Chapter 91 – Competing for Recognition
"Shīfù Mu, there's still one more day of travel before we reach the imperial city," Chen Da said as he entered the cabin, addressing Mu Yuanfeng.
"You're finally arriving? I don't know how Chen'er and Shītou are doing." Mu Yuanfeng looked out the window, his face a mix of joy and worry.
"Life in the capital seems very difficult. I'm worried Shītou might have gotten into trouble," Chen Da said with concern.
"He's now the apprentice of King Wu, so nothing will happen!" Mu Yuanfeng reassured him.
Chen Da nodded and said, "Shītou may be a bit dull, but I hope he didn't offend Lord Wu."
Mu Yuanfeng shook his head. "Don't worry."
Above them flew a giant Wupeng bird, carrying a grand palace on its back.
The Wupeng birds are docile, massive, and easy to tame. Some powerful sects often raise Wupeng birds for transportation.
Mu Yuanfeng and Chen Da were currently aboard a level-four black Wupeng bird. Mu Yuanfeng had spent 50,000 yuan stones to rent a lounge.
The one they rented was one of the cheaper halls—fully equipped ones cost up to 100,000 or even several hundred thousand yuan stones.
When the Wupeng bird landed outside the city gates, Mu Yuanfeng noticed several lavish carriages lined up. They were clearly there to receive people.
Standing in the back, Mu Yuanfeng and Chen Da watched as the distinguished guests from the Wupeng bird were picked up one after another. Mu Yuanfeng couldn't help but feel a little sad.
"Is that Mu Yuanfeng, Alchemist Mu?" A middle-aged man walked up directly to him and asked.
Mu Yuanfeng nodded and replied, "Yes."
"Master Mu, I'm from the Low-Tier Alchemist Guild. Your son, Mu Chen, is an honorary elder of our guild. Our president heard that you'd be arriving and prepared this to welcome you—with wine and food. Please honor us with your presence." The man spoke respectfully.
Mu Yuanfeng was momentarily stunned. "Mu Chen is an honorary elder of your guild?"
"Yes!" the man nodded affirmatively.
"Go, go, go—who doesn't know that Mu Chen broke ties with your guild!" said a rather thin man as he rushed over. He gave the previous man a harsh look, then turned to Mu Yuanfeng with flattery in his eyes and said, "Master Mu, I'm from the Talisman Master Guild. Your son Mu Chen is extremely talented in crafting talismans! Our president has already sent him an invitation letter. He'll soon become an elder in our guild. At such a young age, he'll be our youngest elder ever!"
Mu Yuanfeng frowned. He gave the man a helpless smile and said, "Brother, I think you must be mistaken. My son only recently started learning talisman-making. He's not yet qualified to become an elder in your guild."
The thin man looked at him earnestly. "Master Mu, you're wrong to say that! Your son is a genius! You mustn't underestimate him just because he's your child."
"Uh…"
"Alchemist Mu, we're from the Alchemy Association. Congratulations on achieving Martial Spirit rank! Our president invites you to come visit."
A glamorous woman shoved the other two aside and approached Mu Yuanfeng with a smile.
Mu Yuanfeng's brows furrowed. Forget the low-tier alchemist guild—even the Alchemy Association and the Talisman Master Guild were here too? What on earth was going on?
"Master Mu, you once entrusted our Crafting Guild in Licheng to forge a sword for you. Would you like to come visit our guild? We guarantee you'll be satisfied…"
Mu Yuanfeng's expression became even more complicated. He had once ordered a sword in Licheng, but the Weapon Refining Guild couldn't complete it in time. They'd told him to pay a deposit first, and the balance later after delivery. He had paid 100,000 yuan stones as a deposit, with another 100,000 to be paid later. Altogether 200,000—barely enough for a third-level craftsman to act. How could they afford a fourth-level one?
"At the time, we agreed it would be forged by a third-level craftsman," Mu Yuanfeng said hesitantly. With his current wealth, he couldn't afford someone higher.
"Don't worry. This weapon is a gift from our guild. We won't charge you the remaining cost," the man replied with flattery.
"Thank you," Mu Yuanfeng responded, a little flattered.
"You Artifact Guild guys are too much."
"You low-tier Alchemist Guild people have no shame."
"You Talisman Guild people, what are you after?"
"Mu Chen is a legitimate elder of our guild. He's registered!"
Mu Yuanfeng frowned and stepped aside, watching the crowd arguing. He felt both puzzled and overwhelmed.
---
At the quarry.
"Hurry up! Hurry up! You're all lazy again, you brats! You want to get rich without effort. You think the world is that easy?" Xióng Wēi yelled, holding a wine gourd under his arm and looking at Mu Chen and Yè Shī with clear disdain.
Yè Shī clenched his teeth. Though he was furious, he didn't dare say anything.
"Look at you! You're so weak you can't even carry a small rock. Didn't you eat?" Xióng Wēi sneered.
