Alchemy Principles of Type-Moon World

Despite the stifling heat of the camp, You Ruoyu remained absorbed in stirring the ingredients in the pot, occasionally stirring gently with a spatula to ensure each piece of chicken was evenly browned. The aroma of the chicken and the spicy chili pepper gradually spread, permeating the surrounding air and blending with the damp air of the jungle, becoming even more intense.

Xing Qingyu stood aside, his eyes unconsciously lingering on the bubbling food in the pot, as if attracted by the aroma. He stretched and looked around. The camp was quiet. Ye Sizhen sat on a tree stump nearby, concentrating on repairing his puppet. His fingertips deftly adjusted the joints of the puppet, as if completely immersed in his own world. Kenneth sat not far away, his brows slightly furrowed, he lowered his head to flip through a stack of information, occasionally making some marks on the paper. Okita Souji was practicing swordsmanship silently in an open area of the camp. The sword light appeared and disappeared, and the flashing sword tip drew cold rays of light in the night.

Patricia and Ringo Kanzuki were talking in low voices in a corner of the camp, their whispers revealing a sense of ease and closeness. The night breeze around them carried their conversation past, interspersed vaguely in the silence of the jungle.

Xing Qingyu stood still, touched his chin, and couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a long time since he had stood so relaxed, taking in the surroundings. His tense state of mind seemed to relax a little at this moment.

"Oh, what a coincidence." Xing Qingyu broke the silence, stretched, and walked towards You Ruoyu with ease, "Is there any dinner for me tonight?"

"Hey? Mr. Xing?!" You Ruoyu turned around in surprise and saw Xing Qingyu standing beside her. She showed a hint of surprise, "Are you okay?"

Xing Qingfeng nodded and casually replied, "No big deal, it's already been taken care of." Even as he spoke, his eyes never left the food in the pot. Steam rose from the pot, and the chicken tumbled in it, turning golden and slightly charred, its aroma filling the air. You Ruoyu was clearly preparing a dish similar to Kung Pao Chicken.

Although peanuts were unavailable, she substituted some local nuts. She also added locally sourced chopped scallions and minced garlic. As the chicken stir-fried, its surface gradually became slightly crispy, and You Ruoyu added local spices like lemongrass and chili powder. These spices combined with the chicken to create an exotic, spicy flavor.

As the ingredients stir, the aroma gradually permeates the air, becoming increasingly rich. You can almost feel the spicy taste dancing on the tip of your tongue, stimulating everyone's taste buds. The aroma from the pot is still clearly audible in the jungle humidity.

"So now that things have come to this," Xing Qingwu nodded and said in a low voice, his eyes slightly relaxed, "Let's eat first."

Night gradually fell, the campfire illuminating the surrounding tents, the dim light blurring every detail with a hazy, profound quality. In one corner of the camp, a pot of thick soup still bubbled beside the fire, the occasional crackle of wood in the flames. Meanwhile, in a secluded corner nearby, Xing Qingfeng and Kenneth were quietly conversing, avoiding the attention of others.

The two sat at a slightly worn wooden table, the top of which was made of several rough-hewn planks. Xing Qingfeng gently stirred the food in his bowl and asked, "Are you saying that the Heritage Department contacted us?" He paused briefly. "Didn't they have no response at the time?"

Kenneth put down his cutlery and was silent for a moment. After swallowing his food, he wiped his mouth and said, "You can't say it's the Heritage Department. In fact, it was Dean Bricisan who contacted this department personally."

"what's the situation?"

Kenneth said slowly, "He asked what happened here. I told him about you going alone to the core of the ORT area." He paused and continued, "Then he didn't say anything, just replied 'I understand'. This was the first communication-"

"And then?" Xing Qingyu continued to ask. He lowered his head and fiddled with the food in the bowl slightly. He picked up a few pieces of chicken with his fingertips, but his eyes were still waiting for Kenneth's answer.

"—Not long after, he contacted me again." Kenneth continued, "He said that since the Clock Tower's system didn't have your information, it would be a bit troublesome to transfer it to you. Coincidentally, I'm a Lord, so he transferred the highest authority for ORT-related matters to me."

"Wow, what a generous gesture!" Xing Qingwu was taken aback, his eyebrows raised, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He grabbed a large mouthful of food and stuffed it into his mouth. "Giving such high authority right away?"

