Chapter 158: Zhang Yu Initiates the Ritual

Chapter 158: Zhang Yu Initiates the Ritual

Since becoming a disciple of the Dark God, Song Xu has begun to study an art called the Ritual.

In Song Xu's view, the Ritual bears many resemblances to talismans.

"Talismans can be smoothly enacted across the lands, gathering the power of the Eight Divine Authorities, relying on Kunxu's advanced infrastructure, especially the ubiquitous networks."

"And the Ritual shares one point with talismans: it too can be performed through the network."

"It can even siphon divine power via the network, subverting it into Dark‑God energy for use…"

Compared with the wide reach of talismans, the Ritual's applications are narrower, yet it possesses unique advantages.

For instance, it can evade the oversight and records of the righteous deities, allowing deeds beyond the prescribed rules.

Just as the Shadow‑Binding Ritual Song Xu is about to unleash now, condensing Dark‑God power into a shadow parasite that latches onto the opponent's silhouette, continuously pilfering their intelligence.

However, to activate the Shadow‑Binding Ritual, contact with the Spirit Realm is required.

Ordinary network connections cannot directly reach another's consciousness as the Spirit Realm can.

At that moment, Song Xu felt a subtle stir within his heart and already perceived Zhang Yu's presence in the Spirit Realm.

"He's here!"

……

Spirit Realm.

At the gate of the Hall of Inquiry.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen followed Yu Xinghan outward together.

Yet along the way the three remained silent, each silently digesting the harvest from their own illusion.

Zhang Yu recalled his experiences within the illusion: toiling to death on the assembly line, rising in defiance amid despair…

"It feels as though I've lived an extra life."

"No wonder they say the Spirit Realm is the finest forge for a Daoist heart."

Zhang Yu mused, "To endure such trials in the mortal world would surely demand an enormous price, wouldn't it?"

Meanwhile, within Zhang Yu's Sea of Cognition, he visualized a great ox, its four limbs severed, blind and deaf, crawling onward without cease.

But unlike the earlier visualization of the 'Crumbling Ox Sacrificial Heart Method,' this ox now exuded a spirit of fearless ferocity, charging ahead unflinchingly.

Clearly, as his comprehension of the Crumbling Ox method deepened, the efficacy of his inner cultivation surged.

Especially, the greater the pressure he faced, the stronger the method's effect became.

In the direst predicaments, his latent potential burst forth.

Just as he emerged from the illusion, Zhang Yu reflected on the unfinished loans hanging over him and the pressure from the foundation‑building examinations imposed by the Immortal Lords of Xiandu.

Rather than shrinking back, his resolve only hardened.

"Though this session cost nearly a hundred thousand yuan, the results are truly spectacular."

"This has deepened my grasp of the Crumbling Ox method; even if I can no longer afford to come here, my daily cultivation will now amplify my Daoist heart far more effectively."

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen was likewise immersed in a fresh understanding of her own technique.

"The original Cold‑Hearted Ice‑Soul Technique chiefly bestowed calm and composure; at level ten it allowed me to suppress emotions temporarily, becoming ruthless and unfeeling, willing to do anything for success."

"But now…"

Bai Zhenzhen sensed that, with her new insight and the deductions of her True Spirit Root, the Cold‑Hearted Ice‑Soul Technique was undergoing a metamorphosis.

"After a couple of days of complete deduction, the new level‑ten effect will no longer render me cold‑hearted, merely calculating gain and loss."

"Instead, it will let me enact my own will, follow my heart’s desire, know what cannot be done yet still attempt it; the greater the risk, the lower the success rate, the calmer I become, while mind, flesh, and mana grow ever more vibrant…"

If the Crumbling Ox method originally contained profound meaning that blossomed as Zhang Yu’s comprehension deepened,

then the Cold‑Hearted Ice‑Soul Technique differs: after Bai Zhenzhen’s shift in thought and her altered interpretation, her True Spirit Root re‑derived the method.

It reshaped the technique to suit her mindset, causing even the level‑ten effect to transform.

At that moment, Yu Xinghan, observing the two in contemplation, smiled faintly and said, "Gentlemen, it seems you both gained much this time. Shall we schedule another session tomorrow?"

Hearing Yu Xinghan’s suggestion, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen darkened their faces and replied, "Your price is far too steep!"

Bai Zhenzhen added, "A single session costs nearly a hundred thousand—it's outright robbery!"

Zhang Yu thought of his current balance, barely over a hundred thousand; another round might leave him without money for food or exams.

Yu Xinghan, having taken the payment, shrugged off their complaints cheerfully, "Then return whenever you have the funds."

"You can contact me anytime; I’ll arrange it promptly."

Moments later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen severed their link to the Spirit Realm and awoke together in the real world.

But as Zhang Yu removed his Spirit‑Realm visor in his apartment, Fu Ji remarked, "Huh, someone’s got their eyes on you?"

Unflustered, Zhang Yu slipped into the bathroom, shut the door, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Fu Ji replied, "Someone has launched a ritual against you through the Spirit Realm, placing a shadow parasite upon you."

