In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

(Something like this~)

Chapter 128 "A Prayer for the Creation of Vessels by the Rock Lord"

Looking at the polyhedron floating in front of him, Wang Yan couldn't tell whether it was a mechanical art, a magical art, or a magical art of immortals.

In short, the techniques used were quite varied, but he used them very skillfully.

"wind!"

This time, Wang Yan did not draw runes in the void, nor did he use angelic language, but the polyhedron in front of him trembled slightly, and the surrounding wind elements gathered together, forming a breeze in the room.

"fire!"

As the breeze dissipates, the fire element gathers.

"water!"

As the heat subsided, a trace of moisture appeared.

"ice!"

……

Wang Yan continued experimenting and finally confirmed that, apart from the Moon's Force being ineffective, the magic artifact he had made could smoothly drive the seven elemental forces.

No, to be precise, it can help Wang Yan smoothly drive the seven elemental forces, saving the time of inscribing runes, and even eliminating the need for the power of the Flower Goddess's blessing.

Just like an ordinary person can use the "Unfettered Register".

The power of the magical artifacts comes from the immortal talismans engraved inside, and from the [Emperor] and [Immortals] that the talismans point to, rather than from the king's words themselves.

However, at this point, this magical artifact is at best passable and usable.

But it's still far from what Wang Yan wants.

Therefore.

Wang Yan took the inkstone, added water and some star silver sand, and gently began to grind.

Before long, the ink, which had a star-like silver color, was ground.

Wang Yan picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and, with his wrist suspended and focused, began to write on the cloud-patterned Xuan paper.

-----------------

"A Prayer for the Creation of Vessels by the Lord of the Rocks"

We humbly acknowledge that the universe was first divided into black and yellow, and that the Rock Lord established the ultimate principle.

Its essence is as solid as metal and stone, and its light shines throughout the vast universe.

I have overheard that the Creator is selfless, and grants the compassionate devotion of all living beings.

His divine abilities are extraordinary, and he is able to master the key to all methods.

I consider myself a humble and insignificant person, like grass and weeds.

I have only dabbled in the realm of knowledge and theory, yet I have not yet glimpsed the mysteries of creation.

Now I wish to emulate the legacy of Master Yan, to cut away sand for bones, and carve out azure and black for the heart;

Adorned with star-shaped silver threads, and bearing cloud-patterned inscriptions, a set of celestial pivot mechanisms was cast.

However, all craftsmen possess only a physical body, but ultimately lack a soul;

Without the residual power of a false deity, one cannot open the mysterious gate.

Therefore, I dare not listen to the clamor.

I wish to borrow the brilliance of the Rock Lord to temporarily nourish my stubborn weapon;

Hoping to establish an imperial throne and guard the sacred mountain, we slightly open the gates of the spirit palace.

If Your Majesty would grant my request, I would then instruct the central authority to interpret the rhythm of mountains and rivers.

The talisman is as firm as a rock;

Although it is man-made craftsmanship, it must still conform to the natural order of heaven and earth.

If successful, a purification altar will be built on the cloud-topped steps.

Offering pepper juice on the moonlit night;

Incense is burned at dawn and dusk, and annual sacrifices are performed without interruption.

May his majestic virtue be forever etched in the annals of history;

A pure and unwavering spirit, forever turning with the handle of the Big Dipper.

I am filled with trepidation and respectfully submit this memorial.

Lord Yan, having carefully observed my humble sincerity, granted my request.

Cloud chariots and wind horses descend, carrying true talismans;

The mountain stands tall and the abyss is deep, forever holding the precious record.

Careless.

-----------------

After finishing writing, Wang Yan took out the top-grade amber given to him by Xing Qiu, held it in his hand, and squeezed it hard. Several cracks appeared on the brilliant amber, and highly condensed rock elements emanated from it.

The broken amber slashed Wang Yan's palm, and streaks of blood mingled with the rock elements, creating a bizarre and sacred sight.

However, Wang Yan didn't care at all and scattered the blood-mixed amber fragments onto the "Prayer for the Creation of the Jade Emperor".

The debris fell onto the cloud-patterned Xuan paper, where the rock element permeated it, turning it into a golden-jade color.

Then, Wang Yan took out the fire element array plate he had just used and activated it again.

As the flames rose, Wang Yan held the scroll in both hands, his expression solemn, and recited aloud:

"Foreigners, prostrate yourselves in worship and respectfully invite the Emperor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist, sending the cloud-patterned Xuan paper into the flames.

When the flames touched the paper, the golden light on the paper merged with the flames, bursting forth with tiny golden-red specks of light, like stardust falling.

As the paper burned, the words written with star-silver ink seemed to come alive, peeling away from the paper word by word, transforming into shimmering, iridescent runes that swirled and coiled above the flames.

