Chapter 422 Before the Storm

An unfamiliar surge of magical energy emanated from the flame.

Normally, fluctuations in magical energy are unchangeable, much like fingerprints... or perhaps more accurately, like a organism's genes. Even among humans, there are subtle differences, which is why genetic testing is sometimes used to combat crime.

While it's not impossible to fake mana fluctuations, the original mana fluctuation information cannot be altered. The flame infused with the power of the divine seal fragments, however, released mana fluctuations completely different from what I usually release, like water changing color due to the addition of ink. In my perception, this has gone beyond the realm of mere faking.

Ordinary forgeries are like a veil covering the surface; once it's peeled away, the true image is revealed. Even high-level forgeries can be identified using authentication techniques to reveal the genuine magical energy fluctuations. But this unfamiliar magical energy fluctuation seems to have been there from the very beginning. If I weren't the one who created this flame, I wouldn't even believe that it was a fire I released.

Is such a thing possible? My knowledge of magical fluctuations is only at a basic level, and I don't understand whether this is truly an event that defies common sense. After checking several times, I also couldn't find whether my flames underwent any further changes due to the mixing of even a trace of divine seal fragment power.

It seems that's all the new changes.

The power of the Divine Seal fragments was released in large quantities, even capable of ascending mortals to become Great Impermanence. If I could manipulate the power of the Divine Seal fragments as skillfully as Ying Lingyun or Shenzhao, my current strength might multiply. Therefore, the power of the Divine Seal fragments is also one of the paths for me to become stronger in the future; merely altering the fluctuations of magical power cannot satisfy my expectations.

However, I wasn't truly disappointed. After all, it's only the beginning, from zero to one; the most difficult step has already been taken. Moreover, this change in magical energy fluctuations isn't entirely useless upon closer examination. If I ever need to conceal my identity in the future, this could become a powerful weapon—although I can't yet imagine under what circumstances I would need to do so.

I continued to focus my energy on developing the power of the Divine Seal fragments.

-

About a month later, it was early January of 2024.

I spent Christmas and New Year's Day with Mazao at the Luoshan headquarters, but we don't celebrate Christmas or New Year's Day here in Luoshan. There will likely be celebrations for the Lunar New Year, but due to the major event of Shinzo's death, this year's Lunar New Year celebrations in Luoshan probably won't be particularly lively.

So much time has passed, and Shenzhao still hasn't come back to life. The people of Luoshan have almost accepted the fact that Shenzhao is dead, and the funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held soon.

Of course, I wasn't idle during this time. I made a breakthrough in becoming stronger that would astound countless people. The specifics of this breakthrough require some explanation, so I'll leave it for now. In short, I'm now confident that even if I were to fight Ming Zhuo again, I could stand on equal footing with him.

I also investigated the whereabouts of the suspected resurrected Naval Xuanwu. If Naval Xuanwu knows I'm trying to track him, he might hide even deeper, or even flee overseas, so it's necessary for me to investigate anonymously. The specific investigation work was handed over to Lu Chan, who summoned several "potential clones proficient in intelligence gathering," and they are currently working on it in depth.

The doomsday investigation was, of course, on Ma Zao's and my schedule. Xiao Wan had suggested in the virtual world that we investigate the ruins of the Humanitarian Division's headquarters in the real world. We quickly located the exact location of the ruins, but after discussion, we decided to observe first before conducting the formal investigation.

I have some reservations about this site.

"Ma Zao, what was your reputation like in the apocalypse?" I asked Ma Zao. "I heard Xiao Wan say before that you were considered a jinx in the apocalypse and were tabooed and hated by countless people... In other words, you were very famous in the apocalypse, is that right?"

"I guess you could say they're pretty famous...".

Perhaps because she didn't have much contact with people during the apocalypse, and her memories were fragmented, Asaho's answer was somewhat uncertain.

Even in the prosperous modern world, individuals like Asaho, possessing the strength of a Great Completion level, are extremely rare. In the post-apocalyptic era, with its fragmented civilization and sparse population, it's hard to say whether there are even ten such individuals. Coupled with her special constitution that attracts calamities, I believe Asaho's recognizability in the post-apocalyptic era would be quite high.

Ma Zao's activities in the modern world lacked effective concealment measures. Information such as his name, appearance, and abilities were basically exposed to the outside world, and it is very likely that they were also exposed to the unknown blessed cultivator who gave Ying Lingyun the prototype of the apocalyptic technology.

