All the evil beasts in the world, I feed on demons and monsters

Chapter 366 Carrying the Shrine into the Southern Han (Part 2)

The Mirror of Oblivion.

Ji Ran stayed in the River of Oblivion for a few hours. He demonstrated the "Eight Slashes on the Battlefield" to himself with three sword strikes and then left immediately. After all, as one of the first generals to enter the Demon Realm, he still had a mission to complete.

For several hours straight, Ji Ran practiced the Eight Slashes of the Battlefield in the River of Oblivion to prevent himself from forgetting them. During this time, he tested the "Standing Without Shadow" technique, and sure enough, his current killing intent spirit could only last for a mere 3 seconds.

So, Ji Ran focused his mind and, with the help of the Forgotten River Mirror's corrective function, concentrated on practicing his swordsmanship. He practiced until the entire sword technique was thoroughly memorized.

[Eight Battlefield Cuts: 100% Proficient]

Thanks to his mastery of the Tang-style broadsword, he only needed a few hours to go from beginner to proficient. However, while it wasn't difficult to reach mastery, it would still take several days.

Beginner, proficient, expert, master.

I need to advance my swordsmanship to the late stage of mastery by at least this month. After New Year's Eve, I'll bring the Kamaitachi to help me practice.

It stayed by his side specifically to guide his swordsmanship with just three strikes. Although the Kamaitachi wasn't particularly strong overall, like those master martial artists in Tianjin, skill wasn't the same as mastery. Judging solely by swordsmanship, he was still far from being a match.

bass!
At this moment, Ji Ran sheathed his sword and walked to a spot not far away.

The yellow river rolled down, and the moon hung high in the sky, illuminating a cluster of low, strangely shaped rocks.

At this moment, the Golden Crow was engulfed in golden flames, refining a kilo of jade gold. It was nearing the end, and the entire jade gold had been melted into a deep, dark gold with a texture like a colloid.

[Unnamed]
Material: Jade
Weight: 1 tael

Effect: Increases the success rate of any item by 1%.
……

Ji Ran's eyes lit up. Just as Tang Yao had said, there was no limit to the success rate increase! Based on the 1% increase per Yi, only 100 Yi of Jade Gold were needed to evolve the Kunwu Blade into a Dao True Blade!
At this moment, Ji Ran breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that her hopes would be dashed, but now she was overjoyed!

"Let's name it... [Ink Gold]."

The appearance of Mo Jin not only means that he can have another Dao Zhen weapon, but also means that his group's gains from Yingzhou will skyrocket!

The nature of black gold dictates that its audience will only be advanced practitioners, who generally possess spiritual essence.

No.

This material is best obtained through barter! Of course, how to maximize profits requires careful consideration.

At this moment, Ji Ran left the River of Oblivion and summoned the Forging skill. With sufficient spiritual energy, he could confidently forge using the Retrospective talent of his local earth temple!
Ji Ran placed Kunwu on the forging table and checked its enhancement status.

【Kunwu Jade-Cutting Knife *3 Forged】

Sharpness +30%!

Defense Penetration +1!

Jade Shatter Specialization: +20% Sharpness!

Armor Penetration +1!

[Armor-piercing: Causes brittleness to carapaces, scales, feathers, armor, etc.]

[Armor Penetration: Increases the magic penetration and armor penetration effects of your weapon, and increases the damage cap by 1 level]

Now, in terms of sharpness alone, his blade can easily tear through the armor and scales of all living beings below level 7. Combined with his own strength, even level 9 travelers like those from Yingzhou Immortal Island or Xu Fu can be injured.

In short, the blade's sharpness is more than sufficient for living beings. After all, one's own power is limited. Further enhancing it by choosing [Sharpness] would be somewhat wasteful.

As for the others, there are three enhancement options for the Kunwu Blade: Sharpness, Fire Blade, and Jade Cutting. Fire Blade is ruled out first, as it already has the [Spell-Severing Blade] enhancement, which is completely useless.

Then my only option is to cut the jade.

[Jade Cutting: Increases damage to metals, ores, jade, and other materials by 10%]

This attribute allows you to better destroy enemy weapons and armor. If you further enhance [Jade Cutting] to level 7, it means that each strike will reduce the durability by 40% more than before.

Even a rare-grade weapon probably wouldn't withstand more than a few hits before its durability runs out.

Having made up his mind, Ji Ran looked at the subsequent enhancements.

[Forging a Spiritual Tool to level 4 requires: 10000 Spirit Essence and 10 grams of Refined Gold.]

