Free Web NovelChapter 282: Chapter 277: War Wolf Mercenary Corps
Mu Chen was just about to leave with Xu Fei and the others when a white shadow instantly flashed to his side. "Master Mu Chen, please come with me for a moment," the figure said gently. "Da Wei, take the others to the hotel first. Master Mu Chen will join me shortly."
Lin Zhiwei nodded in agreement. "Old man, you’d better be quick this time! We have to wait for you every year, and I’ve already missed several meals!"
Elder Lin Xiao shot Lin Zhiwei a fierce glare before nodding to Mu Chen. "Let’s go. Can you fly?"
Mu Chen smiled faintly. "Of course."
As he spoke, Lin Xiao lightly tapped his toes on the ground. With a SWOOSH, a pair of enormous, pale green Elemental Wings unfurled from his back, stretching five meters long. Though they were Elemental Wings, the Primordial Power that formed them was so substantial it radiated a crystalline luster, as if they were solid.
’A Wind Attribute Martial Emperor!’ Mu Chen’s expression tensed. So, this old man wasn’t just a Spirit Selection Master; he was also a Wind Attribute Emperor. Although he was eighty-five, an Emperor of that age was a rare sight on the continent. The higher one climbed in the Martial Artist Realms, the harder it became to advance. Those who reached the top couldn’t lack opportunity, talent, or diligence. ’And across the entire Extreme Martial Continent, among its countless billions, how many people could possess all three?’
A surge of Thunder Light flared, and with a WHOOSH, Mu Chen shot into the sky. His speed was surprisingly not much slower than the Wind Attribute Emperor, Lin Xiao. Of course, this was only because Lin Xiao had deliberately slowed his pace. Otherwise, Mu Chen likely wouldn’t have been able to even glimpse his shadow.
However, Lin Xiao was utterly shocked by the speed Mu Chen displayed in that first instant. ’I know exactly how much of my speed I’m using—forty percent! Even if it’s just forty percent, how can Mu Chen possibly compare to that?’ he thought. ’And judging by his hair and the fluctuations of his Primordial Power, he’s undoubtedly an Ice Attribute Martial Artist, one who hasn’t even reached the King Realm. He used a Thunder-enhanced Body Technique for that initial burst, but that should only give him a momentary advantage. In terms of endurance, it can’t possibly compare to the Wind Attribute. And yet... what am I seeing?’ Mu Chen was actually increasing his speed continuously in mid-air. Each time he accelerated, a powerful surge of Thunder Light would erupt, propelling him forward like a jet engine.
"What a strange kid," Lin Xiao muttered before increasing his speed again. Seeing that Mu Chen was about to catch up, he thought, ’As a powerful Wind Attribute Martial Emperor, how can I let a mere Ice Attribute Martial Spirit get ahead of me?’
Lin Xiao’s sudden acceleration instantly widened the gap between them. Five minutes later, the two landed one after another in front of the Imperial Spirit Selection Guild. Gazing at the sight before him, Mu Chen couldn’t find any words magnificent enough to describe the building, which resembled a crystal palace.
"Master Lin Xiao!"
"Elder Lin Xiao!"
"Lin Xiao...!"
A series of different greetings echoed from all around, lingering in the spacious hall. Lin Xiao simply smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. Mu Chen followed behind, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. Since he had been brought in by Lin Xiao, none of the other Spirit Selectors looked down on him. On the contrary, they all watched him with friendly, warm expressions.
"This is my office," Lin Xiao said, suddenly stopping in a remote corner. Mu Chen looked up and saw that they were just at a turn in the stairwell leading to the second floor.
CLICK...
Opening the office door, Lin Xiao chuckled. "It’s called an office, but it’s more like my home. I practically live here."
Mu Chen followed Lin Xiao into the room and was met with a space that was spartan to the extreme, yet spotlessly clean. There was a bed, a desk, and a bookshelf—nothing else. For a moment, Mu Chen felt as if he had returned to the Xuanling Empire, back to Di Cang’s office. He recognized a common trait between the two elders: a love for tranquility and a preference for living in inconspicuous places. freewёbnoνel.com
"It’s a bit rustic, but make yourself comfortable," Lin Xiao said, taking two teacups and a simple teapot from his ring. "Care for a cup?"
Mu Chen chuckled. "If you don’t mind, I’d love one."
There are only two possibilities when an elder and a junior share tea. The first is that the elder is giving the junior an opportunity to grow closer. The second... is that the elder sees the junior as an equal, transcending the boundaries of age. Without a doubt, Lin Xiao was the latter.
"You’re not from Stone City, are you?" Lin Xiao asked, pouring two cups of tea and handing one to Mu Chen.
Mu Chen nodded. "That’s right, I’m not. I’m just an ordinary martial artist from the Xuanling Empire. I originally came out to gain experience and was drawn to the Spirit Selection event after I arrived in Stone City. That’s when I met Brother Xu."
