New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 25: Anti-malicious paid slacking punishment mechanism

After receiving the illumination of the holy light, there were new patients waiting outside the consultation room, so Yuan Zhu chose to leave without staying.

After leaving the hospital, Yuan Zhu walked alone on the street, staring at the dim sky, and fell into deep thought.

After personally experiencing the Holy Light, his confusion didn't ease, and instead he felt his condition had worsened. It was a mental issue.

He feels like the world is sick?
Since yesterday, everything and everyone he has come into contact with has conflicted with the three perspectives he cultivated on Earth.

Now, even the warm holy light of divine justice must be obtained by draining the life of the rat. The locals are accustomed to this and praise the merciful holy light. This makes him seem out of place and isolated from the world.

"No! You're not sick, your judgment is correct. It's not your fault, it's the world that's wrong! Even I, a system elf, can't stand it anymore. This is truly an inherently evil world."

The elf noticed that the host's mental fluctuations were abnormal, the brain hormone secretion levels were abnormal, and he was clearly prone to depression. So he quickly jumped out, interrupted his dangerous thoughts, and injected rainbow energy.

"Really? I don't believe it!"

Elf: "There's a saying that goes, if you think something is wrong, then transform it and build it. You're just an innocent time traveler and a dark big cat. What could a cat do wrong? If you're unhappy, ruthlessly transform everything you dislike. Don't waste your energy on yourself, be brave enough to put others in a difficult position. Fuck this damn world! Make it conform to your values and take on your shape."

Yuan Zhu's depressed mood gradually improved after being nourished by the elf's spiritual chicken soup: "Oh? Can I really do this?"

"【Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture】, help you realize your dream of ascending to heaven! Even if I can't do it, you can definitely do it. Come on, believe in yourself!" The Rainbow expert directly poured this bowl of crudely processed industrial chicken soup into the depths of Yuan Zhu's soul.

Yuan Zhu, revitalized, stopped thinking about the strangeness of the Holy Light. After figuring out the direction, he boarded another bus: "Then, let's go to the Fang of Fire."

...

Half an hour later, he arrived at the cleaning company where he worked. It was a two-story concrete building. Behind it was a walled yard with a small warehouse.

As he entered the gate, someone greeted him: "Xiao Yuan, you're okay, right? Rest and recover. The boss has given you three days off."

"Zhuzi, I heard you were involved in a sinister ritual and many people died. How did you escape? Was it exciting? Tell me about it."

"Yuan Zhu, the car you drove out has been retrieved. If you lost the key, remember to register it."

One by one, his "unfamiliar" colleagues approached him, asking about his well-being. Seeing that he was unharmed and not seriously injured, they even joked with him. This made him feel a little warmer. It seemed that the world was not beyond redemption after all.

A sturdy, barrel-chested woman came down from the second floor, carrying a mop. Seeing him, she said, "Yuan Zhu, the boss heard you were here and asked you to come up to see him. He wants to talk to you."

"Okay, let's go."

He walked up to the second floor, familiar with the surroundings, and opened the door to the second office on his right. Inside sat a middle-aged man with a beard, reading a newspaper. He looked up, revealing a featureless, ordinary face. "Xiao Yuan, it's really not easy for you to survive."

"..."

Boss: "I took someone to retrieve the car last night, and I also took over the cleanup of the crime scene at the manor. Although there weren't many bodies left, the contamination left behind indicated how dangerous the situation was. It's a miracle you survived. You're our company's mascot. For the next while, you need to be careful of strangers around you."

Yuan Zhu: "Why is that?"

The boss smiled at him. "I don't care what you've been through. But surviving that kind of sacrifice, unscathed and uncontaminated, is that reasonable? Someone will definitely notice. Soon, those who are interested in you, or in the sacrifice, will contact you one after another..."

Yuan Zhu knew his situation was too conspicuous and special, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't just run away because of such a small matter, could he? He lacked knowledge of this world and was unfamiliar with it. It would be better for him to continue using this identity to contact the local extraordinary power.

