Fusion

Su Fan, who had still been somewhat grieved and indignant, froze on the spot.

Happiness had come too quickly, leaving him at a loss. He hurriedly called toward the house.

"Senior, I'll make a few small dishes at noon. How about we have a drink..."

"Mm, do as you see fit..."

Su Fan no longer had the heart to study spells. He put the Jade Slip into his Storage Bag, then excitedly left the courtyard.

This was a golden thigh! If he didn't hug it tightly now, wouldn't that be foolish?

Even pulling off a single strand of leg hair would be enough for him to use.

Ye Tianhe, seated in the main hall, put down the book in his hand and glanced at Su Fan's back.

"His comprehension is pretty good. What a pity..."

At that thought, he shook his head, then picked up his book and continued reading.

Ye Tianhe mooched a meal at noon, then used Su Fan to practice his swordsmanship in the courtyard for the entire afternoon.

After he left, Su Fan took out that Jade Slip.

It truly was a sect's inherited spell Jade Slip. The dozen or so intermediate spells recorded inside were all explained with crystal clarity, along with some experience summarized by the seniors.

No wonder Ye Tianhe had torn apart that lousy book bought at the market on the spot.

After finishing the Jade Slip, Su Fan even wanted to burn that lousy book.

With the sect's inherited Jade Slip, Su Fan quickly mastered the basics of the Wind Riding Art.

But at that moment, the panel changed.

Light Body Art (Microscopic): Yes/No—Fuse.

He didn't hesitate at all and immediately chose fusion. The panel changed once again.

Wind Walking Art (Minor Accomplishment): 1/200

Although the new spell had fused the Light Body Art and Wind Riding Art, its realm had fallen from Microscopic to Minor Accomplishment,

Su Fan was practically grinning like an idiot.

Even though he had never heard of the "Wind Walking Art," he knew that this spell was destined to be extraordinary.

That was because, during the fusion just now, his mind had gained some insights and understanding of the wind.

Though it was only at Minor Accomplishment for now, no one knew how much higher the spell's upper limit had become.

With a thought, Su Fan's body floated up again and drifted all around the courtyard.

How should he put it? It didn't feel that much stronger than the Microscopic Light Body Art, but it was rounder and more natural, and carried a trace of the wind's artistic conception.

This was only the beginning of the fusion. What if he raised the "Wind Walking Art" to the Microscopic Realm?

At that thought, Su Fan felt a surge of hot blood "whoosh" up to the top of his head, heating his entire body.

Wait...

If he cultivated the mid-grade "Breath Concealment Art" and "Spirit Eye Art," would they fuse with the "Spirit Concealment Art" and "Qi Gazing Art"?

Once he had the thought, he acted on it. With the Sword Sect's spell Jade Slip, Su Fan quickly mastered the basics of the "Breath Concealment Art."

As expected, the panel changed once again.

Hidden Breath Art (Great Accomplishment): 1/400

This time, after the spell fusion, it had changed from Microscopic to Great Accomplishment, which showed that the spell's upper limit was somewhat lower.

But the changes were much greater. Not only could it completely conceal his aura, it could also freely alter his cultivation realm.

At least, those in the same realm couldn't see through it. As for Foundation Establishment cultivators, they would still detect it if they deliberately paid attention.

They were already Foundation Establishment cultivators. How bored would they have to be to deliberately pay attention to a low-level rogue cultivator like him?

Su Fan pressed on and also mastered the basics of the "Spirit Eye Art."

As expected, the panel changed after the spell fusion, but this time, the alteration left Su Fan dumbfounded.

Because the panel did not display a new spell. Instead, a bizarre scene appeared.

Lightning Eye Dharma Eye (Great Accomplishment): Yes/No—Fuse.

What the hell...

Su Fan was completely dumbfounded.

Game Panel, what exactly were you trying to pull?

At this point, he could only continue choosing fusion.

Lightning Eye Dharma Eye (Great Accomplishment): 215/400

No new spell appeared. The panel's progress had merely been updated, and "Lightning Eye Dharma Eye" had gained more than a hundred proficiency points.

Yet during the fusion, some insights once again appeared in his mind.

After some experimentation, "Lightning Eye Dharma Eye" had completely incorporated the functions of the Qi Gazing Art and Spirit Eye Art into the divine ability.

Su Fan couldn't help sighing. Ancient divine abilities really were awesome. The two spells had actually been swallowed whole.

Still, with one less spell on the panel, it not only saved time, but the functions of the Qi Gazing Art and Spirit Eye Art could also be completely replaced by "Lightning Eye Dharma Eye."

