"It should be considered a field survey, ha, a field survey of magic," Xing Qingfeng said, "Let's see if we can gain anything tomorrow."

--------------

I have thought about the final content for a long time and tried to express it in a way that is as easy to understand as possible. However, because of this, the expression may not be rigorous enough. If you have any questions, please point them out. Thank you!

That's about it. Rather than saying that this volume is biased towards religion, it is better to say that it is more inclined towards cultural changes in humanities, etc. The formal religion volume will have to wait until India is opened.

When the humanities section comes to a temporary end, the next thing to follow is the biological discoveries. This is probably the arrangement of this volume, which is divided into two parts.

The above is a new story for a new person. Please vote and give me feedback. Thank you!

Volume 4: Symbiosis: . Only the Sun

Early the next morning, Xing Qingfeng and Kenneth set out from their hotel to meet up with their contact. At daybreak, Cusco's ancient streets gradually came to life, the cobblestone paths shimmering in the morning light. The air was filled with the scent of a new day. The shadows of the distant mountains gradually dissipated, smoke from cooking fires slowly rose, and the air was filled with the smell of wet earth and grass, mingling with the aroma of breakfast from street vendors.

The two strolled slowly along Cusco's winding streets, taking in the city's allure. The buildings on either side of the street blended Inca civilization with Spanish colonial styles, their thick stone walls carved with vague symbols and totems, creating a unique texture.

Kenneth approached a wall, crouched down, and carefully examined the totems. He reached out and gently touched the uneven lines, his fingertips slowly sliding along the incisions. The most striking totem on the wall was a circular symbol, occupying the center of the totem. Radiating lines spread out from the center.

"Hmm... these symbols..." Kenneth stared at the totemic lines and frowned slightly. "Although some of the local culture has been preserved, I always feel that they are just superficial. The inner meaning has probably been forgotten. They are more like... sacrificial symbols, existing as cultural heritage."

Xing Qingyu stood beside him, looking thoughtfully at the totem on the wall. "What do you mean?"

"The Incas didn't have written language. Their heritage relied on paintings, symbols, and oral poetry and myths," Kenneth said, looking up and pausing slightly as he stroked the totem. "So even if outsiders don't understand their language, they can still interpret some of the messages through these totems or murals."

"However," he pointed at the pattern on the wall, "have you noticed that almost all of the totems we've seen along the way are related to the sun?"

"Hmm..." Xing Qingwu raised an eyebrow, carefully examined the totem on the wall for a while, and recalled what he saw when he came here, "But it looks like just a circle."

"The Inca Empire didn't have wheels, so the circle plus the radial lines can basically only point to the sun." Kenneth stood up, patted the dust off himself, and continued to explain: "I can learn about the Inca gods from European documents, but here, the sun seems to be the only symbol engraved. We hardly see any other totems-"

"—I suspect that the local mythology may have undergone some kind of degeneration," Kenneth said, "gradually degenerating from a systematic polytheistic belief into fragmented folklore."

Xing Qingfeng nodded, but then offered another possibility. "Perhaps this has something to do with Cusco being a tourism-focused city today. You see, the popular local festival is the 'Sun Festival.' It's not just a historical rite of passage, but also a gimmick to boost the economy." He paused, scanning the streets lined with buildings adorned with sun symbols. "To more closely align the city with the image of the sun god, perhaps there were deliberate design elements in urban planning and commercial decor. Over time, this symbolism became the city's visual identity."

As they chatted, they continued walking. The handicraft stalls dotted the streets, exuding a pristine beauty. The vibrant fabrics on display, the shawls embroidered with intricate geometric patterns and botanical forms, showcased the exquisite craftsmanship of the locals. An elderly artisan sat behind the stall, her rough hands intently weaving a multicolored shawl. She wore traditional Andean clothing and a heavy scarf. The colors had faded with time, but the scarf had acquired a rustic charm.

"Sir, would you like to see these?" the craftsman asked in somewhat unstandard English with a kind smile on his face.

Xing Qingfeng leaned over and casually picked up a hand-woven bracelet. It felt rough but resilient. He smiled and asked, "Is this a symbol of the sun?"

A hint of pride appeared on the old man's face, and he nodded slowly, "Yes, the Sun God blesses us."

"Then I'll buy it," Xing Qingfeng casually bought the scarf, put it away, and then turned to Kenneth and muttered, "Maybe it has something to do with the Sun Festival in half a month, which means we're entering the peak tourist season."

"If we don't find much this time," Kenneth said nonchalantly, "we'll have to come back and investigate again sometime later."

