Chapter 367: Chapter 359: Charming Power
Elder Bai nodded at his words, giving Mu Chen an appreciative glance. "Powerful, yet not flippant or arrogant. You don’t pretend to be weak, and you care for your teammates. Such character is truly rare these days. I will grant your request."
"The competition will pause for a moment. Before we continue, I have an announcement to make."
Elder Bai’s words were sudden, startling all the contestants. Then, seeing Mu Chen on the stage, they couldn’t help but think, ’This monster isn’t planning to challenge all the Middle-class Empires by himself, is he?’
"Due to special circumstances, all of the Xuanling Empire’s upcoming battles will be fought by Mu Chen alone. Furthermore, every empire fighting him will do so in a six-on-one format!"
’So it’s true...’
But now, not a single person dared to underestimate Mu Chen’s power. In this world, power is dignity! Power is status! As long as you possess immense power, you have the right to speak! And at this moment, Mu Chen absolutely had what it took to make such a challenge.
"Empire number three, the Guiyun Empire! All members, to the stage!"
The contestants from the Guiyun Empire all swallowed hard. They had seen his fight against the Cangyue Empire with their own eyes. A Middle Upper Empire had been crushed with no chance to fight back, to say nothing of their own small Lower Middle-class Empire. But their name had been called, so they could only brace themselves and charge forward.
"Mu Chen of the Xuanling Empire, please forgive us for the offense."
The moment Elder Bai announced the start of the match, Mu Chen’s figure flashed. An instant later, a gentle wave of Primordial Power swept all the contestants from the Guiyun Empire off the stage.
By the time they realized they had fallen from the stage, Elder Bai had already announced the results. Gazing at the blue-haired young man standing with his hands clasped behind his back, the contestants from the Guiyun Empire all sighed in resignation. ’He’s too strong. We’re not even in the same league.’
"Next." Mu Chen’s voice was soft, devoid of any arrogance, so no one who heard it felt the slightest bit of resentment.
The second battle: the Lower Middle-class Fenglai Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
The third battle: the Lower Middle-class Rhine Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
The fourth battle: the Lower Middle-class Snow Dance Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
...
The forty-fourth battle: the Middle Upper Terral Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
The forty-fifth battle: the Middle Upper Feiya Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
The forty-sixth battle: the Middle Upper Fenghua Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in one second.
The High-class Empire Challenge: against the Lower High-level Kre Empire. The Xuanling Empire won in three seconds.
"The Xuanling Empire has successfully advanced to the rank of High-class Empire and now has the right to participate in the High-class Empire ranking tournament! With this, the tournament for the Middle-class Empire rankings is hereby concluded!"
...
The competition was over, but no one was willing to leave. For a long time, they simply watched as the dozen or so members of the Xuanling Empire departed from the Peak of the Holy Mark. Elder Bai’s sky-shaking announcements still echoed in the hearts of the empires’ finest.
Mu Chen’s power was undeniable. It was clear now that he had merely been toying with the Cangyue Empire. If he had fought them as he did just now, even they would have been instantly annihilated by his terrifying speed and strength.
Back at the Sacas Dynasty Hotel, the Holy Hall Students recalled the grand spectacle at the Peak of the Holy Mark. They gazed at the figure before them—dressed in a black Institute Uniform, a long black case strapped to his back, his long blue hair tied in a ponytail—and their eyes filled with fanatical adoration. Even Imro was no exception. They would never forget the looks on everyone’s faces—expressions of profound, utter shock.
A clean sweep! An absolute, clean sweep!
...
"How is Little Tiger?"
「That night.」 With a soft CLICK, Mu Chen gently pushed open the door to Little Tiger’s room. Inside, Little Tiger lay quietly on the bed. Ye Shuangshuang, Mo Qing, Mu Bingling, and Qing Lei were by his bedside, smiling and chatting. When they saw Mu Chen enter, they all slowly rose to their feet.
Mu Chen smiled. "It looks like Little Tiger is out of danger."
Qing Lei was ecstatic. "Out of danger? It’s more than that! Mu Chen, ever since you gave him that strange drop of liquid, Little Tiger’s bones and internal organs have all miraculously healed. And that’s not all—the life force he’s emitting is even stronger than it was originally."
"That’s good..."
Mu Chen’s gaze fell on Little Tiger’s face. His complexion was much healthier than before, and his breathing had steadied.
’Xiao Chenzi, relax. If that Jade Green Spiritual Liquid can regenerate your arm, then healing a few internal injuries is a piece of cake.’
Profound Old Ghost’s mischievous voice echoed in his mind. Mu Chen sighed, silently thanking his Master several times over. ’Honestly, if Master hadn’t told me to take the Spiritual Liquid with me, I probably would have just left the Netherworld Purgatory without it.’
’Master, thank you.’
After a moment of thought, Mu Chen repeated the words in his mind.
