Devouring Soul Emperor

Twenty thousand Military Merits or three hundred drops of Primordial Spirit Liquid. When this choice was presented, many people, including the Celestial Wind Army Master himself, couldn’t help but smile.

Obviously, while it was framed as a choice, they all believed Chu Qingyun would definitely choose the Military Merits.

Although twenty thousand Military Merits could only be exchanged for two hundred drops of Primordial Spirit Liquid.

However, the exchange office held a vast number of Secret Techniques, Secret Manuals, and Celestial and Earthly Treasures that simply couldn’t be bought outside with Primordial Spirit Liquid.

However, after a moment of contemplation, Chu Qingyun said, "Lord Military Commander, I choose the Primordial Spirit Liquid."

Instantly, everyone was astonished. They almost suspected there was something wrong with their ears.

Chu Qingyun actually turned down the Military Merits for the Primordial Spirit Liquid!

Although three hundred drops of Primordial Spirit Liquid was a considerable fortune, it was far inferior when compared to the Military Merits.

"Chu Qingyun, think it over carefully. Some things can’t be judged by their surface value alone," Grand Commander Chu Yu reminded him from the side.

Hearing this, Chu Qingyun couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Of course, he knew the value of Military Merits, and he wanted them too.

However, his Realm had been stuck at the eighth-level Martial Artist for too long. Nowadays, any opponent he faced was a ninth-level Martial Artist.

Although he wasn’t afraid of the vast majority of ninth-level Martial Artists thanks to his many techniques, the disadvantage in his Realm was ever-present.

Ultimately, one’s Realm was the foundation of a Martial Artist.

No matter how many techniques Chu Qingyun had, he probably wouldn’t be a match for a true Martial Spirit Realm expert, not even a first-level Martial Spirit.

But if he could advance to the Half-Step Martial Spirit Realm, things would be different.

Although Military Merits could be privately traded or even sold within the Great Xia Dragon Guard, this reward was, after all, personally bestowed by the Celestial Wind Army Master. It would be rather inappropriate to choose the Military Merits only to sell them for Primordial Spirit Liquid.

Moreover, offloading such a large amount of Military Merits probably couldn’t be done in ten days or half a month.

Therefore, after weighing the pros and cons, he chose the Primordial Spirit Liquid directly.

It was better to raise his Realm to a ninth-level Martial Artist as soon as possible. At least he couldn’t fall behind in that respect.

"Alright. Since you’ve decided, I will award you three hundred drops of Primordial Spirit Liquid. I’ll have someone send them to you later."

"Next, there is one more matter to decide: the final spot in the elite squad for a Control-type Soul. Do you have any suggestions?"

The Celestial Wind Army Master said with a smile.

The dozen or so Grand Commanders looked at each other, their gazes ultimately falling upon Grand Commander Chu Yu.

"Ahem, Lord Military Commander, this subordinate proposes that Chu Qingyun join the elite squad."

Grand Commander Chu Yu said, clearing his throat lightly.

"Does anyone else have any objections?"

The Celestial Wind Army Master’s gaze swept across the room as he asked casually.

In truth, this was just a formality. Chu Qingyun’s strength was plain for all to see, so no one would possibly object.

At this moment, the most frustrated person was none other than Liu Taian.

He had originally planned to recommend his subordinate, Huo Pengzhan, but unexpectedly, Huo Pengzhan had been too unlucky and was the first to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Jintai...

"Good. Since there are no objections, it’s settled!"

The Celestial Wind Army Master made the final decision.

And so, Chu Qingyun successfully joined the elite squad.

When the gathering dispersed, Chu Qingyun and Grand Commander Chu Yu left together.

"Chu Qingyun, the specific details and circumstances of the elite squad’s mission cannot be revealed yet. You will only be told right before your departure."

"However, what I can tell you now is the reward for this mission. As long as you successfully complete it, every member of the team will receive a Nascent Condensation Pill!"

Grand Commander Chu Yu said to Chu Qingyun as they walked.

"Nascent Condensation Pill?"

Chu Qingyun looked puzzled. His knowledge of Elixirs was limited to the three types he had seen in the Military Guard District section of the exchange office, along with the Celestial Wind Army Master’s earlier explanation.

"When you first broke through into the Martial Artist realm, how did you do it?" Grand Commander Chu Yu asked after a moment’s thought.

"I used a Treasure called the Water Cloud Potion to help open my Qi Sea... Could it be?"

As he spoke, Chu Qingyun’s head shot up, a guess forming in his mind.

"Exactly. The Nascent Condensation Pill is a precious Spirit Level Elixir. Its purpose is to help a ninth-level Martial Artist begin condensing Primordial Liquid and break through to the Half-Step Martial Spirit Realm!"

"Chu Qingyun, you know how difficult it is for a ninth-level Martial Artist to break through to the Half-Step Martial Spirit Realm. You also know how many Martial Artists get stuck at the ninth level. Therefore, the Nascent Condensation Pill is definitely one of the most sought-after Spirit Level Elixirs. Even with money and Military Merits, it’s incredibly hard to obtain!"

"This mission was personally issued by the Lord Chief Manager’s office, and they’ve spared no expense. So, you must seize this opportunity!"

"One step ahead means you’ll stay ahead. If you can be the first among your peers to break through to the Half-Step Martial Spirit Realm, that advantage will only grow. The reverse is also true; if you fall behind, the disadvantage will be hard to overcome."

Grand Commander Chu Yu gave Chu Qingyun a few more words of advice on their way before departing. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’The Nascent Condensation Pill...’

On the way back, Chu Qingyun couldn’t help but feel a fire ignite in his heart.

With his talent and Martial Dao foundation, plus the help of a Nascent Condensation Pill, breaking through to the Half-Step Martial Spirit Realm would be virtually guaranteed.

Once he obtained the Nascent Condensation Pill, the gates to the Martial Spirit Realm would be open to him!

He had to get that Nascent Condensation Pill, no matter what!

When Chu Qingyun returned to his residence, he was surprised to find Sun Daxiong and Xia He already waiting for him.

Despite his injuries, Sun Daxiong insisted on dragging the other two to a restaurant to celebrate Chu Qingyun’s success.

By the time they returned, half the afternoon had passed.

He had barely warmed his seat when a Guard General came looking for him, delivering the three hundred drops of Primordial Spirit Liquid awarded by the Celestial Wind Army Master.

Having had wine at noon, it was naturally not a suitable time for cultivation.

Chu Qingyun sat leaning against his bed. He suddenly recalled the Light Card he had obtained in the Illusion Realm. It was still in his Qi Sea, and he had no idea what it was for.

At this thought, Chu Qingyun’s interest was piqued. He decided to study the Light Card.

Sinking his Heart and Mind into his Qi Sea, Chu Qingyun saw the Light Card, just as before. It was multi-colored and floated quietly next to his Devouring Martial Soul.

Chu Qingyun controlled a bit of his Primordial Power, wrapping it around the Light Card in an attempt to move it.

However, the strange phenomenon occurred again: all the Primordial Power passed directly through the Light Card, as if it were merely an illusion that didn’t exist at all.

’Strange... this Light Card... Could it be that I need to control it with my consciousness?’

Tentatively, Chu Qingyun focused his will and Heart and Mind on the Light Card.

Then, he felt his vision twist, and the world around him began to spin.