Chapter 207: Returning Home, [new Formula] And [new Ritual]
When the passenger bus re-entered the mist, the chilly sensation remained, but the murmurs lingering in his ears no longer infused knowledge into his mind. Instead, there were all sorts of boring dirty talk, seemingly realistic screams and pleas, and calls for ‘family members’ that he had no idea were aimed at whom?
In response, Yuan Zhu still listened attentively for a while, then confirmed that he wasn’t surnamed Li or Wu at all; nor did he have a little sister named Mo’er or a migrant worker girlfriend named A Li.
Turning his head to glance at the passengers inside the bus, pale-faced and drenched in cold sweat, tormented in agony, Yuan Zhu boredly pursed his lips and shifted to a more comfortable position, complaining to Little Spicy Stick:
“This time’s [Misty Mountains] is really underwhelming. Even the mental pollution is incoherent—how is anyone supposed to get immersed? Far worse than the experience going to Taixi. Not even a bit of new knowledge.”
Hearing their boss complain, Snake Snake tentatively asked: “Could it be because you freebie’d too hard? According to my calculations, the first time we passed through the [Mist Zone] on our way out of the mountains, we heard ‘Supernatural Knowledge’—that was the new customer first-order discount. And that lottery welfare? You snatched a whole bunch of knowledge in one go, probably exhausted your luck and built up immunity. Like a bottle full of water, unable to hold more…”
“Hmph! Garbage mountains.”
Yuan Zhu was displeased, narrowed his eyes, and blocked out the noise in his ears. He shook his body, and the Holy Light within him swept away the bone-chilling cold, turning the shouts and roars in his ears into a single scream, which then vanished.
Snake Snake: “It’s not that this [mist] got weaker; it’s that you’ve gotten stronger. Below 2 seals, mere mist can’t even erode anymore.”
Yuan Zhu finally hummed in satisfaction, then communed with his [Soul Space], pretending to take a document folded from several sheets of paper from the inner pocket of his jacket.
This was the [Pure version. Six Great Secret Rituals] specially filtered by Zhou Chu from the [Security Bureau] before departure. In other words, the little knowledge he had heard from the [mist] when coming to Taixi.
The reason he didn’t submit the [Sacrifice Ritual] was because this knowledge was simple and straightforward, directly pointing to Evil God Sacrifice. It was even the culprit behind his descent into Running.
Without that ‘Sacrifice Ritual,’ he would still have descended to Du Ling Star, but not necessarily into the body of the Running scrap dealer ‘Yuan Zhu.’ And his predecessor might very well have been polluted by some [wolf evil spirit] during that ritual, ultimately becoming an experimental subject in the [Rain Courtyard], enduring torment to produce [Dragon Medicine].
In short, the [Sacrifice Ritual] was too evil and would inevitably anger Zhou Chu, so he hid it away.
At this moment, the few sheets of paper in his hand recorded the optimized versions of [Soap, Rune, Incense, Starlight Reception, Moon Path Sublimation, Fire Extinguishing Ritual].
Among them, the [Soap Recipe] had the most content, the fewest modifications, and included annotations.
It stated that the [Oil Carbon Rat] species was once active in multiple regions of the [Spirit Layer], a common species. But after a mysterious plague, the race died off in large numbers and is now uncommon.
If enough [rats] couldn’t be acquired as raw material, other meat-type large rat fats could be tried as substitutes, but the effect would be greatly discounted.
Additionally, this [soap] could serve as a versatile all-purpose sacrifice for the vast majority of rituals and sacrifices. But the [recipe] he submitted was the most primitive basic version—not rare, and not cost-effective.
Because over the past few decades, such [recipes] had been iterated twice, three times… by numerous schools and enterprises, deriving more specialized [advanced soaps] available on the market.
Therefore, the end reminded that it wasn’t recommended as a get-rich-quick secret formula to establish a [Soap Factory]. Lacking competitiveness, it would easily go bankrupt.
Yuan Zhu: “What do you think?”
Snake Snake: “I see this pure version also mentions that, if not considering the finished product’s effects, it’s not even necessary to choose [meat-type large rats]—any animal fat can make soap, right?”
Yuan Zhu: “Right, do you have any ideas?”
Snake Snake excitedly said: “I do! I have tons of ideas! Aren’t we planning to open an ‘Experimental Grade Frog Farming Facility’? Why not add a matching production line for some [Frog Soap] by-products, recycling waste for reuse. Then self-produce and self-sell to the [White Feather Association] as exclusive sacrifices for summoning you, Boss. Let them perform sacrifices to you. Now we don’t even have to worry about sales!”
