Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 68 - 67 "Spiritual Ability Code Basics: From Beginner to HeavenWorld Version UpdatesC68 - 67 "Spiritual Ability Code Basics: From Beginner to Heaven
Chapter 68: Chapter 67 "Spiritual Ability Code Basics: From Beginner to Heaven
Lu Yan's mouth twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but complain silently.
"No wonder it's the cyber version."
Lu Luo, already used to this, led the way ahead. Occasionally, passersby cast fearful glances at Lu Yan as the two quickly arrived at a special building.
The building before them resembled an enormous turret after modifications, with most parts disassembled and only a rusty cannon barrel pointing into the distance.
Lu Yan noticed that the cannon barrel seemed to be directed right at the magnificent City Tax Bureau.
Lu Luo pushed open the door, her face full of joy, shouting:
"Boss Quentin, I've brought you a guest!"
Lu Yan observed the room, filled with complex appliances and electronic devices, though most seemed abandoned, with messy monitors piled against the walls.
The man called Quentin by Lu Luo sat behind the counter. Appearing about forty years old, he was a Caucasian; most of his body seemed normal, but his right arm was exceptionally robust, almost as thick as his waist.
His discordant limb looked like a misassembled toy, full of absurdity.
Lu Yan noted the spiritual tattoos covering Quentin's unusually thick right arm. Unlike the chaotic letters on others, Quentin's tattoos felt organized, like a mathematical formula or a run-capable code.
Quentin first looked Lu Yan over keenly, then his expression visibly stiffened as he spoke to Lu Luo:
"I'm not doing any business today, try elsewhere?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Luo frowned tightly: "Don't be like that, Boss Quentin. It was hard bringing you a big client."
"I said no business today; you should leave!"
Quentin said, making a shooing gesture.
Lu Luo looked disappointed, ready to lead Lu Yan to another place, but found him already at the counter.
Lu Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling gently as he examined Quentin before him, his voice drifting weightlessly.
"What...did you see?"
As the words fell, a dark aura began to spread from around Lu Yan, the surrounding lights dimming suddenly.
At the counter, something unseen devoured the room's light, causing Lu Luo's sight to blur momentarily, illusionary figures seemingly standing around the counter in the dark background.
However, when he rubbed his eyes and looked carefully, he found nothing around him.
Quentin swallowed, his body starting to tremble involuntarily.
When that ominous cold aura struck, his combat instincts activated his spirit-mutated right arm. Once the spiritual ability code was triggered, his right arm would unleash more than a ton of force.
Yet the opponent made no moves, and the chilling coldness instantly froze his spirit-mutated arm, extinguishing the spiritual ability code just before its activation.
He couldn't even comprehend what ability the opponent used, feeling as fragile as a child before this person.
"Respec...respected sir, I..."
"I asked you, what did you perceive?"
Quentin's face flushed red; after hesitating for a while, he whispered:
"I...I didn't sense any spiritual ability code on you, which made me suspicious of your identity. I declined the business due to fear of the risk."
"Spiritual ability code?"
Lu Yan glanced at the characters on Quentin's arm, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes:
"Lu Luo mentioned you're a Compiler?"
"That's just hearsay from Lu Luo. I've merely touched on some basic spiritual ability codes, able to perform the lowest level of spiritual mutation transformation.
Advanced spiritual mutation transformations require combining biological surgery with spiritual energy potion use, and what I've got is just enough to fool some people in Lower City District."
Aligning with Quentin's information, Lu Yan had a rough guess about the so-called spiritual ability system.
The fundamental part of the spiritual ability system was the spiritual tattoos, which allowed the user to mobilize some spiritual energy by applying spiritual ability codes onto the body.
Most Lower City District residents' spiritual tattoos were chaotic, mobilizing pitifully little spiritual energy, and among the people Lu Yan had met in the Lower City District, only Quentin had genuinely complete spiritual ability codes.
Lu Yan vaguely sensed that complete spiritual ability codes were enough to give Quentin spiritual power equivalent to one layer of Qi refining, which seemed weak to Lu Yan but barely entered the extraordinary system.
Above that were spiritual ability users transformed through spiritual mutation and biological surgery, though Lu Yan had yet to see a true spiritual ability user, so he couldn't equate them with cultivation realm levels.
"I heard you can fabricate identities?"
Quentin answered truthfully:
"I can establish records for identities in Lower City District by bribing the police, but if it involves spiritual ability user levels, they're directly controlled by the Heavenly Intelligent Brain, a level way out of my league."
Lu Yan's expression remained indifferent as he spoke:
"Prepare an identity for me."
Quentin immediately took out three watch-like personal terminals from under the counter, introducing them to Lu Yan:
"These three terminals all have pre-registered identities corresponding to their files, for use within Lower City District."
Lu Yan casually picked up a black terminal, wearing it on his arm. An instant later, he felt a faint spiritual energy emerge from a chip inside the terminal, scanning his entire body.
Lu Yan's expression slightly shifted and quickly closed his Dantian, stopping the circulation of heaven until the identity scan was complete and the terminal binding was successful.
Quentin then reluctantly took out a small blue battery, half the size of a finger, from the counter and handed it to Lu Yan.
"This is a second-generation spiritual energy battery; though most of the energy has been used, the remaining portion can still power the terminal for over ten years, even helping activate the spiritual ability code if needed."
Lu Yan accepted the battery, noticing its resemblance to a Spirit Stone changed into a spiritual energy battery, only much larger.
Reaching into his vest, he discreetly retrieved that Spirit Stone battery and tossed it onto the counter.
Quentin's eyes lit up, exclaiming: "Is this a latest sixth-generation spiritual energy battery?"
"This grade of spiritual energy battery can power exoskeletons and medium spiritual weapons, valued at least ten thousand credit points.
That's Upper City District pricing; such a treasure can't be bought in Lower City District!"
Quentin's excited demeanor made Lu Yan's eyes reveal a thoughtful expression.
Logically, Spirit Stones are used as currency in the Xianxia version, so when transformed into the cyber version, they ought to equate to currency.
Yet the essence of Spirit Stones is as a standard equivalent in the Cultivation Realm, their intrinsic value being most critical.
The supply of Spirit Stones is limited, whereas in the cyber version, the credit points originate from the Universal Giant Corporation, which, risking financial system collapse, could theoretically issue limitless credit points.
In that respect, the value of Spirit Stones far exceeds that of credit points; their relations in different versions cannot be equated.
This also applies to Spirit Stones and money in the urban version, as they are fundamentally different concepts.
Hence, Spirit Stones morphed into the more valuable and scarcer spiritual energy batteries with each version update.
"If Spirit Stones are like this, what about the cultivation texts?"
Lu Yan's mind stirred, ignoring Quentin, who cradled the spiritual energy battery, and retrieved a USB stick acquired in the version update from his storage bag.
Plugging the USB stick into the personal terminal, a document directory popped up.
"Spiritual Ability Code Basics: From Beginner to Heaven"
Opening the file, a large amount of text appeared before Lu Yan.
As he looked at the strings of spiritual ability codes, a hint of amazement flashed in Lu Yan's eyes, for he recognized most of them.
Because those spiritual ability codes were exactly the array patterns from "Array Profound Mystery!"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 69 - 68: Extraordinary CommonalityWorld Version UpdatesC69 - 68: Extraordinary Commonality
Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Extraordinary Commonality
Lu Yan clearly remembered that to ensure this version update experiment, he specifically bought four basic cultivation classics and one lower-grade magical artifact in the market within the Cyan Simurgh Sect.
