New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 256 On the Eve of Fleeing, Frenzied Money Accumulation

Once Yuan Zhu made up his mind to abandon his teammates and run away first, he began a frenzied money-making spree.

First, he gathered 108 [Insect Pillars] as the core materials to open up the [Law Domain] back in his hometown. But this small amount of spoils was far from enough.

Therefore, Yuan Zhu set his sights on the [Reverse-Growth Tree] that the captain had transplanted.

This item is like the finishing touch that infuses the Shadow Domain with its soul. It transforms a private territory that was merely wasting oxygen and spiritual energy into a material cycle.

The Reverse-Growth Tree possesses the ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen. It also possesses the ability of the Kunlun Spiritual Root to produce spiritual energy, purifying and refining the polluted spiritual energy of the underground world for cultivators.

Finally, the leaves grown by the [Reverse-Growth Tree] are important strategic resources in the underground world. They are not only food but also function as [Spirit Stones]. They can also accelerate the growth and metamorphosis of [Mauriceous Worms], causing them to spin large quantities of silk to weave luxurious children's clothing.

A single [Reverse-Growth Tree] can breed a large number of 'plant communities' adapted to the underground environment around it, providing a stable food source for raising insects and for the residents of [Insect City].

In other words, the "Reverse Rebirth Tree" is a seedling that sprouted anew from the remains of the "Immortal Tree" of the former bubble world after it died and adapted to the polluted underground environment.

If I could transplant a [Reverse Life Tree] back to Running and plant it in the [Mountain Lord's Domain], would I be able to achieve 'spiritual freedom'?
With the 'polluted spiritual energy' produced by the [Reverse Life Tree], is it possible to create an artificial [Feathered World] environment to raise spiritual insects, cultivate insect cultivators, and support the siblings' continued cultivation?
……

Driven by a greedy desire for the Reverse-Growth Mulberry Tree, Yuan Zhu approached the senior management left behind by the team leader, asking if the Reverse-Growth Tree was for sale, how much per kilogram, and whether it had any fruit, seeds, or offshoots that could be taken away and allowed to survive in other environments.
The botanist in charge of caring for the "Reverse-Growing Mulberry Tree" answered his question.

First, the [Reverse Life Tree] in the underground world is extremely rare and precious, and its [rank] is very high, making it a descendant of the [Immortal Realm Tree]. Its production and distribution channels have always been controlled by the [Reverse Life Immortal Sect].

There are a total of five [First Generation Reverse Life Trees] in the [Feathered World]. Four of them have each opened up different 'small cave worlds', supporting the ancestral homes of the four major [Reverse Life Immortal Sects], inheriting the mantle of the [Kunlun Immortal Path], and living in seclusion.

Legend has it that the environment within the 'Small Grotto-Heaven World' remains unchanged from before the Great Cataclysm, possessing the spiritual energy of orthodox Kunlun Immortal Path. Therefore, the remnants of the Immortal Sects are ill-suited to the apocalyptic underground world and remain isolated from the world.

As for the last "Reverse-Growth Tree," legends about it have been passed down for generations, but it has never been found.

Currently, the trees circulating in the underworld are all second-generation Reverse-Life Trees sold by the four major immortal sects. Their quality, attributes, and functions have all been significantly reduced and weakened. Even so, only a small number of vassal insect cities that are close to the immortal sects are qualified to obtain them.

A single second-generation Reverse-Growth Tree is enough to support the 'ecological cycle' and 'food consumption' of an entire insect city.

These second-generation immortal trees also possess the ability to create miniature grotto-heavens. Internally, they support a spiritual energy plantation, producing large quantities of food to provide spiritual energy for the higher echelons of the insect city to cultivate.

The [Reverse Life Tree] that the captain obtained was a [Third Generation Reverse Life Tree] that had been castrated again, and it was also the lowest level 'Low-Level Reverse Life Tree'.

It can purify polluted spiritual energy through respiration. It can connect with nearby root networks to extract nutrients and spiritual energy from the decaying roots of the immortal tree, thus creating a territory.