“Not only that, we can sell to [Cicada City] too! Country folk have no experience. I think this special soap, besides cleaning and sacrificing, can also be eaten in emergencies to stave off hunger… truly multifunctional. Normal Bubble World people naturally can’t stomach soap, but [Insect City] is different—its environment is too harsh. A lump of Du Ling poop placed in [Insect City] would be supreme pure fertile treasure. Let alone [soap]! I suggest you iterate it too, make [Hot Pot Flavor. Spicy Frog Soap], sure to be a hit in [Cicada City]!”
Yuan Zhu complained: “Why not just have me produce hot pot base instead?”
“How could hot pot base compare to the wonder of [Oil Carbon Soap]? This stuff is real hard currency—daily cleaning, and more importantly, mysticism-category [sacrifices]! Mere base, what right does it have to be a sacrifice? But sacrifices can also wash hands, rinse pots… that’s magical, total gimmick! Anyway, [Insect City] is too remote—monopoly sales, no losses.”
Yuan Zhu also thought that recycling dead frogs from farming into [Hot Pot Soap] was a thrifty way to get rich—zero cost, worth a try: “Alright, record it in the [Factory Establishment Memo]. [Soap Brand] operations and revenue are all yours.”
“Thanks, Boss (￣3￣)╭～, love you for ten thousand years!”
“Bootlicker!”
Yuan Zhu took out a pen and marked a [√] on the [Soap Recipe]. Then he continued reading; the second item [Golden Rune] had been heavily edited by the [Security Bureau], leaving only one usable rune—a complex structural graphic.
The specific usage was also simple: casually find a skilled goldsmith to use traditional gilding craft, draw the [rune] on the object’s surface with drawn gold wire, letting the gold wire wind across the object’s surface at maximum length without intersecting or ending, with start and end both connected to the [rune].
Finally, use a low-cost ritual to consecrate and baptize the object, binding it (the item) to [Supernatural Root: Golden Law].
And the [Golden Rune] on the paper was the rune for mortal objects to establish contact and communication with the [Golden Law].
Yuan Zhu: “What do you think, fellow Daoist?”
Snake Snake: “Not much significance. This [rune] is specially prepared for ordinary people. Letting the [Golden Law] spread widely among the populace, the power drawable from the [Golden Law] is directly proportional to the gold used. But no matter how solid the materials, it’s still not impressive.”
“That’s what I think too.”
Then, he drew a [×] on the [Golden Rune].
The knowledge infused by the Misty Mountains, whether good or evil, strong or weak, was all prepared for ordinary people. Between Taixi and Running, several buses pass daily, countless people suffer mental pollution and torment; inevitably, some with high [inspiration] comprehend some toxic knowledge, can’t resist using it for profit, and end up trapped in the quagmire.
If this [Golden Rune] were used in a gold shop to craft [Peace Brand] or similar gold jewelry, business would boom. Unfortunately, for Yuan Zhu, the grade was too low—merely archived in the database to expand knowledge reserves.
“Next!”
Yuan Zhu turned the page; the second sheet recorded information on [Buddha Maggot Incense], similarly heavily modified. It listed a series of materials and ‘spice’ production processes. Core material: one [Buddha Maggot].
The former Yuan Zhu wouldn’t have understood, but after the [Future People incident], he understood all too well!
“What a pity! Back then collecting bodies, I only found the burst [Buddha Cocoons] disgusting and avoided them. Who knew ‘burst Buddha maggots’ were rare ‘soul repair materials.’ Using them to make Supernatural Spice, inhaling it to grow purified spirit, repair and reinforce soul—missed out on billions!”
The [Buddha Maggot Incense] provided by the [Security Bureau] was completely different from the previous two ritual recipes!
The earlier content had been deliberately cut to make it safer and more reliable. But this [Buddha Maggot Incense] recipe had a full 40% more content than what he submitted.
The [Security Bureau] not only didn’t cut it but added loads of ‘materials’ and ‘incense-making processes,’ elevating the [Buddha Maggot Incense]’s effects by several levels. It even specifically listed different grades of [Buddha Cocoons] and corresponding incense effects.
Of course, the part he submitted had also been revised. His ‘process recipe’ was toxic, while the [Security Bureau]’s version was safer and more comprehensive.
Snake Snake couldn’t help but speak: “Tsk tsk, not even pretending—clearly egging you on, Boss, to hunt Buddhist high monks! And this [Buddhism] is still a [Security Bureau]-certified legal, compliant, righteous church. Who knows, in others’ [recipes], there might be ones for hunting Holy Church Monks to use as medicine, or making ‘Holy Light Spotlights’ for growing flowers and plants?”
