Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 451: Storm Before the Storm

Chapter 451: Storm Before the Storm

A strange mana fluctuation was released from this flame.

Normally, something like a mana fluctuation cannot be changed, much like a fingerprint... Saying it’s a fingerprint might not be deep enough; it might be more accurate to say it’s like a living being’s genes. Even among humans, there are subtle differences, hence the use of genetic identification techniques to combat crime.

Although mana fluctuations are not impossible to fake, the original mana fluctuation information cannot be altered. The flame imbued with the Power of Divine Seal Fragments, without a doubt, released a mana fluctuation completely different from what I usually release, akin to water changing color when mixed with ink. In my perception, this surpasses the realm of mere imitation, fundamentally altering the mana fluctuation information.

Ordinary counterfeit is like a layer of cloth spread over the surface; as long as it’s removed, the correct image can be restored. Even advanced counterfeit practices can restore the original mana fluctuation information through identification techniques. But this strange mana fluctuation seems to have been like this from the beginning. If I hadn’t been the one to create this flame, even I wouldn’t believe that this was the flame I released.

Is such a thing possible? My knowledge of mana fluctuations is merely at a basic level; I don’t understand if this is an event that defies conventions. After several checks, I haven’t found whether my flame has undergone more changes due to the infusion of a sliver of the Power of Divine Seal Fragments.

It seems that the new change is only limited to this.

A large release of the Power of Divine Seal Fragments can even elevate a mortal to Impermanence. If I could skillfully manipulate the Power of Divine Seal Fragments like Ying Lingyun or Divine Light, my current power might multiply. Hence, the Power of Divine Seal Fragments is one path for me to grow stronger in the future, simply altering the mana fluctuation information can’t satisfy my expectations.

However, I didn’t really feel disappointed. After all, this is just from zero to one; the most difficult step has been taken. Moreover, examining this kind of alteration in mana fluctuation information, it’s not entirely useless. If I need to conceal my identity in the future, this could become a powerful tool—although I can’t currently imagine a scenario where I’d need to hide my identity.

I continued to focus on developing the Power of Divine Seal Fragments.

-

About a month later, the time reached early January of 2024.

I spent Christmas and New Year’s with Mazao at the Luoshan Headquarters, but they don’t celebrate Christmas here, nor is New Year’s particularly celebrated. It seems there will be celebrations for the Lunar New Year, but due to Divine Light’s death being a major event, this year’s Lunar New Year at Luoshan might not be particularly lively.

Even after such a long time, Divine Light still hasn’t resurrected and returned on its own; the people of Luoshan have almost accepted the reality of Divine Light’s death, and a divine funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held soon.

During this time, I certainly wasn’t idle; regarding growing stronger, there has been progress that would shock countless people. How exactly this breakthrough occurred requires some space to explain, so I’ll hold off on detailing it here. To put it in one sentence: now I have confidence to stand my ground against Ming Zhuo in battle again.

I also investigated the supposed resurrection of Water Master Xuanwu. If Water Master Xuanwu found out I was trying to track him, he might hide deeper or simply escape overseas, so it was necessary for me to investigate anonymously. The specific investigative work was handed over to Lu Chan, who summoned several "possibility avatars skilled in intelligence gathering," who are currently deeply engaged in the work.

Of course, Doomsday investigations are also on my and Mazao’s schedule. Little Bowl initially suggested in the Void Realm that we investigate the main site of the Human Bureau in the real world, and we quickly pinpointed the specific location of the site, but before conducting the formal investigation, we decided to first observe.

I’ve become a bit wary of this site.

"Mazao, how is your reputation in the Doomsday Era?" I once asked Mazao, "I heard from Little Bowl that you were considered a broom star in the Doomsday Era, tabooed and despised by countless people... In other words, you were very famous in the Doomsday Era, is that right?"

"I guess I was relatively famous... maybe."

Perhaps because she didn’t interact with people much in the Doomsday Era, coupled with fragmented memories, Mazao’s response was somewhat uncertain.

Someone like Mazao, possessing Great Success Rank strength, is exceedingly rare even in the modern world of thriving civilization. In the Doomsday Era, with civilization shattered and the population scarce, there might not have even been ten such individuals. Along with her physique that attracts disasters, I believe Mazao’s recognizability in the Doomsday Era would not be low.

Mazao’s activities in the modern world lack effective concealment measures; her name, appearance, abilities, and other information are basically exposed to the outside world, possibly even to the unknown Blessed Monk who passed on the embryonic Doomsday technology to Ying Lingyun.