The four classics included a Qi Cultivation Technique of the Rotten Continent, "Chang Chun Skill," a book on "Basic Alchemy Technique," a book on "Array Introduction," and a book on "Basic Talisman Technique."
Altogether, the four books cost Lu Yan thirty Spirit Stones.
This price seemed cheap, but if someone wanted to rely on these classics to study the hundred arts of cultivation, it would undeniably be a fool's dream.
Even the most basic talisman technique isn't something that can be taught through just one classic, so Lu Yan only bought the classics with an experimental mindset.
Unexpectedly, the four classics actually transformed into a USB drive under the world version update.
Browsing the contents of the "Basic Spiritual Ability Code," Lu Yan consulted the information in his memory and confirmed after repeated checks that this "Basic Spiritual Ability Code" indeed evolved from "Array Introduction."
Since "Array Profound Mystery" is a second-tier array inheritance, containing most of the array patterns recorded in "Array Introduction," Lu Yan initially mistook its contents as "Array Profound Mystery."
Most of the spiritual ability codes above were almost identical to the low-level array patterns Lu Yan knew.
This situation immediately made Lu Yan realize its peculiarity.
"The array patterns in the Xianxia version have become the spiritual ability code, the cornerstone of the extraordinary system in the cyber version, and spiritual energy may itself originate from the same source as magical power.
Although the two versions seem completely different, they share certain commonalities within the extraordinary system.
This situation is not only reflected in the Xianxia and cyber versions but even in the extraordinary abilities mastered by zombies in the apocalypse version, which display special spell properties once incorporated as a main soul.
If one could exploit the commonalities between different versions, they could definitely leverage cross-version extraordinary knowledge to the fullest!"
"For instance, these array patterns becoming spiritual ability code in the cyber version—could they be reassembled into arrays using the spiritual ability code method?
And integrating spiritual ability code to compile arrays—is that also part of the extraordinary system in the cyber version?"
Thinking of this, Lu Yan's face couldn't help but show a moved expression.
Looking at Quentin, who appeared nervous before him, Lu Yan asked in a deep voice:
"Hand over the materials regarding compiler profession that you have."
Quentin trembled upon hearing this, then showed a bitter expression and said:
"I... I cobbled together the so-called compiler profession myself from some incomplete materials, and most compilers in the Lower City District are like this.
The true compilers can only begin systematic study by passing the most rigorous college entrance exam and entering a university in the Upper City District."
Lu Yan's expression remained unchanged: "You just need to give me the portion of materials you have."
Quentin sighed in relief, operated the personal terminal on his wrist, and transmitted the files to Lu Yan.
Soon, rows of file directories appeared on Lu Yan's personal terminal.
"Basic Use of Spiritual Ability Code 1.2," "The History of Spiritual Ability Code Development," "Basic Spiritual Ability Code Integration"...
As Quentin said, most of these files were incomplete, many missing the follow-up key advancement parts.
After Lu Yan's rough check, he gained a basic understanding of the profession of compiler.
In the cyber version, a compiler was the profession of compiling spiritual ability code, essentially a cyber version extraordinary programmer.
Lower-level compilers could draw basic spiritual tattoos with spiritual ability code, granting the user some extraordinary abilities.
Advanced compilers, considering the distinct lives of individuals, could selectively compile spiritual ability code to assist others in transforming and becoming true spiritual ability users.
Moreover, the compiler's abilities affected not just individual lives but also weapons, large machinery, and even smart brains—all creations involving spiritual energy had the involvement of compilers.
The personal terminal Lu Yan had was also a spiritual creation designed by a compiler.
It could be said that the entire cyber version was built by compilers, hence compilers held a very esteemed position in the cyber version.
Even someone like Quentin, who picked up some materials and self-studied as a half-baked compiler, had a fairly high status in the Lower City District.
The more he read through these materials, the more Lu Yan felt a certain connection between array masters and compilers.
However, in most cases, the arrays constructed by array masters borrow the Power of Heaven and Earth, using one person to shake the momentum of the mountains and rivers.
In contrast, compilers focus on the microscopic level of individual lives and spiritual creations.
In terms of sheer combat effectiveness, array masters naturally surpass compilers.
But when it comes to modifying the entire civilization system, compilers are a step above array masters.
"Now that I possess knowledge from two different world systems, perhaps I can combine the strengths of both to expand my exploration."
"The only pity is that the version update only left the spiritual ability code system; if the alchemy and talisman systems had also completed their transformation, the gains would have been even greater."
Lu Yan thought with some regret.
Among all the things he brought, only the Spirit Stones and "Array Introduction" transformed with the version change, while the other three classics and the lower-grade magical artifact completely disappeared.
Lu Yan speculated that the spiritual ability code itself was a pre-existing system in the cyber version, corresponding to the array system, causing the "Array Introduction" classic to change.
But the cyber version had not evolved systems corresponding to alchemy, talisman magic, Qi Cultivation, or magical artifacts, so the three classics could not find corresponding items during the world version update and were thus directly erased.
Of course, this was only Lu Yan's guess; it's also possible that version updates caused spatial changes, taking those things elsewhere, out of their original positions.
Although he felt some regret, Lu Yan was not overly concerned.
Just understanding the spiritual ability code would require an unknown amount of time, even if other systems corresponded one by one, Lu Yan didn't have enough time to research them.
Entering the cyber version, with the pseudo-omniscient and omnipotent artificial Intelligent God above him, Lu Yan had lost the desire to cause trouble as he did in other versions.
In other worlds, after creating trouble, Lu Yan could escape into deep mountains and forests, using Profound Yellow Merit Fire to sever karmic ties, possibly avoiding disaster.
But in this cyber version, one misstep and he'd fall into the sight of the Intelligent God, under tight surveillance; Lu Yan wouldn't even know where to escape.
Rather than causing trouble, it was better to spend time integrating the array master and compiler systems, and peacefully spend three months in the cave.
Once the version update progress reached completion, he'd immediately escape the cyber version.
With his mind set, Lu Yan subconsciously glanced at the version update progress before him.
The next moment, he was suddenly stunned.
Because on the interface before him was prominently displayed a line of text.
[Version Update Progress 0.1%]
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 70 - 69: Cultivation by Taking Pills?World Version UpdatesC70 - 69: Cultivation by Taking Pills?
Chapter 70: Chapter 69: Cultivation by Taking Pills?
Something's off!
Lu Yan's pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression became serious.
Since completing the version update, he had gone through a series of events including capturing a black man, touring the surface districts, and entering the underground cave, which took over five hours.
Normally, the version update progress is set with a limit of three months, meaning that 0.1% of the version update progress is roughly equivalent to more than two hours.
Yet, more than five hours have passed now, and the version update progress is still at 0.1%. This immediately made Lu Yan realize something was amiss.
"The charging speed of the world version update has changed, which means my stay in the Cyber Version will exceed three months!"
In the Apocalypse Version, extending the stay time, Lu Yan can extensively harvest zombie wandering souls, refining the Soul Refining Banner to earn merit.
If it were in the Xianxia Version, Lu Yan could also seize the time to accelerate cultivation and improve his cultivation.
But unfortunately, it is now the Cyber Version, a version that Lu Yan has lost control of, and yet, the version's stay time has extended.
It seems as if from the start of the version update, something has been targeting him specifically.
This suddenly made Lu Yan think of the photo during the Xianxia Version that caused a 1% variation in the version value.
"Could it be that the commotion in the Xianxia Version caused me to be targeted by the Celestial Dao of the Xianxia Version?"
A bold idea came to Lu Yan's mind.
This is just Lu Yan's guess, and there's no way to verify the reason.
However, the sense of crisis in his heart still made Lu Yan extremely cautious.
