Chapter 77
【This blue fish must have been intentionally left by the big shot. Since the big shot has taken an interest in you, I shall grant you a stroke of fortune!】
As one of the four ancient fierce beasts, the Taotie is often regarded as the ancestor of all demons.
To enlighten a being, allowing it to gradually transform into a demon, or even to possess a stronger bloodline, is merely a matter of convenience for it.
Ba Ji pressed its cat paw on the blue fish's head, and a drop of dark red blood seeped into the fish's forehead.
【At this rate, in no more than two months, this blue fish will become a demon.】
Ba Ji withdrew its paw, its round eyes gleaming with cunning.
If the blue fish were to transform into a demon, it would serve as a shield for Ba Ji. As long as the big shot's memory remains unrecovered, their attention would surely be focused on the transforming blue fish. This way, any traits on Ba Ji that didn’t align with those of a cat would be less noticeable.
【Hehehe! I’m truly a genius!!!】
…
“Stupid cat, what are you going on about in the middle of the night…”
Chen Huai'an casually tossed a pillow out, his hand brushing against his phone screen.
In the game, Li Qingran was still training.
A game notification popped up.
【You have 57 days left to live.】
【Today's fortune: Minor auspicious, suitable for marriage.】
…
Tianfu, Demon-Slaying Division.
“Three zeros, are you sure what you’re saying is true? Or are you just spinning a tale to fool me?”
The bearded man stared incredulously at the girl in front of him, who was dressed in a high school uniform.
What did she just say?
That a big shot had casually summoned seven or eight talismans capable of calling forth thunder and fire, and that they were living with a top-tier demon?!
Is this even Chinese??
“Brother Wu, although I’m not an official member of the Demon-Slaying Division, you should know my character.” Lin Lingling had already done a simple bandaging on herself, and after using the special golden wound medicine from the division, her injuries had improved significantly, though she still needed to lean on her spear to stand properly.
She added, “Moreover, I suspect that the demon might not just be a top-tier demon; it could even be a demon spirit!”
This was getting more and more outrageous, the bearded man thought, speechless.
Currently, the demons that the Demon-Slaying Division in the Huazone was dealing with were categorized into demon generals, demon spirits, top-tier demons, and ordinary demons.
Among them, ordinary demons were those newly born under the influence of spiritual energy revival. These demons primarily evolved by consuming flesh and blood and devouring each other. Only a soldier-level reviver could handle demon spirits; anyone below that would be sending themselves to the slaughter, as these demons already possessed intelligence comparable to humans and could not be subdued through sheer intellect.
If what Lin Lingling said was true and it was indeed a demon spirit, that would be troublesome.
Because right now, the C Province Demon-Slaying Division didn’t have a single soldier-level reviver. He and Old Li were merely master-level, and they were no match for such a demon spirit.
“By the way, you just said this demon is living with a mysterious reviver, right? And this reviver can use thunder talismans?”
“Yes, I probed the other party, and they seem to be unaware of the Demon-Slaying Division.”
Lin Lingling pondered, stroking her chin. “I currently have two suspicions. First, this reviver might be a wild reviver who doesn’t know about the Demon-Slaying Division, but it’s quite suspicious that a wild reviver can freely manipulate their powers. Second, the other party could also be a member of the Demon-Slaying Division or another civilian demon-slaying organization, but they are currently on a secret mission, which is why they ignored my probing.”
“No, there’s a third possibility.” The bearded man’s expression turned serious. “Have you considered that the other party might be an out-of-control reviver?”
“Out-of-control reviver?” Lin Lingling recalled Chen Huai'an’s video account and connected it to his foolish yet clear-eyed expression.
How could an out-of-control reviver have that kind of gaze?
She hadn’t even thought in that direction.
The bearded man had also seen Chen Huai'an’s video account, but he believed that wasn’t enough to serve as a reference.
After all, people can disguise themselves.
“This matter must be taken seriously!” The bearded man slammed the table and stood up, his gaze fixed intensely on Lin Lingling. “Right now, you and that mysterious reviver are the only ones in contact, and the other party hasn’t attacked you, so your task is to keep an eye on them. If there’s any abnormality from them or the demon in their room, report it immediately. I’ve already requested to transfer a soldier-level reviver here; you just need to buy some time.”