[Success rate: 50%]

[After failure, there is a 10% chance of encountering "Golden Erosion: Sharpness -20%, Weight +30%"]

"Prepare!"

Summoning Zashiki-warashi again increases the success rate by an additional 15%!

As for the additional materials, Ji Ran had already made preparations—he would find the land deity of the Kunlun Society at the Third Land Temple and buy them with incense!

The materials are all very expensive, but I still have a lot of money for incense offerings. Although tens of thousands of spiritual energy seem like a lot, it probably won't be enough in practice.

……

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

The most troublesome part was collecting materials. Even for an organization like the Kunlun Society, it took almost an hour for the sixth-grade material, [Kangjin], to be delivered.

Now, the Kunwu Jade-Cutting Knife has an additional [Jade Cutting +30%], and during the rewind process, I controlled the 6-forging specialization to still have [Jade Shattering Specialization +20% Sharpness].

Now, I can cut through ordinary, common weapons with a single strike! Even rare and precious weapons can have their durability reduced to almost nothing with just a few strikes!

At the same time, it wasn't just his weapons that were being upgraded.

Ji Ran gently stroked the ring—[Bloodscale Armor*6 Forging]. He himself had forged the armor to level 6! It was all enhanced with Dragon Transformation. Now, when he cast Dragon Transformation, the Bloodscale Armor's area converted into magic resistance had reached 60%!

This area is basically enough to cover the entire surface of the body.

[Ancient Dragon Technique - Dragon Transformation: Scales merge with the body, transforming into dragon limbs, greatly increasing resistance to magic.]

[Dragon Transformation Enhancement: Increases the area of ​​effect of the Ancient Dragon skill Dragon Transformation by 50%, and can reflect some spell damage.]

For both the 3rd and 6th forging specializations, I chose to enhance [Scale Reversal].

【Scale Reflection: Reflects 10% of received spells】.

With the added 5% damage reflection from the Dragon Transformation skill (over 50%), my spell reflection has reached 25%.

Three incense coins were spent on the entire forging process. It was well worth the money, as the materials required for forging from the fifth stage onwards are no longer easy to find.

At this moment, he only had a little over 3 spirit essence left. However, compared to the 4.4 spirit essence he had consumed in the previous three forgings of the Kunwu Blade, he was actually quite lucky this time, thanks to the Zashiki-warashi.

Ji Ran finally understood why many powerful figures, even generals, would not choose the seven-forging method he had originally envisioned.

Starting at level 7, there are two options: [Merge with Law] and [Spirit Destruction]. The former merges all skills with one's own Dao, condensing a new Dao that complements oneself. The latter significantly improves the overall quality of the weapon, bringing the treasure to a semi-spiritual state, but the skills disappear.

It seems like I'm losing out no matter how you look at it, considering my two highly functional level 6 forged items.

I have been in the spirit world for a long time now.

Ji Ran didn't delay. He handed the forged horizontal sword and the jade gold to the First Earth Temple, and then told Shuanghua Honggun and the others who were still in the Spirit Realm about the importance of the jade gold and told them not to sell it before leaving.

……

The sky cleared overnight, and New Year's Eve arrived.

Early in the morning, Ji Ran and Deng Zhihe went out for a stroll together.

Cai Lan didn't come; she was with her mentor. Just this morning, the sheriff arrested those who were causing trouble at the hospital.

Dr. Zhou, who had always appeared calm, broke down in tears upon learning that the three families involved in the medical dispute would be dealt with seriously, sentenced to up to three years in prison for spreading rumors, and that the authorities would issue a clarification and clear her name.

Da da da.

Stepping on the still-unmelted snow, Ji Ran, wearing a black sweater and a khaki down jacket, walked down the street with Deng Zhihe.

"Yesterday, the State Administration of Radio and Television received an official document establishing a special department for public opinion monitoring."

Deng Zhihe exhaled a breath of hot air and looked at the lively scene at the [Heavenly Garden] across the street—staff members in suits and ties were constantly registering a group of poorly dressed people with happy expressions.

"In response to the escalating public opinion online, the department investigated the truth and dealt with the matter seriously. At the same time, it was decided to impose severe penalties on issues of public morality, with serious cases resulting in criminal charges."

"At the same time, a special fund will be established to reward acts of helping others."

Deng Zhihe smiled and said, "Justice will prevail in the end."

"is that useful?"

Ji Ran's calm voice startled Deng Zhihe.

Ji Ran looked at the residents of those unfinished buildings: "Five years ago, some of them were already seriously ill."

