After accepting Holy Light's illumination, new patients were already waiting outside the consultation room. Yuan Zhu chose to leave without lingering.
After leaving the hospital gates, he walked alone down the street, staring at the dim sky as he sank into thought.
Having experienced Holy Light firsthand, the confusion in his heart had not lessened. Instead, he felt that his condition had grown even more severe. Something was wrong with him mentally.
He felt as though this world was sick. Ever since yesterday, every person, event, and object he had encountered had clashed with the values and understanding instilled in him by Earth.
Now, even sacred, righteous, warm Holy Light had to be obtained by squeezing the life out of little mice. Yet the locals treated it as perfectly normal and praised the merciful Holy Light. It only made him seem like a lone survivor from another age, utterly out of place.
"No! You're not sick. Your judgment is correct. The fault isn't yours—the world is what has gone wrong! Even I, a system elf, can't stand watching this. What a world born evil by nature."
The Little Elf detected abnormal mental fluctuations from its host and irregular levels of brain hormone secretion. He was clearly showing depressive tendencies. It hurriedly jumped out, interrupting his dangerous thoughts and injecting him with rainbow energy.
"Really? I don't believe you!"
The Little Elf said, "There's a saying: if you think something is bad or wrong, then transform it and build it anew. You're just an innocent Transmigrator plus a big dark kitty. What could a kitty possibly do wrong? If you feel unhappy, then ruthlessly transform every person and thing that displeases you. Don't turn the blade inward—be brave enough to make others suffer instead. Fuck this damned world! Make it conform to your values and take on your shape."
Under the nourishment of the Little Elf's poisonous chicken soup for the soul, Yuan Zhu's low spirits gradually rose. "Oh? Can I really do that?"
"The Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture fulfills your dream of ascension! Even if I can't do it, you certainly can. Come on, believe in yourself!" The rainbow expert poured this bowl of crudely processed industrial chicken soup straight into the depths of Yuan Zhu's soul.
Revitalized, Yuan Zhu stopped dwelling on the strangeness of Holy Light. After getting his bearings, he boarded another bus. "Then next, I'll go have a look around Fire Fang."
Half an hour later, he arrived at the Cleaning Company where he worked. It was a cement building with only two floors. Behind the small building was a walled courtyard, with a small warehouse built inside.
As soon as he entered the gate, someone greeted him. "Little Yuan, you weren't hurt, were you? Rest up and recover. The boss gave you three days off."
"Zhu Zi, I heard you got caught up in an evil ritual, and quite a few people died? How did you escape? Was it exciting? Tell us about it."
"Yuan Zhu, the vehicle you drove out has already been recovered. If you lost the keys, remember to register it."
One unfamiliar colleague after another came over, asking after his well-being. Seeing that he was intact, without any disability or serious injury, they even teased him a little. It gave him a hint of warmth. Perhaps this world was not entirely beyond saving after all?
A sturdy middle-aged woman with a barrel waist came down from the second floor carrying a mop. When she saw him, she said, "Yuan Zhu, the boss heard you were here and wants you upstairs. He has something to discuss with you."
"Okay, I'm going."
Familiar with the route, he went up to the second floor and pushed open the second office door on the right. Inside sat a bearded middle-aged man reading a newspaper. The man looked up, revealing an utterly unremarkable, ordinary face. "Little Yuan, it really wasn't easy for you to survive."
"..."
The boss said, "Last night, I took some people to retrieve the car. While we were there, we also took over the cleanup work at that manor's murder scene. There weren't many remains left, but the residual pollution was enough to determine how dangerous it had been. The fact that you survived is truly a miracle. You're our company's lucky mascot. For a while, you need to watch out for strangers appearing around you."
Yuan Zhu asked, "Why?"
The boss smiled at him. "I don't care what you went through. But surviving that kind of sacrifice completely unscathed, without suffering even the slightest pollution—is that reasonable? Someone will definitely notice. Soon, those interested in you, or interested in the sacrifice, will come into contact with you one after another..."
Yuan Zhu also knew that his situation was far too conspicuous and unusual. But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't run away just over such a trivial matter, could he? He lacked knowledge of this world and was unfamiliar with the place, so he might as well continue using this identity to make contact with the local extraordinary powers.
