New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 131 I am now terrifyingly strong!
Tiger Demon slept for three whole days.

Because of the powerful concealment (heavenly secret) effect inherent in the [Shadow Dream Hole], [Cicada City] was unable to track them all the way to the city. Instead, they focused their efforts on repairing the 'Holy Cough Crack' and, incidentally, began to clean up the 'Shadow and Holy Cough Pollution' spreading throughout the city.

Meanwhile, the [Pastoral Village], which operates on an offline monarch system, is running smoothly... without any need for Yuan Zhu to interfere or affect the construction progress.

When the tiger demon comfortably opened its eyes, an unprecedented sense of power and arrogance surged through it, giving it the illusion that it was invincible!
When reason returned, it carefully examined the changes in the [Boss Template] and finally came to a conclusion: it had indeed become stronger, and stronger than words could describe.

【Shadow Manipulation 1】has a wider range, controls a larger amount of shadow pollution, and offers more precise and detailed control.

The quota for 【伥鬼2】 has increased dramatically once again, and more mobs or elite monsters can be bound and contained within its own shadow.

The exoskeleton strength, defense, and power boost provided by [Claw 3] are all increased several times over. Especially after it also refined the 'Demon Insect' into a Tiger's Lackey, the extraordinary information from the 'Shadow Insect Shell (Unyielding Pride)' was gradually absorbed by [Claw].

The [Changgui] ability can absorb 'Yellow Spring Aura' to create Changgui; the [Inner Universe] ability can copy the spatial data of the [Holy Seal. Sanctuary]; therefore, the [Claw (Skeleton Armor)], which has a very high degree of overlap, can naturally also learn from the [Insect-type Armor].

Moreover, the 'Shadow Demon Insect' is itself a [Chang Gui], an inseparable part of the Tiger Demon God!

[Calling the Wind 4] shows no change and has yet failed to refine any kind of 'wind-type' polluted energy to help upgrade its talent.

【Inner Universe 5】With each swallowing, digestion, and absorption, the internal volume expands, the spatial strength increases, and the refining efficiency is enhanced.

The final [Shadow Domain 6] doesn't seem to have changed much. This talent was previously grayed out (unavailable), and was only activated early thanks to the [Shadow Dream Socket].

Now, this ultimate innate divine power has finally awakened naturally. Tiger Demon has officially realized that he can refine genuine human pillars, construct shadow domains, and forge the formula for his private territory without relying on the [Shadow Dream Hole].

...

Unfortunately, because the [Boss Template] is from another realm, it doesn't belong to a mature transcendent system like [Holy Light, Kunlun, or Yellow Heaven], and lacks a systematic standard of measurement. Therefore, it doesn't know just how strong it truly is.

He could only ask Little Spicy Strips for help: "Snake, according to the data of the original 'Tiger Demon Spiritual Root' in the [Immortal Scripture], what level am I at now? How much have I improved? Give me an estimate."

Spicy Strips: "Alright! Just looking at the raw data, Boss, your overall strength has increased at least fourfold! Using the standards of the Immortal Dao universe from the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture], you should be at Level II. In the context of Xianxia novels, I think you're at least a Foundation Establishment stage Great Demon. Of course, your actual combat power would be far more than just four times. Even without this wave of dormant evolution, with just the [Holy Cough Explosion], you would still be invincible in the world!"

Tiger Demon nodded in deep agreement, indicating his approval: "Well said, keep it up!"

Two non-existent shadowy arms sprouted from the left and right sides of the snake's tail. Pushing up non-existent glasses, the arm analyzed, "Since your human form (Holy Light) is still in its early stages (Imprint + Soul Crystal), I lack accurate data on the scale of the Spirit Planet ([Species, Gate]), and can only make a simple guess. If you return and use your current Tiger Demon form in the mortal world, you will inevitably be suppressed and rejected by the Spirits! You will feel a strong 'sinking and collapse (Ascension Impulse)'."

"Even if you actively give up fighting against the world, you might be absorbed into (trapped in) the [Shadow Layer]. Within the current bubble world, your control over the [Shadow Domain] is stronger and deeper. At the same time, your connection with the [Shadow Layer] is also closer."
Upon hearing the medical data of the spicy snack, Tiger Demon also tried to summon the [Shadow Domain].

This time, it chose to shield itself from the blessing brought by the [Shadow Dream Hole] and manipulate it solely through its innate divine power [Shadow Domain]. It successfully summoned an 'interface menu' in its mind, composed of 'data-driven soul programs', which reflected the [Pastoral Village] in reality.