As for the risks? Once he activates the [Boss Template], those who are interested in him will know who the real risk is.

Yuan Zhu spread his hands and looked at the boss expectantly: "What should I do? What else can I do? Boss, please give me something good to save my life."

The boss rolled his eyes. "I still want it. Perhaps it's time for you to get involved in this world. With some self-protection skills, you can handle higher-end cleaning jobs and earn me more money. But I have to make one thing clear upfront: coming into contact with and mastering extraordinary powers is inherently dangerous. You must think carefully and don't act impulsively. This is fundamentally different from martial arts training and honing your body."

"The essence of the Transcendental System's practice is to proactively, methodically, and cautiously engage with pollution sources bit by bit. Actively contaminating oneself, transforming oneself, increasing deflection, and ultimately gaining power beyond common sense. Most importantly, once this path is embarked on, it cannot be stopped or reversed. It also carries a high risk of physical distortion, mental degeneration, and even death."

As one becomes stronger through practice, they are actively and orderly polluted. As one loses control and distorts, they become passive and disorderly polluted. This is consistent with his understanding of the world.

Yuan Zhu: "What about the legitimate and righteous system? Is it also actively exposed to pollution?"

The boss shrugged nonchalantly. "To me, they're all the same. The so-called legitimate true gods and righteous systems are simply because they're powerful enough. They have the greatest influence, their sphere of influence spans the globe, and they hold the final say. Therefore, whoever they define as righteous is righteous. Of course, systems like 'Holy Light, Immortals, and Buddhas,' thanks to successive generations of practitioners, have a lower risk of losing control than other niche systems, making them appear safer."

Yuan Zhu became excited and asked, "Boss, what recommendations do you have? What can I get my hands on? What are there in the world?"

The boss put down the newspaper and ruffled his hair. "You've got me stumped. There are countless transcendental systems in this world, with ceilings varying in height, constantly rising and falling. I suggest you choose a mature, high-ceilinged, and relatively legal system. Maturity means a large number of practitioners, greater experience, and a lower probability of losing control. A high ceiling represents future potential. And legality ensures you won't become a pariah, legally attacked by anyone."

Yuan Zhu quickly stepped forward, served the boss tea and water, and asked, "What are some such systems?"

"The safe, legal, and publicly recognized systems include the three great schools of Buddhism, Taoism, and the Holy Temple. Furthermore, in the New World, steam totems, elemental alchemy, and knight systems...are also widely spread. However, the one with the widest global reach, the greatest influence, the lowest entry difficulty, the highest legality index, and the greatest adaptability... is the Ritsu-ji. Legality is determined by the Ritsu-ji. Even the Security Bureau was created as a supporting facility for the Ritsu-ji."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhu decisively put aside the idea of Holy Light and asked, "Is this [Law System] really that powerful? Is it the world's largest supernatural power?"

The boss thought for a moment and replied, "I guess so. You have to understand that any system has prerequisites or costs to enter. Once you successfully enter, your body is corroded and transformed by this power, gaining unique properties. Based on this, a corresponding 'system' is built within you. This change is irreversible, so once you choose a system, it's like dyeing a blank piece of paper; you can only follow one path from then on. The special feature of the [Law System] is that it can indirectly bind any system and use it for its own benefit."

Yuan Zhu: "I understand. Once you choose other systems, you can't regret quitting. But the [Law Order System] offers countless choices. So I will definitely choose [Law Order]! It has a wide range of dissemination, low entry difficulty, and high adaptability..."

Boss: "Do you know the entry requirements or price of [Law]?"

"What is it?"

"[Law Command System] is derived from the Legalist concept of 'laws'. You can think of it as extreme self-discipline and self-restraint. You must first clarify your own will, then formulate a set of laws and doctrines to constrain yourself. From then on, you strengthen your will through practice, and use your will to embody the laws. Finally, you will be able to use your own 'laws' to capture and restrain other extraordinary powers."