Wang Yan could clearly sense that an invisible yet vast and heavy "wish" was rising from the center of the flames along with the burning of the green words.

Without a doubt, this was his wish.

Previously, Wang Yan had been considering how to embody the "wish".

Wang Yan believes that it is difficult for him to have a pure "wish" when he is not facing a life-or-death crisis.

So, is there any way to help him condense enough "wishes"?

After much thought, he finally came up with a solution.

As the saying goes, nothing can be more imposing than something magnificent.

It means to demonstrate the majesty of imperial power and consolidate the ruling order through magnificent palace architecture.

This is certainly a matter of form, but it also shows that when form reaches a certain level, it can influence people's hearts.

Can this form be used in mysticism?

For example, sacrifices and ceremonies.

Are these elaborate rituals really just a performance?

Furthermore, Zhongli is exceptionally particular about etiquette and even held a ceremony to send off the immortals. Is there a deeper metaphor behind this?

In conclusion, Wang Yan believes that perhaps a sense of ritual is also a way to unite wishes.

So he did it.

The paper was written with a soft "bang," and the stone amber offered its blood as a sacrifice. Then, flames carried this "wish" to the Emperor.

It seems that his idea was correct; he clearly felt that his "wish" was being sent to some being.

……

Inside a certain grotto at Qingce Village.

Zhongli, who was talking to Ziqiao, suddenly paused.

"Hmm? Why is Yan-kun suddenly lost in thought?" Ziqiao said with some dissatisfaction.

You came to me asking for a favor, and now you're distracted. Aren't you being incredibly disrespectful to me?

Zhong Li snapped out of his daze, smiled, and shook his head: "It was just an interesting thing that happened."

"Oh, what interesting story? Why don't you tell me?" Ziqiao's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she spoke.

She is the soul of Zibai, who was once trapped in the silk painting depicting "Zhanzhu Swallowing the Moon". Later, she made a pact with Zhongli and helped him during the war between the demons and gods. After her magic power was exhausted, she hid in the mountains.

This one is also the most free-spirited of the three corpses of Zibai.

Although she appears to be hidden in the mountains, she is actually the one who spread many stories about the White Horse Immortal.

“Heh, rather than… why don’t you just go out and take a look? Maybe you’ll run into them…” Zhong Li said slowly.

"Go out and take a look? Oh dear, Rock Lord... are you really going to take this Ghost Spirit Soul?" Ziqiao crossed his arms, looking displeased.

Zhong Li shook his head: "I won't force you... If you still don't want to go out for a walk, then I have nothing to say."

As he spoke, Zhong Li flicked his finger, and a golden light flashed, disappearing outside the cave.

As Ziqiao watched this scene, a deeper curiosity flashed in his eyes: "Who is it? How could someone allow Lord Yan to share such a position?"

"Curious? Then why don't you go out and take a look?"

"...Ah, time flies in the mountains, I have long been out of step with the outside world."

"It's alright... I've prepared a guide for you."

……

Liyue Harbor - [White Horse Inn]

Inside the room, as the last wisp of smoke from the burning Xuan paper dissipated, the “wish” embodied in the “Prayer to the Rock Lord for the Creation of Vessels” was quietly sent to the heavens.

Wang Yan was concentrating on sensing the direction of that invisible connection when his pupils suddenly contracted!

A majestic golden light pierced through the void without warning, quietly emerging from the top corner of the room.

The light was not dazzling, but it carried an indescribable weight and antiquity, as if it bore the will of the thousands of mountains and rocks of Liyue.

Before Wang Yan could even react, the golden light flowed like a stream returning to the sea, disappearing directly into the suspended cube of the mechanism!

"This is... the Emperor's response..."

Before Wang Yan finished speaking, the cube suddenly trembled.

hum-

With a low hum, golden light burst forth from every rune mark on the seventy-two pieces of sandalwood, instantly completely encapsulating the entire cube.

As the golden light flowed, the faint phantom of a majestic mountain appeared at the core of Qingxuan, and a dragon-shaped pattern seemed to flash by.

After a few breaths, the golden light gradually faded.

The cube floated silently in place, its appearance seemingly unchanged from before, yet it possessed an indescribable, hazy spirituality.

Just as Wang Yan was observing carefully, the cube suddenly trembled slightly and floated towards him on its own.

It flew slowly around him for half a circle before finally landing beside his hand, gently rubbing his forearm with one of its sharp edges.

The movements were awkward yet natural, like a newborn animal snuggling against its owner, exuding a pure and innocent intimacy.

—It seems to have come alive.

"Bestowed by the Rock Lord, the spirit of the vessel was born..."

Wang Yan muttered to himself.

This is nothing new.

As far as Wang Yan knows, in the early days of Liyue, the ocean was still inhabited by trolls and demons.