The Method of Secrecy

"As long as the Three Ancestors find it acceptable, I do have one matter that requires their assistance. The art of papermaking is too simple; if any of the myriad races put their minds to it, they could deduce it with ease."

Seeing that the Three Ancestors did not object to his proposal, Jiang Yuan felt a surge of excitement. However, he did not forget the main issue: resolving the problem of the easily replicable spirit paper.

The Primordial World had no patent laws. Given how useful spirit paper was, it was obvious that the powerful beings of the myriad races would find a way to replicate it, preventing the Human Race from monopolizing this benefit.

Could the powerful beings of the myriad races replicate it? It was a rhetorical question. The technique involved little complexity; a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal could grasp the essence of it with just a glance.

"This matter is simple. Write down the papermaking technique and enshrine it in the Sacred Temple. This will shield all heavenly secrets related to the art, making it impossible to divine even for those with great divine abilities," Ancestor Sui said casually.

"Ah, this..."

Jiang Yuan was stunned. He hadn't expected the solution to be so straightforward.

But he quickly realized he had fallen into a preconceived notion again. While the Primordial World lacked patent laws, it possessed divine abilities. These abilities were far more effective than any law.

If the heavenly secrets of an object were shielded, no one could recognize it, even if it were placed in the most conspicuous location.

Coincidentally, the Sacred Temple enshrined by the Human Race, dedicated to the Holy Mother Nuwa, possessed the ability to shield heavenly secrets. By placing the papermaking technique within it, the art would become the exclusive skill of the Human Race.

At that point, outsiders wouldn't be able to divine it, and even if they learned the technique, they wouldn't be able to produce paper.

Because the Sages forbade it!

That's right, Sages were that overbearing. If they didn't want something created, it wouldn't be created, even if one learned the method of its production.

"The abilities of the powerful far exceed your imagination. You are good in all aspects, but you are too young, which means your cultivation time is short and your cultivation base is low."

"When you become a powerful being in the future, you will discover that the problems you worried about now are all easily solvable, even reversing time and altering the past."

Seeing Jiang Yuan's expression, Ancestor Sui couldn't help but smile. The reason he felt Jiang Yuan was genuine was precisely this: the innocence of youth could not be faked.

Based on Jiang Yuan's demeanor, he couldn't possibly be an ancient being in disguise. He was undoubtedly a young person just embarking on the path of cultivation, naive and ignorant.

"Becoming stronger? I am already trying my best."

Jiang Yuan was also helpless. Cultivation was a painstaking process that required time to mature. Thus, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't ascend to godhood overnight and become a powerful being.

"Don't rush. When it comes to cultivation, it's better to be slow than fast. Haste makes waste," Ancestor Youchao reminded him, concerned that Jiang Yuan might become fixated on improving his realm and neglect his foundation. This was the Human Race's best talent, and nothing could go wrong.

"Rest assured, Ancestor Chao. I am cultivating the supreme Dao Sutra passed down by the Holy Mother. There will be no problems with my foundation."

When it came to his foundation, Jiang Yuan never felt there would be any issues. His foundation was absolutely solid, as stable as Mount Buzhou.

"Oh, Ancestor Zi, I've had some new ideas recently regarding weaving. There's no need to be fixated on silkworm or spider silk. The fur of beasts and the fibers of plants can also be spun into threads for weaving, and they might not be inferior to silkworm silk."

Suddenly, Jiang Yuan remembered something and spoke to Ancestor Zi. He hadn't forgotten that in later generations, besides silkworm silk, there were also various kinds of wool and yarn.

If animal fur could be spun into thread for weaving in later generations, it could certainly be done in the Primordial World as well. Moreover, while later generations needed tools for spinning and weaving, the Primordial World did not.

In an era where Dao laws manifested, one could create corresponding Dao laws and divine abilities according to their needs.

For example, papermaking was initially a technique. But with the successful creation of paper, it would soon transform into a divine ability.

By merely pointing at the materials needed for papermaking, they could be instantly transformed into corresponding spirit paper. This was only the initial stage; in later stages, even materials wouldn't be needed, and mana could be directly converted.

The same principle applied to spinning and weaving. Ancestor Zi had already developed specialized divine abilities. By pointing at a silkworm pupa, it could be instantly transformed into strands of crystalline silkworm silk.

Then, with a mere thought, it could be turned into silk fabric or, in one step, directly into clothing. However, the latter was far more complex than the former and not something everyone could achieve.

"Ah, you've reminded me. Although the East Sea Coast lacks silkworms, it is not short of beasts."

"Furthermore, beasts are unlike silkworms, which only spin silk once in their lives. Their fur can be shorn and will grow back, making it inexhaustible," Ancestor Zi said joyfully, her train of thought suddenly opened. As her words fell, merit began to gather in the sky once more, descending upon her, Jiang Yuan, and the piece of silkworm cloth.

Clothing could cover the body, protect against wind and cold, and instill a sense of shame. It was also a form of enlightenment. Because of this, Ancestor Zi had previously received merit for teaching the tribespeople to cover themselves with animal skins and leaves for warmth.

Now, with the advent of silkworm silk and wool yarn, clothing had become more refined, enhancing its effects in all aspects. Therefore, the Heavenly Dao once again bestowed merit.

The merit was still not abundant, but it was continuous. Accumulated over time, the quantity would be considerable, ranking among the top on the Primordial World's merit list, if such a list existed.

"Yuan, although this silkworm cloth was created by my hands, it was woven based on your suggestion. Therefore, you shall be the one to name it."

Under the nourishment of merit, this piece of silkworm cloth successfully ascended to the rank of a low-grade Innate Merit Spirit Treasure, no longer an ordinary item. It was time to give it a name.

Ancestor Zi, considering the origin of this silkworm cloth, granted the naming rights to Jiang Yuan.

Its color was Mysterious Yellow, and it bore the patterns of the Heavenly Dao. "Let's call it Mysterious Yellow Silk," Jiang Yuan, who wasn't good at naming things, came up with a very simple name after some thought. Since there was Mysterious Yellow merit, it should be named after Mysterious Yellow.

"Silk!"

"A very pleasant name!"

Ancestor Zi praised Jiang Yuan and then unfurled the Mysterious Yellow Silk in her hand.

The next moment, the Mysterious Yellow Silk began to transform in mid-air. Before long, it became a Mysterious Yellow Daoist robe, adorned with the patterns of Yin and Yang, Tai Chi, clouds and lightning, the sun and moon, stars, mountains and rivers, plants and trees, and so on.

"This is the Daoist robe worn by Emperor Xi, a divine robe of the Innate level. I found the style pleasing and used the Mysterious Yellow Silk to imitate it. I present this to you now for your protection."

Knowing that Jiang Yuan's cultivation was low and fearing he might encounter danger, Ancestor Zi directly gifted him the Merit Spirit Treasure, Mysterious Yellow Silk.

Or rather, in Ancestor Zi's mind, this item originally belonged to Jiang Yuan, and giving it back to him was simply returning it to its rightful owner.

"A gift from an elder, I dare not refuse. Thank you, Ancestor Zi."

Jiang Yuan had changed. Previously, he would put on a show of polite refusal. But now, any treasure bestowed upon him by an elder, regardless of its value, he accepted with equanimity.

"There's no need for thanks; this is rightfully yours," Ancestor Zi said with a light laugh.