"The most urgent task is to quickly settle down and improve my strength, so I have the confidence to deal with potential crises at any moment."
Turning off the terminal, Lu Yan spoke to Quentin, who was still fiddling with the Spiritual Energy Battery:
"I need a place to stay."
Quentin hesitated a bit, then spoke softly:
"In the caves, residences can be freely constructed without any approval procedures.
As long as the construction is completed, based on the materials of the residence and the area it occupies, you pay a fee to the City Tax Bureau, and thereafter a fixed land tax every month."
Quentin's words reminded Lu Yan of those shabbily constructed shanties he saw on the way over.
"Those shabbily constructed houses are..."
"Those are slums built to reduce the building fee and land tax, using the worst materials.
Some material thugs can even construct houses that only require a monthly land tax of 10 credit points according to the requirements."
Lu Yan couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
He thought the cave residents lived under harsh conditions, but it turned out to be tax evasion measures.
The more he dealt with this Cyber Version, the more Lu Yan realized that it's indeed impossible to move an inch without money here.
"No need to build, find me a ready-made residence, with a better environment."
While speaking, Lu Yan pointed to the Spiritual Energy Battery.
"Deduct the cost of the personal terminal and accommodation, and Lu Luo's guide fee, from that Spiritual Energy Battery."
At Lu Yan's words, Quentin became interested immediately.
He had originally thought Lu Yan was a dragon crossing the river from another city, and the personal terminal from before was just an expense to avert disaster.
But he didn't expect Lu Yan to be so by the book, using the precious sixth-generation Spiritual Energy Battery for transactions, which made Quentin quite excited.
Quentin activated the personal terminal, projecting an electronic map on the terminal, presenting a three-dimensional cave of the Seventy-first Cave to Lu Yan.
"This is the map of the Seventy-first Cave, the locations marked in orange are all suitable residences for you to choose freely, sir."
Lu Yan studied the map for a moment, and suddenly a large building resembling a castle caught his eye.
This castle-like structure spans tens of thousands of square meters, looking out of place next to the surrounding old and small houses, yet it was also marked in orange and was a selectable residence.
Pointing at that building, Lu Yan asked:
"What is that?"
Quentin glanced and said:
"That used to be a pharmaceutical factory site underground, established by the Jiulong Group. After Jiulong Group was acquired by the Universal Giant Corporation, the underground pharmaceutical factory was exposed to the City Tax Bureau and was fined billions in penalties.
The underground pharmaceutical factory naturally declared bankruptcy as it couldn't afford the hefty fines, and the factory was put up for auction by the court."
"Once the underground factory visible to the City Tax Bureau lost its value, and since the land in the caves wasn't worth much, buying it for redevelopment held no value, resulting in multiple failed auctions.
Until a few years ago, the court announced that residents of the Lower City District could lease the underground pharmaceutical factory, simply by paying the land tax on time.
But due to the sheer size of the factory's area, someone calculated that just the monthly land tax alone would be over 50,000 credit points, nobody was willing to pay that amount, and over time it remained vacant here."
After Quentin's explanation, Lu Yan found himself intrigued.
Since he had set his mind on studying Array Patterns and Spiritual Ability Code, Lu Yan needed a suitable venue.
The Spiritual Ability Code is relatively accommodating with environmental requirements, but the Array Patterns from the Xianxia Version require much higher environmental standards.
Moreover, with the Spiritual Qi being thin in the Cyber Version, Lu Yan would need external Spiritual Qi supply regardless of whether for cultivation or studying Arrays.
A larger space would allow for the placement of Spirit Marrow Ore to form a lower-grade Spirit Vein, which can create a cultivation environment in conjunction with a Spirit Gathering Array.
At this point, Lu Yan suddenly realized a problem.
The thin Spiritual Qi in the Cyber Version nearly rivals that of the Urban Version, yet a Spiritual Ability System was born in such a sparse Spiritual Qi environment, along with Spiritual Ability Code comparable to Xianxia Arrays; this is extremely illogical.
It's known that even with Spiritual Tattoos to harness Spiritual Energy, the premise of all this is to have an external supply of Spiritual Energy.
If there is no supply of Spiritual Energy, regardless of how powerful the Spiritual Ability Code or Spiritual Tattoos are, they are just ordinary pictures.
In the Xianxia Version, external Spiritual Qi can still be controlled, yet in the Spiritual Qi scarce Cyber Version, even drawing from external Spiritual Qi became a luxury.
Lu Yan furrowed his brow and suddenly realized he seemed to have overlooked a crucial piece of information.
Gazing again at Quentin, Lu Yan spoke:
"Let's put the housing issue aside for now, I have a question for you to answer first."
Upon hearing this, Quentin's expression also became serious as he awaited Lu Yan's question.
"Where exactly does Spiritual Energy come from?"
Quentin seemed dumbstruck, as if he had heard a ridiculous joke.
He kept scrutinizing Lu Yan, and upon confirming Lu Yan wasn't joking, he scratched his head in confusion and said:
"All the Spiritual Energy of the entire world comes from the Universal Giant Corporation.
Universal Giant Corporation controls all Spiritual Energy. People wishing to harness Spiritual Energy need to inscribe Universal Giant Corporation's Spiritual Ability Code to borrow Spiritual Energy from them."
As he spoke, Quentin moved aside a machine on the counter and opened a switch bearing a Spiritual Ability Code.
Lu Yan noticed, the Spiritual Ability Code on the switch resembled a palm cradling a planet, which appeared quite peculiar.
In the next moment, an ample amount of Spiritual Energy erupted from the symbol like a fountain.
Watching the surging Spiritual Energy, Lu Yan instinctively activated his Cultivation Technique, after which the turbulent Spiritual Energy was directly absorbed by the technique, transforming into Magical Power and integrating into his Dantian.
"No Zhoutian operations needed, it directly merges into Magical Power?"
Lu Yan was a bit dumbfounded.
Even the high-quality elixirs from the Xianxia Version accelerated Spiritual Qi absorption and circulation to enhance Magical Power.
But this Spiritual Energy and Magical Power share the same roots, requiring just a slight transformation, thus eliminating the most complex Zhoutian operational procedures.
This effect isn't like taking elixirs at all! It's more akin to a senior master bestowing Magical Power directly!
A heap of bold ideas naturally popped up in Lu Yan's mind, and just then, he heard Quentin continue:
"These are industrial Spiritual Energy, overly violent to be harnessed with Spiritual Tattoos, only useful for industrial production.
It's said that in the Central City District and Upper City District, there are various pharmaceutical combinations with pure Spiritual Energy made into Spiritual Energy Extraction Injections. Just one injection not only enhances the physique but also replenishes the Spiritual Energy consumed by high-level Spiritual Ability Users."
Lu Yan's expression froze, and an idea instinctively blurted out:
"Spiritual cultivation by injection?"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 71 - 70: Spiritual Energy ClassificationWorld Version UpdatesC71 - 70: Spiritual Energy Classification
Chapter 71: Chapter 70: Spiritual Energy Classification
"What is cultivation?"
Quentin asked in confusion.
"It's just a way to use spiritual energy."
Lu Yan waved his hand, giving a casual explanation to brush off the question.
In fact, Lu Luo had mentioned before when they were in the street district that the Universal Giant Corporation controlled the source of spiritual energy and taxed individuals based on their consumption.
Lu Yan initially thought this was an exaggeration; after all, a force that controls all extraordinary energy in the world sounds impossible. But it turned out to actually exist.
