Chapter 81: The Breathing Technique and Hidden Turmoil
…
Late at night, Chen Huai’an turned over in his sleep.
"Emmm… Qingran hasn’t been bullied in her new sect, right?"
He groggily reached for his phone, took a quick nce, and saw Li Qingran diligently cultivating in-game. Satisfied, he casually tossed his phone aside and went back to sleep.
On the windowsill, the ck cat, Baji, curled up into a ball, breaking into a cold sweat.
Only when it confirmed that Chen Huai’an had fallen asleep again did it let out a sigh of relief. Facing the <em>Nine-Turn Spirit Orchid</em> under the moonlight, it slowly released a suppressed aura—a menacing energy that belonged to the <em>Taotie</em>.
Dark tendrils extended from its body, merging into the room’s shadows, filling the air with a sinister presence.
【That big green fish sure is lucky.】Baji scoffed at the blue carp leisurely bathing in the basin, absorbing <em>Spiritual Qi</em>.
In this era of dwindling <em>Spiritual Qi</em>, living in a ce rich with energy—under the protection of a powerful master—was an unimaginable fortune.
As for how Baji understood the current world? It had learned from watching TV whenever Chen Huai’an turned it on. Eventually, it figured out how to turn it on itself whenever Chen Huai’an left.
Now, it knew that the metal box that nearly crushed itst time was called a <em>semi-trailer truck</em>.
It wasn’t a human weapon—just a transportation device.
Real human weapons were things called <em>guns</em> and <em>cannons</em>, which were like long-range hidden weapons that could kill enemies from afar.
With this newfound knowledge, Baji became even more convinced that its master was here toprehend the <em>Dao</em>.
He must have traveled across countless worlds, sealing his power and memories to experience different <em>Daows</em>, refining his path to perfection.
But no one should mistake a sealed master for an easy target—if he dared to suppress his own strength and memories, he must have a means of self-preservation.
Baji spected that the <em>phone</em> was his secret weapon.
Unlike human phones, its master’s device had a pitch-ck screen that only he could see.
It was a tool forprehending the <em>Dao</em>—a treasure that even Baji had once coveted.
But after witnessing the terrifying <em>Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Talisman</em>st time, it no longer dared to entertain such thoughts.
【This carp must have been left here on purpose by the master. If the master intends to keep you, then I shall grant you a stroke of fortune!】
As one of the Four Ancient Fiend Beasts, the <em>Taotie</em> was practically the ancestor of all demons.
To bestow sentience upon a creature and transform it into a true demon was an effortless act.
Baji pressed its paw against the carp’s forehead, allowing a single drop of dark red blood to seep into its skin.
【At this rate, it will fully demonize in two months.】
Baji retracted its paw, its round eyes gleaming with cunning.
Once the carp became a demon, it would serve as the perfect distraction. As long as its master’s memories remained sealed, his attention would be focused on the newly transformed carp—meaning he wouldn’t have time to notice anything wrong about Baji itself. ?a?ǒβ??
【Kekekeke! I’m a genius!】
…
"Stupid cat, what the hell are you screeching about in the middle of the night…"
Half-asleep, Chen Huai’an casually threw a pillow in Baji’s direction. His hand brushed against his phone’s screen.
A game notification popped up.
【Your remaining lifespan: 57 days】
【Today''s fortune: Minor Blessing – Auspicious for Marriage】
…
"You’re kidding, right? Three-Zero, are you seriously expecting me to believe this story?"
A burly, bearded man stared in disbelief at the school-uniform-d girl in front of him.
What had she just said?
Some mysterious expert casually threw out seven or eight <em>Thunderfire Talismans</em> capable of summoning divine lightning?
And—he was <em>cohabiting</em> with a high-grade demonic entity?!
Was this even <em>Chinese</em> anymore?!
