Eternal Life Begins with Learning

Chapter 342: Chapter 314: Reaching a Deal

Upon hearing this, Chu Mu was slightly taken aback, as if he hadn’t quite processed it.

He then leaned back in his chair. The look he gave Xu Changqing was now clearly filled with astonishment and... a hint of strangeness.

After a moment, he finally spoke slowly, "Your father is that senior who slew a Nascent Soul at Jingmen with his sword?"

This time, it was Xu Changqing who was slow to react. After a long moment, he gave a somewhat unnatural nod.

The corner of Chu Mu’s mouth twitched. ’The Longevity Sect... it really is his family’s business...’

A Sword Dao Nascent Soul, and one who was rumored to be at the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul, no less. Such a figure was undoubtedly a top-tier existence in the entire Cultivation Immortal Realm.

And from what he’d heard, that Sword Dao Nascent Soul had only one son!

’In other words, this Xu Changqing standing before me is the sole heir of a Sword Dao Nascent Soul...’

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief that he hadn’t acted rashly back in that sea of fiery lava.

’Otherwise, being hunted by a Sword Dao Nascent Soul... suicide might have been the best option...’

The thought vanished as quickly as it came, and his focus returned to the matter at hand.

The refusal on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back down in the face of Xu Changqing’s new promise. Instead, he asked, "Fellow Daoist... are you serious?"

"I do not make idle promises."

Chu Mu fell silent for a moment before saying, "Let us seal this with an oath."

"Agreed."

Xu Changqing nodded and swore an oath.

Chu Mu asked, "What do you need me to do?"

"Demonic Qi is similar to Yin Qi. Both are Extremely Yin and Evil in nature."

"Fellow Daoist, since you cultivate a Supreme Yang and Firm Method, you must have already sensed the Demon Cultivators in the city, correct?"

"I sensed something before I ran into you that day."

Chu Mu admitted with a nod.

"Excellent."

"Then I must trouble you, Fellow Daoist, to conduct a search within Chu Capital."

Chu Mu asked, puzzled, "Fellow Daoist, you still don’t have a clear picture of the situation?"

"I have my suspicions, but not enough leads."

Xu Changqing hesitated, but finally spoke. "Demon Cultivators have been unheard of in Great Chu for many years. I checked the Sect’s records; the last documented case of Demon Cultivators causing trouble was more than eight hundred years ago."

"An organization called the Jieyin Demon Sect caused a disturbance in Nanshan. However, they were swiftly crushed by the Nanshan Li Family the moment they revealed themselves. The Li Family never disclosed many of the details."

"But the root of all Demon Cultivators is Demonic Qi, which is converted using a Demon Seed made from True Demon Qi. Yet in the Great Chu Cultivation Immortal World, True Demon Qi itself has been gone for a very long time..."

Hearing this, Chu Mu’s eyes narrowed. His thoughts instantly focused on the clumps of black mist within his Storage Ring. ’True Demon Qi... Demon Seed...’

He then interrupted Xu Changqing, asking with a hint of confusion, "If True Demon Qi isn’t supposed to exist in the Cultivation Immortal Realm, then where is it coming from?"

"Your Artifact Refining Skill is extraordinary, Fellow Daoist. You must be familiar with Teleportation Arrays, yes?"

Xu Changqing asked before continuing without waiting for an answer. "What the Cultivation Immortal Realm calls a Spatial Rift operates on a similar principle to a Teleportation Array. The Demonic Qi... it comes from the Outer Realm..."

"Legend says that in ancient times, for reasons unknown, Spatial Rifts connected to the Demon Realm suddenly appeared all over the Cultivation Immortal Realm. A great war to resist the invasion from the Demon Realm swept through our world, and it was this that led to the emergence of the Demon Dao in the Cultivation Immortal Realm..."

Chu Mu spoke slowly, "You mean to say there might be a Spatial Rift connected to the Demon Realm in Chu Capital?"

"I can’t rule out the possibility."

Xu Changqing nodded. "The foundation of a Demon Cultivator is the Demon Seed, which is formed from True Demon Qi. Only with a Demon Seed can they convert Spiritual Qi into Demonic Qi to use for cultivation."

"And True Demon Qi exists only in the Demon Realm."

"The appearance of even a single Demon Cultivator implies a whole network of them, and could even lead back to the legendary Demon Realm itself!"

"That is why we must investigate in secret, so as not to alert our quarry..."

It was not until sunset that the isolation Array Prohibition in the private room of the restaurant finally dissipated. Chu Mu saw Xu Changqing off, who then departed at a brisk pace.

After Xu Changqing left the restaurant, Chu Mu remained standing on the street, lost in thought.

Xu Changqing had struck a deal with him, offering to rescind the Wanted Order and grant him access to the Longevity Sect’s Scripture Pavilion.

The task itself was clear, yet the situation was completely shrouded in fog.

Xu Changqing had said a great deal, but useful clues were few and far between.

In short, Demon Cultivators had been spotted in Chu Capital. To avoid alerting them, Xu Changqing had been investigating in secret. As a precaution, he had even brought in a Golden Core True Master under the pretext of a routine rotational post.

Beyond that, there were no other useful leads.

The Demon Cultivators’ origins, their numbers, their objective...

All of it was a mystery.

’Does he not know, or is he just unwilling to tell me?’

Chu Mu pursed his lips, speculating privately.

The very nature of Demonic Qi meant that Immortals and Demons could never coexist.

With Demon Cultivators appearing, it was only natural for Xu Changqing and the Longevity Sect to take drastic measures.

The problem was... Xu Changqing was merely the Hall Master of the Chu Capital’s Law Enforcement Hall. This should be an official matter.

Since it was official business, was it really necessary for someone with his father’s backing to use personal favors to recruit him for the job?

’Is he that selflessly devoted to the public good?’

’Or is there some greater benefit for him in this affair?’

Chu Mu mulled it over for a moment, then looked down at the Token and Jade Scroll he had been given.

They were from Xu Changqing. The Token granted him unrestricted access throughout Chu Capital.

The Jade Scroll contained some of the leads Xu Changqing had gathered on the Demon Cultivators, though most of it was of little use.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent both the Token and the Jade Scroll into his Storage Ring.

Then, with another flick of his hand, a different Jade Scroll appeared.

This Jade Scroll contained a map of the Chu Capital, which he had purchased upon his arrival.

Chu Capital was divided into an Inner City and an outer city.

The outer city was for mortals, while the Inner City belonged to the Cultivation Immortal Realm.

It was worth noting that the Great Chu Imperial Palace was located within the Inner City.

And according to what Xu Changqing had said, the current Great Chu Royal Family was descended from a Nascent Soul Supreme of the Longevity Sect who had long since passed away.

’Demon Cultivators...’

As he pondered, Chu Mu’s attention once again focused on the clumps of Demonic Qi inside his Storage Ring.

Based on his newfound understanding, it was probably more accurate to call it ’True Demon Qi’.

’To ordinary Cultivators, this stuff is a deadly poison. But to a Demon Cultivator, it must be... a Supreme Treasure!’

They used True Demon Qi to form a Demon Seed, which in turn converted Spiritual Qi into Demonic Qi. This was how Demon Cultivators could survive in the Cultivation Immortal Realm.

But clearly, it was merely survival.

The saying that they were to be hunted down by all was no exaggeration.

For Demon Cultivators to gather in Chu Capital, despite their harsh living conditions in the Cultivation Immortal Realm...

’They must be planning something huge...’

Chu Mu let out a long breath. He scanned the bustling streets of Chu Capital, unable to suppress the growing worry in his heart...

...

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