Chapter 315: Chapter 132: Assisted by Two Divine Power Realm Experts, the Ambush at Maple Valley
With his astonishing Comprehension, the obscure and convoluted passages of the Demon-locking Technique, along with the subtle intricacies of circulating Primordial Energy, felt as if they were illuminated by an invisible light. They became perfectly clear, with no hindrance whatsoever.
The immense Spiritual Mechanism provided by the Moon Soul Ice Crystal Fruit also offered a continuous supply of energy for this first cultivation session.
’How clever, to think of using the Demon-locking Technique against that Resentful Spirit... Even I never thought of that.’
In his mind, the Paperman Yue Mankong’s voice echoed, tinged with surprise. ’But it’s a last-ditch effort, far too rushed. I doubt it’ll have much effect in just a few short days.’
Chu Fan pretended not to hear, ignoring him completely.
’He didn’t know if it would be effective either.’
’But at this point, he had no other choice.’
’In all of Cyan Yang Ancient City, there was no one, himself included, who could stand against that Resentful Spirit!’
’If it weren’t for the Resentful Spirit, he would’ve charged into the Government Office and taken County Magistrate Zhang Yunpeng’s head long ago.’
’Why else would he be here, agonizing over this?’
...
The night passed quietly.
As the moonlight faded and the pale light of dawn broke on the horizon, Chu Fan’s tightly shut eyes snapped open.
Deep within his eyes, the spectral image of an invisible chain seemed to flash before vanishing.
Chu Fan slowly raised his right hand, and with a mere thought...
RATTLE—
The jet-black Demon-locking Chain beside him seemed to spring to life, emitting a crisp metallic rattle as it levitated like a spirit snake and coiled around his wrist.
Though its movements were still somewhat clumsy, it could now offer a rudimentary response to his control.
’It’s still a ways off from the Small Success stage...’
’But compared to my previous Entry-Level mastery, I can now use the Demon-locking Technique to briefly control the Demon-locking Chain!’
’Your cultivation speed is a little too fast, isn’t it?’
The Paperman’s voice sounded again. ’And with no one to guide you... what exactly are you...?’
"I was just messing around. I kept practicing and somehow managed to improve," Chu Fan said dismissively.
Yue Mankong fell silent.
’He knew Chu Fan resented him.’
’If he hadn’t been so concerned with his pride back then, only sending a message to Ding Jian and the other two, would the situation have become this desperate?’
’If a Demon Suppression Envoy had come, they would have crushed Zhang Yunpeng’s head, shattered the Dragon Ridge Mountain Grand Array, and captured the Divine Sacrifice Envoy Lingkong Jade to be stomped to death long ago.’
’Why would Chu Fan have been left to struggle all on his own?’
’Why would the Seven Stars Gang have been forced to disband and flee their home?’
...
RATTLE!
While Yue Mankong was consumed by guilt, the thin chain coiled around Chu Fan’s wrist suddenly shot out. It abruptly expanded in size, sprouting numerous sharp spikes!
Then, the chain flew back like a serpent, rapidly shrinking and coiling around his wrist as a thin chain once more.
’Even though the Demon-locking Technique is approaching the Small Success stage and I have the Demon-locking Chain to go with it, trying to deal with that terrifying Resentful Spirit with this technique is still just wishful thinking.’
’My only hope is to buy a little more time to master the Demon-locking Technique.’
Chu Fan stood up, found something to eat, and threw himself back into his training.
He was racing against the clock, wishing he could split every second in two.
’This constant tension is unbearable.’
He felt as if his nerves had been stretched taut for days, not daring to relax for even a moment.
「Another day passed.」
「High noon.」
Chu Fan stood quietly in the courtyard, his mind completely immersed in the workings of the Demon-locking Technique.
A faint, invisible flow of energy circulated around him.
[Demon-locking Technique Experience Points +1]
[Skill: Demon-locking Technique (Small Success) Progress: (159/400) (Trait: None)]
Though he was still far from the Great Success stage, as his Experience Points increased, his understanding and control of this Secret Technique had already reached a new level.
Now, when he activated the Demon-locking Chain, the feeling was completely different.
The chain felt like an extension of his own arm. While it was still slightly more difficult to control than the quicksand manifested by his Silent Extinction Quicksand Technique, the initial clumsiness and lack of control were gone.
With a thought from Chu Fan!
WHOOSH!
The jet-black Demon-locking Chain shot out like a bolt of black lightning, weaving nimbly through the air.
One moment it was straight as a spear, the next it was coiling like a serpent. Its size and shape changed according to his will.
As Primordial Qi was injected into it, the Runes along the chain’s body began to shimmer faintly, emitting a chilling aura of confinement and suppression.
"So... so incredible!"
Watching from the side, Zhao Tianxing’s eyes lit up, and he was so envious he nearly started drooling.
Unfortunately, he had not yet undergone Mortal Transformation.
’Otherwise, I’d shamelessly ask to learn this Secret Technique and even beg Chu Fan for a Demon-locking Chain!’
On the other side of the covered walkway, Cyan Snake Xiaobai held a bag of candied fruit, keeping her distance. Her alluring face was filled with disgust.
She nibbled on the fruit and muttered under her breath, "Hmph, nasty chain, nasty aura... Just looking at it makes my skin crawl."
Chu Fan ignored them both, concentrating on controlling the Demon-locking Chain.
He could clearly sense that the terrifying power contained within the Spirit Soldier Demon-locking Chain, when paired with the Demon-locking Technique, was far greater than anything his Silent Extinction Quicksand could produce.
[Demon-locking Technique Experience Points +1]
Dusk fell, and the last vestiges of the sunset were swallowed by the ashen sky.
The Seven Stars Gang headquarters seemed even more desolate and deathly still.
Chu Fan had just stepped out of the house to stretch his limbs when he saw the Cyan Snake leaning against a pillar of the walkway, swaying her hips and watching him with an enigmatic smile.
"I have some good news for you."
The Cyan Snake’s red lips parted, her tone laced with a hint of playfulness. "That brother of yours, Zhao Tianxing, broke through to the Bone Tempering Realm this afternoon."
Chu Fan stopped in his tracks, a rare look of astonishment on his face. "The Bone Tempering Realm? He only broke through to the Bone Marrow Forging Realm a few days ago... That speed..."
’Tianxing’s cultivation speed is truly frightening, it defies all logic.’
’But Sister Bai’s concern for Tianxing is even more illogical.’
Chu Fan narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
But he couldn’t figure out what it was.
The Cyan Snake covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled. "The Bone Marrow Forging Realm and the Bone Tempering Realm are essentially both about tempering the meridians and bones to lay the body’s foundation," she explained.
"That boy, Zhao Tianxing... the resilience and vitality of his meridians, bones, and even his blood and qi were already far beyond those of other Martial Artists at his level. His foundation is exceptionally solid."
