Da Xuan Martial Saint

Chapter 106 – 102: Accident

In the courtyard.

“Brother, I’m going to see Xiao Ru. I might stay at her place tonight and won’t be coming back.”

Chen Yue, wearing a light purple dress, stood at the door of Chen Mu’s room, waving her small hand at him inside.

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“Go ahead.”

Chen Mu was sitting behind a square table, reading a book. Hearing Chen Yue’s words, he looked up at her, nodded slightly, then returned to reading his book and took another sip from the teacup beside him.

As he continued reading, he suddenly felt two cool small hands touch his back.

“What is Brother reading… oh, ‘Da Xuan Demon Beast Chronicles’?”

It was Chen Yue, who had quietly approached from behind and suddenly wrapped her arms around Chen Mu’s neck, then tilted her head to look at the book in his hands.

Chen Mu’s movements didn’t pause; he calmly took another sip of tea, set down his cup, and said, “The Yu Family has many useful books in their collection. This ‘Da Xuan Demon Beast Chronicles’ recounts the physical characteristics of many kinds of demon beasts. You should take a look when you have the time; it will be very useful if you travel outside.”

Compared to the City Defense Division in Wutong Grove District, the Yu Family’s library was far richer, containing not only various annals and records from Da Xuan but also books like ‘Da Xuan Demon Beast Chronicles,’ which listed an immense number of demon beasts.

However, according to the book, there are thousands of strange and numerous demon beasts in the world, and the author of this book has only compiled a fraction of the information to form this volume. The number of demon beasts recorded in the book is less than a tenth of those in the entire world.

“Hehe, I don’t like reading books. When we go out, as long as Brother is there to protect me, that’s good enough.”

Chen Yue stuck out her tongue playfully, then let go of him and dashed out the door, disappearing from sight.

Chen Mu watched her leave, shook his head slightly, and returned his gaze to the book.

Recalling the soft touch that had just come from his back, he couldn’t help but sigh. The girl was truly growing up.

It had been over four months since he had come to the Yu Family, time had flown by.

In these four months, he had been living here peacefully, with almost nothing noteworthy happening. On regular days, aside from practicing cultivation, he would watch Chen Yue go to the Martial Arts Institute to learn martial arts.

He himself rarely went out, except to borrow books from the Yu Family’s library to read. He hardly had much interaction with members of the Yu Family, only slightly familiar with a few neighbors who lived close by, just across the yard.

Ever since Chen Mu had mastered Blade Momentum and had been noticed and promoted by Xu Hongyu, it had been a long time since he had lived such a steady life.

Of course.

These days seemed calm as still water, but for him, changes were constantly occurring subtly.

For example, his understanding of this world had expanded from just the Outer City to encompass Yu County and even beyond, gaining some understanding of the situation throughout the entire Yu State.

He also learned a lot about the various demon beasts that roamed the world and the Seven Counties of Yu City, no longer just hearing scattered names of a few demon beasts with little other knowledge.

Furthermore.

His progress in Body Refining Method had also changed.

Now, after more than four months, he had solidly stepped into the Tendon Changing Perfection stage!

[Black Jade Tendon Changing Method (96%)]

[Experience: 41 Points]

These were the statistics displayed on the system panel. Although Tendon Changing had not reached 100%, Chen Mu was able to determine that he had stepped into Tendon Changing Perfection because all aspects of his body met the various characteristics of that stage.

For instance, he could suddenly exert force from his trunk, causing his body’s major tendons to bulge, spreading from his waist and abdomen to his limbs, producing five loud buzzing sounds. This is known as the ‘Five Echoes,’ one of the signs of Tendon Changing Perfection.

At Tendon Changing Minor Achievement, the body’s major tendons could slightly bulge, producing a muted echo. At Tendon Changing Major Achievement, the limbs could move to produce clear and loud cracking sounds. Upon reaching Tendon Changing Perfection, without moving the body and just by exerting force in place, one could directly cause Five Echoes.

Moreover,

after reaching 90% in the Tendon Changing Method, the system’s requirements for further advancement increased significantly. To improve by another 1%, now 50 experience points were needed, a clear threshold.

From 0% to 30%, only 10 points were needed. Once the 30% barrier was crossed, it became 20 points, and after surpassing 60% for Major Achievement, it required 30 experience points to progress another 1%.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken him three months to cultivate from Major Achievement to Perfection.

The medicinal power of the second Black Jade Tendon Changing Pill that Xu Hongyu had given him had now been exhausted. Currently, he was using ‘Black Jade Tendon Changing Powder,’ which was essentially the same as the prescription for the Tendon Changing Pill without the Jiao blood, resulting in a lesser effect.

Thus, in the following month, he had only just managed to push the Tendon Changing progress to 96%.

“At 90%, already possessing the distinct characteristics of Tendon Changing Perfection, perhaps reaching 100% in Black Jade Tendon Changing Method correspond to the limit of the Tendon Changing Realm, equivalent to the limits I had previously trained in Skin Toughening and Body Refinement, all at the pinnacle of the First Realm.”

“For now, since I am unable to temper my bones, I can only continue to train in this realm.”

Chen Mu flipped the ‘Da Xuan Demon Beast Chronicles’ to the last page, finished reading, and then placed it on the table.

In fact, as soon as martial artists reach Tendon Changing Perfection, they can attempt Bone Tempering. However, the indispensable element is the Bone Tempering Pill, which differs from the Tendon Changing Pill. Instead of acting as a mandatory guide, it serves as a medication to protect the “marrow”.

Because martial artists have not yet cultivated the Five Viscera and Six Viscera, nor have they developed Yuan Gang to protect their marrow on their own, they are far from reaching the “Marrow Cleansing” standard.