The sunlight tax, air tax, up to the Intelligent God, and even the source of spiritual energy—the more Lu Yan learned about the cyberpunk version, the more shocked he was at the terrors of this colossal entity, the Universal Giant Corporation.
Yet, such a terrifying force had no presence in the urban, xianxia, or apocalypse versions, which was something Lu Yan couldn't understand.
Lu Yan instinctively felt that the cyberpunk version was different from the versions he had previously experienced.
However, the existing information was insufficient for Lu Yan to make a judgment. After a brief contemplation, he shifted his focus back to the spiritual energy in front of him.
No matter how this version was, improving his strength as much as possible was certainly right.
For a cultivator in Qi Cultivation, accumulating magical power is an extremely long process. Lu Yan had taken many elixirs to speed up his cultivation as much as possible.
But after all, the cultivation time was too brief; it hadn't even been a year since he started cultivating. Advancing to the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation was already the result of various fortuitous opportunities.
The subsequent late stage and peak of Qi Cultivation have trapped countless loose cultivators. Even with enough resources, it would take Lu Yan at least two to three years to complete the accumulation.
However, the spiritual energy in front of him gave Lu Yan hope of ascending with a single step.
As he absorbed another strand of spiritual energy into his dantian, Lu Yan clearly felt the spiritual energy being so violent, attempting to recklessly escape the confines of his physical body.
But under the profound magical power of the fifth layer of Qi Cultivation, a mere strand of spiritual energy couldn't stir up any trouble. With the operation of the cultivation technique of the Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture, the spiritual energy was quickly assimilated by the magical power.
The magical power in Lu Yan's dantian grew again at a visibly rapid pace.
Carefully sensing the magical power transformed from spiritual energy, since the spiritual energy was not consumed through elixirs, no impurities like elixir toxins were deposited in the magical power, making it much purer than the magical power obtained through elixir cultivation.
The sole disadvantage was that the spiritual energy was too violent, requiring some time to assimilate it into magical power.
Yet even accounting for the time needed to assimilate the magical power, this cultivation speed was akin to having a cheat.
As Lu Yan quietly absorbed the spiritual energy, a message suddenly popped up on Quentin's personal terminal.
"Why is the industrial spiritual energy fee over budget today?"
Quentin was startled and hurriedly reached out to turn off the switch, quickly dispersing the gushing spiritual energy.
Lu Yan noticed that the spiritual energy, which should have dissipated into the air, disappeared quietly after the switch was turned off, as if entering another world, and even Lu Yan couldn't find any trace of it.
"All the spiritual energy doesn't remain in reality; instead, it actively enters another unknown place for storage, leading to the absence of spiritual energy in reality, and trying to obtain it can only be done through the Universal Giant Corporation."
Lu Yan began to vaguely understand.
Such methods could no longer be explained by technology alone, resembling more of a transformation at the rule level.
And the Universal Giant Corporation was the force that held onto that rule of spiritual energy.
Looking at Quentin, who seemed heartbroken staring at the overspending bill, Lu Yan pointed at the spiritual power switch and said:
"I'm quite interested in this."
Only then did Quentin set down his personal terminal and patiently explained to Lu Yan:
"This is a Spiritual Energy Transmission System. Inside it has a complex Spiritual Ability Code. Once activated, it can borrow spiritual energy from the Universal Giant Corporation.
This is the lowest-level industrial-grade spiritual energy. Due to its violent nature, the human body cannot absorb it normally, and it can only be used to drive large machines or assist in the repair of conventional machinery.
Above that, there are conventional-grade spiritual energy and medicinal-grade spiritual energy. Conventional-grade spiritual energy can power spiritual tattoos and energize precise instruments; the spiritual energy in spiritual energy batteries is conventional-grade.
While medicinal-grade spiritual energy is gentle and can enhance physical qualities, assisting in metamorphic modifications. The prices for different grades of spiritual energy vary by dozens of times.
Both industrial-grade and conventional-grade are charged based on usage for the spiritual energy tax, but medicinal-grade spiritual energy must be purchased directly through the Universal Giant Corporation, and there are even eligibility restrictions for purchase."
When he said this, Quentin looked helpless.
Lu Yan nodded thoughtfully.
Industrial-grade spiritual energy is too violent for others to absorb because the cyberpunk version's Extraordinary System is more akin to modification than self-cultivation.
Lu Yan, possessing an Immortal Cultivation Technique, saw the so-called violent spiritual energy merely as a problem requiring time to solve. Comparatively, the abundant and satisfying industrial-grade spiritual energy was more suitable for him.
If there was a constant supply of industrial-grade spiritual energy, Lu Yan even thought his cultivation would rapidly improve.
"If I were to set up an industrial-grade Spiritual Energy Transmission System in my place, what conditions would I need to meet?"
Quentin shook his head and said: "No need for that much trouble. The underground pharmaceutical factory here has the largest industrial-grade Spiritual Energy Transmission System in the entire cave.
If you lease it, you can use it directly, only needing to pay the spiritual energy tax on time."
Hearing Quentin's words, Lu Yan made a decisive decision.
"Then let's first check out that underground pharmaceutical factory."
Quentin was naturally delighted. The underground pharmaceutical factory had been vacant for too long, and if he could conclude this leasing deal, he would earn a considerable commission.
So Quentin stepped out from behind the counter, closing the shop door, and actively led the way for Lu Yan.
Deep within the cave, several hundred meters underground, the area was only about as large as a small town, so the distance was not too far. Quentin and Lu Yan soon arrived at the underground pharmaceutical factory.
As for Lu Luo, after Quentin paid her a thousand credits as a guide fee, she quickly disappeared from sight, as her habits as an ordinary resident of the Lower City District led her to instinctively avoid getting involved in the affairs of the big players.
In a place surrounded by a pile of trash houses, Quentin pushed open a rust-stained door, and the underground pharmaceutical factory appeared before Lu Yan.
This was a gigantic mass of reinforced concrete, the upper part resembling an ancient castle.
As they walked into the castle, a massive underground processing plant came into view. Production lines, abandoned for who knows how many years, lay there, and in the corners, piles of processing materials were strewn about, most of which had long decayed and were covered in dust over time.
Pointing at the underground processing plant, Quentin began to speak:
"This was once a Jiulong Group's underground factory, which had a complete basic enhancement drug production line."
Pausing briefly, knowing that the person before him seemed unaware of many of the basics, Quentin specifically added:
"The so-called basic enhancement drugs are concocted after the fashion of the Spiritual Energy Extraction Injection mixed with some basic pharmaceuticals. Due to using industrial-grade spiritual energy, the drug properties are violent and hard to control.
Many people, after injection, experience confusion, limb swelling, and intellectual decline. In rare cases, some users even develop protruding skulls.
Although inexpensive, many still dare to use basic enhancement drugs, attempting to fortify their bodies to adapt to transformations by a spiritual ability user."
"But when the underground factory came to the attention of the City Tax Bureau, high spiritual energy taxes eroded its price advantage. Moreover, exorbitant fines for dodging the spiritual energy tax led to the factory's bankruptcy, with everything being seized.
Though this place has been sealed for a long time, most of the equipment could resume operation with just a little cleaning.
But most importantly, it still has the industrial-grade Spiritual Energy Transmission System."
As he spoke, Quentin flipped the switch.
Lu Yan could sense the spiritual ability code buried within the inspection starting to activate continually. The next moment, a flood of spiritual energy filled the entire plant, to the extent that, even without a deliberate effort to absorb, this spiritual energy would be incorporated into his body under the drawing of his dantian.