As long as we let Mazao conduct an investigation at the main site of the Human Bureau, we might capture leads related to the unknown Blessed Monk. Yet, that unknown Blessed Monk likely understands this as well. If indeed familiar with Doomsday Era Mazao, he would certainly be aware of how we will proceed with investigating him. He is unlikely to sit idly by, and might be observing from the shadows.

I’m not worried about the Human Bureau main site being booby-trapped by them; even if it is, I’m confident I can overcome and suppress it. I want, however, to take this opportunity to lure out this possibly lurking unknown Blessed Monk who might be spying on the Human Bureau main site from somewhere.

For this reason, I waited together with Mazao. Because once they confirm we’ve entered the Human Bureau main site, they might withdraw. I kept Lu Chan in the loop, having him deploy more "possibility avatars" adept in this area to discreetly undertake activity.

Intelligence has a freshness factor; it might be wiser to first take Mazao to investigate the Human Bureau main site. However, by the time we thought of investigating the main site in the real world, more than ten days had passed since its destruction, and the freshness was likely gone. It might be better to shift focus to "fishing."

Additionally, I also need to attempt an investigation of Taoyuan Village, as the Taoyuan Village Master might be Shan Liangyi. Personally, my most critical issue is neither the Doomsday investigation nor the resurrected Water Master Xuanwu, but rather the existence of Shan Liangyi. It intertwines with my foundation in the abnormal world.

This direction, however, I find challenging to disregard on others, necessitating my direct involvement in a deep investigation. Currently, I lack leads in this area.

Within this month, Mazao and I shared a notably peaceful time. It seems the Broom Star Physique is mercifully giving us respite amidst the relentless succession of changes we’ve faced in the past. Of course, reality isn’t as rosy as it sounds.

According to Lu Chan’s reports, there’s been a significant increase in the frequency of abnormal events around Luoshan Headquarters recently. Many abnormal entities seem drawn towards the headquarters, often getting intercepted before they can even penetrate within.

No matter what, Luoshan Headquarters is a gathering place for countless demon hunters; even powerful anomalies comparable to achieved level demon hunters can’t run rampant here. As the saying goes on the internet, "If you find your world is peaceful, it’s because someone is bearing burdens for you," perhaps this suits our current situation well.

Mazao appeared somewhat unsettled about this, and Zhu Shi, during daily training with Mazao, offered her some comfort, which I also overheard.

"The mission of a demon hunter is to hunt abnormalities." Zhu Shi said this to me too, "Do you remember what I said before? Although not as powerful as Mazao, we demon hunters inherently attract abnormal creatures as well.

"We live in densely populated cities rather than sparsely populated areas because we aren’t creators of anomalies, but attractors. Automatically gathering and eliminating local disasters—this is an act of purification.

"Mazao’s presence is the same. Drawing numerous abnormalities to Luoshan Headquarters isn’t causing trouble; rather, it enhances Luoshan Headquarters in fulfilling its purification function. In this era where abnormal events surge, just by staying at Luoshan Headquarters, Mazao significantly reduces the number of victims of abnormal events in neighboring cities."

Mazao murmured, "An act of purification..."

Zhu Shi gazed at Mazao, saying, "In the Doomsday Era you came from, the number of abnormalities might have been so overwhelming that gathering to purify hardly changed the situation, and they might have been so formidable it was hard to face. Thus, your physique was merely a liability causing nothing but harm to you and those around you.

"But that’s different in this era; you can take pride in the power you possess."

Mazao’s expression gradually softened, while conversely, to be honest, I started feeling a sense of crisis.

The reason Mazao is so attached to me is that in her perception, only I embrace her positively, including her Broom Star Physique.

But if I’m no longer that irreplaceable figure for Mazao, then what?

Though this conversation seemed merely a brief interlude, I couldn’t help but take it seriously. After the daily training ended, with Mazao’s assistance, Zhu Shi teleported back to Saltwater City to continue school.

Thus, despite having a plausible explanation for this tranquil period, it doesn’t mean that Mazao and I can truly live peaceful days at Luoshan Headquarters.

This peace is more like the calm before the storm. It appears calm and uneventful, yet beneath the surface, significant pressure has been building, and I have a faint premonition of this. Perhaps in the near future, the Broom Star Power will forcefully extract a price for this safe time in an unexpected form.

As for myself, I also don’t wish to become too relaxed.

Soon after, as if Mazao’s power forcibly pushed me from behind during my temporary respite, a new event suddenly and unexpectedly appeared before me again.

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