034 The Concept of Breeding

Morning, at the North Sui City Administrative Bureau.

Ye Zhi’s laboratory had been requisitioned. The massive screen, usually reserved for marathon viewings of various magical girl anime, was finally being put to proper use.

The alchemist hired by Chu Aoqing at a steep price had arrived. Although Ye Zhi was also an alchemist, modern disciplines were highly specialized; Ye Zhi was a "Craftsman" alchemist, responsible for forging "Ritual Gear." Essentially, he was a blacksmith or an artisan. Analyzing drugs was not his job—it was a mismatch of professional expertise.

In the modern era, alchemists were divided into various factions, each with its own standards. Naturally, just as a pig gets slaughtered once it’s fat, or a musician becomes a "god" after enough practice, the most famous and authoritative figures were always those from a select few schools.

The person standing before them—an intellectual-looking foreigner with blonde hair and blue eyes—was an alchemist from the Clock Tower in Great Britain, holding the rank of "Grand." Her area of expertise was Astral Studies. Simply put, she studied the stars.

"Director Chu, I believe I have arrived at some fairly clear conclusions." Despite being a prestigious member of the British establishment, Miseya spoke in fluent, authentic Dongxia. "Upon seeing the results, I am quite glad you chose me to assist you."

Chu Aoqing frowned. "As I suspected, this has something to do with those four... three moons, doesn't it?"

"Is it [Desire], [Chaos], or perhaps... [Propagation]?"

It certainly couldn't be [Silence].

The moon, naturally, was part of the celestial bodies. Astral Studies was one of the most complex disciplines. In the vastness of the universe, where the galaxy was so immense that humanity and its world were but a speck of dust, these "dust motes" were now attempting to comprehend the cosmos. Alchemists of the Astral school sought knowledge from the stars, viewing themselves as a microcosm and the world as the macrocosm—using the infinitesimal to grasp the greatness, and the finite to touch the infinite.

Without question, they were a group of geniuses. The barrier to entry for Astral alchemists was terrifyingly high. This was the law inscribed by the "Trans-Boundary Covenant," which forbade mortals from crossing that threshold to touch forbidden knowledge. After all, knowledge had a price; not everyone’s spirit could endure such inhuman insights. Those who watched geniuses walk among the stars while they could only trudge on foot would eventually be reduced to the discarded dregs of existence.

"Your intuition is correct. This dust... no, these should be butterfly scales. Their origin, without a doubt, comes from the moon."

"The Moon of Propagation."

Miseya waved her hand. A pale green moon materialized in her palm—a color reminiscent of Hatsune Miku’s hair. It was brimming with vitality. Merely looking at this simulated projection gave one an urge... an urge to propagate.

*Snap.* Mo Mo expressionlessly blocked Shen Qiqi’s eyes. "Don't look, child."

"Eh? Is that thing really that scary?"

"Also, Mo Mo, aren't you supposed to be the same age as me?"

Ignoring Shen Qiqi, Mo Mo blinked and stared straight at the pale green moon, whispering to herself, "Propagation..."

"I assume you have all experienced a small taste of the influence of Propagation, yes?" Miseya smiled and tucked the moon away. "Director Chu, according to your description, those who ingested this [Attachment] all uncontrollably engaged in... that sort of activity, right?"

Chu Aoqing looked disgusted. "Indeed, that 'sort of thing'."

"However, they were all doing it by themselves. They’re all single loners. This doesn't really count as propagation, does it? If anything, it’s a waste of reproductive resources."

"Won't the Moon of Propagation be angry?"

Miseya shook her head. "Director Chu, propagation is not that simple."

"What you are referring to is just the continuation between normal species. It looks normal to you, but to that moon, it has no redeeming value." The alchemist shook her head. "The efficiency is far too low."

She raised a finger. "In terms of normal succession, tell me, can a human and a rat produce offspring?"

"What about a human and a stone?"

That one was even more extreme.

"Exactly," Miseya laughed. "To you, combinations that seem impossible to continue become as simple as one plus one equals two in the eyes of Propagation. It’s effortless."

"Humans and rats will propagate. Humans and stones will propagate. Even with certain abstract concepts, propagation will occur."

"That is the power of the Green Moon, the Moon of Propagation." Miseya sighed with emotion. "What a soul-stirring, magnificent achievement. How do you feel about it?"

Chu Aoqing: "..."

"I don't feel anything," she said, looking pained. "Pardon my bluntness, Miss Miseya, but we are not professional alchemists. We don't really understand your... disciplines. I won't deny your theories, but please, tell me the source of this scale powder as soon as possible. I’m busy trying to kill people."

The wide-scale spread of the Green Moon-related scales was absolutely detestable.

"Fine." Miseya looked regretful. "I’ll make it brief."

"As I said, this is a type of scale powder. Its origin is undoubtedly an insect—let’s tentatively call it a butterfly."

"This powder comes from the scales on its wings. It has only one purpose: nourishment."

Chu Aoqing: "Nourishment?!"

This was not at all what she had expected.

"Yes, nourishment." Miseya asked, "Do you know if those ordinary people who ingested this powder showed any abnormalities?"

Abnormalities? What kind of abnormalities?

Chu Aoqing pondered, but couldn't recall anything. Finally, Ji Yue raised her hand, her face flushed red. "Um, I have a thought, but please don't hit me later, Director Chu."

Chu Aoqing: "?" "Why would I hit you? Go ahead, say it."

Ji Yue whispered, "Have you noticed that for the people who ingested this powder, their performance in... that regard... was a bit suspiciously long-lasting?"

Chu Aoqing: "?"

That... that couldn't be right, could it?

"Exactly," Miseya admitted frankly. "This stuff has the effect of an aphrodisiac and strengthens the body."

Chu Aoqing: "???"

It really was that! Chu Aoqing was stunned, her expression shifting into something complicated. After all this time, she had been investigating an aphrodisiac?

"Do not misunderstand, Director Chu. What I am about to say next is the key." Miseya’s expression turned serious. "If the purpose of this scale powder is nourishment, then the question arises: what kind of entity would nourish others?"

"That’s right. A mother."

"Someone is using this powder to execute the concept of Propagation. Everyone who has ingested these scales is her 'child.' They have unknowingly entered the cycle of propagation, becoming a part of the loop."

Chu Aoqing was dazed. "What kind of cycle?"

"The cycle of propagation, of course. Just as in nature, where some creatures consume their mates or offspring during the breeding process. To give birth to a more excellent, powerful embryo, it is perfectly acceptable for the 'Mother' to consume the 'Children' to feed herself, isn't it?"

Miseya sneered. "Using an endless supply of scale powder to gain absolute control over the 'children,' harvesting vast amounts of life to nourish a true embryo... This is nothing less than a loan shark operation with no intention of repayment."