No Money To Cultivate Immortality? Chapter 158: Zhang Yu Initiates the Ritual - Novel Cool

Chapter 158: Zhang Yu Initiates the Ritual

Since becoming a disciple of the Evil God, Song Xu had begun studying an art known as Ritual.

To Song Xu, Ritual bore many similarities to Spell.

"Spells can be cast seamlessly across Kunxu, drawing upon the power of the Eight Great Righteous Gods—this is made possible by Kunxu’s advanced infrastructure, especially its pervasive network."

"And Ritual shares this same trait: it, too, can be activated through the network."

"In fact, it can even siphon divine power from the network, twisting it into Evil God energy for use..."

While Ritual lacked the broad utility of Spells, it possessed unique advantages.

For instance, it could evade detection by righteous deities, bypassing their surveillance and record-keeping systems—perfect for actions outside the rules.

Like the Curse Shadow Ritual Song Xu was about to perform: a shadowy pest, forged from Evil God energy, would be implanted into the target’s shadow, silently siphoning information from them day and night.

But to activate such a Ritual, direct contact with the Ling Realm was essential.

After all, a regular network connection couldn’t reach into a person’s consciousness the way the Ling Realm could.

At that moment, Song Xu felt a subtle shift within his mind—Zhang Yu’s presence flickered into view within the Ling Realm.

"Here he comes!"

...

Ling Realm.

At the entrance of the Way of Inquiry Hall.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen walked side by side with Yu Xinghan, silent as they absorbed the fruits of their time in the Illusory Realm.

Zhang Yu reflected on his ordeal—the endless labor on the Assembly Line, the despair, the desperate fight to survive.

"It’s like I’ve lived another life."

"No wonder they say the Ling Realm is the best place to forge the Dao Heart."

Zhang Yu mused: In reality, enduring all that would cost an unimaginable price.

Meanwhile, deep within Zhang Yu’s mind-sea, he visualized a massive ox—limbs severed, blind and deaf—crawling forward without pause.

Yet this image differed from the previous visualization of the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique.

Now, the ox carried an aura of unyielding resolve, fearless and relentless.

Clearly, his deeper understanding of the technique had amplified its power.

The greater the pressure he faced, the stronger the technique became.

The deeper the crisis, the more he could unlock hidden potential within himself.

Just as he emerged from the Illusory Realm, the memory of his unpaid loans and the crushing pressure from the Foundation Establishment Exam returned.

Instead of despair, Zhang Yu felt renewed drive.

"Spending nearly 100,000 yuan this time was steep... but the results were real."

"Now I’ve deepened my grasp of the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique. Even if I can’t afford another visit, my daily cultivation will be far more effective."

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen was lost in her own revelations.

"The Hanpo Ice Heart Scripture was originally about calmness and composure. At level 10, it allowed me to suppress emotions, becoming cold and ruthless—willing to do anything for success."

"But now..."

She sensed the scripture was transforming—shaped by her evolving mindset and Zhen Linggen’s refinement.

"In a few days, once the full evolution is complete, the level 10 effect won’t make me cold-blooded or calculating."

"Instead, it will empower me to follow my own will, to act on instinct, to persist even when all odds are against me."

"The greater the risk, the lower the chance of success—yet the calmer I become, the sharper my mind, the stronger my body, the more vibrant my Martial Energy."

Where the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique had inherent depth, growing stronger with Zhang Yu’s understanding, the Hanpo Ice Heart Scripture was different.

It had evolved through Bai Zhenzhen’s personal growth, her new perspective, and Zhen Linggen’s refinement—making the technique more attuned to her very soul.

At that moment, Yu Xinghan glanced at them both, a quiet smile on his face.

"Looks like you two had quite the breakthrough. Want to come back tomorrow?"

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen exchanged glances—then both grimaced.

"Are you charging that much?!"

"Each session is nearly 100,000 yuan—this is robbery!"

Zhang Yu thought about his current balance—just over a hundred thousand. If he came back, he might not even have money for meals or exams.

Yu Xinghan, however, didn’t care. He chuckled.

"Then come back when you’ve got the money. Just give me a call—I’ll make it happen ASAP."

Moments later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen severed their connection to the Ling Realm, returning to the real world.

As Zhang Yu removed his Spiritual Interface Mask in his apartment, Fujie spoke up:

"Hmm… someone’s watching you."