As for risk? Once he activated the Boss Template, those interested in him would learn who the real risk was.
Yuan Zhu spread his hands and looked at the boss expectantly. "Then what should I do? What can I do? Boss, give me something good to keep me alive."
The boss rolled his eyes. "I want some too. Perhaps it's time for you to enter this circle. Learn a little power to protect yourself, and you'll be able to handle higher-end cleaning work and earn more money for me. But I need to make one thing clear in advance: coming into contact with and mastering extraordinary power is itself extremely dangerous. Think it through carefully. Don't get hot-headed and act on impulse. This is fundamentally different from martial cultivation and tempering the body."
"The essence of cultivating an Extraordinary System is proactively, methodically, and with safeguards in place coming into contact with Pollution Sources bit by bit. You actively pollute yourself, reconstruct yourself, increase your Deviation Degree, and ultimately gain power beyond common sense. Most importantly, once this road is opened, it cannot be stopped or reversed. At the same time, it carries extremely high risks of physical mutation, mental distortion, and death."
Cultivating strength meant being actively and methodically polluted. Losing control and mutating meant passive, disorderly pollution. That did fit his understanding of this world.
Yuan Zhu asked, "Then what about the lawful orthodox systems? Do they also involve actively coming into contact with pollution?"
The boss shrugged indifferently. "They all look the same to me. So-called lawful True Gods and orthodox systems are simply strong enough. They have the greatest influence, their spheres of power span the globe, and they hold the right to speak. So whoever they define as righteous becomes righteous. Of course, systems such as Holy Light, immortals, and Buddhists have been refined by generation after generation of cultivators pressing forward one after another, so their risk of losing control is comparatively lower than that of more niche systems. That makes them seem safer."
Yuan Zhu became excited and asked, "Then what do you recommend, Boss? What can I come into contact with? And what systems exist in this world?"
The boss put down his newspaper and rubbed his hair. "Now that stumps me. There are numerous Extraordinary Systems in this world, with differing upper limits. They constantly rise and perish. I suggest choosing one that is mature, has a high upper limit, and is relatively lawful. Mature means there are many cultivators and more abundant experience, so the chance of losing control can be lowered. A high upper limit represents future potential. And being lawful ensures you won't become a rat crossing the street, someone anyone can legally kill."
Yuan Zhu quickly stepped forward, poured tea and water for the boss, and asked, "What systems like that are there?"
"Safe, lawful systems recognized by the public include Buddhism, Daoism, and the Holy Temple—the three great houses of orthodoxy. In addition, on the New Continent, Steam Totems, elemental Alchemy, the Knight System... all have considerable spread as well. But in terms of global reach, influence, low entry difficulty, legal standing, and adaptability... only the Law System stands above the rest. Because what is lawful and what is not is determined by the Law System. Even the Security Bureau is a supporting facility created for Law Decree."
Hearing this, Yuan Zhu decisively cast Holy Light to the back of his mind and pressed further. "Is this Law System really that strong? The world's largest extraordinary force?"
The boss thought about it and replied, "You could say that. You need to understand something: every system has prerequisites or a price for entry. Once you successfully enter, it means your body has been eroded and transformed by that power, gaining unique traits. On that foundation, you construct the corresponding 'system' within your body. That change is irreversible. So once you choose a system, it is like dyeing a sheet of white paper. From then on, you can only walk one road. The special aspect of the Law System is that it can indirectly bind any type of system and make it serve its user."
Yuan Zhu said, "I understand. Once you choose another system, you can't regret it or withdraw. But the Law System has countless choices, so of course I'll choose Law Decree! It has wide reach, low entry difficulty, and high adaptability..."
The boss asked, "Do you know the entry requirements or price of Law Decree?"
"What is it?"
"The Law System originated from the Legalist concept of 'laws and regulations.' You can understand it as extreme self-restraint and self-discipline. First, you must clearly define your own will, then create a set of Law Decrees and doctrines to restrain yourself. From then on, you strengthen your will through practicing them, and use that will to manifest your laws. In the end, you can use your own 'Law Decree' to capture and restrain other extraordinary powers."
