Snake Molting, Dragon Scales, the Strongest Returns

In the Jujutsu High dormitory, light filters through bamboo blinds, casting dappled lines of light and shadow on the tatami mats.

The bloodstains flowing from Lu Ping's forehead and seven orifices had been wiped clean.

He rested the back of his head on a soft, cool surface.

Those were a pair of plump thighs.

Kamo Chitsubaki provided knee pillows for resting.

The air in the room was filled with the cool scent of grass and trees, emanating from the bandage-like magical Cursed Tool that was always wrapped around her wrist. That artifact contained some kind of Chinese herbal medicine formula, which cooled down her blood vessels that had become overheated from years of practicing the Blood Manipulation.

The coolness seeped through the fabric to his scalp, gradually dissipating the heat that had overexerted his brain.

Dim sunlight streamed onto the tatami mats, the window was half-open, and the cicadas chirping from the hill behind the Jujutsu High were filtered into distant white noise.

Lu Ping spoke without opening his eyes.

"Mitarai Shizuru, the Curse User you saw in the sewers, is he still alive?"

Qian Chun's fingers were fiddling with the stray hairs on his forehead, stiffened by sweat, when she paused for a moment.

"The Jujutsu Headquarters took them away; they were still alive then." Her fingertips returned to their original position, continuing to comb her hair unhurriedly. "You even had the leisure to hold back? Didn't you say your Cursed Energy was almost depleted?"

Lu Ping didn't open his eyes.

In the first ten seconds after the Domain Expansion, his attention was almost entirely focused on dealing with the old man and calculating the countdown of the domain's remaining time.

When Mitarai Shizuru was swallowed by the Great Serpent, he only broke a few ribs and an arm, which was not fatal.

"Within a ten-second radius, there's no extra energy to confirm a kill," he said truthfully. "It's good that I survived; the Jujutsu Headquarters needs my statement... and information on the latest Artificial Shikigami technology, which may be hiding a massive industrial supply chain behind it."

"Um."

Qian Chun didn't ask any further questions.

She moved her hand away from his forehead and instead gently pressed on the sides of his temples.

Lu Ping could feel that the temperature of those hands was several degrees lower than that of an ordinary person, and the crimson Cursed Energy in the blood vessels was suppressed by the Cursed Tool to circulate below the body temperature line.

It might feel cold to others, but it was just right for his overheated mind at that moment.

"How come such a big thing happens as soon as I'm not around?"

6

Qian Chun slowed down her speech.

"Back in the sewers, I still had to protect you, and Snakebone Village has already grown to the point where we can fight side by side. And how long has it been—being besieged by three level-one enemies in Akihabara, you actually learned how to Domain Expansion in the heat of battle?"

She applied a little more pressure with her fingertips.

Do you know that your two "strongest" classmates haven't even touched the threshold of the field yet?

Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto.

Hailed as geniuses among geniuses, possessors of the Six Eyes Technique and the Cursed Spirit Manipulation, the strongest second-year team in the history of Tokyo Jujutsu High.

Even they haven't expanded into that area yet.

Lu Ping has already done it.

The Incomplete Domain, has no guaranteed hit effect, and lasts only ten seconds.

However, this already represents crossing the most crucial watershed in a mage's growth, firmly entering the level range of Grade 1 Sorcerer.

Grade 2, Semi-Grade 1, Level 1.

The gap between the three levels is never linearly increasing.

Grade 2 is the executor, following orders; Semi-Grade 1 prodigies are those with the potential to work independently and can be entrusted with complex tasks involving many uncertainties; while Level 1...

Being Grade 1 Sorcerer means you are a bargaining chip yourself.

You can represent your faction independently at meetings, execute high-difficulty orders that cannot fail, and weigh your own position on the political scales.

Qian Chun knew better than anyone what had happened in the past few days.

From a bottom-tier Grade 2 mage who needed her to cover their retreat, to Semi-Grade 1 newcomer fighting alongside her in Snakebone Village, and finally to a top-tier domain mage in Akihabara.

This growth curve is probably unique in the entire history of Jujutsu World.

She scolded him verbally, but the pressure on her hands lessened.

Lu Ping opened one eye.

"You've been using your lap as a pillow for so long, aren't your legs numb?"

Qian Chun looked down into his eyes.

"Don't talk, keep sleeping."

"----I'll do whatever you say."

66

He closed his eyes again, and his consciousness sank into darkness.

His breathing gradually became steady.

