Chapter 94: Red Light

What was supposed to be a welcome party for newcomers ended up being Lei Ke Dun, the newcomer, who, with a cat and a rabbit, sat by the ship's rail eating dried fish and munching fruit.

"As expected, the so‑called welcome for newcomers was just an excuse for them to hold a party."

Lei Ke Dun leaned against the rail, angrily biting a piece of dried fish that Pa Si handed over.

"Hmm? What kind of dried fish is this? It's actually quite tasty."

Lei Ke Dun mumbled, no wonder Pa Si likes these little dried fish so much.

"Meow! You're not allowed to snatch my little dried fish."

Pa Si jumped aside cautiously, shielding the dried fish behind with its tail.

"This is a silver‑fin fish native to the northern part of the Sunia Sea, relatively rare and tasty; these dried fish were caught during our last voyage to the Sunia Sea," Jia De Li Ya explained as she stepped closer.

Tu Ba Ge glanced disdainfully at the food‑guarding Pa Si, then took big bites of the fruit in his hands, the crisp crack sounding loudly.

"Captain! Why did you come over? Aren't you joining everyone for drinks and chatter?"

Lei Ke Dun asked curiously.

"No, they can just fool around; not everyone on a ship should be drunk."

Jia De Li Ya lifted the glasses perched on her nose and said.

Lei Ke Dun nodded; Jia De Li Ya always presented herself as calm and composed, perhaps to look after the pirate crew that had too many troublesome youngsters.

"What about you? Staying here alone, chatting with two extraordinary animals—don't you get bored?"

Jia De Li Ya showed concern for every crew member.

"Of course not; besides, I never drink, and these two little fellows are my companions!" Lei Ke Dun shook his head, chuckling lightly.

"More importantly, I still need them as laborers to help me with some Spirit Realm knowledge!" This was what Lei Ke Dun kept to himself.

Jia De Li Ya nodded and prepared to leave.

"Captain! Do you have any books on Spirit Realm creatures? The books I prepared don't cover that part," Lei Ke Dun called after Jia De Li Ya as she turned to leave.

"Books that record Spirit Realm knowledge are all somewhat tainted; both the authors and readers are affected. Such books are rare, and I don't have many in my collection. If you need one, you can borrow it from the Captain's quarters."

Jia De Li Ya didn't ask why Lei Ke Dun needed Spirit Realm knowledge.

"Alright, Captain!" Lei Ke Dun nodded, asking nothing further.

After Jia De Li Ya left, Lei Ke Dun let out a slight sigh; he hadn't expected Spirit Realm books to be so scarce, even Jia De Li Ya, the Star Admiral, possessed few.

"Looks like I'll have to think of another way, otherwise I'll fail the retake," Lei Ke Dun muttered to himself.

Lei Ke Dun wasn't keen on asking the "best study partner" for help; he doubted Mr. Huang could keep an eye on him, and if he sought the Hidden Sage to impart knowledge, it would change the subsequent exam questions.

Besides the Hidden Sage, only the Seven Lights of the Spirit Realm enjoy imparting knowledge.

Lei Ke Dun only knew the honored name Red Light El Moria, but Red Light alone was enough; Red Light symbolizes power and will, and to some extent controls knowledge related to Spirit Realm creatures and locations.

After most members of the Star Pirates were sprawled crookedly on the deck, Lei Ke Dun led Tu Ba Ge and Pa Si away.

Having drunk the liquor spiked by Frank, those pirates could sleep soundly until noon tomorrow. That's also why Lei Ke Dun kept feeding Pa Si and Tu Ba Ge dried fish and fruit; as animals, their instincts are more reliable in this regard.

Pa Si, the black cat, saw Tu Ba Ge's little nest and refused to leave, insisting on squeezing together with the rabbit to sleep.

In its own words: "Since leaving Ma Dan, I haven't slept on a soft little bed! To better blend into the Star Pirates, I even dropped my price to become a pillow for Nina!"

Lei Ke Dun sighed helplessly; the black cat's few words coaxed Tu Ba Ge, so they had to let the two share one bed.

Anyway, a rabbit and a cat—no worries about them spawning a horde of rabbit‑cats!

After greeting the two animals, Lei Ke Dun erected a spiritual wall in his room and began preparing the secret covenant ritual to communicate with Red Light El Moria.

He swiftly set up the ritual, lit a candle, and with a ceremonial silver pen drew an all‑seeing eye on the table, then sprinkled a layer of red herbal powder over it.

