Above Destiny

Chapter 562 Three Phases
After he said that, Lou Feng fell silent.

Look at him.

Dumbfounded.

If we set aside preconceived notions and consider Ji Jue's question, then the creation before us seems, perhaps, indeed...

hiss!
—That doesn't really count.

The main materials are alloys, rubber, and chips. The main technologies are industrial exoskeletons and well-established supporting technologies. The drivers are all self-developed... Although the server was written by itself after the deus ex machina, can you still call it self-developed?
Standard industrial products.

It has no spiritual circuits or special materials, and it doesn't possess any blessing or benevolent aura, so how can it be considered an alchemical creation?

Although the spirit of creation is mature, it is not artificially processed. In fact, it may not even be the spirit of creation... because it inherently possesses the dual attributes of both spiritual beings and the spirit of creation.

If we really investigate, it's just a suspected misuse of spiritual beings. But this falls under the domains of Ascension and Vortex. Moreover, the Ascension faction has never been involved in this, as everyone is too busy managing themselves. As for the Vortex faction... haha, we Vortex faction members are much more unrestrained than you craftsmen!

If I had to name the main regulatory body, well, let me see, the State Security Bureau!

Moreover, according to the principle of territorial jurisdiction, this is a case within Haizhou. The registered offices of Coastal Industry and Coastal Technology are in the northern mountainous area of ​​Yacheng and the central area of ​​Chaocheng, respectively. The heads of the responsible units are Wen Wen and Lou Yanyue. No matter how high the fuss goes, it can only be brought to the attention of Commander Lü...

Alright, that's enough. Who are you below, and why are you accusing me?
That was such a close call, even Gustav would shake his head. The penalty shooters wouldn't even be able to find the door!

Moreover, even if it's borderline, it's still within the tacitly permitted scope of the rules. Even if the association really doesn't give them any face and really tightens the rules, then the one who will be cursing the most won't be Ji Jue!
If we're being honest, the only thing on the entire machine that's at risk is the container used to house the spirit of creation.

But now, Ji Jue rummaged through the dust for a long time and found a tightly sealed and well-preserved box. After tearing open the seal, he took out a motherboard the size of a palm.

It was given to Lou Feng.

Lou Feng took it in his hand and began reverse engineering without any hesitation. The more he analyzed, the more interesting his expression became. As expected, in addition to the common motherboard materials, there were some spiritual conductors mixed in, but they were basically the common mercury and lead, the mediums most often used in fluid alchemy.

But is it illegal for me to use mercury and lead in my industrial products?

Which rule did you break?!
Environmental protection law?

It is true that it contains spiritual crystals, but the technique is extremely subtle and exquisite. The entire motherboard weighs less than 0.2 grams. On the one hand, this is an extreme reduction in cost, and on the other hand, it is still far from the standard of more than 0.41 grams per 200 grams, which is strictly stipulated in the relevant rules of the Association's evaluation criteria for alchemical products!

While the quantity has been reduced, the purity and quality have indeed increased, and the processing technology requirements are also higher. This is probably one of the reasons why they wanted to partner with Loujia.

After taking a look, Lou Feng had already identified four areas where costs could be reduced in terms of technology and processes.

So, the highest cost is actually the Creation Spirit derived from the Fly King. But if the selling price of the entire product doesn't bring in more than thirty times the profit, Lou Feng dares to write his name backwards!

What truly puzzled him, causing him to repeatedly examine the motherboard, pondering and scratching his head, was...

"How did you solve the compatibility issue between the spirit of creation and the carrier?"

Lou Feng held the spirit probe in his hand and had already begun to dissect the internal structure on the spot, but no matter how he looked at it, he could not find any trace of alchemical connection!
Admittedly, some parts may have been modified, but there is no concrete evidence at all. The Creator and the entire motherboard have been integrated and perfectly adapted.

It's as if it was born this way, perfectly natural!

It should be noted that any spiritual circuit or rune within it will be scrutinized by the association's supervisory department with a magnifying glass and then restricted.

But now, the spirit of creation seems to have been born from the motherboard, without any flaws.

Is this possible?

Even fluid alchemy must follow the four principles of ascension, purification, extraction, transformation, and integration. How could it possibly be without any trace?

The more Lou Feng looked, the more his pupils contracted, and he couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"how did you do it?!"

Then he saw the mysterious smile that appeared on Ji Jue's lips.

smile.

"Want to learn?"

Ji Jue's whisper came from beside my ear, like a devil's seduction: "I'll teach you."

