I Can Merge Techniques

"Grandmaster Foundation Stone..." Chu Fan murmured, his mind reeling.

’Judging from the description alone, has my Cultivation Talent already reached the legendary Realm of a First Generation Grandmaster?’

How powerful this new Trait truly was, and how much of the description was exaggeration, would take time to verify.

But the massive boost to his Comprehension was undoubtedly superior to his previous three Traits.

Chu Fan knew in his heart that from this day forward, his path on the Martial Dao would be incredibly broad and smooth.

He slowly closed the ancient tome.

Every illustration and every line of text within its pages was seared deep into his memory, like a brand.

It was perfectly clear, ready to be recalled at a moment’s notice.

Now, if he were to encounter a rare Treasure Plant again, he would no longer be as clueless and helpless as before.

Crimson moonlight spilled through the window. Chu Fan shifted and sat cross-legged on his bed.

His attention turned to another Martial Art.

[Technique: Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield (Small Success) | Progress: (355/400) | Trait: None]

He hadn’t spent much effort on this Defensive Martial Art, which he had taken from a Moon Worship Sect Demon.

However, thanks to the Map of Mountains and Rivers panel, he had still managed to bring it close to the Great Success realm through occasional practice.

He recalled the events in Lingyou Valley seven days prior...

At that time, disguised as a Moon Worship Cultist, he had intercepted Ye Chang’an, an Alchemist from Medicine King Valley.

The saber-wielding guard by Ye Chang’an’s side, who was at the second level of the Acupoint Realm, had unleashed a crisscrossing wave of Sword Qi with a single move.

The moment his Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield had appeared, it was shattered with ease, proving completely useless.

That was why, when he later faced Princess Zhaohua’s earth-shattering sword strike, it hadn’t even occurred to him to use this technique.

But the Cultivation Technique’s potential was far from fully tapped.

Its defensive power was inherently far greater than a simple layer of Protective Primordial Qi. It had only seemed so fragile because it was limited by the strength of his Primordial Qi and its Small Success Realm at the time.

If his Primordial Qi were stronger and the realm higher—cultivated to Perfection or even Breaking a Limit—it would surely become a powerful defensive tool.

Compared to the turtle-like progress of his Vajra Undying Body, raising the Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield to a higher realm would undoubtedly be much easier.

During this period, he had constantly taken medicinal baths and consumed Body Refining Elixirs like they were candy, yet the improvement to his Vajra Undying Body was still minuscule.

But it wouldn’t take too long to cultivate the Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield to the Perfection Realm and then Break its Limit.

Chu Fan made up his mind. He would train the Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield until he reached Perfection and Broke the Limit.

’Next time I face a sword strike from Princess Zhaohua, it won’t be so bad that even my Black Gold Silk Shirt gets blasted to dust, right?’

Powerful defense was the most reliable source of security.

’I might not be able to beat you, but what can you do to me if you can’t even cut me?’

At this thought, Chu Fan closed his eyes.

His hands flashed before his chest, forming a series of complex Seal Techniques.

As his Primordial Qi circulated, a brilliant Imperial Golden Light Shield would sometimes appear around him, only to dissipate into nothingness.

As he repeated this process, his proficiency rose rapidly.

[Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield Experience Points +2]

More than half an hour later, Chu Fan opened his eyes again, a sharp light flashing within them.

[Technique: Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield (Great Success) | Progress: (1/800) | Trait: None]

With a thought, he activated his Primordial Qi.

BUZZ!

An Imperial Golden Light Shield, far more solid and brilliant than before, instantly materialized.

It shone with a dazzling golden light, looking almost tangible.

Countless tiny, profound Runes slowly flowed across the shield’s surface, exuding an aura of indestructibility.

With the Imperial Golden Light Shield active, Chu Fan got up, walked out of his room, and stood in the courtyard.

He formed a sword finger and gestured from afar.

"Silent Extinction Quicksand Technique!"

WHOOSH—!

The sand and gravel in the courtyard, as if pulled by an unseen force, instantly transformed into a gray torrent.

It surged toward him from all directions, blanketing the area as it crashed against him violently.

A series of sharp CRACKS and POPS rang out as all the sand and gravel were stopped dead by the Imperial Golden Light Shield, unable to advance even an inch.

But this was only the beginning.

A sharp glint erupted in Chu Fan’s eyes as he pushed his Silent Extinction Quicksand Technique to its absolute limit!

ZING! ZING! ZING! ZING!

The speed of every grain of sand suddenly skyrocketed, creating a sharp, piercing sound as they turned into a deadly barrage!

The torrential attack lasted for several breaths before a crisp CRACK was heard.

The solid Imperial Golden Light Shield finally shattered under the full-force bombardment of the Perfection Realm Silent Extinction Quicksand Technique, exploding into a sky full of light motes.

Chu Fan felt the remaining sand and gravel, their momentum spent, strike his body harmlessly. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

’It’s not easy for a Perfection Realm offensive technique to break through a defensive technique that has just entered the Great Success Realm.’

’This Shenxiao Imperial Golden Shield really has great potential!’

...

「In a corner of the Martial Arts Arena at the Qing Province Demon Suppression Bureau.」

A group of Demon Suppression Guards, having just finished their daily patrol, were gathered in small groups, chatting idly.

Most of them were dressed in black, tight-fitting martial attire. They had a heavy presence, and their faces held the sharp look of seasoned veterans.

One of them was burly and powerfully built, his knotted muscles nearly bursting through his clothes.

At this moment, however, he had heavy dark circles under his eyes and was yawning constantly, looking utterly exhausted.

"I say, Old Wang..." a familiar Demon Suppression Guard clapped him on the shoulder and chuckled. "Have you been running off to Huichun Tower every day again?"

"Take it easy, man. Your health is important!"

The big man called Old Wang was named Wang Meng.

He spat irritably, "Get outta here! Don’t you go tarnishing my good name!"

"I haven’t set foot in Huichun Tower for over a month!"

Hearing this, the crowd was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

One man teased, "What is it then? Don’t tell me your wife’s keeping a tight leash on you, making you kneel on a washboard at night?"

Wang Meng waved his hand in frustration, his usually booming voice now tinged with hoarseness. "Don’t even get me started!"

"I’m this worn out all thanks to Chu Fan!"

"I’ve been wracking my brain day and night trying to figure out his strength! I can’t sleep, tossing and turning, my brain’s tied in knots!"

The moment he said this, the atmosphere around them immediately livened up.

"Oh, so that’s what this is about!" the previous man continued to jest. "What’s the matter? Is it because Chu Fan came back and killed a second-level Acupoint Realm Mo Daozi, then fought three against one in Lingyou Valley, severely wounding three Acupoint Realm experts, and even took a sword strike from Princess Zhaohua without a scratch...?"