Chapter 44: The Rock Emperor

In the astonished gaze of Mu Ningxue, the earth ball suddenly cracked open. The spherical shape began to deform, transforming into a 1.5-meter-tall figure resembling a human clad in armor. To use Qin Chen's description, it was more like the model of a warrior from a past era.

This was Qin Chen's contract beast, the Rock Emperor. Over the past two months, he had primarily focused on the summoning system. He had purchased a piece of Nebula Dust in the capital, allowing his summoning system to break through to the intermediate level. In a short period, he mastered the connection of the summoning system's star map and contracted the Rock Emperor, a gift from his mother. Initially, the Rock Emperor was at the advanced stage of the servant level. Subsequently, Qin Chen bought an earth-element spiritual seed in the capital and forcibly fed it to the little Rock Emperor, raising it to the warrior level.

"Gurgle, gurgle."

As soon as the Rock Emperor emerged, it saw Qin Chen and immediately ran over to hug him, rubbing against him incessantly, like a child who hadn't seen his mother in a long time.

"Little Emperor, come, have a snack." Seeing the little Rock Emperor like this, Qin Chen knew it was hungry. He took out a piece of earth-element spiritual seed for it.

"Gurgle, gurgle."

The little Rock Emperor released Qin Chen upon seeing the spiritual seed fragment and started gnawing at it. In just a few bites, it devoured the entire piece.

"This is my contract beast, the little Rock Emperor. It's not been long since it was born, so it's quite clingy," Qin Chen said with a smile to the bewildered Mu Ningxue.

"What about Tianju?" Mu Ningxue asked curiously. She had previously thought Tianju was Qin Chen's contract beast, but it turned out to be this little guy, who was already at the warrior level!

"Tianju is my dimensional summoning beast," Qin Chen explained.

"You're really something extraordinary," Mu Ningxue sighed. She had always considered herself a genius, but Qin Chen was even more remarkable. At the same age as her, he had already reached the intermediate level in both summoning and space systems, and had two warrior-level helpers, any of whom she couldn't handle at present.

Mu Ningxue wore a light blue fitted top and a short skirt paired with silk leggings today. Coupled with her devilish figure and stunning looks, she was the epitome of a goddess, drawing Qin Chen's gaze involuntarily.

"What are you looking at?"

If it were someone else, Mu Ningxue wouldn't care, but since it was Qin Chen, she felt shy.

"Looking at you, Ningxue, you're beautiful," Qin Chen sincerely praised.

Hearing Qin Chen's compliment made Mu Ningxue happy. She had dressed up specially today, and it had paid off. Even though she felt sweet inside, she didn't show it, perhaps out of habit.

Qin Chen and Mu Ningxue walked through the streets of Bo City, drawing countless eyes. They were both outstandingly attractive even in the capital, let alone in Bo City. They were the epitome of beauty, catching everyone's attention as they walked.

"Hey, isn't that Miss Mu Ningxue from the Mu family? She's back."

"The guy next to her doesn't seem to be from Bo City. I've never seen him here before."

"I heard Mu Ningxue went to study in the capital. Is this guy her boyfriend from there?"

"…"

Qin Chen didn't care about the gossip, but Mu Ningxue did. In the capital, no one knew her, but in Bo City, she was a well-known figure. Being the subject of rumors embarrassed her, unlike Qin Chen, whose skin was thicker. If she weren't usually so aloof, she might have blushed.

"Ningxue, don't mind what others say. Just do your thing; they're not wrong anyway," Qin Chen said nonchalantly.

"You…" Mu Ningxue initially thought well of him but was left speechless by his latter remark. What did he mean by "they're not wrong"? They hadn't even confirmed their relationship yet, and now people were talking about her reputation.

"Let's go. There seems to be something good to eat over there," Qin Chen said, boldly taking her hand and running.

Mu Ningxue instinctively tried to pull away, but his grip was firm. Unable to break free, she had to follow his lead.

For three days, Qin Chen and Mu Ningxue explored every corner of Bo City. This kind of date had happened many times in the capital, but the location was different this time. What puzzled Mu Ningxue was why Qin Chen had the little Rock Emperor following them the entire time.

In the evening, Mu Ningxue didn't accompany Qin Chen but instead went to a familiar hillside from her childhood. There, Mo Fan sat on a rock, brooding over the news that Mu Ningxue had brought back a boyfriend from the capital. This news had spread throughout Bo City, and he naturally heard it. The girl he had once adored had fallen into someone else's arms, which felt unbearable.

"You still like coming here."

Mu Ningxue's cool voice came from behind Mo Fan.

"You're here."

Mo Fan didn't turn around, speaking as if he had expected her.

"I came to ask you not to participate in the duel. You can't beat Yu Ang," Mu Ningxue urged.

"I'm going to that duel, and I will win," Mo Fan said firmly.

"Who is he?" Mo Fan asked before she could respond.

"He's a very special friend," Mu Ningxue replied, knowing who Mo Fan was referring to.

"How strong is he?"

Mo Fan continued, knowing that in this world, power reigned supreme. Only the strong could attract attention.

"Very strong, extremely strong. Even I am nothing in front of him now," Mu Ningxue said, recalling Qin Chen's strength.

"Do I still have a chance?"

Mo Fan finally voiced the question. They had been young and naive, but now they had grown up. There was no going back. Did their childhood feelings still exist?

As a child, Mo Fan had liked the little princess living in the castle but had never become the prince who could enter that castle.

To this day, he hadn't even held the princess's hand, let alone experienced the fairytale moment of a prince kissing a princess.

"We are on different paths. You have Xinxia; focus on her and don't disappoint her," Mu Ningxue said after a moment of silence. She didn't want Mo Fan to spend energy on her. Even without Qin Chen, it would have been hard for her and Mo Fan to be together.

With that, Mu Ningxue left, leaving Mo Fan alone, silent and somber in the sunset. His lonely figure under the sunset was especially poignant.

(The end of this chapter)