Chapter 91: Chapter 88: A Challenge from the Holy Hall

But when Mu Chen looked closer, he saw a young woman in a blue, wide-sleeved dress smiling radiantly at him. Her smile was like that of a fairy from the Nine Heavens, and for a moment, the surrounding group of Outer Circle Students were petrified.

CLATTER. CLATTER...

As the sound of falling chopsticks echoed, Mu Chen gave a wry smile and rubbed his nose. He quickly walked over with Little Tiger. "You... why did you come down today?"

The young woman was none other than Mu Bingling. The corners of her lips curved upward as she smiled. "Holy Hall Students aren’t restricted to a specific dining area, so I came down."

Mu Bingling’s voice was gentle. She didn’t explicitly state why she had come down, but the meaning behind her words was crystal clear. A warmth instantly filled Mu Chen’s heart. Little Tiger finally snapped out of it, looking back and forth between Mu Chen and Mu Bingling. His face suddenly flushed red as he scratched his head. "Big Sister, you’re so beautiful! Even the Saintess of my tribe can’t compare to you..."

Mu Bingling was taken aback for a moment, then a blush crept up her cheeks. The atmosphere immediately turned awkward. Although Little Tiger could be dense, he wasn’t stupid. Seeing how awkward it was, he quickly stammered, "W-well, Brother Mu Chen, I’ll go get our food. You and Big Sister can... uh, I’m going..."

After blurting that out nervously, Little Tiger turned and bolted, moving even faster than when he’d first entered the cafeteria. Watching him flee, Mu Chen looked at Mu Bingling with a helpless expression and explained, "That’s just how Little Tiger is. He’s very simple and speaks his mind. I hope you don’t mind."

Mu Bingling slowly raised her head, and the hand that had been stroking a piece of jade stopped. "Of course I don’t mind," she said teasingly. "But am I to understand that you also think I’m very beautiful?"

"Uh... Well..." Mu Chen froze, suddenly not knowing where to put his hands. He never felt so flustered in front of other women, but now...

Seeing Mu Chen’s flustered state, Mu Bingling covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling with laughter. Mu Chen knew he’d been thoroughly teased. Annoyed, he plopped down right next to Mu Bingling and pursed his lips. "Hey, people are watching."

Mu Bingling ignored him and continued to laugh for a moment longer before finally looking at him, her eyes still full of amusement. "Alright, alright. I’ll stop teasing you."

After saying that, however, she started laughing again. ’I thought that since he’s matured, he wouldn’t be like his old self anymore. But it seems he hasn’t changed one bit. This way, I won’t feel like the distance between us has grown.’

Now sitting beside Mu Bingling, Mu Chen caught a glimpse of the Jade Pendant she was holding. No, perhaps it should be called a jade stone now...

"This is..." Mu Chen froze. He saw a thin red string attached to the jade stone. An image of an object surfaced in his mind—it was... his personal Jade Pendant. A sharp pain suddenly pierced his heart. ’What kind of longing would compel a woman to spend three years turning a once uneven Jade Pendant, intricately carved with countless patterns, into this...?’

But just as Mu Chen was about to reach for the Jade Pendant, a man dressed in luxurious brocade robes descended from the second floor. He walked slowly, but each step was heavy and deliberate, as if treading on the heartstrings of everyone present.

’Judging by his path, he’s heading for me.’ Mu Chen looked up. The man wasn’t particularly handsome, but he wore a perpetually smug smile. He didn’t look arrogant, but he radiated an exceptional level of confidence.

"You’re Mu Chen? The rumored new student?"

Although the man was addressing Mu Chen, his eyes were scanning Mu Bingling up and down. While his gaze held no trace of lewdness, it still made Mu Chen extremely uncomfortable.

"I don’t know if I’m the ’rumored new student,’ but my name is indeed Mu Chen," he replied coolly. As he spoke, Mu Chen also stood up; he refused to let someone look down on him from a position of superiority.

"Oh, not bad," the man said, touching his forehead with an exasperated look. "Are you trying to make me think we’re on the same level? What a foolish new student."

Mu Bingling stood up as well, her voice cold. "Kong Ye Ming, what do you want?"

The man named Kong Ye Ming chuckled, his mocking gaze shifting to Mu Bingling. "What do I want? Mu Bingling, this has nothing to do with you. What I’m curious about is why a proud Ice Goddess like you would fall for a wild brat like him. Tsk tsk, and it looks like he’s a cripple, too."

"Who are you calling a cripple?" In an instant, Mu Bingling’s expression became frigid. The Ice Attribute Primordial Qi in the air began to surge violently around her. But just then, a small but warm hand took hers. Startled, she turned in surprise to see a face brimming with confidence.

"I told you. When I came back, I would no longer be the kid who could only hide behind you." Pulling Mu Bingling behind him, Mu Chen’s lips curved into a matching smile. "What is it you want?"

Kong Ye Ming chuckled. "A nice expression you’ve got there. What do I want? I want to have some fun with you. Mu Chen, I hereby challenge you. The loser... must kneel and call the winner ’Grandpa’ three times. How about it?"

Seeing Mu Bingling about to speak, Mu Chen cut in, "Fine. But I want to amend the terms. If I lose, I’ll do as you ask. But if you lose, I won’t make you kneel; you’ll have to agree to a different condition. However, the new student trials are tomorrow. So how about this: I’ll accept your challenge in ten days. Deal?"

