Chapter 574 - 167: Vajra Subduing Demon Skill Accomplished, Qing Province’s Chaos Begins

"There’s no need for thanks. Take me to the Body Tempering Pool." The members of the Vajra Sect didn’t dare to delay and quickly led the way. Arriving at the pool’s edge, they saw that the water was as black as ink, shimmering with a dark glow. Withered Wood Zhenren sighed. "Beneath this pool lies the’Vajra Mother Ore,’ which was originally a sacred relic for Body Tempering." "But the vicious Blood Bone Sect threw in nine’Bone-Eroding Demon Crystals.’" "When the two types of Spiritual Ore met, the pool’s water was contaminated. To enter it is to suffer a death by a thousand cuts." "In a mild case, one’s skin and flesh would rot; in a severe case, one’s meridians would be shredded. Even Elder Level figures dare not enter." "Even if the Demon Crystals were removed, the pool would remain unusable for three years." Chu Fan remained silent. He crouched down, extended a finger, and slowly dipped it into the black water. "Be careful! If that water touches you..." an Elder cried out in alarm. "TSSSSST—" As his finger touched the water, it made the sound of a soldering iron being plunged into water, with wisps of black smoke rising. Everyone watched, their hearts thumping in their chests. A moment later, Chu Fan pulled his finger back. It was completely unscathed! "This..." Withered Wood Zhenren stared in disbelief, thinking,’This Lord Chu’s body... it’s as if it were forged from divine iron!’ Just then, a sharp glint flashed in Chu Fan’s eyes, which were filled with pleasant surprise. Ever since his "Vajra Undying Body" had reached the first level, ordinary Body Tempering methods had become utterly useless to him. Ordinary Body Tempering Elixirs and medicinal baths made from expensive herbs all had very little effect. But the prickling sensation he just felt on his fingertip allowed him to experience something he hadn’t in a long time—the feeling that his physical body could still become stronger! This pool water, full of potent poison and violent energy, was no poison to him. It was a powerful tonic! "What a treasure!" With a low cry, Chu Fan did something that shocked everyone present. He stood up and began to undress without saying a word. "You... What do you think you’re doing?!" Ling Xiaoxiao was taken aback. Her pretty face flushed bright red as she hurriedly turned away and covered it. "How can you do this in broad daylight?!" The few Elders from the Vajra Sect were also shocked and rushed forward to stop him. "You can’t! You mustn’t do this!" "The Body Tempering Pool can’t be used for another three years. Going in now is a death sentence!" "Even an expert at the peak of the Acupoint Realm would struggle to withstand this bone-eroding poison!" "It’s nothing." Chu Fan was now bare-chested, his powerful body sculpted like stone. With a slight shake of his arms, a gentle Force pushed the two Elders away. "I just tested it. This strength is just right." With that said, under everyone’s horrified gaze, Chu Fan jumped straight into the toxic pool with a "SPLASH." "Heavens!" The members of the Vajra Sect felt their hearts leap into their throats. This was a man from the Demon Suppression Bureau! If he were to die on their territory, the Vajra Sect would be implicated, even with Demon Suppression Guard Ling Xiaoxiao as a witness! In the next moment, however, the crowd, poised to rescue him, froze in unison. They saw Chu Fan sitting cross-legged in the black water, which rose past his chest. His skin instantly turned crimson, then began to circulate a faint golden radiance. As his hands formed a Seal Technique, the surrounding air began to tremble, and waves of Sanskrit chants, like muffled thunder, emanated from him. "This... This is..." Withered Wood Zhenren’s murky old eyes suddenly lit up as he stammered, "The Golden Body’s circulation, the protection of the Sanskrit chant!" "This is the manifestation of cultivating the’Vajra Subduing Demon Skill’ to its purest state of Perfection!" "How is that possible?!" Everyone in the Vajra Sect was completely stunned. Everyone had seen it clearly just a moment ago. From accepting the fragmented scroll to making the exchange, Chu Fan hadn’t even so much as glanced at the cover! How could he be using the "Vajra Subduing Demon Skill"? And look at how smoothly he was executing it—he was even more masterful than Withered Wood Zhenren, who had studied it his entire life! "Could it be..." Withered Wood Zhenren’s expression grew solemn, as if he had thought of something of utmost importance. "Could Lord Chu be a direct descendant from the lineage of our Vajra Sect’s founder?" "He already possessed the Divine Skill, and he didn’t come today to seize it, but to enlighten us?" Upon hearing this, the Vajra Sect disciples’ gazes, fixed on the figure in the pool, instantly shifted from gratitude to fervent reverence. Only Chu Fan himself knew how profound the misunderstanding was. But he had no time to explain right now, nor could he be bothered. The long-lost sensation of "Fiery Body Burning" washed over his meridians like a tidal wave. The toxic properties of the "Bone-Eroding Demon Crystal" and "Vajra Mother Ore" madly ravaged his cells, tempering his muscles and bones! But this speed of destruction was nowhere near the speed of regeneration granted by his "Vajra Undying Body"! Destruction, regeneration, destruction, regeneration... Chu Fan closed his eyes and focused, allowing the black water to submerge him completely as he wholeheartedly cultivated his "Vajra Undying Body." This trip to Azure Dragon Mountain was truly worth it! ... 「Seven days later, in the forbidden area of Azure Dragon Mountain’s rear mountains.」 The black mist had dissipated, and dawn was breaking. The Body Tempering Pool, the mere mention of which made the Vajra Sect go pale, was now as still as a mirror. The toxic water, once as black as ink and emitting a sickly sweet odor, had become so clear that the sand and stones at the bottom were plainly visible. "SPLASH—" With a splash, a powerful figure burst from the water, sending droplets scattering everywhere. Chu Fan was bare from the waist up. His bronze skin shimmered with a faint golden light. His muscle definition wasn’t exaggerated, yet it contained an explosive power capable of shaking mountains and splitting stone. A disciple of the Vajra Sect waiting at the side quickly offered him some clothing, bowing his head respectfully. "Lord Chu, you have emerged." Chu Fan took the clothes and casually draped them over his shoulders, his gaze sweeping the area. "Where is that female Demon Suppression Guard?" The Vajra Sect disciple hurriedly explained, "Lord Ling saw that all was well here three days ago. As she had other official business to attend to, she returned to the North City Demon Suppression Bureau." "She specifically instructed us to inform you of this when you emerged." "Oh." Chu Fan nodded slightly, his words brief. "I’m leaving too." After straightening his robes, he pushed off the ground, his figure soaring into the air like a great roc spreading its wings. "WHOOSH!" Pushing off a steep cliff face for momentum, Chu Fan turned into a residual image. He bounded across ancient pines and strange rock formations, disappearing into the vast mountain forest in the blink of an eye. He left the disciple standing there, stunned. "He’s... gone? Just like that?" The disciple scratched his head. This Lord from the Demon Suppression Bureau, a great benefactor to the Vajra Sect, certainly acted with lightning decisiveness. He subconsciously glanced down at the clear Body Tempering Pool, and his eyes suddenly bulged. "This..." He rubbed his eyes. After confirming he wasn’t seeing things, he let out a bloodcurdling scream, "First Elder! It’s terrible! Someone’s dug out our pool!"