Moreover, once a spell was incorporated into a divine ability, its future effects would surely grow even stronger as its realm continued to rise.

At that moment, Su Fan froze again.

Because he felt that his perspective had been far too narrow.

If he cultivated more spirit-eye-type spells in the future, could they all be fused into "Lightning Eye Dharma Eye"? And could movement arts and footwork likewise be devoured, skin and bones alike, by "Lightning Ghost Step"?

Ancient divine abilities were like baskets—anything could be stuffed inside.

Now that would be incredible.

They could not only strengthen the divine ability's functions, but also increase its proficiency. How much effort would that save?

Su Fan took all the spell-related books from his Storage Bag and pulled them out. The result was a huge disappointment.

Throughout the entire Qi Refining Realm, there were barely any spirit-eye spells or footwork techniques. Most were secret arts belonging to various sects, and outsiders could not learn them at all.

As for escape arts, cultivators in the Late Qi Refining stage could indeed practice the "Five Elements Escape Art," but practically no one learned it.

That was because it took too long to activate. It was truly better to buy a few talismans. Though their effects were considerably weaker, they activated instantly, giving one a greater chance to escape with one's life.

Su Fan smiled bitterly. He had clearly been getting greedy after gaining an inch.

The days that followed were plain yet fulfilling.

Aside from going to the market to set up his stall for a few days each month, he stayed home cultivating the rest of the time.

The market situation had already begun returning to normal, but after all the recent turmoil, talismans sold very slowly.

Su Fan wasn't in a hurry either. Every time, he merely went there to put on an act.

In the eyes of others, his cultivation was still at the Qi Refining Third Layer. The "Hidden Breath Art" was indeed extraordinary; no one could see through him.

During this period, Ye Tianhe came over from time to time.

He appeared and disappeared like a ghost each time, suddenly materializing in the courtyard and startling Su Fan again and again. Su Fan had practically grown numb to it.

He ignored Su Fan, reading alone in the main hall and mooching a meal at noon.

Of course, every time he came, he would fight a match with Su Fan, and occasionally offer him some guidance on his swordsmanship.

In Su Fan's eyes, this fellow was simply too idle.

Naturally, he would not let such an opportunity slip by. He often shamelessly asked Ye Tianhe for guidance on cultivation-related questions.

Ye Tianhe did not put on airs. As long as he could explain something, he would answer it for him.

For him, who had received a systematic education in the sect since childhood, these questions were mere child's play.

But for Su Fan, they were enormously useful.

One true word from a master was worth ten thousand false words in books.

Often, a casual explanation from Ye Tianhe was enough for him to ponder alone for half a year, and he still might not fully understand it.

In any case, he had certainly not hugged this golden thigh for nothing.

As the weather warmed, the market situation gradually improved as well.

As the only flying boat stop in the Chu Kingdom, Shaoyang Market Town had at least become the hottest trading location in the Chu Kingdom.

Su Fan's talisman business also began improving.

Nine out of ten talisman masters at the scattered-stall market were rogue cultivators, and each person was only skilled at drawing a few types of talismans.

Su Fan was different. Throughout the entire market, his stall had the most complete selection of talismans, and his prices were neither high nor low.

Today, he set up his stall once again. After arranging the talismans, he sat on his little stool and read as usual.

Suddenly, the ghost-face tattoo on his arm grew slightly warm.

Su Fan's face went pale. Someone had sensed his presence through the ghost-face mark.

He hurriedly formed hand seals and recited an incantation, casting the "Hidden Breath Art" to completely conceal his aura.

Su Fan guessed that it should not be that demonic cultivator from the Demonic Sect. Rather, someone had used a secret art or magical artifact to sense his aura.

If that witch had come, the ghost-face mark would not have reacted even if she stood right in front of him.

Su Fan sat there calmly, reading without taking his eyes off the book.

He put on an absorbed expression, but cold sweat poured down his back.

He wasn't worried that a demonic cultivator from the Ghost King Sect would do anything to him here.

After all, Shaoyang Market Town lay within the sphere of influence of the Qingxuan Sect, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator was stationed here at all times.

In broad daylight, they definitely wouldn't dare act so recklessly.

Moreover, Su Fan still had a Sword Messenger Talisman Ye Tianhe had given him. He only needed to squeeze it lightly.

Then he could shut the door and release the sword cultivator.

The Sword Maniac was just bored stiff. Not one of these demonic cultivators would escape his pursuit.