Yuan Zhu agreed, then marked a check on the [Buddha Maggot Incense] and sighed: “Running has no real temples; even if there are, they’re legal private ones. Can’t get the raw materials.”
Recalling the sandalwood scent he smelled in the [Star Realm Bank], he really wanted to try [Buddha Maggot Incense].
“We can ask A Miao—she’s supernaturally capable, surely can get [Buddha Cocoons]. Worst case, she provides raw materials, we give her a share of finished product as return gift.”
Yuan Zhu agreed: “Feasible!”
The [Starlight Reception] revised by the [Security Bureau], now looking at it again, felt equally intimate to Yuan Zhu.
New content: Regardless of whether one has Supernatural Powers, as long as rigidly following the ‘secret ritual’ to set up the rite, and placing an [Alien. Plant Race] relic in the core position, the ritual can be activated with sacrifice (soap usable) to receive a beam of starlight at night in any region with a ‘starry sky concept.’
This ‘core relic’ could directly use [Little Pumpkin, Pumpkin Dao Seed], then receive descending starlight. The [Starlight] could replenish mana for corresponding systems, and also serve as ‘food.’ (For Plant Race, as well as Rogue Immortals, Kunlun True Immortals.)
Whether this ritual was of great use was unknown, but after he finished browsing, the [Star Egg] stored in his mind reacted first, copying a portion of [rite knowledge] from his [Dataized Soul Firewall], integrating it into his body, and urging him to quickly seek more ‘stars’-related knowledge.
Yuan Zhu was stunned, then evaluated: “This knowledge is useful! And it’s already been used.”
Next was the [Moon Path Sublimation Ritual]; the modified version deleted much content, greatly reducing effects. The new version only required meditating quietly under moonlight to let ‘mental power’ disperse around, capturing irradiating and free-floating [moonlight] nearby for slight improvement.
As for projecting out [Spirit Body/Primordial Spirit/Yin God] along the moon path reception to infinitely elevate the spirit, ultimately sublimating into the [Moon. Sea of Consciousness], all deleted.
It only gave an ‘outlandish, forbidden act’ evaluation. And specially annotated that the current [Du Ling Star] environment and spacetime structure differed greatly from recent times (400-200 years ago).
Projecting out a ‘Spirit Body’ along moonlight was suicidal, to be captured, polluted, devoured by crises along the way… thus absolutely not recommending ‘Moon Path Ascension’ moon-suicide behavior.
As for the [Great Yin Longevity Body Refining Great Law], not even mentioned.
Snake Snake: “Boss, based on my database analysis, this [Great Yin Longevity Body Refining Great Law] suspiciously matches [Yellow Heaven Taoism]’s naming style. If interested, you can consult the [Old Temple Priest].”
Yuan Zhu: “This ritual is scrapped!”
Then, he drew a [×] on the [Moon Path Sublimation].
However, right after drawing the [×], the [Star Egg] in his mind vibrated again, packaged this ‘knowledge’ and swallowed it, feeding back a ‘Satisfaction’ signal.
Translated: This stuff is way tastier than [Starlight Reception]! Gimme billions more.
Yuan Zhu: “Huh?”
Snake Snake guessed: “Could the [Moon] count as a huge [Star]? I recall in Du Ling’s [Supernatural Worldview], the [Moon] exists in the [Star Realm Layer] while independently opening a [Sea of Consciousness] layer. From the Star Realm’s perspective, the [Moon] is included. So this is [Star Knowledge]?”
Yuan Zhu thought, then said: “Feed the old version to it too!”
Snake Snake: “Not afraid it’s toxic?”
“Mere [Misty Mountains] knowledge to delude mortals—how toxic can it be?!”
Snake: “Got it!”
Soon, the [Star Egg] transmitted another ‘want’ signal.
The final [Fire Extinguishing Ritual], after [Security Bureau] revision, became more standardized as a [Fire Extinguishing Seal]: set up a large ritual to enclose the burning ‘Supernatural Flame.’
After activation, based on sacrifice weight, the [flame] could be extinguished, or sealed, converged, preserved. And at the ritual’s end, it included a bonus ritual using [Law] to converge, refine, purify [fire seeds].
Clearly encouraging practitioners of [Law] for blessed rewards, following [Incineration Powerhouses]’ tails to pick up dropped flames for ‘sealing and refining,’ becoming [Law. Fire Controller]s.
Yuan Zhu: “Truly inescapable—everywhere [Security Bureau]’s soft ads and recruitment brochures.”
Snake Snake: “But pretty useful—we can use [Fire Extinguishing Ritual] to steal fire too.”
