Chapter 221: Secret Ritual
Chapter 221: Secret Ritual
Director Lei walked over to the desk and picked up the chess piece-like model, arranging it into an expanding pattern on the table. He turned to Chen Chuan and explained, "Imagine these chess pieces represent rituals from the old era. Then..."
He took a pen and drew several lines connecting the pieces, but not in a simple, direct manner. Instead, the lines varied in length and connected the pieces in unique ways.
Chen Chuan examined the diverse chess pieces and the lines connecting them, deep in thought.
"Do you understand?" Director Lei asked, tapping the lines with his finger. "Since his rituals are not a unified whole, it's challenging to link them together. I suspect he spent a significant amount of time connecting and filling in the gaps. However, this means the rituals cannot respond in unison, and he needs to activate them one by one."
"When he activates them, it gives us enough time to react. We can target and disrupt them individually. The more we disrupt, the less effective the rituals become."
"But this takes time, and he will undoubtedly have a core that plays a crucial role. We need to find that core. Until then, we can't guarantee disrupting the entire ritual, so during this period, you'll need to take the lead."
"Furthermore, since he has the first move, we can only follow his lead. At this point, we're unsure how many old-era rituals are being utilized, so it's challenging to estimate the required time."
Chen Chuan nodded, understanding that until the secret rituals were completely disrupted or a winner was determined, he would have to endure the rituals' effects himself.
He didn't feel overly burdened by this, as he possessed a secondary self, and it was a matter of endurance.
Currently, he had eighteen hours of overlapping time, although excessive harm would gradually reduce this duration. Still, he wouldn't stand idly by, and this time he wasn't alone in the fight.
Director Lei spoke with gravity, "We won't send you into this unprepared. So, in the next few days, I'll ensure you have various rituals to counter the effects. But that's not enough. At critical moments, you'll need to find ways to resist or disrupt the rituals yourself."
"If necessary, we can inscribe secret rituals on your skin, but these rituals can severely affect the mind. It might be challenging for you to maintain your sanity."
"If you were just a ritual practitioner, we could have someone nearby to administer medication or step in if your condition worsened. But considering you're also a fighter, you need a clear mind and ample strength. So, I don't think this method is suitable for you."
"The only option is to inscribe the secret patterns onto your clothing and other items, and have multiple sets to achieve the goal of resistance."
Chen Chuan nodded in agreement. Although his secondary self could transfer the effects, it was better to use alternative methods if possible.
No matter how much overlapping time his secondary self had, every second in combat was precious, as it could mean the difference between life and death.
Director Lei continued, "Secret rituals require preparation. They need time and materials to manipulate anomalous substances, so everything is prepared in advance. Even if you use them temporarily, it's the same."
"It's like holding a hand of cards. When you enter the game, all the playable cards are in your hand. It's up to you to decide how to play them and utilize each card's potential."
"But you're a fighter, not a pure ritual expert. So, these are just aids to help you perform at your best without distractions."
"In the next two days, I'll teach you how to quickly assess secret rituals and some basic countermeasures. That should be enough. I've already instructed my team to prepare, as learning through practical experience leaves a deeper impression. For now, arrange your affairs, and we'll begin shortly."
Chen Chuan acknowledged and, after finishing his discussion with Director Lei, called his original team members. He informed them of a new mission to eliminate an armed group and asked if they were available.
Unsurprisingly, everyone readily agreed to the invitation. Even without considering their friendship, Chen Chuan's missions were always of the highest quality and offered significant rewards, far surpassing ordinary assignments. No one wanted to miss out.
However, due to the high confidentiality level of this mission, it couldn't be handled through the company, and Chen Chuan didn't want to trouble Director Lei. So, he called Gao Ming to handle the arrangements.
Gao Ming, having successfully defended himself in the Judgment Court, was now renowned in the Advocate circle. Although Chen Chuan's escape from the Judgment Court seemed to be due to the targeting of the Mo Lan Corporation, his ability to utilize information, assess the situation, and achieve his goals was remarkable.
Numerous Advocate offices tried to recruit him, and some high-ranking individuals even sent invitations, hoping to hire him for their teams.
Yet, Gao Ming declined all offers and, despite his newfound fame, refrained from taking on major cases. Instead, he quietly accepted a few minor cases and tried to stay out of the spotlight.
In his words, Chen Chuan's true value would increase once he entered the Central City. Now was not the time to seek attention.
His current seclusion was for a more significant gain in the future.
