"There's one more thing, Chu Feng. Take this back with you."
The Head Steward handed a jade vial to Chu Feng.
"Head Steward, what's this?"
Chu Feng accepted the jade vial and opened it, discovering a black liquid inside.
It smelled faintly foul and was somewhat viscous.
It didn't look like anything good—more like poison.
But Chu Feng could tell that this was actually a tempering substance, meant for refining the body.
However, what kind of effect it would have after tempering, even Chu Feng couldn't determine.
"In three days, the new disciples' tempering baptism will begin."
"Use this to temper your body first. After three days, when you undergo the tempering baptism, it will be of some help to you," the Head Steward said.
"The new disciples' tempering baptism? What kind of baptism is that?"
Chu Feng had entered the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect and had already learned quite a few things.
The disciples of the Northern Xuan Academy would tell him anything related to him.
But this so-called new disciples' tempering baptism was something Chu Feng hadn't heard about, which was why he was curious.
"The location of the tempering baptism is a place called the Black Water Six Finger Pool."
"It is also a cultivation array personally laid out by the sect's founding ancestor."
"Activating this array requires the heaven and earth energy within the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect."
"In truth, the heaven and earth energy within the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect is far stronger than that of the outside world, and it is much easier to absorb and refine."
"But you probably can't sense it yet, Chu Feng, since you haven't undergone tempering or baptism."
"Only after undergoing both tempering and baptism can you fully merge with the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect and perceive those special heaven and earth energies within it."
"The place of tempering is precisely this Black Water Six Finger Pool."
"However, the Black Water Six Finger Pool normally only opens once. It has only been four years since its last opening, so by all accounts, it shouldn't be opening again yet."
"But I just received notice that the Black Water Six Finger Pool has already opened. In three days, all new disciples who have joined the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect over these four years must enter the Black Water Six Finger Pool to undergo the tempering baptism."
"Tomorrow, I will announce this, and I'm sure the other three academies will announce it as well."
"In truth, this substance is the Essence Black Water from within the Black Water Six Finger Pool."
"When you get back, fill a bath basin with water and add an appropriate amount of the Essence Black Water."
"Soak three times a day for three days of tempering. When you then enter the Black Water Six Finger Pool, your body will be far more compatible with the black water inside, and the benefits you receive will be greater."
"Oh, and one more thing, Chu Feng—Essence Black Water is a precious substance. It isn't appropriate for me to provide it to all the new disciples of our Northern Xuan Academy."
"So keep it between us that I gave this to you. It would be best not to tell anyone else," the Head Steward instructed.
"Thank you, Head Steward."
Chu Feng promptly broke into a grin and expressed his gratitude.
He understood that the Head Steward was giving him special treatment.
This was a privilege, indeed.
"There's no need to thank me. You are the most talented disciple in our Northern Xuan Academy, and I hope you can bring honor to us."
"Inside the Black Water Six Finger Pool, there are certain records, and those records also bear the name of Lord Dugu Lingtian."
"If possible, I hope you can replace those names with your own—Chu Feng."
As the Head Steward said this, he looked at Chu Feng once more, a look of unconcealed expectation in his eyes.
"This disciple will do everything in his power. I won't let you down, Head Steward," Chu Feng promised.
If he could, he too hoped to change those names to his own.
Originally, Chu Feng hadn't been particularly interested in this so-called tempering baptism, but after hearing that he could rewrite the records, he was very much looking forward to it.
Afterward, Chu Feng chatted with the Head Steward a while longer before returning to his residence.
Chu Feng followed the Head Steward's instructions and used the Black Water to temper his body.