In reality, neither of them thought they could figure out all the answers with just one survey. After all, who can produce results from a single field survey?

"Then winter," Xing Qingwu agreed, "but I may not be free in winter."

"Really?" Kenneth stood up straight and continued to observe the details on the street. "Then let Weber come."

"I think it's good."

They continued through the narrow streets, passing other walls carved with totems, each one a slightly different design. The cobblestone path was uneven, and the occasional locals looked at the two obvious outsiders with curiosity. Xing Qingfeng had long since grown accustomed to these looks, while Kenneth, on the other hand, occasionally felt a little uneasy.

They continued walking, passing through narrow alleys. Small shops lined the streets, displaying colorful handwoven fabrics and Peruvian coffee beans, a local specialty. The shopkeepers enthusiastically waved to the tourists, recommending their wares. Xing Qingwu bought a bag of coffee beans and put it in his bag. He also browsed a few hand-painted paintings at a handicraft stall.

"It's quite interesting," Kenneth continued buying the hand-painted paintings on the stall. "They look like rubbings of the Aztec manuscripts."

Just as they were about to walk to the next block, they were blocked by several local teenagers. These kids were wearing ragged clothes, with curiosity and cunning in their eyes, as if they were interested in the two strangers.

"Are you here for sightseeing?" the leading teenager asked in his broken English. "Do you need a guide?"

"Hey, hey, hey, boy, are all tour guides' hands as dishonest as yours?" Xing Qingqiu suddenly reached out and gently pressed the boy's wrist. "We're just here for sightseeing," he said slowly, adding in fluent Spanish, "but we don't have anything valuable with us, so there's no need to waste your time."

The boy was stunned for a moment, his face looking a little unnatural.

"Don't make me arrest you and send you to the police station," Xing Qingfeng kicked the boy's butt hard. "It's going to be the Sun Festival soon, the peak tourist season, and the cops don't want to see any news that will harm the flow of money."

The few people exchanged a few words in a low voice, and finally retreated angrily and disappeared into the depths of the alley.

"That's strange," Kenneth rubbed his forehead, looking somewhat helpless. "I thought you would be more strict."

"Do you think I'll discipline them?" Xing Qingfeng sighed. "The only thing that can educate them is the environment. If you don't change the environment, nothing can be changed. This is the answer I've come to after trying countless times."

They walked along an even narrower cobblestone path. The sun had already risen fully into the sky, casting golden rays on Cusco's ancient stone walls, reflecting the mottled traces of time. Occasionally, children could be seen playing by the roadside. Women wearing traditional Andean skirts and round hats sat at roadside stalls selling fruits and vegetables. The air was filled with the smell of dust and barbecued meat.

Xing Qingjiu and Kenneth proceeded to the agreed location and walked into a more hidden alley. The walls on both sides of the alley were covered with faded murals. The cobblestone road emitted a faint glow in the sunlight, appearing quite quiet.

"We're here," Xing Qingfeng whispered, pausing slightly to look around. Ahead lay a seemingly ordinary courtyard, its black wooden door tightly closed. An old iron lantern hung above the doorway, swaying and making a slight creaking sound.

"It's a bit of a stereotype," Kenneth said suddenly, "a mysterious alley, a seemingly uninhabited courtyard, and then a guide who has some unspeakable secrets—"

“—It always feels like watching a movie.”

Xing Qingyu didn't respond, but instead knocked on the door. The knocks were particularly loud in the quiet alley. Before long, there were soft footsteps inside, and then the door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged man.

The man, about fifty, wore a faded cotton-linen jacket. A mottled shawl draped across his broad shoulders fluttered gently in the breeze. Though plain, his attire was perfectly suited to him, blending seamlessly with the charm of this ancient city. His lowered eyes darted back and forth between the two of them, a wary expression on his face. But when his gaze fell on Xing Qingqi's face, a flicker of understanding crossed his face, and his tense expression relaxed slightly.

"Oh, you're... Xing?" He spoke hesitantly, his voice low and hoarse, with a slight accent, as if he was tentatively confirming the identity of the person in front of him. "You're Xing, right?"

Xing Qingqiu's lips curled slightly at the words. He took a step forward, a familiar smile on his face, and walked over to the man, patting him on the shoulder. It was as casual and natural as if they were old friends reuniting. "Ha, Alejandro, you still can't remember other people's faces," he chuckled. "I'm Xing Qingqiu. I contacted you a few days ago and said I'd come again."

After hearing Xing Qingqi's request, Alejandro raised the corners of his mouth slightly and patted Xing Qingqi's shoulder lightly as a response to his friend's enthusiasm.