Upon receiving Chen Chuan's call, Gao Ming readily accepted. Chen Chuan was not only his cousin but also his first client, and he prioritized the needs of his primary client above all else.
After the phone call, in the afternoon, Director Lei brought him to the training hall, where various Secret Sect patterns were already painted on the walls.
Director Lei walked amidst the intricate patterns and said solemnly, "The diversity of Secret Rituals is vast, and to prepare for them, we need extensive training. Repeated combat exercises are crucial, not only for physical readiness but also for the mental fortitude it demands. We neither have the time nor the desire to delve into such training."
"So, we've prepared a special training ritual for you. All you need to do is identify the correct ritual to counter each one."
"The ability to discern and react quickly is vital here. Although most rituals can be countered after activation, some will leave you with no chance to retaliate. Therefore, it's essential to act before they are triggered, which relies on your observation skills and sharpness."
As he spoke, Director Lei handed him a set of ten or so exquisite pattern cards depicting various Secret Rituals.
"These cards display the rituals I will activate on your person. Your task is to recognize and select the correct countermeasure within the shortest time to negate the ritual's effects."
Chen Chuan glanced at the cards in his hand. They were intricate and ornate, and at first glance, they seemed nearly indistinguishable. Memorizing and differentiating them would be a challenge.
Fortunately, his prior study of the materials and his keen observation skills came into play, allowing him to discern the patterns after a brief examination.
Director Lei said, "If you're ready, let's begin."
Chen Chuan nodded and replied, "Director Lei, I'm prepared."
Just as he spoke, Director Lei clapped his hands, and at that instant, he noticed a faint sign of etherealization on his secondary self, indicating that a ritual had been silently activated.
He thought for a moment and decided to confront the ritual's effects directly, so he didn't let his secondary self resist.
In a flash, he made his decision and acted.
At that very moment, he felt Director Lei's applause as if it came from a distant place. The surrounding light seemed to dim, and he found himself in a deep, dark pit, enveloped by loneliness and anxiety. Even his limbs seemed to slowly detach from his body, willing to sink into the abyss.
He quickly recalled the information he had studied earlier. According to the description, most Secret Rituals, when not utilizing lore, were primarily mental assaults, with some physical damage but less intense.
Normally, one could resist such attacks, but this was just a probing attempt. The actual effects would likely be more potent, making countering them challenging. If an enemy were present during this trial, the situation would be perilous.
Maintaining his composure, he examined the cards in his hand but found it difficult to discern the patterns at that moment. Relying on his memory, he swiftly selected a card, and as he made his move, the sensation rapidly subsided, and everything around him returned to normal.
Director Lei observed him and said, "Very well, you've studied the materials thoroughly." He paused, then continued, "Let's proceed."
In the following hours, Chen Chuan, with Director Lei's assistance, repeatedly practiced various rituals. Since the required skills were limited, he mastered them within the afternoon.
Upon completion, Chen Chuan asked Director Lei a question.
"Director Lei, I'd like to inquire. Regarding the Vitality Sect's ability to transfer life force, if one had ample resources and manpower, could it be used to achieve longevity?"
Director Lei replied slowly, "That's a dangerous topic. Secret Rituals are pursued to achieve what is beyond human capability, but they must follow established rules and channels. What can be achieved is limited to what the rules allow. Fortunately, as of now, such a situation hasn't occurred."
Chen Chuan said, "The absence of discovery doesn't mean it's impossible, does it?"
Director Lei nodded, "Indeed, since ancient times, people have relentlessly pursued this goal. Despite no one succeeding, they haven't given up. They continue searching for this possibility.
The so-called life force transfer of the Vitality Sect is not a sustainable method. Initially, the recipient may feel energized, but it won't last long, and soon, they'll return to their original state, seemingly unchanged."
Chen Chuan contemplated and said, "So, it's like taking an energy-enhancing pill?"
Director Lei nodded, "Your analogy is apt. The actual effects are weaker than simply taking a pill, and there may be various side effects.
You might wonder why the effects are so weak, yet people invest vast resources and manpower. It's because, compared to the material benefits of rituals, the mental pleasure and satisfaction are unforgettable. Especially when life force enters the body, it's like being reborn, making many people crave it and even become addicted."
His voice grew heavy as he continued, "All rituals bring mental stimulation. Many staff in the Mystic Bureau now inject drugs to alleviate the side effects of frequent ritual use. But to truly resist them, one must rely on self-control and a firm will."
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(End of Chapter)
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