In the depths of the subconscious, light does not exist.

Lu Ping's consciousness floated above the abyss formed by shadows.

In the previous battle, he fully deployed [Chimera Shadow Garden] for the first time, using the Great Serpent enhanced by the inner walls of the domain to physically devour the enemy.

In those ten seconds, the connection between the sorcerer and the Shikigami was pushed to a depth never before reached.

The Ever-Coiling Shadow Serpent's true form is still dormant, its two horns slowly growing as it digests the essence of the Special Grade Serpent God Curse Embryo.

But after this Domain Expansion, a completely new loop was created between Lu Ping and it.

Deep within the shadows, something ingrained in his very being, the essence of a snake, was permeating his flesh.

It wasn't the flow of Cursed Energy; it was something more fundamental, like biological instinct, being directly written into the bone marrow.

Previously, he could only temporarily borrow the defensive power of the Great Serpent scales through "incomplete manifestation," at the cost of additional Cursed Energy consumption and attention occupation.

Things are different now.

The Great Serpent sank completely into the Shadow Space and vanished without a trace.

As compensation, a portion of its power was permanently imprinted into the sorcerer's body.

Lu Ping uttered those two words in his subconscious.

"[Snake Scales]."

The skin surface showed a layer of fine lines that were almost invisible to the naked eye, and the edges of the nails were slightly bluish.

It does not consume Cursed Energy, nor does it require hand seals.

With a single thought and a single incantation, scales instantly covered his body.

It also enhances the perception of Cursed Energy.

Lu Ping was able to sense it even in normal conditions without using the Three Corpses for enhancement.

Every faint fluctuation of Cursed Energy in the air became clearly discernible.

It's neither visual nor auditory.

Thermosensitive pits and vibration perception, more closely resembling those of snakes, have been transplanted into human neural networks.

Any flow of Cursed Energy within a radius of tens of meters was clearly reflected in his consciousness, like ripples on the surface of water.

This is a new permanent ability.

No time limit, zero cost.

If further infused with Cursed Energy power, the scales will shed, layer, and harden, advancing to the second stage: [Dragon Scales].

That's a defensive measure strong enough to withstand a direct hit from Grade 1 Cursed Tool.

What's the cost?

In his subconscious, Lu Ping looked down at his arm.

The pale blue lines between the nail folds have faded.

Even after removing the Snake Scales, the base color of my nails is still half a shade darker than before.

Once in this state, the body seems to gradually move towards some kind of inhuman form.

Perhaps it will end up like Satoru Gojo.

The Six Eyes made that man's world different from everyone else's; he was constantly forced to process massive amounts of information and see things that ordinary people could not see.

Now Lu Ping has embarked on a similar path.

The snake's senses will accompany him every second of his daily life.

Whether walking on the streets of Shibuya or sitting in a classroom, the Cursed Energy fluctuations of everyone around him would surge into his consciousness like a tide.

Fortunately, it was only the transmission of Cursed Energy fluctuations; otherwise, his brain wouldn't have been able to process so much information.

However...

Lu Ping smiled to himself.

Compared to the innate loneliness of Satoru Gojo, at least this path was one he walked step by step on his own.

Knowing what you are becoming is much more reassuring than being something you are without knowing why.

Consciousness gradually rose, returning to that cool darkness.

The scent of herbs still lingered on Qian Chun's hands.

Early morning.

When Lu Ping opened his eyes, the warmth on his thigh was gone.

He lay on his bedding, his pillow neatly arranged, with a thin blanket folded beside him.

Before leaving, Qian Chun moved him from the lap pillow position to a normal sleeping position.

On the table was a bottle of Suntory Oolong Tea and a note.

"My flight is at noon. Contact me when you're better."

The handwriting is messy yet powerful, with hooked strokes.

Lu Ping unscrewed the cap on his drink, took two gulps, and stood up to stretch his limbs.

The body is still in a state of dormancy and repair, and the operating frequency of the Three Corpses has been reduced to the minimum.

Azure Corpse, Blood Corpse, White Corpse.

Normally, they are like three engines that never stop running, but now they have entered a temporary state of hibernation.

However, the Snake Scales on its body surface still move with the natural flow of the Cursed Energy, and it does not absorb the Cursed Energy.

Lu Ping stepped barefoot onto the tatami mat, closing his eyes to feel the newly formed sensory network.

Thirty meters away, two first-year students passed by in the corridor, their Cursed Energy barely perceptible.

Fifteen meters away, in the empty room next door, there was no sign of life.

