Chapter Twelve: The Clash at the Training Grounds

“Well then, Master Mu, what about the payment for the Flesh-Growing Pill…?” The three patients who had just been healed inquired.

“Do you think I lack money? But if you insist on thanking me, that’s fine. One of my registered disciples needs alchemical ingredients—the more, the better…” The girl on Chen Mu’s back, Rou’er, recited a list of herbs. These were all ordinary medicinal ingredients, meant for Chen Mu’s future alchemy studies.

As for the ingredients for the Sha Pill and the pill furnace, she intended to wait until the big fish took the bait before stripping them from that particular catch. Only the big fish could gather the materials needed for the Sha Pill, such as numerous second-tier beast cores.

“May I ask who your disciple is?”

“My disciple is Chen Mu, the second son of the Chen family.” Chen Mu was startled by this, instantly wanting to pinch Rou’er on his back, not expecting her to play a trick at such a moment.

“The second son of the Chen family? The sickly one who went to Starwatching Valley…?”

“So Master Mu is from Starwatching Valley!”

The crowd in the pavilion erupted into murmurs upon hearing this news.

“So you’re staying with the Chen family?”

“No, I’m not living with the Chen family. I’ve always preferred solitude, so I haven’t moved in. However, the materials you collect can be handed to my disciple, Chen Mu. I will be staying in Fan City for some time, until after the Martial Festival. Since the pill test is complete, it’s time for me to leave.” With that, Chen Mu made to depart.

Hu Jiangyi wished to keep him, but Rou’er’s aura suddenly shifted, enveloping Chen Mu, and they vanished like wraiths.

…

In a narrow alley, Chen Mu lifted his cloak, and Rou’er, sweating and fragrant, complained, “It’s so hot! Those old geezers never stop talking… gratitude left and right, annoying to death. Chen Mu, your Flesh-Growing Pill made from Fasting Pill actually worked, healed those three so quickly—what trick did you use?”

Chen Mu replied irritably, “It’s a secret. Why did you drag me into this in front of everyone…?”

“If I didn’t drag you in, where would those herbs be sent? Isn’t it good to have a Yuandan-level alchemist backing you up?” Rou’er grinned.

“But this Yuandan-level alchemist is fake,” Chen Mu said with a bitter smile.

“Who said fake? I’m the real deal! Besides, I’m the world’s most adorable Rou’er, sealed at Yuandan peak!” Rou’er announced proudly.

Chen Mu could only smile wryly and say no more. He sent Rou’er back into the Spirit Beast Bracelet and returned alone to the ancestral Chen residence.

He was unaware that the reputation of Daoist Mu had already spread throughout Fan City. The miracle of the three Flesh-Growing Pills had stirred greed and excitement, and the news had reached the City Lord’s Mansion.

…

In his room, Chen Mu continued cultivating the “Ancient Sun Sutra,” deepening his understanding. He realized that his previous use of the technique in battle had been inefficient and laughable.

The “Ancient Sun Sutra” was fierce and domineering, capable of overwhelming opponents head-on. Attack was defense, defense was attack; the explosive energy, if centered on oneself, could fully withstand a hammering blow.

Thus, he decided to stretch his limbs at the Martial Grounds.

At the Martial Grounds, a group of clan youths clustered around a seventeen-year-old, their admiration evident. The young man was wild and untamed, like a lone wolf, difficult to subdue. He was Chen Wuhen, who had just hurried back from the Celestial Path Sect.

As soon as Chen Mu stepped onto the grounds, all eyes turned to him. Seeing this somewhat familiar yet strange figure, the faces of these youths displayed indifference and disdain.

“Well, isn’t that the waste who went to Starwatching Valley? Why’s he back? Probably kicked out, right? A disgrace to the Chen family, relying on our name yet shaming us. If it were me, I’d have ended it long ago. Truly a little bastard.”

“I don’t know why the Patriarch picked up such a useless wretch. Even if he awakened early, what’s the point? If his cultivation is flawed, he’s still trash. I awakened later and already reached the Yuanji realm.”

