Chapter 26 – It's Simple, I Already Have a Target

“……”

Silence began to spread between Su Ming and Xu Qianqian.

The two stared at each other, one with furrowed brows and the other with a heavy expression, gradually making the silent atmosphere feel oppressive.

However, Su Ming soon relaxed his furrowed brows first, his expression becoming lighter.

“Well, these are just our own speculations anyway. Whether it’s actually true remains to be discussed.”

Su Ming broke the oppressive silence.

Xu Qianqian was slightly taken aback, then relaxed as well.

“Indeed, unsubstantiated guesses are just scaring ourselves,” Xu Qianqian said this way. “What are your plans?”

“Me?” Su Ming thought for a moment before responding, “I’ll continue searching for traces of that Suspicious Group. If I find them, I’ll notify you immediately.”

“Good, I’ll be waiting for your message anytime,” Xu Qianqian naturally had no reason to disagree, but her eyes swept around as she added, “I hope next time you ask to meet me, it won’t be at a hotel.”

“…I can’t guarantee that,” Su Ming’s mouth twitched as he rolled his eyes, then took out the damaged scale from his backpack. Handing it to Xu Qianqian, he said, “Take this scale. Use your family’s channels to see if you can identify the species, Rank, and even developmental stage of the creature this scale came from.”

Su Ming himself couldn’t determine what kind of Phantom Demon this scale belonged to, but that didn’t mean others couldn’t.

There were still many experts in this world who specialized in researching Phantom Demons.

If it were professionals, they might be able to identify what species of Phantom Demon this scale came from, what Rank it was, and perhaps even determine its developmental condition.

This way, it would become clear whether the scale’s owner was indeed a juvenile superior Phantom Demon.

“Understood, leave it to me.”

Xu Qianqian took the scale.

“Then you should head back,” Su Ming unceremoniously began to see her out, saying, “Don’t forget, there are people watching you in the shadows, preparing to assassinate you. It’s better if you don’t come alone to places like this late at night.”

“So you do remember that?” Xu Qianqian narrowed her eyes. “Since you remember, please carefully consider the meeting time and location next time. Every time I see you, I have to make preparations in advance – it’s quite exhausting.”

Clearly, Xu Qianqian hadn’t come out completely unprepared.

To deal with potential ambushers, this Young Miss had obviously made some arrangements.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to meet Su Ming here in the middle of the night.

“I just didn’t want to discuss such important matters over the phone.”

Su Ming showed no signs of remorse.

“That’s true, discussing such things over the phone isn’t very secure.”

Xu Qianqian agreed with Su Ming’s point and let the matter drop as she stood up.

“Then I’ll head back first,” Xu Qianqian looked at Su Ming and said, “Be careful yourself.”

Hearing this, Su Ming raised his eyebrows.

“What?” Su Ming laughed. “Are you worried something might happen to me?””Right.” The Academy Beauty Xu was as direct as ever, stating: “This concerns the bloodline of a superior Phantom Demon. If this matter gets exposed, even the major Families and powers in Longyao City wouldn’t be able to sit idly by, let alone that high-ranking official from the Base City who sent private soldiers to hunt you down. If they discover you’re secretly investigating this, I don’t need to elaborate on what would happen to you, do I?”

“No need for you to say it, I understand perfectly well.” Su Ming responded carelessly: “Nothing more than being silenced, right?”

“Then why are you so relaxed about it?” Xu Qianqian furrowed her beautiful brows.

To this, Su Ming only wanted to say:

“Do you think I’d possibly take the initiative to put myself in danger?”

Su Ming’s simple, clear words made Xu Qianqian momentarily stunned.

Then, Xu Qianqian gave a bitter smile.

“I almost forgot – you’re the most deeply hidden person in the entire Demon Hunter Academy.”

The implication in Xu Qianqian’s words was simple – since Su Ming could conceal himself so thoroughly, he definitely wouldn’t recklessly put himself in danger.

Of course, there was one precondition.

“Aren’t you even tempted?” Xu Qianqian looked directly into Su Ming’s eyes: “That’s very likely the offspring of a superior Phantom Demon, a superior Phantom Demon bloodline. Never mind its monetary value, just considering the power it could bring – wouldn’t you be willing to take risks because you’re tempted?”

“Hey now, my dear Academy Beauty Xu.” Su Ming said with resignation: “I’m a Sorcerer, you know.”

Meaning that as a Sorcerer, he had no reason to pursue a Hunter’s Phantom Demon bloodline.

Unless it was to sell or trade it.

After all, if a superior Phantom Demon bloodline were actually sold, it would undoubtedly fetch an unimaginably high price.

However, facing Su Ming’s explanation, Xu Qianqian responded like this:

“Sorcerers can become Hunters too.” Xu Qianqian declared openly: “As long as one can consume the Phantom Demon Potion refined from Phantom Demon blood and adapt to the Phantom Demon Power within the potion, then anyone can become a Hunter – including Sorcerers.”

Yes.

As long as one could adapt to Phantom Demon Power, even Sorcerers could become Hunters.