Zhang Yu didn’t react outwardly. He walked into the bathroom, closed the door, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Fujie replied: "Someone activated a Ritual through the Ling Realm—placed a Shadow Pest on you."

"Ahaha, that Shadow Pest can live in your shadow, spying on you day and night, stealing every scrap of information and sending it back."

"Given enough time, they’ll learn everything about you."

Zhang Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

"Already…?"

Fujie reassured him: "Don’t worry. The Shadow Pest only gathers intel in silence—it doesn’t act. It hides its presence."

"It only transmits data when you reconnect to the Ling Realm."

Zhang Yu frowned. Even so, it was unacceptable.

He and Bai Zhenzhen carried too many secrets. One slip could bring disaster.

Fujie chuckled. "But the one who cast this Ritual didn’t realize you’re carrying an Evil God with you."

"One who once stood at the pinnacle of Evil Gods—second only to the Evil God King himself."

"He spotted the trick instantly."

Zhang Yu’s eyes widened. That’s right. Usually, Evil Gods control their disciples remotely—safest and most convenient.

This guy must’ve assumed I was just another remote-controlled pawn… so he used me to probe for clues about my true master.

Zhang Yu said, "The one who cast this Ritual must be a follower of the Evil God behind Songyang High or Bailong High."

He remembered Fujie once mentioning that both schools were backed by Evil Gods—urging him to hunt them down.

Now, before he’d even acted, they were already targeting him.

Zhang Yu mused: Someone suspects I’m connected to an Evil God.

Fujie replied: "Hard to say. Maybe they’re just suspicious, trying to verify."

"But whoever can perform a Ritual like this? Definitely a believer of the Evil God."

"Come on, kid. Let’s get to work. Help me prepare—I’ll initiate a Ritual right now and take control of that Shadow Pest."

"Then we’ll know who’s behind this."

Inside Fujie’s mind, a greedy hunger surged.

Hahahaha… absorb the power from that Shadow Pest, and I might just recover a little.

A little over an hour later, Zhang Yu returned to the abandoned construction site—the same dilapidated building where he’d once trained.

After careful thought, he decided this place was quiet, isolated, and unlikely to be noticed.

With Fujie’s guidance, he began setting up the Ritual.

Fujie said: "The network you use every day? It’s essentially a Divine Power Network."

"Originally built by the Eight Great Righteous Gods to manage Kunxu. Later, it was opened to the public."

"This network is the foundation of Spells—what allows the Righteous Gods to govern Kunxu."

"You see, the Righteous Gods’ network spans nearly all of Kunxu. That’s why Spells are nearly omnipotent."

"But we Evil Gods can also use it—by borrowing its pathways. So we’re never truly weaker."

Zhang Yu mentally scoffed: That sounds like you’re just sneaking through back doors.

Fujie continued: "This Ritual will also ride that network—so we need a conduit for divine energy."

"Simple, cheap tools—incense, paper offerings, statues, dolls—can serve as Ritual Offerings."

Fujie sighed: "But with online worship growing popular, these old-fashioned items are getting hard to find."

Zhang Yu pulled out a half-burned candle—purchased from someone who’d used it in a past ritual.

Fujie said: "First, the Altar—the junction where the divine network connects. Since we’re short on resources, just use that stool for now."

"On the Altar, you need: the Offering, the Medium for Human-God Connection, the Sacred Object for Preserving Spirit Energy, and the Symbol of the Evil God’s Incarnation."

"Ah… but conditions are tight. We’ll have to improvise."

"Use your phone as the Medium—it can still connect to the Divine Power Network, barely."

"Use two flashlights for the Sacred Object—turn the lights to maximum brightness."

"You’ve trained in the Great Sun Qi Sea, right? You know light carries spirit energy. Keeping the flashlights on represents an abundance of spirit energy—reducing loss during the Ritual. This is called Illuminating Heaven, Probing Hell."

"For the Evil God’s symbol? Use this stuffed bear. Can’t exactly use a real statue—would draw too much attention."

"Using a doll? That’s exactly our strength. It’s why Evil Gods are so hard to detect."

"Finally, use wires to form a basic circle—the most fundamental structure of any Ritual."

"Copper is an excellent conductor of divine energy. Placed within the circle, it helps contain and guide the power."

(End of Chapter)

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