Yuan Zhu said, "It sounds a little harsh, but the price doesn't seem too great?" Though he was not particularly tempted, he felt that the Law System was far more legitimate than the Holy Light System.
"You must uphold your laws for life and never break the Precepts. If that isn't enough, there is another entry requirement for Law Decree: anyone who establishes Precepts must unconditionally dedicate everything to the Pale Great Law. That includes the power accumulated through cultivation while alive, all assets and wealth, the soul after death—everything, absolutely everything must be offered up before you can wield the power of Law Decree. Can you meet that requirement?"
The ultimate contract of selling oneself?
"What exactly is this Pale Great Law? Why should I offer everything to it?"
The boss sighed. "The Pale Great Law is a theoretical concept: Duling's planetary will, or in other words, this world's heavenly law. Cultivators of the Law System have always been working toward 'creating an ultimate artificial heavenly law that covers and governs every extraordinary power on Du Ling Star.'"
"This planet is connected to countless alternate-dimensional universes, breeding innumerable Demonic Beasts and disaster gods. So people of ambition stepped forward, wanting to bind all of it and create a new world of order, peace, and cleanliness. Thus came the Law System, creating a supreme, impartial, selfless 'heavenly law' to operate this world."
"The Pale Great Law is the true name of this artificial heavenly law. It is like a code that restrains and enslaves all extraordinary phenomena. The reason Law Decree can bind other systems is essentially because it uses cultivators as tools to capture, control, and refine other extraordinary powers. Once cultivators die, those powers return to the Great Law, strengthening and expanding its essence. It then provides new cultivators with more powerful 'laws and regulations' to restrain and enslave even stronger forces. That creates a positive cycle."
Yuan Zhu asked, "So am I working for the Great Law, or cultivating for myself?"
"You're a mere mortal, harmed by Demonic Beasts and oppressed by the strong. Law Decree gives you a chance to change your fate. You borrow the power of Law Decree while alive, then return everything to Law Decree after death. Fair and reasonable. If you're unwilling, choose another system."
Yuan Zhu said, "What do the other systems have? Recommend a few for me."
The boss shook his head. "I can't recommend any. I'm only familiar with Law Decree, and their recruitment threshold is low too. How about this? This weekend, go consult at the Rain Institute. They have departments specializing in Extraordinary Knowledge, and you can pay for guidance."
Yuan Zhu said, "Rain Institute? Why does that sound so familiar? I feel like I've heard it somewhere."
"Rain City University, Running City Municipal Academy of Gem Processing and Mineral Exploration."
"Ah! No wonder it sounded so familiar."
The boss pushed a prepared handbook toward Yuan Zhu. "All right, don't aim too high. Even if you want to choose, there are only a few systems you can access. This is an advanced cleaning manual. Take it back and study it properly. It contains a small amount of secret knowledge that ordinary people cannot access. Since you survived, you are no longer an ordinary person. Prepare yourself to take on more difficult challenges. Actually, both Holy Light and Law Decree are quite good. Their safety has received widespread recognition; they truly deserve to be regarded as the leaders of the orthodox path."
Yuan Zhu asked, "Then which faction are you from, Boss?"
"Me? What is our company called?"
Yuan Zhu said, "Fire Fang."
"Then isn't it obvious? I'm a partner of the King of Burning Fire." A wisp of flame rose from the boss's fingertip, and he used it to light the cigarette in his mouth. "You can leave now. Go home and study the manual carefully. In a few days, I'll assign you a job. It's a Haunted House. Form your own team, exorcise the spirits, settle the dead, and purify the entire villa."
Yuan Zhu's spirits jolted. A big job was already here? They were not even waiting for him to level up first. "A Haunted House—is it truly haunted or falsely haunted? Are there ghosts?"
"Of course there are. Otherwise, why would the client pay such a high price? As for how you handle it, that's up to you. If you don't do well, keep serving as an apprentice and assistant to the senior employees. If you do a beautiful job, then from now on you can form your own team, take your own orders, and receive a cut from your subordinates."
Yuan Zhu said, "Don't worry, Boss. I'll perform well!"
"Mhm. Work hard and don't let down my expectations." With that, he gestured for Yuan Zhu to put away the work manual titled "13 Exorcism Rituals."
