Chapter 388 - 361: Mu Jie

Chapter 388: Chapter 361: Mu Jie

A month ago, Nie Yun had been able to kill the Qianqing Sect Master, an expert of the Second Layer Primordial Saint Realm. After a month of training, although his physical strength hadn’t increased much—still the might of 9,999 elephants—his control over his Soul Power had become far more fluid. When combined with his physical strength, the two were a seamless whole. Thus, even though Mu Qiaoxian was a powerhouse at the Peak of Magical Power Realm, he was brought to his knees before Nie Yun could even make a single move!

Such was the advantage of having a powerful soul!

If Mu Qiaoxian’s soul had reached the Spirit Level, it would have been difficult for Nie Yun to defeat him in a single move, even if he was stronger. But as it was, Mu Qiaoxian’s soul was only at the Qi Sea Great Perfection realm. Forget making him kneel; Nie Yun could have killed him outright, and no one would have been the wiser.

"This... This..."

"He really made Mu Qiaoxian kneel?"

Seeing the scene before them, everyone was on the verge of a mental breakdown. The youth’s actions had completely shattered their understanding of reality!

In their view, even the strongest Ultimate Venerable was nothing more than a slightly more powerful ant before a Secret Realm expert. Defeating a Secret Realm expert in a single move was the stuff of legends. But now, the most unbelievable thing imaginable was happening right before their eyes. They couldn’t process it, their jaws hanging open in shock.

"Mu Yun, you..."

Even Mu Yan was trembling, staring at the youth before him with a stunned gaze.

"Perhaps he has weak knees and just likes to kneel. Let’s go," Nie Yun said with a faint smile.

"’Likes to kneel...’" Mu Yan was speechless for a moment, then he jumped up in excitement. "Let’s go! We have to get back quickly! If the Manor Master finds out we have a powerhouse like this among the outer disciples, he’ll be absolutely ecstatic!"

"Let’s go!"

As they spoke, the members of Dieyi Manor all took flight, disappearing from sight a moment later.

Nie Yun had made up his mind the moment he entered the Ancient City. ’Since this place values strength, I might as well show off a bit of it!’

’Without strength, there’s no status. Who knows how long it would take to enter the upper echelons and get access to the so-called Spirit Rhinoceros Spring Water. Rather than slowly biding my time, it’s better to make a stunning debut!’

’Besides, even if my current strength isn’t enough to beat that so-called City Lord, I can still escape safely. There’s no need to be timid.’

Watching the experts fly ahead, Mu Xia couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. ’The last time I came, I had just reached the Ultimate Venerable realm. When I found Dieyi Manor, they completely ignored me. But this time, we’re being welcomed by Secret Realm Powerhouses. The difference in treatment is like heaven and earth.’

Soon, Nie Yun saw a sprawling manor appear before him.

"This is our Dieyi Manor. The rules here are very strict. You two should wait here and don’t wander off. I’m going to report to the Manor Master now!"

After entering the manor, Mu Yan settled Nie Yun and Mu Xia in a garden. He offered a quick explanation and then strode away.

’So this is Dieyi Manor? The Spiritual Qi here is strange... something’s not right...’

Nie Yun scanned his surroundings, took a deep breath, and immediately noticed the difference.

The Spiritual Qi here was completely different from the kind that gathered at the Qianqing Sect. The latter’s Spiritual Qi made one’s True Qi stir, creating an irresistible urge to begin Cultivation. The Spiritual Qi here, however, made his muscles twitch, as if he had taken some kind of stimulant.

’With my muscles twitching and their activity increased, the speed of Cultivation here would definitely be faster than at the Qianqing Sect!’

’However, more haste, less speed. Cultivating too quickly isn’t necessarily a good thing.’

"You two must be the outer disciples here for the Holy Spirit Disciple Competition! You don’t look half bad. My name is Mu Jie. From now on, you two will follow me. I can look out for you during the competition and make sure you don’t get killed!"

Just as Nie Yun was lost in thought, a detached voice rang out. He and Mu Xia then saw a youth walking over, surrounded by an entourage.

This youth was about the same age as Mu Shang, around seventeen or eighteen. His essence and Qi were restrained, yet he had already reached the Early-Stage of the Secret Realm’s First Layer of Magical Power Realm!

’An Early-Stage Magical Power Realm expert at seventeen or eighteen... terrifying!’

’His talent is even more monstrous than Mu Shang’s!’

"So it is Young Master Mu Jie!" Although Nie Yun didn’t know the youth’s exact identity, seeing him surrounded by others like the moon among stars told him his status was certainly not low. Nie Yun replied casually.

"Mm, you’re a sensible one!" Mu Jie was very pleased to hear Nie Yun call him "Young Master" and nodded.

"Our Young Master Mu Jie is the strongest among the core disciples of Dieyi Manor! He’s already a Secret Realm Powerhouse! Once the Holy Spirit Disciple assessment begins, your chances of survival will be much higher with his protection! So why haven’t you offered up your treasures yet? Show some gratitude!" a youth behind Mu Jie shouted.

"I hear the outside world is full of good things. Since you’ve come from out there, you must have plenty of treasures. Take them out. We’ll be sure to look after you when the time comes!" another youth said with a cold snort.

In their eyes, outer disciples were naturally a class below them. For them to ask for things was a blessing the outer disciples were fortunate to receive.

"Heh, my apologies. Our Cultivation is too low, so we really don’t have any treasures on us from the outside. Since you gentlemen are core disciples with extraordinary strength, you should be far wealthier than us. Asking us for things... isn’t that a bit beneath you?"

