Immortality Begins with Krypton Life

Chapter 269 Cleansing Marrow and Competing for FameMarrow Cleansing Pool...

Chen Mu raised an eyebrow; it was his first time hearing of this place.

Qi Huan saw his expression and couldn’t help but smile.

”What? You haven’t heard of it?”

Chen Mu shook his head, and Qi Huan patted him on the shoulder.

”That place is the Holy Land for Martial Artists of our Great Wu Dynasty. It is said that when the Founding Emperor was campaigning across the world, he discovered a natural spirit pool in a place where dragon veins converged. The pool water contains extremely dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, which can cleanse the marrow and bones, and bring about a Rebirth.”

”If an ordinary Martial Artist can bathe in the pool once, their Meridians will widen and their qi and blood will be replenished, which is of great benefit to martial arts cultivation. Especially for those of us who have been fighting for years and have countless hidden injuries, if we can soak in it once, it is practically a Rebirth.”

Chen Mu’s eyes flickered, but he did not speak immediately.

Seeing his expression, Qi Huan continued.

”This opportunity is rare; it only comes once every three years, and the number of spots is limited. The Prefecture Demon Suppression Division should be allocated five or six spots, all of which go to the elites of each division or those who have rendered great service.”

”Cheng Xiaoqing from your Demon Hunting Division should have one spot in his hands, and veterans like Bai Junyi and Huo Chao also have the qualifications to compete for it. But besides them, there is another spot reserved for newcomers; as long as you have enough merit, you can go to the Demon Archive Division to redeem it.”

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Mu meaningfully.

”You kid have only been in the division for two months, yet you have already rendered great service several times, every one of them a tough battle. I don’t know how much merit Cheng Xiaoqing has recorded for you, but it should be enough to exchange for a spot.”

Chen Mu was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.

”Does Chief Qi mean for me to compete for this spot?”

Qi Huan laughed.

”It’s not about whether I let you compete or not, it’s that you yourself should compete. This opportunity for the Marrow Cleansing Pool is something many people beg for but cannot get. Since you have this merit, why not exchange it? Are you waiting for it to expire?”

Chen Mu didn’t speak, just nodded slightly.

Qi Huan knew he had listened, so he didn’t waste any more words and pulled him up.

”Let’s go, I’ll accompany you to the Demon Archive Division to secure the spot first. It just so happens I also want to see how much of a fortune you’ve saved up in these two months.”

As he spoke, without waiting for Chen Mu to react, he pulled him and walked out.

Chen Mu was dragged along by him, but he didn’t refuse. For an opportunity like the Marrow Cleansing Pool, if he could compete for it, he naturally wouldn’t want to miss it, so he stumbled all the way as he was dragged by Qi Huan towards the Demon Archive Division.

Qi Huan’s steps were light, and he kept chattering about the benefits of the Marrow Cleansing Pool, saying that one soak could equal three years of hard cultivation, that all hidden injuries would disappear, and that one would be free from all illnesses, talking it up to the skies.

Only when they stepped into the entrance of the Demon Archive Division and saw the rows of tall wooden shelves did Qi Huan stop talking.

It was near dusk, and the light inside the Demon Archive Division was dim. The air was filled with the scent of aged wood mixed with special oils, solemn and austere.

Behind the desk still sat the old clerk named Zhao Jin, who was bowing his head and reading something, seemingly unaware of the newcomers. On both sides stood a young deacon, dressed in gray robes, standing with hands hanging down, their expressions respectful.

Qi Huan, familiar with the routine, smiled and cupped his hands to Zhao Jin.

”Elder Zhao.”

Zhao Jin looked up, and seeing it was Qi Huan, hurriedly stood up to return the salute.

”Banner Master Qi, what wind blew you here?”

”Naturally, I wouldn’t come to the temple without a reason.”

Qi Huan stepped aside, revealing Chen Mu behind him.

”I brought my brother here to exchange for some things, and by the way, help him see if his merit is enough to exchange for that spot.”

”A spot?”