"He also said that from now on, you can make direct decisions on all ORT matters." Kenneth nodded and said, "With the Dean's endorsement, it seems that the next part of your plan will no longer require mediation with other forces in the Clock Tower."

"Really?" Xing Qingfeng thought for a moment and said, "I thought having the Second Magician's endorsement was enough."

"The Demon Marshal usually acts as an advisor within the Clock Tower," Kayneth added slowly. "He has prestige, but when it comes to actual interests... those vulgar people in the Clock Tower won't dare to object openly, but they'll still try to hinder him in secret."

"If it were just the Magic Marshal's endorsement, then this would actually be the Minerals Department interfering in the affairs of the Heritage Department, which would leave many people with opportunities to trip them up," Kenneth continued his analysis slowly. "But with the Dean and Heritage Lord's endorsement, the nature of this matter has changed—"

"—This will become an internal matter of the Heritage Department, and other factions will have no excuse to interfere." Kenneth continued, "The Heritage Department is directly under the Dean's jurisdiction. There won't be any internal resistance to the Dean's decisions."

"Then the next step is to get in touch with the higher-ups at the Spiral Pavilion." Xing Qingwu smiled faintly, setting down the bowl in his hand. A look of satisfaction and thought flashed in his eyes. He gently stroked the mouth of the wine jug and took a few gulps. "And this matter is also coming to fruition..."

During their brief silence, the firelight in the camp flickered, and an occasional gust of wind stirred the moisture in the air. Silence reigned, as if the entire jungle were imbued with the atmosphere of the moment.

"I'll keep watch tonight." Xing Qingjiu took back the wine jug, put it down gently, adjusted his sitting position slightly, and his eyes swept towards the deep jungle in the distance again.

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I didn't expect that I got stuck in the transition chapter. Maybe this is the price I paid for enjoying writing before?

I was stuck for a long time and didn't know how to transition. It might be because of my bad condition, but the transition was completed. The next step is the so-called profit division (laughs

The above is a new book by a new author. Please vote and give me feedback. Thank you!

Volume 78: Endosymbiosis: . Cooperation

Late at night, the others in the camp had already retreated to their tents, and silence gradually returned to the camp. Save for the distant calls of animals in the jungle and the occasional rustle of leaves in the night breeze, everything was shrouded in darkness and silence. The night sky remained thick, and humidity hung heavy in the air, carrying the damp smell of earth, making it almost suffocating. The moonlight was almost invisible under the dense canopy of trees, with only a faint glimmer occasionally peeking through the branches.

A fire still crackled in a corner of the camp, its orange glow dancing in the surrounding darkness. Ash drifted with the wind, and the air was filled with the aroma of burnt food and wood smoke. The flickering flames illuminated Xing Qingfeng, who sat on a simple wooden chair, haphazardly pieced together from tree trunks cut from the jungle. Its surface was rough and uneven, speckled with sawdust and moss.

Xing Qingwu sat by the fire, his figure elongated by the flames. The flames before him cast a shadow on his face, seemingly embedded in a corner of the ground. He wasn't particularly alert to the movement around him, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames not far away, as if in a daze.

He held a wine jug in his hand. Its surface was slightly worn, its former luster faded, leaving only a scratched gray. Occasionally, with the jug's swirling movements, Xing Qingjiu's wrist stirred, and the wine swirled gently within, making a subtle sound. The mouth of the jug tilted slightly, and a few drops of wine dripped from it, landing on the ground. As the temperature rose, they quietly evaporated into a white mist.

Suddenly, the rustling sound of footsteps pierced the stillness of the jungle, shattering the silence of the surroundings. The steps were neither hurried nor slow, with a steady rhythm to them, as if navigating this humid, hot forest was a familiar experience. As they drew closer, the sound grew clearer, occasionally a subtle "crunch" sound echoing from the damp ground, tinged with the muffled sound of earth.

Xing Qingjiu didn't turn his head. He simply swirled the wine jug in his hands, letting the liquor swirl within it, his fingertips caressing the textured surface. The wine tilted slightly from the mouth of the jug, slowly dripping down. In the silent night, only the symphony of wine and wind filled the air.