He leaned slightly to the side in an invitation gesture, then said with a hint of apology and a hint of welcome, "I'm sorry, I just don't have a good memory of faces. But, anyway, welcome."

As they followed Alejandro into the house, the atmosphere shifted. The air was tinged with the fragrance of earth and the faint green emanation of potted plants in the corners. Several hand-painted totem paintings hung on the pewter stone walls. Xing Qingfeng casually glanced around, his eyes settling on a painting of the Temple of the Sun on the wall. His expression seemed to pause in thought.

"Tell me, my friend," Alejandro turned slightly and gestured for the two to sit down, "What are you looking for this time?"

"Actually, our needs haven't changed much this time. We still want to visit those ruins we visited last time," Xing Qingfeng said as he took out the old notebook from his bag and pointed at a few marks inside. "But in addition to that, we also plan to visit some places that few people visit—"

"—For example, those ruins that are not open to tourists," Xing Qingfeng continued, "especially those areas with religious ceremonies."

"These places you mentioned..." Alejandro looked down at his notebook, his fingers pausing on a few marks. He slowly spoke, "I know where some of these places are, but I'm sorry, I can't take you there."

"Why?" Xing Qingqi raised his eyebrows slightly and sat up straight. "Is there any trouble?"

“Someone’s going to give me trouble,” Alejandro sighed. “You’re just passing through, but I’ve lived here my whole life.”

"Then at least mark the location and we'll figure it out ourselves." Xing Qingqiu slowed down his tone, trying to find a compromise, but Alejandro still shook his head with a firm attitude, obviously not intending to compromise.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little awkward, Alejandro sighed and added, "I can take you to other places, and I can also find a way to get to some restricted areas. But these few places... the people there don't like strangers very much."

"I understand." Xing Qingfu thought for a moment, put the notebook back into his bag, and stopped asking questions.

Seeing his straightforwardness, Alejandro's face showed a hint of relief, as if he was satisfied with the mutual understanding. He picked up a map from the table and carefully marked several open ruins, while also introducing some side roads and more hidden routes. Xing Qingfeng and Kenneth listened attentively, occasionally asking for details in a low voice.

After the conversation, Xing Qingqiu stood up, pulled out a roll of US dollars from his wallet and stuffed it into Alejandro's hand. "This is the deposit. Thank you for your help. See you tomorrow."

"Let's go, friends," Alejandro nodded and accepted it, patting him on the shoulder. "Get some rest early, we'll be busy tomorrow."

After the two of them left the courtyard, Xing Qingfeng looked at the somewhat empty street ahead in the night, raised his lips slightly, and whispered to Kenneth, "Actually, looking at the map, I roughly know where those forbidden ruins are—"

"—Remember what I said before? The family system of the local spiritual vein manager is clearly based on Western magic. They should be a magic family that migrated here during the Spanish colonial period."

"Since the troublemakers are Hispanic, we can pretty much confirm they're the ones responsible," Xing Qingfeng added. "The Spanish weren't exactly kind to this land back then, and their magic base hasn't been able to adapt to the local environment, so they're having trouble acclimatizing."

"Then I roughly understand," Kenneth nodded. "Do you think they modified the ruins at the spiritual vein node?"

"That's about right," Xing Qing nodded, "We'll know for sure tomorrow anyway."

----------

Before the second generation came, Kenneth had to be responsible for the humanistic inference, but it was consistent with his magician personality.

It feels like I’ll be jailed for typing on my phone. I don’t know when my computer will be repaired… Alas.

The above is a new story for a new person. Please vote and give me feedback. Thank you!

Volume 5: Symbiosis: . Relics

Cusco was shrouded in a veil of mist at dawn. A hint of mountain coolness permeated the moist air, prompting a deep breath. Alejandro stood quietly at the hotel entrance. The jeep beside him was loaded with supplies: thick ration packs, several bulging water bottles, and several tightly packed packages, seemingly ready for a full day of mountain travel. Xing Qingfeng and Kenneth briefly ate some bread and cheese, then grabbed their backpacks and headed towards the jeep.

"Good morning. How did you sleep last night?" Alejandro greeted them with a smile when he saw them approaching.

"It's already good to be able to sleep through the night," Xing Qingwu responded casually, then looked towards the car, "It looks like we won't be back for two or three days."

"After all, many of the places you two requested to visit are not open to the public," Alejandro smiled, "and the local government didn't build roads for them."

After saying that, he turned over and sat in the driver's seat, motioning for them to get in.

