Chapter 145: Growth
Chapter 145: Growth
After leaving the Ancient Academy, Chen Mu returned to his own courtyard.
Now that he had been promoted to the Inspector General Director, and was under Yan Jingqing's wing, there was no need to bother with unnecessary tasks like moving to the Ancient Academy. Compared to the crowded and chaotic environment there, it was more suitable for him to stay in his own courtyard and cultivate in seclusion.
Additionally, considering that his bedroom was currently under renovation, which was quite noisy, Chen Mu decided to create an underground space beneath the original practice meditation chamber as a new practice room. This would not only provide more tranquility but also ensure that his cultivation would be more discreet, without causing too much disturbance.
And so, he set out to do it.
To ensure secrecy, Chen Mu took on the task of creating the practice meditation chamber himself. With his current strength, it didn't take much time to dig out a space beneath the original practice room in the western chamber. The only tasks were to transport the excavated soil and reinforce the underground structure with specific materials to ensure its stability.
These were not issues, and the work was mostly completed alongside the bedroom renovation.
...
Yu Clan.
Chen Mu's courtyard, underground meditation chamber.
It had been four months since Chen Mu's promotion to Inspector General Director. During this time, he had primarily been observing and learning, meaning he only watched and didn't take action. Every day, after organizing various intelligence documents at the Inspectorate Bureau, he devoted most of his time to cultivation.
Over these four months, the Four Great Sects in Yu Prefecture had been relatively calm and hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. Consequently, the Inspectorate Bureau's affairs were mostly leisurely, and the same went for the Demon Slayer Bureau during this demon-free period, allowing for more freedom.
Boom! Boom!!
The underground meditation chamber was slightly more spacious than the previous practice room. Chen Mu stood erect in the center, his fingers curled into a fist, and he repeatedly struck a piece of raw iron in front of him, creating a dull, bell-like sound and leaving behind indentations!
Throughout this movement, he didn't use any intention realms or momentum, relying solely on his physical strength and the resilience of his skin and bones. Even the Four Great Sects' disciples would be astonished by this display, as few in the sects had achieved such a level of physical prowess.
Suddenly, Chen Mu clenched his right fist, straightening his curved fingers and extending his index finger. He then jabbed the raw iron, causing sparks to fly and a dull sound of metal striking metal. Astonishingly, he managed to insert his entire finger into the iron!
For Bone Forging cultivators, achieving this with the aid of momentum or intention realms wouldn't be difficult. However, to do so with pure strength and finger bone resilience was indeed awe-inspiring.
Even Xu Hongyu, who had already entered the Bone Forging realm, would likely struggle to withstand such force.
"Bone Forging at the peak level is indeed extraordinary."
Chen Mu slightly exerted his strength and pulled out his index finger from the raw iron. Seeing that his finger remained unchanged, he nodded slightly, satisfied with the indentations he had made.
【Tiger Demon Bone Forging Technique (90%)】
【Experience: 6 points】
On his system panel, the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Technique had reached a remarkable 90% progress! Four months ago, he was just a step away from mastering the technique. Now, four months later, despite his duties as the Inspector General Director, he had never neglected his cultivation. He had now entered the realm of perfection!
There are differences between reaching perfection and being at the peak of the Bone Forging realm.
Ordinarily, a cultivator at the peak of Bone Forging could punch a finger into raw iron, and if they could penetrate by a finger's length, it would already indicate exceptional body tempering skills. But Chen Mu could insert his entire finger, which was far more impressive!
This was due to his previous three realms being cultivated to their limits, resulting in an overwhelming strength that surpassed ordinary people. However, without a sturdy bone structure, it would be impossible to achieve such penetration without the aid of intention realms, and it would likely cause pain or even damage.
"With such a powerful physique and robust bones, I still haven't reached the Bone Forging realm's 'Jade Bones' limit. No wonder the Martial Canon states that if one cultivates all four realms to their peak, even the Primordial True Energy of the Five Viscera Realm can be withstood by the physical body."
