I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

[Linjiang City, Old Town, Gu Family Old House]

Time: 03:30 AM

The night was deep and all was quiet.

This old, secluded courtyard house, originally built during the Republic of China era, is hidden behind dappled shadows of trees and high walls. Inside the study, Gu Qing did not turn on the lights.

He sat alone in the mahogany armchair, his eyes slightly closed.

Thanks to the previous exchange, his [Innate Dao Body] was automatically absorbing the almost negligible free energy between heaven and earth every moment. If viewed with an infrared night vision device, one would see that he was shrouded in a very faint glow, his skin as white as jade, and he was not stained by a speck of dust even in the dead of night.

However, at this moment, deep within Gu Qing's consciousness, the once calm and mirror-like system interface was now experiencing a turbulent upheaval.

[Warning: A massive influx of information has been detected!]

[Warning: The water level in the Xinli Pond has exceeded the warning line!]

In his "vision," the reservoir that originally represented the reserve of faith power was now being frantically filled by a golden rainstorm falling from the sky.

Countless golden threads converged from every corner of the city.

The thickest of these come from the "national-level scientific research institution's" qualitative analysis of the X-particles; while the thousands upon thousands of fine, thread-like specks of light come from the immature teenagers on the [Cultivation Network] who are trying to practice breathing exercises, as well as every ordinary person who has ever felt awe for the "Linjiang Dragon Shadow".

Small streams eventually become rivers and seas.

"Although I have long possessed the [Innate Dao Body], it is only today, with the support of this immense faith power, that I truly have the confidence of a 'god'."

Gu Qing opened her eyes, golden light swirling in her pupils.

He looked down and examined his hands.

"Although my innate Dao body makes me immune to all diseases and gives me extraordinary talent, it is too 'mild'."

"It's a perfect vessel, suitable for self-cultivation, but lacks the means to strike decisively. If I need to deal with the potential crisis ahead, or even the official 'testing firepower,' I need to turn this body into a weapon."

"System, open the [Heavenly Craft Workshop - Exchange List]."

At this moment, Gu Qing was like an investor with a huge sum of money in his hands. He glanced past the basic enhancement options and focused directly on the deeper [Laws and Physique Advancement] section.

"Now that the foundation is laid, it's time to start building."

His finger traced through the air, finally settling on an icon flashing with a violent purple light. This was a targeted mutation based on the [Innate Dao Body].

[Physical Advancement: Innate Thunder Spirit Body (Awakened State)]

[Prerequisite]: Must possess "Innate Dao Body" or equivalent physique (already met).

[Description]: Based on an immaculate body, the laws of heaven and earth's thunder are drawn into the body. The originally gentle life energy is transformed into domineering thunder power. After awakening, the host will have an absolute affinity for lightning, be immune to high-voltage electric shocks, be able to conjure lightning with bare hands, and break the sound barrier with physical speed.

[Side effects]: The advancement process requires enduring the pain of "Thunderous Bone Forging," which is a necessary price to pay for materializing energy.

"That's the kind of domineering attitude I'm looking for."

Gu Qing's eyes narrowed. "Exchange!"

As the thought settled, a large portion of the Faith Pool evaporated instantly.

next second.

boom--!!!

This time, it was no longer the gentle warmth of before, but an extremely violent purple energy that exploded directly within his body!

The impurities were not expelled (they had already been expelled when the innate Dao body was obtained), this transformation is a qualitative change.

Gu Qing clearly felt that intangible forces began to etch intricate lightning patterns onto his crystal-clear bones; the speed of his blood flow instantly increased tenfold, his heartbeat sounded like the booming of war drums, and each pump was no longer ordinary blood, but "lightning paste" with traces of electric arcs.

sizzle-

The magnetic field in the study instantly became disordered.

The laptop screen on the table suddenly went black, and the lamp bulb next to it exploded. Fine purple arcs of electricity, like living snakes, emerged from Gu Qing's pores, weaving into a terrifying electric net around him.

"Well……"

Gu Qing gritted her teeth and gripped the armrests of the armchair tightly with both hands.

The hard redwood became as fragile as tofu at that moment, and he crushed it into powder, which was then charred black instantly by the high temperature.

pain!

