Free Web NovelChapter 283: Chapter 278: Setting Out
"Uncle War Wolf!" Ma Bi quickly stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed, his expression one of utmost respect. This wasn’t an act; it was genuine admiration. Before his father had gotten involved with Spirit Selection, he had been a captain in this very War Wolf Mercenary Corps. He often told his son stories of War Wolf’s ferocity, and through this constant exposure, Ma Bi had come to hold the man in high regard. But hearing about someone was nothing like meeting them in person. When he saw War Wolf’s burly frame, covered in countless scars from Magical Beasts and sword blades, his very soul trembled. This man had been baptized in endless blood.
"Yo, so this is Brother Ma’s son? Tsk tsk, I remember holding you when you were still in swaddling clothes. Back then, your father insisted on naming you Ma Bi, no matter how I tried to talk him out of it. But now it seems the name was quite prophetic. I hear you’re a Spirit Selection Master now. Quite incredible for someone so young, you’re already better than your old uncle here." War Wolf grinned, baring his white teeth, and gently patted Ma Bi’s shoulder.
Who would have thought that after just two light pats from War Wolf, Ma Bi would stumble sideways, almost falling over. This made War Wolf pause for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "Brother Ma, it looks like you were so focused on cultivating my nephew’s talent for Spirit Selection that you forgot to have him train his body. That’s not good."
Ma Gedan gave a wry smile. "You’re too kind, War Wolf. Do you have any idea how strong you are? Xiaobi’s physique is already considered quite good. Oh, right. This is just a small token of my esteem. It’s nothing, really, but you absolutely cannot refuse."
After speaking, Ma Gedan took a Storage Ring from his sleeve and pushed it in front of War Wolf. War Wolf’s expression froze for a moment. He shot a look at the man beside him. Though the man looked burly, he wasn’t slow-witted. He picked up the ring, scanned it with his Spiritual Power, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Boss, this is full of top-grade Attribute Spirit Crystals! There are over a thousand of them in total! If we converted them to Purple Elemental Crystals, it would be enough for all the brothers in the corps to live lavishly for a decade!"
Hearing this, the corner of War Wolf’s eye twitched. He quickly pushed the ring back. "Brother Ma, what is the meaning of this? I, War Wolf, am not that kind of person. You bringing your nephew to see me today is already the greatest gift. How could I possibly accept something so valuable from you?" Although he said this, his eyes never once left the ring. After all, in their line of work, they lived on the edge, licking blood from their blades. Wasn’t it all for the sake of earning money to live a more carefree life?
Ma Gedan deliberately frowned. "War Wolf, my brother. Back when we fought and killed side-by-side, we made a promise: to share blessings and endure hardships together! I may not be a mercenary anymore, but I’ve never forgotten our days in the corps. Now that your old brother here is a little better off, what’s wrong? Are you saying my gift is too small for you?"
Provoked by Ma Gedan’s words, War Wolf roared, "Good! ’To share blessings and endure hardships together!’ Well said! I, War Wolf, acknowledge you as my brother for life! Second Brother, Third Brother, go and have someone prepare a feast with plenty of wine! My old brother and I won’t be going home until we’re drunk tonight!"
But just as he finished speaking, Ma Gedan interrupted him. "War Wolf, there’s no need. My nephew and I... we have no appetite. *Sigh*..." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Letting out another sigh, Ma Gedan said to War Wolf, "We came this time for the Spirit Selection Conference, and to see how you were doing. Knowing that you’re well puts Xiaobi and me at ease. The conference is over now, and we have to return to our family, so we can’t stay any longer."
Ma Gedan’s voice was full of sorrow, making it obvious to anyone listening that something was weighing on his mind. Of course, this was all an act. After speaking, he turned with Ma Bi, preparing to leave.
Hearing this, War Wolf was stunned. His face instantly darkened, and he shouted, "Brother Ma! What the hell is going on? Did someone bully you? What’s the meaning of this, leaving just like that? Are you looking down on me, your younger brother? Or do you think I can’t help you?"
A smirk flashed across Ma Gedan’s lips. He deliberately paused, then turned to look at War Wolf with a crestfallen expression. "My brother, what are you talking about? It’s nothing... just that someone played a dirty trick on me. During the Spirit Selection Conference, Xiaobi was schemed against by some fifteen-year-old brat. He lost his chance at a third consecutive championship and fell from grace. As you know, I’m just an ordinary family man now, without any power. I want to teach that kid a lesson, but I don’t have the means. Still, to trouble you over something like this... I feel like I’d be making a mountain out of a molehill."
War Wolf’s voice boomed. "What? My nephew was schemed against by a fifteen-year-old brat? The nerve of that kid! He dares to touch my—War Wolf’s—nephew! Second Brother, Third Brother! You tell me, can we tolerate this?"
The two men standing beside War Wolf stuck out their scarlet tongues, licked the corners of their mouths, and laughed sinisterly. "Of course we can’t! It’s been days since I’ve seen blood, brother. It’s just one little brat, right? Let’s butcher him and make a stew!!"