"I got up early and was rushing. I didn't have time to eat," Yè Shī muttered grumpily.
"Oh? So you really didn't eat? But that's no excuse. You're both martial artists! Even hungry, you should manage!" Xióng Wēi snorted coldly.
Ignoring him, Yè Shī struggled forward, dragging a rock. He realized that moving stones daily did have benefits—his strength had become more solid and stable.
"Do you two know there have been a lot of crimes at the academy lately?" Xióng Wēi asked, lying on a giant boulder, his legs crossed lazily.
Yè Shī looked up curiously. "Why are there so many crimes recently?"
"Because…" Xióng Wēi paused, "They're all looking for you two!"
"Huh? Us?" Yè Shī frowned, confused.
Xióng Wēi nodded. "Yeah. But I've sent all those thugs to other areas. So you won't see them."
"They're trying to find faults with us?" Yè Shī asked with a tilt of his head.
"Not quite." Xióng Wēi raised an eyebrow. "I heard you two invented a new type of fire talisman that can absorb the essence of sunlight?"
Yè Shī's face tensed. "The evaluation results from the Talisman Master Association are out?"
Xióng Wēi narrowed his eyes, glancing at Yè Shī. "So, there is a registered talisman?"
Yè Shī froze and looked anxiously at Mu Chen.
Mu Chen replied calmly, "Yes. But the amount of Sun Essence it contains is very weak. It's not easy to use it to condense pure essence."
Xióng Wēi looked at Mu Chen seriously. "Do you have one of those talismans?"
Mu Chen nodded and handed him a Yánhuǒ Talisman.
Xióng Wēi examined it. "It really is Sun Essence... and it's quite pure. Pity the flame is too weak. If it were stronger, it'd be great."
Mu Chen smiled. "My abilities are limited. That's all I can do."
Xióng Wēi glanced at him and said calmly, "At your age, it's impressive you've gotten this far. Well done."
"Thank you for the praise, Senior," Mu Chen bowed respectfully.
"Move faster now! Don't think you can slack off just 'cause I praised you." Xióng Wēi snorted.
Yè Shī pouted, muttering to himself, "The teachers at Saint Star Academy are all two-faced…"
---
That night, Yè Shī sealed the cave entrance. He and Mu Chen hid inside one of the caverns near the quarry.
"You ready?" Yè Shī asked, watching Mu Chen work by the alchemy furnace.
Mu Chen adjusted his breathing, opened his eyes, and nodded. "I'm ready."
Yè Shī leaned closer. Inside the furnace were twelve snow-white pills. Their rich spiritual aura was refreshing.
"They look so beautiful!" Yè Shī said excitedly.
Mu Chen nodded. "They should be successful."
"They smell so good! Can I eat another one?" Yè Shī looked at him, full of anticipation.
Mu Chen gave him a helpless glance. "No way."
"Aww… such a pity." Yè Shī pouted.
"Benefit pills only work the first time. Taking more is useless," Mu Chen explained patiently.
Yè Shī looked at the pills again, sniffed the air, and sighed, "Just one…"
Mu Chen gave one to him and took one himself. A few days ago, he had broken through to three-star martial artist. With this pill, he should become a four-star martial artist.
"Mu Chen, this is a third-level pill, right?" Yè Shī asked.
Mu Chen nodded. "Yes."
"Then… you're a third-level alchemist now?" Yè Shī asked again.
Mu Chen nodded once more. "Yes."
"Awesome! Once we're out, you can go take the third-level alchemist certification!" Yè Shī grinned.
Mu Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Jiějiě said you don't do business all day and only study obscure things. Not like Lán Ruòfēng who focuses only on alchemy. He's already a senior third-level alchemist!"
"What's so great about Lán Ruòfēng anyway? I heard his success rate is terrible, and he keeps having to refund clients," Yè Shī huffed with disdain.
Mu Chen saw Yè Shī's triumphant look, smiled softly, and said, "Alright. Once we're out, I'll go for certification."
Yè Shī hugged his knees, leaned against Mu Chen, and asked, "Mu Chen… once we're out, and there's a chance to transfer to another department… would you consider it?"
Mu Chen smiled. "Yes."
"You want to transfer to Dānyuàn? But then you'll run into Lán Ruòfēng…" Yè Shī frowned.
Mu Chen shook his head. "No, I want to join the Institute of Inscriptions."
Yè Shī blinked. "You're already studying talismans and alchemy—isn't that enough? You want to add inscriptions too?!"
Mu Chen chuckled. "Actually, I'm already a third-level talisman master. I think I've basically mastered third-level talismans and pills. My fourth-level skills still need work. So why not take this chance to learn a new craft?"
Yè Shī: "…"
"Not everyone can casually say, 'Refining third-level pills and talismans is no problem!'" That single sentence echoed repeatedly in Yè Shī's ears.
It sounded so arrogant…
…he really wanted to punch him.
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