I don't need you at all!
Lou Feng instinctively wanted to refute, but his fingers involuntarily clenched the motherboard, and he froze.

It seems like it's actually being used...

The technology that so perfectly matched his research direction was right before his eyes, yet he had never seen it before, nor even imagined it.

No craftsman could tolerate such a situation, nor could they resist such a terrifying temptation. Before anger and rejection, what first arose in their hearts was an uncontrollable hunger and wavering.

She stared blankly at Ji Jue.

Ji Jue was also looking at him.

Just a smile.

There was no mockery or teasing; it was as if someone casually mentioned in conversation that they would treat each other to lunch this afternoon—a nonchalant and unconcerned remark.

Regardless of acting skills, whether it was genuine or concealed some trap, Lou Feng couldn't understand. But it was precisely this nonchalant calm that caused his heart to ache, making him furious, yet also... an indescribable longing.

Until the craftsman's instincts completely overwhelmed his pride.

Lou closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and lowered his head.

"Please teach me."

He said, "I want it."

I can't hear you, speak louder!

What's all that gurgling noise? Go cook me two dishes!
He was prepared to be mocked, but Ji Jue simply reached into his pocket and took out a notebook that he had just transcribed yesterday.

"Then you'll have to be patient. There's a lot of background theory and technical knowledge involved, and it's a bit scattered. I haven't taught it to anyone else. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."

Ji Jue patiently stuffed notebooks into his hands: "These are techniques related to fluid alchemy involving the spiritual body."

This section is a reverse application of fluid alchemy, related to the fundamentals of solid alchemy.

"Time was a bit tight. I just finished adapting the theory of modern alchemy, but there's still room for improvement. The requirements for controlling spiritual matter are quite high. Oh, never mind. Of course, you'll also need some accumulation in terms of absolute... cough... ascension. Then you can look at this part."

After pausing for a moment, Ji Jue added another document stamped with the State Security Bureau's confidentiality seal on top of the small mountain of documents.

Lou Feng subconsciously picked it up and examined it, but found that it was not from the Yu Jin lineage, and couldn't help but frown: "This... what is this?"

"Uh, cough cough..."

Ji Jue's gaze drifted to other places: "The main analysis of a vortex system theory called 'vortex cultivation', which also includes some notes written by a teacher named Lawrence, is quite valuable. In short, after getting a general understanding, you will be able to grasp the principles of this new technology."

Fluid alchemy, which enhances matter with spiritual energy, and solid alchemy, which restrains spiritual energy with matter, overlap between the inner and outer, form and spirit, and upper and lower aspects. Finally, by referring to some theories and ideas of vortex cultivation and combining them with the blessing enhancement of the Desolate Ruins system, such bizarre effects can be achieved.

That bastard Ji Jue might have just finished modifying part of the fluid alchemy technique and is using me as a guinea pig!
But Lou Feng didn't care at all.

So what if it's an experimental subject? Does that mean what we learn isn't real knowledge?
So many people would pay money to get this opportunity, so let's not be ungrateful!
He even forgot the occasion and started flipping through the pages.

Skimming through ten lines without seeking deeper understanding.

I simply carried my own questions and sought answers, and eventually, amidst the intertwining of various theories, I had a vague sense of understanding.

— By implanting spiritual essence into matter and anchoring them together through fluid and solid alchemy, the enhancement of spirituality drives the enhancement of materiality, and then the activated materiality, in turn, stabilizes spirituality.

Ultimately, within a brief cycle, a stable structure is formed. At the same time, it can continuously absorb free spiritual energy from the outside world, thereby sustaining the consumption of the spirit of creation, and even nurturing, accumulating, and transforming it, leading to further growth...

Ultimately, it grew into what it is today.

Naturally.

Isn't it perfectly natural?

Apart from the use of alchemy at the very beginning of the planting, everything else was a natural evolution of materiality and spirituality... What was utilized was the natural tendency of spirituality and matter to combine!

Theoretically speaking, as long as a land rich in spiritual energy is found, such works can be produced in large quantities in an endless stream, just like farming.

Sow the seeds, and then wait for the harvest.

"hiss……"

Lou Feng's eye twitched violently. "This is fucking weird!"

Using this thing to create a compatible form for the spirit of creation is a complete waste of its potential.

Essentially, it involves using a mature spiritual body to extract material properties and grow itself.

If catalyzed, it can parasitically devour the host in a manner akin to possession, gradually wiping it out completely and replenishing itself.