Feeling his rapidly increasing cultivation, Lu Yan contentedly said:
"I'll take this factory!"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 72 - 71: Cyber Cavern ParadiseWorld Version UpdatesC72 - 71: Cyber Cavern Paradise
Chapter 72: Chapter 71: Cyber Cavern Paradise
The place where just standing can enhance cultivation is called a blessed land in the Xianxia version!
Even Ji Xingyao, a true disciple of the Cyan Simurgh Sect, does not have the privilege to enter, as only the elders in charge of the sect can reside there.
But in the cyber version, this is just an underground factory that nobody wants to take over. Lu Yan would be a fool not to seize this opportunity.
Quentin rubbed his hands excitedly:
"The land tax for the underground factory is fifty thousand credit points per month, but if you are willing to rent, I can negotiate some tax deductions for you."
Lu Yan, while discreetly absorbing spiritual energy, asked:
"How much would it cost to buy the underground factory outright?"
"Ahem! Honestly, I don't quite recommend you buy the underground factory."
"Why not?"
Quentin coughed dryly, his expression somewhat unnatural.
"To tell you the truth, this underground factory is actually a bad debt.
Back when the factory was profitable, major gangs from nearby caves and even the Lower City District invested in it, but after the factory was slapped with a hefty fine by the City Tax Bureau, the entire factory was sealed, and the money invested by these forces went down the drain."
Lu Yan, puzzled, said: "What does this have to do with me buying the factory? Surely you don't mean I have to pay the fines and investments of those forces?"
"Of course not!" Quentin waved his hand repeatedly.
"The ownership of the factory is with the City Tax Bureau, those smaller forces wouldn't dare demand it.
The main reason for not wanting you to buy the factory is that when the forces saw the underground factory fall into the hands of the City Tax Bureau, they used the sealing as an opportunity to dump some of their internal bad debts onto the factory.
Those bad debts were nominally handed over to the City Tax Bureau along with the factory's ownership, and everyone turned a blind eye, living in peace.
If ownership changes, the drama of erasing debts might have to stop, which could inevitably lead to trouble."
After some explanation, Lu Yan finally understood that those forces used the factory's sealing to perform a financial reset.
If the ownership were to change, the act of erasing debts through the flames would be impossible, causing trouble.
"Forget it, I was just asking casually."
Although Lu Yan's stay in the cyber version had been extended, renting the factory for a year or so would suffice.
Who knows when the next cyber version will appear.
"So how many months does Mr. Yan intend to rent?"
Quentin asked quietly.
"Let's rent it for half a year first!"
Quentin took out his personal terminal to calculate, then continued to speak to Lu Yan:
"If you intend to use industrial-level spiritual energy, you will also need to pay a spiritual energy tax based on usage.
With the spiritual energy transmission system of an underground pharmaceutical factory, the minimum is thirty thousand credit points per month. So, you'd need to prepare at least five hundred thousand credit points."
After presenting the final price, Quentin looked at Lu Yan with a hopeful gaze.
Lu Yan's thought process spun as he realized that the price of a sixth-generation spiritual energy battery is only about one hundred thousand, far from covering this five hundred thousand gap.
The cyber version doesn't lack spiritual energy but lacks spiritual energy that is gentle and stable in nature; spiritual qi is absolutely gentle and stable, so much so that even ordinary people can absorb and refine their bodies with it.
If spirit stones were directly sold, covering the five hundred thousand wouldn't be difficult, especially since even a sixth-generation spiritual energy battery converted from spirit stones can fetch a high price.
However, after some thought, Lu Yan dismissed the idea of directly selling spirit stones.
The Lower City District is already chaotic, and getting an abandoned factory under a false identity isn't a big deal, but selling rare resources like spirit stones would attract too much attention.
The reason for diving into the Lower City District caves was to avoid potential trouble, not to create trouble for himself.
If he doesn't sell spirit stones, he'll have to gather credit points from elsewhere.
After thinking for a while, Lu Yan looked at Quentin and gently patted Quentin's massive Kirin-arm with a mild smile.
"Do you want to become a true compiler?"
"I have some precious knowledge for compilers that I can sell to you for fifty thousand, how about it?"
...
Half an hour later, Quentin exited the underground factory swiftly, ready to help Lu Yan with the procedures.
No expression was visible on his face, but his eyes could not hide his delight.
Inside the factory, Lu Yan watched Quentin's retreating figure, a ghostly shadow silently trailing him.
The precious knowledge Lu Yan mentioned was naturally the 'Basic Spiritual Ability Code' converted from 'Array Introduction'.
Lu Yan had deliberately deleted some rare array patterns and knowledge derived from arrays from the data Quentin provided, leaving only the spiritual ability code information that wouldn't reveal any secrets.
This portion alone was enough to deliver a crushing blow to Quentin, who was a half-baked compiler.
Quentin, upon seeing the truncated 'Basic Spiritual Ability Code', quickly agreed to Lu Yan's transaction.
For a half-baked compiler in the Lower City District, there's nothing more valuable than truly authentic compiler information.
As such, Quentin even took care of all the factory rental procedures, proactively handling all the business for Lu Yan.
However, Quentin did not realize that as he left the underground factory, an invisible fierce ghost followed him closely.
Lu Yan knew very well that he had exposed many things before Quentin, such as his lack of common sense and mysterious origins, which made it hard not to arouse suspicion.
Even though Lu Yan had previously intimidated Quentin, it was uncertain whether the intimidation would truly be effective.
To prevent Quentin from potentially exposing him, Lu Yan dispatched a fierce ghost to follow him, ready to deal with Quentin if he showed any signs of exposing him, then move to another cave.
However, such a contingency did not occur, and things progressed far more smoothly than Lu Yan anticipated.
Quentin, after making a trip to the City Tax Bureau, easily rented out the factory, although his attempt to negotiate a tax reduction was unsuccessful.
The City Tax Bureau staff, being employees of companies from the Central City District, were indifferent to people from the Lower City District, simply adopting an attitude of 'rent if you like'. Quentin had no choice but to honestly pay the three hundred thousand land tax.
Once all the procedures were completed, the entire underground factory temporarily belonged to Lu Yan.
After the handover, Quentin swiftly left the factory, eager to return to his shop and study the 'Basic Spiritual Ability Code'.
The door of the underground factory closed once more as Quentin departed.
In the darkness of the factory, Lu Yan retrieved the soul banner, and ghostly shadows began scouting through the building's walls, confirming the absence of any surveillance.
Then, Lu Yan activated the factory's spiritual energy transmission system.
The factory was instantly filled with abundant spiritual energy, and as Lu Yan stood at its center, his cultivation technique operated, and a massive swirl of spiritual energy surged into his body.
As the cultivation technique ran rapidly, magical power accumulated at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the Qi Refining Stage bottleneck shattered instantly.
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 73 - 72 Qi Cultivation PeakWorld Version UpdatesC73 - 72 Qi Cultivation Peak
Chapter 73: Chapter 72 Qi Cultivation Peak
Ever since settling in the underground factory, Lu Yan had immersed himself completely in cultivation.
In two days, he broke through to the sixth level of Qi Cultivation, and five days later, he overcame the bottleneck of the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation and entered the seventh level.
Within just half a month, Lu Yan had traversed a path that most Loose Cultivators could not complete in a lifetime, successfully breaking through to the tenth level of Qi Cultivation, which is the peak of Qi Cultivation in conventional terms.
Once one steps into the tenth level of Qi Cultivation, there is an opportunity to impact the Foundation Establishment Realm; the vast majority of Loose Cultivators will try every means to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill, hoping to break into the Foundation Establishment Realm with its aid.
However, sect disciples, in pursuit of a more perfect Foundation Establishment, will step into the eleventh level, or even the twelfth.