Holding the thin booklet, Yuan Zhu left the boss's office feeling somewhat invigorated. It was feedback conveyed to him by this body.
The original owner had always worked hard for this very opportunity: the chance to enter a more secretive circle, to learn and master extraordinary power. Now, he had even obtained the qualifications to conduct independent cleaning work.
Yuan Zhu simply opened the "13 Exorcism Rituals" manual and began reading as he walked, wanting to learn what the secret knowledge of this world was really like. But gradually, his expression became strange. Just what had this book written in it? Chapter One: High-Temperature Demon Removal. Light a great fire, scorch incorporeal spirits, burn Pollution Material... The accelerant required Daoist talismans purchased from the market... blah blah blah.
Chapter Two: Toxic Demon Removal. Seal the doors and windows, release Chlorine Gas, and fumigate for twelve hours...
Chapter Three: Infrasound Thunder Method Demon Removal. Purchase a specially made dried corpse of a Death God bat, purchase a Thunder Method power-generating device, insert it into the chrysanthemum gate and the heavenly pool, then turn on the electricity...
Flipping through the book quickly, he saw more entries: Black Vinyl Grade Zen Sound Exorcism required preparing a shrine, offerings, incense, a Buddha statue, a phonograph, black vinyl Buddhist scripture records, and holding a small spirit-summoning ritual... Further on were methods such as formaldehyde incense fumigation and radioactive ore evil suppression.
It somehow exuded a distinctly scientific flavor.
Though he was unclear which parts of the manual involved actual "secret knowledge," the book 13 Exorcism Rituals documented more than twenty exorcism methods. That alone was enough to prove the formidable business capabilities of the Fire Fang Cleaning Company. There was always one suitable for every client.
Following the good habit of slacking off that he had developed, Yuan Zhu made his way to the restroom, found a quiet stall, closed the toilet lid, sat on it, and quietly read through the manual, hoping to find methods for dealing with "Haunted House exorcism."
Second by second, time passed. The restroom, where he had originally been able to hear dripping water, passersby's footsteps, and conversations, had at some point become utterly silent. It was so quiet that he could hear only his own breathing and heartbeat...
"Something's wrong!"
The moment he realized something was amiss, the Immortal Scripture also issued an alert, detecting traces of abnormal spacetime fluctuations! Please leave your current location as soon as possible.
"What's going on?" he called to the Little Elf.
After a burst of static interference, the Little Elf replied, "I have relevant records. After comparison, it matches the abnormal spacetime fluctuations we encountered last night!"
Yuan Zhu immediately thought of that alleyway that did not belong to Running City. "Did this token cause it?"
As he spoke, he took the bronze token from the inner pocket of his jacket.
"Huh?"
The token was indeed emitting abnormal spacetime fluctuations. After the Little Elf scanned it, the matching fluctuations were confirmed. But something was wrong inside the token: creaking and grinding sounds came from within it, while the metal characters and patterns on its surface twisted, rusted green, and rapidly peeled away.
The entire token twisted and warped beneath an invisible force. It was like it could not withstand the crushing pressure of distorted spacetime, letting out a struggling groan as though it were about to be squeezed to death.
Yuan Zhu looked around. He was still in the restroom, but it was as if the light sources around him had been severed. Visibility was growing lower and lower.
"Can we still escape?"
The Little Elf said, "It happened too quickly. You can treat this place as an enclosed space like an elevator. We are now separating from the original spacetime. Rashly breaking the balance could cause something bad to happen. Why not wait a little longer?"
Yuan Zhu was unhappy. "I can run into something like this just by using the restroom? How many times has this been now?"
The Little Elf hesitated. "Perhaps this is Running City's punishment mechanism against malicious paid defecation by the broad working masses? Whoever dares to maliciously poop on company time beyond the standard limit gets teleported to another spacetime to be hunted down and tortured?"
Yuan Zhu said, "Heh... You actually made me laugh!"
Worthy of being a master of psychological treatment, he suddenly was no longer panicked. He even wanted to sneer.
A 5k update cleared in one go. Please support with recommendations, monthly tickets, tips, and comments...
Before you continue