I Can Merge Techniques

Xiao Ziye’s gaze then shifted to the Five Elements Cauldron, which was still inverted on the ground. Its body was ancient and unadorned, completely blocking any probing from a Divine Sense.

’What’s that sneaky kid doing hiding in that cauldron?’

Perhaps taking an interest in Chu Fan, or maybe just curious about the situation inside, she casually flicked a finger toward the distant Five Elements Cauldron.

SWISH!

A condensed sliver of wind shot through the air, striking the side of the Five Elements Cauldron with precision.

BANG!

A muffled clang of metal rang out. The Five Elements Cauldron trembled slightly as a sheen of light flowed across its surface, automatically defending against the force.

After a long moment, just as Xiao Ziye was growing impatient and preparing to strike it a second time, the Five Elements Cauldron flashed. It rapidly shrank, transforming into a streak of light that shot into the palm of Chu Fan, who had appeared beneath it.

Chu Fan put away the Five Elements Cauldron, a look of resignation on his face.

’I’ve collected those souls in the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, but I haven’t had time for the Refinement process yet.’

He glanced up at Xiao Ziye in the treetop, clearly annoyed that she had interrupted his work, but he didn’t dare say so.

Seeing this, Li Mubai immediately stepped in to smooth things over, shooting a meaningful glance at the others.

Everyone took the hint and dispersed, quickly beginning to clean up the battlefield.

Not one to be left behind, Chu Fan wasted no time and began deftly searching the corpses of the Blood Shadow Sect cultists, his movements exceptionally practiced.

Xiao Ziye stood atop the large tree, silently watching everyone bustle about below. She remained so still, it was as if she had merged with the tree itself.

Every so often, her gaze would drift toward the depths of Cold Crow Valley, toward the dilapidated, yet still-standing Evil God Altar that emitted a faint, bizarre aura.

「A short while later...」

Having finished looting the corpses and reaped a bountiful harvest, Chu Fan walked to the base of the tree. He looked up and said, "Captain, there’s something strange about the Evil God Altar deep in Cold Crow Valley. Do you want to go take a look?"

At his words, Xiao Ziye glanced down at Chu Fan, an imperceptible flicker of surprise in her eyes.

’Even Li Mubai didn’t immediately notice the subtle anomaly of the altar. How can this kid’s perception be so sharp when he’s only in the Early Stage of the Divine Power Realm?’

She frowned, but said nothing more.

Instead, she casually tossed down the jet-black stick in her hand.

Startled, Chu Fan thought the unpredictable female Captain was about to crack him over the head again and instinctively moved to dodge.

But the small stick went WHOOSH WHOOSH in mid-air, growing rapidly until it was three feet in diameter and over twenty feet long. It floated steadily before him, about a foot off the ground.

Like a falling leaf, Xiao Ziye drifted down and landed silently on the front of the stick. Her robes fluttered as she said coolly, "Let’s go."

Seeing this, Li Mubai and the others leaped up, expertly landing on the enlarged stick and steadying themselves.

"..."

Chu Fan stared at this "Flying Stick," the corner of his mouth twitching. Finally, he braced himself and jumped on.

But he soon felt unsteady, so he quietly sat down, straddling the stick. His hands instinctively reached forward, searching for something to hold on to.

People had only ever heard of immortals flying on swords; today, he had his horizons broadened by the marvelous sight of a "Flying Immortal with a Staff."

The whole scene... was certainly something else.

When Li Mubai and the other Demon Suppression officers saw Chu Fan’s rather comical posture, they were stunned for a moment before breaking into laughter. It helped to dissipate some of their tension and fatigue.

WHOOSH!

The enormous stick carried them all, letting out a soft whistle as it climbed steadily into the sky and sped toward Qing Province City, leaving the ravaged Cold Crow Valley far behind.

Chu Fan turned his head for one last look at the Evil God Altar.

’Xiao Ziye had clearly noticed something was off about the altar, too, but true to her nature, she hadn’t gone to investigate...’

’There’s definitely more to that altar than meets the eye.’

’Even though the Ten Thousand Souls Banner is still stirring restlessly, I’m not willing to risk it.’

’At the very least, I should finish the Refinement of the Blood Shadow Sect Leader and extract his memories. It won’t be too late to make a plan once I’ve confirmed what’s so strange about that altar.’