Someone was approaching his door seven meters away.

The concentration of the Cursed Energy was astonishingly high, like a giant creature slowly swimming in the deep sea.

The Cursed Energy carried a unique, noisy quality characteristic of Cursed Spirit Manipulation, a mixture of dozens of different frequencies.

Suguru Geto.

Lu Ping did not turn around, but spoke calmly.

The door wasn't closed.

The sound of the shoji door being pushed open could be heard.

"Oh, you're awake."

Suguru Geto's footsteps stopped at the door, tinged with surprise.

How did you know it was me?

"Just guessing." Lu Ping picked up his drink, took another sip, and then turned around.

Suguru Geto stood by the door frame, her long hair tied back, dressed in casual clothes.

His gaze lingered on Lu Ping for two seconds—or more precisely, on his bare forearm.

That faint, barely visible layer of fine lines.

"New ability?

"I guess so." Lu Ping didn't elaborate, instead changing the subject, "Is your field mission over?"

"It was finished yesterday."

Suguru Geto walked into the room and sat cross-legged opposite him.

His gaze shifted from the patterns on the walls, and his usual gentle smile returned. "I heard you created a domain in Akihabara? Mr. Yaga's expression during the meeting this morning was quite something."

"Incomplete Domain. Ten seconds," Lu Ping corrected.

"Ten seconds is still a domain," Suguru Geto said, shrugging. "Your status at the Jujutsu High is quite different now. You're in the Semi-Grade 1 assessment area; if you achieve a level one or higher result, your certificate should be issued in a couple of days."

Lu Ping hummed in agreement, his gaze sweeping over Suguru Geto's shadow without making a sound.

The dormant curse mark on the palm of my right hand tingled slightly.

When Shadow Wolf was tracking the source of the "Blood-Eyed Curse," he ultimately locked onto Suguru Geto.

More accurately, it was a Cursed Spirit he subdued.

It's probably the same Special Grade octopus Cursed Spirit from the Kyoto Jujutsu High attack.

Suguru Geto has most likely already brought it under the control of [Cursed Spirit Manipulation].

Although the curse residing within the Cursed Spirit is still in operation, it will no longer spread actively after being suppressed by the Cursed Technique.

It should be nothing serious.

"What are you thinking about?" Suguru Geto tilted his head.

"I'm wondering when you'll treat me to barbecue." Lu Ping said without changing his expression.

"Haha, okay, okay, let's wait for Wu to come back and do it together."

He stood up with a smile and paused at the doorway.

"Oh, right - Wu is arriving this afternoon. He said he has something for you."

6

3:17 PM.

Satoru Gojo kicked open Lu Ping's door precisely on time.

Come on, come on!

With his white hair and sunglasses, he still had that same annoying look that made him seem like the whole world owed him money.

He was carrying a rough burlap sack with a customs label from an Africa country on it.

"Wu, close the door." Lu Ping pointed to the doorknob that had been kicked askew.

"No problem, no problem." Satoru Gojo sat down in front of him casually, threw the burlap sack on the ground with a dull thud.

"First," he held up one finger, "Congratulations on surviving."

"Thanks."

"Secondly," the second finger, "I heard about the Akihabara incident, the Domain Expansion? That's pretty impressive, they pulled off something big before I even got back."

Lu Ping looked at him calmly.

"So, third!" Satoru Gojo lowered his sunglasses, Lu Ping's reflection shimmering in his blue pupils. "To celebrate your safety, and..."

He opened the burlap sack and pulled something out.

Jet black.

It is about 40 centimeters long.

Its surface has no luster, as if it has absorbed all the light that shines on it.

It is of uniform thickness, with one end sharpened but without an arrowhead, and the other end inlaid with a black feather as fletching.

It wasn't a stick; it was an arrow without an arrowhead.

"Local specialties brought back from Africa!"

Satoru Gojo handed over the black arrow, holding it horizontally in his palm, his tone as flippant as if he were talking about potato chips bought from a convenience store.

"In terms of rank..."

He smiled.

"It can be considered a [Special Grade Cursed Tool]."

Lu Ping extended his right hand to take it.

The moment the fingertips touched the arrow, the [Snake Scales] that were circulating in the hand vanished silently.

A hole appeared at the point of contact in the sensory network that covered the entire body, as if the connection circuit had been directly severed by something.

It can actually interrupt Cursed Technique in progress?

Lu Ping's pupils contracted slightly.

