Chapter 231 Exceptional Promotion

Chen Mu immediately set his eyes on another Cultivation Technique, the Wind God Wings.

Although the Wind God Wings was named "wings," it did not actually sprout real wings; rather, it used a special method to condense the power of wind spirits, attaching it to the body to significantly increase speed. When cultivated to a high level, one could briefly hover, seizing the initiative in battle.

In the past, Chen Mu relied on the Divine Void Step, which made his speed exceptionally fast compared to others, and ordinary movement techniques were hardly worth noticing. However, after the battle in Youxu Valley, facing the Male Dragon's overwhelming offensive and pouncing attacks, he felt that relying solely on the straight-line burst of the Divine Void Step was slightly restrictive when dealing with certain large-scale attacks.

If he could gain the help of the Wind God Wings to push his speed and agility to a new height, and combine it with the subtle control of the wind in the world from the Wind and Rain Induction Mantra...

A thought became clearer in his heart, and he immediately stopped hesitating, closing his eyes once again.

"Inject Lifespan, deduce Wind God Wings."

[Injection started...]

[In the first year, following the Secret Manual, you used Protective Aura to simulate the power of wind spirits, opening up several unique cycles in the Meridians of your legs. Initially, the Protective Aura was sluggish, and your steps were heavy. You repeatedly pondered and gradually gained insights, and when stepping on the ground, you could use the reactive force to float lightly by three parts.]

[In the eighty-second year, you began to try to induce Protective Aura while running to simulate wind spirit assistance. At first, it was fast and slow, difficult to coordinate, and you nearly crashed into mountain rocks three times. Day after day, you wove through the mountain forests, your movements becoming increasingly agile, and your running speed was nearly twice as fast as ordinary movement techniques.]

[In the one hundred and twenty-third year, you were no longer satisfied with sprinting on the ground. You found a cliff and repeatedly leaped, using Protective Aura to form the shape of wind wings to support yourself. You fell countless times, breaking your bones more than ten times, but finally, during one leap, the Protective Aura around your body resonated with the flowing Qi of heaven and earth, and you actually glided more than ten zhang in the air before landing slowly.]

[In the two hundred and forty-third year, on a night of gale and rain, you stood on the peak of a lonely mountain, letting thunder explode overhead and rain lash your face. You closed your eyes to sense the violent airflow between heaven and earth, and suddenly had an Epiphany: Wind wings are not wings, why be bound by form? You dispersed the deliberately condensed Protective Aura wings, and your whole person became like a falling leaf, swaying and rising with the gale and turbulent currents, yet never falling. Once a thought arises, your body shoots like lightning; once a thought is withdrawn, you drift like a ghost.]

[Injection successful, Wind God Wings at Perfection!]

...

At dawn, in a remote corner behind the barracks, a figure moved like lightning.

Chen Mu closed his eyes and focused, driving the Divine Void Step to its limit under his feet, leaving a string of afterimages on the open ground. He was not satisfied with this, and as his thoughts stirred, the method of the Wind God Wings quietly operated.

Step on the ground, leap!

His body rose from the ground, briefly hovering for an instant at three zhang high. In a split second, the perception of airflow brought by the Wind and Rain Induction Mantra spread out completely.

Chen Mu's figure moved according to his will. The tendency to fall after hovering was suddenly broken, and borrowing a current of air from the southeast wind, his whole person drifted two zhang instantly.

Then he landed lightly, without disturbing a speck of dust.

"It is done."

Chen Mu opened his eyes, a trace of satisfaction flashing through them.

During these days of hard practice, apart from the necessary daily meditation and meals, Chen Mu had spent almost all his time combining the two.

This process was far from easy, as they had different roots and operated in vastly different ways.

At first, when Chen Mu tried to operate the Wind and Rain Induction Mantra to capture the airflow beside him while sprinting with the Wind God Wings, the result was often that he could not attend to both.

Zhuifeng lay on a stone not far away, tilting its little head, its golden pupils full of confusion, watching its master who was sometimes as fast as a ghost, sometimes stumbling and pausing, sometimes floating in mid-air, and sometimes falling down with a splat.

Chen Mu was not discouraged. He was already accustomed to honing his skills in life-and-death battles, and this little setback in exploration was nothing. With diligent practice, he finally had an Epiphany, which led to the agile movements he had just displayed.

