New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 248 I am a tycoon, and I am willful!
After understanding the predicament faced by the two friends, Yuan Zhu decisively decided to increase the output of [Holy Cough Particles] to continue supporting the two siblings.

Today, [Pastoral Village] is full of vitality and talent.

Despite the fact that after he left, the [Shadow System] lacked a key figure to lead it; and after the captain arrived, he drastically modified and installed his own [Maoist System]... which ultimately led to the 'Shadow Domain' gradually becoming distorted.

However, the foundation of the Shadow Domain has never been shaken or changed. Even after the Shadow Dream Hole was forcibly expanded and upgraded, it still steadfastly executes the 'program' left by Yuan Zhu.

For example: refine the [Mortal Giant Insect] into [Insect Pillar].

The total number of these creatures increased rather than decreased after he left... From the very beginning, [Pastoral Village] has been developing the breeding industry of [Mortal Giant Insects]. This includes capturing them in miasma-ridden areas, and also artificially inducing demonic corruption and mutation after capturing other [Insect Cities] cultivators.

The [Mortal Giant Insect] was initially used to refine [Insect Pillars] to expand the scale of the 'Dharma Domain'.

Later on, the captain saw the relative controllability of the [Shadow Demon Insects], believing they could be contracted as 'pets' with cultivators corrupted by shadows, and used as summoned creatures for herding and combat. (A low-budget version of a shadow cultivator + a bootleg ghost)

The breeding area was expanded again, becoming one of the 'three core industries' alongside 'Murcaria breeding'. The last one is 'Corpse Species and Spirit Herb Cultivation' in the 'Inner World'.

Therefore, at present, a large number of 'magical giant insects' are being raised within the [Law Domain].

They can be used to refine [Insect Pillars] or cultivated into [Shadow Summoning Creatures], serving as 'vehicles, combat tools, and cart pullers' in the perilous underworld. After death, they can be made into 'alchemy furnaces', where [corpse seeds] are used to cultivate spiritual herbs and extract [Insect Gold] from their bodies.

It can be considered one of the three main livestock and crop farming industries in [Pastoral Village]!

...

With a large number of readily available [Mortal Giant Insects], Yuan Zhu led the siblings directly to the [Breeding Area] and instructed, "Go and select demonic insects that are compatible with you. There's no limit to the number. With me here, you'll never have to worry about [Holy Cough Particles] again!"

My younger brother is the most straightforward. Upon hearing the instruction, he eagerly rushed into the breeding area to select a magical insect that was relatively compatible with him.

On the contrary, the little girl did not make any rash moves. She stayed by the candle's side and, while seemingly explaining, secretly boasted about her younger brother: "My brother has cultivated eight [Hidden Meridians], each of which corresponds to the core and most unique aspect of a [Heavenly Rank Technique]."

The cultivation techniques the siblings received during this period were not only from the Cicada Clan of [Cicada City]. There were also cultivation techniques offered by other foreign races that had surrendered to [Cicada City], as well as spoils of war from the captain's 'friendly' exchanges with other [Insect Cities].

Unlike ordinary resources, 'knowledge (techniques)' will not decrease when shared; on the contrary, it will multiply.

Therefore, the captain was not stingy. Instead, he gave the siblings these cultivation techniques and secret arts, which were of little use to him but were top-tier rare resources for insect cultivators, as payment for renting the Shadow Domain.

Have them tidy it up and hand it over to Yuan Zhu.

With a large number of top-tier cultivation techniques at their disposal, the siblings each selected the [Heavenly Rank Ultimate Technique] that best suited them.

With limited energy, the little girl chose a [Cicada Clan Technique], which is geared towards support and enhances [Alchemy]. She happily and diligently cultivated it step by step, and is now quite satisfied with having opened up the 'Four Extraordinary Meridians'.

However, the younger brother was indeed exceptionally gifted. Not only did he fill in the gaps in the three [Cicada Clan's Ultimate Techniques] and integrate them into one, cultivating four [Hidden Meridians], but he also extracted and selected a large number of fragments from other insectoid secret techniques that were compatible with [Holy Light], and combined them with his own fundamental techniques to add four more hidden meridians.

Now, he needs a large number of specific types of 'demon insects' for [sanctification], and then extract 'holy cough particles' and spiritual essence. Cultivation in this way is not only wasteful of resources, but also has high barriers to entry and demanding conditions.

The little girl hurriedly said, "But all of this will pay off. Once my brother achieves something in the future, he will be invincible among those of the same level!"

Yuan Zhu waved his hand dismissively, reassuring him, "Don't be nervous. I don't care about this investment. I'm only worried that his potential is insufficient and he hasn't wasted enough. We can have as many demonic insects and holy light as we want!"

After inheriting [Pastoral Village], he was truly wealthy and powerful. The captain managed the place very well; apart from the [Mao's Insects] being monopolized, he got his share of all other produced resources, whether it was 'spiritual herbs, regenerative trees (food), magical insects...'.