Finally, the footsteps stopped. Xing Qingqi didn't look away from the flames, but he could sense someone sitting down across from him. The chair creaked slightly, evidently someone had sat down directly on it. The humidity and heat still lingered in the air, but the silence at that moment made it easier to hear one's own breathing and heartbeat.

After a moment of silence, the man finally spoke. His voice was low and steady, with a hint of calmness and politeness: "Thank you for taking care of my students the other day."

"Ah, it's okay," Xing Qingfeng was slightly stunned, then responded calmly, "We are all fellow villagers, not to mention we are acquaintances."

"Hmm..." The man seemed to nod, and after a moment of silence, he continued, "Then let me introduce myself first."

Xing Qingqi's gaze finally shifted from the flames to the person sitting across from him. His eyes remained expressionless, observing him silently. The firelight blurred his figure, but one could vaguely make out his face, probably in his forties, with a deep, mature expression. He wore a light gray Mao suit, simple and neat in design, with a slightly raised collar and loose sleeves. The dark floral pattern at the cuffs was faintly visible in the firelight. The fabric of the suit looked a bit old, but it still maintained a good fit, appearing exceptionally simple and steady.

He wore a pair of dark grey cloth trousers with slightly wrinkled hems, as if from long hours of wear and walking. On his feet were a pair of cloth shoes with badly worn uppers.

"My name is Zhang Jianping, and I'm from Sichuan," the man said calmly, his tone calm and with a gentle smile. "I'm mainly responsible for foreign affairs at the Spiral Hall. You Ruoyu is my student. Thank you for your care."

"Xing Qingyu, from Henan." Xing Qingyu nodded slightly and paused, as if pondering how to answer. "But now I'm considered a member of the Western magician faction, so it's difficult for me to go home."

"Henan...it's a great place, the hometown of the Yellow Emperor." Zhang Jianping smiled, his words revealing a sense of ease and intimacy, as if he wasn't surprised by Xing Qingjiu's answer. "Then let's..."

Xing Qingjiu glanced at Zhang Jianping, his lips curled up slightly as he interrupted him, "Let's drink first." He reached out and threw a wine jug from imaginary space. It arced through the air and landed steadily in Zhang Jianping's hands. "Let's drink and talk, but I only have foreign liquor on hand. Do you mind?"

Zhang Jianping took the wine jug and was stunned for a moment, as if he was a little surprised by this sudden move, but then he smiled. He opened the wine jug, sniffed it gently, frowned, and then couldn't help but smile: "Wow, what kind of wine is this?"

"I remember it was supposed to be tequila." Xing Qingjiu gently sipped the wine from the flask in his hand. The warm liquid slid down his throat, carrying a strong sweetness and spiciness. The alcohol quickly spread through his body. "It's not a great wine, but it's just barely drinkable. Why don't you give it a try?"

Zhang Jianping was stunned for a moment, then he picked up the wine jug and took a sip. The wine quickly spread in his mouth, flowing into his stomach like a flame igniting in his abdomen. The unique taste of bitterness and slight sweetness instantly ignited his taste buds, and then a cool feeling slowly returned with the flow of the wine, making him take a deep breath.

"Hmm," he murmured, wiping his fingers lightly across the corners of his mouth, "This wine is quite interesting." As he spoke, he continued to sip, feeling the slight heat brought by the alcohol.

"Did you hear what I said to Kenneth this afternoon?" Xing Qingyu suddenly spoke, his voice still steady, but with a hint of subtle temptation.

Zhang Jianping didn't rush to answer. Instead, he remained silent for a moment, then shook his head slightly, his expression impassive. "Eavesdropping on other people's conversations isn't something I would do," he said calmly, with a hint of self-deprecation, clearly reluctant to admit to any such eavesdropping.

Xing Qingwu's lips curled slightly at this, a lighthearted smile flickering in his eyes. "Really?" He gently shook the wine jug in his hand, the liquid making a subtle clinking sound in the bottle. "It's just the two of us here, so let's forget about the red tape and improve communication efficiency."

Zhang Jianping said nothing more. He simply raised the wine jug to his lips and took a sip, his brow furrowed slightly as if digesting the aftertaste of the wine. He then sighed and let out a long breath, as if letting go of some of the heavy fatigue in his body.

"Then... let's talk openly and honestly," Zhang Jianping said in a steady tone, emphasizing the syllables slightly. "What are you going to do?"