Therefore, the step of Bone Tempering first requires the protection of the bone structure with Bone Tempering Pills, followed by a specific regimen with Medicinal Powder to toughen the bones. Once Minor Achievement in Bone Tempering is reached, and a body of “iron bones” is cultivated, Bone Tempering Pills are no longer needed.

Currently,

the Bone Tempering Method that Chen Mu needed was available in the Yu Family’s library. There was more than one method, all readily accessible, including the corresponding Medicinal Powders for Bone Tempering. Although the ingredients were quite expensive, they could all be purchased.

The only thing missing was the Bone Tempering Pill. He temporarily did not have any and although he could forcefully start the Bone Tempering Realm cultivation without them, any carelessness resulting in marrow damage would certainly be a case of losing more than gained.

“Hongyu hasn’t come to ask about my Tendon Changing progress these days. Once I push my Black Jade Tendon Changing Method to the 100% limit, I’ll go inform her proactively. It’s also a good time to start looking for some Bone Tempering Pills.”

Chen Mu pondered in his heart.

He had initially thought that Bone Tempering Pills were the kind of elixir counted by the ‘piece,’ but later learned that although precious, they were actually counted by the ‘handful.’ A pill or two was of little use; at least dozens were needed for several months of usage. The pills were very small, each less than one-tenth the size of a little finger, like a slightly larger grain of sand.

Moreover, there was no variety in Bone Tempering Pills, there was only one type, effective for any Bone Tempering Method, as their sole function was to protect the bone structure. Currently, the only channels to obtain Bone Tempering Pills in Yu City were through the City Lord’s share and… the Demon-Slaying Office.

Chen Mu rose and went to the courtyard.

Since moving to the Yu Family, he hadn’t sparred with anyone, and now that he had entered Tendon Changing Perfection and even made significant strides toward the limits of Tendon Changing, he was somewhat itching to know just how strong he had become.

With a body horizontally trained to the limits of Skin Toughening and Body Refinement, having reached Tendon Changing Perfection, he was as formidable as those just entering Minor Achievement in Bone Tempering, based solely on his physical strength. If his Tendon Changing was also tempered to the limit, probably even those with Minor Achievement in Bone Tempering couldn’t stand against him.

And he possessed two kinds of Artistic Conception.

It could be said that he had already stepped with one foot into the top echelon of warriors in all of Yu City.

Just as Chen Mu was contemplating, a servant quietly walked into the courtyard, reporting in a low voice, “Master, the neighboring Old Master Yu’s family has sent someone to invite you.”

“Oh, I see,” Chen Mu replied.

Chen Mu was slightly startled, then remembered that the neighbor, Yu Zhen, had recently added a daughter and had invited him to celebrate her full month, which seemed to be today. He had forgotten about it.

Otherwise, he would have asked Chen Yue to stay, and brought her along to offer congratulations.

Since Chen Yue had already left, it wouldn’t make sense to fetch her back. Chen Mu then turned to summon Wang Ni, who assisted him in changing into a luxurious and presentable brocade robe before heading out the door.

“Master Chen, please,” the person who had come from outside was Yu Zhen’s steward, greeting Chen Mu respectfully as well.

Yu Zhen’s family was not a direct branch of the Yu Family but was related by blood. Even as secondary members, they naturally also had many servants and even a steward. Their courtyard was actually a bit larger than Chen Mu’s, consisting of a spacious compound with three entrances and four chambers.

Although part of the Yu Family, Yu Zhen showed no hint of condescension to the newly arrived Chen Mu. He visited the next day to greet him, making him one of the few acquaintances Chen Mu had in the area. Yu Zhen himself was only in his early thirties, not much older than him.

Shortly after,

Chen Mu arrived at Yu Zhen’s courtyard.

At this time, the courtyard was already set with various festive items, and the house was prepared with banquet tables.

Yu Zhen was busy welcoming guests, and upon seeing Chen Mu approach, he immediately came over with a smile, “Brother Chen is here. It’s been many days; your bearing seems even more dashing. When will you settle a marriage?”

He knew Chen Mu was highly regarded by Xu Hongyu. If Chen Mu was to marry, it would likely be with a girl from the Yu Family.

“There’s no rush, no rush,” Chen Mu smiled and followed Yu Zhen into the inner room. He observed his newly one-month-old daughter, who was quite adorable and unafraid of the crowd, neither crying nor fussing, just blinking her big eyes and looking around, with a small dab of rouge on the corner of her eye.

Chen Mu praised her cuteness, then casually took out a pale yellow Jade Pendant, saying, “I don’t have anything rare, and this Warm Jade Pendant isn’t particularly valuable, but it carries a good implication. Let it be a keepsake for the little girl.”

“Eh, this item is somewhat valuable,” Yu Zhen hesitated in accepting before finally taking it, then smilingly arranged a seat for Chen Mu.

Most of the guests did not recognize Chen Mu and, after a bit of murmuring among themselves, they came to know that Chen Mu was the young talent brought back by Xu Hongyu and treated with high regard. Thus, some approached to greet and acquaint themselves. Some Yu Family descendants, however, merely glanced from afar and didn’t pay much attention.

Chen Mu didn’t have the interest in making acquaintances. Being unnoticed suited him better, and he soon sat in a corner, quietly eating, and left unnoticed.

The banquet at Yu Zhen’s house didn’t have too many guests as it was just a side branch of the Yu Family celebrating a newborn daughter, who was neither the first child nor a boy. As evening deepened, the banquet gradually ended.

And so it continued until nightfall.

A silent shadow appeared on the courtyard wall, slipping into Yu Zhen’s home and, after a short while, reappeared, leaping nimbly out of the courtyard, swiftly disappearing into the night.

Meanwhile, Chen Mu who was standing in his own courtyard, looking up at the fading moonlight, suddenly twitched his ear.