I Can Extract Divine Power-Chapter 123 - 96: Demon Subduing Fist, 2nd Qualitative Change
Shen Bai strode in confidently, not feeling the least bit constrained. Once inside, he called out loudly, "Elder Mu, I’m here!"
Elder Mu was dozing at the table. Seeing Shen Bai arrive, he gave a lazy wave, then pointed at the tea nearby, a gesture for Shen Bai to make himself at home.
"There’s tea over there. Pour it yourself."
After he spoke, Elder Mu yawned, looking as if he hadn’t gotten enough sleep.
Shen Bai really knew how to make himself at home. Besides, he and Elder Mu had grown close recently, so he casually poured himself a cup of tea and gulped it down.
If anyone else had seen Shen Bai acting this way, their jaws would have dropped. After all, Elder Mu was the astonishingly brilliant Sword King of all of Fenglin State.
Only Shen Bai would dare to act so casually around him.
"Elder Mu, did you figure it out?" Shen Bai asked.
He was, of course, asking about the Sword Qi of the Blood Sword Dance. Elder Mu had been researching it for some time but hadn’t made any headway.
Elder Mu perked up at this, tapping his fingers on the table. "To be honest, I’ve never understood it," he said. "Why does your Sword Qi look as blood-red as a malevolent blood moon on the surface, yet radiate a magnificent, righteous aura from within? It’s really hard to grasp."
As the Sword King of Fenglin State, Elder Mu was in a league of his own when it came to Swordsmanship.
During their recent discussions about Swordsmanship, he had shared his experience without reservation. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
Of course, this experience was of little use to Shen Bai, since he relied solely on his Skill Level for improvement.
But Shen Bai thought Elder Mu treated him well, so he hadn’t held back on certain matters either.
Only regarding the Blood Sword Dance, of course.
"I don’t know either. I guess it’s just my talent," Shen Bai said.
Seeing Shen Bai’s nonchalant expression, the corner of Elder Mu’s mouth twitched. "You brat, you can only get away with that attitude here. If you were in front of the higher-ups from the major powers, they’d definitely come over and smack you a couple of times."
Shen Bai shrugged. "They wouldn’t dare. I’m with the Observatory."
Elder Mu shook his head, helpless against Shen Bai’s antics.
"By the way, you might be sent out on a mission in a few days. While you’re at it, deliver this to the Abbot of Xuanxin Temple for me." As he spoke, Elder Mu took out a wooden box from a nearby drawer.
The box had a small lock on it and looked very important.
Shen Bai had been feeling relaxed and carefree, but after hearing this, he asked, puzzled, "What kind of mission? And it’s related to Xuanxin Temple? Don’t tell me Xuanxin Temple has its own supernatural troubles?"
He knew that Xuanxin Temple was Wuhua’s sect. A Renowned and Righteous Sect like that, and a major power in Fenglin State, shouldn’t have any connection to such things.
Besides, that sect was full of Monks who were like Furious Vajras, dedicated to Exorcising Demons. It was impossible for evil to fester there.
Elder Mu shook his head. "It’s not related to anything supernatural. Xuanxin Temple’s annual Buddhist Teachings conference will be held in Fenglin State. They are the largest power of the Buddhist Family in Fenglin State, so many other powers will be invited to attend."
"The Observatory’s mission is to maintain security at this Buddhist Teachings conference."
"As you know, the more people there are, the more likely trouble is to break out. But Xuanxin Temple is on good terms with the Observatory, and for a conference this important, the Observatory can’t very well forbid it."
Upon hearing this, Shen Bai’s face showed a look of sudden understanding. He took the wooden box from Elder Mu’s hand and examined it carefully.
If anyone else had done that, Elder Mu’s sword would have already been drawn.
But Shen Bai was the sole exception.
Over this period, Elder Mu had come to appreciate Shen Bai more and more.
Especially after hearing the details of Shen Bai’s last mission, Elder Mu felt the boy was destined for greatness. He was no longer hesitant to invest in cultivating his talent.
This was also why Elder Mu had unhesitatingly explained all his insights on Swordsmanship.
But only Shen Bai knew that none of it was of any use to him.
Shen Bai had high emotional intelligence, so he didn’t say this outright.
"Elder Mu, there seems to be a flow of Qi circulating inside. Could it be a Deceitful Object?"
Shen Bai could identify Deceitful Objects, but he couldn’t see any Information now, and he assumed it was because of the wooden box.
But Elder Mu shook his head and said, "This is not a Deceitful Object. It’s the Relic of a Monk from a past generation of Xuanxin Temple."
"A Relic?" Shen Bai’s eyes widened.
"Elder Mu, shouldn’t this thing be enshrined like a treasure by Xuanxin Temple? How did it end up in your hands?"
Elder Mu coughed, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "A long time ago, when I was young, I was very close with an eminent Monk from Xuanxin Temple. We traveled the Jianghu together and made a pact to spend thirty years Exorcising Demons. If one of us were to die first, they would entrust their most important possession to the other. The survivor would then carry on Exorcising Demons for the remainder of the thirty years before returning the item."
"He died a long time ago during a confrontation with a powerful evil. To fulfill our promise, he had the Monks of Xuanxin Temple send his Relic to me."
"Now, the time is up. It’s time for it to go back."
This was the first time Shen Bai had ever heard about Elder Mu’s past. As he listened, he grew more and more interested.
’Actually, this is a lot like some stories from my past life.’
’The older generation... they may look ordinary, but they were all young once. They’ve all been through heart-pounding experiences; they just don’t like to talk about them.’