Such technology, once it becomes unscrupulous—oh, no need for "once"—in the hands of a scoundrel like Ji Jue, could lead to such heinous acts that he simply dared not even imagine!

"What's so strange about this?"

Ji Jue said with an air of righteousness, "Taking from the surplus to give to the needy is the way of balance, what's wrong with that?" The problem is that you, you bastard, are unbalanced in every way! Even if technology has no inherent good or evil, do you think I don't know whether you're good or evil?!
If the spiritual entities are in balance, they can coexist. However, if they are at odds, then the spiritual entity will plunder the physical matter, almost to the point of becoming a monster...

Just thinking about it made Lou Feng break out in a sweat—what if he found an unclaimed ley line and planted something in it... things could get really messy!
What he couldn't help was that, holding such a theory in his hand, his mind began to overflow with all sorts of inspirations and ideas that made him feel uneasy.

If I did that here, wouldn't I be able to be even more utterly depraved?
By the time I realized what was happening, I was drenched in cold sweat. Once your thinking starts to go astray, you're not far from falling into the abyss.

"This thing...this thing...it..."

Lou Feng's voice was hoarse as he gripped the notebook so tightly it was almost deformed, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Everything Ji Jue promised was laid out before him, without any intention of holding back or asking for a higher price. He even included a secret technique that was rooted in the foundation and went even further.

Fluid alchemy has been completely open-sourced to him.

What else could he say?
He said he was scared and wanted to go home? His teacher would have to travel a long way to give him a big slap on the wrist and then expel him from the school—what a disgrace!

Craftsmen are such indiscriminate creatures; they'll use any theory that seems useful, regardless of whether it's medicine or poison—they'll digest it first and worry about the consequences later.

As for whether this is the legacy of sages... just kidding. Something so bizarre and unorthodox, and mixed with so many catalytic theories of necromantic alchemy, could it be something left behind by mercury?

In other words, this is purely a new direction that Ji Jue has further elaborated and created based on his own skills in the adaptation of fluid alchemy!
Even if it's just the basics now, it's enough to be passed down as a unique skill and establish a lineage within the association.

In the end, Lou Feng sighed helplessly:
Does it have a name?

"Hmm, planting spirits in things, and the spirits of things merging with each other, could it be called the Wilderness Cultivation Technique?"

After a moment of contemplation, Ji Jue suddenly laughed: "In essence, it is about moving from physical to spiritual, from solid to fluid, from dissolution to sublimation—since we already have fluid alchemy and solid alchemy, let's call it 'gas alchemy'."

Fluids, solids, gases.

From then on, all three aspects were complete.

The three complement each other and have entered a brand new field.

Stepping on the stepping stones left by the sages of the past, and after digesting countless skills and secrets, Ji Jue finally stepped into a brand new hall.

The realm of the master has opened its doors to him.

When Ji Jue completes the adaptation of fluid alchemy and establishes his own lineage within the association, the title of master will soon be bestowed upon him.

But the moment gas alchemy was born, he no longer needed any permission or recognition, and pushed open that door that was incredibly distant from Lou Feng.

Both the name and the reality exist, and they are both in our hands!
The so-called gap finally appeared before Lou Feng's eyes.

But he was almost unable to feel jealousy and hatred anymore. Apart from exhaustion and fear, a faint sense of numbness and relief was emerging.

If we're going to get on a pirate ship, then so be it. At least this pirate ship is fierce, powerful, and fast enough.

As for where to go, that's not something I can control.

The moment he understood, he became calm.

It's just a transaction, a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Without hesitation, he swallowed the bait Ji Jue had thrown out, and asked in return, "Then, what's the price?"

"Don't worry, I won't let you take it for free."

Ji Jue grinned: "Consider this as an advance payment for your wages over the next five years. Besides that, well, given the size of the Lou family, asking for a share of the 'rising tide' and a fixed-price base isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Lou Feng remained silent, his expression twitching for a moment.

That bastard can really open his mouth wide!

Ascending Essence Fat, a precious and extremely rare material in the Ascending Transformation series, is the core ingredient in rituals such as 'Enlightenment,' applied to the top of the head to break through material constraints, bringing the soul closer to the highest good, and thus achieving incredible growth and enlightenment.

Its most precious aspect lies in its essential purity. It is a drop of liquid extracted from the qualitative changes of infinite spiritual matter, gradually accumulating over time and being refined into an oil-like texture.

Pure philosophical insight, without any philosophical principles or influence, is a natural product born when the soul ascends, and is free from any pollution.