Yuan Zhu: "It sounds a bit harsh, but the price doesn't seem too high?" Although he was not tempted, he felt that the [Law System] was much more serious than the [Holy Light System].

"Abiding by the law for life, without breaking it, if that's not enough? Then there's another entry requirement for the [Law]: Anyone who establishes the law must unconditionally dedicate everything to the Pale Law. This includes the power accumulated through practice during life, all assets and wealth, and even the soul after death. Everything must be dedicated in order to harness the power of the [Law]. Are you satisfied?"

The ultimate indenture?

"What is this Pale Law? Why should I give everything to it?"

The boss sighed, "The Pale Law is a theoretical concept, the will of the planet Duling, or the Heavenly Way of this world. Practitioners of the [Law Order System] constantly strive to 'manufacture a supreme, man-made Heavenly Way that encompasses and governs all the extraordinary powers of Duling Star.'" "This planet is connected to numerous other universes, spawning countless monsters and disaster gods. So, ambitious individuals stepped forward, hoping to curb all of this and create a new world of order, peace, and cleanliness. Thus, the [Law Order System] was born, creating a supreme, selfless 'Heavenly Way' to govern this world."

"The Pale Great Law is the true name of this man-made Heavenly Path. It's like a code that constrains and enslaves all supernatural phenomena. The [Law] can restrain other systems. Its essence is to use practitioners as tools to capture, control, and refine other supernatural forces. Upon the practitioner's death, these forces return to the [Great Law], strengthening and enhancing its essence. This then provides new practitioners with even more powerful 'laws' to constrain and enslave even stronger forces, creating a positive cycle."

Yuan Zhu: "So, are you working for Dalu? Or are you cultivating for yourself?"

"You are a mere mortal, persecuted by monsters and oppressed by the powerful. The [Law] offers you the opportunity to change your fate. You borrow the power of the Law in life, and return it to the Law after death. It is fair and reasonable. If you do not wish to do so, choose another system."

Yuan Zhu: "What other systems are there? Can you recommend a few?"

The boss shook his head. "I can't recommend one. I'm only familiar with [Lüling], and their recruitment threshold is low. How about this: go to Yuyuan for consultation this weekend. They have a department specializing in supernatural knowledge, and you can pay for guidance there."

Yuan Zhu: "Yuyuan? Why does it sound so familiar? I seem to have heard of it somewhere."

"Yucheng University, Running Municipal Gem Processing and Mineral Exploration College."

"Ah! I was wondering why it sounded so familiar."

The boss pushed a prepared manual towards Yuan Zhu and said, "Alright, don't aim too high. Even if you want to choose, there are only a few you can access. This is an advanced cleaning manual. Take it back and study it carefully. It contains a small amount of secret knowledge that ordinary people can't access. Since you can survive, you are no longer an ordinary person. Prepare to take on more difficult challenges. In fact, both [Holy Light] and [Law] are quite good. Their safety has been widely certified, and they are worthy of being recognized as the leaders of the righteous path."

Yuan Zhu: "Then which faction are you from, boss?"

"Me? What's the name of our company?"

Yuan Zhu: "【Fire Fang】."

"That's clear, then. I'm a partner of the Fire Lord." The boss's finger ignited a flame, then lit the cigarette in his mouth. "You can leave now. Go home and study the manual carefully. I'll have a mission for you in a few days. It's about a haunted house. You'll form a team and exorcise the demons and appease the spirits, purifying the entire villa."

Yuan Zhu was shocked. Is this a big deal? He didn't even wait for me to upgrade first: "Haunted house, is the murderer real or fake? Are there any ghosts?"

"Of course, otherwise the customer would pay a high price. You're the one who decides how to do it. If you don't do well, you can continue to be an apprentice to the old employees. If you do well, you can form your own team, take orders yourself, and get a share of the profits from your subordinates."

Yuan Zhu: "Boss, don't worry, I will perform well!"

"Well, work hard and don't let me down." After saying that, he gestured to Yuan Zhu to put away the work manual titled "13 Exorcism Rituals".

