Anomaly

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Anomaly (诡异)
Alias(es)	Weird Entity
Species/Race	Supernatural entity
Status	Extant; individual Anomalies can be destroyed, while new ones continue to emerge in previously cleared territories 237
First Appearance	Chapter 146

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First-Order: Low / Middle / High	235	Correspond respectively to Body Tempering Third, Sixth, and Ninth Heaven Martial Artists. High First-Order Anomalies require Blood Vitality Force-infused attacks to be reliably injured. 235 248
Second-Order	235	Corresponds to the True Qi Realm. A Second-Order Anomaly in the Black Mountain Range devoured nearby First-Order Anomalies to strengthen itself. 235
Advancement methods	235	Anomalies may grow by devouring other Anomalies, humans, or rare heavenly treasures; consuming an Anomaly of the same order is more effective than consuming ten humans. 235

Nature and Characteristics

Anomalies are exceptionally difficult supernatural threats found in and around the Black Mountain Range. Their origins are unknown even to intelligent Anomalies; one such entity recalled only suddenly awakening with consciousness. Most, however, are mindless creatures driven solely by slaughter and devouring. 235

• Many ordinary weapons have little effect on incorporeal Anomalies; burning qi and blood or using True Qi can inflict substantial harm. 233 235
• Some Anomalies possess human hosts, using them to infiltrate settlements and attack without warning. 146 147
• Certain Anomalies can create or manipulate mist, including white mist and black mist. 160 237
• Their forms vary drastically, from humanoids and snake-bodied monsters to six-headed, twelve-armed amalgamations. 234 249 251
• Higher-ranking specimens may show intelligence, use deception, recognize danger, or flee from stronger opponents. 235 251 253

Appearance

Anomalies have no fixed appearance. Their bodies may be incorporeal, humanoid, animal-like, or fused from multiple corpses; their manifestations commonly involve black mist, chilling auras, distorted anatomy, and black or corrupted blood. 234 237 249 251

• Possessed humans — retain a human exterior while displaying black smoke, dark vascular patterns, and claw-like fingers. 146
• Humanoid manifestations — one intelligent specimen appeared as a pale woman in a long red dress, with waist-length black hair and entirely black eyes. 234
• Physical monsters — a Snake Anomaly had a human upper body, scaled serpent tail, elongated arms, and poisoned claws. 249
• Composite forms — an Anomaly nearing Second Order possessed six heads, twelve arms, and numerous twisted faces embedded in its chest. 251
• Zombie Anomalies — possess immense strength and skin so tough that even True Qi-empowered blades may fail to pierce it. 264 265

Abilities and Weaknesses

Possession and Infiltration

Some Anomalies can possess humans and enter guarded areas unnoticed.

• A mountain Anomaly possessed a Black Tiger Gang member and reached Feng Chen's bedroom door. 146
• Possession prompted Feng Chen to isolate every gang member who had investigated the affected road, fearing further infiltration. 147
• A possessed body may remain animated even after decapitation until its black-smoke core is destroyed. 146

Mist and Manifestation

Anomalies may use mist to conceal themselves, surround prey, or create hostile territory.

• White-mist and black-mist Anomalies have both occupied the same mountain route at different times. 237
• Black mist can obscure light, conceal hostile figures, and seal escape routes around prey. 249
• The black mist of one newly emerged Anomaly showed partial resistance to Soul-Attracting Incense. 237

Physical Resilience

Many physical Anomalies are difficult to injure by conventional means.

• High First-Order Anomalies possess bodies hard enough that ordinary saber strikes may not break their skin. 248
• Blood Vitality Force can strip away an Anomaly's protective black smoke and damage its possessed body. 146
• True Qi can wound or destroy powerful First-Order Anomalies. 249 253
• Zombie Anomalies are especially resistant to direct blade attacks, but their bodies become easier to cut apart after death. 265 266

Intelligence and Deception

Most Anomalies are instinct-driven, but rare intelligent specimens can speak, bargain, manipulate, and seek survival.

• Intelligent Anomalies can communicate with humans and understand power imbalances. 234 235
• One red-dressed Anomaly attempted to obtain Feng Chen's vital essence before offering her Soul-Mind Mark in exchange for survival. 234
• An Anomaly nearing Second Order showed enough intelligence to attempt escape after recognizing Feng Chen's strength. 251

Environmental Restrictions

Lower-ranked Anomalies have notable weaknesses and limitations.

• Direct blazing sunlight harms Anomalies. 238
• Soul-Attracting Incense can restrain them; the lower their rank, the more pronounced the effect. 238
• The presence of another Anomaly's aura can normally deter Anomalies from entering an occupied room, though this is not absolute. 264 267

Anomaly Crystals

Certain sufficiently powerful Anomalies leave behind black crystals after death. These are condensed spiritual power and are valuable cultivation resources. 162

• Crystals are not guaranteed; weaker controlled humanoid monsters may leave nothing behind. 162
• A crystal can enhance a Martial Artist's spiritual power, perception, comprehension, and cultivation speed. 162 271
• Fusion requires placing the crystal against the forehead and connecting with it through willpower. 164
• Crystals retain the slain Anomaly's malicious thoughts; failure to resist them can cause spiritual injury or corruption. 164
• Larger or more lustrous crystals are obtained from stronger Anomalies, including High First-Order and Zombie Anomalies. 250 266

Relations and Interactions

• Humans and Martial Artists — common prey; Anomalies can feed on human qi, blood, and True Qi to grow stronger. 235
• Other Anomalies — predators and potential nourishment; devouring their own kind is the fastest known growth method. 235
• Feng Chen — repeatedly hunts and destroys Anomalies, uses their crystals for cultivation, and subdues the intelligent Anomaly Feng Ling'er through her Soul-Mind Mark. 146 162 234
• Anomaly Suppression Bureau — a government department tasked with investigating and resolving Anomaly incidents for a paid reward. 172 176

Notable Incidents

• An Anomaly on the Sacrificial Road possessed a Black Tiger Gang member and attacked Feng Chen at his residence; Feng Chen destroyed it with Blood Vitality Force. 146 147
• A powerful Anomaly in the White Mist Forest blocked Green Mountain Town's route to the outside world until Feng Chen destroyed it, causing its humanoid monsters to collapse. 158 160 161
• A black-mist Anomaly later appeared in territory previously cleared of the white-mist entity, demonstrating that Anomaly activity could resume in cleared areas. 237
• The Black Mountain Range became overrun with High First-Order Anomalies and a suspected Second-Order entity, resulting in severe losses for the Anomaly Suppression Bureau expedition. 249 273
• A Zombie Anomaly attacked Feng Chen at a roadside inn but was defeated when the Demonic Eye extracted its soul from its nearly impervious body. 264 265 266