Profound Old Ghost snorted. ’I’ll give you that, you little brat, you’ve got some manners. Five years have passed, and that little girl from back then has grown into... well, this. Time truly is a magical thing.’
Hearing this, Mu Chen glanced at Mu Bingling, who was staring right at him. He understood perfectly. The Mu Bingling of today was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
’Do you still remember what I told you all those years ago?’ Profound Old Ghost asked after a brief pause.
Mu Chen focused his mind, replying telepathically, ’Of course. You said that if I don’t want to lose her, I have to become stronger. The stronger I become, the safer Bing’Er will be.’
’Mm,’ Profound Old Ghost affirmed. ’That’s right. As she’s matured, what makes her different has started to reveal itself. Her appearance, for one. And for another, a certain power that is reawakening within her. I imagine you’ve felt it yourself.’
Hearing Profound Old Ghost’s words, Mu Chen’s heart clenched, and his expression grew resolute. Just as the old ghost said, Mu Bingling’s beauty was now truly astonishing. And that other reawakening power his Master mentioned... it had to be the Charm Power he’d been sensing.
When Mu Bingling was ice-cold, she was able to suppress her innate Charming Power. But with his return, as her icy exterior thawed, that power had begun to stir. It seemed unintentional and formless for now, but given time, it would erupt with its full latent potential, causing anyone who looked at her to become hopelessly captivated.
Of course, for now, only Mu Chen, with his Ice Extreme Demon Pupils, could perceive it.
Seeing Mu Chen staring at her with an increasingly grave expression, Mu Bingling grew worried. "Chen’Er, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good."
Mu Chen was startled by her question and quickly waved a hand. "Oh, I’m fine. I just got a little lost in thought about something."
After he spoke, Mu Chen shifted his gaze back to Little Tiger while continuing his conversation with Profound Old Ghost. ’It’s... the Charm Power, isn’t it?’
Profound Old Ghost chuckled. ’Heh heh, so you’re not a complete idiot. That’s right, it’s the Charming Power, released unintentionally and without form. This kind of ability can be controlled, but for some reason, the little girl doesn’t seem to know how. You don’t need to worry for the time being, though. I can sense a Sealing Power on her.’
’This Sealing Power has locked away her terrifying innate Charm Power. As she has grown and her Martial Artist Realm has increased, the Seal has gradually weakened, but it should still hold for another two years without a problem. After those two years, I’m afraid she will no longer be able to live such an ordinary, peaceful life. So, Xiao Chenzi, you’re running out of time.’
’Running... out of time?’ Mu Chen was stunned. ’Master, are you saying that even with my current power, I can’t protect Bing’Er?’
’Heh...’ Profound Old Ghost chuckled. ’You’re not even close.’
’Then just how strong do I need to be to protect her?!’
Seeing Mu Chen’s urgency, Profound Old Ghost mulled it over for a moment. ’Perhaps after absorbing two more Ultimate Attribute Spirits, you’ll have a fighting chance.’
’Two Ultimate Attribute Spirits... Fusing with two Extreme Attributes within two years?’ Mu Chen murmured to himself, his expression suddenly becoming exceptionally resolute. ’It’s only two Ultimate Attribute Spirits! I, Mu Chen, will not allow Bing’Er to suffer even the slightest harm!’
Profound Old Ghost sighed. ’Xiao Chenzi, you don’t have to be so tense. What I mentioned is just the minimum requirement if you were to rely on your own strength alone. But you still have me, don’t you? Besides, don’t forget you have a Divine-level Guardian Beast with you.’
’ROAR!! Father, the old ghost is right! If anyone tries to harm Mother, I will tear them to shreds!’
As if to prove its own existence, the Snow Qilin Xiaobai let out a roar in Mu Chen’s Sea of Souls. The natural authority in its voice sent a shiver down Mu Chen’s spine.
’And me! Little Spirit isn’t weak now, either. I can feel the Mistress’s Seal, too. If it breaks, Little Spirit can help replace it, though I don’t know for how long...’
Mu Chen rubbed his nose, a lump forming in his throat. ’That’s right. I’m not alone.’ He had his Master, Xiaobai, and Little Spirit. No matter how difficult the road ahead, he would overcome every obstacle. He made a silent vow then and there: anyone who wanted to harm Bing’Er would have to step over his dead body first.
’Thank you... It’s great to have you all...’ He felt he was being a bit too sentimental and quickly changed the subject, asking subconsciously, ’By the way, Master, can you tell me what Bing’Er’s true identity is now?’
Only after asking did Mu Chen realize he’d been overlooking the root of the entire problem: Mu Bingling’s origins.
Profound Old Ghost chuckled. ’Heh heh, as for the little girl’s identity... I really can’t tell you right now. The fewer people who know about this, the better. I will not tell you until you possess the strength to protect her yourself. Consider it a form of protection for her.’
’Alright, Xiao Chenzi, you two have been apart for two years. This little girl has a lot she wants to say to you. It’s about time you fulfilled your duties as a man, isn’t it?’
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