The jeep slowly pulled away, leaving Cusco's ancient stone streets and passing through the still-sleeping city. The morning light from the mountains filtered through the mist onto the road, casting a golden shimmer on the buildings of Cusco and the distant Andes. Gradually, the city's outline disappeared behind them, and the car drove deeper into the mountains.

As the road gradually became narrower and winding, the pebbles on the ground became denser, causing the car to jolt slightly along the rugged mountain road. Alejandro steered the Jeep, expertly avoiding rocks and potholes, nimbly navigating the winding mountain road, occasionally a wheel narrowly scraping a roadside rock. As he drove, his eyes constantly flicked toward the distant peaks, as if constantly monitoring the changing terrain and weather.

Outside the car window, towering peaks were shrouded in a soft golden halo in the morning sun. Lush vegetation covered the mountain ridges, and occasionally a few eagles circled overhead. Xing Qingfeng took in the magnificent scene outside the window and squinted, as if thinking about something.

"By the way, I've noticed that whether it's the reliefs on the walls of the city or the decorations in your house, they all seem to have only imagery related to the sun." Suddenly, he turned to Alejandro, breaking the silence in the car. "Are there no symbols of other gods?"

"You mean Inti?" Alejandro's expression flashed with surprise, as if he hadn't expected Xing Qingjiu to notice this. He slowed down slightly, thought for a long time, and then turned to explain, "In Cusco, it's really hard to see symbols of other gods."

"Other Inca gods, such as the moon god, the mountain god, and even various nature spirits, all had their own temples and worshippers," he continued. "However, this city is the residence of Inti, and the people here regard Inti as their supreme protector, so other gods are naturally downplayed."

"I see," Xing Qingfeng said thoughtfully, tapping the jeep's window frame with his fingers, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. "Is it that cities have a special status?"

Alejandro nodded and continued, "Not only that. Past Inca kings were known as the 'Son of the Sun,' their status almost equal to that of Inti. Therefore, the Inca ruins of Cusco, including the entire city's design, were built around the sun."

"It seems my deduction yesterday was completely wrong. This is a special situation." Xing Qingfeng glanced at Kenneth, who was sitting behind him, and communicated with him through telepathy. "I don't know whether this is bad news or good news."

"That's good news," Kenneth thought for a moment and replied in telepathy, "We're not here to study Inca mythology, we're just here to investigate the Festival of the Sun."

"That's true," Xing Qingfeng said after a moment of contemplation, "We just need to focus our research on the Inti faith."

The car continued to move forward. After crossing a steep hillside, the terrain in front of us suddenly opened up. A vast plateau with green grass and a lot of grassland appeared in the field of vision.

Alejandro stopped the car and turned to point to a pile of rocks not far ahead. "We've arrived at the first site. Although it's just the remains of an abandoned watchtower, it's said that from here you can see the mountain ridges that the Inca kings once patrolled."

Xing Qingfeng and Kenneth stepped out of the car and walked towards the ruins of the dilapidated watchtower. Standing on the elevated rock pile, they could see the surrounding rolling hills. The sunlight streaming down the grassy landscape made the rock pile seem even more desolate, as if the remaining stones still watched over the passing years. The original layout of the ruins was no longer recognizable; the collapsed stones were covered with moss, and the ground was overgrown with weeds. Occasionally, a few wildflowers peeked out, adding a touch of life to the desolate ruins.

"Did you gain anything?" Xing Qing asked Kenneth.

"If you can't see anything with your senses," Kenneth shook his head, took out a pair of glasses from his pocket and put them on, "I probably won't be able to see anything with my formal attire either."

"Then I'll give you some eye drops," Xing Qingfeng swung his arm, and a test tube suddenly appeared in his hand. "New medicine, want to try it?"

"I'd rather die than use the elixir you made," Kenneth curled his lips. His magic circuits tingled for the first time in a long time, and magic power was infused into the magic robe on his nose. "Hmm... This place has completely become an ordinary pile of stones."

"Nothing at all?"

"From a magical perspective, it's completely devoid of any spirituality or usefulness," Kenneth concluded. "It might still have a faint hint of mystery, but that's completely worthless."

"If we find a way to connect a large number of these relics," Xing Qingwu continued, "is it possible to trigger magical phenomena?"

"Impossible," Kenneth said, surveying the ruins before him again for a long moment before continuing. "The prerequisite for quantitative change to lead to qualitative change is that the quantity can be utilized. As it stands now, even an old brick from the city wall would be enough to act as a catalyst."

