The source of Forbidden Knowledge was rooted deep within the Irminsul.
Jiang Yan had never entered the Irminsul itself, so he had no idea whether he could manipulate or cleanse the pollution at its source using vector control.
If it was a matter of fighting, Jiang Yan had zero pressure.
Across all of Teyvat, the only being that could trade blows with him was Heavenly Principles, and that was only because of her authority.
But cleansing this thing?
He really had no idea where to start.
Unless he could stand right before the Irminsul and personally test whether vector manipulation could control the corruption.
But guarding the Irminsul was a responsibility given to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata by the Heavenly Principles.
Unless things reached the final, most desperate moment, she would never allow Jiang Yan inside.
Rukkhadevata was not surprised by Jiang Yan's answer.
Even she found this kind of contamination difficult to handle.
"…Let me study it first."
She frowned. Her moonlit, delicate face was filled with worry.
"Be careful while you're studying it," Jiang Yan reminded.
"This thing… reeks of misfortune."
He originally assumed it was something produced by the Abyss—
but if the Abyss had something like this, would they still need to skulk around and cause trouble from the shadows?
If not the Abyss, then only one possibility remained:
It came from beyond this world.
And that was exactly what worried Jiang Yan.
Damn it—
why did this feel like some "world-ending threat descending from the heavens"-type plotline?!
Rukkhadevata gave him a soft look.
"It's fine. I know my limits."
She appreciated Jiang Yan's concern.
"During the time I'm researching this, if more Withering zones appear in Sumeru… I must trouble you."
She paused, tone serious.
"I fear ordinary humans eliminating the Withering won't be effective."
Jiang Yan nodded.
He was already planning to clear the Withering anyway.
After all—
the Withering meant treasure chests.
Like hell he would miss out.
Rukkhadevata summoned the Grand Sage, gave several instructions, and then headed back to the Sanctuary of Surasthana to study the corruption alone.
After she left, Jiang Yan wandered out into the lands of Sumeru.
For Jiang Yan, the Withering chests were not enough.
He wanted—
ALL of Sumeru's treasure chests!
Thus began the darkest era for every fungus beast guarding a chest in Sumeru.
He even tried something new.
In the Ashavan Realm—
"Immortal Art! Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands!"
Sage Mode activated.
A colossal thousand-meter-tall Buddha rose from the ground.
"Top Transformed Buddha!!"
Jiang Yan roared.
Behind him, the giant thousand-hand wheel rotated—
and countless fists descended in a storm, striking every elite monster guarding chests in the forest with pinpoint accuracy.
Within moments, the entire Ashavan Realm lit up—
every guarded chest unlocked simultaneously.
Jiang Yan clapped both hands.
The wheel shook, and thousands of arms extended again.
The wheel spun—
and thousands of giant hands shot forward, grabbing every unlocked treasure chest at once.
"爽啊!!!"
He watched the arms return, each holding a chest.
The satisfaction was—
Absolutely peak.
"Tsk—another Withering zone?"
He spotted one at the forest's edge.
He flew over, activated Binary Star State, and ripped it out of the ground.
After kneading the overflowing black energy into a neat sphere,
the land revived—lush green returning instantly.
A treasure chest popped out.
Jiang Yan's eyes widened.
Oh—
hell yes.
Look at that alternating gold-and-silver pattern.
Look at how much bigger it was than a precious chest.
Wasn't this exactly what he dreamed of—
A Luxurious Chest?!
Holy crap!!
The Withering could drop Luxurious Chests?!
Jiang Yan nearly grinned his face crooked.
He always thought the Withering would only drop up to precious chests.
This was…
An unexpected surprise!
Feeling ecstatic, he walked to the Luxurious Chest and opened it with great anticipation.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for opening a Luxurious Chest!]
The system's voice chimed.
[Commencing ability extraction…]
[Extraction complete!]
[Congratulations! Host has obtained: Jackie Chan Adventures World — The Twelve Talismans!]
[Ding! Note: The Twelve Talismans will directly fuse into the host's body and can be used through the host's will.]
Oh hohhh.
The Twelve Talismans!!!
Jiang Yan was ecstatic.
Horse Talisman + Dog Talisman?
Come on—
how the hell was he supposed to die now?!
There were no powerful sorcerers like Uncle (老爹) in this world.
Even the Heavenly Principles could not erase him!
Infinite healing + negative status removal + literal immortality.
Eternal. Indestructible.
After the talismans fully fused into his body, Jiang Yan felt them clearly.
Eleven talismans revolved around the Tiger Talisman at the center.
As the talisman of Yin-Yang balance, the Tiger Talisman allowed the other eleven to merge perfectly—
no rejection, no conflict.
爽!!!
Feeling the surging power granted by the talismans,
Jiang Yan's heart raced.
He closed his eyes, and the talismans in his mind lit up.
His body floated into the air.
Rainbow light reversed around him.
He opened his eyes—
a brilliant glow flashed.
A beam of laser shot from his eyes, carving a long trench through the ground.
His hands glowed fiery red—
a stunning shockwave blasted downward, shaking the land.
Rooster's levitation, Pig's heat vision, Dragon's explosive force—
combined with Binary Star State—
At this moment, he was basically Superman + Captain Marvel fused together.
Except without Superman's long-term growth potential.
But this was already amazing!
Absolutely satisfying!
Jiang Yan was delighted with his haul from this chest.
As expected of a Luxurious Chest—
everything it granted pushed his power to a new level.
He floated lazily in midair, thinking.
Hmm… what other fun talisman abilities were there…
Suddenly—
a question flashed through his mind.
Wait.
The Horse Talisman's abilities were purification + healing.
So…
could it cleanse Forbidden Knowledge pollution too?
Jiang Yan slowly turned to look at the pitch-black energy orb lying beside him.
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