Chapter Thirty-Two: The Dark Arts Begin to Take Shape

Inside the inn’s storeroom, Han Shuo did not immediately rest but, as always, continued to cultivate his demonic arts. The demonic energy within him, following the path prescribed by his techniques, flowed silently through every meridian, muscle, and bone under the direction of his mind. Han Shuo could distinctly sense how, after so much time spent cultivating, both his physical strength and sensory acuity had improved dramatically.

According to the incantation of the “Profound Ice Demonic Flame Method,” Han Shuo persisted in assailing the final barrier. The demonic energy surged to his palms, repeatedly attempting to break through the bones and meridians of his fingers. Agonizing pain radiated from within his hands. His hands convulsed and trembled, faint red and violet glows emanating from the backs and centers of his hands—like two dim lanterns flickering in the dark.

The pain grew ever more intense, and Han Shuo clenched his teeth and endured, understanding that this was the crucial stage of mastering the technique. Whether he could fully open the meridians of both hands and succeed in cultivating the “Profound Ice Demonic Flame Method” depended entirely on his willpower.

The process of the demonic energy assaulting the bones of his fingers continued endlessly. Han Shuo sat cross-legged, sweat pouring from his body like rain, the veins on his forehead throbbing. The normally calm expression on his face now appeared sinister and twisted, exuding an aura of unfathomable evil.

He did not know how much time had passed when, just as he felt on the verge of losing consciousness from the pain, he could no longer suppress it. With a low growl, he involuntarily flung his hands out.

A series of ten crisp, pleasant pops sounded from his ten fingers. Immediately, Han Shuo felt utterly drained, but at last, the demonic energy coursing through his fingers flowed without obstruction.

At that moment, ten violet-red flames flickered at the tips of his fingers. In the darkness of the storeroom, the ten flames blazed with a mesmerizing beauty, like a sudden bloom of bewitching flowers, casting an aura of mystery and danger.

Both his palms and fingers were stained with that violet-red hue, the bones within starkly defined, even the flesh itself shimmering with a crystalline luster—strange and otherworldly.

Ecstatic, Han Shuo let out a low cry of joy, glanced around, then slowly withdrew the demonic energy from his hands back to his abdomen. Deprived of the influx of power, his hands gradually returned to normal, and the ten blossoming flames vanished without a trace.

He had succeeded—this was the mark of mastering the “Profound Ice Demonic Flame Method.” Although, with his current weak demonic energy, he could not yet unleash the technique’s full might, even this achievement meant he was no longer a powerless ordinary man.

The “Profound Ice Demonic Flame Method” burned all with its red flames, while the violet flames were chilling enough to freeze bone. Should an ordinary person’s body be struck, their internal organs would either be charred to cinders or frozen solid, leaving little hope of survival. Once his demonic energy grew strong enough to form even fiercer, larger violet-red flames in his palms, the destructive power would be truly terrifying.

After mastering the technique, Han Shuo was swiftly overwhelmed by exhaustion and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning.

At the entrance of Doro Town, under Fanny’s leadership, a group of twelve assembled. They gathered food and water from the town, and Han Shuo ended up carrying all of it.

“What were you doing in Instructor Fanny’s room last night?” Lisa asked in a low voice as she hung a waterskin on Han Shuo.

Apparently, Fanny hadn’t told anyone about last night’s events. Han Shuo glanced at her from afar, seeing she was busy instructing the students, and whispered back, “It was nothing—Instructor Fanny just wanted to test some necromantic spells and used me for a trial run.”

“Hmph, don’t try to fool me. Even if Instructor Fanny wanted to test a spell on you, she wouldn’t use Bone Arrow. That’s just a spell for apprentice mages—someone as advanced as Instructor Fanny wouldn’t bother with that, would she?” Lisa snorted, eyeing Han Shuo suspiciously.

“She was testing Bone Arrow, but you know each spell has five levels. She just wanted to see which level she could achieve given her strength. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her yourself.”

Ever since Han Shuo had deceived Lisa, her attitude toward him had undergone a dramatic shift. But such are women—even if they don’t like you, once they know you admire them, they treat you as their personal property. If you get close to another woman, they’re the first to be upset.

Lisa was no different. Though she had no real interest in Han Shuo, once she “knew” his heart, she naturally expected his devotion and resented any connection with Fanny. Han Shuo had heard of such things before, but now he saw there was some truth to it.

“Fine, I doubt you’d dare lie to me,” Lisa said lightly, casting a glance at Fanny before moving away.

“Bryan, let’s go. The Dark Forest is dense with trees and undergrowth and the path is rugged—we can’t ride. We’ll have to go on foot. You’re carrying most of the supplies, so don’t let anything fall behind. There are many savage beasts in the Dark Forest—if you drop anything and get killed, that would be a pity.” Fanny called out, glancing Han Shuo’s way.

After last night, Fanny’s attitude toward Han Shuo had subtly changed. She seemed to pay him more attention, but the gentle manner she’d once shown him was gone, replaced by a certain irritable brusqueness.

“Coming!” Han Shuo replied. After all, he had taken advantage of Fanny the night before, seen in an embarrassing state in her bathhouse—her lack of warmth was only to be expected. If her attitude slowly changed for the better, that would be progress enough.

Doro Town was bustling at dawn. Shops were already open, and from the alleys emerged bleary-eyed, disheveled merchants and adventurers, shaking off a night of excess and preparing for the day.

Merchants and adventurers, in small groups, set out from the town’s gates toward the Dark Forest—some to hunt magical beasts, others to trade with the rare races within.

Under Fanny’s persistent urging, Han Shuo and the rest tidied their belongings and followed Fanny and Gene into the forest.

The Dark Forest was vast and boundless, home to countless fierce beasts and rare races—elves, dwarves, goblins, and barbarians—though even these generally lived near the forest’s edges. The true inner depths of the Dark Forest were shrouded in mystery and peril, inhabited by the most fearsome magical beasts. Legends spoke of fabulous treasures hidden within, but few dared venture into that heart of darkness, and fewer still returned alive.

“Follow me—we head south,” Fanny called once they entered, leading the group deeper into the southern reaches.

The path was indeed treacherous, littered with stones and overshadowed by towering trees, some over ten meters high. Smaller, timid magical beasts darted away at the sight of strangers. At first, many merchants and adventurers also headed south, but as time passed, each group found its own path and soon vanished from sight.

Suddenly, several rapid footsteps caught Han Shuo’s ear. He paused, listened intently, and spoke, “I hear something approaching. It doesn’t sound like human footsteps.”

“Bryan, you’re just a menial—what danger could you possibly sense? Ridiculous,” Buck laughed scornfully.

But since cultivating his demonic arts, Han Shuo’s senses had grown far sharper, and he trusted his ears. The soft, rhythmic “tap tap” could not have been made by two-legged men, and it sounded like more than one creature was coming.

Han Shuo had learned from the others just how dangerous the Dark Forest could be, so he spoke up to warn them. But seeing that his words were dismissed, he chose not to argue further.

They continued southward, but two minutes later, Fanny frowned, then cried out, “There really are magical beasts approaching! Everyone, put down your things and prepare to fight. We’re only in the outermost part of the forest, so the creatures shouldn’t be too powerful—don’t panic.”

At her command, the students stared in surprise at Han Shuo, then quickly set down their burdens and formed a defensive circle.

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