Chapter 529
This made Xia Er feel a bit out of place, as her every replication ritual never followed the "prescribed" method completely.
"Is there something you're unsure about?" Princess Vita noticed that Xia Er had been deep in thought after flipping through the replication rituals for quite a while, and couldn't help but ask.
"Whose replication ritual is this?" Xia Er turned to Princess Vitalis and asked directly.
These so-called perfect replication rituals were undoubtedly the most reliable ones, derived from the experiences of many extraordinary individuals, designed to be less susceptible to the influence of potions. They had also been validated by numerous successors before forming the current template.
"It’s..." Vitalis paused for a moment before speaking, "It’s from Qiangyin... The requirements for these replication rituals may be quite high, but if completed, it’s currently the best way to minimize the effects of potions."
Though Vitalis was reluctant to admit it, Qiangyin was undoubtedly a leader in the path of the "Performer," and it was only natural that various standards were set because of him.
Even Vitalis herself was following the path laid out by Qiangyin.
"I once saw a 'Performer' who had only played for fewer than ten people in his lifetime successfully digest a potion," Imogen chimed in from the side. "The path of replication rituals is ever-changing; Qiangyin's is not necessarily the perfect standard answer, but rather the simplest solution for the nobility."
At this point, Imogen shrugged and continued, "Not every 'Performer' gets the chance to perform on stage, especially if their instruments are quite old..."
Listening to the two, Xia Er began to form some thoughts in her mind.
If an ordinary person were to learn music and perform in a theater with such a large audience, it would take years, especially in Ansu, where the royal musical standards were even more discerning.
Gaining recognition in front of these seasoned veterans wouldn’t be easy.
At least in this simulation, it was nearly impossible for Xia Er to complete the replication ritual.
While she could have Imogen gather an audience for her, and as soon as her fingers touched the keys, have everyone moved to tears and applauding, such a completed replication ritual would likely see the effects of the potion manifesting from the first stage...
Just like how the "Queen Bee" potion began to invade Xia Er's body from the second stage.
Moreover, there was also the possibility of failure...
However, Xia Er had already memorized the potion formulas and ritual contents, and once she returned, she could even have Lucy help her gather materials, and then have Adele create the potions for her, without needing to continue her dealings with the royal family.
Though Xia Er could directly exchange for potions through the system, the cost was too high, and at this stage, she certainly wouldn’t consider it; exchanging for materials was feasible, though.
Qiangyin had only sealed off the replication rituals and potion formulas of the "Performer," but he couldn’t completely block the materials. He could only seal off one particularly important rare extraordinary material, which Xia Er could choose to exchange for directly.
After requesting one bottle each of the first to third stage potions from the "Performer" from Princess Vita, Xia Er left the royal palace with the potions—there was no stock of fourth-stage potions in the palace; they couldn’t be stored for long and had to be prepared on the spot when someone was about to complete a replication ritual.
Next... it was time for the "Blood Painter."
Imogen wasted no time and directly copied the first-stage "Blood Painter" replication ritual for Xia Er, pulling out a bottle of first-stage "Blood Painter" potion.
Most of her valuable items were kept in her hideout in North Ansu, and this time she had only brought a bottle of "Blood Painter" and "Instigator" potions, meant for when she discovered promising candidates to lure into the Pleasure Society.
Just like different churches would train some "Missionaries" for church promotion, the "recruitment" for the Pleasure Society was mostly done by "Listeners" and "Instigators," ensuring a higher success rate and discretion.
In the carriage, Xia Er looked at the "Blood Painter" ritual and potion in her hands, momentarily stunned.
So that’s how it is...
It turned out that the replication ritual previously conducted by Pikeman was not perfect... and the ritual recorded at the Dedton Manor in Boren City was not entirely accurate either.
And it seemed she had a chance to complete this replication ritual directly in the simulation.
After a moment of thought, Xia Er said, "Take me somewhere."
"Of course," Imogen nodded.
Though she was eager to hear how Xia Er planned to integrate the "uniqueness," she knew that this couldn’t be rushed.
After searching for answers for so many years, waiting a few more days was nothing; patience is a virtue.
If she could make Xia Er comfortable, perhaps the subsequent transactions would be less costly.
Xia Er directed the carriage to change course, taking them to her home.
Not the Prime Minister's residence, but the place where Xia Er originally lived.
...
Mafuer District, No. 22, Iselin Garden, Xia Er's residence.
Although the Xia Er in the simulation rarely returned here, the place was still well-maintained, with not a single servant dismissed; everything remained just as it was before she became Prime Minister.
When the carriage stopped in front of the house, the maid who had been raking leaves in the garden didn’t notice until she saw Xia Er get out, and she hurried over to greet them.
"Miss Xia Er, you’re back!" The maid quickly approached, opened the door, and welcomed Xia Er and Imogen inside.
Xia Er simply greeted the maid before leading Imogen straight to her room.
Upon opening the door, Xia Er saw the canvases and paintings piled inside, unchanged in position, and felt a slight sense of relief.
Good, everything is still here; no more time wasted.
This was Imogen's first visit here, and she curiously surveyed the artworks stacked in Xia Er's room. Upon seeing what was depicted, she was inwardly taken aback.
If an ordinary person were to view these paintings, they would only feel a sense of physical or psychological discomfort, perhaps even dizziness and nausea.
But as a well-informed fourth-stage extraordinary, Imogen could discern much more from these artworks.
This one depicts an out-of-control extraordinary, showing signs of bodily aberration, likely a third-stage "Source of Plague"... This one looks like a building infested by terrifying fungal strands; she had seen it in Xia Er's memories before... and this one is...?
Imogen stopped in front of a painting.
It depicted a whirlpool drawn with chaotic lines, but if one stared long enough, it seemed as if they could see the illusory images within the whirlpool... even the sound of phantom screams seemed to echo in her ears.
This is a gateway to that world!
This was the first time Imogen had seen someone truly capture such a thing on canvas; even though it was merely a haphazard smudge of black charcoal, completely uncolored, it still evoked a sense of immersion.
In an instant, recalling Xia Er's earlier request for the "Blood Painter" replication ritual, she seemed to understand what Xia Er intended to do here... With that thought, Imogen's breath quickened.
Is this something I’m meant to see...?
"Do you like this one too?"
Xia Er's voice came from behind Imogen.
She quickly stepped aside to make room for Xia Er.
Xia Er walked directly to the painting, slowly raised her hand, and gently drew a line with a small knife across her right wrist.
"Blood for painting... blood painting symbiosis..." Imogen murmured, repeating the contents described in the replication ritual.
"'Blood Painter'... 'Blood Painter'..." Xia Er began to speak slowly.
She lifted her hand and gently touched the center of the canvas with her finger, stained with her own blood.
"How could blood be absent...?"
Buzz—
A faint hum resonated in Imogen's mind, her pupils constricting as she watched the blood at Xia Er's fingertip seem to pulse with life, seeping into the canvas.
The blood's patterns began to spread outward from the center, as if a path had been preordained, gradually staining most of the canvas with a crimson hue.
The whirlpool infused with blood seemed to tear through the dimensions of the canvas, slowly swirling in Imogen's view.
"How is this possible..." Imogen instinctively took two steps back, raising her right hand to shield herself; it was a reflex of her body, and she didn’t even have time to stop herself from instinctively defending.
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