Chapter 78 - Return
Chapter 78 Return
The River View Restaurant had a total of eight floors and was more than 30 meters tall. It was located on a higher ground in the west of the city. Standing on the top floor, one could easily see the river passing through East Lake City.
Shi Changyi had reserved a table on the eighth floor, which was one of the best seats.
As soon as he entered the room, Chen Yiming saw that the main hall on the first floor was filled with people. Some of them were surrounded by many people, and they were listening to them describe what had happened on the battlefield.
“Brother Liang, Brother Liang, tell us about the situation with the younger generation participating in the war this time. I heard that Yue Jingtian defeated many more enemies than anyone else,” someone asked directly.
“That’s right, Brother Liang, stop beating around the bush. We’re all curious,” another person echoed.
The man called Brother Liang gestured for a pause with his hands, and the people around him tactfully fell silent.
“That’s true. On the battlefield this time, Yue Jingtian amazed all of us with a single move. Using the Mountain Moving Fist Technique, he could kill his opponents with a single punch. The alien creatures of the same level were not his match at all.”
After hearing Brother Liang’s words, the surrounding people gasped.
“Didn’t they say that alien creatures from the otherworld were stronger than humans at the same level? Typically, at least three to five humans would be needed to deal with one alien creature,” someone said doubtfully.
“Brother Liang, do you know why Yue Jingtian is so special?” someone asked.
Brother Liang drank his tea calmly and waited for the surrounding people to quieten down.
“A few years ago, there was a rumor that Yue Jingtian was a bloodline warrior. On the battlefield this time, it was confirmed that his bloodline ability is a perfect match for the Yue clan’s Mountain Moving Fist Technique. His combat power is close to the warrior realm.”
“Gasp! Bloodline warriors are sure to die. The Yue clan sure is willing to sacrifice one of their own,” someone exclaimed in disbelief.
A quick-witted person beside him immediately speculated, “Do you think that there is already a breakthrough in the research of the bloodline warriors, and that the descendants of those big shots managed to benefit from those results first?”
The surrounding people were in an uproar, but the analysis was indeed reasonable. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for a descendant of a martial arts clan to try and become a bloodline warrior at the risk of certain death.
“If that’s really the case, then will we have the chance to become bloodline warriors in the future?” someone asked excitedly.
“Haha, at that time, would you be able to pay the price to become a bloodline warrior? It definitely won’t be cheap,” a rational person at the side said bluntly.
Suddenly, the topic switched to bloodline warriors. Everyone at the table expressed their thoughts. Each of them had a sliver of hope in their hearts, thinking that they could also become bloodline warriors in the future and break the restrictions imposed by their lack of natural talent.
“Yue Jingtian? Bloodline warrior?” Chen Yiming entered the elevator and pressed the button for the eighth floor. Suddenly, he thought of his cousin.
Chen Shaojie had joined the army because he had become a bloodline warrior. However, other than informing his family from time to time that he was safe, he had no other news.
Soon, he exited the elevator.
The eighth floor was much emptier than the other floors. The entire space was circular in design, with a total of eight tables. One could look down into the distance as they ate.
“Brother Chen, you’re finally here. I thought you had something on and couldn’t come.” Shi Changyi waved at Chen Yiming, who had just exited the elevator.
“Sorry, I heard something interesting when I entered the main hall on the first floor. I was delayed because of that,” Chen Yiming apologized after taking a seat.
“Waiter, serve the dishes,” Shi Changyi shouted to the service staff on standby on the eighth floor.
Last night, Liu Wanqing had approached Chen Yiming to discuss some private matters after the auction. Although Shi Changyi didn’t know what the two of them had discussed, he no longer thought that Chen Yiming was an ordinary friend that Wei Chaoyuan had introduced to him.
After returning home, he asked around and found out that Chen Yiming was a new core disciple of the Mantis Snake Sword School. He had also performed spectacularly during his time at the Anteng Transportation Company. It was clear that he had potential and was someone worth making connections with.
“Did you hear about how Xiao Hengliang successfully escaped last night?” Shi Changyi smiled as he sat back down.
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“Xiao Hengliang escaped successfully?” Chen Yiming was shocked.
“That’s right. No one expected Xiao Hengliang to have cultivated his body to the eighth transformation while maintaining a low profile. Several people attacked at the same time, but they were unable to hold him back,” Shi Changyi said directly.
“I see.” Chen Yiming understood.
Even if there was only the concept diagram, there would still be people who would try to snatch it away and think of ways to spend the money to buy the remaining portion of the fist technique manual from the Liu clan.
However, they were not willing to risk their lives. After realizing that Xiao Hengliang was much stronger than expected, they gave up after just one attempt.
The two of them had just exchanged a few words when the waiter brought over the dishes that had been ordered. There were a total of four meat and two vegetable dishes.
