I Can Merge Techniques

The scriptures recorded that upon reaching Great Success, one could weave dreams into a world with a single thought, forcibly dragging enemies into a nightmare.

It could even allow the dreamscape to interfere with reality, reaching the terrifying Realm where the illusory becomes real.

However, gains were often accompanied by risks.

It was easy to become lost in the dreamscape, unable to distinguish illusion from reality...

The most dangerous part was the "dream entry" phase. If one were slain by a great terror during the dream’s cycle, one’s soul in the real world would also suffer irreversible, grievous injuries. In a mild case, one would lose their sanity and become an imbecile; in a severe case, one’s soul would scatter, leading to utter annihilation.

’The risks are great, but it’s worth a try.’

Chu Fan nodded, a determined glint in his eyes, before turning his thoughts to his physical body.

His Vajra Undying Body was born from the Twelve Forms Fist.

But the Twelve Forms Fist was, after all, just a Foundation Establishment Fist Technique, not a true Body Refining Technique.

The first layer of his Vajra Undying Body was a qualitative transformation, born from the Twelve Forms Fist and the Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand undergoing Breaking Limit multiple times, finally merging with the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Finger and experiencing Breaking Limit yet again.

Now, his cultivation progress in the Twelve True Forms Fist was approaching the critical point for the Second Limit Break.

His understanding of this fist had long since transcended the mundane. With every practice session, his blood and qi surged like liquid mercury, and his Primordial Qi hammered him like an iron sledge, slowly strengthening his physical body.

But this pace of physical enhancement was far too slow.

So slow that it would be more satisfying to just temper his body directly with Evil Qi.

To break through to the second layer of the Vajra Undying Body, or even higher Realms, he needed to find another method.

The Body Tempering Elixirs he had used before now had a negligible effect on him.

But if he could find higher-grade Body Tempering Elixirs, he could definitely advance his Vajra Undying Body rapidly!

’If I could just find a pure Body Refining Technique...’

At this thought, Chu Fan hesitated no longer. He got up, pushed the door open, and headed straight for the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Night had fallen over the Demon Suppression Bureau, but it was still brightly lit.

As a crucial location in Qing Province, the Demon Suppression Bureau was like a sleepless behemoth, ever vigilant against the movements of Demon Fiends.

As Chu Fan walked, the Demon Suppression Guards he encountered along the way, whether on patrol or on duty, all wore solemn expressions upon seeing him. Unable to hide their reverence, they clasped their fists in salute.

Chu Fan’s name had already become the standard by which the younger generation of the Demon Suppression Bureau was measured.

Just as he reached the plaza in front of the Library Pavilion, a beautiful figure came into view.

Nangong Yue, dressed in a tight-fitting black outfit that outlined her heroic and imposing figure, happened to be walking out of the pavilion.

Seeing Chu Fan, she paused for a moment, then a hint of a teasing smile appeared in her beautiful eyes.

"Well, if it isn’t our little brother Chu Fan, the cultivation maniac?"

Nangong Yue stood with her arms crossed, a half-smile on her face. "What’s this? You got that Top-Grade Wind Spirit Stone and didn’t immediately go into seclusion to break through? Why are you back? Don’t tell me you missed me so much you couldn’t sleep?"

Although she was joking, she was actually quite surprised.

’With Chu Fan’s personality, after obtaining such a treasure, he should have gone into a death-seclusion, not coming out until he had fully refined and absorbed it. Why would he turn back around and come here?’

"I ran into a few difficulties in my cultivation and wanted to look through the archives in the Library Pavilion."

Chu Fan smiled, not taking her teasing to heart, and got straight to the point. "Sister, does the Demon Suppression Bureau have any Body Refining Techniques?"

"Body Refining Techniques?"

Nangong Yue pondered for a moment before saying, "The Imperial Capital Demon Suppression Bureau has some, but the Qing Province branch does not."

"Is that so?"

Chu Fan was slightly disappointed. He asked again, "Then are there any gangs or Noble Families within Qing Province’s territory that specialize in the path of Body Forging?"

Nangong Yue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked him up and down. "Your physical body is already monstrously strong. Why are you still looking for this kind of Technique?"

"Pure Body Tempering arts are ultimately a minor path."

"Controlling the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism is the lifelong pursuit of Cultivators like us. Don’t go down the wrong path."

After a pause, she added, "There’s a Vajra Sect in Qing Province’s West City that follows this path. I hear their disciples soak in secret medicines every day and then are beaten all over with iron rods, training their bodies to be as hard as rock."

"When they circulate their Cultivation Technique, their blood and qi surge like a river, their skin takes on a golden hue, and their defensive power is extremely strong."

"Vajra Sect..."

The corner of Chu Fan’s eye twitched.

His own physical body Technique was the Vajra Undying Body, and this gang just so happened to be called the Vajra Sect.

’It must be fate.’

Seeing the happy expression on his face, Nangong Yue couldn’t help but try to persuade him again. "The Vajra Sect’s name sounds domineering, but in reality, they have very little reputation. In Qing Province, they’re just a third-rate gang that gets by escorting merchant caravans."

"In terms of foundation, they’re not even on par with the Celestial Wolf Gang or the Celestial Blade Pavilion that you took down."

"With your current Realm and physical body, seeking a Technique from a place like that is no different from asking a blind man for directions."

Hearing her assessment, Chu Fan remained noncommittal.

’I have the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Even with an ordinary Body Refining Technique, I can cultivate it to its absolute limit and achieve Breaking Limit again and again.’

Since he now had a target, there was no longer a need to go into the Library Pavilion and sift through its vast, sea-like collection of archives.

"I’ll be heading back then."

Chu Fan thanked Nangong Yue and turned to leave the Demon Suppression Bureau.

The night was already late, so it was not convenient to head to West City.

Chu Fan returned to the Seven Stars Gang but did not rest. He went straight to the courtyard and began practicing the Twelve True Forms Fist.

The wind from his fists whistled, and his blood and qi surged like a dragon.

Only when he was drenched in sweat, every inch of his muscles trembling slightly, and had reached his body’s physical limit for the day, did he stop to bathe and wash away his fatigue.

After changing into a dry inner shirt, Chu Fan lay flat on his bed, his hands crossed over his abdomen in a strange yet casual posture.

His breathing followed a bizarre rhythm, sometimes long, sometimes short, as if it were about to stop at any moment.

As the Heart Method Mantra for the Great Dream Reincarnation Technique circulated over and over in his Sea of Consciousness, his perception of the real world gradually began to peel away.

First, sounds faded away. The chirping of insects and the whistle of the wind were replaced by a low hum.

Then, his sense of touch failed him. The bed beneath him turned to quicksand, and his body fell endlessly, passing through layer after layer of interweaving hot and cold curtains.

HUMMM—

A roar echoed in the depths of his mind. Chu Fan’s consciousness trembled violently, and he plummeted completely into a bizarre, phantasmagorical world.