The 'Yuan's Insects' and 'Holy Light Spirit Insects' raised in the Inner World, as well as [Dreamland], are all his private property.

Therefore, Yuan Zhu can now command approximately 120 'magical giant insects,' instantly transforming him into a breeding tycoon. Since his demand for 'magical insects' is not high, he can easily allocate them all to the siblings.

When you're rich, you can do whatever you want!
He looked at the little girl: "What about you? Which kind of magical insect do you need? Why aren't you choosing one?"

“My needs are very low, and they partially overlap with my younger brother’s. After he selects the [Cicada-type Demonic Insects], you, Lao Da, will ‘sanctify’ them, and I will select a few as ‘Holy Light Spirit Ore’.”

Yuan Zhu didn't press the matter, continuing to show concern for his subordinates and considerately asking, "Has your [Natal Demonic Insect] been selected? How's the progress? Do you need my help?"

The little girl said with some pride, "I asked that gentleman (the captain) to purchase a [Demonized Golden Cicada] with extremely high compatibility from the [Technician Alliance]. It is four times the size of an ordinary 'Shadow Demon Insect' and is a special species that is not even found in [Cicada City]. It is said that the content of 'insect gold' in its shell is extremely high, and it looks like a body of steel."

"Unfortunately, this guy's quality (pollution) is too high, its strength is formidable, and its vitality is tenacious. I have starved it for two months, but it still cannot be weakened. The [Holy Cough True Qi] I injected into its body will soon be decomposed and dissipated internally. I have been unable to subdue it for a long time, let alone tame and control it."

Unlike the prisoner, the latter's cultivation doesn't require considering the thoughts of the [Demon Insect]. He can directly infect the lungs with [Holy Cough], causing a 'Holy Disease,' and continuously extract the 'Holy Power' generated by the burning of life force in the [Holy Light Respiratory Disease]. The alchemist, however, faces a more complicated situation. He must, like taming a 'small spirit insect,' deeply invade and control the body of a 'Demonized Giant Insect,' constantly cleansing it with his own [True Qi] to increase affinity and control.

Only in this way can the [Demonized Giant Insect] resonate with the [Alchemy Furnace] after being refined into an 'Insect Furnace', allowing it to be used as an extension of the body. In a sense, this can also be considered the refinement of a [Biochemical Insect Version of (Innate) Magic Weapon/Magic Treasure].

It can only be said that the little girl was used to a hard life, and it's inevitable for the poor to become greedy when they suddenly become rich. Unable to see her own worth, she asked the captain to buy a 'Golden Cicada Cauldron' with attributes that were compatible (cicada-like), but far beyond her digestive limits, as a preparation alchemy furnace.

Just like the prisoner, he also harbored an unconscious greed. Relying on his extraordinary talent, he was unwilling to give up any suitable cultivation method and forcibly cultivated 28 meridians. As a result, his foundation was too thick, and his true qi was pseudo-innate, making it difficult for him to condense his first acupoint.

Both of them were stuck at a bottleneck beyond their own limits. They could never overcome the difficulties through their own efforts. They could only rely on 'external force (Yuan Zhu)' to solve the problem.

As she spoke, the little girl looked at Yuan Zhu pitifully, her small hands clutching his sleeve tightly. Her big eyes were watery, looking both like she was about to cry and like she was being pleading.

It has to be said that after eating her fill and developing baby fat, the little girl's appearance underwent a dramatic transformation, making her just as beautiful as her younger brother.

She's the kind of child who's instantly likable, strikingly beautiful, like the "perfect student" in every way—academically excellent, top of the class, and excelling in all aspects of life. She's completely devoid of any hint of arrogance, affectation, or bullying... Beautiful, upright, and dignified, with a commanding presence—a face fit for a leading lady.

Watching the little girl's perfectly measured attempts to please and flatter, without a trace of the usual annoyance of a 'brat,' but instead offering plenty of emotional support, Yuan Zhu couldn't help but sigh, "Pretty little sisters are definitely cuter than their own brothers!"
"Your biggest problem right now is how to completely sanctify that [Golden Cicada Cauldron], right?"

The little girl nodded: "Yes! But your [Holy Cough Mark] is too damaging to the foundation. It's fine for ordinary demonic insects; we refine [Holy Power] and hone our true qi by slowly burning their lifespan to nurture the spirit insects. But it's not suitable for the [Golden Cicada]. Weakening its life potential weakens the quality of the [Alchemy Furnace]. So I can only use 'Holy Light Qi Silk' to nourish the Golden Cicada, and then have it neutralized and expelled, which is much less effective..."

After understanding, Yuan Zhu confidently said, "The [Holy Cough] is already outdated. Now I have mastered a more powerful 'profound meaning'. Take me to see your 'Golden Cicada' later, and I will give it a more perfect divine transformation!"

