A Zanpakuto originates from the world of Bleach.
Its shape, state, and abilities are forged based on the wielder's own soul characteristics.
The wielder gains power by learning the name of their Zanpakuto and engaging in a spiritual dialogue with it.
And the Asauchi's spirit is the prototype of a Zanpakuto.
"A Zanpakuto? A growth-type weapon? It perfectly aligns with my path of soul cultivation."
His gaze instantly fell upon the nichirin blade, "startled insects," stored in a corner of the space.
"startled insects's upgrade materials? Found them!"
This was undoubtedly a huge surprise.
A guaranteed blue item, its value far exceeded the sum of all previous white and green items.
He suppressed the urge to continue drawing and prepared to deal with the current matters first.
After all, apart from the guaranteed item, his luck wasn't good.
He would wait a few days.
He took out his phone, turned it on, and sent a short message to his parents and his sister, Cheng Xingtong: "Project finished, all is well, I've returned, will contact you shortly."
It was concise, to prevent them from worrying.
Then, he took out the [Asauchi's spirit] that emitted a soft blue light, and also summoned his nichirin blade, "startled insects."
"Fuse." Cheng Mo's consciousness sank into the [myriad realms compass] and issued the command.
An invisible force surged from deep within the compass, enveloping the [Asauchi's spirit].
The light was not dazzling, yet it carried a tremor like the first stirrings of life.
Gradually, the [Asauchi's spirit] condensed into a blurry blue orb, containing pure soul energy.
The orb slowly floated towards "startled insects."
The moment it touched the blade of startled insects, the faint golden electric arcs previously dancing on startled insects's blade suddenly became active, emitting faint "crackle" sounds.
It was as if it was resisting, or perhaps curiously probing.
Cheng Mo could clearly feel the scorching nature of "Scarlet Ore" and "Scarlet Sand Iron" emanating from "startled insects," creating a subtle conflict with the gentle, blank soul energy of the Asauchi's spirit.
He focused his mind, using his powerful will as a bridge to forcefully reconcile the repulsion between the two energies.
The process was slow and meticulous.
The Asauchi's spirit orb seeped into the blade of "startled insects" like water drops absorbed by a sponge, little by little.
The trembling of startled insects gradually subsided, and the faint golden halo on the blade began to recede inwards.
The electric arcs no longer jumped wildly, but instead flowed slowly within the blade as if alive, outlining more complex and profound patterns.
Finally, when the last wisp of blue light completely integrated, "startled insects" emitted a clear and prolonged hum.
It was as if a life that had been dormant for a long time had finally opened its eyes.
The luster of the blade became deeper and more profound.
Cheng Mo held it in his hand and could feel an unprecedented spirituality and compatibility.
This blade seemed to have truly become an extension of his arm, connected by spirit.
It was a success.
Cheng Mo ran his hand over the cool blade, feeling the new soul sleeping within, waiting to be awakened.
This was no longer just a nichirin blade, but a spiritual blade with the potential to grow into a "Zanpakuto."
After the fusion was complete, he put startled insects back into his space.
With a thought, he checked the cost of adjusting the time ratio for the Demon Slayer World, where the world development rate had greatly increased.
It seemed to be much lower.
If the ratio was changed to 1:10, then 10 space-time coins would need to be paid daily.
Cheng Mo immediately paid 300 space-time coins.
The compass glowed, and a subtle sense of space-time fluctuation flashed by, as if the entire world trembled slightly before returning to normal.
"One month in the real world, nearly ten months in the Demon Slayer World."
Cheng Mo murmured, feeling the strange sensation of time relatively "speeding up" inside the fruit representing the Demon Slayer World in the compass's world corridor.
"It's enough for Muzan to continue lurking, enough for Tanjirou and the others to grow, and Tamayo's research can advance further. The next time I go back, it will be time for the decisive battle."
This time ratio setting laid a solid foundation for his subsequent plans.
Next, he contacted Liu Yu individually: "I'm back at the villa. Come quickly if you're free."
While waiting for Liu Yu, Cheng Mo did not idly.
He took out a blank, high-quality hardcover notebook and a drawing pen.
Although he had never formally studied painting, with the extreme control over body muscles brought by the [Myriad Realms Physique] and the deep understanding of energy flow and human structure from the [Eye of Truth], his strokes were precise and steady.
He first sketched simple yet accurate human outlines.
Then, with meticulous lines, he depicted the pathways of Qi circulation in the meridians under the specific breathing rhythm of the "Qi Refining Technique," with clear arrow annotations.
Next, he drew several static posture diagrams for various stance exercises, noting the key points of center of gravity, force application, and mental guidance with short texts beside them.
The pen scratched, and before long, a "secret manual" in words and pictures, clearly expounding the breathing techniques and the essence of the stance exercises of the "Qi Refining Technique," began to take shape.
He wrote quickly, his thoughts flowing like water, rearranging and recording this method of solidifying foundations and excavating potential, which he had summarized in the Demon Slayer World, in a way that modern people could more easily understand.
Not long after, hurried footsteps came from outside the basement.
The door was suddenly pushed open, and Liu Yu rushed in excitedly, exclaiming, "Mo Zai! You're finally back! This time..."
His words abruptly stopped, his eyes instantly widened, his mouth slightly agape, maintaining the posture of pushing the door, frozen at the entrance.
His gaze was fixed on the pile of gleaming gold ingots in the center of the basement, alluring under the cool light of the energy-saving lamp.
And on the strange-shaped medicinal herbs, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance, exposed in the open wooden crates beside them.
"Holy... crap!"
Liu Yu finally found his voice, but it was somewhat distorted due to extreme shock.
He pointed at the pile of things, his fingers trembling slightly.
"Mo Zai, this... are these all the gains from your 'project' this time?! And these... are medicinal herbs? This smell... it's too strong, but also quite pleasant?"
The medicinal fragrance was so rich it was almost tangible, making his head feel a little dizzy.
Cheng Mo's expression was calm, as if the things piled on the ground were just ordinary stones and dry grass.
He handed over an unopened bottle of mineral water: "Yes, gold is the main part. These medicinal herbs... are some specialties from over there."