I discovered a world bug.

"Command flags, altar, ancestral tablets, tablets of the Three Demon Lords, King Pangu, and King Guili, incense burner, black candles, joss paper, and paper horses..."

Lin Shu meticulously checked the items needed for the Xingyin Mountain altar—but this time, unlike the last time when he "raised snakes," he no longer needed to operate alone.

Qin Lang specially assigned him two assistants, one was Lu Ran, and the other was Liu Xizhu.

The reason for choosing Liu Xizhu was, of course, because of his achievements in the fields of folk traditions and religion, which could save Lin Shu a lot of time in preparing and selecting materials.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, is more for the convenience of "grassroots research".

After all, no one in the group is more proficient in dissecting the "underlying principles" than Lu Ran. Having her participate in the ritual process experiment might bring Lin Shu additional help.

The three of them loaded all the prepared items into the car, ready to replicate the Yinshan Method at the chosen location.

As for where the venue is...

Of course, we can't choose Wind Blowing Luodai Mountain anymore.

According to Yu Zhe's confession, after a round of bombing, the "geographical energy" of the area had been completely altered and could no longer be used.

So, after much consideration, Lin Shu finally decided to go to the usual place.

In the small town where he grew up, there was a mass grave hidden on the edge of the residential area called "Centipede Ridge".

Escorted by two combat team members, the three drove to Centipede Ridge. Upon arrival, the local authorities temporarily sealed off the work area, while Lin Shu and the others immediately began setting up the altar according to the requirements of the Yinshan ritual.

This step doesn't actually involve entering the "ritual process" yet; it's just preliminary preparation work, so there aren't many taboos.

While setting things up, Lu Ran leaned close to Lin Shu and asked:

"So how can you be sure that the snake-raising method can be integrated with the Yinshan method? You said you want to upgrade and optimize it, but what exactly are you upgrading?"

Lin Shu reached out and deeply inserted the command flag into the eye position that had been calculated and selected in advance using a compass, and then replied:

"There are mainly two aspects."

"Both the Yinshan Method and the Snake Raising Method require the 'gathering of Yin energy.' Although we don't know exactly what this 'Yin energy' is, it is clear that the Yinshan Method's altar system is larger in scale than the Snake Raising Method's, and it can gather more Yin energy."

"If this part were separated and included in the snake-raising method, it might make the snake stronger from the start."

"Secondly, the core of the Yinshan Method is the 'Yin Spirit'."

"Essentially, this is also an invisible spirit similar to a 'snake,' but its effects are more complex and diverse than those of a snake."

"The different effects of 'bewitching,' 'opening,' 'calling back the soul,' 'locking the soul,' 'driving away the soul,' and 'adjusting the soul' are not inherent to the Yin spirits. Instead, they are 'selected' through a set of talismans that can be used in a short period of time."

"In principle... I think the Yin spirit of Yinshan Method is like an automated program. It is programmed with a few simple logics. As long as you input the specific conditions, you can get a definite response."

"This is actually what snake farming methods lack—a snake is a single program; I say 'bite,' and it will rush out and bite, but it can't do anything else."

"Of course, the snake-raising method also has advantages. It does not require a fixed altar. Even if the entire altar is destroyed after the ritual is completed, the snake still exists and remains lethal."

"Therefore, all things considered, the two sets of rituals may have the same origin, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages."

"If they could combine them... tsk, how powerful do you think it would be?"

...A "yin spirit" with diverse functions and powerful effects that does not require continuous input from the altar?

Lu Ran was stunned.

Goodness, if Yu Zhe had this before, it wouldn't have been easy to take him down.

He doesn't even need a fixed location anymore, okay?!

All you need to do is find a place to hide and keep sending out evil spirits to harass them.

Once or twice, perhaps we can handle it ourselves.

But what if you could harass them for a month or a year?

As long as one cannot trace him back through the Yin spirit, he is safe.

He can make countless mistakes, but if our side makes just one mistake, we're utterly defeated...

Lu Ran shivered, but then frowned.

"But that's not quite right—the Yin spirit actually consumes Yin energy, and it cannot be used an unlimited number of times."

"This is also the rule of many rituals; no matter what is consumed, there is always some consumption."

"For example, we believe that the Taiyi Fire Palace Thunder Array consumes free electrons in space."

"Then how can your snake... be used an unlimited number of times? What are its consumption costs?"

"have no idea."

Lin Shu shrugged.

"I haven't tried using the snake intensively or beyond its limits, so I don't know what it consumes."

"But whatever it is, it can always 'self-sustain,' and that's enough."

"No matter what, let's give it a try."

"As long as the underlying principles are explained... you can study them at your own pace."

"Alright, all the formations are now set up."

"Now I'm going to begin—you all wait for me outside."

"no problem."

Lu Ran nodded and turned to leave.

After she left, behind her, faint chanting in ancient Chinese could be heard...

..........

"So do you think Lin Shu's 'upgrade' has a chance of succeeding?"

Liu Xizhu squatted in front of the car, her gaze fixed on the mass grave in the distance.

"I don't know."

Lu Ran shook her head and replied:

"I always find it difficult."

"Although in principle these two rituals may indeed be of the same origin, simply being of the same origin does not actually mean that the two rituals can be integrated."

"For example, the yarrow stalk and tortoise shell divination method and the 'chicken bone divination' method that we discussed before are two very similar rituals, but the integration of these two rituals was not successful."

"There are many potential connections and differences between rituals. Before these differences are fully understood, it is still very difficult to reconstruct a higher-level ritual from existing rituals..."

"oh....."

Liu Xizhu nodded.

"So you actually lack confidence?"

"I don't have that much confidence—but I have to let him try."

Lu Ran replied:

"Research procedures are actually the same as scientific research. Even the top scientists cannot guarantee certain results."

"But if we don't let him do it just because we're unsure... then we'd be incredibly stupid."

"Lin Shu is a strategic figure. Even if he doesn't ask for enough resources now, we will still satisfy him, even if one day he wants to drain the resources of the entire group or even higher levels."

"He is... the key."

After Lu Ran finished speaking, a smile appeared on Liu Xizhu's face.

"That's the right attitude."

He stood up, intending to say something more, but just then, Lin Shu's figure suddenly appeared from the alley.

Liu Xizhu glanced at her watch subconsciously and frowned.

Less than 30 minutes had passed since Lin Shu announced the start of the ritual.

So fast?

If it succeeds, it shouldn't be this fast.

So... it was a failure?

He looked at Lu Ran, whose face showed a hint of disappointment, but she quickly composed herself.

"It's okay, just don't upset him later."

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. We need to let him know that we're not incapable of accepting... wait a minute!?"

Lu Ran's eyes suddenly widened as she finished speaking.

She raised her hand and pointed at Lin Shu, and Liu Xizhu looked in the direction she was pointing.

In an instant, his body froze on the spot.

He saw it too...

He saw that Lin Shu simply waved her hand, and a snake appeared on his arm.

That was clearly not a real snake.

But it...

Come on!

It appeared right in front of me!