Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 751 - 470 A Brand New Idea

Chapter 751: Chapter 470 A Brand New Idea

"Firewood? That interpretation isn’t wrong,"

Xu Xinyao followed Xu Yuan’s gaze to the ground and said softly, "Through the formation, the Yin Source and Life Origin extracted from those otherworldly and Yin Ghosts are throttled and stored within the Sumeru Ring for neutralization, ready to be channeled out by activating the formation when you need it."

"......."

Hearing this affirmative answer, Xu Yuan unconsciously furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed on the ground as if piercing through the stone layers to observe the countless Yin and otherworldly Ghosts imprisoned in the chamber beneath.

Xu Xinyao, noticing the solemn expression on her third brother’s face, hesitated slightly before asking,

"Brother, what’s wrong?"

Xu Yuan took a deep breath, looked towards Xu Xinyao, and asked in a low voice,

"I think I understand the principle, but wouldn’t this cause a rejection reaction?"

In fact, compared to the term ’firewood,’ the Yin and otherworldly Ghosts trapped below were more aptly described as a ’cauldron.’

Under the heavens, there are innumerable evil cultivation techniques, many of which involve using others as a cultivation cauldron. However, the upper limit of these techniques is quite limited, typically due to rejection.

A cultivator’s body is an instrument refined to the extreme, one that will reject anything foreign.

"Pfft...."

The gentle sound of Xu Xinyao’s laughter interrupted Xu Yuan’s thoughts as she said with a smile, "Brother, you don’t need to worry about that."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow:

"What do you mean?"

"There’s no such thing as rejection when it comes to Yin Ghosts and otherworldly Ghosts."

"....."

Xu Yuan’s gaze stalled, but then he quickly thought of something and felt at ease, massaging his temple,

"That’s true, whether Yin Ghosts or otherworldly Ghosts, they both seem capable of directly evolving by devouring their own kind."

Xu Xinyao flashed a slight smile and took a scroll from the Sumeru Ring to hand to Xu Yuan,

"If you’re really not at ease, why not take a look at this scroll?"

Xu Yuan glanced at the scroll, noting a slender red cord tied around its cylindrical casing.

The Geometry Institute, serving as the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s highest "scientific research institution," stores a vast array of scrolls in various fields. To facilitate hierarchical retrieval, the color of the binding cords is used as an identifier.

And the red cord signified the scroll was of the third tier, just behind those bound with black and gold cords.

Without further ado, Xu Yuan opened the scroll’s cap, drew out the paper document within, and skimmed it, his eyes betraying a trace of surprise.

At that moment, Xu Xinyao’s explanation came at just the right time,

"The scroll records the state of the Yin Source from the refinement of the hundred Yin Ghosts under observation, with no exceptions—the Origin energy refined from the hundred ghosts is all the same."

Xu Yuan set the scroll he was holding down and asked, a hint of confusion in his voice,

"Origin energy?"

Xu Xinyao calmly sat back in her wooden chair behind the desk and posed a counter-question,

"Third brother, have you heard of Origin Qi?"

"Of course, I have. Cultivators inhale and absorb the Qi of heaven and earth as their Origin Energy, and when they reach the limit, they can break through to the next realm," Xu Yuan replied without hesitation.

A cultivator’s practice of harnessing energy consists of two parts.

The first is absorbing Qi, and the second is cultivating the Origin.

To put it in terms of games from the previous world, the former is like sitting meditation to restore mana, while the latter is like increasing the maximum mana limit.

Xu Xinyao chuckled,

"Since you know, you can think of this term as a synonym for Cultivator’s Origin Qi that applies to Yin Ghosts."

Realization struck Xu Yuan, and he pulled out a chair to sit down again, asking conversationally,

"Does the Geometry Institute actually have instruments that can measure Origin energy? Could it be a new device you’ve recently developed?"

Xu Xinyao pouted and laughed,

"You have too much confidence in me, brother. This is our father’s arrangement, he ordered the Geometry Institute long ago to investigate the rejection reactions found among cultivators."

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment upon hearing this, and then he instantly grasped the intention behind their father’s actions,

"If we could conquer the rejection reaction between cultivators, then we could borrow the strength of others when breaking through realms, and over time, our Prime Minister’s Mansion cultivators would significantly increase in their realms."