Holding a thin book, Yuan Zhu left the boss's office, feeling a little excited. This was the feedback conveyed to him by this body.

My predecessor had been working so hard for this opportunity. It would give me access to a more private world, the chance to learn and master extraordinary powers. Now, I'd even earned the qualification to work as an independent cleaner.

Yuan Zhu simply opened the manual of "13 Exorcism Rites" and read it as he walked, wanting to understand what the secret knowledge of this world was like. But gradually, his expression became weird. What was written in this book?
Chapter One: High-Temperature Demon Exorcism. Ignite a fire to burn invisible spirits and pollutants... You'll need to purchase Taoist talismans for ignition... blah blah.

Chapter Two: Toxic Exorcism. Close the doors and windows, release chlorine gas, and steam for 12 hours...

Chapter 3: Infrasonic Thunderbolt Exorcism. Purchase a specially made mummified Death Bat corpse, purchase a thunderbolt generator, insert it into the anus and Tianchi, and power it up...

Flipping through the book quickly, I saw the following: [Vinyl-level Zen Sound Exorcism] requires the preparation of a shrine, offerings, incense, Buddha statues, a gramophone, vinyl Buddhist records, and the holding of a small spiritual ceremony... Further on, there are also things like [Formaldehyde Fumigation Method] and [Radiated Mineral Suppression of Evil Method].

It inexplicably exudes a scientific flavor.

Although it is unclear which part of the manual involves the true "secret knowledge", the book "13 Exorcism Rites" records more than 20 exorcism methods, which is enough to prove that the [Fire Fang Cleaning Company] has strong business capabilities and there is always a method that suits customers.

Following the good habit he had developed while slacking off, Yuan Zhu went all the way to the bathroom, found a quiet single room, closed the toilet lid, sat down and quietly read the manual, trying to find a way to deal with "exorcism from a haunted house".

Time passed by minute by minute. The restroom, which once could still hear the sound of dripping water, the footsteps of passersby, and their conversations, had become completely silent. It was so quiet that only the sound of my own breathing and heartbeat could be heard...

"wrong!"

When he realized something was amiss, the Immortal Scripture sounded the alarm: "Traces of abnormal space-time fluctuations detected! Please escape from your location as quickly as possible."

"What's going on?" he called to the elf.

After a burst of noise, the elf replied, "I have relevant records. After comparing them, they are consistent with the abnormal space-time fluctuations we encountered last night!"

Yuan Zhu immediately thought of the alley that didn't belong to Run Ning and said, "Is it caused by this token?"

As he spoke, he took out a copper token from the inside pocket of his jacket.

"what?"

The token did indeed emit unusual space-time fluctuations, and after being scanned by the elf, they confirmed the fluctuations were consistent. However, something was amiss within the token: a creaking sound was emanating, and the metal text and patterns on its surface were warping, rusting, turning green, and rapidly peeling off.

The entire token twisted and deformed under the influence of an invisible force. It struggled and groaned, as if unable to withstand the weight of the distorted space-time, and was about to be crushed to death.

Yuan Zhu looked around. He was still in the toilet, but the light around him seemed to be cut off and visibility was getting lower and lower.

"Can you still escape?"

Elf: "This is happening too fast. You can think of this place as a closed space like an elevator. We are now leaving our original time and space. If we rashly break the balance, it will cause bad things to happen. Why not wait a little longer?"

Yuan Zhu was unhappy: "Going to the toilet can also lead to such an incident? How many times has this happened?"

The elf hesitated and said, "Perhaps this is Running's 'anti-malicious paid shitting' punishment mechanism for the vast majority of slackers? Anyone who dares to maliciously shit while paid and exceeds the standard time will be transported to another time and space to be hunted down and tortured?"

Yuan Zhu: "Haha...you made me laugh!"

As expected of a master of psychotherapy, he suddenly stopped panicking and even wanted to sneer.

　5k in one wave, please recommend, monthly ticket, reward, comment support...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)