"Heh... I knew it. How could a prodigy like you emerge from a place like Stone City?" Lin Xiao chuckled. "However, since you became a Spirit Selector in Stone City, I suppose you can be considered its representative. That Xu Fei certainly has a good eye for talent." He glanced at Mu Chen, took a sip of his tea, and savored it for a moment. "This tea, brewed with Jade Flower Spiritual Liquid, is the perfect drink to have before a meal. Won’t you try some, Master Mu Chen?"
Mu Chen looked slightly surprised and said, a little embarrassed, "I’ve never been much of a tea drinker, so I don’t really understand the art of it. But I imagine you didn’t bring me here just for a tea tasting, Elder Lin Xiao."
Lin Xiao paused at his words, then chuckled. "Of course not. I asked you here to discuss three things. The first, naturally, is about the final reward."
Mu Chen smiled. "Is it about the Stone Immortal?"
Lin Xiao showed no surprise, merely rolling his eyes. "That little brat must have told Xu Fei. Fortunately, Xu Fei is a righteous person. If word of this were to get out, you would be in extreme danger."
"Extreme danger? Why is that?" Mu Chen asked.
"Why? I find it hard to believe you haven’t heard of the Stone Immortal, little brother. After I identified this Stone Immortal, the Ding Palace from the Central State has sent people to negotiate with me time and again, wanting to buy it off my hands. The price they offered was astronomical—they were even willing to part with a Holy Grade Elixir. Not only that, but Poison Cauldron Masters have also gotten involved. When enticement failed, they resorted to threats. But how could I, Lin Xiao, fear a few measly Poison Cauldron Masters? I rejected them all with various excuses. I had no other reason, except that I felt since this Holy-Grade Medicinal Herb had an affinity with Spirit Selectors, it should be given to a Spirit Selector. That’s all there is to it." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"I am the Grand Elder of the Imperial Spirit Selection Guild. Within the Fenglan Empire, those people wouldn’t dare make a move against me. On top of that, I have the Spirit Selection Association above me and an Ancestor backing me up, so they wouldn’t dare do anything too outrageous to an Honorary Elder such as myself. But what do you think would happen if I handed this Stone Immortal to you in front of the entire Imperial Capital? You have no empire’s protection, no powerful background. If you were targeted and ambushed, losing the Stone Immortal would be the least of your worries; your entire future would be ruined. And that would be your fate unless you never stepped foot outside the Fenglan Empire again. Obviously, you can’t do that. That is why I didn’t give you the Stone Immortal directly. As for why I revealed it, it was to make it clear to those with ulterior motives that the Stone Immortal is, and has always been, in my possession."
Realization dawned on Mu Chen. At that, Lin Xiao quickly took the Stone Immortal from his ring and placed it in Mu Chen’s hands. "I’m no Cauldron Master, so I don’t know what kind of elixirs can be refined from this Stone Immortal," he said. "But I do know its value is immeasurable, so you must guard it well. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a Cauldron Master and can’t refine elixirs. With the Stone Immortal’s life force, even consuming it directly would extend your lifespan by a century."
"I will absolutely keep it safe. Also, I have some unfortunate news for you, Elder Lin Xiao. As luck would have it, I happen to be a Cauldron Master... an unaffiliated one, of course, who hasn’t joined the Cauldron Master Guild." His identity as a Cauldron Master was no longer a secret, so Mu Chen didn’t intend to hide it and told him outright.
Lin Xiao laughed heartily. "All the better! Now, for the second matter: your status as an Honorary Elder. In the future, if you get the chance to enter the Central State, you must visit the Spirit Selection Association. There, you will receive special consideration from the Ancestor. Believe me, it is a benefit that will last a lifetime. This is the greatest privilege of every Honorary Elder: to have the Ancestor foresee your future path once."
"’Foresee... my future path.’" Mu Chen was stunned. The ability to know one’s own future was something everyone dreamed of.
"The third matter is about Ma Bi. From my observations of him over the past ten years, that boy is not an honorable or upright person. After losing to you, he’s likely plotting how to get revenge right now. You must be careful on your journey back. Still, with Xu Fei by your side, I imagine you’ll be all right..."
Their conversation continued. Meanwhile, in a mountain hollow dozens of miles from the Fenglan Imperial City, six people sat around a crude stone table, deep in discussion. The two leading the group were none other than the father and son from the Ma Family who had been the first to leave Fenglan Square: Ma Bi and Ma Gedan.
"Brother Ma, you never visit a temple without a cause. It’s been a whole year, and I haven’t heard a peep from my dear brother. What gives? Did you get so successful you decided to forget all about your little brother here?"
The speaker was a large, burly man. Beside him sat two other big men in combat attire. A single glance at the trio was enough to feel their murderous aura; it was clear they were battle-hardened Martial Artists.
Ma Gedan put on an obsequious smile. "Brother War Wolf, you jest. This old brother might forget anyone else, but never you! Not a month goes by where I don’t think of you. See? I even brought Xiaobi today to meet his Uncle War Wolf. Xiaobi, this is the Uncle War Wolf I’m always telling you about—the leader of the War Wolf Mercenary Corps. His strength is..." Ma Gedan gave a big thumbs-up, "...top-tier!"
"Uncle War Wolf!" Ma Bi hurriedly stood, cupped his fists, and bowed with an expression of utmost respect.
