“There is one more thing, Chu Feng. Take this back with you.”
The chief steward handed a jade bottle to Chu Feng.
“Chief steward, what is this?”
Chu Feng took the jade bottle, opened it, and found a black liquid inside.
It had a slight foul smell and was somewhat viscous.
It did not look like anything good. It seemed more like poison.
But Chu Feng could tell that this was actually a body-quenching substance meant for tempering the physique.
He just could not judge what exact effects it would bring after use.
“In three more days, the newcomers’ quenching baptism will begin.”
“Use this to temper your body first. After three days, when you go through the official quenching baptism, it will help you.”
The chief steward said.
“What exactly is this newcomers’ quenching baptism?”
Since joining the Wolong Martial Sect, Chu Feng had learned some things.
Whenever it concerned him, the disciples of Beixuan Courtyard would tell him.
But he had never heard of this so-called newcomers’ quenching baptism, so he felt curious.
“The place for this quenching baptism is a location called the Black Water Six-Finger Pool.”
“That is also an cultivation array personally arranged by the sect’s founding ancestor.”
“To explain this array, one must mention the heaven and earth energy inside Wolong Martial Sect.”
“In truth, the heaven and earth energy within Wolong Martial Sect is far stronger than outside, and much easier to absorb and refine.”
“But Chu Feng, you probably cannot feel it yet, because you have not gone through quenching and baptism.”
“Only after quenching and baptism can one truly merge with Wolong Martial Sect and sense those special heaven and earth energies inside our sect.”
“And the place for quenching is precisely this Black Water Six-Finger Pool.”
“Normally, the Black Water Six-Finger Pool opens only once every five years. Right now, only four years have passed since the last opening, so it should not be open yet.”
“But I just received notice that the Black Water Six-Finger Pool has already been opened. In three days, all newcomers who joined Wolong Martial Sect in these four years must enter the Black Water Six-Finger Pool to receive quenching baptism.”
“Tomorrow I will announce this matter. The other three courtyards will likely do the same.”
“This substance is actually the essence black water from inside the Black Water Six-Finger Pool.”
“When you go back, fill a bathtub with water and add an appropriate amount of this black water.”
“Soak three times a day. After three days of tempering, when you enter the Black Water Six-Finger Pool, your body will be more compatible with the black water there, and you will gain much greater benefits.”
“By the way, Chu Feng, this essence black water is also a precious item. It is not convenient for me to give it to all the newcomers in Beixuan Courtyard.”
“So please do not tell others that I gave it to you.”
The chief steward instructed Chu Feng.
“Thank you, chief steward.”
Chu Feng quickly smiled and expressed his gratitude.
He understood that the chief steward was giving him special treatment.
This was truly a favour.
“There is no need for thanks. You are the most talented disciple in my Beixuan Courtyard. I also hope you can bring glory to our courtyard.”
“Inside the Black Water Six-Finger Pool, there are also some records. Those records bear the name of Senior Dugu Lingtian.”
“If possible, I hope you can change those names to yours, Chu Feng.”
When the chief steward said this, he looked at Chu Feng again, his eyes filled with open expectation.
“This disciple will do his utmost and will not disappoint the chief steward.”
Chu Feng promised.
If possible, he also wanted to change those names to his own.
Originally he was not particularly interested in this so-called quenching baptism, but after hearing that records could be rewritten, Chu Feng became very eager.
After that, Chu Feng talked with the chief steward a bit more, then returned to his residence.
Chu Feng followed the chief steward’s instructions and used the black water to temper his body.
The black water indeed had some special effects, yet it caused no harm to the body.
The next morning, news spread through Beixuan Courtyard that the Black Water Six-Finger Pool would soon open, and all newcomers who had never entered it must go in to receive quenching baptism.
Because one night had passed, the time until the opening was no longer three days, but two days.
As for Chu Feng, in the early morning he once again used the black water given by the chief steward to temper himself.
After the tempering, Chu Feng left his residence and went outside to feel the surroundings.
He discovered that the heaven and earth energy he could now sense had truly grown stronger.
This proved that what the chief steward said was true: after receiving quenching baptism, one could sense those special heaven and earth energies inside Wolong Martial Sect.
“Chief steward?”
Just as Chu Feng returned to his residence, he saw a figure appear before him. It was the chief steward of Beixuan Courtyard.
“Chu Feng, let us talk inside.”
The chief steward walked straight into Chu Feng’s residence, and Chu Feng quickly followed.
“Chief steward, what happened?”
Chu Feng asked this because he noticed the chief steward’s expression was rather grave, which suggested something major or perhaps something bad had occurred.
“I do not know whether this matter is good or bad for you.”
“But Chu Feng, you should prepare yourself mentally.”
“Because life is like this. Some people are destined to have no fate with you, so there is no need to force it.”
The chief steward said.
“Chief steward, what exactly is the matter?”
“Does it concern Zi Ling?”
When Chu Feng heard the word “fate”, he immediately realised this must involve Zi Ling.
“Last night, the sect master came out of seclusion.”
“And just now, the sect master personally announced one thing.”
“She wants to arrange a marriage recruitment for Zi Ling.”
The chief steward said.
“Marriage recruitment?”
“How will the recruitment work, and how will the engagement be decided?”
Chu Feng frowned slightly but still pressed for details.
“All disciples of Wolong Martial Sect may apply.”
“But I heard there are four requirements.”
“The first requirement concerns the age of the younger generation.”
“And the second requirement is within one month.”
The chief steward said.
“Age of the younger generation.”
“Within one month?”
“Does that mean only the younger generation can participate in this marriage recruitment, and it will be completed for Zi Ling within one month?”
Chu Feng asked.
“I am not certain, but it is most likely the literal meaning.”
“What exactly this marriage recruitment entails will only become clear after the remaining two requirements are announced.”
“This news will be made public soon. Others may not know, but those few top disciples of Wolong will certainly try their luck.”
“So Chu Feng, I want to advise you. Although you are qualified to apply, I still advise you not to go.”
The chief steward said.
“Chief steward, Chu Feng can listen to you on almost anything.”
“But on this matter, Chu Feng must go.”
“Zi Ling can only be mine.”
Chu Feng declared.
