New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 145 Ascension Illusion?

After discussing with Chui Wang, Yuan Zhu concluded that their exploration of the 'bubble world' had diverged into two different directions.

His exploration of the Insect City and the Underworld was relatively limited, but his depth of investigation was greater. His greatest achievement was the [Dream Hole], which was recognized by the captain and was even more highly regarded than the [Shadow Domain].

Meng Xiyue, however, was more focused on appearances. Through her cunning strategy of "putting herself in the game and betraying herself," she successfully used the skull she carried to absorb a vast amount of local knowledge and experiment with basic social civilization. She also extracted numerous cultivation techniques from the skulls of many cultivators.

In terms of the depth of understanding of the power of the 'Qi Refining System', Yuan Zhu is stronger; but in terms of breadth, Meng Xiyue is far superior.

Considering that he possessed the professional spy exploration cheat [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture], while Meng Xiyue was just an ordinary college student with the [Skull Servo], he gave the girl a high score: She's a talent!

"Deep within the Insect City, there are such interesting things as 'Dream Holes'? I couldn't believe I couldn't read anything from those heads. If I ever visit your territory again, could I take a closer look?"

Yuan Zhu nodded: "No problem. But even between brothers, accounts must be kept clear, and money must be paid."

"Hey, what's our relationship? You let me play with your 'Dream Hole,' so naturally I'll reciprocate by giving you some advice. As a seasoned 'underground insect city sociologist,' I have some mature and excellent suggestions for the development of your territory, which can help you grow your power more efficiently, consolidate your position in the underground world, and expand your influence."

Yuan Zhu interrupted her shameless boasting: "Paid consultation?"

"If you let me play for free, I'll play for free too."

Yuan Zhu frowned and clenched his fist: "Tell me."

"After reading a large amount of knowledge from the 'skulls' and personally experiencing and even tasting the elixirs of the Insect City, I made a major discovery. The underground world is scarce in resources and the environmental pollution is extremely high. Even though the natives practice the [Breathing Technique] to fight against it, their quality of life is still very poor, and various strange diseases break out frequently. As long as they can endure it, they don't take it seriously."

"In order to suppress those strange illnesses (negative states) that seriously affect daily life, the alchemists of the Technician Alliance have developed a variety of inexpensive civilian pills. Even the cheapest civilian pills contain a variety of 'herbal and insect medicines.' These ingredients are not precious in the underground world, and ordinary people can try to cultivate them at home. However, in the Duling realm, they are considered 'extraordinary materials,' and they are medicinal materials that are 'benign materials' with powerful effects on ordinary people!"

Yuan Zhu had also taken note of Meng Xiyue's astonishing discovery. That's why he encouraged Xiaohaijie to lead more orphans to learn about [Corpse Seeds] in his camp, perhaps to cultivate a group of skilled workers and summarize the 'planting techniques' for future replication in Running.

So he, like-minded, said: "You want to become a speculator?"

"No, no, no! I personally tested it using my professional knowledge and equipment. I also selected 13 common medicines from pharmacies all over the streets and alleys of Duling. These cheap medicines, mass-produced for ordinary humans, can also curb the pollution and erosion caused by the natives. As for the cost difference, one low-level pill can be exchanged for five to six boxes! If the pills are returned for materials, even more can be obtained."

"Actually, it's not just pills. I think 'firearms' are also quite valuable in the underworld, as are lighting equipment, ordinary pesticides, fertilizers, insecticides... succulents and cacti can all be sold. There are also cheap clothes, food... even 'kitchen waste' from the real world, if smuggled in large quantities to the underworld, can be very clean and healthy food!"

"I hadn't thought that much about it at first, but after the captain told me that you actually have a colony and can solidify 'teleportation channels,' I realized that there are truly endless business opportunities here! The underground world is really lacking in everything. Everything from the Duling is an incredibly clean and pollution-free treasure for Insect City, including poop! As long as it can be transported there, it's all in high demand. By the way, have you heard of the famous saying of the dung beetle?"

Yuan Zhu quickly waved his hand: "Stop, stop, stop! I have a psychological aversion to this!"

"Hahahaha!" Meng Xiyue slapped her thigh happily, feeling the excitement of meeting an old friend in a foreign land. "You've heard that famous saying, right? [You eat my flesh, I'll eat yours!]"

Resources are extremely scarce in the underground world; even pure water is nonexistent. The closest thing to a beverage is 'tree sap'. Therefore, the excrement of ordinary people is a 'first-level filtration product' that has been cleaned by 'qi threads' during digestion, making it an incredibly clean substance.

