, so I have to push harder. The Senluo Ruins still have many unknown dangers waiting for me. Every bit my strength increases is another layer of security.’
He immediately circulated the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique. Since he was just absorbing Attribute Spirit Crystals, Mu Chen didn’t need to lie on his side as he did when absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. Two crimson Spirit Crystals, emitting a warm glow, floated at his chest. Strands of red Primordial Power swiftly seeped into his abdomen.
The scene before her brought Wan Xian’Er back to reality. She pursed her lips. ’He’s really got some nerve. Isn’t he afraid I’m here to assassinate him? And yet he just starts cultivating so brazenly right in front of me.’
Watching the two constantly spinning and depleting Attribute Spirit Crystals, Wan Xian’Er propped her chin on her hands. ’But... he’s actually quite good-looking when he’s serious. He seems so delicate, but he was so cool when he was fighting.’
As her thoughts wandered, Wan Xian’Er recalled the night her body was seen by Mu Chen, and her little face couldn’t help but blush. ’He really got off easy. No one has seen my body in fifteen years. Ah... Mom said a girl can only show her body to the person she likes, and that if he sees it, she’ll get pregnant and have a baby. This... what am I supposed to do...?’
Rubbing her head, a trace of fascination appeared on Wan Xian’Er’s cold, blushing cheeks. ’What is having a baby like? It seems so strange...’ (Author’s Note: Hey, hey... I think *you’re* the one who’s strange right now.)
Fortunately, Mu Chen, who had already entered a state of Meditation, had no idea what Wan Xian’Er was thinking. If he had known, he probably would have slammed his head into the carriage wall.
The night gradually passed in this strange atmosphere. The sky began to whiten like the belly of a fish as dawn approached. The first rays of sun always brought a vibrant energy to the world. Wan Xian’Er instinctively pulled open the curtain, letting the warm sunlight flood into the carriage that had been sealed all night, chasing away the gloom.
"It’s so beautiful~"
Her vibrant eyes danced with excitement as she smiled faintly into the sunlight. Back in the Ding Palace, she never had to worry about clouds obscuring the sun; its rays reached her every day. But the palace was on a mountain peak. There were no trees, no morning mist, and certainly no horizon. The sight of the sunrise... it was like something from a fairy tale. She hadn’t seen it even once in fifteen years.
Mu Chen, who was sitting cross-legged, finished absorbing the last two Spirit Crystals. He opened his purple eyes, looked at Wan Xian’Er beside him, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly as he asked, "Have you never seen a sunrise before?"
Hearing Mu Chen’s voice, Wan Xian’Er didn’t turn her head. Her posture perfectly showcased her slender curves. With one hand propping up her chin, she gazed out the window and replied in a voice that was at once cool and soft, "Not before. Now... I’ve seen it. It’s like all life is reawakening."
Mu Chen couldn’t help but smile. For some reason, he really liked this girl. It wasn’t romantic, of course, but more of a brotherly affection, as if she were a little sister from next door. He felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to answer her questions, and to show her that the world wasn’t as innocent as she thought. That was why, during the battle last night, even knowing that his Martial Artist Realm was lower than hers, a deep part of him hadn’t wanted Wan Xian’Er to join the fight.
’This must be how I felt about Bing’Er...’ Mu Chen rubbed his nose and muttered to himself.
Wan Xian’Er heard him and turned her head. "What are you talking about?"
Mu Chen froze for a moment, then quickly waved his hands. "It’s nothing, nothing. I was just saying that it’s a new day, but we’re still stuck in this carriage."
With a frosty expression, Wan Xian’Er asked, "Are you saying you hate sharing a carriage with me?"
"Of course not! That’s impossible. I’m just worried you’ll be bored." Dark lines appeared on Mu Chen’s forehead. ’Her powers of deduction are truly divine.’
"..." Wan Xian’Er fell silent for a moment. "Then tell me a story," she said. "Tell me what this continent is really like. I’ve never left my home in fifteen years. My father was always too busy, he never had time to tell me anything. Now that I’m out for the first time, the whole world feels so magical."
Mu Chen maintained his smile, feeling secretly relieved. ’It’s a good thing I read so many books about the continent back at the academy. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t be able to satisfy Wan Xian’Er’s curiosity.’ Clearing his throat, Mu Chen said, "Alright. I happen to have nothing better to do. So, about the Extreme Martial Continent..."
To the rhythmic clatter of hooves, Mu Chen began his storytelling journey. He talked about the layout of the continent, the Deceitful Forbidden Lands, the Nine Great Influences, and even recounted some of the strange tales he had read in his own family’s Library Pavilion. As she listened, Wan Xian’Er’s expressions became more and more animated, and she even started telling Mu Chen about various things that happened in her family.
This made Mu Chen realize that Wan Xian’Er wasn’t actually an icy, arrogant woman. She was just a girl who had lost her mother at a young age. Without her mother’s protection, she had to adopt a standoffish attitude to protect herself within her family. Over time, that coldness became a habit. But Mu Chen knew that girls like her often craved human connection more than anyone. They just wanted someone to talk to.
As for her arrogance, that wasn’t something she developed intentionally, either. It was simply because she was too exceptional within her family—so exceptional that no one could compete with her. Or if they could, they would hold back because of her status. Eventually, Wan Xian’Er lost interest in interacting or sparring with them, and she started keeping to herself.
Of course, Wan Xian’Er didn’t tell Mu Chen what her status actually was, and Mu Chen didn’t ask. When someone truly wants to tell you something, they will. There’s no need to ask.
"Really? So there are things that strange in the world!"
"Yep. I’ve finished with the strange events, but there are lots of strange Magical Beasts, too."
"Oh? I’ve only seen a few kinds of Magical Beasts. I haven’t seen any others."
"Then let me tell you about some of the more interesting Magical Beasts."
"Okay, okay..."
Sitting outside the carriage, Xu Fei had a blade of grass dangling from his mouth. His eyes narrowed slightly as he shook his head and chuckled to himself. ’It’d be nice if this carriage was a little more soundproof. Does this count as eavesdropping on young love?’
SNORT, SNORT...
The Hurricane Horse glanced at Xu Fei and snorted twice. Xu Fei cursed good-naturedly, "You beast, you dare look down on me? You looking for a beating!" He pretended to raise his fist. The Hurricane Horse let out a panicked neigh and galloped forward even faster. Xu Fei burst out laughing, unclenching his fist to give the Hurricane Horse an affectionate pat on its rump. "Didn’t realize you were such a good actor," he chuckled. ’But listening to those two kids talk... it makes me feel young again. Ah, Yu Lei... Yu Lei. You must have heard about Stone City’s ranking by now, right? The day I return will be the day you marry me.’
