Research

"Tear!"

A strange yet chilling tearing sound rang out in the wilderness where only the chirping of insects echoed. Feng Xue casually ripped off half of the appendages of the Monster Cultivator, who resembled a tentacle monster. She then took out a True Thing small knife from her pack, which she had originally intended to use as a "sacred relic" to open the door, and dissected the Monster Cultivator before her like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox.

Although the "Demon Chef" legend has yet to be officially recognized Supernatural Tale Entry, it has provided a wealth of knowledge. As this Urban Legend continues to spread in Victoria, Feng Xue's development of the "chef" Tag has become increasingly sophisticated.

For example, even when faced with a creature that had completely transformed into an echinoderm, Feng Xue was still able to identify the characteristics of this "ingredient" and perform precise analysis within just a few cuts.

The efficiency even surpassed that of the autopsies obtained directly from the Infinite City during the Corpse Collector era.

"I felt something was off about that head; turns out it had retracted directly into its stomach..."

Looking at the brain encased in the large and small intestines inside the abdominal cavity, Feng Xue muttered something strange. However, this still-living "Demonic Person" no longer had any organs to speak, so even though the brain was writhing at a disgustingly rapid pace, it couldn't send Feng Xue even a single plea for mercy.

"As expected of a Demonic Cult Demonic Person, so Tough Talk!" Feng Xue uttered a sigh, unsure if the other party could hear her, as she continued dismembering the body, attempting to analyze its mysteries.

It must be said that the power of [Martial] is truly the strongest power in Feng Xue's body. As Feng Xue dismembers the Monster Cultivator, as he gradually injects the Stillness Fluctuation he generates into the Monster Cultivator's body, and as the demon's Internal Force repeatedly washes over him, the secret of the power within this Monster Cultivator is slowly unfolding.

"So that's how it is, the ultimate [yang] power? Then the proliferating limbs are [cancer] plus [mutation]? But that doesn't explain why even inanimate objects can be contaminated? Hmm, I've misunderstood. Perhaps this is a unique metaphysical law of this world?"

While reminding herself that she couldn't use the worldviews of other worlds to measure the systems of other worlds, Feng Xue tried to study this power system.

Under the power of [Martial], everything in the world can be incorporated into martial arts, not to mention that the "superpowers" of these Demonic Cult Demonic Person are already recognized as [Martial] by the people of this world.

Feng Xue recklessly explored the various characteristics of this Monster Cultivator's body, studied the laws governing the flow of qi, examined the basis of the body's mutations, and noticed the peculiar malleability of his flesh and blood.

However, as time passed, the small knife in Feng Xue's hand suddenly emitted a strange, soft sound—

"Snap!"

Feng Xue felt a sudden pause in his palm, but thanks to the all-around protection of the 22nd Century toy, he was not harmed. He released his hand, and the small knife used to dissect the Monster Cultivator's corpse fell to the ground. It seemed to come alive and suddenly shot towards Feng Xue's face.

"If it has no ability to transform, where does the power come from?" Feng Xue narrowed his eyes. With the isolation of a 22nd Century toy, he could release waves without restraint to sense everything around him.

Then, he noticed that the dagger was enveloped by a peculiar "ball of energy." This "ball of energy," like tentacles or limbs, was like a filter feeder, capturing the "qi" and other things in the world. There was even one rooted in the Monster Cultivator's body. Feng Xue could clearly tell that it was not being controlled by the Monster Cultivator, but rather, like a leech, it was drawing power from the Monster Cultivator.

The gas cloud continued to grow stronger in this way, shooting out numerous tentacles that, like a three-dimensional maneuvering device, attacked Feng Xue through various stretching maneuvers.

"Interesting. Although the modes of existence are different, the conclusion is quite similar to the Mindless Divine Power! Is this the essence of demonization? Is it a self-sufficient mass of so-called 'demonic energy'? Are Demonic Person and inanimate objects merely vessels? Then what about fusion with the human body?"

Feng Xue watched with great interest as the brushes kept attacking her. She couldn't help but think of the accountant's brush that was completely fused to his right wrist, and suddenly she reached out her hand.

"Clang!"

Arrow Protection strike, Feng Xue precisely caught the demonized dagger, and then activated a power she had rarely used before—

[Plunder]!