Xing Qingjiu leaned forward slightly, remaining calm and composed. He slowly lowered the wine jug and looked the other man in the face. "First, let me ask why you're here." His voice was deep and clear, carrying an undeniable authority. "I'm the only one who's returned from ORT territory, and I understand the situation here best—"

He paused, his brows raised slightly, as if trying to let the other party grasp the weight of this information. "—Formal intelligence exchange would take too long," Xing Qingqi added. "Let's simply establish a basic consensus. The most efficient approach would be for you to explain your purpose first, and I'll expand on it before explaining mine to you. How do you think?"

Zhang Jianping's eyes flashed with thought, and then a low laugh escaped his lips. "Haha... people who study science and engineering abroad are different." His tone was a little relaxed. "Then let's get started." After saying that, he leaned back slightly on the simple chair behind him and sat steadily.

Xing Qingjiu took a sip of his wine, his gaze no longer fixed on Zhang Jianping, but on the distant fire. The faint flames reflected in his eyes, casting a red glow, as if a flame were restlessly dancing deep within him. "It doesn't seem like a crucial secret mission, so you're letting me off so easily." He shook his head with a frivolous smile, his wine swishing gently in his glass. "Please."

Zhang Jianping didn't speak immediately, but remained silent for a moment, as if considering how to phrase it. He lowered his head, picked up the wine jug again, took two sips, and then continued:

"Our purpose this time is to obtain the substances that can be extracted from cochineal insects and are highly effective in transmitting magical energy." He considered his words while looking at Xing Qingjiu. "You Ruoyu discovered that the properties of these substances have a distribution trend in different regions, so we came here to select samples."

"The Qiling (eight @}) Wu Si Liu Zi Chi" device is waiting," Xing Qingyu paused, a trace of thought flashed in his eyes, then he stood up, lightly stepped over the simple wooden chair, and walked towards the tent beside him.

The tent was surrounded by dense vines and the shadows of large trees. Moonlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows on the ground that trembled gently with the swaying leaves. Xing Qingfeng passed through the tent curtain and entered. The tent was dimly lit, and some simple experimental tools and materials were scattered on the wooden table. In a corner of the tent, an incubator sat quietly. The metal surface was slightly worn, giving it a slightly worn look, but it still maintained its seal.

Soon after, he lifted it out. The heavy box made a faint sound, carrying an air of impending mystery. Xing Qingjiu walked back to the fire and gently placed the incubator on the ground.

"Look at the bugs here." Xing Qingqi's deep voice broke the brief silence. He pressed the lid of the box with one hand and gently opened it. Inside were tiny creatures. Their bodies had a slightly transparent texture, and a few strands of scarlet liquid shone from their backs, like crystals dyed red, a striking sight.

Zhang Jianping carefully crouched down, his gaze scrutinizing every detail of the insects within the box. His fingers trembled slightly as he gently reached for one, picking it up and feeling its gentle wriggling in his palm. The magical energy within the insect was palpable, like a warm wave coursing through his palm.

"This..." Zhang Jianping frowned slightly, examining the insect carefully. His voice was filled with surprise. "This thing has a much higher energy content than I expected. Even though its function is different from that of the cochineal beetle, it can still be used as an excellent raw material."

"The details still need further research," Xing Qingwu said softly, his eyes still fixed on the wine jug in his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the outline of the jug's mouth, as if he was thinking about something, "but there is a big problem -"

“——It cannot be mass-produced for the time being.”

"What is the specific reason?" Zhang Jianping was obviously a little surprised, frowning slightly with some doubts.

"Its living environment is highly dependent on the core area of the ORT," Xing Qingfeng said, "and if there are no special protective measures in that area, any material that enters will be crystallized the moment it enters—"

"——And I don't have any specific ideas for designing protective measures yet."

"In other words, you're highly dependent on this piece of land?" Zhang Jianping nodded, his tone confirming something. "Then what's your purpose?"

Xing Qingfu's gaze was fixed on the charcoal fire in the center of the fire. The red sparks danced gently with the wind, flashing a faint light.

"The first goal," Xing Qingfeng said slowly, his voice steady, "is to achieve mass production—"

"—I think this problem can be solved through genetic engineering."