However, the captain made special modifications to the ordinary [Third Generation Immortal Tree], incorporating the [Mao Clan Mulberry Tree Spirit Root] from another world, which greatly enhanced the originally thin 'Immortal Tree Bloodline'.

Then, the [Third Generation. Reverse Life Mulberry Tree] further synergized with the multi-layered spatial structure of the [Shadow Domain] and the [Expanded Version. Shadow Dream Hole], defying fate and purifying its bloodline, successfully reaching the realm of the [Second Generation Reverse Life Tree].

Ultimately, the Reverse-Growth Mulberry Tree supported a Shadow Cave, becoming a plant species that could more than sustain the entire Pastoral Village.

Although it possesses the performance of a second-generation immortal tree, its essence as a third-generation immortal tree prevents it from further differentiating into an even inferior fourth-generation reverse-generation tree.

Therefore, Yuan Zhu's delusion of obtaining a [Reverse Growth Tree] and bringing it back to Running to plant is destined to fail. Unless, of course, he asks the captain to purchase another one on his behalf.

After thinking for a moment, the administrator of the "Reverse-Growing Mulberry Tree" began to introduce it again.

If the 'First Generation Village Chief's' requirements are not high, this 'Reverse-Growing Mulberry Tree' in [Pastoral Village] can indeed split into a large number of ordinary 'saplings'.

These 'polluted mulberry trees' were able to be transplanted on a large scale and are now widely planted throughout the [Pastoral Village].

Yuan Zhu hadn't noticed anything amiss, assuming they were branches growing from the roots of the [Reverse-Growing Mulberry Tree] after penetrating the surface world. Turns out they were all independent saplings?

He then pressed further, asking, "What are the characteristics of these 'polluted mulberry trees'?"

The administrator explained: "The 'spirituality' of this type of mulberry tree has severely degenerated, losing the possibility of reversing its fate and becoming a [Third Generation Resurrection Tree (Kunlun Immortal Root)]. However, the plant itself is compatible with 'shade environments,' and it can survive as long as it is nourished with 'shade pollution.' It can be taken to other worlds to try planting. The mulberry leaves that grow are excellent food for feeding 'spirit insects, Mao's insects, and Yuan's insects.'"

The more polluted mulberry trees are planted, the larger the scale of insect breeding will be.

If this specific ration is lost, and the spirit insects are fed only with the 'food' of the main world, then these insects will quickly lose their 'insect-type contamination'. And with each reproduction and iteration, their bloodline information will be rapidly washed away, making them unusable for cultivation.

The rule that extraordinary bloodlines decline after three generations and perish after five generations applies not only to humans but also to molting spirit insects.

So Yuan Zhu decisively ordered 1000 saplings, intending to bring them back to Running and carry out a major 'darkening' operation.

The leaves of the polluted mulberry trees are a deep, almost blackish purple, truly deserving the name "black plant"! Large-scale planting of this plant naturally results in blackening, not greening. …

After the order was placed, the management of the Pastoral Village began to arrange for manpower to inventory, ship out, and pack the goods, placing them together with the pile of [Insect Pillars], waiting to be transported back to [Happy Home].

Snake commented, "These 'plants' are cheap and have low pollution levels, making them extremely inexpensive to transport back to the main world. If the [Shadow Domain] is successfully established, they can be planted together with [Shadow Eggplant] to optimize the natural environment within the [Domain]. Hey, I suddenly have a bold idea! Do you think that if more 'Reverse-Growth Mulberry Saplings' were planted within the [Domain], could they be transformed into low-powered air purifiers to absorb [Shadow Pollution] and release it as 'spiritual energy'?"

Yuan Zhu shook his head: "They all said it's impossible. Only the [Three Generations Reverse Life Tree] can convert spiritual energy. These saplings only retain a faint 'immortal tree' bloodline and can only be used to feed insects."