Therefore, people usually keep a batch of dung beetles at home, so as not to let this precious "primary filter" be contaminated again after being exposed to miasma pollution. So while they are still fresh, they quickly use them to cultivate equally "relatively clean" insects to carry out the food cycle.

So, a long, long time ago, a proverb circulated in the underworld.

He was inadvertently influenced by the local language while learning from the children's teacher. I wonder where Mengxi Yue heard it from? Did she just read a collection of proverbs directly from 'people's heads'?

Seeing that Yuan Zhu was unwilling to elaborate, Meng Xiyue changed the subject: "So? Isn't my little trick for getting rich pretty good?"

"The passage between the Bubble World and the Happy Home is fixed, but have you considered how to transport goods from the Spirit Tablet? Exchanging directly from the Exchange List would be too costly."

Meng Xiyue: "I heard that the Nightmare School has the ability to clear the Nightmare Layer. I will inquire about it after I return this time."

Yuan Zhu nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. I'll also go to [Yuyuan] for advice."

"So, what are your plans regarding the [Skull Servo] collaboration and the [Knowledge School] project consultation? These things can't be explained in just an hour or two. If you have time, it would be best if you came to [Taixi]. I'll personally receive you, give you a few lessons to broaden your professional knowledge, and then take you to our college's laboratory to expand your horizons."

Meng Xiyue, skilled at navigating complex relationships and securing a good price for herself, naturally wouldn't want to miss out on Yuan Zhu, this "fly investor."

Even though she had already sold herself to powerful, well-connected, and technically skilled sellers like [Grasshopper City, Mao Mao Wang, and Taixi International University], every little bit helps. Selling herself to her teammates again, even a small favor, is still a favor.

Moreover, this younger brother is no ordinary person either; he seems to have a powerful backer.

Seeing the other party's eagerness, Yuan Zhu had the illusion that he himself was eager to drag multiple parties into investing in the [Territory]. The only difference was that he was seeking investment and partners, while the other party was a master of 'finger techniques,' selling his goods to three different people, a traitor to three masters.

Yuan: "Shall we schedule a time?"

“I’m available anytime! It’s only a little over 6 hours by car from Runing to Taixi. You haven’t been to a big city before, have you? I can be your tour guide.”

The two cities aren't far apart as the crow flies, but the Misty Mountains form a formidable barrier, making the mountain roads rugged and steep. Combined with the limited visibility due to the dense fog, a journey by car usually takes most of the day. Alternatively, there's an airship service, which also takes 4.5 hours and is quite expensive.

Yuan Zhu thought for a moment. Now that he had money, it was time to broaden his horizons in the most bustling metropolis on the West Coast. So he said, "Then... in a week?"

Meng Xiyue replied, "I'll give you a number; you can contact me before you leave."

Zhou Chu suddenly appeared: "Remember to let me know when you come to Taixi. I'll take you to the Security Bureau for a free medical check-up."

"What kind of physical examinations do people from the Holy Light Department do? They're the ones who do exorcism physical examinations for others and charge money for it."

The young woman paused for a moment after being rebuked, then looked at Yuan Zhu and tempted him with very awkward words: "Come to me, and I can teach you some professional knowledge about the [Knight] class." In order to intervene in Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue's evil 'illegal dissemination of modified skull servers' activities, she decided to impart some relatively safe [Knight] knowledge to Yuan Zhu.

Meng Xiyue quickly retorted, "Oh? You're not promoting the [Laws] this time?"

The handsome, simple-minded man replied with a sincere expression: "The Knight system itself is relatively safe, but it has been severely polluted and distorted in the Underworld, making it a more dangerous taboo than 'Kunlun Roots and Insect Demonization'. I think it is necessary to teach you some knowledge of the Anti-Knight system. If you can embrace the Law system, your future path will undoubtedly be safer and smoother."

"No need!"

After their conversation, the three agreed to meet again next week. Meng Xiyue couldn't wait to return to Duling, ready to go back to the academy to hand over her work: to undergo inspection, eliminate potential problems, and provide it for the mentors to study. She also submitted a report on her experiences, freely expressing her thoughts.

She was filled with distrust of her professional knowledge and skills, and only the college's professional disinfection laboratory and experienced mentors could bring her a sliver of warmth and safety.

I love the feeling of having a powerful backer behind me, treating me like a precious guinea pig and taking meticulous care of me!

Previously, attending courses taught by experts at school required not only applying and making appointments but also paying extra fees. Now, every time she enters the 'bubble world,' she not only receives meticulous care from experts but also receives one-on-one professional guidance to answer her questions.

Her whimsical and capricious choices in the 'bubble world' and my experimental actions only earned her tolerance, as well as more professional guidance and advice.

