The Black Corner Region, a special area formed outside Jia Nan Academy due to chaos, was vast and sprawling. Over the years, as various forces expanded their territories, it had become a patchwork of distinct mini-states. The only difference from an empire was that the Black Corner Region had no king—only constant slaughter and disorder.
The chaos of the Black Corner Region also made it a hub for trading various rare items. High-level Cultivation Methods, Battle Skills, pills, and other peculiar treasures attracted powerful figures from across the continent to gather here.
Despite the chaos, Jia Nan Academy, located in the heart of the Black Corner Region, stood as a sanctuary amidst the turmoil.
"Finally, we're here," Mu Chen murmured, his gaze fixed ahead. Between two towering mountains, a small town came into view, faintly visible in the distance.
Familiar with the area, Mu Chen knew that this town was the Peaceful Town, the gateway to Jia Nan Academy.
In just a few moments, Mu Chen crossed several kilometers and arrived at the town's entrance. His eyes instinctively fell on a large tree nearby.
The tree was pitch black, its sprawling branches extending in all directions like claws. Under the fading sunlight, it exuded an eerie chill. Mu Chen's gaze pierced through the leaves and branches, settling on several corpses hanging from the tree. The creaking sound in the wind came from their swaying bodies.
"The Necromancer Tree, huh?" Mu Chen's lips curled into a faint smile. He had finally laid eyes on the infamous Necromancer Tree of the Black Corner Region.
This tree was legendary in the region. It was said that a bloody war had once erupted between the Black Corner Region and Jia Nan Academy. While no one remembered the cause, everyone remembered the aftermath—when the bodies of two Battle Kings and one Battle Emperor were hung from this tree in a brutal display.
Since then, the various forces of the Black Corner Region had developed a deep reverence for Jia Nan Academy. No Battle Practitioner from the region dared to bring the lawless chaos or their killing intent into the Peaceful Town.
Of course, the deaths of a few Battle Kings and a Battle Emperor were only enough to intimidate ordinary Battle Practitioners. For Mu Chen, they were insignificant. If he wished, he could single-handedly destroy Jia Nan Academy.
Mu Chen observed the Necromancer Tree for a while, appearing as if he were just a casual visitor.
"Anyone entering the Peaceful Town must declare their identity and name. Failure to do so will result in immediate expulsion," came a voice.
Following local customs, Mu Chen stated his name. As for his identity, he simply registered as the mentor of Yafei from the Mi'er family. After swallowing a pill that detected killing intent, Mu Chen was allowed to enter the town.
Mu Chen's Soul Awareness spread out, covering a radius of several hundred miles. Every ant, every burrowing groundhog, and even the most private activities of the townsfolk were laid bare before him.
"There she is," Mu Chen thought, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure inside one of the academy's buildings.
With a thought, the space around him rippled, and in an instant, he vanished. Within a few breaths, he appeared inside a dormitory.
Inside the dormitory, a woman was rummaging through her clothes, seemingly preparing to take a bath.
Feeling the energy ripple behind her, she stopped and asked, "Who's there?"
"It's me," Mu Chen replied.
The woman froze, then slowly turned around. When her eyes met Mu Chen's, she stared at him for a long moment before walking up to him. "Heavens, have I gone crazy from missing you so much?" she muttered.
She reached out and touched Mu Chen's face. When her hand made contact, she paused, then pressed harder, stunned. "It feels so real. Am I not dreaming?"
"Of course, you're not dreaming," Mu Chen said with a smile. "Xiao Yu, how much have you missed me?"
"Mu Chen?" Xiao Yu didn't answer his question, still staring at him in disbelief.
"Yes, it's me," Mu Chen nodded with a grin.
"How did you get here?" Xiao Yu asked, shocked.
"You missed me, so I came," Mu Chen replied playfully.
"Really? Is it really you?" Xiao Yu still couldn't believe it.
"Of course, it's really me," Mu Chen assured her.
"Heavens, this is the girls' dormitory! How did you even get in here?" Xiao Yu exclaimed.
"Ah, I have my ways," Mu Chen chuckled smugly, wrapping his arm around Xiao Yu's waist. "Now, tell me, how have you been missing me?"
"Miss you? Who said I missed you?" Xiao Yu blushed.
"Really? You didn't?" Mu Chen teased.
"No," Xiao Yu replied, her eyes darting away.
"Let me check if you've gained any weight," Mu Chen said, shifting the topic to avoid awkwardness. His hand began wandering over Xiao Yu's body, genuinely checking for any changes.
"What are you doing?" Xiao Yu was startled by Mu Chen's boldness. His hands were restless, first checking her long, shapely legs, then moving upward.
"Just checking if you've gained any weight," Mu Chen said with a mischievous grin.
"Well, have I?" Xiao Yu asked.
"I haven't finished checking yet. Xiao Yu, be good and let me continue," Mu Chen teased, stepping closer and pulling her into his arms.
"Stop," Xiao Yu protested, squirming free. "I just finished training, and I'm all sweaty. Let's talk tonight."
"Tonight?" Mu Chen paused, noticing the strong scent of sweat on her. Catching her choice of words, he grinned. "So, you're saying I can check tonight?"
"Mm," Xiao Yu nodded, her face red.
"And I can check however I want?" Mu Chen pressed, his thoughts wandering.
"What… what do you mean?" Xiao Yu, about to agree, suddenly sensed the deeper meaning in his words and hesitated.
"An all-around check, of course," Mu Chen replied.
"All-around?" Xiao Yu was puzzled, not fully understanding his implication.
"You're an adult now, fully developed. Don't you think it's time?" Mu Chen hinted.
"No," Xiao Yu refused.
"Why not?" Mu Chen asked.
"I'm a traditional woman. Anything but that is fine. That's my bottom line. If you love and cherish me, you should respect that," Xiao Yu said firmly.
"Alright," Mu Chen smiled. Xiao Yu would be his sooner or later, and he wasn't in a hurry. "Weren't you going to take a bath? Go ahead."
"Mm," Xiao Yu nodded, picking up her clothes. After a moment of hesitation, she walked over to Mu Chen and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before shyly rushing into the bathroom.
Bored, Mu Chen lay down on Xiao Yu's bed to rest, waiting for her to finish her bath. As he waited, the dormitory door suddenly opened.
(End of Chapter)