"Ling Chen!"
"Third Brother!"
The sudden accident made Huang Li shriek, her eyes reddening as she rushed out.
Ling Chen rolled across the ground, letting out a slaughtered-pig squeal.
"Ah, my head, my eyes, my nose, my teeth..."
The string of agonized screams broke Huang Li's heart. He was only a nine-year-old child, yet his potential was so powerful. When had he ever been treated like this before?
Ling Yao staggered out to examine the injuries. Ling Chen was the lifeblood of their family, with an excellent chance of developing an Acquired Treasure Body. If his foundation had been damaged, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
He had severed his own arm, which might be restored by nourishing it with rare spirit pills.
"If you don't have the ability, why show off?"
The sudden incident had also sent Chen Fusheng's mood plummeting. He had just dealt with Teng Xiong, and now Ling Yao had arrived—but this trouble should never have appeared in the first place.
He stood behind the broken window as the Storage Bag hidden in his sleeve sent out a black saber.
He gripped the saber in his right hand, killing intent flaring in his eyes!
Ling Yao had already exhausted more than half of his qi sea. The odds of catching him off guard and decapitating him from behind were extremely high.
Chen Fusheng could not possibly give Ling Yao the chance to recover and deal with him. However, afterward, he would have to leave with his grandfather and go far away.
Yet the black saber merely flashed before flying back into the Storage Bag.
Chen Fusheng calmed down. A powerful aura was approaching the courtyard gate, and it felt rather familiar.
"Ling Yao, what are you doing here?"
Mu Zhen's black skirt fluttered as she appeared, like an elf beneath the moon. Her cold, beautiful appearance was faintly suffocating, while the curves of her figure were even more astonishing.
A blue mark rested between Mu Zhen's brows, reflecting a dreamy blue halo that instead lent her features a hint of dignified grace.
"Miss Mu Zhen!"
Ling Yao looked up in delight. She was the woman he had pursued so painstakingly. Although the Ling Family wielded considerable influence in Tian Yuan City, it still could not compare with the wealth and prestige of the Mu Family.
However, the sight of Ling Chen rolling on the ground and howling in pain made his expression turn countless degrees colder.
The young master of the Ling Family had actually been slapped? By a mere Outer Sect Disciple, no less. Once word got out, it would likely become a laughingstock for people's after-tea conversations.
"Little Chen, what happened?"
Mu Zhen looked at the youth walking out of the house, her eyes sparkling. Compared with ten days ago, he had changed tremendously.
"Senior Sister Mu Zhen."
Chen Fusheng had just opened his mouth when two figures came rushing over in a whirlwind.
"Hahaha, Fusheng, I've reached the Other Shore Realm! A Fifth Grade Body Refinement Department Vajra Star..."
Wang Lie's booming voice rang out, as though he wished to announce it to the entire world. When he saw the scene in the courtyard, he froze.
Lei San had invited him over just now. He had not expected the place to be so lively.
"Fusheng, my little fishing expert, hahaha..."
Liu Bai came over laughing, flamboyantly releasing his Other Shore energy. "Fifth Grade Divine Weapon Series: Shield Armor Star!"
A Fifth Grade Talent was already a renowned genius even in the Inner Courtyard. Vajra belonged to the Body Refinement Department, while Shield Armor belonged to the Divine Weapon Series—one attacked and the other defended, a match made in heaven.
Wang Lie owed his achievement to the spirit fish's improvement of his physique, which had earned him the recognition of Vajra Star. As for Liu Bai, he simply possessed somewhat greater talent.
Liu Bai's expression turned slightly cold when he saw Ling Yao. The Ling Family was not on good terms with his girlfriend's lineage!
Lei San was the last to run in. He had gone to find Wang Lie earlier and happened to encounter the three of them coming from the Inner Courtyard together.
Clearly, the three had broken through around the same time and completed their identity registration in the Inner Courtyard.
Wang Lie looked at Ling Chen, who had been slapped, then at Ling Yao's severed arm, muttering inwardly.