At this moment, Yuan Zhu thought of the newly acquired [Sacred Cup. Demon Sealing Wave]. All he needed to do was seal a [Demonized Giant Cicada] of the same kind into a [Flamethrower], then transplant (seal) that flask into the body of the [Golden Cicada Cauldron], granting it a [Holy Light Dantian]. Day and night, it would spontaneously emit holy light to transform (erode and contaminate) the flesh and internal organs... Over time, this 'Sacred Cup Insect Pillar Force' would be slowly purified.

Just then, the prisoner had already selected a large number (16) of demonic giant insects, more than half of which were 'cicadas', and there were also 'beetles, fireflies...' and other species that were compatible with [Holy Light].

It wasn't that Lao Di didn't want to practice the [Mantis Style], which offered more powerful strikes and better aligned with his martial arts philosophy; it was just that the 'Mantis Eyes' didn't react well to [Holy Light].

After the prisoner finished making his selection, Yuan Zhu entered the breeding area and unleashed a series of Holy Cough Critical Strike attacks on the mutated giant insects, leaving behind burst wounds on their thick carapaces that resembled magma remnants or Holy Marks.

With each breath, the lungs, connected to the spiracles on the body's surface, ignite these cracked carapaces once, drawing life force from all parts of the body and converting and releasing a large amount of 'Holy Cough Particles'. (Insects don't have lungs, but the demonic insect's lungs are derived from humans.)
Yuan Zhu took a step and threw a punch, condensing his holy power to a high degree. He then used the form of a 'spatial blade' to easily break through the heavy armor shell, penetrate the body, and solidify the barrier structure, lingering in the flesh wound.

It neither excessively aggravates the injury nor hinders the natural repair of flesh and tissue through the 'barrier' structure. Thus, the 'Holy Cough Blade' acts like the wick of an alcohol lamp, extending the burning time on the 'wound' of the Constant Demonic Insect to its limit.

After severely injuring 14 demonic insects in one go, he finally stopped and looked at the last two [cicada-like demonic insects]. One was in the 'cicada monkey' form before molting, and the other was in the 'singing cicada' form after molting.

This time, Yuan Zhu didn't rush to act. Instead, he took out two sealed flasks from his [Soul Space]. One was round and short, while the other was cylindrical and long.

Both siblings had cultivated 'Sacred Cough True Qi' and felt a sense of familiarity and affinity towards the unique 'Yuanwei Holy Light' emanating from the [Sacred Cup]. They both keenly focused their gaze on it, wanting to know what kind of treasure it was. They liked it so much, they wanted it so badly!
Yuan Zhu was secretly pleased, greatly admiring the siblings' aesthetic taste. He then continued to feign profundity, maintaining his boss-like demeanor, and unleashed the [Demon Sealing Wave] on the two 'Demon Cicadas' one after the other.

The visual effects throughout the process were quite spectacular, unlike what he had imagined: the 'Master Roshi lineage' would create a whirlwind and suck the target monster into the rice cooker.

Its [Holy Light Seal Technique] unleashes an endless, blindingly intense incandescent light with a mere gesture. As the 'demon insect' is enveloped by the pillar of light, Yuan Zhu's perception reveals potential prey targets.

When he locks onto a target with a Soul Crystal, and the target's body is completely covered and enveloped by the Holy Control, a Holy Light Barrier (Sanctuary) will naturally form.

Ultimately, his holy beam connects the [Sao Cup] at one end and the [Sealing Barrier] at the other. By burning a large amount of his own holy light, he can generate a pulling force that seals his prey into a 'flask', creating a 'sealing container'.

During this process, if the target is too powerful, the total amount of 'holy light' that Yuan Zhu bursts forth will be insufficient to move the prey into the 'slutty cup container,' and the seal will fail.

Even if successful, if the target's strength is too terrifying and overwhelming, it can break through the spatial barrier of the [Beaker] from the inside and forcibly escape.

However, this mere 'monstrous giant insect' was no match for Yuan Zhu and was successfully sealed into two [flasks].

After witnessing Yuan Zhuguang's entire pretentious display of arrogance, the little girl asked curiously, "Big Brother, what is this?"

“Here you go, one for each of you. This is the ‘Holy Light Generator’ I’m giving you. With it, you only need to inject a small amount of True Qi into the bottle to activate it, and this ‘flask’ will spontaneously refine the ‘demonic insect’ trapped inside, incinerate everything about it, and stably generate ‘Holy Cough Particles’ for your cultivation. You can think of it as an ancient spirit stone. Hold it in your hands in front of you, sit in meditation, and you will receive a continuous stream of ‘Holy Power’.”

The little girl was delighted to hear this: "How convenient! It's much easier than us guarding the 'Demonized Giant Insect' and extracting holy power from the wound through the 'Qi Silk'."

Yuan Zhu nodded in agreement: "I can also implant a 'holy flask' into your [Golden Cicada] to subtly purify its sinful body."

The little girl exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful! Thank you, Uncle Lao! You're so kind, brother!"

(End of this chapter)