Chapter 45: As Night Grows Cold, Mist Rises from Jade

At the third crow of the rooster, the sun pierced the sky. This should have been the time for Su Mu to rise, full of vigor, and begin his morning cultivation. Yet now, he sat with furrowed brows, watching as Black Crow paced angrily back and forth inside the room.

“I’ve told you before—how can you be so reckless, you little brat! Do you know where this is? Dead Ridge City! Dead Ridge City!” Black Crow grew more agitated the more he spoke, striding over to grab Su Mu by the collar, spitting in his face as he shouted.

“And you dare to use something given by that woman from the Underworld? I thought you only kept it as a token, but now it seems you’ve been bewitched by her, haven’t you?”

Su Mu barely dared to breathe, but upon hearing this, he shook his head desperately. “No, no, Black Crow, you’ve got it wrong.”

“Wrong? If she hadn’t given you the Stone Nectar, what would you have done after using the Jade Marrow? Your path of cultivation would have ended right then and there—could you have borne the consequences?” Black Crow released Su Mu and shoved him into a chair, his anger far from dissipated. Master Ji had entrusted Su Mu to his care; he always treaded on thin ice, and yet, after only half a year, disaster had nearly struck. If anything happened to Su Mu, how could he face Master Ji in the capital?

“You little rascal—at least you still know to tell me about such things. I thought your wings had grown strong enough to make your own decisions about matters like this. Hmph! This Jade Marrow is not to be used. Better to be safe than sorry. Advancing in rank must be done through steady, diligent cultivation.”

Su Mu hung his head in silence, only muttering after a pause, “Black Crow, recently there have been frequent messages delivered by the nightingales. Every time you read one, you grow silent and brooding. Even though I’m not the brightest, I know there must be trouble in the capital with Master Ji. Yet you can’t leave me here unattended. If only I could…”

He stole a glance at Black Crow, whose face was unreadable, then continued, “If I could break through to the Heavenly Son Realm a few days sooner, if I could start cultivating the Nether God Phantom Body Scripture, perhaps I could return to the capital and help Master Ji a little.”

Black Crow rose, ruffled Su Mu’s hair, and sighed. “Good child, don’t overthink it. Master Ji will be fine. Focus on your cultivation; don’t worry about anything else.” He hesitated, then added, “The Jade Marrow—years ago, I heard of it, and it truly has miraculous effects. Since that woman from the Underworld may seek your help in the future, she probably means you no harm now. But to be safe, give me two days. I’ll have someone investigate this Jade Marrow thoroughly. There’s no rush to use it before we understand it completely.”

Su Mu was both startled and delighted—delighted that Black Crow was allowing him to use the Jade Marrow, but uneasy because something must have changed with Master Ji in the capital, or else Black Crow wouldn’t have changed his mind so abruptly, hoping instead for his quick advancement.

After Black Crow left, Su Mu slumped by the bed, dispirited. The events of the previous night replayed in his mind as if they had just happened.

The night before, Wan Yue’er had spoken with him for a while before preparing to depart. Su Mu hurried to see her out. “Miss Wan, it’s late and the night is dark. Let me accompany you outside.”

Wan Yue’er smiled gratefully but shook her head. “No need. Even in pitch darkness, it is as bright as day to me. You needn’t worry.”

Su Mu hadn’t expected her to possess such ability and grinned admiringly. “Miss Wan, you look as ordinary as anyone, but your skills are exceptional. I’m sure you have a great secret. You can’t possibly be possessed by some evil spirit, as the rumors say.”

Realizing he’d spoken out of turn, Su Mu quickly clapped a hand over his mouth and stammered, “I don’t believe that. Please don’t be offended.”

Wan Yue’er was unfazed. She’d heard such words countless times before and merely comforted him. “It’s nothing. The rumors are exaggerated, but not entirely baseless. It’s tied to certain taboos of our kind, but I can’t explain it now. Perhaps, in time, you’ll come to understand.”

“Very well. When you’re ready, you must tell me,” Su Mu said, waving from the doorway.

She nodded, her body dissolving into a wisp of green smoke, vanishing like a phantom and leaving only the lingering scent of orchids behind.

Su Mu had intended to use the Jade Marrow immediately, but then thought better of it—he ought to inform Black Crow first. Otherwise, it would have been too disrespectful. So, before dawn, he sought out Black Crow and told him about the Jade Marrow. Black Crow, still drowsy, was instantly wide awake and, as shown at the beginning, reacted with alarm.

Three days passed in a blink. Black Crow, who had somehow gathered information, no longer seemed wary of the Jade Marrow. On the contrary, he cheerfully urged Su Mu to make the best use of its power and not to waste such a treasure.

That evening, Black Crow personally stood guard while Su Mu prepared to use the Jade Marrow for body refining.

