Chapter 192 - 161: Return to Origin Star

Chapter 192: Chapter 161: Return to Origin Star

The Ascetic Order’s current refining efficiency for Spirit-Suppressing Needles was truly low.

They could only produce forty to fifty needles a day.

At this rate, stockpiling one hundred thousand Spirit-Suppressing Needles would take at least five or six years.

Zhang Ji wanted to help them speed up the process.

The Ascetic Order’s biggest challenge in refining Spirit-Suppressing Needles was a shortage of manpower; the Abyss of Eternity had no large-scale, advanced production lines.

This couldn’t be done too overtly. The commotion would be too great, so it had to be handled discreetly.

Zhang Ji, however, lacked neither manpower nor the relevant technology.

The melting point of Star Sand was achievable by the steel furnaces on Origin Star.

The precision required for the Spirit Patterns within the Spirit-Suppressing Needles wasn’t overly demanding; mechanical engraving from Origin Star could handle it.

He could easily take the materials, leverage Origin Star’s resources to quickly process them all into artifact blanks, and then bring them back.

That way, the Ascetic Order could save a huge amount of tedious labor.

A task that would have originally taken five or six years could be finished in just one or two months.

’If the floating continent falls ahead of schedule, the Celestial Dao Alliance can forget about repairing their damned Starships, and they’ll have no chance to invade Origin Star again.’

’I could also use the information I have to reap massive benefits amid the chaos.’

’This is more than just a double win. It’s an absolute landslide.’

The key now was how to propose his offer of help and earn their trust.

’Should I say I know a group of ancient cultivators who practice outside the Four-Pole Cosmos and can help?’

’Or should I take a batch of materials, make a trip back, process them into artifact blanks, and then return to deepen our future cooperation?’

’There are too many holes in those stories. It would be hard enough to fool them for a short time, let alone deceive them indefinitely.’

Beneath the Bodhi Tree, Zhang Ji had a bold idea.

He suddenly realized something.

’Sometimes I overcomplicate things.’

’The key to cooperation is simply each party getting what they need.’

His interests didn’t seem to conflict much with those of the Ascetic Order.

The core demand of the Ascetic Order—that group of Demon Possessed People—was singular: to overthrow the Celestial Dao Alliance and return the world’s Spiritual Qi resources to the public domain.

His goal, on the other hand, was to stop this world’s invasion while also profiting and obtaining cultivation resources for himself.

From a certain perspective, their objectives were aligned and didn’t conflict much.

Furthermore, his identity as a Celestial Demon from beyond this realm wasn’t actually that taboo. ’I’m just an alien, not some world-destroyer. What’s the big deal?’

In fact, with the Ascetic Order, not having an identity like that would almost make him seem out of place.

They were all preparing to stage a revolution and overthrow the old world; without a grand goal of conquering worlds and seizing territory, Zhang Ji almost didn’t fit in.

Most importantly, neither the Ascetic Order nor the Celestial Dao Alliance currently possessed the ability or technology to explore Otherworlds.

They hadn’t even resolved their immediate problems, so how could they possibly concern themselves with external affairs?

If handled correctly, Zhang Ji’s identity as a Celestial Demon from beyond this realm could even be highly advantageous.

......

......

A sword rested horizontally across Ling Xuzi’s lap—his personal blade, the Seven Tribulation Sword.

Zhang Ji remembered that sword quite well.

After all, it was a Spiritual Artifact that could clash with a five-hundred-million-strong Sword Sea in Ling Xuzi’s hands and hold its own. It certainly deserved some respect.

"A Celestial Demon from beyond this realm?" Ling Xuzi picked up a fluffy, white ball from the table, took a small bite, and said, "Blood Master Zhang, did you come here just to tell me this?"

Seeing that Ling Xuzi wasn’t surprised, Zhang Ji couldn’t tell if the man was just profoundly shrewd or if he genuinely didn’t care. Nevertheless, he continued the conversation.

"To be precise, I shouldn’t be labeled a ’Celestial Demon.’ We are simply humans living in different worlds, different regions, with different civilizations. If you broaden your worldview, we could theoretically be seen as people from another city that’s just a bit farther away," Zhang Ji said. "I was sent here on a mission of exploration and exchange. This is a new world with great potential for development for us, and our world can certainly be of great help to you. After I return from this trip, the Saint King Council will definitely want to discuss a partnership here."

"So, Blood Master Zhang, you choose us? Why not the Celestial Dao Alliance?" Ling Xuzi asked.

"The Celestial Dao Alliance’s methods and principles do not align with our civilization’s values. They have become decadent and stagnant, and they disregard the majority of their own people. In contrast, I feel the Ascetic Order’s values are more in line with our own," Zhang Ji said. "We need a partner that is flourishing, ambitious, and has a bright future."

"Oh, is that so?" Ling Xuzi smiled, noncommittal about Zhang Ji’s praise. He continued, "Then how can I be sure that you, Blood Master Zhang, have sufficient authority to negotiate a partnership?"

"While I am only a scout, not just anyone is qualified to undertake a reconnaissance mission in an Exotic Realm. Within the Saint King Council, I am among the strongest elite warriors, second only to the Saint Kings and the Supreme. My status is not low, and I have a certain degree of autonomy while on missions," Zhang Ji explained.

A thoughtful expression crossed Ling Xuzi’s face.

He felt that Zhang Ji was probably not lying.

His Spiritual Sense wasn’t giving him much disharmonious feedback. Most of what the man said seemed to be true, with only a few omissions.