If we have Asao investigate the ruins of the Humanitarian Division's main base, we might be able to uncover clues related to the Unknown Blessed Monk. However, that Unknown Blessed Monk is likely aware of this as well. If he truly understands Asao from the post-apocalyptic era, he would certainly know how we should investigate him. He probably won't stand idly by; he might even be observing from the shadows.

I'm not worried about any traps set by the enemy at the Humanitarian Division's main base ruins. Even if there were, I'm confident I can overcome and suppress them. I just want to take this opportunity to lure out this unknown Blessed cultivator who might be spying on the Humanitarian Division's main base ruins from the shadows.

Therefore, I waited with Ma Zao. Once they confirmed we had entered the ruins of the Humanitarian Affairs headquarters, they might withdraw. I consulted with Lu Chan, asking him to send out a few more "possibility clones" skilled in this area to operate covertly.

Intelligence has a shelf life, so taking Mazao to investigate the ruins of the Humanitarian Affairs headquarters might have been the best course of action. However, by the time we considered investigating the ruins of the Humanitarian Affairs headquarters in the real world, more than ten days had passed since its destruction, and the novelty had long since worn off. Perhaps it would be better to switch to "fishing" for information first.

Furthermore, I also need to attempt to investigate Peach Blossom Village. Because the ruler of Peach Blossom Village might be the Mountain Two Elements. For me personally, the most pressing issue is neither the apocalypse investigation nor the resurrected Water Master Xuanwu, but the existence of the Mountain Two Elements. This concerns the very foundation of my existence in this strange world.

However, it's difficult for me to rely on others in this area; I need to conduct an in-depth investigation myself. Currently, I lack leads in this area.

During this month, Asahi and I enjoyed a rare period of peace. It was as if our jinxed constitution was understanding of the series of changes we had encountered in the past, giving us a temporary respite. Of course, the truth wasn't as rosy as it seemed.

According to Lu Chan, the frequency of strange events in the area surrounding the Luoshan headquarters has increased dramatically recently. Many strange creatures seem to be drawn towards the Luoshan headquarters, but they are almost all intercepted and killed before they can even enter the premises.

No matter what, the Luoshan headquarters is a place where countless demon hunters gather, and even powerful monsters comparable to high-level demon hunters cannot run rampant here. There's a popular saying online that if you feel like you're living a peaceful life, it's because someone is bearing the burden for you. Perhaps this is quite fitting for our current situation.

Mazao seemed a little uneasy about this, and Zhu Shi comforted her while Mazao was helping with her daily training. I also overheard what she said.

"Hunting strange creatures is the duty of a demon hunter," Zhu Shi also told me. "Do you remember what I said before? Although we are not as good as Ma Zao, we demon hunters also have the property of attracting strange creatures."

"The reason we live in densely populated urban areas, rather than sparsely populated areas, is because we are not the creators of strange events, but rather their attractors. Automatically gathering and eliminating the calamities of our surroundings is an act of purification."

"The same goes for Asaha's existence. Attracting a large number of strange things to the Luoshan headquarters is not causing trouble for others. On the contrary, it allows the Luoshan headquarters to better fulfill its due purification function. In this era where the frequency of strange events is rising sharply, Asaha's mere presence at the Luoshan headquarters can significantly reduce the number of victims of strange events in the surrounding cities."

Asaho whispered: "The act of purification..."

Zhu Shi looked at Ma Zao and said, "In the apocalyptic era you lived in, the number of strange things was probably so great that no amount of concentrated purification could change the situation, and their quality was probably so high that they were difficult to deal with directly. Therefore, your constitution is just a negative asset that does nothing but harm yourself and those around you."

“But it’s different in this era, where you can be proud of the power you have.”

Asahi's expression gradually relaxed, while, to be honest, I felt a sense of crisis.

Asa is so attached to me because in her mind, only I can embrace her with a positive attitude, even if it means she has a jinx-like personality.

But what if I'm no longer irreplaceable to Asaho?

This conversation, though seemingly just a minor incident, was something I couldn't ignore. After the daily training ended, Zhu Shi, with Ma Zao's help, teleported back to Saltwater City to continue her studies.

Furthermore, although there is a reasonable explanation for this period of calm, it does not mean that Asaho and I can really live peacefully at the Luoshan headquarters.

This peace is more like the calm before the storm. Seemingly tranquil, it actually harbors considerable pressure simmering beneath the surface; I have a faint premonition. Perhaps in the near future, the harbinger of doom will force me to pay the price for this period of safety in an unexpected way.

As for myself, I don't want to live too relaxed a life.

Not long after, as if the power of Asahi had given me a strong push from behind while I was temporarily pausing, a new event unexpectedly appeared before me once again.

(End of this chapter)