After Huang Li applied medicinal liquid to Ling Chen's face, her eyes reddened with heartache and her anger surged. She turned around, just about to say something, when she saw Mu Zhen standing together with Chen Fusheng and the others.
Huang Li instinctively changed her words. "Chen Fusheng, you were too impulsive. Come over and apologize!"
"A slap like this can't be settled with an apology." Ling Yao endured the pain and stood up coldly. If Ling Chen had not possessed a fairly solid foundation, he would have been half-crippled even if he survived!
Chen Fusheng said, "I don't understand what you're saying. What, Ling Yao, when you saw an elder in danger, could you just stand there unmoved? What's more, it was an old man suffering from a terminal illness. You really could bring yourself to attack him!"
"Besides, your severed arm has nothing to do with me."
Chen Fusheng continued, "It was an accident during a transaction. You cured my grandfather's Cold Poison, and I gave you ten bowls of my own Heart Blood. In the end, you were injured by the Cold Poison instead."
Ling Yao's face darkened. He had merely treated an injury, yet somehow ended up losing an arm? It would be horribly embarrassing if word got out!
He more or less understood. The Cold Poison was unusual and specifically harmed the physique. Only someone in the Fourth Realm could resolve it.
After hearing Chen Fusheng's explanation, Mu Zhen understood. "Ling Yao, you used another person's Heart Blood to cultivate an Acquired Treasure Body? Unless my memory is mistaken, this was explicitly prohibited long ago. You're knowingly breaking the law."
Ling Yao flew into a rage. For the sake of a mere Outer Sect Disciple, Mu Zhen had actually rebuked him!
"Ling Chen, you're young, yet you act high and mighty all day. You're actually so vicious as to grow by consuming someone else's blood."
Liu Bai suddenly gave a sinister smile. "Looks like we should invite the Star Palace Enforcement Team over and investigate whether the Star Masters who have gone missing in Tian Yuan City over the years all ended up in your belly, Ling Chen!"
"Liu Bai, you freeloader, you bastard! I'll kill you..." Ling Chen was like a barrel of gunpowder. He had been pampered in the palms of everyone's hands since childhood—when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
His first time coming to the Outer Sect, his first time seeing such a shabby house, his first time being slapped, and now his first time being humiliated to his face!
Ah!
Ling Chen was about to go mad!
"I earn my living through my own ability. What can you do to me?"
Liu Bai burst out laughing. After becoming a genius of the Inner Courtyard, his confidence was entirely different. "Senior Sister, notify the Enforcement Team to come over. Chen Fusheng merely slapped him; at worst, he'll be locked up for a few days."
"Hmm? Ling Chen isn't a disciple of the Star Gazing Manor. He's only a mortal, so there's no need to punish him." Mu Zhen corrected the mistake.
"You..."
How could the arrogant and domineering Ling Chen endure this? He was just about to curse at Mu Zhen when the terrifying sight flickering in her pupils made him tremble in fear.
It looked more like a blue celestial body compressed countless times over, slowly revolving in her eyes. Surging azure matter suffused it, as though it were about to resonate with the stars in the heavens.
"A celestial-body projection! Sixth Grade—that's Sixth Grade, and it's even Heavenly Water Star!"
Ling Yao's body stiffened somewhat. Sixth Grade was second only to a Heavenly Star Master. Those who had initially stepped toward the Other Shore Realm all displayed relatively unique signs, as though a celestial body had shone into reality!
Throughout the world, the three realms of Patrolling Heaven and Dotting Stars primarily focused on absorbing Natal Star energy. Only by solidifying one's foundation could one glimpse the Fourth Realm.
Then, throughout the entire Tian Yuan Star Observation Manor, how many Sixth Grade Star Masters were there? They could be counted on one hand!
Heavenly Water Star belonged to the water-element Star Masters and was an extremely sought-after profession, primarily focused on healing.
With Mu Zhen's identity and talent, who could fail to see her future achievements?
"Ling Yao, are you sure you want me to handle this according to the Star Palace's rules?" Mu Zhen was the first to break the silence in the courtyard.
Ling Yao found himself in an awkward position. He had merely come to the Outer Sect for a trip, yet his third brother had been slapped and he had lost an arm. What kind of situation was this?