The men’s words made Ma Bi’s hair stand on end. From their earnest expressions, he could tell that these people had actually eaten human flesh before!!
"That’s the spirit! Brother Ma, since you came to see me and even brought such a generous gift, it’s only natural that I return the favor. Tell me the route that kid is taking. The War Wolf Mercenary Corps has been idle for a month. This is the perfect chance for everyone to stretch their legs!" War Wolf looked excited. For a mercenary, battle was the only true pastime. The more they fought, the more they reveled in the feeling. Every last one of them was a battle maniac!
Ma Gedan shook his head. "My brother, let’s just forget about it. That brat may be weak, but he has a powerful expert with him. As for how strong, I’m not sure, but definitely beyond the Martial Sect realm!"
"Martial Sect? Hahaha... Perfect. A few days ago, the War Wolf Mercenary Corps rescued some old geezer out in the wilds. He spent a month recuperating, and now that he’s recovered, his strength is something else. A mere Martial Sect expert is nothing! It’s settled. Leave this matter to me. And you don’t have to leave either. Stay and keep me company for a few more days. I’ll have my men plant lookouts along their return route. The moment they make a move, we’ll mobilize everyone. I refuse to believe we can’t crush them!"
Seeing that his goal was completely achieved, and with no lingering worries, Ma Gedan cupped his fists. "My brother, then I’ll have to shamelessly impose on you."
"What are you saying? We’re family! We’re family! Come, let’s go back and tell everyone to prepare a welcome feast for my old brother tonight!..."
Walking behind, Ma Gedan and Ma Bi exchanged a look, strange, triumphant smiles appearing on their faces...
Meanwhile, Mu Chen, lying on his side on his bed, was completely unaware of what he was about to face. After eating with everyone, he had taken Wan Xian’Er directly back to his room. Having obtained a thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals, his current goal was to absorb them as quickly as possible. He was eager to see just how powerful his Fire Attribute Elemental Power would become after advancing. The reason he’d asked for Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals specifically was because his Combat Skills were either Fire or Thunder Attribute. Thunder Attribute Spirit Crystals were considered Rare Spirit Crystals—in fact, they were the rarest of the rare. Gathering enough of them would be incredibly difficult. Therefore, Mu Chen decided to focus on improving his Fire Attribute’s Elemental Realm first.
With a flip of his wrist, two scorching, fiery red crystals appeared in Mu Chen’s hand. Feeling the pure and searing fluctuations of Primordial Power, Mu Chen felt his entire body grow warm. It was as if his Fire Attribute Dantian had been summoned; it floated up and, without any guidance, began to absorb the two Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals on its own.
It was as if the two were one and the same. There was no need for filtration, no need for conversion, and not even any need for guidance from a Cultivation Technique. Time ticked by, second by second. The two Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals rotated alternately above Mu Chen’s chest, and wisps of fiery red energy continuously seeped into his abdomen, entering the crimson, crystalline Dantian.
Half an hour later, the two crimson Spirit Crystals finally shattered with a POP, turning into a pile of dust that drifted out the window on the wind. Mu Chen slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a puff of mist. ’It really is amazing. Just two Spirit Crystals were almost enough for my Fire Attribute Elemental Power to advance to the second stage.’
’Two crystals in half an hour... that means I can absorb about fifty in a full day and night. At this rate, it’ll take at least twenty days of nonstop cultivation without eating, drinking, or sleeping to absorb all one thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals.’ Looking outside, he saw it was still dusk. Mu Chen took out another two Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals and began to absorb them...
The Empire was to celebrate for three days after the Spirit Selection Conference, so Mu Chen couldn’t leave during this time. This suited his plans perfectly. For these three days, aside from eating, Mu Chen spent all his time refining the Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals. Even Wan Xian’Er was stunned by his diligence. ’A young man like him, not only possessing such talent but also being so hardworking... if not for his missing arm, I could see a brilliant future ahead of him.’
The night of the third day quietly passed. Countless Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals had been consumed before Mu Chen. He slowly opened his eyes, a green flame flashing in them for an instant before vanishing. He gently clenched his hand, and with a WHOOSH, a scorching green flame ignited in his palm. It rapidly expanded and condensed into a huge fireball. Through the fireball, the surrounding space seemed to twist and distort.
Mu Chen smiled faintly. ’This Flame Realm really isn’t easy to break through. I broke through to green flames on the first night, but three days have passed and I’ve already absorbed a hundred Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals, yet the Flame Realm still hasn’t advanced to blue.’
BANG! Mu Chen abruptly clenched his fist. The green fireball exploded, dissolving into countless sparks that lingered in the air. This was now the second attribute he could command: the Ice and Fire Attribute...
’Perhaps... I can create an Ice and Fire Burst on my own.’
Speaking of which, it had been some time since he had last fought. For a Martial Artist, the best way to test a new power was through battle.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
A series of consecutive knocks echoed, followed by Wan Xian’Er’s cold voice from outside. "Mu Chen, come out. It’s time to leave..."
Hearing her, Mu Chen turned his gaze to the window. Sunlight shone on his face, casting a reddish glow. He whispered, "Is it time to leave? Senluo Ruins, here I come."