“Me?” Lin Lingling pointed at herself, her lips twitching. “I’m just a white-level master; you want me to keep an eye on that big shot?”
“If you pull this off, I’ll promote you to master level.” The bearded man clasped his hands together, grinning. “You know the Demon-Slaying Division is short on manpower, and most civilian demon slayers are bullies who prey on the weak. Sanling, you’re different; you’re the bravest. I’ve always had high hopes for you. Just hold out until the soldier-level demon slayer arrives, and not only will I promote you to master level, but I’ll also make you a full member!”
“Isn’t a master level promotion automatically a full membership?” Lin Lingling shot a glance at the bearded man.
“Not quite!” The bearded man opened a drawer and pulled out a document:
“This is the latest breathing technique developed by the higher-ups. If you get promoted through me, you’ll receive the first three volumes!”
The breathing technique! They really developed the breathing technique!?
A flicker of excitement crossed Lin Lingling’s otherwise expressionless face. She touched the spear behind her, raised her gaze to the bearded man, and declared firmly, “Deal!”
“But I’m out of money and need to take on a simpler demon-slaying task.”
“No problem.” The bearded man pointed at the densely packed task board on the wall. “Great! Pick any you like!”
…
Lin Lingling left.
The bearded man propped his left foot on his right foot atop the desk, gazing at the task board on the wall, leisurely lighting a cigarette.
When he returned in the afternoon, he was in a panic, but upon receiving the documents from headquarters, he calmed down instantly.
The number of demons was increasing, and the Demon-Slaying Division was making progress.
The breathing technique—this was the good news he had heard today.
This technique was developed by the headquarters of the Demon-Slaying Division, akin to ancient internal martial arts. However, this technique does not cultivate internal energy but captures the thin high-energy particles in the air while also converting true energy into these high-energy particles. When these high-energy particles attach to the body, they significantly enhance the power of attacks and increase physical strength, functioning similarly to internal force but with effects that are exponentially stronger.
The headquarters referred to these high-energy particles as—spiritual energy.
After ten years of hard work, they finally saw the light!
With the breathing technique, it meant that the official Demon-Slaying Division would completely surpass civilian demon-slaying organizations.
The demon slayers would no longer be like blind flies buzzing around; the fixed realms established since the revival now had the potential for advancement. Most importantly, they finally had something valuable to attract those revivers to actively take on tasks and join the organization.
Previously, due to limited control over the revivers, the Demon-Slaying Division had adopted a hands-off approach towards civilian revivers. When they tried to invite revivers to become official members, the response was often, “What else do you have besides money?”
Now that they had the upper hand, it was time to strike hard.
It was foreseeable that with the emergence of the breathing technique, revivers would gradually gravitate towards the Demon-Slaying Division, ultimately leaving only one voice!
“As long as humanity stands united, what are those demons to us?”
The bearded man scoffed, taking a deep drag from his cigarette until it burned down to nothing.
He stood up and took down the top task from the wall—it was a report from his subordinate about another top-tier demon.
【Task Location: Kuanzhai Alley Sewers】
【Task Difficulty: Top-tier - Demon】
【Information: Suspected to be a demonized stray dog, its saliva can infect people, turning them into ‘madmen.’ It has already caused 17 deaths, including two white-level demon slayers.】
“Damn demon…”
The bearded man narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists, and muttered to himself:
“Tonight, I’ll be able to enter the first layer of the Return to Origin True Skill.
Just in time to test it out on this demon’s head and see if the breathing technique is up to par!”
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Chapter 82: Are You Serious??
“Disciple Qingran humbly prays for the heavens’ mercy, to bestow protection and compassion, driving away all misfortunes, and ensuring Master’s safety.”
The next morning, Li Qingran followed her usual routine of burning incense and bathing, bowing three times to the sky to pray for her master’s well-being.
Afterward, she took the celestial crane sent by Senior Sister Zhao Le to the Sword Pavilion’s main square.
She had always been a punctual person; if she could arrive early, she would never be late. She thought she was one of the earlier disciples to arrive. But upon reaching the main square, she was stunned to find it already packed with people. On the rooftops, among the ancient pines, and atop the sharp bamboo stalks, disciples of the Sword Pavilion were everywhere—standing, sitting, lying down, or meditating. The better the view, the more people there were.
Clang—!
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