In the new interface, it observes the camp's 'virtual map (array diagram)', the core [Shadow Dream Hole], and the outer hub [Insect Pillars]. At the same time, the actions of the many new residents are also reflected in the virtual map.

This is what the [Tiger Demon] should look like! Relying entirely on the investment of the world's will to operate and manage the camp, he has no air of a ruler at all; he is clearly just a hired hand/agent.

Now, relying on its innate supernatural powers, it directly controls and manages the [Law Domain], and even controls the [Shadow Dream Hole], thus establishing its dominance.

...

According to the Tiger Demon's perception, the number of 'Earth-Rank Employees' in the camp has now exceeded 34, all of whom are core members. Before it went into seclusion and slumber, there were originally 25 people. The nine additional people were recruited (or recruited) after it went into slumber, and they are all working diligently to install [Tube Worms] on the already shadowed 'Root Network' to purify and release the polluted spiritual energy.

The number of "human-level residents" has exceeded double digits, reaching as many as 121. More than half of them are bewildered, pale-faced, and awe-inspiring orphans.

They behaved obediently, staying in the 'nursing room' and receiving instruction from the little girl, diligently practicing breathing exercises and refining their insect-type true qi. Each person had 30 juvenile caterpillars, using their own life qi to nurture the two varieties in their hands: the [Original Mao's Worm] and the genetically mutated [Shadow Yuan's Worm].

The remaining sixty-odd people were of different ages, with men, women, young and old each having their own roles.

Under the guidance of Shopkeeper Lu, some began to repair and build the camp's structures. One of the newly built large warehouses was filled with civilian supplies that it had stolen from the central city, including a large amount of food, basic cultivation resources, insect materials, medicinal herbs, tube worms, and other resources.

The food alone is enough to feed the entire camp for several years. Therefore, the next step is to recruit as many people as possible to further expand the livestock farming scale of the [Pastoral Village].

In addition, some of the other employees were in charge of cooking; others were planting common luminous fungi and other foods in other 'sectors'... There were also a few technicians who came from who-knows-where, who began to cultivate spiritual plants; or in special secret rooms, they were refining some 'insect containers (flower pots)' to prepare for the [corpse seed], which made the Tiger Demon marvel.

“They are all talented!”

Although it has been offline for the entire time since the creation of the [Law Domain], it now seems that the camp is on the right track... slowly developing and thriving.

After briefly reviewing the progress of the 'camp', Tiger Demon stopped paying attention to the changes within the Law Domain and instead focused his energy on the changes in his newly acquired abilities as he grew.

The most obvious point is the connection between the [Shadow Domain] and the [Shadow Layer] that inevitably exists in every world.

...

The current bubble world, having survived a cataclysmic catastrophe, is still in a damaged state and has not yet fully recovered.

Therefore, the [Shadow Layer] failed to develop into a 'Shadow World'. Instead, its nutrients were drained by the world's will and refined into an outer layer of defense, similar to a screen protector, to isolate it from the erosion of the [Nightmare Foam Layer]. This is why the Tiger Demon was able to easily open the 'Shadow Dream Hole' and communicate with the [Nightmare Layer] by penetrating the [Shadow Layer].

Now, Tiger Demon, having consumed countless elixirs during the great robbery in [Cicada City], has fully digested and absorbed them, resulting in a surge in strength. He has then discovered that he can further reconstruct the [Shadow Domain], dividing it into three layers.

First, there's the [Pastoral Village], built in the underground world. Through the [12 Insect Pillars], it erodes the underground root network and connects to the [Shadow Dream Hole], constructing a unique domain within the bubble world, similar to an insect city magic circle. (First Layer)
Based on this, he has the ability to connect with the [Shadow Layer], extract more shadow power, and create an inner world that exists based on the [Law Domain]. It is highly similar to the 'Shadow Space (Rest Room/Storage Room)' inherent in the [Shadow Dream Hole], only larger in scale, immovable, and proportional to the strength and size of the [Law Domain]. (Second Layer)
In other words, through its own [Shadow Domain], the [Shadow Dimension] compressed into a phone screen protector is inflated again. This allows for the creation of a limited-area private 'Shadow Mini-World' to hide valuables or serve as a refuge for a [Pastoral Village].

Unfortunately, the Tiger Demon's strength is still limited. If it could, like the [Little West Crimson Realm - Vajra Temple], open a spring connecting to the [Yellow Springs], it could even gradually cultivate this 'Shadow Space' into a 'completely new - private hell'.