But that was normal. ’Who ever tells the complete truth?’

"Traveling between worlds isn’t easy for you, is it? Otherwise, why did you come alone?" Ling Xuzi asked.

"A spacetime rift does indeed have many uncertainties. However, a successful crossing means the rift will be stable for at least a century, allowing us to travel back and forth continuously..." Zhang Ji said, his explanation slightly vague.

Ling Xuzi fell silent, weighing his decision.

"And what is it you seek?" Ling Xuzi asked.

"We have already established good relationships with multiple worlds. For the most part, we cooperate for mutual benefit, seeking technological progress and civilizational growth, with each side providing what the other needs. For instance, we once encountered a disaster-stricken Otherworld where humanity faced a cataclysmic natural disaster, threatening to destroy their civilization. They could barely maintain a basic societal structure. We helped them build the necessary defenses and rebuild, and the only price they paid was some minerals. Conquest is out of the question. The spacetime rifts don’t last forever, and our contact only exists for an era or two while our worlds are aligned. So you needn’t trouble yourselves with pointless worries..." Zhang Ji explained.

Zhang Ji was describing events from a future version of the game. If Ling Xuzi were to press for details, he could recount most of them, right down to the stories surrounding the dedicated canned food production line Origin Star had set up for that world.

’The truth is the best way to deceive someone.’

’A fabrication can be full of holes, but telling the truth ensures that every detail can withstand scrutiny.’

’Of course, the key information he concealed was the most crucial part.’

’For example, the fact that all these events took place in the future of an alternate timeline.’

"Vice Blood Chief Zhang, your proposal is truly compelling!" Ling Xuzi said.

Just like that, Zhang Ji realized his status in the Ascetic Order had been elevated.

"Then let’s discuss the details, Blood Chief," Zhang Ji replied with a smile.

With that, he also expressed his stance: he was still willing to be a member of the Ascetic Order and acknowledged Ling Xuzi’s authority.

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

「East Sea Islands.」

「Near the spacetime rift.」

Zhang Ji’s starship, the *Hope*, shot forward and entered the rift.

The next moment, void particles began to drum against the hull, creating a pitter-pattering sound.

After more than a month in the Celestial Essence Realm, he was finally returning, laden with rewards.

The interior of the *Hope* was now filled with new items.

Aside from the Bodhi Tree and the Flood Dragon egg that Zhang Ji had acquired himself, there was also a large batch of Star Sand and numerous products of Spiritual Technology.

Artificial Spirit Roots were among the haul.

Zhang Ji was taking the Star Sand back to have it processed into artifact blanks.

The other products of Spiritual Technology were for the Physics Department to study back home.

After traveling for the better part of a day, Zhang Ji saw a brilliant light.

At that moment, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

Before long, he passed through the light. The *Hope* pressed onward and returned to Origin Star.

...

「Supreme Capital.」

Zhang Ji returned after being gone for thirty-seven days.

His reappearance didn’t cause much of a stir.

Everyone knew the Supreme was a martial arts fanatic who would often enter seclusion for ten days to half a month to train and enhance his power.

However, the members of the Physics Department that Zhang Ji had summoned were immediately thrown into a flurry of activity.

The Flood Dragon egg, Shennong’s Dew, and the entire array of Spiritual Technology products were handed over by Zhang Ji to the Physics Department and Robby’s World Alchemy Science Academy for research.

Robby was stunned.

"What is all this black technology? It can discharge electricity with just a few simple patterns? Spiritual Power? What a peculiar substance..."

Besides Robby, the numerous researchers in the Physics Department were also plunged into work.

Iver, the one who had built the Gathering Light Tower for Zhang Ji in Lanz, was among them.

He had already applied for early graduation from Truman University and was now researching a new magnetic confinement structure—a project he had long wanted to complete but had never managed to achieve.

So far, progress had been slow.

However, once the Spiritual Energy Reactor arrived, he seemed to be struck by a new inspiration. He buried himself in his lab for several days straight, refusing to come out.

While the related research proceeded in full swing, the artifact blanks Zhang Ji needed to refine for the Ascetic Order were not forgotten.

The chosen location for refining the artifact blanks was Xia Yu Country.

The Star Sand Zhang Ji brought back was enough to refine thirty thousand Spirit-Suppressing Needle artifact blanks.

This quantity was less than a tenth of Xia Yu Country’s daily production.

All they had to do was find a massive, state-owned steel mill over there, make a few adjustments, and the refinement of all thirty thousand Spirit-Suppressing Needles could be completed in less than ten days.

Throughout this process, the storage artifacts Zhang Ji brought back eliminated many logistical challenges.

Compared to the personal Ruins Realm spaces, which were still extremely rare on Origin Star, items like the folding grotto-heavens could be mass-produced.

With their inclusion in the workflow, efficiency in every area more than doubled.

While everyone else was busy, Zhang Ji was not idle either.

He continued to practice the Spirit-based combat technique he had been cultivating, but he also added a move from the Tathagata Divine Palm to his training regimen.

It was none other than its strongest palm technique: "I, Alone, Am Honored."

Zhang Ji had originally estimated it would take him around fifty days to master this move, but now, sitting beneath the Bodhi Tree, he felt he could grasp it completely in less than thirty.

He decided that once he mastered this technique, he would make a trip to the Ruins Realm instance on Origin Star that held the legendary combat skill, Cosmic Four Source Attraction, and acquire it.