The problem also involved two Fifth Grade Talents and one Sixth Grade Talent.
Huang Li remained silent the entire time. She could not understand how Chen Fusheng had managed to latch onto such powerful connections.
"Rumble..."
Suddenly, the sound of wheels rolling over the ground came from afar.
The noise quickly approached the courtyard.
Wang Dapang appeared, fat-headed and big-eared, pushing a flatbed cart. An exquisite sandalwood table sat on it, bearing dozens of jade plates both large and small.
Although jade bowls covered the plates, the enticing aromas of various dishes still wafted out.
Mu Zhen and the others were all stunned by Wang Dapang's appearance, especially by the cyan jade tablet hanging from his waist, which drew everyone's attention.
Inner Courtyard Spirit Chef Hall, assistant head chef.
Wang Dapang was also stunned to see them. He then said, "A bunch of dogs with good noses."
Wang Lie nearly dropped his jaw. Assistant head chef!
Even if Wang Dapang had joined the Inner Courtyard as a Spirit Chef, how had he managed to become second only to the head chef?
"So you're Master Wang? You awakened Sixth Grade Talent together with me."
Mu Zhen smiled lightly. Seeing such a master chef pushing a cart to deliver food had truly broadened her horizons. It looked even more like he had come to express his gratitude.
The courtyard fell deathly silent. What was she talking about? A Sixth Grade genius?
"Hey, what's the big deal? It's merely the Sixth Grade Spoon Star. I can only toss a spoon around and cook. I can't compare with your combat professions."
Wang Dapang showed off without leaving a trace. Wang Lie nearly fell to his knees. Spoon Star was the ultimate talent of Spirit Chefs!
If one advanced into the Divine Roaming Domain, an anomaly would condense in the shape of a spoon, drawing Spoon Star energy down to the mortal world and producing peerlessly delicious dishes. It was unbelievably imposing.
With the special profession of Spirit Chef coupled with an ultimate talent, the head-chef position of the East Courtyard Spirit Chef Hall would belong to him sooner or later!
The head chef of a Spirit Chef Hall held a position equivalent to a High-Ranking Star Official!
If Wang Dapang's skills progressed from low-tier to mid-tier and then to high-tier, he could even become the master chef of a high-end Spirit Chef Hall under the Heavenly Star Manor!
A high-tier Spirit Chef was truly a national treasure of a person, with hopes of becoming a major figure in the Heavenly Star Manor!
Such a person was truly a legend to them.
Wang Dapang knew very well that he had originally had no chance of reaching Sixth Grade. As a result of the bonus from his Spirit Chef skills, he could say that he had stumbled into tremendous luck.
And the first source of that luck was the spirit fish, while the second was the skill he had gained from cooking the spirit fish. Just like that, he had somehow ascended to the heavens in a single step.
Ling Yao was beginning to doubt his entire life. Hadn't Chen Fusheng merely been a firewood chopper before? Where had he met all these friends?
Wang Lie was one thing, but how had Mu Zhen and Liu Bai gotten involved as well?
"Fusheng, when will Old Huang wake up? With me here, the food won't get cold in the bowls." Wang Dapang noticed the intense hostility in the courtyard. Of course, what did that have to do with him?
"Grandfather should be awake."
Chen Fusheng had just turned to enter the house when he glanced back at Ling Yao. "Senior Brother Ling Yao, this is a family gathering. We'll host you another day."
Ling Yao silently watched them. In the end, a trace of coldness rose on his face. He hoisted Ling Chen over his shoulder and turned to leave.
If not for Mu Zhen, what were they worth?
So what if she was Sixth Grade? Wasn't she just some lousy cook?
"This is only the beginning. Once I recover, none of you will get away." Ling Yao's heart bled as he swallowed his shattered teeth into his belly.
Huang Li left with them, her face devoid of color. She could have taken the opportunity today to befriend Mu Zhen and the others, but now she could find no excuse to stay.
After they left, Old Huang emerged from the kitchen carrying a large bowl sealed with butcher paper.
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