Although it was not any rare mutant beast meat, the chefs had exquisite culinary skills and the dishes that they prepared were far beyond what his home-cooked food could compare with
“I had something to do at the auction yesterday, so I left for a while. I wanted to bid for the item to speed up my transformation, but I missed it.” Chen Yiming sighed as he ate.
“No wonder you disappeared for such a long time,” Shi Changyi said with a nod, “What do you need? My father happens to be working as a middleman for the mutant beast meat business. Maybe I can help you look for it.”
“I wonder if you have any way to obtain purple lightning stones?” Chen Yiming asked.
Purple lightning stones were common ores in the otherworld. This type of ore was formed by absorbing electricity from lightning that struck it.
Although it was very effective for tempering the body, due to the unstable nature of the electricity within it, it would take a long time for one to recover from any injuries that they sustained while using it. This was not acceptable to most people.
Chen Yiming, on the other hand, had cultivated the Thunder Sword Technique. His body’s resistance to electricity had increased, so it was very suitable for him to use the purple lightning stones to temper his body.
“Were you triggered by something? Using the purple lightning stone to temper your body is a dangerous thing to do,” Shi Changyi said in surprise.
“I have my ways,” Chen Yiming replied.
“The purple lightning stones are also categorized into different grades. Which kind do you need? I can only get the ordinary purple lightning stones for you,” Shi Changyi said directly.
“That’s good enough. I’m not above the warrior realm, so it’s already very dangerous for me to use the ordinary ones for my cultivation,” Chen Yiming glanced at him and said calmly.
“That’s true. I was just confused.” Shi Changyi patted his head and laughed.
With the purple lightning stone, Chen Yiming would be able to quickly break through to the warrior realm. At the same time, he would have a good explanation that others could easily accept for the fact that he had suddenly advanced by leaps and bounds to the sixth transformation.
It was very easy for ordinary people to sustain hidden injuries if they cultivated using the purple lightning stone. Chen Yiming’s act of crippling his own abilities would easily cause the outside world to lower their evaluation of him.
On the other hand, he had never intended to reveal himself as a genius at the level of a martial arts school’s successor. The more the outside world ignored him, the less likely it would be for his secrets to be exposed. It was like killing three birds with one stone.
Another day passed.
There was still no news from Shi Changyi about the matter he had agreed to. Chen Yiming continued to find a remote and deserted place to train during the day.
Right now, his main focus was on cultivating the concept diagram of the Thunder Sword Technique. Although the duration of each session was very short, the lightning power he cultivated was very effective in tempering his body. The speed of tempering was at least several times faster than before.
During lunch break, Chen Yiming suddenly received a call from his second senior brother, Wang Bowen.
On the phone, he said that the Mantis Snake Sword School’s representatives had already left the military camp. They would soon be able to return to East Lake City and that he should go to the headquarters of the martial arts school.
Chen Yiming packed up and headed straight to the headquarters. At his current stage, he still planned to rely on the Mantis Snake Sword School while he continued to develop himself secretly, so he couldn’t be absent from any important matters.
At the Mantis Snake Sword School headquarters, a large red banner was hung above the entrance, and colorful ribbons and balloons were tied around the door frame. It created a festive atmosphere.
All the core disciples had been assigned to either of the two sides of the entrance by Mu Yuerong. Each of them held two party poppers in their hands as they waited for Lin Yixuan’s team to return.
Chen Yiming, Wang Bowen, and Teng Zhihui stood together.
“Third Senior Brother, why do you look so pale? Did you eat something bad?” Chen Yiming asked.
Teng Zhihui looked dejected, and seemed to be in a daze. He didn’t hear Chen Yiming.
“Haha, maybe he added too much vinegar when he was making his lunch,” Wang Bowen said with a forced smile, bringing Teng Zhihui back from his daze.
“Don’t spout nonsense. There was no such thing,” said Teng Zhihui in a low, angry voice. If it wasn’t for the other core disciples around him, he would have beaten him up.
“No wonder when I saw Senior Brother Teng training with Senior Sister Mu the other day, I felt that there was something strange about Senior Brother Teng’s gaze,” Chen Yiming recalled
His fifth senior sister, Mu Yuerong, had a crush on the handsome and capable eldest senior brother, Lin Yixuan. This was no longer a secret among the core disciples of the school.
Music was playing at the venue, so no one noticed their conversation.
“By the way, Senior Brother Wang, I promised Liu Wanqing last night…” Chen Yiming told Wang Bowen about the matter of working together with Liu Wanqing. “What’s the deal with bloodline mutant beasts being used to aid in cultivation? I want to know more about it so that I won’t get tricked by her.”
When Wang Bowen heard that, he stopped laughing and fell silent.
“Bloodline mutant beasts are not easy to deal with. When you work with them, you have to take care of yourself,” Wang Bowen instructed. “Do you know how the concept diagram came about?”
“I don’t know,” Chen Yiming replied calmly. However, he had already made a guess. The half piece of bone in his possession must have come from some alien creature.