Nie Yun smiled. He could tell that although the youths’ tone was unfriendly, they didn’t have much real malice and weren’t intentionally trying to bully him.

"Hm, that’s true. The Cultivation of you outer disciples is nothing special, so it’s normal that you wouldn’t have any treasures. I have two Spiritual Soldiers here. Take them. During the Holy Spirit Disciple Competition, just stick close to me and don’t leave my side. As long as we win the championship, it won’t be impossible for you to become core disciples in the future!"

Hearing Nie Yun’s words, Mu Jie thought for a moment and casually tossed out two longswords.

"Huh?" Nie Yun was exasperated. He hadn’t expected the other party to actually give him something—and Spiritual Soldiers, at that—just from a bit of nonsense he’d made up.

’It seems the people in the Ancient City, despite their great strength, have far too little real-world experience. They can be fooled by any simple lie!’

"Mu Jie, what are you doing here?"

As they were talking, a shout came from ahead, and Mu Yan strode over.

"Uncle Mu Yan, I just met two outer disciples and was instructing them!" Mu Jie quickly bowed his head upon seeing Mu Yan.

Although both were Secret Realm Powerhouses, there was still a gap in their strength. Mu Yan had only recently been promoted, and his strength was still a far cry from Mu Jie’s.

"Instructing? You’re instructing *them*? Have you lost your mind?!"

Mu Yan was startled by Mu Jie’s words.

’This master before me is someone who brought Mu Qiaoxian to his knees with a single finger! And you, a brat who just entered the Secret Realm, want to lecture him? Don’t give me a heart attack...’

"Lost my mind? Uncle Mu Yan, what do you mean?" This time, it was Mu Jie’s turn to be confused.

"You... Lord Mu Yun and Lady Mu Xia are honored guests invited by the Manor Master, and you’re instructing them? How rude! Apologize at once!" Mu Yan roared.

"Mu Yun... Lord?" Mu Jie stammered.

’Only someone whose strength surpasses your own earns the title of "Lord." Uncle Mu Yan is a veteran powerhouse of the Secret Realm, and he’s calling him "Lord"? Did I hear that right? And an honored guest of the Manor Master? A mere outer disciple is an honored guest?’

"Lord Mu Yun just brought Mu Qiaoxian to his knees with a single finger! His strength is comparable to a powerhouse at the Peak of Magical Power Realm! Do I have to make a move myself before you’ll apologize?" Seeing Mu Jie standing there dumbfounded, Mu Yan’s expression turned grim. He was terrified that the master before him would decide to teach this arrogant brat a lesson, so he hastily shouted out Nie Yun’s specific accomplishments in a harsh reprimand.

"Mu Qiaoxian? One of the top five experts of Muaixia Manor? Brought to his knees with a single finger?"

Now, it wasn’t just Mu Jie who was stunned. The entire group of youths, who had been so arrogant just moments before, stood frozen in place like wooden statues.

"Heh, it’s nothing. Let’s go see the Manor Master." Seeing their expressions, Nie Yun gave a faint smile. Without another word, he and Mu Xia stood up and followed Mu Yan toward the Manor Master’s reception hall.

"This way..."

Relieved that Mu Yun didn’t press the issue, Mu Yan shot a fierce glare at Mu Jie and strode ahead to lead the way, disappearing from their sight moments later.

"That outer disciple defeated Mu Qiaoxian with a single finger?"

"Uncle Mu Yan called him ’Lord’?"

"He doesn’t look much older than us. How can an outer disciple be so strong?"

As soon as Nie Yun’s group left, Mu Jie and the others erupted into a commotion, struggling to process the conversation they had just witnessed. They found it utterly unbelievable.

"Boss Mu Jie! Boss!"

While everyone was still bewildered, a youth suddenly ran over from outside. His face was flushed, and he was so out of breath it seemed he had run a long way.

"What is it? Look at you, all flustered. Get ahold of yourself!"

Mu Jie frowned at the state of his subordinate.

"It’s like this! I was just passing by Xiangyun Building and saw Mu Qiaoxian, Mu Long, Mu Shang, and the others from Muaixia Manor kneeling on the ground! I asked around and found out it was an outer disciple from our Dieyi Manor who did it! One finger per person, and they were all forced to kneel! They still haven’t gotten up! It was incredible! The entire Ancient City is talking about it now..."

The youth who had just run in was speaking with great excitement, as if recounting the most satisfying event imaginable. But halfway through, he sensed something was wrong. The faces of everyone before him had turned incredibly grim, as if they were mourning their own parents.

"Boss Mu Jie, what’s wrong with you all? Everything I just said is true! There really is someone like that..." The subordinate thought they didn’t believe him and tried his best to explain, his face turning red.

"That outer disciple you were talking about... we just met him..." Mu Jie looked like he was about to cry.

If they had any doubts before, they all vanished like smoke with the subordinate’s words.

’No wonder Uncle Mu Yan called him "Lord." An Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse defeating an expert at the Peak of Magical Power Realm... such a terrifying monster... And I actually planned to take a guy like that as my subordinate...’

’I was lucky he didn’t hold it against me. Otherwise, I’d probably be a corpse by now...’

P.S. These last few Chapters weren’t very well written; they feel a bit like I’m imitating the books of authors like Shen and Ji. My apologies. I was rushing to meet my deadline and my head was spinning. I only realized it after I finished writing.

I will slow down the update pace from now on to properly think through the plot points.

There will be a thank-you Chapter following this to show my gratitude for everyone’s support this month. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)