"Heh, this parasite can latch onto your shadow day and night, spy on your information, and relay everything to the other side."

"Given enough time, it could uncover every secret you carry."

At that, Zhang Yu’s heart leapt, “Could it already be…?”

Fu Ji soothed, “No need to worry; the parasite merely gathers intel covertly, hiding its presence, taking no overt action.”

“Only when you reconnect to the Spirit Realm will the parasite seize the chance to transmit the data to its master.”

Zhang Yu frowned slightly; even so, such a breach was intolerable.

After all, both he and Bai Zhenzhen harbor numerous secrets—any leak would be disastrous.

Fu Ji chuckled, "Heh, the one who initiated this ritual surely didn’t anticipate you traveling with a Dark God."

"Or rather, a lofty being who once stood at the pinnacle of the Dark Gods, now merely beneath the Dark God King, who instantly saw through this petty trick."

Zhang Yu’s mind stirred, thinking, "Indeed, when a Dark God seeks to control his disciples, remote control is the safest method."

"They must assume I, too, am being remotely manipulated, and thus use me to probe the Dark God behind me."

Zhang Yu said, "The ritual’s caster must be a Dark‑God follower linked to the Dark Gods behind Songyang High or Baolong High, right?"

He recalled Fu Ji once telling him that Songyang High and Baolong High each harbored a Dark God, urging him to hunt those two deities.

He hadn’t acted yet, yet his adversaries had already set their sights on him.

Zhang Yu guessed, "It seems someone among them now suspects I have a Dark God backing me."

Fu Ji replied, "Hard to say; perhaps they merely wish to investigate you."

"But anyone capable of launching a ritual to scrutinize you must be a Dark‑God disciple, no doubt."

"Come, boy."

Fu Ji’s tone was light, "Prepare me at once; I’ll initiate a ritual that will instantly help you seize control of that shadow parasite."

"Then we’ll know exactly who intends to strike you."

Within Fu Ji’s heart, a greedy desire surged uncontrollably, “Ha ha, absorbing the power of this shadow parasite

will surely restore me a bit.”

A moment later, Zhang Yu gave Bai Zhenzhen a brief greeting and slipped out of the apartment alone.

Fu Ji had initially intended to seize the chance to probe whether Zhang Yu would be willing to let Bai Zhenzhen learn about the Dark God, but she decided against it.

“That kid will surely think I… am looking for an opening, to launch a wish‑ceremony on Bai Zhenzhen and awaken her potential.”

“And indeed, that’s exactly what I’m thinking.”

“But given the current level of his trust in me, he hasn’t yet trusted me enough to let me make a wish for Bai Zhenzhen; saying it aloud would only backfire.”

“Fine, the timing isn’t right yet; we’ll speak of it later.”

……

More than an hour later.

Zhang Yu returned to the abandoned tower where he once practiced, his arms laden with bundles.

After much deliberation, he concluded that this place was quiet, undisturbed, and unlikely to be discovered.

He then began, under the Dark God’s guidance, to arrange the ceremony.

Fu Ji said, “The network you all use daily is, at its core, a conduit of divine power.”

“Originally, that divine network was reserved for the Eight Sovereign Gods, to help them govern the realms of Kunxu; only later was it gradually opened to the mortal world.”

“It forms the foundation for talismanic rites, and the very basis upon which the Eight Sovereign Gods manage Kunxu.”

“Know this: the sovereigns’ network spans the vast majority of Kunxu, rendering their sigils virtually omnipotent.”

“Yet that same network can be traversed by us Dark Gods, so we are never weaker than the sovereigns.”

Zhang Yu thought to himself that this sounded absurdly weaker than the sovereigns—more like a stowaway’s tale.

Fu Ji continued, “Our ceremony this time also rides upon the divine network, so we need a catalyst of divine energy.”

“Things like incense, paper offerings, statues, and puppets used to venerate the sovereigns are simple, inexpensive options—what we call ceremonial offerings.”

Fu Ji sighed, “But worship through the network has become fashionable, and such items are growing harder to find.”

Following Fu Ji’s instructions, Zhang Yu retrieved a candle that had been lit only halfway.

It was a worship candle previously used in another household, which Zhang Yu had purchased for himself.

Fu Ji went on, “First, the altar—this is the point where the divine network is bridged in the rite. Our resources are scant, so just improvise with that stool for now.”

“Beyond the offerings, the altar also requires a medium for the human‑divine interface, a relic to preserve the spirit‑machine, and a symbol of the Dark God’s incarnation.”

“Alas, given our limited means, we can only make do for the time being.”

“Use a mobile phone as the human‑divine medium; it can barely tap into the divine network.”

“The spirit‑machine relic can be those two flashlights—remember to set them to full brightness.”

“Having practiced the Great Sun Qi Sea, you know that light itself contains spirit‑machine. Illuminating the ritual with flashlights symbolizes a fullness of spirit‑machine, curbing the dissipation of divine power—what we call ‘the heavens above, the hells below.’”

“Evil……………………………………………………………………………………………

(End of chapter)