"Brother Wu, I may not be an official member of the Demon-ying Bureau, but you know my character."@@novelbin@@
Lin Lingling’s wounds were wrapped in simple bandages, and after applying the Bureau’s special wound-healing salve, she felt much better. But she still had to lean against her spear for support.
She added, "Moreover, I suspect that demon isn’t just a high-grade entity—it might be a <em>Yao Specter</em>."
The bearded man, Wu, let out an exasperated sigh.
The Demon-ying Bureau categorized demonic entities into several levels: <em>Yao Generals, Yao Specters, Yao Beasts, and Yao Monsters.</em>
Among them, <em>Yao Monsters</em> were newly awakened creatures affected by the <em>Spiritual Qi Revival</em>. They primarily evolved by consuming flesh and devouring one another.
But <em>Yao Specters</em>?
Only a <em>Soldier-ss Revived</em> could handle those.
Anything weaker than that would just be throwing themselves into the meat grinder.
Because <em>Yao Specters</em> were as intelligent as humans—meaning tricking them into submission was out of the question.
If Lin Lingling’s report was urate and this really was a <em>Yao Specter</em>, they were in deep trouble.
Especially since the C-Province Demon-ying Bureau <em>didn’t have a single Soldier-ss Revived</em>!
He and Old Li were both merely <em>Master-ss Grade A</em>. There was no way they could take on such a threat.
"You also said this demon is living with a mysterious Revived, correct? And that this Revived can use Thunder Talismans?"
"That’s right. I even tested him—he seemspletely unaware of the Bureau."
Lin Lingling rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
"I have two theories. One, this person is a <em>wild Revived</em>, someone who naturally awakened and is unaware of the Bureau. But the fact that a wild Revived can already <em>control his powers</em> so skillfully is suspicious…
Two, he might actually <em>be</em> a member of the Bureau or another private exorcist organization, just executing a secret mission—hence why he ignored my probing questions."
"No, there’s a third possibility."
Wu’s expression turned grim.
"Have you considered that he might be an <em>Uncontrolled Revived</em>?"
"…An <em>Uncontrolled Revived</em>?"
Lin Lingling recalled the video ount she had seen of Chen Huai’an and his carefree, idiotic, yet strangely <em>pure</em> demeanor.
Could an Uncontrolled Revived really have <em>that</em> kind of gaze?
She had never even considered the possibility.
Wu, however, remained unconvinced.
"People can pretend, you know."
"This situation is too serious to ignore!"
Wu mmed his hand on the table, his eyes sharp.
"You’re the only one who’s interacted with this mysterious Revived, and he hasn’t attacked you yet. That means your new mission is to <em>monitor him closely</em>. The moment he—or the demon in his home—shows any abnormal signs, you report back immediately!"
"I’ve already requested a Soldier-ss backup from headquarters. You just need to stall for time."
"Me?"
Lin Lingling pointed at herself, her lips twitching.
"You want <em>me</em>, a mere <em>White-ss Grade A</em>, to <em>keep tabs on that expert</em>?"
"If you do it well, I’ll promote you to <em>Master-ss</em>."
Wu grinned, hands folded smugly.
"You know we’re short-staffed. Most frence exorcists are cowards.
But you, Three-Zero… You’re different. You’re fearless. I believe in you. Just stall until our reinforcements arrive, and I’ll make you <em>Master-ss</em>. Hell, I’ll even make you an <em>official member</em>!"
"Isn’t <em>Master-ss</em> already an automatic promotion?"
"Not the same thing!"
Wu pulled out a document from his desk.
"This is the newly developed <em>Breathing Technique</em>. If I promote you, you’ll gain ess to the first three volumes."
Lin Lingling’s face twitched.
They really <em>did</em> perfect the <em>Breathing Technique</em>?!
Her fingers tightened around her spear. After a moment, she raised her head and met Wu’s gaze.
"Deal."
"But I’m broke. I need a quick demon-ying job on the side."
"No problem!" Wu gestured toward the mission board, grinning.
"Pick anything you like!"