There are only a handful of Cursed Tool in this world capable of interrupting the operation of Cursed Technique.

He looked up at Satoru Gojo.

Satoru Gojo's smile grew even brighter.

"Correct. I didn't expect you to have such good taste." He pushed his sunglasses back up on his nose, leaned back against the wall, and said, "This 'Black-feather Arrow,' I went through a lot of trouble to get it from those sorcerers in Africa. Those guys are not easy to deal with."

"Take it. It's yours."

Lu Ping looked down at the arrow in his palm.

"Black Rope".

This is one of the few remaining Special Grade Cursed Tool in the world capable of interrupting [Limitless Technique].

In other words, this is a weapon capable of killing Satoru Gojo.

And Satoru Gojo personally delivered it to him.

"Are you sure?" Lu Ping asked.

"Asking this kind of question is so boring." Satoru Gojo picked at his ear. "Anyway, I'm not afraid of this thing. Rather than letting those idiots in Africa use it to cause trouble, I'd rather you put it to a useful purpose."

He paused.

"Besides, your current fighting style is archery-based, right? Piercing Ox Horn Bow paired with this arrow, tsk tsk, just thinking about it is exhilarating."

Lu Ping stored the Black-feather Arrow into his Shadow Space.

The broken [Snake Scales] rejoined after the arrow left the body, and the sensory network was restored to its original state.

He didn't say anything polite.

Satoru Gojo doesn't need it either.

Trust between two people is not built on words.

"Let's get down to business," Lu Ping steered the conversation. "Back in Akihabara, the other side knew exactly my route and the details of my mission assessment. The intelligence source is within the Jujutsu Headquarters."

Satoru Gojo's smile faded slightly.

"Yeah, I know." He pulled a flip phone out of his pocket and waved it. "I was checking on the plane back. On the day you were surrounded, only four people could access your mission information and movement coordinates at the same time."

"It's shrunk to four?"

"Two are in the Jujutsu Headquarters's Administrative Section, one is in the Intelligence Section, and the other—well, he's the assistant supervisor for the window." Satoru Gojo tossed him his phone; the screen displayed screenshots of four personnel files.

Lu Ping glanced at it.

What are you planning to do?

66

"If we follow the normal procedures, the process of gathering evidence, reporting, and trial could take up to six months and still not yield results." Satoru Gojo stretched, his knuckles cracking. "And as you know, that's the kind of mentality the Rotten Oranges organization has. You take one down, and a new one immediately takes its place, because corruption is structural."

"But we still have to shovel it," Lu Ping continued, "At least let those who come after us know the price."

"You're quite pragmatic."

Satoru Gojo stood up and dusted off non-existent dust from his pants.

"Then let's get started. I'll provide the location, and you'll use the Zenin Clan's connections to initiate an internal impeachment process. Don't use assassination; it's too low-level and it'll just lead to them digging up old dirt."

"If we're going to pursue impeachment, at least two of the Three Great Families need to sign off on it." Lu Ping thought for a moment, "I can handle the Zenin Clan, and getting Qian Chun from the Kamo Clan won't be difficult either."

"Then we have everything." Satoru Gojo pushed open the shoji door, turned around and tossed out a question, "Is two days enough?"

"One and a half days."

"Then I'll go beat up a few Cursed Spirit to practice; my hands are itching from not fighting them for the past couple of days."

66

The white figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Lu Ping sat on the tatami mat, his right hand outstretched, his fingertips tracing the subtle curse lines on his palm.

The parasites in the Jujutsu Headquarters can be removed.

But what happens after the shovel is done?

New termites will emerge from the same cracks.

Satoru Gojo is right, this is a structural problem.

Therefore, the answer is not murder, but replacing the corrupt system.

The Three Great Families, the Jujutsu High, the emerging factions of Jujutsu Sorcerer, and even special departments of the high-ranking government—all these forces should have representative seats in the decision-making body of the Jujutsu Headquarters.

Information monopoly is a breeding ground for corruption.

When a closed-door meeting of elderly people controls the distribution of all intelligence, the cost of selling a piece of information approaches zero.

However, if five or six parties are simultaneously monitoring the same intelligence chain, a betrayer needs to deceive everyone at the same time.

Costs will be driven up high enough.

The Jujutsu Headquarters meeting is in three days.

He will represent the Zenin Clan in place of the Naobito Zenin.

That's the time to place this piece.

Lu Ping picked up the tea drink on the table, took the last sip, and threw the empty bottle into the trash can.