"Oh?" Zhang Jianping listened quietly, his eyes still fixed on Xing Qingjiu. He folded his hands on his knees, as if carefully considering every word Xing Qingjiu said. "I may need to communicate with our counterparts on this matter."

"To put it simply," he said with some confidence, "I'll provide the land, and you'll provide the personnel." Xing Qingfeng paused, as if preparing his next words. "I lack the necessary talent. I lack people with sufficient knowledge of magic and biology."

Zhang Jianping narrowed his eyes, lowered his head slightly, and thought for a moment. "So..." He took a sip of his wine, the liquid lingering in his mouth with a slightly spicy aftertaste. "Why did you choose to cooperate with us?"

"Rationally speaking," Xing Qingqi said calmly, without any panic, "Although I am an alchemist from the Atlas Academy system, I must admit that the alchemists of the Atlas Academy better meet my needs for talent—"

"--But they won't come out of the giant's cellar, right?" Zhang Jianping immediately took over the conversation with a slight smile on his face.

Xing Qingqi smiled but didn't respond immediately. His gaze returned to the flames, a complex glint in his eyes. "Well, the other two Western magic organizations are quite unpalatable to me. The Clock Tower even rejects modern scholarship," he sighed softly, as if expressing a certain disdain for organizations that cling to ancient ideals. "So, as a second choice, I chose the Spiral Hall, which has the largest number of members and is open to modern scholarship. It's the best solution for me."

Zhang Jianping didn't respond immediately. Instead, he quietly looked at Xing Qingjiu, seemingly digesting his words. His eyes flickered in the dim firelight, a look of contemplation on his face. The night wind rustled the surrounding branches, and the occasional bird song seemed to break the stillness.

"And emotionally speaking..." Xing Qingjiu took a sip of his wine and suddenly turned his gaze to Zhang Jianping, his eyes deep and direct. His words seemed to carry a hint of lighthearted ridicule, but his eyes were unusually sincere. "I am Chinese—"

"——If we reach a cooperation, will I have a chance to go home and visit?"

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It's time to recycle the branch line and start the next main line. (1) Let's just talk about the story of Division . That's probably it.

The above is a new book by a new author. Please vote and give me feedback. Thank you!

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I just found out that it is on the 2024 newcomer new book list. Although it is only th, I am already very satisfied.

Volume 79: Symbiosis: . Cheers

After exchanging their initial objectives and corresponding intelligence, the conversation between Zhang Jianping and Xing Qingjiu gradually subsided, and the atmosphere grew more relaxed. The light from the campfire danced, illuminating their faces, and the occasional crackling of burning wood filled the air. The surroundings were a quiet jungle, with the occasional call of a night bird, a faint echo of loneliness.

"It's boring to just drink without any snacks." Zhang Jianping suddenly broke the silence and said.

"How about I try to think of a way to prepare two dishes?" Xing Qingyu raised his eyes slightly and looked at Zhang Jianping.

"No need." Zhang Jianping shook his head, then stood up and walked towards the jungle outside the camp. "I have some peanuts in my bag, you can fry them."

Xing Qingyu nodded slightly, his fingers lightly touching the edge of the wine pot, as if thinking about his next move. Zhang Jianping sat on the bench by the campfire for a few seconds, then stood up, walked around the campfire, and headed towards the jungle. The firelight cast a long shadow behind him, and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest. Xing Qingyu watched Zhang Jianping's back as he left, gently put down the wine pot, and then walked to the camping equipment on the side, found a small pot stand, and placed it steadily next to the campfire. Then he picked up the oil pot next to him and slowly poured the oil into the pot. As the oil was poured in, a slight sound of oil heating came from the pot, and the air was immediately filled with the aroma of oil and the warm smell.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jianping made his way through the jungle, his steps steady and light, unhurried. He disappeared into the dense forest moments later before reappearing by the campfire. As he approached the fire, Xing Qingfeng saw he was carrying a bag of peanuts, the bag slightly ajar. The peanuts inside had a pale yellow sheen and looked fresh and firm.

Xing Qingwu leaned slightly, looked at the oil in the pot, confirmed that the temperature was right, and nodded slightly.

"It's done," Xing Qingfeng said. Then Zhang Jianping steadily poured the peanuts into the wok. Instantly, the distinctive "crackling" sound of oil and peanuts coming into contact emanated from the wok, and a mist of oil rose into the air, quickly filling the air with the aroma of fried peanuts.