Ask away any question you have, and you'll receive comprehensive answers. A professional team will also create a detailed exploration plan for you and guide you on how to proceed. With such a supportive approach, how could your studies not progress rapidly?
Compared to the cheerful Meng Xiyue, the investigator was equally unmotivated. Since creating the "Righteous Child Labor Knights," she too had been inspired with a sense of responsibility.

I plan to return to the Security Bureau to consult with some senior members and develop a safe and quick-to-learn set of "Laws and Knight's Code" to help the children of Insect City better adapt to and master their new powers.

In her view, the Knights, purified by the Pale Law, were indeed a very suitable path to salvation for Insect City.

The defining characteristic of the [Knight] class is their ability to fight in groups; their individual strength is not particularly impressive, being rather mediocre. However, as more comrades-in-arms adhere to a unified ideology, the team's power will grow increasingly formidable.

This bubble world naturally possesses a powerful foundation in the [Knightly Order], only unfortunately, this power has been severely corrupted and demonized. But it doesn't matter; with the power of the [Laws] to restrain and purify it, and by building the [Knightly Order] with the core values ​​of 'justice, kindness, and redemption,' this power will ignite the underworld like a spark, bringing about a great transformation!
After watching his two teammates return to Duling one after another, Yuan Zhu, who was carrying a huge sum of money, did not linger. Instead, he waved goodbye to No. 3 and returned to Running as well.

He had a lot of coins and wasn't in a hurry to exchange them. He had too many things to do.

First, after spending eight days in the dark underground and two days trekking on the desolate surface without food or water, it was too hard and tiring (Tiger Demon's crazy seclusion and sleep). It's time to go home and relax.

Then, both [Shadow] and [Holy Light] upgraded. He had to adapt to and familiarize himself with the changes in power, consolidate his realm, and condense soul crystals.

Next, I need to consider the [Triple Ritual] and [Anti-Law]... I also need to deal with the [Garden of Disease] and consult with the [Nightmare School] at Rain Garden...

After everything is over, I still need to go to Taixi to broaden my horizons. Only then will I have time to consider what to exchange for?
It seems there's nothing to exchange. After this mission, he felt a sense of complete fulfillment, as if he had everything he needed. He was simply too outstanding, growing too fast, with too much potential. His abilities were simply inexhaustible, and these points were truly useless.

Yuan Zhu, who chose to return, couldn't help but boast, "I'm so awesome!"

Little Spicy Strip: "Oh yeah! I've never seen such an excellent owner as you!"

...

When he opened his eyes again and regained consciousness, he was back in the attic of the haunted house.

The empty, dilapidated room was silent, save for the ticking of a needle in his brain. He sat on a worn-out bench, in front of the full-length mirror that led to the small garden of illness.

He didn't have time to observe how much the 'clock' had progressed after he left. At this moment, all his attention was focused on the changes and abnormalities in his own body.

The anomaly did not originate from the fully formed Holy Light, but rather from the dormant Shadow system that had not yet manifested.

In his human form, Yuan Zhu severed ties with the Tiger Demon. Unless he wanted to, the Aberrant Spiritual Root could not project any 'Shadow Power' onto him.

Even so, he still felt a pulling force from the inside of the world, or more precisely, from the [shadow].

Bang bang!

He lifted his foot and stomped hard on the floor. The movement was effortless, and he didn't feel his shoe sole sticking to the ground. The landing was equally powerful, making the template rattle and kicking up clouds of dust.

In the physical realm of the real world, his bodily functions were perfectly normal. But the heavy pulling force, the illusion of almost sinking into the mud (the shadow), was equally real.

The last time I felt this genuine sense of contradiction was when I was capturing goblins in the sewers.

That was when he used the power of the Tiger Demon in Running's present world, vaguely feeling the attraction and pull from the shadow layer. Now, he is in a 'haunted house' that is already partially isolated from the real world, which is equivalent to being half out of reality and entering a mezzanine. He is still in human form, and as a result, he feels the same 'sinking illusion'.

"Congratulations! Your [Boss Template] has undoubtedly improved significantly, causing you to have an 'Ascension Impulse' even in human form. You truly are worthy of being my charming boss who unlocked your ultimate talent!"

Yuan Zhu, who had initially felt a little worried, inexplicably straightened his chest and became proud and confident.

He cast aside his lingering worry and stepped into the mirror garden, whereupon the feeling of collapse vanished instantly. Instead, countless bizarre and twisted trees, vines, and flowers, covered in tumors, eyeballs, mouths, and other strange shapes, coughed, spitting blood mist, and clawing at him menacingly.

His good mood vanished instantly, and he stepped out of the mirror again to make a comparison of his feelings.

He muttered to himself, "Am I about to ascend to heaven?"

(End of this chapter)