Chapter 102: The Incident
Chapter 102: The Incident
In the courtyard.
"Brother, I'm going to find Xiao Ru. I might stay at her place tonight and won't be coming back."
Chen Yue, dressed in a light purple dress, stood at the entrance of Chen Mu's room and waved her small hand towards the inside.
"Go ahead."
Chen Mu was sitting behind a desk, reading a book. Hearing Chen Yue's words, he glanced at her and nodded slightly, then continued reading and took a sip of tea from the cup beside him.
As he continued reading, he suddenly felt two cold little hands reach up from behind and touch his back.
"What are you reading, brother... Oh, the Great Xuan Bestiary?"
It was Chen Yue, who had quietly snuck up behind him, wrapping her arms around Chen Mu's neck from behind and tilting her head to look at the book in his hands.
Chen Mu's actions didn't pause for a moment. He remained calm, took another sip of tea, and then put down the cup, saying, "The Yu Clan has a vast collection of books, many of which are useful. This Great Xuan Bestiary records the appearances and characteristics of numerous demonic creatures. You can take a look when you have time. It will be very useful if you ever travel outside."
Compared to the Wutongli City Guard, the Yu Clan's collection was much richer. It included various annual records and books like the Great Xuan Bestiary, which documented countless demonic creatures.
According to the book, the world was filled with countless strange and varied demonic creatures. The author had only collected a portion of the information to compile the book, and the recorded creatures represented only a fraction of the total number of species in the world.
"Hehe, I don't really like reading. If I go out, wouldn't it be better if you protected me, brother?"
Chen Yue made a silly face, then released her arms and ran out the door, disappearing in a flash.
Chen Mu watched her leave, shook his head slightly, and refocused on his book.
Recalling the soft touch from earlier, he couldn't help but sigh. This young lady was truly growing up.
It had been over four months since he arrived at the Yu Clan, and time had flown by.
During these four months, he had been living here peacefully, with not much to mention. His days were spent cultivating and watching Chen Yue practice martial arts at the Martial Academy.
He rarely went out, except to borrow books from the Yu Clan's library. He didn't have much interaction with the Yu Clan members, except for the neighbors in the nearby courtyards, with whom he was slightly acquainted.
Ever since Chen Mu mastered the Saber Technique and was noticed and promoted by Xu Hongyu, he hadn't had such a stable life in a long time.
Of course, these days seemed calm and peaceful, but for him, changes were quietly taking place.
For instance, his understanding of the world had expanded beyond the outer city to Yu Prefecture and even beyond, giving him some insight into the overall situation in Jade Province.
He had also learned a lot about the seven counties of Yao City and the various demonic creatures roaming the world. It was no longer just a matter of hearing scattered names of demonic creatures, with no further knowledge.
Additionally, his Body Tempering Art had progressed.
Now, after more than four months, he had firmly entered the realm of Sinew Transformation Perfection!
Black Jade Sinew Art (96%)
Experience: 41 points
These were the statistics displayed on the system panel. Although the Sinew Transformation itself hadn't reached 100%, Chen Mu could determine that he had entered the realm of Sinew Transformation Perfection because his body exhibited all the characteristics associated with it.
For example, by suddenly exerting force with the torso as the center, the large sinews would bulge, and a loud buzzing sound, known as the 'Five Resonances,' would emanate from the waist and abdomen, spreading to the limbs. This was one of the signs of Sinew Transformation Perfection.
At the minor success stage of Sinew Transformation, the large sinews would slightly bulge, emitting a dull sound. At the major success stage, the limbs' movements would produce crisp, loud whip-like noises. Upon reaching perfection, without moving the body, just by exerting force in place, the five resonances could be directly produced.
Furthermore, after the Black Jade Sinew Art reached 90%, the system's requirements for further advancement became more stringent. To increase by another 1%, 50 experience points were needed, creating a noticeable threshold.
From 0% to 30%, only 10 points were required. After crossing the 30% threshold, it became 20 points. Then, upon surpassing 60% and achieving major success, 30 experience points were needed to increase by 1%.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken him three months to cultivate from major success to perfection.
The effects of the second Black Jade Sinew Pill given to him by Xu Hongyu had already been exhausted. Now, he was using the 'Black Jade Sinew Powder,' which was essentially the Black Jade Sinew Pill formula without the Black Dragon Blood. As a result, in the following month, he could only barely push his progress to 96%.
"At 90%, it already exhibits the distinct characteristics of Sinew Transformation Perfection. Perhaps reaching 100% in the Black Jade Sinew Art corresponds to the extreme of the Sinew Art, similar to the extremes of Extreme Skin Refinement and Extreme Meat Cultivation that I practiced before. They all represent the pinnacle of a realm."
"Since I can't forge my bones for now, I can only continue practicing this realm."
Chen Mu flipped to the last page of the Great Xuan Bestiary, finished reading, and placed it on the table.
In reality, once a martial artist enters the realm of Sinew Transformation Perfection, they can attempt bone forging. However, the Bone Forging Pill required for bone forging is a crucial step. Unlike the Sinew Transformation Pill, the Bone Forging Pill is not a necessary guiding pill but a medication used to protect the 'marrow.'