Just like the earlier stages of Qi Cultivation, the so-called eleventh and twelfth levels of Qi Cultivation are also about accumulating Magical Power, which is a painstaking process, requiring an enormous amount of resources for each level beyond the tenth.
The resources consumed just to break through from the tenth to the eleventh level of Qi Cultivation could cultivate several cultivators at the tenth level, not to mention the twelfth level.
Even most disciples under Cyan Simurgh Sect only stop at the eleventh level of Qi Cultivation.
Only those who aim from the start to become the personal disciples of the elders after breaking through Foundation Establishment will attempt to break through to the twelfth level to enhance their foundation.
Normally, a disciple who has been cultivating since childhood and can break through to the twelfth level of Qi Cultivation before the age of twenty-five is considered a genius. Once breaking through Foundation Establishment, one has a high probability of becoming a personal disciple of the elder, indicating the difficulty involved.
And how long did it take Lu Yan in the cyber version to break through from the sixth level to the twelfth level of Qi Cultivation?
The answer is one and a half months!
Under the ample supply of spiritual energy in the underground factory, Lu Yan's Magical Power increased more than tenfold in just one and a half months, and his cultivation reached the astonishing twelfth level of Qi Cultivation, merely a step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm.
With an ample supply of spiritual energy, Lu Yan didn't even need to consider running the full cycle; he only needed to breathe and assimilate the spiritual energy.
Under this virtually unrestricted enhancement, Lu Yan's cultivation speed was terrifying, a speed that might not even be reached by a Nascent Soul Old Monster restarting their cultivation.
If what happened here were to be communicated back to the Xianxia version, this underground factory would be enough to attract Divinity Transformation Old Monsters to compete for it.
Now, this place was exclusively Lu Yan's cyber paradise!
...
In the underground factory, Lu Yan, sitting cross-legged in the center, exhaled slowly, ending his day's cultivation.
The huge vortex of spiritual energy within the factory also gradually calmed down as Lu Yan stopped breathing, and the spacious factory was once again filled with abundant blue spiritual energy.
Lu Yan's eyes twinkled slightly, and a virtual progress bar appeared before him.
[Version update progress: 25.7%]
In a month and a half, the version update progress reached a quarter, and Lu Yan's stay in this version was roughly half a year.
Although the duration had doubled, it was ultimately still within a controllable range.
In the past month and a half, Lu Yan had not been cultivating all the time.
The industrial-grade spiritual energy was too violent, so after assimilating spiritual energy for a period of time, Lu Yan needed to stop to rest, to avoid losing control over the rapidly growing Magical Power.
Taking advantage of these cultivation intervals, Lu Yan made some alterations to the original underground factory, dismantling those rusty production lines and sending them to the warehouse, leaving only the vast factory as Lu Yan's cultivation ground.
Calming the restless Magical Power within him, Lu Yan felt that his Magical Power growth had almost reached the limit of the Qi Cultivation Stage, and the next step should be considering matters of Foundation Establishment.
Foundation Establishment is the first critical hurdle that cultivators need to face. Before this, the realm of the Qi Refining Stage can be conquered either by piling on resources or through painstaking effort, but Foundation Establishment is not that simple.
For sect disciples, this is the gap between the outer and inner sect.
And for Loose Cultivators, stepping into Foundation Establishment is truly entering another world.
Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators, whether joining some small and medium sects as outer sect deacons, or being hired as a guest elder by a certain power, can receive favorable treatment.
Even occupying a Spirit Vein and establishing a family of cultivation that lasts for hundreds of years is not out of the question.
A Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator has a life span of three hundred years, which is vastly different from the two-hundred-year lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator.
To truly take this step from mortal to immortal, the vast majority of cultivators will choose to take the precious Foundation Establishment Pill, leveraging its medicinal power for Foundation Establishment.
Using external forces to build the foundation of cultivation undoubtedly affects the foundation, and those who take the Foundation Establishment Pill are often unable to form a Golden Core, which is a well-known consensus among sects.
Therefore, the outstanding disciples in major sects mostly choose to break through to the eleventh level of Qi Cultivation, using abundant Magical Power to forcefully break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Cultivators who succeed in Foundation Establishment this way are considered Human Dao Foundation Establishment, with a future hope of glimpsing the Golden Core Realm.
And if one further breaks through to the twelfth level of Qi Cultivation, they can attempt to perceive the artistic conception to achieve the Earth Dao Foundation Establishment.
Ji Xingyao, during the Qi Refining Stage, perceived the Celestial Human Sword Intent and subsequently achieved Foundation Establishment through Sword Dao, becoming the first person in the Cyan Simurgh Sect in the last century, often hailed as having the posture of a Nascent Soul.
An Earth Dao Foundation Establishment is almost certain to become a true Golden Core, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Obviously, Ji Xingyao's case belongs to the category of mishaps, as a pursuing force led her to mistakenly enter a forbidden area, damaging her foundation. Otherwise, with her talent, she could have stepped into the Golden Core Realm long ago.
As for the Earth Dao Foundation Establishment, above it lies the legendary Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, which is an achievement of a Heavenly Dao foundation through the Power of Heavenly Dao.
The Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is merely an illusory legend; throughout the entire Xianxia version, only the legendary Immortals are said to have reached such a realm, but its authenticity is still questionable.
Reflecting on all the information about Foundation Establishment, Lu Yan, sitting cross-legged, slowly raised his right hand, and Magical Power began to emerge in his palm.
The surrounding blue spiritual energy began to recede, and the majestic Magical Power forcibly suppressed all the spiritual energy within the factory, clearing a pure area without any spiritual energy in the center of the factory.
With a slight movement of thought, a flame suddenly appeared inside the factory, and a large bonfire suspended in mid-air illuminated the entire factory.
This was a first-rank inferior Spirit Fire Technique, but with the strong supply of Lu Yan's Magical Power, it could fully exert a power not inferior to attack spells.
With a light wave of his right hand, the Hundred Soul Banner in the storage bag fell into Lu Yan's hand. The banner unfurled, and eight hundred fierce ghosts and three-headed main souls all appeared, filling the castle with ghostly mist.
Using his twelfth-level Qi Cultivation to control the top-grade Magical Artifact Hundred Soul Banner with over eight hundred fierce ghosts, Lu Yan felt no pressure at all, finally able to unleash the full might of this banner.
"My current Magical Power is already close to that of a typical Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator breaking through from the tenth level of Qi Cultivation. With such abundant Magical Power, as long as enough spiritual energy is provided, Human Dao Foundation Establishment is achievable.
As for the Earth Dao Foundation Establishment, which requires the comprehension of artistic conception, I have no direction."
Lu Yan's face showed contemplation.
He thought about how crucial Foundation Establishment is for his future development—whether to directly use his abundant Magical Power foundation to forcefully break through to a higher cultivation level in the cyber version for greater benefits, or to calm down and seek the opportunity for Earth Dao Foundation Establishment?
At this moment, a quick knock on the gate of the underground factory suddenly echoed.
Lu Yan's eyes sharpened as he dissipated the Spirit Fire floating in mid-air and quickly recalled the eight hundred fierce ghosts surrounding the entire castle back into the Soul Banner.
Meanwhile, outside the door, Quentin was pacing back and forth anxiously, his face a complex mix of grief and fear.
As the door opened, Quentin took a deep breath, preparing to voice his question.
But when he saw Lu Yan standing behind the door, an inexplicable fear surged in his heart.
Although Lu Yan hadn't changed his blue long shirt or his appearance, he gave Quentin a sense of fear akin to confronting an Upper-Rank Spiritual Ability User directly.