But there could be a thousand days of being a thief, not a thousand days of guarding against one.

Su Fan was worried that they would set their sights on him. Once this identity was ruined, he might truly have to flee far from home.

At that moment, several people dressed like rogue cultivators entered the scattered-stall market.

Su Fan had often set up his stall here over the past few months, and had developed quite an eye for people.

There was clearly something off about these rogue cultivators. They kept looking around, obviously not here to buy anything.

They wandered around the scattered-stall market for a long time. Only when a female cultivator wearing a Black Veil Hat arrived did they gather together again.

One of the cultivators went up to the female cultivator and said something, then quickly left with several others.

The female cultivator wearing the Black Veil Hat continued wandering around the scattered-stall market.

When the female cultivator passed Su Fan's stall, he deliberately turned his head as if unintentionally and glanced at her.

Just then, a gust of wind happened to blow over, slightly lifting the black veil on her hat and revealing most of her face.

"Holy crap..."

In that split second, Su Fan recognized her.

He had seen this female cultivator before. She was none other than the Female Bodhisattva from Misty Rain Pavilion.

He was certain he hadn't mistaken her.

Because whenever he was burning with passion, the first person he thought of was his ex-wife, and the second was this Female Bodhisattva.

When he had encountered this Female Bodhisattva by chance in the market back then, she had left an impression far too deep.

The female cultivator circled around here several times, then finally left the scattered-stall market.

Su Fan breathed a sigh of relief. The fused "Hidden Breath Art," combined with the "Void Spirit Art," could still conceal the aura of his ghost-face tattoo.

Unless Gu Qinghuan personally came, no other demonic cultivator could use a secret art or magical artifact to pinpoint his exact location.

Su Fan did not leave immediately. Instead, he stayed until evening and packed up to return home as usual.

The next day, Su Fan changed identities and returned to the market.

He found a seat by the window in a restaurant near Misty Rain Pavilion and sat there for most of the afternoon.

This confirmed his guess once again. Misty Rain Pavilion was the Ghost King Sect's stronghold in Shaoyang Market Town, and the Female Bodhisattva was in charge here.

Moreover, the person who had activated the "Heavenly Demon Talisman" in the market that night was very likely her.

The following day at noon, Ye Tianhe came again. He had been coming quite frequently lately.

Ever since arriving at Shaoyang Market Town, although the people from Qingxuan Sect treated him with great respect, he felt most at ease here with Su Fan.

Ye Tianhe took out a packet of Spirit Tea and placed it on the table in the main hall.

"Boil some water and brew a pot. Have a taste..."

Su Fan picked up the Spirit Tea and opened it to smell it. The rich fragrance that rushed into his nose left him refreshed.

"Senior, this is Spirit Tea? Where did you get it..."

Ye Tianhe laughed heartily. "Consider yourself lucky. I secretly swiped this from Senior Qiu Guan of Qingxuan Sect."

Su Fan curled his lips. He made it sound so easy, but Qiu Guan was a Foundation Establishment senior. Did he really think he could just swipe something from him?

Ye Tianhe glanced at Su Fan and knew he didn't believe him.

"So what if he's at Foundation Establishment? If I hadn't needed to nurture my Sword Heart, I would have achieved Foundation Establishment several years ago."

Su Fan chuckled. Old Ye's skill at bragging really was impressive. Every time, he could score a perfect mark.

He boiled some water, brewed the tea, and poured a cup for Ye Tianhe.

"Senior, there's something I'm not sure whether I should tell you..."

"Why are you wasting words? Speak..."

Su Fan told Ye Tianhe about Misty Rain Pavilion and the Female Bodhisattva.

"Senior, don't tell them that I was the one who found this..."

Ye Tianhe gave him a disdainful look, closed his eyes, and took a sip of tea.

Su Fan only felt a sharp aura instantly surge through the room. Every hair on his body stood on end.

"Mm... I understand. Don't concern yourself with it..."

After saying that, Ye Tianhe waved a hand at Su Fan.

"Go cook. I'm hungry..."

Several days later, on a certain night, Su Fan was drawing talismans when he heard a loud boom from the distance.

"That came from the market..."

Su Fan chuckled, picked up the Talisman Brush, and successfully drew an "Evil Warding Talisman."

Thanks to Ai La Wuyou, Old Yao Is Also a Yao, Webnovel Third Generation, Holiday Coffee, book friend 20181125140200635, and all the other esteemed readers for your recommendation votes. Old Bu offers his deepest thanks. Thank you all for your affection and support.