This is the ritual used by members of the Church of Knowledge to communicate with the Seven Lights of the Spirit Realm, more convenient than ordinary rites.

When ready, Lei Ke Dun stepped back and began chanting:

"Ever‑lasting Light of the Spirit Realm, embodiment of infinite knowledge, the Red of authority and will!"

"I pray to you for knowledge."

As the chant ended, the candle's flame burst outward. The herbal powder Lei Ke Dun had scattered on the table spun rapidly, expanded, and finally twisted into a vague silhouette of an elderly figure in a grand red robe, exuding great authority.

"Greetings! Honored Red Light, Lord El Moria!" Lei Ke Dun quickly bowed to the figure.

"First meeting, devotee of 'Knowledge'!"

Red Light El Moria's voice, like his appearance, was profoundly imposing.

Lei Ke Dun sensed the other emphasizing the word "Knowledge." He glanced at the Red Light's projection with puzzled eyes.

"As one of the seven pure lights of the Spirit Realm, we can perceive things ordinary people cannot, especially after your connection with the Spirit Realm deepens."

Red Light El Moria explained.

Red Light's reply surprised Lei Ke Dun; he felt the Seven Pure Lights of the Spirit Realm possessed an unusual stature.

"Perhaps, as direct subordinates of the Spirit Realm's ruler, they enjoy certain augmentations in stature?" Lei Ke Dun guessed uncertainly.

"Why did you summon me?" Red Light interrupted Lei Ke Dun's contemplation.

"I wish to seek from you knowledge about Spirit Realm creatures," Lei Ke Dun said immediately after regaining his composure.

"As expected, but I cannot give you knowledge directly; that's an agreement between the Seven Lights and the dot‑matrix library's curator. We can only provide the appropriate books, which you must read and comprehend yourself."

Red Light nodded with a "just as I thought" expression, then declined Lei Ke Dun's request.

Red Light's answer wasn't too surprising; after all, Mr. Huang is a resident angel of the Spirit Realm, a wisdom angel, so maintaining some contact with the Seven Lights is normal. Yet that agreement with the Seven Lights is rather tormenting.

"Providing books works, thank you for your help. How can I obtain the books?"

The ritual Lei Ke Dun prepared does not directly communicate with the Spirit Realm nor transmit items.

"The Seven Lights are also frequent visitors to the library; you can use the previous method entirely."

Red Light gave an unexpected answer.

Lei Ke Dun was taken aback, even wondering if, when he previously used ritual magic to fetch items from the library, Red Light had been there sipping tea with Mr. Huang.

"Alright, I understand. How do the Seven Lights view the Spirit Realm sorcerer system?"

Leiketon didn't worry about whether his belongings in the library had been watched by everyone; he simply voiced a doubt.

From the perspective of our Seven Lights, this is an excellent power system; although its ceiling is far inferior to the Magic Potion System, it is far more stable and has no trait limitations. Moreover, this system, which relies on the Spirit Realm, will greatly increase the Spirit Realm's influence, and we Seven Lights have all joined it.

On the Red Light's illusory figure, a faint ring appeared for a moment.

Leiketon remained silent, waiting for the Red Light's next words.

Seeing Leiketon silent, the Red Light continued:

If we view it from the world's standpoint, this system has pros and cons; although it lacks trait limits, it now has knowledge limits, which is unavoidable. Its greatest flaw is its overly close tie to the Spirit Realm: entering it makes one's personality grow extreme, and after death it breeds stronger, stranger evil spirits—the price of drawing Spirit Realm power.

Red Light Ai'er Moruiya's words left Leiketon somewhat worried; under the Outer Gods' influence, this system could turn into a pile of gunpowder barrels, and those with extreme personalities are more prone to external factors.

Extreme personality? Can that be fixed?

Leiketon stayed silent for a long time, but still asked the question.

No, this is a side effect of long-term contact with the Spirit Realm; as long as one keeps their condition in check, it isn't overly dangerous—it merely raises the chances of forming evil spirits and grieving souls, and increases power.

Red Light Ai'er Moruiya explained.

Only then did Leiketon relax and nod; the Spirit Realm Seven Lights are authorities on this matter, and Red Light Ai'er Moruiya's words are highly credible.

"As a follower of knowledge, what's your take on this?" Red Light Ai'er Moruiya countered.

Upon hearing that, Leiketon hadn't even thought it over when an answer already formed in his mind.

"Every piece of knowledge carries weight; those who draw power from knowledge must inevitably bear this heavy burden!"

(End of chapter)