Hearing their conversation and combining it with what he had seen and heard, Lu Li felt that this other world should be considered a "feudal system".
The sect occupies Spiritual Vein and enjoys a high degree of autonomy, only needing to pay tribute on time.
But now that the imperial court has lost all its prestige, collecting this "protection fee" will be much more difficult.
Nan Jinping frowned and said:
"Seven of the eight Governor have stopped paying taxes to the court, Governor of the Two Rivers has even rebelled... Do you think the Jiu Shan Sect will obediently pay their dues?"
"He dares!"
Hua Ruoxi said in a shrill voice, "Under the Son of Heaven's very nose, we can't even deal with the Jiu Shan Sect!"
Nan Jinping rolled her eyes. "Then you can go by yourself, why drag me along?"
"But there's an unavoidable reason behind it."
Hua Ruoxi whispered, "The Jiu Shan Sect hasn't shown up for five years. Perhaps he's encountered some problems in his cultivation. Let's check this out while we're at it."
"A mishap?" Nan Jinping hissed, "This is no joke! What do you know? Tell me!"
The two old men were arguing like children one second, but the atmosphere suddenly became tense the next.
Xia Weiyin whispered to Lu Li, "Spirit Refinement and manipulating thoughts and Divine Soul can easily damage the brain and turn someone into a madman."
Lu Li nodded; of course he knew that.
During the practice of "Thoughtless Meditation," one might easily develop depression if one is not careful, and the later stages will certainly be fraught with danger.
A powerful person who has gone mad is obviously a huge threat.
Hua Ruoxi quickly explained the reason:
"Fan Chengxun, the leader of the Jiu Shan Sect, obtained the <Taotie Swallowing Heaven Method> from Prince Qing five years ago, and has not shown his face to outsiders since then..."
"The Taotie Swallowing Heaven Method!!!"
Nan Jinping's eyes widened, and she let out a low growl, causing the chandeliers and other furnishings in the room to tremble violently.
"This demonic art devours the flesh and blood of others; only the Jurchens can practice it... If Fan Chengxun dares to ask for it, Prince Qing dares to give it to him!?"
Hua Ruoxi said helplessly, "Who knows what they were thinking? It's no use saying all this now."
Nan Jinping sighed and then asked Xia Weijun:
"Girl, you're smart. Think back to what major event happened five years ago? Why did Fan Chengxun suddenly start practicing the <Taotie Swallowing Heaven Method>?"
"5 years ago..."
Xia Weijun pondered for a moment, then solemnly said:
"Garde chemist Fritz Haber discovered [Dimethyltryptamine]. This is a hormone secreted by pregnant women to help the fetal brain develop. But it can also stimulate the pineal gland, and has an auxiliary effect on fetal Embryonic Breathing, out-of-body experiences... and even manifestations of the Manifestation."
Nan Jinping coldly stated, "It was around that time that the Jiu Shan Sect began abducting pregnant women everywhere!"
Lu Li's expression shifted as he recalled that Xiao Cha's father had also been murdered at that time.
And what Fan Chengxun did is now crystal clear!
Nan Jinping said coldly, as if in the air:
"This bastard must have used a pregnant woman to practice the <Taotie Swallowing Heaven Method>, and got into trouble by eating people! Cannibalism will surely incur Divine Punishment and turn one into Demon Beast!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Li immediately thought of a terrifying virus— Prion Virus!
This is a horrific mutation caused by cannibalism!
But there was no time to think about it at that moment.
Nan Jinping suddenly grabbed the old eunuch by the collar and shouted:
"You damned eunuch, you knew there was a problem and still called me! So all you have to do is run faster than me if something happens?"
"Oh, it's not that serious."
Hua Ruoxi hurriedly explained:
"Fan Chengxun's problem shouldn't be too serious. If he really went mad or something, the disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect would be the first to suffer. But their sect is doing fine, and someone even became a director of the Divine Heart Society."
That's what she said, but Nan Jinping's expression still wasn't very good:
"Whether Fan Chengxun is even a decent person is another matter; this trip is going to be difficult..."
"We're both at the Innate Realm, if we can't win, we can at least run away, right?"
Hua Ruoxi exclaimed shrilly, "Besides, if he really becomes Demon Beast, I'll immediately report to the His Majesty and have him ordered by the Governor of Jinmen to eliminate him!"
Since the matter concerned the safety of the region, Nan Jinping did not refuse and solemnly nodded in agreement.
Lu Li wanted to go along to scout the place, but he couldn't find an excuse for it right away.
Fortunately, according to the rules, you have to make an appointment Mountain Gate, so there are a few days of buffer time.
Lu Li then offered to resign, saying he would go back first to test the effects of his true energy.
~~~~~~~~~~
On the way back, Lu Li was finally able to properly recall the "Prion Virus".
This thing is both amazing and terrifying!
Back in the last century, a disease called "Mad Cow Disease" swept the globe.
Not only do cattle experience convulsions and go mad, but the disease can also be transmitted to humans, causing widespread panic!
Scientists later discovered that the disease was caused by the Anglo-Saxons using the bones and internal organs left over from slaughtering cattle as feed.
In other words, cannibalism among mammals can induce this... abnormality.
Prion Virus are normal cells in the body, but cannibalism can cause prion proteins to fold incorrectly, turning them into pathogenic prion proteins.
To put it bluntly, this thing originates from within itself, and there's simply no way to defend against it!
Once the disease develops, death is inevitable, and it is accompanied by hair and skin loss, brain atrophy, and epilepsy and madness... It also causes aggression towards its own kind!
It sounds like a "zombie" virus, but it's a real "Divine Punishment."
Prion Virus are extremely difficult to inactivate; they can be stewed in a pressure cooker for several hours without any problems.
Other substances such as high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, ultrasound, alcohol, and acids are all unacceptable.
Even more incredibly, this thing has no genetic material, cannot reproduce itself, yet it can cause other normal proteins to mutate!
This act completely violates the instinct for life to reproduce, and its purpose seems to be solely to punish "cannibalism."
Thinking about this, Lu Li suddenly realized that this Prion Virus was, in a way, a warning and a protection.
It is precisely because of this thing that people eat Spirit Fruit and Spirit Beast, instead of... the flesh and marrow of Cultivator.
If we really set aside all moral boundaries, this is actually the best supplement, and it's also produced in high quantities.
After pondering for a while, the puppet had already driven home.
Lu Li out of the carriage with the "Spiritual Jade Pot" in his hand, while the courtyard gate was already open and the girls were waiting.
"We bought enough true energy for ten Great Heavenly Cycle, enough for us to use together, and it's all stored in this pot."
"This jade pot can hold true energy!?"
Xiao Cha stared with her beautiful eyes, carefully touched the "Spiritual Jade Pot," and then handed it to Wan Qing to stroke.
"It can even hold the mind's thoughts; its uses are endless. I've spent all my gold on it."
"Wow! 20,000 taels of gold! You're really brave!"
Xiao Cha gasped, and Wan Qing was also somewhat taken aback, but she could understand:
"Since you've made the purchase, there must be a reason."
"That's right, as long as it saves time, this little bit of gold is nothing."
Lu Li said, "Come on, let's try out the wonders of true qi together. This is Internal Breath that can be transformed into tangible form!"
The two girls instinctively wanted to decline, wanting to focus their resources on Lu Li.
Lu Li dragged the two of them into the house:
"Don't be so polite, we need your help to destroy the Jiu Shan Sect. Their leader has likely contracted Prion Virus..."