Chen Mu spoke to himself.
With his current physique, even if he stood still, ordinary cultivators below the Bone Forging realm would struggle to harm him. Even typical Bone Forging cultivators would need to target vital areas like the eyes or throat to pose a threat.
A thought flashed through Chen Mu's mind, and he swiftly drew his sword and slashed forward.
"Wind and Thunder Shock!"
As the sword fell, lightning flashed, a gust of wind blew, and the strike was so fast that it was almost invisible. Only the fleeting lightning tore through the underground meditation chamber.
"Wind and Fire Burn!"
He slashed again, and a fierce flame burst from the blade. The wind fanned the flames, and the intense fire transformed into a visible sword shape. It struck down with a boom, illuminating the entire underground meditation chamber.
"Thunder Fire Cinder!"
Thunder ignited the fire, and within the fierce flames, strands of lightning intertwined, emitting a terrifying aura of destruction. It fell swiftly, sweeping away evil spirits!
"Heaven..."
The fourth strike didn't land, and the wind and thunder merely entwined around the fine iron sword before quietly dissipating.
Chen Mu looked at the fine iron sword in his hand and shook his head slightly.
He saw that the sword, which had accompanied him for so long, now bore numerous marks. It seemed unable to withstand the fourth strike, and if he forced it, the blade might shatter before it even landed.
"Is it because my mastery of the Departure Fire Intention Realm is not sufficient?"
"No, there's still a difference between using a single intention realm and multiple intention realms."
Chen Mu muttered as he held the sword.
After four months, he had naturally mastered the Departure Fire Intention Realm and had even deduced it twice. With the accumulated experience, he was close to reaching the second step of the realm.
Although the transition from minor to major success in Bone Forging wasn't a qualitative change, it was a solid and steady improvement. Moreover, with the additional cultivation of an intention realm, his current strength was nearly double what it had been before!
In fact, if not for the affairs of the Inspectorate Bureau requiring his attention daily, he might have already reached the second step of the Departure Fire Intention Realm. Everything had its advantages and disadvantages. After becoming the Inspector General Director, the Hao family had been quiet, and no assassins from the Blood Veil Tower had appeared before him. These four months had been peaceful.
"It seems it's time to find a suitable weapon."
Chen Mu held up the fine iron sword in his hand and gave it a little shake.
Normally, when one manifests an Intention Realm, not only does it not damage the weapon, but it can even protect it. If one were to manifest an Intention Realm with their bare hands, they would first harm their own body, which would be rather absurd.
The reason his sword had deteriorated to such a sorry state was mainly due to the manifestation of multiple Intention Realms simultaneously.
The Wind, Thunder, and Fire Intention Realms, no matter how similar or complementary they might be, were still three distinct realms. When used together, some changes were inevitable, affecting the sword's body.
Especially when all three Intention Realms were employed at once, the impact was even more intense.
This fine iron sword, though not of the highest quality, could only withstand the manifestation of three Intention Realms about ten times before ending up in its current state—almost on the verge of collapse.
Clang!
Chen Mu sheathed his sword and walked out of the quiet room where he had been practicing, returning to the courtyard outside.
After a brief moment of contemplation, instead of looking for Xiao He, he left the courtyard and made his way to an ancient courtyard deep within the Yu Family compound. He didn't venture further into the ancient courtyard but stopped at a smaller courtyard in front of it.
Several elders lived in this courtyard, and although they were all elderly, each possessed a certain air of dignity. One of them, upon seeing Chen Mu, immediately revealed a kind expression and asked, "Is that you, Little Mu? Is there something you need?"
[One six one nine one book one bar one look one no one mistake version!]
As these words were spoken, the other elders, who had either been resting with their eyes closed or paying no heed to Chen Mu, turned to look at him.
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Note: The bracketed text appears to be a code or reference to a specific version of the text, which I have left untranslated.
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"Is that Chen Mu? Zu Yi's granddaughter's husband-to-be?"
