Chapter 188 - 43: Contact Problem

In an instant, Zhang Deming found that the Spiritual Power in his Dantian had merged into his body, consuming more than half of his reserves.

He casually summoned a Spiritual Mirror and examined himself.

His reflection was that of a completely different person. To his pleasant surprise, this wasn’t a superficial change like those from a Technique, but a fundamental alteration of his appearance.

No matter who came, they would never be able to tell he was in disguise.

To be more precise, it was as if he had been born this way, with no trace of a Disguise whatsoever.

’This feature seems pretty good!’

’And it consumes Spiritual Power from my Dantian!’

’Sweet!’

After playing around with it for a long time, Zhang Deming changed back to his original form.

He closed the editor. He now had a general grasp of the benefits from his advancement; a few things still remained that would take time to fully process.

’Now then, the Blue Sky Alliance branch has been established for so long, yet I haven’t even created a way for us to communicate. How embarrassing!’

’This is the perfect chance to set up a method of contact.’

’Right, but before I do that, what kind of ritual or Spell should I create?’

’First of all, for some unknown reason, the path of the Divine Dao is completely severed. Given that, I definitely can’t model it after the Summoning God Skill.’

’I don’t want to accidentally attract the attention of some powerhouse. That would be an unfortunate end.’

’So, should this Spell or ritual be theatrical and edgy?’

’Or should it be impressive and showy?’

’Or maybe a profound, classical style?’

’First, it needs a specific trigger. To be safe, I can’t use an actual name.’

’So how can I refer specifically to myself?’

’Well, hmm, what’s special about me?’

’Right... my identity as a transmigrator, the Spirit Nurturing Space, and all the starlike motes of light inside it.’

’So...?’

’O, Creator of the universe-spanning Blue Sky Alliance...’

’Ugh, it’s a secret organization. I can’t be that explicit, can I?’

’O, hidden existence spanning the universe;’

’You are the master of Spirit Nurturing;’

’You are the wielder of the Spirit Nurturing Stars;’

’You are the first king of the Alliance.’

’Ugh... Isn’t this a little too much like a Western fantasy pantheon? The culture in the Hongmeng Realm should be more of a classical Immortal style, right?’

’Right, how does the classical Immortal style go again?’

’Tai Shang Laojun, swift as a Law Order?’

’May all who face battle be arrayed before me?’

’Supreme Terrace Star, respond to change without ceasing?’

’Damn it, thinking up an impressive Spell is so hard!’

’It has to fit the culture, and it has to have that classical Immortal style... so...’

Infinite Hongmeng, root of all Spirits.

Vast cultivation of Ten Thousand Laws, a testament to my Divine Abilities.

Stars of All Heavens, where Spirit Nurturing reigns supreme.

Encompassing heaven and earth, nurturing all of life.

By my will, I summon the Alliance, swift as a Law Order!

’Yes, this is it. Final draft!’

Having finalized the Spell, Zhang Deming went to the Spirit Nurturing Space. With a wave of his hand, the gray mist condensed, and the Spell appeared before him.

Following Zhang Deming’s confirmation, the words of the Spell shone with brilliant golden light and were embedded deep within the Chaos Sky of the Spirit Nurturing Space.

Zhang Deming hesitated for a moment, then created his first, pantheon-style draft as well and tossed it up there.

’Considering my past encounter with Panx Juan’er, it’s best to keep my options open.’

After preparing all this, Zhang Deming looked around, took a single step, and left the Yellow Department’s Floating Island.

He arrived in a patch of Chaos. After observing it for a moment, Zhang Deming waved his hand, and a classical Cyan Jade Pavilion appeared within the chaotic expanse.

Zhang Deming stepped into the pavilion’s main hall. He thought for a moment, and a round-table conference room materialized.

Zhang Deming walked directly to the head of the round table, where a chair appeared. After a pause, the runic symbol of the Growth Technique materialized on the chair.

He then applied a blur to his face, such that only he could see it clearly.

Once everything was done, Zhang Deming beckoned with his hand.

Qu Qizhong’s starlike mote of light flew directly in front of Zhang Deming.

Zhang Deming lightly tapped his finger. The mote of light transformed into a portal, spitting out a somewhat dazed Qu Qizhong.

This time, Qu Qizhong didn’t vomit. He was merely disoriented for a moment before coming to his senses.

He glanced around his new surroundings, then looked at Zhang Deming and asked uncertainly, "You are?"

Zhang Deming’s face was not concealed in the slightest.

But he currently had the appearance of a middle-aged man. His features, build, and even his aura were vastly different from his true self.

This was the power of body editing: a fundamental alteration of his appearance that was consistent across his conscious form and even his soul.

Zhang Deming said, "It’s only been a few months. You don’t recognize me already?"

Qu Qizhong paused, then said hesitantly, "Steward Zhang?"

It was no wonder he was so hesitant. The two had only met a few times, and on every occasion, Zhang Deming had been completely shrouded in a black robe.

To be cautious, he had even used special means back then to block all of his aura and prevent any form of detection.

Zhang Deming nodded and looked at Qu Qizhong. "Speak. What’s been happening recently?

"My subordinates reported that you’ve been getting restless. It seems like something is going on over there."

Qu Qizhong began, "Reporting to the Steward, ever since the Blue Sky Branch started selling Spirit Nurturing Beads, business has slowly improved, and our reputation has gradually grown.

"Because of this, we’ve attracted a lot of attention. In just a few short months, I’ve found that someone is watching me no matter where I go.

"Initially, all the different factions maintained a sort of tacit understanding, as they hadn’t located my source of goods.

"They were all just watching, without taking any other action.

"Every single one of them wants to get in touch with my supplier and curry favor with the Spirit Nurturing Master.

"Besides, until they’ve figured out the Spirit Nurturing Master’s specific Cultivation level, no one dares to act rashly.

"After all, an ordinary Spirit Nurturing Master is usually at least a Duality Great Cultivator to start.

"However, a while ago, we sold over two hundred Spirit Nurturing Beads in a single month, shipping out nearly ten a day.

"At such a speed, not even a single Spirit Nurturing Master working at full capacity could necessarily keep up.

"Because of this, and the profits involved, it’s now enough to make people take desperate measures.

"So, even though they still haven’t found my supplier, some people can no longer hold back."

Zhang Deming asked, "Has someone threatened you?"

Qu Qizhong shook his head. "Not directly, no. But they’ve taken intangible control of the shop. We’re getting fewer and fewer casual customers.

"Not to mention, the other goods in the store have completely stopped selling.

"Every in-store auction is dominated by those same people, and they’re even controlling the prices. It’s like the results of each day’s auction are divvied up among them beforehand."

Zhang Deming’s brow furrowed slightly. "Heh. So if they can’t find the source, they’ll just control the market to force me to show myself?"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Deming asked, "Do you have any of the Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads I gave you to use at your discretion left?"

Qu Qizhong hesitated for a moment before replying, "I was just about to report to you about that, Steward. As it turns out, Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads are being graded into different classes.

"And the Tier Two Spirit Nurturing Beads you gave me, Steward, are clearly of the highest quality—Mastery Spirit Nurturing Beads.

"Their success rate is as high as forty to fifty percent. Anyone who knows what they’re looking at can tell in a single glance.

"Therefore, I didn’t dare use those two beads rashly. After all, you instructed me to keep a low profile.

"A while ago, because of the shop’s growing reputation, my family clan found out about it. Some of the clan members have started getting... restless."