“Others would give anything for such a treasure. It came to you by strange and easy means, but I’ve checked—it matches the descriptions in the classics. And it does need the Stone Nectar as a catalyst, just as the texts say. As for why that woman was so generous, who can say? Just be careful not to let her get a hold over you in the future.”

Still worried, Black Crow repeated his warnings. Su Mu agreed out loud, but in his heart, he felt only gratitude toward Wan Yue’er, vowing to thank her properly one day.

He once again opened the jade box, and the aroma of the Jade Marrow wafted out. Black Crow took a deep sniff, suddenly feeling his own stalled cultivation stir as if edging toward a breakthrough, leaving him inwardly astonished.

“A true treasure—such a shame it’s wasted on you, brat.”

Su Mu grinned foolishly. “It would be a shame not to use it, but Miss Wan refused to take it back. So using it isn’t a waste.”

Black Crow snorted, “I fear she’ll sell you out one day and you’ll help her count the money. Fool.”

Ignoring the jibe, Su Mu stripped and sat cross-legged on the bed, recalling that the Jade Marrow could not be exposed to air for long and had to be applied all over the body. He quickly scooped out a portion and began to smear it on his chest.

The Jade Marrow felt cool to the touch, shining like liquefied crystal. As he spread it, it seemed to form a thin film over his skin. In his haste, he covered himself entirely, even his head, so that he resembled a cocooned insect.

Encased in Jade Marrow, Su Mu felt neither pain nor sensation of heat or cold—only a curious numbness. In truth, without the Stone Nectar to neutralize it, the Jade Marrow would have seared him like fire, subjecting him to three days of agony few could endure. Fortunately, Su Mu remembered the Stone Nectar, pouring it liberally over himself from a small jade bottle. Strangely, the Stone Nectar melted into the Jade Marrow on contact, seeping into his body until nothing remained on the surface.

He felt energy flowing in from every part of his body, circulating inward and outward in a continuous cycle.

Suddenly recalling Wan Yue’er’s instructions, Su Mu’s eyes snapped open, and with a strange expression, he leapt into the nearby medicinal tub.

Black Crow was startled, rushing to the tub and calling Su Mu’s name. But as soon as Su Mu entered, a stench so foul it seemed to rend the heavens burst forth. Black Crow’s anxious face froze, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from the room, appearing ten paces away outside, gasping for breath.

The stench was overwhelming, even with Su Mu submerged in the tub. Had he not been, it would have been far worse. The energy coursing through Su Mu’s body expelled all impurities and filth, which was the source of the unbearable odor.

An hour later, Su Mu climbed out of the now foul-smelling tub, cleansed himself, and sat cross-legged on the bed once more. He sensed incredible changes within—energy settling, gathering eagerly in his Star Sources, growing brighter and denser until they began to emit light. He knew he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

Outside, Black Crow mobilized the Night Guard to keep watch. He could sense Su Mu’s rising aura; the three Star Sources in his lower abdomen shone brightly—signaling Su Mu’s imminent ascension to the Heavenly Son Realm. This was Su Mu’s most critical moment; nothing could be allowed to disturb him.

Night fell silently, but the area around Su Mu’s quarters was ablaze with light. Black Crow stood guard at the main door, and not a soul among the Night Guard dared to make a sound. In the midst of this silence, a shout rang out, and a brilliant light erupted from Su Mu’s chamber, illuminating the room as if it were day.

Delighted, Black Crow pushed open the door. As the light suddenly faded, darkness returned, but any cultivator could see the three brilliant points of light shining from within Su Mu’s body—a striking sight in the blackness.

“Hahaha! From today, you can call yourself a Heavenly Son!”

Su Mu opened his eyes, joy lighting his face. The darkness no longer seemed so impenetrable—he could see everything in the room clearly, even Black Crow’s features.

Clenching his fists, he felt strength enough to lift hundreds of pounds. He examined his body—his Star Sources now brimmed with inexhaustible power, and veins that had once been narrow and frail now felt as smooth as broad avenues, energy coursing through without hindrance.

“Black Crow, what’s happened to me? I don’t even feel like myself anymore.”

He couldn’t explain the sensation and felt a little awkward.

Black Crow chuckled. “Take a look in the mirror.”

Su Mu got out of bed and stood before the bronze mirror. The reflection resembled him, but only about seventy percent—he was much taller and seemed leaner than before.

“What… how is this possible?” He touched himself in disbelief, stumbling back in surprise.

Black Crow came up behind him, slung an arm around his neck, and pressed his own ugly face next to Su Mu’s in the mirror, grinning broadly.

“The Jade Marrow has washed and refined your body, purging all that was useless. Of course you’re slimmer now. Look at your skin—it’s fair and tender! Tsk tsk, you’re almost as handsome as I was in my youth!”