Chapter 45 The Wang Family's Collapse, Teacher Mu's Private Treatment
Although the competition was over, Jiang Chen's "performance" had only just begun.
Imperial Capital Martial Arts University, Special Infirmary.
Jiang Chen was lying on the hospital bed, looking weak, as if to say, "I can't go on, I'm dying."
In reality, he was perfectly fine. That collision earlier looked scary, but under the protection of the System, he hadn't even scraped his skin. However, in order to "milk" Mu Qingxue, he forced himself to act as if his Mental Energy was exhausted and his Physical Body was collapsing.
"Teacher, I feel so dizzy, and my chest feels tight. Is it possible that the collision earlier left some aftereffects? I heard that this kind of internal injury is hard to treat and requires someone to provide personal care..."
Jiang Chen's eyes were unfocused, and his voice was weak as he looked at Mu Qingxue, who was examining his body.
Mu Qingxue had changed back into a white lab coat today, with a tight black turtleneck sweater underneath, perfectly outlining her proud curves. She was wearing a stethoscope, looking at Jiang Chen with an expressionless face.
She could, of course, tell that this guy was faking it.
But thinking back to that thrilling moment on the arena, and the alluring heat radiating from Jiang Chen at this moment, the anger in her heart had mostly dissipated.
"Exhausted? I think you're just looking for an excuse to be lazy."
Although Mu Qingxue said that, she still reached out and pressed her hand against Jiang Chen's chest, slowly channeling that cool, soothing True Qi.
"Don't move, I'll help you clear your Meridians and suppress the rampaging Yang Qi."
When her cool fingertips touched his burning skin through the thin hospital gown, both of them trembled slightly.
Jiang Chen squinted his eyes comfortably.
【Ding! Detected that Mu Qingxue is actively initiating physical contact.】
【Favorability Assessment: Concern (slightly physiological dependence).】
【Triggered Special Status: Human Air Conditioner Mode.】
【Cultivation speed increased: 300%. Absorbing "Profound Yin Qi" to strengthen the kidneys...】
"Teacher, your hands are so cool. Can you... go a bit lower? My Dantian was also shaken just now." Jiang Chen pushed his luck, his voice carrying a hint of lazy hoarseness, while his eyes stared straight at Mu Qingxue's reddening earlobes.
Mu Qingxue's hand paused, a flash of shame and annoyance crossing her beautiful eyes.
Instinctively, she wanted to refuse and pull her hand back. But the moment her fingers touched Jiang Chen's skin, that scorching Yang Qi instantly dispelled the Cold Poison that had been accumulating in her body for a long time.
That feeling of comfort, like soaking in a hot spring on a winter day, caused her mind to go blank for a moment; she simply couldn't bear to let go.
"Here?"
Her voice trembled slightly, and her palm uncontrollably slid down along Jiang Chen's pectoral muscles, across his toned abs, and stopped at his Dantian.
"Mmm..."
Both of them let out a suppressed moan at the same time. The air in the ward instantly became ambiguous and thick, as if it could be stretched into threads.
Mu Qingxue felt her face was hot enough to fry an egg. Her reason told her to stop, but this "human heater" was simply too comfortable, creating a deep craving in her, someone who had lived in an ice cave for years.
Just as Jiang Chen was preparing to further "discuss his medical condition."
Bang!
The door was pushed open violently.
"Jiang Chen! Are you alright!"
Su Qingyue rushed in, carrying a large pile of supplements.
Seeing Mu Qingxue's hand resting on Jiang Chen's lower abdomen, with one sitting and one lying down in a rather ambiguous posture, Su Qingyue was stunned, and the fruit basket in her hand almost dropped to the floor.
"Uh... did I come at a bad time?"
Su Qingyue blinked, and the air was filled with the sour smell of a "shura field."
Mu Qingxue pulled her hand back as if electrocuted, stood up quickly, turned her back to Su Qingyue to tidy her slightly messy collar, and tried her best to restore her cold mentor persona.
"His injuries are no longer serious. You two chat, I have a class."
After saying that, Mu Qingxue walked quickly out of the ward, but her hurried steps and ears red as if they were bleeding completely betrayed her mood at the moment.
...
That night, after handling the handover of the Wang family's assets (Jiang Chen acted as a hands-off boss, fully entrusting Su Qingyue to contact Su Manyu for the annexation), Jiang Chen took the S-rank authorization card symbolizing glory and snuck into the school's Treasure Pavilion.