But this pain was mixed with an extreme sense of numbness and power.

It's like putting a nuclear-powered engine into a sophisticated sports car.

A moment later, the lightning subsided.

Gu Qing slowly exhaled, and this breath actually carried a faint sound of wind and thunder.

He stood up and stretched his neck.

There were no crackling explosions, only an eerie silence. His movements became extremely light, as if even the constraints of gravity on him had weakened.

He raised his right hand, a thought flashing through his mind.

Sizzle!

A ball of deep purple lightning, condensed to its maximum intensity, appeared in his palm. This was no longer ordinary static electricity, but "true lightning" containing terrifying energy.

Gu Qing waved his hand casually.

The lightning ball transformed into an extremely thin purple line, instantly slicing through the solid wood desk in front of it.

puff.

There was no explosion, no loud noise.

The thick mahogany desk had a corner neatly cut off like tofu, the cut was as smooth as a mirror, and the surface had even crystallized.

"Extreme high temperature, extreme speed."

Gu Qing dispelled the lightning with satisfaction, "Now I truly possess the ability to 'flip the table' in this age of firearms."

But he didn't stop.

Now that the hardware upgrade (physical advancement) has been completed, the software (skills) must also catch up.

Seeing that there was still a considerable amount of credit pool remaining, Gu Qing launched the second round of "crazy purchasing".

[Skill to Exchange: Five Thunderbolts Orthodox Method (True Version)]

[Description]: A supreme offensive technique of the Daoist school used in conjunction with the Thunder Spirit Body. It is no longer limited to simply discharging electricity, but rather harnesses the thunder of the five elements—Geng metal governs destruction, Yi wood governs life, Gui water governs yin erosion…

[Evaluation]: The ultimate dream of a mage.

[Exchange for the Supernatural Power: Shrinking the Earth to an Inch (Minor Success)]

[Description]: A movement technique involving the laws of space. It allows one to reach any point within sight in a single step. Combined with the lightning spirit's reaction speed, it is virtually unbeatable in close combat.

[Evaluation]: You want to catch me? Calculate the spatial coordinates first.

[Exchange Passive: Heavenly Secrets - Formless (Upgraded Version)]

[Description]: In addition to the original "Shielded Divination," "Technological Concealment" has been added. In surveillance camera and satellite imagery, the host's face will forever appear as an undecipherable jumble of data.

[Comment]: This world has no face of yours, only your legend.

After redeeming the three core abilities in succession, the previously overflowing Faith Pool has finally run out of resources.

But it was worth the money.

The current Gu Qing possesses a combination of high defense (innate Dao body), high attack (thunder spirit body + Five Thunder Orthodox Method), high mobility (shrinking the earth to an inch), and absolute concealment (heavenly secrets without form).

Finally, there are a few trivial matters to take care of.

Gu Qing's gaze fell on a stack of A4 papers in the corner of the desk.

He now holds a prestigious position, and it's not appropriate for him to personally handle many of the dirty and tiring tasks like running errands and surveillance.

[Miscellaneous Skills for Exchange: Paper Cutting of Human Figures (Unorthodox Method)]

Gu Qing picked up a piece of white paper, and with a slight flash of lightning at his fingertips, he instantly cut out a small paper figure the size of a palm, just like a laser cutter.

Then, he forced out a drop of blood essence containing the power of thunder and placed it on the paper figure's brow.

"Imperial Edict!"

call--

The paper figure grew taller in the wind, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into an adult man dressed in black, his face shrouded in mist.

It had no breath, no heartbeat, yet because of that drop of thunderous blood essence, it faintly exuded a chilling pressure.

"Go."

Gu Qing opened the window and pointed to the city skyline in the distance.

"Keep an eye on that newly established 'Special Affairs Office'."

"I want to know what good stuff that so-called '749 Bureau' brought to Linjiang."

The paper figure bowed slightly, its form transforming into a black lightning bolt, instantly disappearing into the pre-dawn mist.

Gu Qing stood at the window, feeling the morning breeze.

Now, he has finally filled the last gap in his knowledge and completed the transformation from "behind-the-scenes director" to "omnipotent god".

"The stage is all set up."

"Now, let's see if the authorities can handle this situation."