"Is that so..." Xing Qingfeng nodded, pulling out his camera to capture every angle of the wreckage. Kenneth stood beside him, continuing to survey the surroundings. However, neither the arrangement of the rocks nor the marks on the ground showed any signs of abnormality, as if this were truly just an ordinary lookout point.

"What are you doing..." Alejandro asked the two nervously, but suddenly thought of something and interrupted himself, "No, it's okay, I didn't say anything."

"What's wrong? What's going on?" Xing Qingqiu put down his camera and smiled as if he had suddenly thought of something. He continued, "This time we're here to investigate the Inca Sun Festival and the surrounding ruins. We want to record and preserve them as much as possible without causing any damage to the ruins."

"I see, I see..." Alejandro breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought they were just like those white guys from a few years ago..."

"What do you mean? What white skin?" Xing Qingqi had sharp ears and heard Alejandro's mumbling immediately.

"Oh... a few years ago, a group of white people came and secretly knocked away the statue of Inti in the ruins." Alejandro shook his head. "I saw that you were Asian, so I wasn't too wary. But from the way you guys were just now, I felt a little..."

"Haha, even if I just tell you to rest assured, I'm afraid you won't be able to put your mind at ease," Xing Qingfeng shook his head. "I can give you the supporting documents later. Anyway, can you please trust us for the time being?"

"Haha, if it's you, I can still believe it." Alejandro smiled and revealed the matter.

After confirming that no details were missing, the two nodded to Alejandro, signaling they could continue on their way. Alejandro had already returned to the car, silently waiting for them. Seeing them return, he smiled faintly, started the engine, and the jeep headed deeper into the Andes. The scenery outside the car window gradually changed with the altitude. Sunlight penetrated the thin clouds, casting a faint white halo, shrouding the mountains in a cold and silent atmosphere.

"The next place is a little further away, and we have to go over a few hills," Alejandro said, "but I promise you won't be disappointed with the scenery."

As the jeep jolted onto an increasingly rugged mountain road, they gradually entered the depths of the rarely explored Sacsayhuamán Mountains near Cusco. The air here was cooler than before, the scent of moist earth mingling with the fragrance of grass and trees, creating a strong, mysterious atmosphere upon entering this mountainous region. The morning sun filtered through the sparse mountain foliage, casting specks of light that flickered before their eyes, interweaving with the moss along the stone path to create a strange texture.

"Next we're going to Amaru Machu. Xing, aren't you a little tired of the city's totems dominated by Inti? The next place is different," Alejandro explained as he drove the jeep. "That's where the Incas worshipped their ancestors and the snake god 'Amaru.'"

"Snake God?" Xing Qingqi raised his eyebrows slightly. "What kind of god is this?"

"Amaru, the snake god, has multiple symbolic meanings in Inca mythology," Kenneth explained. "It symbolizes the earth, life, wisdom, and transformation."

"Exactly," Alejandro nodded. "'Amaru' is the legendary earth serpent. The Incas believed it symbolized the power of endless life. It's said that the cave ruins were where they worshipped Amaru in this area. After a long period of weathering, traces of the carvings from that time can still be seen."

A moment later, the car stopped on a flat surface surrounded by huge rocks. The three of them disembarked and looked out. They were surrounded by towering rock faces, the terrain secluded and like a natural refuge. Alejandro pointed forward, signaling them to continue toward the cliff face. The path beneath them gradually became obscured by vegetation, and the few remaining traces of human presence had been erased by time, leaving almost no trace of previous visitors. After climbing a slight slope, they finally saw the cave entrance. Several thick vines draped down from the mouth, obscuring the entrance almost completely.

Xing Qingqi reached out and parted the vines, peering into the cave. It was dark and deep. The faint light barely illuminated the few meters ahead, but made it difficult to see what lay beyond. Wisps of mist swirled within the cave, seemingly dancing in the air, giving it the appearance of a portal to another world.

"Let's go in and take a look," Xing Qingqi said softly, then nodded to Alejandro and Kenneth, and stepped into the cave first.

The air within the cave was damp and cool, with a faint musty odor, like the enclosed, unventilated ground of years. The three of them advanced cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the narrow space, forming a deep, interwoven sound. Several ancient carvings were faintly visible on the stone walls on either side. Xing Qingqi reached out and gently touched the markings. Engraved on the uneven stone surface were coiled serpentine patterns, like a serpent's body, lurking quietly in the darkness, exuding a distant and profound aura.

"The carvings here are truly... unique," Kenneth murmured, his fingertips lightly brushing the texture of the stone wall. "This serpentine carving is completely different from the ones we see on the streets of Cusco."

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