Since martial artists have not yet undergone the cultivation of the five viscera and six bowels and have not cultivated the Primordial Essence Aura, they cannot protect their marrow themselves, let alone meet the standards of 'Marrow Washing.' Therefore, this step of bone forging requires first protecting the bones with the Bone Forging Pill and then using a specific Bone Forging Powder for tempering. As long as one enters the minor success stage of bone forging and cultivates an 'Iron Bones' body, there will be no further need for the Bone Forging Pill.
Currently.
Chen Mu wanted a Bone Forging technique, and the Yu Clan's library had several options, easily accessible. They even had Bone Tempering Powder, which, although expensive, was available for purchase.
The only thing missing was the Bone Forging Pill, which he didn't have at the moment. Without it, he could still forcefully enter the Bone Forging Realm, but any mistake could damage the marrow, a small price for a significant loss.
"Hong Yu hasn't asked about my Sinew Transformation progress lately. Once I reach the 100% limit of the Black Jade Sinew Art, I'll inform her. It's also time to start looking for some Bone Forging Pills."
Chen Mu pondered.
He initially thought the Bone Forging Pill was a rare, individually sold item, but later learned it was sold in bunches. A few dozen pills were needed for several months' worth, and they were tiny, like large grains of sand.
The Bone Forging Pill had no variations; there was only one type, effective for any Bone Forging technique. Its purpose was to protect the bones, and the only available source in Yu City was through the City Lord or the Demon Slayer Bureau.
Chen Mu rose and stepped into the courtyard.
Since staying with the Yu Clan, he hadn't fought anyone. Now, with his Sinew Transformation at perfection and a significant step towards its limit, he felt a bit restless, curious about his current strength.
With his Extreme Skin and Muscle Training, his Cross-Training Body was exceptional. Upon reaching Sinew Transformation perfection, his physical prowess alone rivaled those who had just entered the Bone Forging Realm. If he pushed his Sinew Transformation to its limit, most Bone Forging beginners wouldn't dare challenge him directly.
He had reached the pinnacle of both realms.
Furthermore, he possessed two Concepts.
In essence, Chen Mu had already stepped into the upper echelon of Yu City's warriors.
As Chen Mu pondered, a servant quietly entered the courtyard, announcing, "Master, someone from Master Yu Zhen's house next door is here to see you."
"Oh, I understand."
Chen Mu was momentarily startled, then remembered. Yu Zhen from next door had recently welcomed a daughter and invited him for a full-moon celebration, which seemed to be today. He had forgotten.
Otherwise, he would have asked Chen Yue to stay and accompany him in offering congratulations.
Since Chen Yue had already left, Chen Mu summoned Wang Ni to help him change into a luxurious brocade robe before stepping out.
"Please, Master Chen."
The visitor was Yu Zhen's steward, who respectfully greeted Chen Mu.
Although Yu Zhen's family wasn't part of the Yu Clan's heir lineage, they were still a side branch. As Yu Clan members, they had numerous servants and a steward, and their courtyard was larger than Chen Mu's, a spacious three-entrance, four-courtyard estate.
Despite being a side branch, Yu Zhen didn't show any disdain for the newly arrived Chen Mu. He visited the next day to greet him, one of the few acquaintances Chen Mu had in the area. Yu Zhen was only in his early thirties, not much older.
Soon, Chen Mu arrived at Yu Zhen's courtyard.
The courtyard was adorned with festive decorations, and the house was prepared with a banquet.
Yu Zhen greeted the guests, and upon seeing Chen Mu, he smiled and approached, "Brother Chen, you're here! It's been a while, and your demeanor is even more impressive. When will you settle down with a marriage?"
He knew Chen Mu was favored by Xu Hongyu, and if a marriage were to happen, it would likely be with a Yu Clan woman.
"No rush, no rush," Chen Mu smiled, following Yu Zhen into the inner room to see his newborn daughter. The baby was adorable, not shy around the guests, just blinking her big eyes and sporting a tiny blush mark on her cheek.
Chen Mu praised her cuteness and casually took out a white-yellow jade pendant, saying, "I don't have anything valuable, but this Warm Jade Pendant isn't too expensive. It has a nice meaning, so it can be a keepsake for the baby girl."
"Oh, this is quite precious," Yu Zhen initially refused but eventually accepted. He then smiled and seated Chen Mu.
Most guests didn't know Chen Mu, but after some hushed discussions, they realized he was a young talent favored by Xu Hongyu. Some approached to greet and befriend him, while some Yu Clan descendants merely glanced from a distance, not paying much attention.
Chen Mu wasn't interested in socializing. He preferred the lack of attention and soon sat in a quiet corner, eating and leaving unnoticed.
Yu Zhen's banquet didn't have many guests, as he was from a side branch, and the newborn was a daughter, not a firstborn or a son. By the time the sky darkened, the banquet was mostly over.
As night fell, a black shadow silently appeared on the courtyard wall, entering Yu Zhen's home. After a short while, it reappeared, leaping over the wall and disappearing into the night.
At that moment, Chen Mu, standing in his courtyard gazing at the dim moon, suddenly twitched his ear.
(End of Chapter)
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