Zhao Mu stood quietly in the martial arts arena, watching as Shao Han was carried away by the medical staff.
He let out a helpless sigh.
"Shao Han still owes me three Spirit Sources."
According to their agreement, if Shao Han lost the match, he would have to pay Zhao Mu three Spirit Sources of Battle Rank 30 or higher.
Unfortunately, Shao Han had already passed out, so Zhao Mu would have to collect the debt later.
Still, he wasn't worried.
Shao Han valued his reputation more than anything else and would never refuse to honor the bet.
Leaving the arena, Zhao Mu glanced around the spectator stands, searching for a familiar face.
Mo Guanguan was nowhere to be seen.
A hint of disappointment crossed his face.
Yesterday, she had encouraged him and wished him victory. He hadn't expected her to miss today's match.
"That's strange..."
"Did I offend her somehow?"
Before he could think any further, Meng Qiuqiu and the others rushed over, surrounding him with excited cheers.
"Brother Mu, you're incredible!"
"You defeated a Battle Rank 10 opponent while only being Battle Rank 6!"
"Everyone in Qingfeng Camp is going to know your name now!"
Zhu Meng looked at Zhao Mu as though he were some kind of monster.
"I seriously doubt your talent is only E-rank."
"And tell me honestly..."
"Did you win the lottery or something?"
"Unless you emptied the entire prize pool from the last six months, I can't imagine where you got enough money to buy so many Ember Remains."
He lowered his voice and grinned.
"Or are you really the Garrison Commander's illegitimate son?"
Zhao Mu rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"I borrowed most of them."
"I'll have to return them soon."
Most of those resources had been borrowed from the Military Commerce Department of the Lujiang City Garrison.
Meanwhile, in the spectator stands, Shen Moran's emotions were unusually complicated.
A sentence Zhao Mu had once spoken suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Is there a chance that I'm not as useless as you think?"
"My ability is actually quite strong."
Her pupils contracted.
"Was he telling the truth?"
"Did I misunderstand him?"
For the first time, she felt genuine regret.
Although she refused to admit it openly, a small part of her wondered if she had judged Zhao Mu too quickly.
However, her pride refused to yield.
She clenched her fists tightly.
"No."
"This is only the beginning."
"No one knows who will stand at the top in the future."
Her gaze drifted toward the VIP seats, and her confidence gradually returned.
While Zhao Mu chatted with Meng Qiuqiu and the others, Instructor Xie Yingxue suddenly approached.
"Zhao Mu."
"Come with me."
"Someone from the Royal Clan wants to meet you."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Zhu Meng and Wang Jiaojiao looked at Zhao Mu with unconcealed envy.
Everyone knew that Iron Ridge City, the Beitang Royal Clan's fortress on the frontier, possessed one of the strongest military forces in the entire empire.
Anyone fortunate enough to train there would advance much faster than they could at Qingfeng Camp.
There were countless cultivation resources.
Powerful Ember Remains.
High-quality Spirit Sources.
Famous instructors.
Endless battlefield opportunities.
Since ancient times, the greatest generals and strongest warriors had all been forged on the battlefield.
Unlike the others, Meng Qiuqiu, Zhuo Yun, and Lu Yan wore reluctant expressions.
"Brother Mu..."
Meng Qiuqiu scratched his head.
"No matter what you decide..."
"We'll support you."
Tiangong Hall had only just been established, and their Ace Group was only beginning to gain recognition.
None of them had expected Zhao Mu to leave so soon.
Although they didn't want to see him go, they also didn't want to become an obstacle to his future.
Zhao Mu smiled reassuringly.
Without saying much, he followed Instructor Xie Yingxue.
Along the way, she lowered her voice.
"The principal asked me to tell you something."
"If you're willing to stay, all the monthly cultivation resources previously promised to you will be doubled."
She paused before continuing.
"If you choose to develop as a Spirit Power User, Qingfeng Camp will also grant you permission to study Intermediate Battle Tactics."
A faint light flashed across Zhao Mu's eyes.
"That's certainly tempting."
He didn't answer immediately.
Seeing his reaction, Xie Yingxue sighed inwardly.
As soldiers, they preferred to speak plainly.
The academy had already offered everything it could.
If Zhao Mu still decided to leave, they had no way to stop him.
Soon, Zhao Mu arrived at the VIP seating area.
Waiting there were Beitang Yihai, Beitang Qiushui, and an elegant middle-aged man with long silver-gray hair dressed in luxurious white robes.
Although he appeared calm and refined, Zhao Mu immediately recognized him as a royal guard.
A guard chosen by the Royal Clan was undoubtedly a formidable expert.
Time seemed unable to leave marks upon the man's face.
His skin remained youthful and immaculate.
Zhao Mu quietly lowered his head without speaking.
At that moment, Principal Liu Weiguo walked over.
His usually stern face broke into a warm smile.
"Zhao Mu."
"These two are members of the Beitang Royal Clan from Iron Ridge City."
"They watched your battle with Shao Han and were deeply impressed."
"They specifically requested to meet you."
Zhao Mu nodded politely.
"It's an honor to meet you."
The title of Scion referred only to direct descendants of the royal family.
The current ruler of House Beitang was Prince Dingbei, Beitang Ao.
Despite being nearly two hundred years old, he remained the pillar of the royal family.
The two young men before Zhao Mu were most likely his grandsons.
As Zhao Mu remained silent, he could feel both of them examining him carefully.
Beitang Yihai possessed a refined appearance and carried himself with effortless elegance.
His gaze was filled with appreciation.
Beitang Qiushui, however, openly examined Zhao Mu as though inspecting an unusual pet.
"Interesting."
"You're only Battle Rank 6."
"Your talent is completely average."
"So how are you able to control eight Ember Remains?"
"Tell me."
"I'm quite curious."
His smile carried obvious arrogance.
Zhao Mu answered calmly.
"It's just a small personal talent."
"Nothing worth mentioning."
"Talent?"
Beitang Qiushui snorted.
"What a joke."
Ignoring his younger brother's rude behavior, Beitang Yihai smiled warmly.
"Your talent is exceptional."
"Your combat instincts are outstanding."
"Someone like you belongs on the battlefield."
He looked directly at Zhao Mu.
"Would you be willing to come with me to Iron Ridge City?"
The expressions of Principal Liu Weiguo and the other academy leaders immediately became tense.
They all hoped Zhao Mu would refuse.
Still, they knew the truth.
Iron Ridge City offered opportunities far beyond anything Qingfeng Camp could provide.
Zhao Mu calmly looked at both brothers.
Beitang Qiushui's arrogance made him instantly dislike the young prince.
Beitang Yihai, on the other hand, was handsome, graceful, and carried the natural bearing of royalty.
His charisma alone would undoubtedly attract countless admirers.
Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Mu replied calmly,
"I'm sorry."
"I've decided to stay at Qingfeng Camp."
Beitang Qiushui's expression darkened immediately.
"Stay here?"
"You country bumpkin!"
"Do you even understand what kind of place Iron Ridge City is?"
"If we hadn't found you somewhat interesting, someone with your mediocre talent wouldn't even qualify to enter that city in this lifetime."
Beitang Yihai raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oh?"
"May I ask why?"
"The cultivation environment in Iron Ridge City is far superior."
"Have you truly considered your decision carefully?"
Zhao Mu met his gaze without wavering.
"I have."
"I believe Qingfeng Camp is the best place for me."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)