The words he initially wanted to say faded away, but eventually, Krin overcame his instinctual fear with his impoverished rationale.
He spoke quietly:
"Sir, your spiritual energy tax is about to be overdue!"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 74 - 73: I'll Just Sell Medicine, Won't I?World Version UpdatesC74 - 73: I'll Just Sell Medicine, Won't I?
Chapter 74: Chapter 73: I'll Just Sell Medicine, Won't I?
"Psionic Tax?"
Lu Yan then slightly narrowed his eyes as he examined Quentin in front of him, his expression carrying a hint of displeasure, an invisible pressure suddenly spreading out.
"I remember when I rented this factory, I planned for a psionic tax of thirty thousand credit points per month and reserved six months in advance, leaving this matter to you.
It's only been a month and a half, and it's overdue already. Are you trying to mess with me?"
"Thud!"
Quentin fell to his knees with a crash, his body beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
After using the Spiritual Ability Code, Quentin barely reached the Qi Cultivation Level 1, so how could he face the strong pressure approaching the Foundation Establishment Stage?
With a bitter expression, he hurriedly explained:
"Sir, I was not deceiving you!"
"The underground pharmaceutical factory's monthly psionic tax is thirty thousand, but that only maintains the most basic operations. When industrial-level spiritual energy consumption is too high, the psionic tax naturally increases.
After obtaining those precious pieces of knowledge from you, I've concentrated all my efforts into studying them thoroughly and didn't pay attention to the factory affairs.
Today, I just received a notification on my personal terminal that the psionic tax for the underground pharmaceutical factory has exceeded the limit, and my personal account is insufficient to cover the large amount due, with half a month left to pay the tax.
If the psionic tax is overdue, I'll be hit with a massive fine and then sent to the Heaven Computation Center to pay off the debt!"
At this point, a look of terror appeared in Quentin's eyes.
Seeing Quentin seemingly not faking it, Lu Yan's brows slightly relaxed, dissipating the pressure.
Regaining his freedom, Quentin quickly raised his personal terminal and pulled up the psionic tax bill, and the clear data appeared before Lu Yan's eyes.
[Underground Pharmaceutical Factory's July Psionic Tax: 367,710.63 Credit Points]
[Underground Pharmaceutical Factory's August Psionic Tax so far: 523,662.07 Credit Points]
At the same time, Quentin also displayed his account balance in front of Lu Yan.
Balance: 5,600 Credit Points.
Lu Yan's eyes suddenly widened, unable to maintain his composure anymore.
"More than nine hundred thousand credit points? Are you sure there's no mistake in this bill?"
With a bitter expression, Quentin nodded:
"I even went to the City Tax Bureau to verify it, and there's definitely no issue with this psionic tax.
In fact, according to the credit points you pre-stored, it should have been completely exhausted by last month. It's just that the transaction account was initially bound to my personal terminal, so the deduction last month used my account balance, and I didn't notice.
It wasn't until the personal terminal informed me today that my balance was insufficient to pay the psionic tax that I realized the severe overage."
With a sigh, Quentin continued.
When renting the underground pharmaceutical factory, Lu Yan, to be safe, had Quentin handle the formalities in his name, with payments bound to Quentin's account.
Quentin, having received inheritance knowledge from a Compiler, was naturally overjoyed and agreed without hesitation.
Who would've thought that in just a month and a half, his wealth accumulated over more than ten years would be entirely drained, leaving a psionic tax debt of over fifty thousand that he must settle by the end of the month.
Inwardly, Quentin regretted getting blinded by the Compiler's heritage knowledge.
Now he could only hope Lu Yan would cover the psionic tax shortfall of over fifty thousand; otherwise, he couldn't avoid a trip to the Heaven Computation Center.
Thinking about it, a worried Quentin couldn't help but ask:
"What exactly have you been doing in the underground pharmaceutical factory? Even at its peak, the industrial-level consumption of spiritual energy couldn't match yours."
Lu Yan looked slightly embarrassed.
Initially thinking Quentin was secretly up to something, it turned out Quentin was the real victim.
During this month and a half of cultivation, the factory's spiritual energy transmission system was almost working at full capacity.
The first month was somewhat manageable; Lu Yan's cultivation progressed from Qi Cultivation Layer 5 onward, and his low cultivation level meant his efficiency in breathing in spiritual energy wasn't very high.
After advancing to Qi Cultivation Layer 11, Lu Yan focused entirely on breaking through to Qi Cultivation Layer 12, rapidly increasing the efficiency of his spiritual energy intake, sometimes even overwhelming the factory's spiritual energy transmission system.
Reflecting on the consumption during these days, Lu Yan felt that a nine hundred thousand psionic tax bill seemed quite reasonable.
Converted from a single Spirit Stone into a spiritual energy battery in the new version, the ninety thousand psionic tax was equivalent to nine Spirit Stones, a price far beyond "cheap."
Only someone like Lu Yan, an Unchanging, could enjoy such a luxury.
Looking at Quentin's deeply troubled face, Lu Yan offered reassurance:
"Don't worry, I'll cover that extra portion of the psionic tax."
Quentin's face lit up with a bright smile as he asked:
"Mr. Lu, do you have credit points now?"
"No." Lu Yan candidly spread his hands.
"Sir, do you have precious items like sixth-generation spiritual energy batteries?"
"Not that either."
Quentin's newly-found smile immediately froze.
"But I can sell a few more copies of 'Basic Spiritual Ability Code.'
One copy could be exchanged for fifty thousand credit points, and in a large place like the Lower City District, there must be many half-baked Compilers like Quentin.
Selling several copies of 'Basic Spiritual Ability Code' would not only easily fill this gap but potentially turn a significant profit, solving the psionic tax problem for the future.
After all, Lu Yan planned to stay in the Cyber version for half a year, and more credit points would likely be needed as time went on.
However, what Lu Yan didn't expect was Quentin's firm opposition to this idea after it was proposed.
"Mr. Lu, I advise you not to do that."
"Why?"
"Compiler knowledge isn't considered precious in the Upper City District, and you can even buy it at corner bookstores.
The preciousness of Compiler knowledge in the Lower City District lies in the Upper City District's knowledge blockade of the Lower City District.
The Upper City District would never allow complete Compiler knowledge to spread to the Lower City District, resulting in the high cost of related information.
If you sell it indiscriminately and someone reports you, you will definitely face investigation by law enforcement officers from the Upper City District, and the result will only lead to a trip to the Heaven Computation Center."
Lu Yan slightly frowned upon hearing this.
He possessed many items of extremely high value in this Cyber version; whether Spirit Stones, Array inheritance, or medicinal pills, any of these could easily fill the psionic tax gap.
But the problem with this Cyber version is that it's too distorted, and the enigmatic Intelligent God kept Lu Yan from carelessly displaying or selling these items.
As a result, earning credit points became a complicated task.
"Those things are too conspicuous in the Lower City District; maybe sell some in the Central City District?"
Just as this thought arose, an indefinable unease swept over Lu Yan, and his spirit near the Foundation Establishment Realm subtly signaled a warning.
Lu Yan instinctively kneaded his brow, instinctively gaining a sense of caution.
Ever since leaving the Apocalypse Version, Lu Yan's soul began periodically sensing things, though previously he had been unaware of it.
As Lu Yan's cultivation reached Qi Cultivation Layer 12, these senses became more prominent, seemingly indicating significant insights or misfortunes.
Lu Yan suspected this may be linked to ingesting a large amount of Moonlight Spiritual Qi in the Apocalypse Version.
