Eternal Life Begins with Learning

’So... a higher level of mystical, Extraordinary power?’ Chu Mu mused.

The Martial Arts of Qi and Blood Cultivation he was practicing were undoubtedly part of a highly developed system. Evolved from the theory of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, this Cultivation System practically illuminated the path for the human body’s evolution.

Logically, the possibility that a higher level of mystical, Extraordinary power would abandon this theoretical system of Essence, Qi, and Spirit to forge an entirely different path was quite small.

It was even highly likely that the Qi and Blood Cultivation he was practicing now was the very foundation for that mystical, Extraordinary power.

After all, from the perspective of the path of Qi and Blood Cultivation, Essence, Qi, and Spirit complemented each other. They would undergo a gradual quantitative change through Cultivation, and a quantitative change would inevitably lead to a qualitative one.

’A qualitative change in the human body... Could that be the key to reaching that higher level of mystical, Extraordinary power?’

’Advanced Martial Arts? Immortal Gods?’

Chu Mu’s thoughts raced. Naturally, he hoped his speculations were true.

If they were, then even if he couldn’t access that mystical, Extraordinary power directly, he had his Light Curtain Panel and his "Spiritual Radiance." One day, he too could experience that qualitative change in his body and reach the level of the mystically Extraordinary.

It was just like Martial Arts, which had seemed completely unattainable to him not long ago. The fear wasn’t a lack of effort, but that... no amount of effort would ever be enough to even touch it.

"I hope so..."

Chu Mu shook his head. Regardless, the Qi and Blood Cultivation of the Body Refining Technique was the only means of self-preservation he could grasp at the moment.

As for power and status... for now, they weren’t of much use.

He poured bucket after bucket of well water into the large wooden tub. When it was nearly full, he walked over to the stove and ladled out the boiling medicinal liquid from the pot.

Finally, with a loud SPLASH, the steaming medicinal liquid poured into the tub, instantly turning the clear well water murky.

Just as Chu Mu was about to get into the tub to begin his Cultivation, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open a crack. A large, sturdy black dog, tail wagging furiously, rushed forward with a whimper and began rubbing against Chu Mu’s legs, circling him.

"Did you get into another fight?"

Chu Mu rubbed the big black dog’s head, unable to help but smile as he noticed a fresh bloody scratch on its back.

The pup had a huge appetite and grew fast. In just a month or so, it had grown from a small pup into the big black dog before him, one that already reached his knees.

But at the same time, perhaps due to its canine nature, his black dog was extremely aggressive. As soon as it got a little bigger, it started fighting with the town’s pet dogs and strays for territory every day.

This pup of his had claimed a large area around the courtyard as its own domain, pissing everywhere to mark its sovereignty. Any dog that dared to approach was met with a vicious fight.

If not for the fact that his Inspector’s uniform deterred people, the pup’s daily brawls with other dogs would have caused him no end of trouble.

"I saved some food for you. Stop rubbing on me and go eat."

Chu Mu patted the pup and pointed to the large dog bowl by the kitchen door. As if it understood, the pup whimpered and nuzzled him a couple more times before bolting over to the bowl, whining excitedly.

The pup’s antics seemed to dispel much of his heavy mood. Chu Mu let out a long breath and, without further delay, vaulted into the tub to begin his Qi and Blood Cultivation once more.

While Chu Mu cultivated in the wooden tub, the big black dog, having eaten its fill, lay down beside it, craning its neck to watch him.

Its simple brain probably couldn’t comprehend what its master was doing. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Meanwhile, on the streets just a wall away, the events of the previous night had fermented. Nanshan Town was now like a fortified military town.

The Nanshan Inspection Office already had several hundred Inspectors. After an expansion and now with a large number of reinforcements transferred from the county seat, their numbers had swelled.

Overnight, the small Nanshan Town had amassed the vast majority of Qinghe County’s military strength.

Armored Inspectors holding sharp weapons could be seen everywhere, on every street and alley. Near the memorial archway in the northern part of town, beneath the bodies swaying in the wind, troops were heavily concentrated, guarded by layer upon layer of men.

Li Jinghong, in a rare move, was not making his rounds at the mines. Instead, he led a team of his Personal Guard and was holding down the fort at the Inspection Office, directing operations from the center.

For the people of Nanshan Town, such a massive military presence was an extremely novel sight.

Nanshan Town wasn’t large to begin with; the slightest little thing would soon become common knowledge to everyone.

Let alone a matter involving ghosts and gods like a Resentful Soul!

In no time, the story of what happened at Fengyue Tower had spread throughout Nanshan Town, becoming more and more fantastical with each retelling. But obviously, compared to the town’s population and the current number of Inspectors, those who had actually witnessed it firsthand were a very small minority.

As a lie told often enough becomes the truth, the rumors grew ever more outlandish, but their credibility also diminished significantly.

Adding to that were the generous bounties and lifelike portraits for the wanted criminals.

The rumors grew wilder and more bizarre, but for the most part, they remained just that—rumors. They had not yet escalated into reality.

Although the common folk gossiped endlessly, most were more preoccupied with the bounties, which could only be described as lavish. They fantasized about discovering a Rebel’s trail and achieving a meteoric rise to fame and fortune.

Amid the hustle and bustle, all sorts of people harbored their own thoughts and plans.

As for Chu Mu, he continued to follow his own plan in an orderly fashion.

Before, his focus had been on studying and practicing his Sword Technique.

Now, studying had been temporarily set aside in his mind.

Practicing Martial Arts was his true focus.

Qi and Blood Cultivation, Sword Technique practice.

Seemingly tireless, Chu Mu finished his Qi and Blood Cultivation and, without a moment’s rest, began practicing his Sword Technique using the Hanging Ball Array and the wooden man target in his courtyard.

’Perhaps... in a situation like this, only the progress of my Skill Level on the Light Curtain Panel can give me any sense of security.’

’Although, that security is largely just cold comfort. But right now... it seems cold comfort is all I have.’

Time passed quickly, faster than ever before. His Skill Level had barely increased, yet the entire morning was already gone.

Although he had the idea to go to an inn to eat and gather some news, in the end, Chu Mu chose to make do with a simple meal at his own stove.

In times like these, Chu Mu was genuinely worried that if he went out, it would be a repeat of his trip to Fengyue Tower last night—he hadn’t gotten a taste of meat, and he’d nearly lost his life.

Chu Mu had already made up his mind. In a situation like this, he had to go with the flow.

He would stand his post when it was time to be on duty, and he would hole up when it was time to lay low.

The chances of encountering anything unusual at home were very low. As for being on duty, even if the situation became truly unsalvageable, Nanshan Town had several hundred Inspectors. There was plenty of cannon fodder to go around. As long as he could run faster than the others, it wouldn’t be his turn to be one.

"Someone’s been killed!"

"Someone’s dead!"

"Somebody, help!"

Just as Chu Mu was lost in his thoughts, the sudden, shrill screams instantly put him on high alert.

Chu Mu instinctively looked in the direction of the sound. Though his view was blocked by the courtyard wall, it wasn’t hard to tell it came from a hundred meters away at most.

In other words, it was right near his house!

...