"Some families have been torn apart and even destroyed because of this unfinished building."

"Tell me, are Hengyuan Group's current actions effective for these people?"

"It's completely useless."

"When a few people, through their patience and resilience, endure the long, dark night and are granted a brief moment of light, can you say that the long night did not exist?"

"Besides, that light originally belonged to them."

"Light that comes too late will only illuminate the scars left by the darkness, rather than bring warmth."

Deng Zhihe was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "You have a good way with words. I couldn't beat you in the high school debate, and I still can't now."

"But justice will always arrive on time."

Ji Ran turned around and walked towards the street, asking, "How long will that take?"

"The day when people believe in justice." Ji Ran paused slightly and looked at his childhood friend.

He spoke earnestly: "The General Administration is taking action. I also believe that day is not far off."

"You want to join this department?"

"Ah."

"I am looking forward."

Snapped!
Along the roadside, children clapped and cheered as they lit sky rockets, looking up at the sky. Outside the unfinished building, someone set off a long string of red firecrackers.

Amidst the crackling sounds, fiery red fragments flew everywhere, accompanied by laughter, brushing past the swaying lanterns in the streets and alleys.

Ji Ran bid farewell to Deng Zhihe and entered the city, into that old neighborhood.

The Way of Cause and Effect

Status: Beginner (83%)

Effect: Allows for insight into cause and effect.

Taoist arts: Crossing the cycle of life and death
Causal points: 69
She was still just one step away. But the experience in the dream made Ji Ran realize something—changing a person's cause and effect does not necessarily require changing their cause and effect.

The mystery of cause and effect lies in the fact that any change in the causal chain can lead to a completely different outcome.

I don't need to change the girl's karma. I only need to change the boy's karma.

Of course, this fragile change will not alter the trajectory of the girl's fate. She will still encounter similar things in the days to come.

I am merely consuming karma to postpone this matter.

But that's enough; the General Administration has already taken action. The belated light has arrived at its precise time, so all I need to do is shorten the girl's darkness to lessen her suffering, at least ensuring she receives the justice and compensation she deserves before she goes insane.

……

Lunar New Year's eve.

After Ji Ran finished eating with her parents and cleaned up the dishes, her mother lay on the sofa watching TV and resting with a face mask on.

Ji Ran then called to his father and went into the study.

"These are some special items. Use them if you encounter a difficult enemy."

As Ji Ran spoke, he placed the button gun, the button knife, and dozens of button bullets on the table.

These were all generated from buttons because Ji Ran discovered that buttons possess a simple sealing property and are easy and convenient to use for making small things.

For a father, these things are enough.

If they really encounter danger, their father will be in charge of sealing off the operation, and then the Wind Beast will attack. As long as they don't encounter a third-tier opponent, they will have a chance to escape.

"no problem."

Ji Cheng inquired about how to use it, then put it away.

At this moment, the orange-yellow desk lamp illuminated the desk, and the Wind Beast lay obediently on the desk, shrinking to the size of a small kitten—this was Ji Ran's request, so that her father could carry it easily.

Thinking of the two vaccines her father had taken out earlier, Ji Ran suddenly asked, "Dad, those vaccines of yours, are they related to tuberculosis?"

Ji Cheng paused slightly, then nodded and said, "That's right."

"When the secret service was in Qing City, what were your main missions?"

In response to Ji Ran's question, Ji Cheng glanced at the strange pistol in his hand, smiled, and said, "You should have guessed it by now. It's to cooperate with the Traveler in annihilating the Constipated Ghost."

"When we were carrying out the mission, our sixteen secret service teams, a total of 160 people, went to a hospital in the northern port and used heavy spiritual weapons to cooperate with the Walkers to encircle and kill them."

"The density of tuberculosis demons there is extremely high, and there are also some special tuberculosis demons with bizarre mental abilities. I am from the Thirteenth Squad, a total of ten people. Four people died on the spot, and after the six people were infected, only three of us, including me, survived."

"That's how I got my second-class merit award."

Ji Cheng smiled, but was taken aback when he looked at Ji Ran.

At this moment, Ji Ran's eyes widened, with a slight tremor in them.

"what happened?"

"No."

Ji Ran took a deep breath, suppressing her apprehension, and forced a smile, saying, "I'm going to chat with Mom for a while. I'm going to Europe after the New Year. Be careful."

"Ah."

Ji Cheng looked at Ji Ran with a worried expression, but his tone was relaxed: "You too."