"Hmph! Zu Yi is so lucky, not only having a good daughter but also a talented granddaughter!"
Suddenly, the elders began grumbling, seemingly irritated with Zu Yi.
One of them approached Chen Mu with a big smile and said, "Little Mu, I also have a granddaughter named Yu Yun. She's quite charming and lovely. She's obedient and well-behaved. Although you're already betrothed to Hongyu, she's just Zu Yi's granddaughter. With your wedding approaching, why not marry into our family as well? It would be a perfect match, and you could marry both sisters. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Mu's lips twitched slightly.
The image of Yu Yun flashed through his mind, and he couldn't think of a single way she fit the description of 'obedient and well-behaved'.
Before Chen Mu could respond, another elder walked over and glared at the man who had just spoken:
"Go away! Yu Yun and Little Mu are not a good match at all. You old fool, stop trying to matchmake them. Hmm... Actually, I have a granddaughter named Yu Rui, who just turned sixteen this year. She's quite talented and a better match for him."
"Don't talk nonsense! In what way is your granddaughter better than my little Yun?"
"I think you're getting senile. Little Yun is already eighteen this year, and Little Rui is only sixteen."
"What are you comparing? I also have a granddaughter, Yu Fu, who just turned thirteen this year!"
The second-generation elders of the Yu Family bickered noisily, leaving Chen Mu with a headache. Especially when the direction of their argument became increasingly sensitive, he quickly interrupted:
"Respected elders, I came here to find a suitable sword. Do you have any suitable weapons or materials?"
"Oh, that's what you're here for."
Yu Zuting, who had been in the middle of the argument, turned to Chen Mu with a big smile and said, "If you need it, then of course, we'll make it happen. Let me go and find something."
Yu Zuting walked into one of the rooms and returned a moment later with a piece of ore about the size of a fist, silver in color, and with a faintly visible streamlined shape. "We don't have any treasure swords in storage, but we do have a piece of Flexible Silver Ore. With a portion of premium Mystic Iron Ore, it's enough to forge a treasure sword."
He handed the Flexible Silver Ore directly to Chen Mu and continued with a smile, "Actually, our Yun is quite a beauty. If you don't think she's suitable, Fu is also almost of marriageable age..."
Chen Mu quickly interrupted, "Thank you for your trouble, senior. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb your rest any further. Please excuse me."
After bowing to Yu Zuting, Chen Mu hurriedly left the courtyard.
Yu Zuting watched Chen Mu leave with a hint of disappointment. He shook his head and said, "That old Zu Yi is really something. He gets all the good things. My granddaughters can't compare to his granddaughter."
In all of Yu City, aside from the disciples of the Four Great Sects, there was no young talent that could rival Chen Mu. If Chen Mu was willing, Yu Zuting would be delighted to have him marry both Yun and Fu. He was eager to make this happen.
However, just then, the elder beside him hummed and said, "You're getting senile too, Yu Zuting. You gave him a piece of Flexible Silver Ore to forge a weapon. Don't you remember that Flexible Silver Ore needs to be paired with Mystic Iron Ore? Ever since the He Family took control over a decade ago, it's been tightly guarded. It's difficult to obtain even a small amount, let alone have any in stock here."
"Oh no! I forgot about the important matter!"
Yu Zuting slapped his forehead and then shook his head, "It's no big deal. Maybe the Armory still has some in stock. If not, I'll just get him a different type when I return. It's just an extra trip."
The elder beside him chuckled, "With your forgetful ways, how can anyone think highly of your granddaughter? What if she inherits your forgetfulness and gives birth to a forgetful child, hahaha."
"Hmph! You're the one who's always off somewhere. Last month, you even forgot someone's name twice!"
Yu Zuting humphed in response, mocking him back.
"That was a slip of the tongue! Don't mention it again!"
The elder became furious.
Yu Zuting coldly laughed, and soon the courtyard was filled with bickering again.
(End of Chapter)
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