Zhang Jianping moved a little closer, looking intently down at the wok, occasionally stirring it gently with a spatula to ensure even heating. Xing Qingjiu sat leisurely beside him, occasionally sipping his wine, gazing at the distant jungle and the peanuts in the wok.

"Speaking of which, has there ever been any idea of popularizing occult knowledge in China?" Xing Qingqiu suddenly asked. "It seems that the only magicians with a strong demand for the concealment of specific magical theories are those of the Clock Tower School—"

"—The baptismal chants used by the Holy Church are also the foundation of modern magic, and they also originated from Solomon," Xing Qingfeng said. "But the Holy Church is not shy about revealing its own magical theories, nor is it shy about teaching the most basic magic such as baptismal chants."

"Only the magicians of the Clock Tower system require not only secrecy but also the very theory of their magic," Xing Qingfeng said. "I think this is an inherent flaw in the development of their magic theory, which has led to the current rot in the Clock Tower system."

Zhang Jianping gently flipped the peanuts in the pan, the frying sound distinctly audible over the crackling of the campfire. He looked up, his brow furrowed slightly, as if recalling something. "Popularize occultism?" he repeated in a low voice. "Do you mean bringing occultism from closed circles to the public, or... institutionalizing and standardizing it?"

"This isn't simply a matter of institutionalization or standardization, but rather a question of the dissemination of knowledge. The Clock Tower's extreme secrecy surrounding magical theory is almost a form of extreme control over knowledge, maintaining a sense of mystery so that only a select few can access the true core. In reality, this approach itself is fundamentally flawed."

"For example, the magicians of the Clock Tower School not only require that the mysticism be kept secret, but even the theory of magic must remain secret, preventing the outside world from knowing its true meaning."

"Because the word 'Mistel' comes from the word 'Mystery'." Zhang Jianping stir-fried the peanuts in the wok with slow and rhythmic movements. The oil splashed in the wok, making a sizzling sound. The surface of the golden peanuts gradually became crispy, and the aroma began to spread.

"It is something that is closed, locked, hidden, and self-terminating. Naturally, it cannot be made public or even known to the majority of people. Using—"

"—As for the secrets of the Holy Church, I also have some understanding of them," Zhang Jianping said. "Although they share the same Solomonian foundation as the Clock Tower's magic, the biggest difference lies in their etymology."

"The secrets of the Holy Church come from the teachings of God." Zhang Jianping thought for a moment and continued, "Since their etymology is different, they are naturally not affected by the mysterious etymology. Therefore, they also possess the world's largest magic foundation, namely doctrine."

"You know so much about the basics of Western magic?" Xing Qingjiu asked after taking a sip of wine.

"After all, I'm in charge of foreign affairs." Zhang Jianping smiled slightly. He took the fried peanuts out of the pot and placed them on a prepared plate nearby. "Naturally, I'll know a lot about Western things."

He gently placed the plate on the small table beside him. It didn't seem to have much decoration, just a few simple utensils and a dim oil lamp. The warm scent of the campfire, mixed with the aroma of fried peanuts, gradually filled the air, bringing a touch of humanity to this somewhat desolate jungle.

What about the Spiral Pavilion's magic base? Xing Qingqiu's voice was low and clear. "I have the impression that they use the mind disk to perform mystical magic. Shouldn't it be affected by the public disclosure of mystical magic?"

Zhang Jianping held a peanut in his mouth and was silent for a moment, with a faint smile on his lips.

"Spells performed solely with the help of a thought disk are completely unaffected by this." He paused, his words slowing down as if he were pondering something. "Because to practitioners who don't understand the principles behind it, it remains a mystery."

"I see. It's a very advanced method of managing mysteries." Xing Qingyu smiled slightly, obviously interested in the magic methods of the Spiral Hall. "Then, how far has the process of popularizing mysteries in the country progressed?" he asked slowly.

Zhang Jianping ate the last peanut, casually placed the empty plate on the small table next to him, and sighed, a hint of resignation in his tone. "It's been almost ten years since it was stopped," he said, a sigh in his voice. "It definitely created a stir among the people at the time, but it ultimately failed."

"why?"