I Can Merge Techniques

Chapter 596: Chapter 170: Introducing Evil into the Body, Refining Evil into Gang; Inner Marrow Tempering, External Defense of Ten Thousand Techniques

’The real power players are still on their way. I’ll just quietly cultivate here and watch how things play out.’

’Once this blade of mine is a little sharper, once those truly great figures who can shake the heavens make their move...’

Chu Fan casually threw on a long robe, concealing his terrifyingly corded muscles. His gaze returned to its usual calm and profound depth.

By then, someone else would deal with the cancer that was the Zhang Family.

All he needed to do was stay alive and use the Map of Mountains and Rivers to grow ever stronger.

...

By a stone table at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena, Zhao Tianxing, Cyan Snake, and Mo Yunzi were gathered, chatting idly.

When they saw Chu Fan emerge, they immediately called him over.

"Old Chu, your physique is getting more and more monstrous."

"Soaking in that poisonous water, and you still came out completely unscathed."

Zhao Tianxing shook his head in amazement, then his expression grew excited as he changed the subject. "Now, where were we? Ah, right! The Profound Origin Secret Realm tournament!"

"The Profound Origin Secret Realm?"

Chu Fan sat down and accepted the tea Mo Yunzi offered him.

"You’ve been in closed-door cultivation for some time, so you might not have heard."

Cyan Snake covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes shimmering. "Word is that the Profound Origin Secret Realm, which opens only once a decade, is about to begin. It’s the most important event in the Qing Province Cultivation Realm."

Chu Fan nodded slightly.

’How could he not know about the Profound Origin Secret Realm tournament?’

Demon Suppression Envoy Leng Qingqiu had planned for him to participate long ago.

It was not only a tournament for the prodigies of the younger generation but also a brutal gambit for the major powers to carve up resources.

The Profound Origin Secret Realm produced two extremely special resources: Purifying Nightmare Spirit Crystals and the Clear and Muddy Spirit Source.

These two items, it was said, were the only known natural spiritual materials capable of effectively suppressing "Pollution" on a large scale.

In a world rife with bizarre phenomena and rampant Pollution, these resources were the very lifelines by which the major sects and Noble Families ensured their survival.

Many years ago, the major powers waged bloody wars over these two resources, and rivers of blood were spilled.

Even powers from outside Qing Province got involved, and every time the Secret Realm opened, the ground was littered with corpses.

It was only when the Demon Suppression Bureau forcefully intervened, suppressing all opposition, that the rules for the Profound Origin Secret Realm tournament were finally established.

The allocation of resources would be determined by the rankings of a contest fought by the younger generation.

"These past few days, all the inns in Qing Province City have been full."

Zhao Tianxing remarked, "There are Martial Artists with out-of-town accents everywhere."

"Tch!" White Snake scoffed. "Aren’t we from out of town too? You’ve only been here a few days and you already think you’re a native of Qing Province?"

Zhao Tianxing was choked speechless, with no retort.

White Snake then turned to Mo Yunzi. "Mo Yunzi, you’re an Acupoint Realm expert now. Why don’t you give it a shot?"

"With your strength, I’m sure you could secure a place for yourself in that Secret Realm."

Ever since Chu Fan had given Mo Yunzi the Seven-leaf Star Orchid,

Mo Yunzi had cultivated arduously for many days and finally broke through her bottleneck in one fell swoop, stepping into the Acupoint Realm.

She was now considered the second-strongest fighting force in the Seven Stars Gang, after Chu Fan himself.

Hearing this, Mo Yunzi shook her head repeatedly. "There are different levels of strength within the Acupoint Realm."

"I’m merely at the First Heaven of the Acupoint Realm, not the Fifth Heaven."

"That Profound Origin Secret Realm is an arena for the true prodigies of Qing Province. If I were to go, I’d just be a stepping stone for others."

"In such a convergence of titans, only a peerless individual like you, sir, is qualified to dominate the competition."

It was blatant flattery, but it was also what she truly believed.

After witnessing Chu Fan’s terrifying combat prowess and his seemingly endless supply of Bottom Cards, Mo Yunzi had long since lost any ambition to vie for the top spot.

Zhao Tianxing looked at Chu Fan. "Old Chu, are you going?"

"I am," Chu Fan said, setting down his teacup. "Lord Leng has asked me to participate as a Demon Suppression Guard."

"The Purifying Nightmare Spirit Crystals and the Clear and Muddy Spirit Source are important to the Demon Suppression Bureau, and to me as well."

He had been wondering if these two items could truly suppress the Pollution Level on his panel.

’If they can, wouldn’t it be wonderful to carry a few pieces on me and leave a few at home?’

Hearing this, the group grew excited.

It was as if they could already picture Chu Fan dominating the competition within the Secret Realm.

Suddenly...

Li Qingxue, who had been listening quietly, spoke softly. "I heard that Princess Zhaohua of Prince Zhennan’s Mansion gave you a bottle of Red Flame Stone Marrow Pills?"

In that instant, the excited chatter from Zhao Tianxing, Cyan Snake, and the others died down unnaturally.

Li Qingxue’s question seemed ordinary, and her tone was placid.

But even Zhao Tianxing detected the faint, almost imperceptible sour note hidden between her words.

Chu Fan, however, was completely oblivious. He nodded and said, "Yes... those Red Flame Stone Marrow Pills are incredibly effective. They truly live up to their reputation as a Body Tempering Holy Medicine!"

A shadow passed over Li Qingxue’s eyes.

But Chu Fan sighed and continued, "It’s a shame there were only three..."

"I’ve already sent word to Baili Bing, asking her to keep an eye out."

"If Red Flame Stone Marrow Pills ever show up at the Medicine King Pavilion again, I have to get them, no matter the cost."

He smacked his lips, savoring the memory. "That’s some seriously good stuff..."

"Back when I managed to extor... uh, *request* them from Princess Zhaohua."

He slurred the word "extort" quickly, but it struck everyone’s ears like a clap of thunder.

Cyan Snake, Mo Yunzi, and the others who knew him well all felt a smile creep onto their faces.

Even the dimness in Li Qingxue’s eyes gave way to a subtle glimmer of light.

She turned her head to the side, feigning nonchalance as she asked, "Extort?"

"COUGH, COUGH!" Chu Fan, apparently realizing his slip of the tongue, cleared his throat and said seriously, "It was rightful compensation!"

"The last time I was carrying out a secret order, I was unfortunately mistaken for a remnant of the Moon Worship Sect by that princess, and she struck at me with her sword from a distance."

"Later, Lord Leng of the Demon Suppression Bureau personally informed Prince Zhennan’s Mansion, and it was only then that Princess Zhaohua realized her mistake."

"So she came to find me and asked what I wanted as compensation."

Chu Fan spread his hands, his expression a mixture of innocence and self-righteousness. "Well, naturally, I wasn’t going to be polite about it."

"Prince Zhennan’s Mansion has countless treasures. I didn’t ask for anything else; I only took these three most practical Red Flame Stone Marrow Pills."

Once he finished his explanation, the invisible chill around the table seemed to melt away.

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