It is almost a material manifestation of the soul's ascension process, a precious treasure that the chosen ones of the Ascension line dream of. Not to mention a portion, even a drop is enough to make someone's brains pop out.

The foundation of equilibrium is the essence of the Desolate Ruins system, a symbol of unchanging matter—pure primordial matter, containing no attributes and unable to undergo any changes, nor is it affected by anything.

Eternal stability and uniformity.

In extremely rare circumstances, this kind of blank substance can be formed. Besides enhancing the potential and weaknesses of the Chosen Ones of the Desolate Ruins lineage, its greatest function is usually to utilize its extremely stable properties to create extremely precise measuring tools.

Equally rare, equally niche, and equally applicable to an extremely narrow range.

The biggest use of putting these two things together is...

"Inspiration from above?"

Lou Feng blurted out, then immediately shook his head in denial—admittedly, these two materials, which are closest to the transformation and the desolate ruins, are the most suitable as the core of the superior's appeal. But the key is that there are countless substitutes. As far as Ji Jue's personality is concerned, he only looks at the data and results, not the process. He would never abandon cost-effectiveness in vain in pursuit of quality.

Moreover, only one of the two is needed.

If you have both, then the most likely outcome is that only one remains.

Through their inherent nature, they introduce the original essence of transformation and desolation, soul and matter into a specific existence, thereby forming a structure that is infinitely close to the soul, and thus resonating with the highest good!

Only in this way can it be worthy of such high-quality materials.

Lou Feng suddenly realized something and asked incredulously, "You want to imbue something with a spirit?"

This bastard has already started to explore the realm of Matrix artifacts!

Ji Jue smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Don't ask so many questions, just tell me if you'll give it to me or not!
Lou Feng rolled his eyes, took out his phone, walked to the side, and dialed a number.

They even used Wujie Communication's secure line; otherwise, that bastard Ji Jue would have overheard everything, and he might have even maxed out their bank cards.

"Grandpa, it's me... um, the gap is a bit big, no need, I can handle it. I'll go talk to Second Uncle. Also, um, okay."

I know, I want to mortgage my shares. Yes, I don't feel like I'm losing anything, since they're all in family hands anyway. I've thought it through, and I'd appreciate it if my uncle could be a witness when the time comes.

After making the call, Lou Feng hung up and sighed with heartache.

He didn't have many shares to begin with, and after becoming a craftsman, his grandfather gave him a sum of money. However, this time half of it was used to offset the debt, and with the remaining portion still outstanding, given the terrifying money-devouring efficiency of Coastal Technology, it probably won't last long.

As a result, life became increasingly difficult.

But why is it that some scoundrels live such a prosperous life?
Oh, so he enjoyed it for me!

And he himself still had to fight and struggle for his Matrix artifact, working like a slave... No, he couldn't think about it anymore! His fists were already hardened!

“I have some of that rising fat at home. I just managed to get a whole batch last month because we couldn’t reach an agreement with the next supplier. I’ll deliver it to you right away.”

He glanced at the time on his watch: "You'll have to wait until tomorrow for the foundation of the balance. The perpetual bank has already closed down and settled its accounts by now, so it won't be delivered from the vault in Central City until tomorrow."

"No problem, we've waited so long, a few more days won't matter."

Ji Jue nodded and asked with a smile, "It seems the deal was worthwhile?"

"Thanks to you."

Lou Feng, with a sullen face, put away the things Ji Jue had given him: "At least I've gained something."

"How are you feeling?" Ji Jue asked with concern.

Seeing the hypocritical face that this bastard showed after taking the benefits, Lou Feng couldn't help but sneer: "Heh, still alive, no need to worry, he can eat and sleep well."

"No, what I mean is, you're getting paid and your health has improved, so why aren't you going to work?"

Ji Jue frowned and slowly asked, "Xiao Lou, I have to say something to you. Sleeping? At your age and with your position, how can you still sleep?"

Has today's spiritual energy supply been secured? Has tomorrow's supply been secured? Is the makeshift company's framework in place? Has product optimization been completed? Has the workshop's transformation begun? Is the equipment ready?

The company hired you to work hard together, not to retire here. How can you repay all my hard work...?

Silence, a long silence.

Only Lou, expressionless, stared at the humanoid creature before him for a long time before suddenly smiling with relief.

Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves...

Damn it, I can't stand it!
On his first day at work, Lou Feng suddenly realized the ultimate essence of business warfare: grab a hammer and a wrench and have a fight with your partner!
They didn't win.

(End of this chapter)