To become a Sorcerer, one must possess a Spirit Constitution.

Spirit Constitution is innate.

Even if one Awakens their Spirit Constitution later in life, it’s not acquired out of nowhere – rather, the person originally had a Spirit Constitution that was simply latent, with their spirituality not yet awakened, making them appear to lack a Spirit Constitution.

Therefore, those without Spirit Constitution absolutely cannot become Sorcerers – this is an inevitable conclusion.

But for people who want to become Hunters, all they need is a Phantom Demon Potion and sufficient adaptability and compatibility.

Thus, even Sorcerers have the potential to become Hunters.

However…

“For a Sorcerer to adapt to Phantom Demon blood is no easy matter.” Su Ming spread his hands: “Spirit Arts are inherently power that counters Phantom Demon Power, capable of completely neutralizing Phantom Demons’ powerful vitality and regenerative abilities. Sorcerers who possess this power, because of their Spirit Constitution and Spirit Power, would find it extremely difficult to adapt to Phantom Demon Power – which has completely opposite properties and is countered by their own power. It’s practically as difficult as climbing to the heavens, okay?”

This was also a fact.

Otherwise, this world would have long been filled with many Professionals possessing both Hunter and Sorcerer powers.Since Spirit Power and Phantom Demon Power are mutually opposed and have a suppressive relationship, the likelihood of a Sorcerer adapting to a Phantom Demon Bloodline and obtaining Phantom Demon power is much lower than for ordinary people.

If the success rate for an ordinary person to adapt to Phantom Demon Potion is 1%, then the success rate for a Sorcerer is 0.0001%.

That’s right, a one-in-a-million success rate.

This abysmally low success rate results in an extremely small number of Professionals in this world who possess both powers.

How rare are they?

Rarer than the highest-ranked Seven-Star Professionals!

This suppressive relationship even extends to descendants.

In other words, if a Hunter’s descendant already possesses Phantom Demon bloodline, it is basically impossible for them to awaken a Spirit Constitution.

Given this, most Sorcerers don’t even consider taking Phantom Demon Potion to become Hunters.

Such a low success rate forces countless Sorcerers to stop at the thought.

After all, failure to adapt could likely result in bodily explosion.

Who would be willing to gamble with such low odds?

Xu Qianqian was naturally very aware of these facts.

However…

“From what I know, since enrolling in the academy, aside from Spirit Arts, you’ve been extremely diligent and focused on learning combat techniques.”

Xu Qianqian suddenly revealed this information.

Su Ming fell silent.

But Xu Qianqian continued speaking.

“Students in the Sorcerer Department generally show little interest in combat technique courses because no matter how much they practice, they’re just body-strengthening skills. They can’t achieve the powerful effects like students in the Hunter Department who rely on their superior Physique.”

Xu Qianqian spoke as if to herself.

“But you’re different. You’ve always been very dedicated, which makes me think one thing.”

What thought?

Quite simple.

“You’re preparing for your future as a Hunter, for possessing Phantom Demon Power.” Xu Qianqian stared at Su Ming as if trying to see through him, her gaze intense. “Considering how deeply you’ve hidden yourself, to the point where no one knows what level of strength you possess, I really can’t help but think this is possible for you, isn’t it?”

Su Ming remained silent, watching Xu Qianqian expressionlessly.

Xu Qianqian didn’t feel intimidated. Instead, she met Su Ming’s gaze bravely and openly.

Before long, Su Ming sighed.

“Knowing too much won’t do you any good, Academy Beauty Xu!”

Su Ming’s words fully confirmed to Xu Qianqian how accurate her speculation had been.

Xu Qianqian’s eyes immediately flickered, and her gaze toward Su Ming became somewhat peculiar.

So this person really had such great ambition and determination?

Really…

As countless thoughts flashed through Xu Qianqian’s mind, Su Ming changed the subject.

“You can rest assured, I’m truly not interested in this so-called superior Phantom Demon’s offspring.”

Su Ming actually said such words.

“Why?”

Xu Qianqian showed a surprised expression.

And Su Ming’s following response surprised Xu Qianqian even more.

“Simple—I already have a target.”

Su Ming smiled.

It wasn’t his usual unserious, perfunctory, or casual smile, but a wildly unrestrained one.

“An ordinary superior Phantom Demon’s bloodline—I really can’t bring myself to care for it.”Su Ming uttered such words.

Xu Qianqian was left speechless, simply staring blankly at Su Ming, at this man she thought she had come to understand, unable to speak for a long while.

After a while, Xu Qianqian left the hotel.

Su Ming watched her departure, and only after a long time did he retrieve a small transparent glass bottle from his backpack.

Inside the bottle, crimson blood-like liquid gently swayed, emitting an enchanting hue and allure.

Su Ming gazed at the blood-red liquid in the glass bottle, his eyes shimmering with an inscrutable light.

Phantom Demon Blood (Superior Grade · Nightmare Species): The blood of an extremely powerful superior Phantom Demon, which can be used to concoct the Phantom Demon Potion.

“This is my true goal.”

Su Ming once again revealed an unrestrained smile.

(End of Chapter)