The S-rank Treasure Pavilion housed the century-old heritage of the Imperial Capital Martial Arts University.
Jiang Chen ignored the Sharp Weapons and top-tier Medicinal Pills that radiated treasure light.
His goal was clear—something that could help a person sleep well.
"System, scan it. Which item is best for making a pillow?"
【Scanning...】
【Discovered special mineral: Star Core (Fragment).】
【Location: Southeast corner, pile of sundries.】
【Attributes: Gravitational field, mental nourishment, absolute silence.】
【Evaluation: This is the core material for crafting a "Divine-Grade pillow." Combined with the previous Empress fragment, it can be upgraded to a "star dream emperor pillow (growable Divine Artifact)."】
Jiang Chen's eyes lit up, and he walked straight to the corner.
There sat a black stone the size of a basketball, unremarkable and covered in dust. But when you approached it, you would find that the surrounding sounds seemed to be swallowed, and the world became exceptionally quiet.
"This is it!"
Jiang Chen reached out to lift it.
It didn't budge.
"Huh? So heavy?" Jiang Chen was surprised. He was now at the eighth level of the Bone Forging Realm, with a single-arm strength exceeding ten thousand catties. How could he not lift a basketball-sized stone?
【Reminder: The Star Core has extremely high density, weighing thirty thousand catties. It also comes with its own gravitational field. It is recommended that the host activate "Sleepwalking State" and use mental power to resonate with physical strength.】
"Understood, sleeping on the job."
Jiang Chen didn't say another word and leaned directly against the shelf nearby, closing his eyes.
Fell asleep in one second.
The next moment, Jiang Chen, with his eyes closed, walked to the stone, wrapped his arms around it, his internal Qi and blood roaring, and his newly awakened mental power wrapped around the stone like tentacles.
"Up!"
With a low shout.
That Star Core, weighing thirty thousand catties, was actually lifted by him.
He carried it like a big watermelon, walking with his "sleepwalking steps," swaying but steady, as he walked out of the Treasure Pavilion.
The old man in charge of guarding the Treasure Pavilion watched the surveillance feed, and his dentures fell to the floor.
"That is... the Star Core that even Principal Chief Instructor Shen Yan couldn't take away back then! It's said that even those in the Grandmaster Realm can't move it! What is this kid doing with it? Weightlifting? And... is he asleep?!"
Back at the dormitory, Jiang Chen couldn't wait to have the System perform the Fusion.
【Ding! Fusion starting...】
【Star Core + Empress Fragment + Top-tier Sky Silk = star dream emperor pillow (Profound Rank, top-tier).】
【Effects: Sleep efficiency increased by 20 times; dream space stability increased (can carry a wisp of the Empress's Divine Thought); sleep-aid range expanded to 10 meters.】
Looking at the new pillow on the bed shimmering with faint starlight, Jiang Chen threw himself onto it.
"Comfortable! This is what life is about!"
As soon as he lay down, the feeling of being wrapped in starlight allowed him to instantly enter deep sleep.
And in the depths of his dream.
The originally gloomy and terrifying Bone Palace was now dotted with some brilliant starlight.
On the towering Bone Throne, the Empress lying on her side seemed to sense something. She slowly opened her eyes, and her purple eyes lacked a bit of their usual ferocity, replaced by a trace of laziness.
"Hmm? Changed to a new bed?"
The Empress stretched out a finger and gently tapped the void, as if sensing that power of the stars.
"Although it's still a bit hard, it's barely worthy of my attention."
She glanced at Jiang Chen's mental form, who was standing trembling in the corner of the palace, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a breathtaking smile.
"Considering you have some filial piety... tonight, I will allow you to get closer to me. About... one meter."
Jiang Chen was moved to tears.
One meter! This is a historic breakthrough! Finally, I don't have to sleep at the entrance!
However, just as Jiang Chen was enjoying the benefits in his dream.
Outside, above the ruins of the Wang family in the Imperial Capital.
A terrifying aura soared into the sky.
An old man with white hair and beard stood in the center of the ruins, looking at the shattered Soul-Fixing Jade in his hand, letting out a roar like a wild beast.
"How dare you kill my Wang family's Qilin! How dare you steal my Wang family's foundation!"
"Jiang Chen! I, Wang Xiaotian, will take your head to sacrifice the flag on the City-wide Hunting Day three days from now!!!"
The pressure of a Peak Grandmaster swept across the city.
A storm was coming.