And perhaps that's why Bubble World invested in him?

Adding a "private hell" to this crippled, dying world, creating a 'cycle of life and death'—wouldn't that be a good thing for this broken, post-apocalyptic world, perhaps even a slow revival?

The final layer, naturally, is the [Dreamland - A Cockroach Village Far From the World], created through the interaction of [Shadow Dream Hole, Shadow Domain] and [Nightmare Layer].

This is a 'spiritual dimension' that transcends the material world, yet is based on it. As the number of pastoral residents increases, their 'dreams' are captured by [Cockroach Village]. By contributing their sleep, they allow [Cockroach Village] to slowly expand, promising a bright future.

Today's Tiger Demon can exercise macro-control over these three levels, and even set some rules and regulations to facilitate management and operation.

This sense of control inflated his ego somewhat, giving him a kind of pleasure that only rulers experience.

"Finally, I feel a bit like a 'reserve demon god'."

Spicy Strip flattered, "Your Majesty is mighty! Your magical power is boundless, and your immortal life is eternal."

However, after his strength and influence have expanded to this point, he is somewhat confused.

First of all, Yuan Zhu really has no experience in enterprise management, nor does he know how to be a village chief, handle urban planning and construction, or what the next step should be.

Secondly, it harbors ambitions to expand and strengthen the [Shadow Domain], and desires to use the [Domain] to benefit itself while simultaneously accumulating wealth. Unfortunately, while the idea is good, there is no concrete implementation plan.

Finally, it was because he made a move in [Cicada City] that he truly felt the pressure from 'Insect City'. He felt somewhat pessimistic about the future of [Pastoral Village].

Although I am very strong, I really can't beat the enemy!
...

In [Cicada City], the moment he used [Holy Cough Self-Destruct] to blast open the Nightmare Rift, he looked directly at five 'Dream Hole Level. Heavenly Realm Grand Cultivators'.

These five individuals are likely the current 'ceiling of power' in the underground world, and he personally felt the threat and pressure they posed.

At the same time, [Cicada City] is not an isolated city, but rather the main city that has split into three 'sub-cities'. The four insect cities are all headed by the Cicada Clan, and their power is considerable.

Beyond the numerous insect cities, there are also the [Technician Alliance] and the [Reverse Life Immortal Sect], indicating that the map of this world is very large and the level cap is also very high (in terms of Yuan Zhu).

He has now initially realized his 'potential,' and his strength and influence have expanded rapidly, but he has also reached a limit. It is no longer possible for him to experience another round of explosive growth like he has now.

Therefore, the current strength of the Shadow Domain and Tiger Demon is simply insufficient to confront an insect city head-on. On the contrary, if exposed, they risk being completely wiped out.

After pondering for a long time, the Tiger Demon said in a low voice, "So... for now, there is only one last way left!"

The snake's tail asked curiously, "What is it?"

"Summon the [Furry King]! Call upon the Captain! Invest in me and protect my cause! From this day forward, I will have all the residents and staff in the camp join me in worshipping and venerating the [Anti-Law Great Demon God, Furry King], and together we will offer sacrifices to the great [God of Luxury Children's Clothing]!"

...

Yuan Zhu's scheme was shrewd. He used the [Pastoral Village] as a stake, invited the team leader to represent [Mao Mao Wang] to come down, signed a business contract, became an upstream raw material supplier, and gained the protection of the big boss.

I've offended [Cicada City] and provoked other local forces, but I'm not afraid! I'll let the captain clean up my mess. Didn't we agree on being partners and getting profit sharing?

Now that I've done it, it's your turn to fulfill your promises.

Little Spicy Strip nodded vigorously upon hearing this: "Absolutely reasonable! Shall we get started now?"

"No rush. We need to get the [Primitive Mao's Worm] to spin silk and obtain the first batch of 'finished raw materials' before we can confidently call for the captain. Also, can you recall for me the ritual of the evil god's sacrifice at the beginning of our descent? I plan to recreate it in the classic way and summon the boss."

Little Spicy Strip readily accepted the task: "No problem, I've been learning these past few days and have mastered a few reliable little rituals, which I've incorporated into them."

"By the way, Spicy Strips. I have a question for you. Can my current [Boss Template] continue to grow and level up?"

"Of course you can still upgrade, but you've progressed too quickly this time. The next upgrades are destined to be slow and minimal, requiring the accumulation of time."

(End of this chapter)