Back at Su Youwei’s house, her grandfather’s room was already dark.
But Su Youwei’s room still had a candle lit.
Her shadow could be seen through the window.
“Youwei, I brought you some food.
Have you eaten?” Mu Chen knew Su Youwei wasn’t asleep yet, so he pushed the door open directly.
“Such a strong smell of alcohol.
Brother Chen, you’ve been drinking?” Su Youwei frowned.
Seeing the flush still on Mu Chen’s face, she knew he had been drinking at the palace.
“Youwei, do you want to try some?” Mu Chen asked.
Su Youwei shook her head and stepped forward to straighten his collar, as gentle as a wife.
“Hehe.
If I could marry a girl like you, I’d be very lucky.” Perhaps because it was his first time drinking in this world, Mu Chen was a bit tipsy.
He said whatever came to mind.
Su Youwei’s face turned red.
She couldn’t help taking a small step back.
The topic of marriage was still too early.
But if it was Mu Chen, it didn’t seem impossible.
Feelings grew over time.
They were more than friends but not quite lovers yet.
She had strong feelings for Mu Chen.
When she needed help the most, Mu Chen had saved her grandfather.
It was like a beam of light shining into the darkness, leaving a deep imprint on her heart.
So if there was a real possibility in the future, she wouldn’t refuse.
In fact, she was looking forward to it.
“Alright, Brother Chen.
You should go rest now.” Su Youwei calmed herself and changed the subject.
Mu Chen nodded, swaying slightly as he returned to his room.
After Mu Chen left, Su Youwei blew out the candle and lay down on her bed, covering her burning cheeks.
A silly, adorable smile spread across her face.
… The next morning, Mu Chen woke up.
The memories of last night came back to him, and he couldn’t help covering his face.
The wine had tasted good, but he was still too young.
He would have to build up his tolerance slowly.
He wondered if Su Youwei would blush when she saw him.
“Good morning, Youwei?” After greeting her, Mu Chen noticed Su Youwei’s expression was calm.
He couldn’t see any signs of shyness.
He felt a bit disappointed.
Su Youwei appeared composed on the surface, but inside she was already embarrassed.
Mu Chen probably didn’t even remember what he had said last night.
“Youwei, you don’t need to go to the academy every day.
How about we go train in the Black Forest Mountain Range?” Mu Chen suggested.
In the outer areas, the two of them could handle first-grade Genesis Beasts.
With his late Illusory Stage Divine Soul, a Soul Shock could even momentarily stun second- or third-grade Genesis Beasts.
“But what about grandfather…” Su Youwei thought of her elderly grandfather who needed looking after.
“Hehe, Youwei, you go with Xiao Chen.
Don’t worry about this old man.
I’m not so old that I can’t take care of myself.” Su Youwei’s grandfather came out, smiling cheerfully.
Mu Chen understood immediately.
The old man’s underlying message was: feel free to go out.
I can take care of myself.
I won’t get in the way of you two.
With his illness cured, the old man’s body and spirits were both in good condition.
“Alright, old sir.
Don’t worry.
With me around, Youwei won’t lose a single hair.” Mu Chen patted his chest in assurance.
Su Youwei felt warmth in her heart.
She wasn’t a weak girl either.
She wouldn’t always stand behind Mu Chen.
“Haha, of course I’m not worried.” Over the years, he had come to know Mu Chen’s character.
Though not perfect, he was no hypocrite either.
Su Youwei’s grandfather practically saw Mu Chen as a grandson-in-law already.
And his granddaughter also had feelings for him.
Mu Chen and Su Youwei left Great Zhou City together, heading toward the Black Forest Mountain Range.
Coming to this kind of place for the first time, Su Youwei’s expression was serious and cautious.
This would be her first real battle.
“Youwei, there’s a first-grade Genesis Beast over there.
It should be just right for you.
I’ll be right behind you.” Mu Chen used his Soul Power to sense the area.
Everything around was first-grade.
They were in the outer area.
Third-grade Genesis Beasts were in the deeper parts and normally wouldn’t appear here.
“Alright.” Su Youwei took a deep breath.
Her agile, light figure moved swiftly, rushing into the forest in an instant.
Before long, the sounds of battle could be heard.
The roars of the Genesis Beast.
Su Youwei’s Jade-Breaking Finger, which she had already mastered to a small degree, could easily pierce through the hide of the wolf-type Genesis Beast.
But it was Su Youwei’s first time facing a Genesis Beast and her first real battle.
Lacking experience, a claw mark was left on her arm.
The stinging pain made her frown.
She didn’t retreat.
She found an opening and pierced the wolf-type Genesis Beast’s heart, ending the fight.
“Youwei, good work.
Use the spirit liquid to heal the wound.
Be careful not to let it scar.” After Mu Chen spoke, Su Youwei’s expression changed.
Hearing the word “scar,” no girl could remain calm.
The Ancestral Stone Spirit Liquid worked well on such minor wounds.
It healed almost immediately.
Su Youwei reflected on the battle just now, gaining valuable experience.
Mu Chen didn’t disturb her.
Instead, he began opening his meridians.
The Genesis Qi here was denser than in Great Zhou City, since so many Genesis Masters in the city were cultivating and consuming it.
Here, besides the Genesis Beasts, it was just him and Su Youwei.
For his second meridian, Mu Chen had already decided to use the power of the Space Ancestral Symbol mixed with Genesis Qi to open it.
Perhaps he might even comprehend some spatial ability.
‘Devouring Ancestral Symbol, activate.’ After being refined, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol worked more efficiently.
With a thought, vast amounts of Genesis Qi were devoured, then converted into purer Qi, mixed with the power of the Space Ancestral Symbol, and surged toward the blockage of his second meridian.
During this process, his meridians felt a stinging pain.
At the same time, a faint silver luster shimmered on his skin, as if resonating with the surrounding space.
Su Youwei snapped out of her thoughts and saw Mu Chen cultivating.
She took the opportunity to open her third meridian.
…
Half a month passed.
Mu Chen was still cultivating there, continuously devouring Genesis Qi.
Su Youwei stared at Mu Chen’s handsome face.
After opening her third meridian, she hadn’t rushed to open the fourth.
Pfft!
Finally, Mu Chen’s second meridian was successfully opened.
The blood and qi in his body became more active.
With each meridian opened, his physical constitution was strengthened.
Now that his second meridian was open, his physique should be able to sweep through those at the fifth meridian without any opponent.
Hum!
At that moment, his second meridian suddenly erupted with brilliant silver light, resonating with the Space Ancestral Symbol in his sea of consciousness.
The space around Mu Chen rippled like boiling water.
In Su Youwei’s eyes, Mu Chen’s figure began to grow blurry and indistinct.
“Brother Chen!?” Su Youwei was alarmed.
Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed Mu Chen’s arm.
The next second, the two vanished from the Black Forest Mountain Range, teleported to who knew where.
(End of Chapter) —