"How easy can it be to achieve something that no cultivator has managed to do in tens of thousands of years?"

"....." Xu Yuan.

With both hands cradling her teacup, Xu Xinyao carefully caressed the smooth surface of the cup:

"Over the years, although the Sky-Peering Instrument, devised by Master, has enabled us to observe the Origin Energy of cultivators, that’s all it can do. Master has tried over a thousand methods to intervene and alter the Origin Energy of cultivators, but all have ended in failure."

Having said this, Xu Xinyao sighed deeply:

"Now, this field has been given up by Father. If it weren’t for the need to address the changes in your constitution, big brother, the Sky-Peering Instrument that took countless manpower and resources to develop would almost have fallen into disrepair due to neglect."

After listening carefully, and seeing the complex expression on his younger sister’s face, Xu Yuan asked with a light chuckle:

"Are you very interested in this kind of research?"

"What, big brother, are you going to give me some Silver?" Xu Xinyao looked up.

"That wouldn’t be impossible." Xu Yuan shrugged his shoulders.

"But, as I recall, all your Silver was taken by Lou Ji."

".... " Xu Yuan.

After a moment of silence, Xu Xinyao shook her head:

"Brother, it’s not that I’m interested in Origin Energy. I’m well aware that with the current facilities and technology of the Geometry Institute, it’s simply impossible to solve the problem of rejection by Origin Energy.

"I... just think that the Sky-Peering Instrument, a celestial creation of such calibre, should not be discarded."

As Xu Yuan listened, he smiled wanly:

"Xinyao, given your status, it shouldn’t be difficult to bring it into use again, should it?"

"To merely maintain the Sky-Peering Instrument each year requires millions of Silver Taels, and to operate it for just an hour consumes an astronomical amount of Source Crystals. Do you think Father would agree to such a whimsical request?"

"..." Xu Yuan.

Right, no wonder dear old Dad wanted to put a stop to this project.

Research into Origin Energy is nothing but a money-burning pit.

Investing might be justified if there were some hope of success. But this research clearly isn’t going to "pay off" anytime soon. Spending those resources on developing warfare tools or functional formations would be far more cost-effective.

Xu Xinyao glanced at her reflection in the tea, speaking softly:

"Moreover, for the purpose of observing the essence of demons and ghosts this time, the long-unmaintained Sky-Peering Instrument was forcibly activated. Many of its components have suffered damage and repairing them would also come at a staggering cost."

Disheartened, disappointed, helpless, and... unwilling to give up.

Looking at the forlorn figure of Doll-like A Yao in front of him, a thoughtful glint crossed Xu Yuan’s eyes as he gently tapped the desk:

"Xinyao, why do you want to borrow the Sky-Peering Instrument?"

Upon hearing the question, Xu Xinyao looked up, her eyes glistening twice as she pursed her lips, speaking in a low voice:

"Currently, formations and devices all around the world run on energy supplied by Source Crystals.

"But... but you just saw, big brother, that the Yin Source of demons and ghosts can be throttled through formations. If utilized properly, it might be possible to create an entirely new source of energy, one that could be used continuously!"

Subconsciously, Xu Yuan lifted his hand to touch his chin, his gaze drifting once more to the ground.

Through his spiritual vision, he could sense the newly excavated, massive chamber below, designed to imprison the otherworldly spirits and Yin Ghosts.

Truth be told, he was somewhat surprised by his little sister’s remarks.

Her compassion seemed to extend only to humanity. When it came to these demons and ghosts, not even the most ruthless capitalists could extract more than she could...

After pondering for a moment, Xu Yuan gently shook his head and pointed to the formation above the chamber:

"The irreplaceability of Source Crystals isn’t because they contain an immense concentration of Origin Qi, but because they store vast amounts of it within a small volume."

Having said this, Xu Yuan pointed to the formation in the chamber below:

"This formation is too large, even if it can work, it’s an unnecessary complication."

Xu Xinyao’s voice took on an urgent tone as she looked directly into Xu Yuan’s eyes:

"I have found a way to solve this problem."

"Oh?" Xu Yuan frowned.

Staring at Xu Yuan, Xu Xinyao’s beautiful eyes shone with excitement:

"Brother, do you remember the Soul Ring from Senior Luo?"