Snake said, “You’re looking at it from the perspective of the [Ascension World]. There’s only one original [Immortal Tree] here, which only split into four [Inferior Immortal Trees (First Generation Reverse-Rebirth Trees)] after it died. But we in Duling are different. We have the [True Peach Mother Tree] here. Even the floating islands of Taixi City have [Kunlun Immortal Roots]. What the Ascension World lacks, we can make up for from Duling!”

Yuan Zhu: "Hiss... That's interesting. But you're getting a bit stuck on this. You care too much about spiritual energy or spiritual energy pollution. For our Shadow Domain to forge its own 'transcendent path,' the key is always shadow pollution, not trying to piggyback on the Kunlun Immortal Path."

“That’s not right!” Snake retorted, “Creating the ‘Shadow Spiritual Energy Environment’ is for better insect breeding. Only by raising insects well can we support the two siblings to continue their cultivation… Reshaping the ‘polluted spiritual energy’ environment will help the [Yuan’s Insect] develop! I think the [Yuan’s Insect] has the potential to overtake the [Mao’s Insect].

The snake declared confidently, "I've designed two evolutionary paths for our [Yuan Clan Insects]. Plan A: Try to create [Shadow Uniforms] by artificially inducing them to spin silk and weave combat uniforms similar to [Luxury Children's Clothing]. A knock-off of [Mao Mao Wang]. Plan B: After creating a spiritual environment, cultivate the [Yuan Clan Insects] as 'insect egg seeds' and try again to create 'artificial spiritual roots'!"

Yuan Zhu rejected her idea: "Plan B is too difficult. Insect cultivators can create the 'insect egg-meridian-acupoint system'. First of all, there is the issue of the natives' physical condition. For thousands of years, their ancestors have been enslaved by the Kunlun Immortal Sect, and their bodies are covered with 'plant spiritual roots (Kunlun pollution)'."

"Passed down through generations, their bodies are born with the potential to develop 'meridians.' This allows 'insect-type meridians' to grow from 'insect eggs' along the 'plant spiritual root traces' within their flesh and blood. Ordinary humans of the Duling are completely different; they have no potential meridians in their bodies. They either actively accept the erosion and transformation of the Kunlun Immortal Technique to develop meridians using 'plant spiritual roots,' or within three generations, a blood relative is a 'Kunlun Immortal,' thus inheriting the bloodline contamination. Apart from this, ordinary people who plant the 'Yuan Clan Insect' cannot create meridians."

Snake nodded in agreement: "You're right, but not absolutely! You forgot that once the [Immortal Scripture Server] is unzipped and installed, we might be able to mass-produce 'data-based spiritual roots' belonging to the [Immortal Dao Universe]? Don't you think this [Yuan Clan Insect] is a very good 'data-based spiritual root carrier'? The [Shadow Dream Hole] has already collected a large amount of body data from 'Qi Refiners'. As for the [data-based spiritual roots], you can think of them as a special version of the [Immortal Scripture Client]."

"You've already fully experienced the effects of the [Holy Light Panel] and the [Anti-Law Panel]. To others, this 'Data Spiritual Root' is simply a biological cheat code loaded onto the 'Yuan Clan Worm.' We can completely force its shaping, preventing the user from activating other 'polluted systems,' and directly locking the [Data System] onto 'Insect-based Cultivation'! We'll load and record [Meridian and Qi Refining Knowledge] into the [Yuan Clan Worm], but deviate from the traditional 'Qi Refining System.' Using the power of the 'Data Panel,' we'll recreate a [Shadow Spiritual Root Worm] that belongs to us!"

"Regardless of whether the technology is mature or not, it can be sold to new guinea pigs through the [Anti-Law]. Through their individual evolution, timely data feedback can be collected, and continuous iteration and optimization can be carried out to ultimately select the true [Shadow Spirit Root Worms]. As a [species] of the [Shadow System], what do you think?"

Yuan Zhu thought for a moment and felt it was quite interesting: "Sounds good, I already have an idea in mind! The [Data-Driven Spiritual Root Worm (Cultivation System/Client)] can be divided into three directions: A. Leaning towards the [Kunlun Immortal Sect]'s [Feathered Immortal]. B. More leaning towards the Knight Breathing Technique's [Ironclad Immortal]. C. Let the spiritual root worm parasitize the whole body, strengthening and linking with the [Power Pathway] to open up the [Strong Warrior].