"Come back and spend more time with your mother."

“She looks much better these past few days since you came back.”

"Ah."

……

At night, sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at the deep blue night outside the window, Ji Ran's eyes were deep.

It can't be wrong.

The hospital besieged by his father was the same hospital from his dream. The reason the tuberculosis demons were so numerous was because the apostle was preparing to deal with him and had driven them away using mind control.

At the same time, the appearance of special spiritual tuberculosis demons there must be because the apostle died and his spirit was infected by the tuberculosis demons.

but……

All of this existed before I even dreamed about it. I've known since I was little that my father received a second-class merit award. In elementary school, this was always a source of pride for me, even though I wasn't particularly bright back then, and it made me stand out from the other kids.

But looking back now, this is the cause and effect of my actions twenty years later, a consequence of my past actions.

The bizarre cause and effect of dreams is like a chicken-or-egg question, making it completely incomprehensible and mysterious.

We must...find a way to isolate it!

The strangeness of cause and effect made Ji Ran determined to take the shrine to the Southern Han Dynasty to cultivate incense and establish a primordial spirit! The scent of incense can sever and disrupt cause and effect.

As long as the incense burns brightly enough, it can shield one from the prying eyes of the unseen force. At the same time, the entanglement of countless incense sticks is also a condensation of cause and effect, making one's karma even stronger. Once one comprehends the method of severing cause and effect, one can use the concealment of the incense to completely break free from the karmic connection rooted in the train ticket!
This is the best solution I can think of right now.

……

In the days that followed, Ji Ran spent most of his time practicing his swordsmanship. Then he would walk through reality, trying to change cause and effect, improve his skills, and at the same time save the fates of some people.

The progress in swordsmanship proficiency, understanding of cause and effect, forging of the large horizontal sword, and refining of black gold is all proceeding steadily.

Ji Ran knew his foundation was too weak, so he spent almost all his time practicing swordsmanship with Kamaitachi to make up for his lack of basic skills.

In the training ground, he fought his way through!

Within the [Sword Technique] pillar, his martial arts arena medals fought his way up to the [Sixth-Rank Beast Medal]! His swordsmanship was truly insufficient, and after sensing the bottleneck, Ji Ran integrated his various supernatural abilities, immortal techniques, Golden Crow... to complement his swordsmanship.

……

After the Lantern Festival, my mother and I saw my father off on his flight to Europe.

As the New Year's atmosphere gradually faded, the Special Operations Department and the Secret Service began to bustle with activity. And on Valentine's Day, Ji Ran received his greatsword.

Familiar with the sword techniques, blood patterns form a path.

For the next three days, Ji Ran no longer held back, nor did he simply hone his swordsmanship; he unleashed his full fighting power!
Three days.

He fought his way down from the Sixth-Class Beast Medal to the Second-Class Lion Medal!
The terrifying blade, the powerful supernatural abilities, the sharp spirit pet, the clumsy swordsmanship, and the ferocious body, within three days, etched their names into the Buzhou Heaven!
This also means that even though Ji Ran's swordsmanship is still a weakness, his strength has reached the top tier in the second level.

His cicada-like voice was almost entirely filled with various news during the last two days.

But Ji Ran did not deal with it; that unseen cause and effect always gave him a sense of urgency.

Finally, on the day of the Rain Water solar term, Ji Ran's swordsmanship reached 100% mastery, just one step away from becoming a master.

That day, he made an appointment with Shuanghua Honggun to enter Nanhan. However, Shuanghua Honggun would enter with a train ticket, while Ji Ran planned to enter through the Karma Passage.

Since they could communicate using cicada sounds within the same world, the two weren't worried about not being able to find each other.

Walking through the spirit realm, Ji Ran changed into a black robe, switched his body to the [Turbid Immortal Body], and silently arrived at the thirteenth Earth God Temple.

He gently lifted the shrine on his back. On the branches of the Time Black Tree that stretched out from the eaves, the dark blue soul flowers bloomed, reflecting the golden crow that was squatting on the branch, curiously looking around.

[Would you like to consume 30 Karma Points to re-enter the Southern Han world?]

【Yes. 】

Ji Ran's figure suddenly disappeared.

The mist surrounding the shrine solidified instantly, transforming into a group of travelers who landed and stared wide-eyed at the empty entrance.

"The... the Earth God Temple is gone?!"

……

At the same time, Ji Ran opened her eyes as her dizziness lessened considerably.

As dusk settled, a crescent moon illuminated the desolate graves.

(End of this chapter)