"Hmm?" Kong Ye Ming paused, then burst out laughing. "Me, lose? Tsk tsk, you’re as arrogant as they come. It seems those pieces of trash weren’t lying."

"Why don’t we make it a real wager? If I lose, not only will I kneel, but I’ll also be at your beck and call from now on. How about it? Do you dare?" Mu Chen’s mocking smile widened.

Kong Ye Ming’s smile vanished. "Are you serious?" he asked, his voice low.

Mu Chen just smiled. "What do you think?"

"HAHAHA... Ah, I’ve finally witnessed what a true moron looks like. See you in the arena in ten days. If you win, I’ll grant you any request. Remember, *any* request."

With that, Kong Ye Ming laughed sinisterly and left the cafeteria. In a corner, a few people glanced at Mu Chen and muttered mockingly, "He’s really in for it now..." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Chen’Er, you..." Mu Bingling’s voice was surprisingly calm. "Do you even know what realm Kong Ye Ming is in?"

Mu Chen turned to her and smiled gently. "I don’t. But I will win."

Seeing his gentle smile, Mu Bingling’s expression gradually softened. She didn’t know why, but seeing his smile, she suddenly felt an incredible confidence emanating from this slender, but not overtly strong, young man. It felt as if, as long as she stood behind him, she would be completely safe from harm.

"He is the only son of the Xuanling Empire’s Left Minister. His talent is outstanding. He’s nineteen, but his cultivation has already reached the level of a Three-Ring Martial Spirit. And despite being ’only’ a Three-Ring Martial Spirit, he’s ranked thirteenth on the Holy Hall’s Holy List." At that moment, a familiar, cold voice spoke up from behind Mu Chen.

Mu Chen turned to look. Who else could it be but Qing Lei? He was holding his tray of food, looking at Mu Chen with a smile that was uglier than a grimace.

"Qing Lei, you’re here," Mu Chen said with a smile. "A Three-Ring Martial Spirit, huh." He rubbed his chin in thought. ’At my current Martial Artist Realm, I’d likely be at a disadvantage. But what if I use my Ice Extreme Power?’ At that thought, a flicker of battle lust ignited in his eyes. He wasn’t sure when it started, but he was gradually beginning to enjoy the thrill of a fight.

"Brother Mu Chen, the food’s here!" Just as Mu Bingling was looking anxious, Little Tiger returned carrying their meals. Since Qing Lei hadn’t been there earlier, Little Tiger had barely managed to carry two portions by himself. "Huh? Brother Qing Lei, you’re here too! You disappeared right after I found a weapon."

Qing Lei gave Little Tiger an apologetic look. "Something came up suddenly, so I didn’t get to tell you."

The group sat down together, with Little Tiger and Qing Lei on the opposite side of the table from Mu Bingling and Mu Chen. After brief introductions, Mu Chen began to wolf down his food. An army marches on its stomach, as they say, and having missed two meals, Mu Chen couldn’t be bothered with appearances.

Watching him eat like that left Little Tiger dumbfounded. After exchanging a look with Qing Lei, Little Tiger opened his mouth. "Brother Mu Chen is amazing. No wonder he’s so strong."

Mu Bingling couldn’t help but smile, moving some of the meat from her plate to his. When the other students saw this, they clutched their chests as if in agony. Just getting a single glance from Mu Bingling was usually harder than ascending to the Nine Heavens, yet this kid was receiving such treatment!

Dinner passed under a barrage of envious and jealous gazes. But after the meal, none of the students went straight back to their dorms. Instead, they scattered to spread the news of what happened in the cafeteria to their friends. In an instant, the news that Kong Ye Ming, ranked thirteenth on the Holy List, had challenged the new Outer Circle student, Mu Chen, swept through the entire academy like a whirlwind.

"Do you think Mu Chen can win this time?" an Outer Circle student asked in a low voice.

"I doubt it. Even though he can fight above his level, a Martial Spirit and a Grand Martial Master are beings from two different worlds."

"Hey, don’t say that. We’re all from the Outer Circle, after all. How can we let those arrogant bastards who look down on everyone keep getting away with it? I think Mu Chen will win."

"Yeah, I think Mu Chen will win, too."

Soon, the support for Mu Chen reached a fever pitch. Meanwhile, the man at the center of it all was taking a slow, leisurely stroll with Mu Bingling down a tree-lined path.

"You said you’re not planning to enter the Holy Hall?" Mu Bingling looked at Mu Chen, a hint of disappointment and confusion in her eyes.

Mu Chen nodded. "That’s right. But I’m going to get you out of the Holy Hall."

Seeing her growing confusion, Mu Chen smiled. "My teacher told me that if I can defeat ten Holy Hall Students in a row, I can make one request of the Holy Hall. As long as the request doesn’t violate any moral principles, it will be unconditionally granted. So this fight isn’t just about accepting a challenge. It’s more important than that." Mu Chen stood proudly, and an aura like that of a Barbaric Overlord erupted from him. "I, Mu Chen, will challenge the entire Holy Hall!"

Staring at the blue-haired youth before her, his hair whipping in the wind, Mu Bingling was momentarily entranced. At that instant, she could clearly feel that the surging Barbaric Aura within Mu Chen was strangely familiar. A call deep within her bloodline made her feel an urge to submit.

"Chen’Er, your aura!"

Mu Bingling cried out in alarm. Mu Chen snapped back to his senses, and the Barbaric Aura within him vanished without a trace. Seeing Mu Bingling panting, her face flushed, Mu Chen was startled. "Bingling, what’s wrong?"