Snake nodded: "Yes, yes, we can try it, since there's no cost. As long as we create the prototype of the [Spirit Root Worm], we can lend money to high-quality clients through [Anti-Law]. The debt of gratitude owed to [Great Wilderness. Immortal Loan] can never be repaid!"

"It seems that they are sacrificing themselves to perfect one possible 'data cultivation path' after another for us. But in reality, it is we who are contributing [Immortal Scripture Technology] to fulfill their 'cultivation dream'! They are sucking our blood, and it is they who become immortal. The return is nothing more than insignificant 'shared data' and [Anti-Law] loans."

Yuan Zhu nodded firmly: "Indeed, we've suffered a huge loss."

Snake added, "But, what can I do? You're kind-hearted, boss."

According to Snake's plan, in the future, users who sign the Anti-Law agreement will not contribute anything; they will simply sell themselves to conduct experiments and receive a large amount of Yuan Zhu's core technology in return, along with the potential to achieve immortality in one step. Could there be anything more profitable than this?

I've lost so much! I've lost so much that I've become the Dao Ancestor of the new 'Data Immortal Path'.

So Yuan Zhu immediately packed up and sealed all the Yuan Clan Insects he had carefully cultivated in the Shadow Space, waiting to be uploaded. Only 1/10 was left as seeds to continue receiving top-level care within the Shadow Domain.

After collecting the [Yuan's Insects], he went next door and began selecting native spirit insects that had become increasingly compatible with [Holy Cough Particles] after multiple iterations.

This time, instead of directly selecting adult insects, he collected a large number of eggs of the Holy Light Affinity Spirit Insects of the Coleoptera and Hemiptera orders, intending to bring them back to Running and hatch them slowly.

After collecting the two special spirit insects, [Shadow] and [Holy Light], he emptied his [Inner Universe] again and took in a new batch of [Changgui. Shadow Giant Insects], intending to bring them back to Running to do hard labor.

...

Considering the snake's idea of ​​an 'artificial underground polluted spiritual energy environment,' Yuan Zhu realized that obtaining pure 'Kunlun spiritual energy' in the mortal world was not difficult, but creating the 'corrupted spiritual energy' of the [Feathered World] was extremely difficult.

Even if the 'spiritual energy' in the underground world has been purified by the [Reverse Life Tree], it is definitely not the same as the Kunlun spiritual energy in the real world.

The environment of the [Feathered World] is terrible; the [spiritual energy] is a product of the fermentation of various pollutants (Knights, Kunlun). To successfully cultivate the polluted mulberry trees and spirit insects, he needs to recreate the original 'terrible environment'.

Then, he had a sudden inspiration and issued new orders to the combat personnel of [Pastoral Village].

Batches of combat teams trained by captains entered the dangerous 'Miasma Forbidden Zone', searching for and successfully excavating several clusters of relatively low-threat [Activated Roots]. Also found were clusters of decaying and corrupted 'Immortal Tree Root Junctures'.

Yuan Zhu once devoured and refined a powerful form of this pollutant. After being refined by the [Changgui Divine Power], it became a clump of 'tree roots' that continuously spread and plundered nutrients.

This item can be grafted onto 'Reverse-Growth Mulberry Seedlings' to provide the seedlings with a large amount of 'decaying spiritual energy nutrition'. It can also serve as an energy conduit for the [Shadow Domain] to set up arrays, reconstructing the polluted spiritual energy environment of [Pastoral Village].

Returning to Running with these [activated roots], according to Snake's idea, they could artificially create a 'polluted spiritual energy environment' for the [Feathered World].

These "activated roots" are an essential "foundation for environmental pollution." With these wildly spreading and polluting "activated roots," the ecological foundation of the "underground world" (the polluted roots of the Celestial Tree) can be simulated!
(End of this chapter)