Chapter 8: Extreme Attribute.
The Profound Old Ghost was suddenly speechless. "Alright, that's enough flattery."
Mu Chen had also noticed the changes in himself. He rubbed his nose, and the Profound Old Ghost's ethereal voice spoke, "Have you ever heard of an Extreme Attribute?"
"Extreme Attribute?" Mu Chen pondered for a moment before shaking his head. As a cripple, he had used his father's Jade Pendant to browse every book in the Library Pavilion. Of course, he couldn't see things like Combat Skills or Cultivation Techniques—and even if he could, he would have filtered them out. But among all the books he had read, there was no information recorded about Extreme Attributes.
The Profound Old Ghost let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, it seems I've asked a pointless question. Since there haven't been any Emperor Level experts for ten thousand years, it makes sense that no one would know about something like an Extreme Attribute."
With that, the Profound Old Ghost looked at the bewildered Mu Chen and smiled. "The so-called Extreme Attributes are some of the most primordial, singular Attributes. They have existed for countless ages and have gradually developed a low level of sentience—mostly just a basic instinct for self-preservation. They tend to remain in remote, uninhabited places. However, wherever they appear, they are always guarded by strange, wondrous things born of heaven and earth. Even for Saint Level experts, very few can see one with their own eyes and live to tell the tale. It's only natural you wouldn't know about them."
"Master, don't tell me your solution is an Extreme Attribute?" Mu Chen's mouth twitched.
The Profound Old Ghost said in mock surprise, "Smart boy. It is indeed an Extreme Attribute. As long as you fuse with one, your Attribute Dantian will gain an additional intake channel, and your speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi will reach an appalling level."
Mu Chen was furious. "Holy shit! Are you kidding me? Even Saint Level Great Powers face near-certain death, and you're telling a cripple like me to go find an Extreme Attribute?"
The Profound Old Ghost coughed dryly twice. "Don't you still have me? Relax. Since I, your master, have proposed this method, it means I have the ability to help you successfully obtain an Extreme Attribute. However, until you become a Martial Artist, you shouldn't even be thinking about this."
The Profound Old Ghost had guessed right; Mu Chen was indeed thinking about the Extreme Attribute. But when he glanced at his right shoulder, where his right arm was missing, the excitement that had just risen on his face faded. He gave a bitter smile. "With a one-armed body like mine, can I really become strong?"
"There is no such thing as a useless body, only a heart that is willing to be useless."
Mu Chen's whole body trembled, and great waves churned in his heart. The Profound Old Ghost's words pierced his soul like a sharp Sword Aura. 'That's right... There is no such thing as a useless body, only a heart that is willing to be useless. Am I useless? Am I willing to accept that? No! I've never admitted to being useless! I, Mu Chen, am absolutely not useless!!!'
An indignant roar echoed from the depths of Mu Chen's heart. In a corner of the Extreme Spirit Pearl, a pair of enormous purple eyes floated in mid-air. Their merciless, vertical pupils stared straight ahead, surrounded by six ice-blue, snowflake-shaped objects that continuously spun and chased one another in a bizarre display. Yet, within these cold eyes, there was an awkward gentleness and a look of admiration.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK… A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." Mu Chen hastily shoved the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique under his pillow, lay back down, and called out in a weak voice.
"Mu Chen, are you feeling any better?" A gentle, feminine voice called out. It was crisp and clear like a silver bell, yet filled with boundless concern. It was a voice Mu Chen knew all too well.
"Sister, I'm much better. Where's Mom?" Hearing Mu Bingling's voice, Mu Chen immediately recalled pushing her away earlier, and his heart filled with guilt.
Seeing how weak Mu Chen looked, Mu Bingling placed the medicinal soup she was carrying on the table, hurried to his side, and carefully helped him sit up. "Mom was just called away by Dad," she said with concern. "She asked me to bring this soup and help you drink it. Look at you, you're so weak right now. How could you be so reckless? Do you have any idea how worried Dad and Mom were when you had your accident? You..."
At this, Mu Bingling quickly turned away to wipe the glimmer of tears from the corner of her eye. She picked up the medicinal soup from the table and returned to Mu Chen's side. Although his eyes were closed, the scene around him was clearly reflected in his mind's eye. Mu Bingling's beautiful eyes were glistening, and a single tear track stained her reddened eye corner.