This is a bandit power that combines "change of usage rights" and "acquisition of control." The moment it was activated, the dagger that had been frantically trying to attack Feng Xue suddenly stopped moving. However, Feng Xue could still feel that the demonic energy emanating from the dagger was still relentlessly trying to penetrate the gaps in the armor.

"In other words, the attack is not intended to 'harm,' but rather some kind of inherent attribute, similar to 'Demonic Sword Erosion,' or like a 'parasite' seeking a host? Because inanimate objects cannot provide sufficient 'nutrients,' it urgently seeks a suitable vessel to parasitize?"

"Interesting stuff. I wonder what the evil, the poison, and the curse are all about." Feng Xue played with the little knife that seemed to want to become one with him at all times. He glanced at the panel of the Omni-Press Drive. He had been "playing" for more than twenty minutes today. In another thirty minutes, the Anti-Addiction system would be activated.

After a moment's thought, Feng Xue took out a small, unused Wrapping Cloth from her pouch and pressed the knife, along with the still-writhing Monster Cultivator's body, onto it, quietly observing the aftereffects.

He was curious whether this pollution could affect the Phantom Object.

After all, theoretically speaking, unlike his Weird Tale which is encased in a shell of what appears to be protein that conforms to the rules of this world, the Phantom Object itself is a crystallization of cognition, and it cannot be affected by anything other than information.

But theory is just theory. If this demonic energy can even pollute, erode, and parasitize Phantom Object, then Feng Xue will have no choice but to destroy this sample.

Because regardless of whether the Phantom Object can withstand it or not, his body certainly can't.

"Anti-Addiction are a good thing, but give me a chance to register with my real name! I'm over 18!"

Frustrated, Feng Xue muttered to herself as the salt reappeared in her hand. Not wanting to waste it, Feng Xue tore open the salt bag and sprinkled it directly onto the writhing brain of the Monster Cultivator. With an indescribable writhing sensation, the rapidly shrunken brain twitched even more violently.

"It's still not dead?" Feng Xue clicked her tongue in amazement as she looked at the brain entwined with demonic tendrils, but she was still somewhat puzzled.

If even inanimate objects can be parasitized, why is it that in cases of Evil Cultivator, the parasites clearly reside in the brain?

Feng Xue shook her head, feeling that it would probably require a lot of samples to explain this. Looking at the Wrapping Cloth had not been demonized as time approached, Feng Xue still dared not carry it with her. Instead, she used it to pack the demonized dagger together and buried it on the spot.

After doing all this, Feng Xue took out a box of "Phantom Object matches that can be lit in any environment" from her waist bag, struck a match with a hiss, and threw it into the still twitching remains of flesh and blood.

As the flames rose, the wisps of demonic energy that enveloped and entwined the flesh began to thin, until finally, as the corpse completely turned to charcoal, not a trace remained...

I've said Phantom Object many times before: the power of the cognitive system, whether it's the authority of Weird Tale or the abilities of Phantom Object, is a matter of setting rather than physical interference.

In other words, it's "based on the premise that it can be done, so it is possible," rather than "based on the laws of physics that it can be done, so it is possible." Take the crystal we made for Jeston before, for example. It was supposed to be radiation-free, so it really was radiation-free, not even light radiation, but it could still emit light. The answer is simply the premise.

Similarly, you can understand the life-sustaining function of the Transformation Belt as an adaptation lamp, rather than thinking that the material itself can withstand a nuclear explosion.

And where did the term "protective toy" come from? If a toy is safe and reliable, why would you consider protection its primary function? When you buy children's roller skates, they usually come with knee and elbow pads; you can't say the primary function of roller skates is to Fall Protection, can you?

There's also the Arrow Protection, which doesn't sense "fatal threats," but rather "ranged attacks"! It can sense and avoid even if you spit on it, regardless of whether it's fatal.

As for why you should avoid Sea Monk, it's because battles between Weird Tale are different from battles between humans and Weird Tale. When dealing with real people, if it's said to be indestructible, then it's indestructible. But when facing Weird Tale, you can't be sure if the opponent has a specific element like [ignores defense] or [connects to all things], or even a special power.

The Kamen Rider suit can generally withstand things in the real world that are based on the physical or metaphysical laws of this world, but when it comes to Phantom Object and powers based on [cognition], Feng Xue has to dodge them if possible.

As the saying goes—the setting is paramount, and special attacks are like gods.