They made no effort to hide their contempt and ridicule. Chen Mu ignored them, heading calmly for an empty practice area. Having faced death, he was unfazed by such displays, paying no mind to these immature youths.

Seeing Chen Mu ignore them, the clan youths assumed he was cowardly, and their insults grew bolder, highlighting his supposed weakness.

Chen Wuhen frowned at Chen Mu and said, “Chen Jing, Chen Hong, you two go toss that waste out. The Martial Grounds are sacred—no place for trash.”

Chen Jing and Chen Hong exchanged smiles, answered respectfully, and strode toward Chen Mu, sneering.

Chen Hong blocked Chen Mu’s path and smiled, “Why’d you come here, waste? You’re not welcome. Best go back where you came from, or we’ll make you cry.”

“Get lost.” Chen Mu, seeing himself blocked, replied coldly.

Chen Hong was taken aback—not expecting the timid waste to tell him to get lost. His face flushed and paled alternately.

Chen Jing laughed, “Looks like the waste grew a temper after a few years. If he won’t leave, let’s throw him out.”

With that, both swung their fists at Chen Mu, intending to drive him from the grounds.

“Perfect, I’ll use you two to stretch my muscles.” Chen Mu murmured, regarding them like lambs awaiting slaughter. He spread his hands and caught their incoming fists.

Seeing him neither dodge nor retreat, intent on catching both attacks, they snarled and increased their force. Those nearby shook their heads, thinking Chen Mu was hopelessly overestimating himself.

…

As their four hands met, a loud crack and the sound of bones shattering stunned the onlookers. Chen Mu stood unharmed, his hands gripping their fists, while Chen Jing and Chen Hong’s arms seemed blasted by intense energy, forcing them to their knees in agony.

Before they could cry out, Chen Mu flung them into a corner, where they crashed against the wall and fell unconscious like dead dogs.

Chen Wuhen was the first to recover, shouting angrily at Chen Mu, “How dare you injure your clansmen so severely! Do you admit your guilt?”

“Do you treat me as a clansman? They struck first—I merely defended myself. What guilt is there?” Chen Mu’s retort left Chen Wuhen speechless. It was indeed he who ordered them to drive Chen Mu out, but what did that matter to him? His pride had been challenged.

Within the Chen family, aside from Chen Feng and the elders, none could defy him. He was the pride of the clan—how could he be challenged by a waste?

“You… you deserve to die!” Just as Chen Wuhen was about to attack, a figure stepped between them.

He asked, “What happened here?”

Seeing a clan elder intervene, Chen Wuhen respectfully replied, “Uncle, Chen Mu has injured Chen Jing and Chen Hong without cause. Please uphold justice.”

Chen Mu sneered, “Without cause? Are your eyes blind, or is your brain rotten? They struck first—how is it without cause?”

The middle-aged man frowned, clearly displeased with Chen Mu. He went to inspect Chen Jing and Chen Hong, and upon seeing their twisted arms, he shouted angrily, “Chen Mu, how ruthless you are!”

“They attacked me. If I injure them, I’m ruthless? You all breathe through the same nostril, I know that. If you have the guts, kill me! Stop acting sanctimonious in front of me.”

“You!” The man knew that if he truly killed Chen Mu, he’d face the patriarch’s wrath and risk chaos within the family.

He sneered, “I won’t kill you, but a lesson is in order. You need to learn respect for your elders!”

The man rushed to Chen Mu’s side, grabbing his arm. At that moment, an angry laughter echoed from outside, “If you dare lay a hand on him, I guarantee you’ll have no place in Fan City! Is this how the Chen family treats its juniors? I am greatly disappointed today.”

The middle-aged man, suppressed by the aura, dared not act. He asked in fear, “Who are you? This is the Chen family. If you are a guest, you are welcome. But if you cause trouble, are you not afraid our experts will kill you here?”