I Can Merge Techniques

He had been with the Demon Suppression Bureau for some time, so he naturally knew the weight carried by the word "demon."

In the archives of the Demon Suppression Bureau, Cultivators like Mo Yunzi—who practiced Demon Techniques and possessed a vicious nature—were referred to as "Demon Cultivators" or "Demons."

Even though she was called a "Witch," Mo Yunzi was far from a true "demon" and wasn’t even on the bounty list.

The true "demons" spoken of by the Demon Suppression Bureau were those who had undergone Demonic Transformation!

They were beings who had been completely corrupted by the "Pollution" in the world, their sanity collapsing as they degenerated into monstrous creatures.

Since stepping into the Cultivation Realm, Chu Fan had read cruel accounts of this "transformation" in numerous ancient texts.

Cultivating in this world was like trying to breathe in a pool full of toxins...

Legend said that the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism of this world was no longer pure.

Martial Artists circulated Primordial Qi, Warlocks engaged in Refining Spirit, and Daoists practiced their Cultivation Methods...

Anyone who wished to grow stronger and draw upon the Power of Heaven and Earth would inevitably absorb the bizarre toxins that accompanied the Spiritual Mechanism.

That power was like a cancer clinging to the bone—colorless and formless, it lurked in every wisp of Primordial Qi, permeating one’s blood, bones, and even the depths of their Divine Soul.

It lay dormant under normal circumstances, but once it accumulated to a critical point within the body, it would erupt instantly.

It would take a person’s deepest desires and negative emotions and amplify them without limit...

What was once a simple desire for a bit of money would become an all-consuming greed;

what was once a hint of jealousy would become a world-destroying hatred.

It was the complete loss of reason, a total collapse of one’s humanity!

This was a hundred times more terrifying than mere Demonic Qi or Evil Qi!

And for the Cultivators of this world, who could possibly refuse the chance to become stronger?

This meant that no Cultivator could escape this seemingly fateful curse.

The stronger one became, the deeper the curse grew.

If one had not yet undergone Mortal Transformation, it wasn’t so bad.

But...

Thinking of Captain Xiao Ziye, who often descended into fits of madness, Chu Fan couldn’t help but shudder.

Xiao Ziye was clearly struggling to hold on. Though she had occasional bouts of madness, her condition was still considered "controllable."

But if what the Wang Family had encountered was a true "demon," it was likely a monster that was completely "out of control."

Otherwise, how would it dare to provoke the Demon Suppression Bureau within the walls of Qing Province City?

"Pollution..."

Chu Fan subconsciously looked at his status panel.

[Spiritual Essence: 4665]

[Pollution Level: 12/100]

His body tensed the moment he saw it.

THUMP. His heart felt as if it had been seized by an invisible hand, and it contracted violently.

If not for his astonishing self-control, he would have leaped to his feet.

’Twelve points?!’

’How could it be twelve?!’

He remembered it clearly. He had made a point to check his panel before leaving today, and his Pollution Level had been at 11!

’I haven’t done anything at all today!’

’Where did this sudden extra point of Pollution Level come from?’

Fear of the unknown is often more chilling than a visible enemy.

’Could it be that even without cultivating, just by breathing and living, the Pollution still gets worse?’

The color slowly drained from Chu Fan’s face.

Nangong Yue had been watching him the entire time. Seeing his strange expression, she frowned. "What’s wrong? Why do you look so ghastly?"

Back in the Burial Demon Marsh, when faced with a fourth-Realm expert, he hadn’t shown the slightest hint of fear. To save her, Li Mubai, and the others, he had even deliberately provoked that woman into attacking him...

’With his level of strength and courage, what could possibly make him look so horrified?’

Suddenly, Nangong Yue’s expression changed. "You seem particularly sensitive to the word ’Pollution,’ don’t you?"

"I know you’ve asked Lord Leng about methods for purifying Pollution before."

"And your Senior Sister Li Qingxue, from the Seven Stars Gang, has repeatedly come to the Demon Suppression Bureau, searching for a way to deal with the Pollution..."

"What?" Chu Fan froze. "Senior Sister Qingxue went to the Demon Suppression Bureau to ask about the Pollution?"

"You really didn’t know?" Nangong Yue let out an exasperated laugh. "She pleaded with Lord Leng and searched through countless ancient texts in the Library Pavilion."

Chu Fan fell silent.

Back when he had briefly merged with the Resentful Spirit, Master Cao and the others had worried day and night after his return to the Seven Stars Gang.

He hadn’t expected that even after coming to Qing Province, his senior sister would still be so worried about it.

He sighed softly, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. "Tomorrow, send someone to the Seven Stars Gang to find me. I want to see for myself what this ’Demonic Transformation’ truly looks like."

"Alright!"

Seeing that he had agreed, Nangong Yue didn’t press him further about his earlier odd behavior.

With a casual wave of her hand, the invisible soundproofing barrier around them dissipated.

WHOOSH—

The clamor of voices, toasts, and laughter from the main hall of the Moon Viewing Tower rushed in like a tidal wave, instantly drowning the silence of their corner.

But to Chu Fan, the lively, bustling atmosphere felt as if it were on the other side of an invisible wall.

The number "12" felt like a dagger at his back.

He nodded to Nangong Yue and turned to return to his table.

Li Qingxue saw that while he had been beaming with joy over the Wind Spirit Stone earlier, he now returned with a stone-cold expression.

She simply assumed that the task Nangong Yue had entrusted him with was an extremely thorny one.

She comforted him gently, "If the task Lord Nangong gave you is too dangerous, you don’t have to force yourself."

"The Demon Suppression Bureau is filled with powerful experts; there’s no need for you to be the one to risk your life."

Chu Fan met her concerned gaze and gently shook his head, offering no explanation.

Some fears, in the end, could only be shouldered alone.

Seeing this, Elder Liu Qingwu of the Carefree Sect, who was sitting nearby, gracefully rose. After a few polite words, she tactfully excused herself so as not to intrude on their reunion.

Over an hour later, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.

The group descended from the Moon Viewing Tower together.

The streets were thronged with people, and the cries of vendors rose and fell in a lively chorus of worldly life.

But the lively scene could do nothing to dispel the gloom hanging over Chu Fan’s heart.

The matter of his Pollution Level weighed on his chest like a giant boulder.

Although the value of 12 hadn’t yet caused any physical harm, and he felt no abnormalities within his body...

...this imperceptibly increasing number felt like a countdown, robbing him of his peace and appetite.

To this day, despite having scoured ancient texts and even asking Demon Suppression Envoy Yue Mankong, he had yet to find a solution.

The whole affair was truly bizarre!

According to all known accounts, only when a Martial Artist reached a profound Realm and excessively absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism would the "Pollution" reach dangerous levels.