He was just about to continue trying when rapid footsteps sounded around him.

"Chen Mu!"

The footsteps got closer, and Ling Xiaoning ran over in a hurry, with a hint of urgency on his face.

"Flag-bearer Cheng sent someone to ask you to go to the Council Hall."

Chen Mu frowned slightly.

Cheng Xiaoqing is looking for him?

Since he entered the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, his direct contact with this Demon Hunting Division Flag-bearer had been limited to two reports and rewards after returning from Shi Town and Youxu Valley.

Cheng Xiaoqing was dignified and prudent, and acted fairly, but he was by no means someone who would easily summon subordinates for casual chats.

Being summoned at this moment must mean something important.

Chen Mu responded and followed Ling Xiaoning to the front of the barracks. He saw a young clerk in his early twenties standing in the courtyard, wearing official robes and a wooden plaque hanging from his waist. Seeing Chen Mu come out, he bowed, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"Brother Chen, the Flag-bearer is waiting in the Council Hall, please follow me."

Chen Mu straightened his slightly wrinkled official uniform, nodded, and followed the clerk out of the barracks.

Demon Hunting Division Council Hall.

Today, the atmosphere in the hall was slightly different from usual. Cheng Xiaoqing sat on a tiger-skin chair, his expression calm, revealing no joy or anger.

Huo Chao stood behind him to the side, arms folded, brows slightly locked. Bai Junyi was also there; his injuries had not yet healed, and he sat on a chair below, but his back was straight.

Apart from these three, there were no other idlers in the hall, and even the clerks who usually served with pen and ink were dismissed.

Chen Mu stepped into the hall and bowed with folded fists.

"Flag-bearer, Chief-Lieutenant, Deputy General Bai."

Cheng Xiaoqing raised his hand to support him.

"No need for formalities, take a seat."

The clerk who brought him here immediately brought a round stool and bowed out.

Chen Mu sat down and waited for what was to come.

Cheng Xiaoqing's gaze fell on Chen Mu, sizing him up for a moment, and slowly spoke.

"Chen Mu, you have been in the Prefecture Demon Suppression Division for less than two months, right?"

"Yes."

"In two months, you first quelled the snake infestation in Shi Town, then fought the dragon in Youxu Valley, broke through during the battle, killed demons to build merit, and obtained Grade B-Upper merit."

Cheng Xiaoqing's tone was steady, as if stating facts.

"Such a battle record, not to mention newcomers, is something many old soldiers in the division may not have."

Chen Mu lowered his eyes.

"Just lucky, relying on the comrades fighting side by side and the superior's planning."

Cheng Xiaoqing heard his modesty and did not commit, changing the subject.

"In the battle of Youxu Valley, the Tian Di Xuan Three Teams were wiped out, Chief Banner Officer Zhang died in the line of duty, and the elite of the Demon Hunting Division lost nearly half. This is truly a critical moment of life and death."

He paused, his voice deepening a bit.

"Now the division is short of manpower, especially Squad Leaders who can lead teams independently to perform tasks, which is even more stretched."

"Chief-Lieutenant Huo is busy with the affairs of Zhang Ye's department, and Bai Junyi is temporarily acting as Deputy General, also needing time to get familiar with it. New recruits in each team lack enough experienced people to lead and train them."

Chen Mu listened quietly, already vaguely guessing Cheng Xiaoqing's purpose for summoning him today.

Sure enough, Cheng Xiaoqing continued.

"At this time of needing people, after discussion with Chief-Lieutenant Huo and Deputy General Bai, we believe that although your qualifications are still shallow, your ability, Heart-Nature, and meritorious service have all shown the talent to take responsibility."

Then his eyes were like torches, looking directly at Chen Mu.

"Chen Mu, this Flag-bearer intends to promote you to Squad Leader exceptionally, but the Demon Suppression Division has its rules. The position of Squad Leader is unusual; it requires the conviction of the crowd, actual results, and even more, passing the division's assessment."

"Therefore, I will give you half a month to prepare. After half a month, the division will hold a Squad Leader promotion assessment. If you can pass it, you can be formally appointed, lead a team independently, and enjoy the salary and authority of a Squad Leader."