“Concept diagrams were originally obtained from the bodies of powerful alien creatures of the otherworld. This type of alien creature is at least equivalent to humans above the level of the warrior realm,” Wang Bowen explained in a low voice.
“So that’s how it is.” Chen Yiming nodded.
“Actually, the cultivation techniques for the warrior realm were created by the geniuses of the human race who integrated the human body with the concept diagram. That’s why people capture bloodline mutant beasts to aid in the cultivation of the concept diagram,” Wang Bowen explained.
“I understand.” Chen Yiming nodded again.
In his heart, he began to feel more confident about using the purple lightning stone for his cultivation. The principles behind these were the same.
Next, Chen Yiming asked Wang Bowen about the Liu clan.
Wang Bowen told Chen Yiming that there were several of the younger generation in the Liu clan with good potential. The competition within the clan was intense, and if he worked with them, he had to be careful of the other members of the clan. He should not get too involved with them.
At the end of the street in front of the Mantis Snake Sword School’s headquarters, an off-road vehicle roared over.
On the hood and side of the car was a golden sword emblem which represented the Mantis Snake Sword School.
The surface of the vehicle was somewhat damaged. Although the scars were not nice to look at, they held a special meaning.
“Everyone, get ready,” Mu Yuerong said loudly.
All the core disciples saw the off-road vehicle approaching from afar and realized that Lin Yixuan’s team, which had represented the Mantis Snake Sword School on the battlefield, was in this vehicle.
The off-road vehicle traveled extremely quickly. From the moment it appeared in their line of sight till it arrived before them, it had taken less than half a minute. Finally, it stopped just a few meters in front of the welcoming team. The door opened and Lin Yixuan was the first to get out.
He had a handsome face and a tall figure, giving off a gentle vibe. He was just like one of the male celebrities from Chen Yiming’s previous world.
His black hair was tied up, and he was dressed in traditional attire. From head to toe, he carried an air of unparalleled confidence.
“My eyelids are twitching and my temples are throbbing.” Chen Yiming glanced at Wang Bowen secretly, sensing that something was about to happen.
As the party poppers were pulled, the atmosphere instantly became lively. Mu Yuerong invited the head, Wan Rong, out from the building’s interior.
Wan Rong was currently wearing a loose long robe. He still looked like an old man, but the light in his eyes made it clear that he was someone extraordinary.
Beside him, Mu Yuerong only had eyes for her senior brother, Lin Yixuan. Chen Yiming noticed the unconcealable disappointment written on Teng Zhihui’s face.
en
“I did not fail my mission. In the past half a year, I have competed with the representatives from the other martial arts schools. My record on the battlefield has always been among the top three, and I even successfully broke through to the ninth transformation. I didn’t embarrass you,” Lin Yixuan said as he knelt down in front of Wan Rong. “You did well. I heard all about it.” Wan Rong helped him up.
The surrounding core disciples were instantly shocked when they heard this. In their hearts, they faintly sensed that there was probably no question about the result of the competition to become the next head of the school.
In the end, Eldest Senior Brother Lin Yixuan emerged victorious, and Second Senior Brother Wang Bowen had lost.
“Your talent in entering the meditative state is the best among all the disciples I have taken in. I believe you will soon break through to the warrior realm.
Let me ask you again. Are you willing to marry my daughter, Wan Ya, and enter the Wan clan?” Wan Rong asked him directly in front of all the core disciples.
“I am willing,” Lin Yixuan replied without any hesitation.
He didn’t even spare a glance for the dumbfounded Mu Yuerong at the side.
“That’s good. Since all the core disciples are present, I would like to make an announcement,” Wan Rong said slowly, “From today onwards, Lin Yixuan will be the next head of the school.”
As soon as he finished speaking, all the core disciples were temporarily rendered speechless by the news. No one had expected that this day would come so quickly.
The appointment of the new head meant that the new generation would begin to replace the old.
Most of the core disciples were feeling very awkward. They were Wan Rong’s disciples, and were of the same generation as Lin Yixuan, and had a normal relationship with him.
In the headquarters of the school, besides Granny Wei who was in charge of the library, Elder Yin who was in charge of the supplies department, and some hidden guards, the main personnel were the core disciples.
“Ever since I became a core disciple, I have never met any martial arts experts from the school head’s generation. I didn’t think much of it either. It seems like there must be some secret behind it.” Chen Yiming glanced at everyone.
Wang Bowen remained calm the entire time, as though he did not care at all.
“It’s always been rumored that the choice of the next head will be between Eldest Senior Brother Lin Yixuan and Second Senior Brother Wang Bowen. Why does Second Senior Brother not look disappointed at all?” Chen Yiming wondered.
“Could it be that Second Senior Brother isn’t willing to marry into the Wan clan?” Chen Yiming had a realization.
Wang Bowen was a genius from the Wang clan’s younger generation, but Lin Yixuan was a seedling raised by the head of the school, Wan Rong. Their backgrounds were very different.