Zhao Jin’s gaze fell on Chen Mu. He clearly recognized the kid who had plenty of merit but little interest in the treasures within the Demon Archive Division. He smiled and was just about to ask when a sound of footsteps suddenly came from the entrance, unhurried, carrying a touch of arrogance.

Chen Mu turned to look and saw someone striding across the threshold of the Demon Archive Division, dressed in the attire of a Demon Hunting Soldier, with a long sword hanging at his waist, a handsome face, but with an air of aloofness between his brows.

Jiang Yuheng.

That Jiang Family descendant who had friction with him on the training grounds and was later suppressed by Shen Suning using her status.

Jiang Yuheng clearly hadn’t expected to encounter Chen Mu here. His gaze swept over him and then passed over to Qi Huan. He was slightly stunned, then immediately cupped his hands in salute, his attitude quite respectful.

”Banner Master Qi.”

Qi Huan nodded, acknowledging him.

After Jiang Yuheng finished his salute, his gaze fell back onto Chen Mu, his mouth twitching slightly in a smirk.

He didn’t speak, just walked to the long desk and took out his waist token from his bosom to hand to Zhao Jin.

”Elder Zhao, this Junior has come to exchange for some Medicinal Pills, and by the way, to see if my merit is enough to exchange for that spot.”

As he spoke, his peripheral vision swept over Chen Mu, and the smile on his lips deepened slightly.

Chen Mu’s expression was calm, acting as if he didn’t see it.

Zhao Jin took the token, looked down at it, then flipped through the register at hand, and looked up after a moment.

”Your merit is enough, but...”

He paused and looked at Chen Mu again.

”Just now, Banner Master Qi also said he wanted to exchange for that spot, but the three spots for your Demon Hunting Division this year have already been filled.”

Qi Huan was stunned.

”Filled? When did that happen?”

Zhao Jin sighed and spread the register out on the desk.

”A few days ago, news came back from Thousand-Household Liao saying that although the trip to the Southern Wilderness suffered heavy losses, there were still a few brothers who rendered great service. Banner Master Cheng allocated all three spots here to them as a reward.”

”One was given to Qin Zheng of Team A; he slew a Demon General in the Southern Wilderness and his merit is outstanding. One was given to Zhu Hongyu of Team B; she led her team to break through the encirclement and saved several brothers. And one was given to an old soldier from Captain Ding, what was his name... Oh, right, Wei Tieshan. It is said he also fought to the death and rendered great service.”

”So...”

He looked up, his gaze scanning back and forth between Jiang Yuheng and Chen Mu.

”Neither of you has a chance.”

Jiang Yuheng’s expression stiffened for a moment, then returned to his aloof demeanor, though there was an undisguisable touch of schadenfreude at the corners of his eyes and brows.

Although he hadn’t gotten the benefit himself, seeing that Chen Mu hadn’t either, Jiang Yuheng felt much more balanced, even a bit secretly pleased.

He turned his head to look at Chen Mu, wanting to see some disappointment or anger on the other’s face. But Chen Mu just stood there quietly, with no expression on his face, as if what Zhao Jin said didn’t concern him.

Jiang Yuheng snorted coldly, ”Pretend, just keep pretending.”

But on the surface, he was full of regret, just about to say some nice words like ”What a pity, what a pity, come back next time,” when he saw Qi Huan suddenly raise his head and look at Zhao Jin.

”Elder Zhao, is my spot still there? Has there been any change?”

Zhao Jin was stunned.

”Your spot? You are from the Demon Search Division and are not under the jurisdiction of the Demon Hunting Division, so of course your spot is still there.”

Qi Huan nodded, turned to look at Chen Mu, and revealed a helpless smile on his face.

”That’s settled then, Chen Mu, you take my spot.”

Chen Mu was stunned, ”Chief Qi, how can that be?”

Qi Huan waved his hand, interrupting him.

”What’s wrong with it? I enter the Marrow Cleansing Pool every time and I’ve long since grown tired of soaking in it. I didn’t intend to go this year anyway, so rather than letting this spot go to waste, it’s better for you to use it.”