The Apocalypse Version's zombies absorbed Moonlight Spiritual Qi for years, giving rise to various special Extraordinary Abilities. Lu Yan's soul's subtle perceptions might be the nascent form of such an ability nurtured by Moonlight Spiritual Qi, something he termed as Spiritual Perception.
However, the possible lack of refined Moonlight Spiritual Qi led to incomplete development of Spiritual Perception, allowing only intermittent judgments.
How does one earn credit points there? Lu Yan pondered, even considering robbing a gang.
While credit point transfers could be tracked, making robbery a riskier exposure.
As Lu Yan was deep in thought, his peripheral vision caught the underground pharmaceutical factory, and suddenly he had an epiphany.
The factory produced common steroid drugs at a low cost, merely mixing spiritual energy into them haphazardly.
But with a large cache of Spirit Stones at his disposal, Lu Yan could even create a Spirit Vein using Spirit Marrow Ore, elevating the quality of the products significantly.
After all, unrefined spiritual energy is less effective than the gentle nature of Spiritual Qi in strengthening the body.
Instantly, countless ideas for alternative solutions formed in Lu Yan's mind.
With a pat on Quentin's shoulder, Lu Yan shared a knowing smile.
"It's simple, I'll just sell potions, right?"
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Show menu Novel BinNovel World Version Updates Chapter 75 - 74 Thirty-Third CaveWorld Version UpdatesC75 - 74 Thirty-Third Cave
Chapter 75: Chapter 74 Thirty-Third Cave
Lower City District, Thirty-Third Cave.
As one of the caves in the Lower City District, Thirty-Third Cave is quite different from most others.
The main purpose of regular caves is to provide housing for impoverished people who lack credit points and can't afford third-class air and sunlight taxes, but Thirty-Third Cave is not like that.
This cave was once an underground shelter left behind by a large corporation, transformed into one of the most bustling centers in the Lower City District.
Here, human trafficking, illegal trade, extraordinary knowledge, and spiritual creations are endless, casinos and clubs are commonplace, and there are even several life and death arenas where hundreds of gladiators fight daily.
It's said that as long as a gladiator can win a hundred victories, Thirty-Third Cave will perform a spiritual transformation on them, making them a true Spiritual Ability User.
Unfortunately, very few gladiators manage to achieve a hundred victories, but the blood-boiling battles continue to attract countless spectators, including nobles from the Upper City District.
A modified large transport miner truck slowly stopped at the entrance to Thirty-Third Cave, and Lu Yan and Quentin stepped off the truck.
Lu Yan had already changed out of his conspicuous Magic Robe, and his casual short-sleeve attire blended into the crowd.
In contrast, Quentin, who followed beside Lu Yan, was tall and imposing, with a massive qilin arm on his right hand that matched the size of a waist, attracting both awe and envy from passersby.
In the cyber versions, spiritual mutation transformation symbolizes power and wealth; the more grotesque the mutation, the greater the fear it instills.
Quentin carried a silver-white encrypted box in his left hand, accustomed to the surrounding stares and showing no reaction.
Yet, his face still carried an indelible worry.
"Mr. Lu, can these things really be sold?"
As they approached the entrance of Thirty-Third Cave, Quentin asked Lu Yan with some apprehension.
Lu Yan gave Quentin an annoyed look: "I told you to try the drug yourself, but you refused. Now we're almost there, and you start to worry.
If you're really uncertain, then just turn around and leave."
Quentin was rendered speechless, his gaze shifting to the silver encrypted box in his hand.
The box appeared quite lavish externally, with intricate mechanical carvings giving it a high-tech creation vibe, suggesting it contained something precious from the Upper City District.
But only Quentin knew that this seemingly luxurious silver encrypted box had nothing to do with high-tech creations at all.
The box's exterior was crafted by him, mimicking a luxury style from the Upper City District, using an outdated machine tool to manually shape it; even the encryption lock was scavenged from discarded materials.
As for the contents inside the encrypted box, it made Quentin's heart uneasy.
Two days ago, Lu Yan suddenly imagined making and selling drug concoctions to fill the spiritual energy tax deficit.
Quentin initially thought Lu Yan had some precious spiritual energy secret formula, so he agreed immediately.
Little did he expect that for the next day and a half, Lu Yan would throw him into an underground drug factory, forcing him to repair the long-abandoned production line from scratch.
Moreover, Lu Yan squeezed over five thousand credit points out of him to buy a batch of materials.
When Quentin, after expending all his efforts, managed to restart the rust-covered production line, he was dumbfounded upon seeing the drug production process.
Both the operation of the production line and the raw materials indicated that the factory was producing regular steroid drugs.
This kind of stuff was everywhere in the Lower City District and was not considered anything new.
The original underground drug factory profited from making these because Jiulong Group used special means to evade the spiritual energy tax.
Without the burden of spiritual energy tax, the cost of these drugs was reduced, enabling the original drug factory to earn handsomely due to the price advantage.
Now, Lu Yan was burdened with high spiritual energy tax, yet still producing these cheap low-grade drugs, making Quentin doubt if Lu Yan could even recoup the material costs.
When the drug production was finished, Lu Yan even proactively asked Quentin to try them, claiming it could bring him closer to becoming a Spiritual Ability User.
Although Quentin greatly respected Lu Yan's mysterious background and powerful means, he was unwilling to test the drugs himself.
He was very aware of the consequences of extensively using these poor-quality spiritual steroid drugs.
Cranial protrusions were considered a benign reaction; physical decay and intellectual decline were among the lethal negative effects, making Quentin, who aspired to become a Compiler, naturally unwilling to risk his life.
Seeing Quentin's reaction, Lu Yan didn't force him much but asked him to prepare a decent-looking encrypted box to pack the drugs into specially made disposable syringes for sale at Thirty-Third Cave.
Quentin was somewhat skeptical of this plan, but considering the huge spiritual energy tax amount on his back, he dutifully accompanied Lu Yan all the way here.
Upon reaching the entrance, two robust black men extended their hands to block the way.
Quentin's expression remained unchanged as he raised his wrist's personal terminal over the door, and two deduction notifications popped up afterward.
[Credit Points -100]
After completing the payment, the two black men stepped aside to let them through.
Lu Yan curiously glanced at the entrance: "It turns out entering Thirty-Third Cave requires credit points?"
But as Lu Yan stepped into Thirty-Third Cave, he immediately understood the reason.
Inside Thirty-Third Cave wafted sweet blissful neurological mist, in such high concentration that Lu Yan could see wisps of pink fog with the naked eye.
Looking up towards the sky, several massive ventilation ducts connected Thirty-Third Cave, from which the blissful neurological mist dispersed.
"Thirty-Third Cave is very close to the air transmission system of the Lower City District. Universal Giant Corporation periodically releases blissful neurological mist, and the few gangs managing Thirty-Third Cave take this opportunity to connect these ventilation ducts to the air transmission system.
Once the blissful neurological mist is released, utilizing the convenience of the ventilation ducts plus the enclosed space environment, Thirty-Third Cave can enjoy the highest concentration of blissful neurological mist, far stronger than the trash quality inhaled by millions on the surface.
Only fifty credit points per person are needed to inhale here all day long!"
Upon saying this, even Quentin couldn't help but take a few deep breaths, showing a look of intoxication.
Around them, many were even more exaggerated than Quentin, some even lay directly in the passageways beside the entrance, taking huge gulps of mist, occasionally twitching to show they weren't corpses.
Lu Yan's mouth twitched as he kicked Quentin's leg, interrupting his enjoyment.
"Lead the way!"
Quentin quickly snapped out of his brief trance.
Surrounded by blissful neurological mist, the two strode into this bustling trade market.
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