Seeing her like this, a pang of pain shot through Mu Chen's heart. For twelve years, this kind girl had given him the courage to live. She wasn't his real sister, but it was her who had stood in front of him time and time again after he was bullied and humiliated. It was her who stayed by his side when no one else would play with him, telling him again and again that he was an important person, that this happy family existed because of him. It was her who said she would take care of him for a lifetime, never leaving, never abandoning him. It was her...
Scenes from the past flashed before his eyes, one after another. A single, silent tear slid from the corner of his eye. 'My dear sister, from now on, let me be the one to protect you. I am willing to become your safe harbor, to shelter you from the wind and rain.'
"Sister, I'm sorry... I won't do anything stupid again," Mu Chen said in a trembling voice, his eyes shut tight.
Mu Bingling noticed the tear at the corner of his eye and thought her tone had been too harsh. She hurriedly wiped it away and said softly, "Why are you crying? A big boy like you, more fragile than a girl. Where did the strong Mu Chen I know go?"
The soft touch of her fingertips brushing against his cheek made Mu Chen's quiet heart tremble violently. This wasn't the first time Mu Bingling had wiped his tears, but it was the first time it had made his heart pound. He looked at the young woman's face—her skin was as white as snow, her tender pink lips were slightly pursed, and her pouting expression held a captivating charm. Her large, water-blue eyes shimmered with an alluring light, breathtakingly beautiful.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking? Was my tone too harsh? I'm sorry." Seeing Mu Chen sitting there silently with his eyes closed, Mu Bingling thought her words had hurt her little brother again and grew flustered.
Mu Chen was taken aback, his young face flushing red. He quickly waved his hands. "No, that's not it. I was just thinking about something. You're right, Sister. I was too reckless. I'm sorry. From now on, I will live on with strength. And I'll live a better life than anyone else." The last sentence came from the bottom of his heart, a genuine outpouring of emotion that easily moved Mu Bingling.
"Good. You said it, so you can't go back on your word. Come on, drink your medicine. Be good!" Mu Bingling gently scooped up a spoonful of the soup. It had been sitting for a while, so she didn't need to blow on it and brought it directly to Mu Chen's lips, her face full of smiles.
Hearing Mu Bingling's teasing words, Mu Chen's face flushed red again, but he obediently opened his mouth and drank it down in one gulp. It was bitter, but within the bitterness was a hint of sweetness. It was the taste of happiness...
After Mu Bingling finished feeding him the soup, Mu Chen used the excuse of needing to rest to get her to leave. He had something more important to do. Once he heard her footsteps fade into the distance, he quickly pulled the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique out from under his pillow. His task now was to memorize the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique as quickly and accurately as possible.
For the past twelve years, although Mu Chen had been unable to practice Cultivation, he had spent all his time reading. As a result, his memory had grown stronger and stronger. He only needed to read most books two or three times to memorize them word for word. This, he supposed, was a form of compensation from the heavens.
"Hehe, my good disciple, you truly are a person of great fortune," the Profound Old Ghost's teasing voice echoed in Mu Chen's mind.
Mu Chen was already used to him speaking so suddenly. "Why do you say that?" he asked, confused.
The Profound Old Ghost chuckled. "No reason. But if you want to protect that little lady, you'd better grow up quickly. Otherwise, you will definitely lose her."
The Profound Old Ghost's abrupt words left Mu Chen feeling annoyed. "What do you mean?"
"I don't mean anything by it. Knowing too much now will only hinder your Cultivation. All you need to know is that the stronger you become, the safer she will be. Thinking about anything else is useless right now. I'm going to rest. I'll wake up naturally when you're ready to reforge your Dantian. After you've memorized the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique, just tear up the Scroll to destroy it completely. Don't feel bad about it; I have plenty more of those Scrolls."
As Mu Chen was left utterly speechless, the Profound Old Ghost fell silent once more. He shook his head. The old ghost's words were a complete puzzle to him. 'Whatever,' he thought. 'I'd better just memorize the Cultivation Technique.'