New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 269 Exploring the Mountains
The tiger demon, through its shadow manipulation, relentlessly scrapes the ground in the mountains and forests, constantly drawing out all sorts of strange little animals and exotic plants from the soil, bushes, and streams.

Although no site for 'higher-level polluting life' or qualified to be a 'sacred place' has been found yet, it has still broadened its horizons. It feels more exciting than visiting a zoo, with 'miracles of life' everywhere it looks, leaving it only to marvel at the wonders of nature.

"However... I can understand the prevalence of frog-related pollution in these mountains, since Running is a blessed land of the Frog God. But what's with these frequent occurrences of sword-related and Buddhist pollution?"

After a thorough search, the Tiger Demon analyzed all the 'polluted animals' it had captured and stored the pollution information in the database of the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture]. Gradually, it compiled a [List of Polluted Energy in the Misty Mountains], which helped it analyze and understand the pollution composition of the Duling Planet.

Analysis of the [Immortal Scripture] clearly shows that the [Frog God] has the strongest influence in the mountainous region where Running is located. This may also be due to multiple factors, such as the relatively stable and friendly nature of 'frog-type pollution' and its low barrier to entry.

Beneath the [Frog-type], the most common sources of contamination are [Swordsmanship and Buddhism]. Other mainstream contamination forces do exist, but [Swordsmanship and Buddhism] are suppressed, remaining latent and unable to express themselves.

At this moment, the tiger demon slapped a wild boar with its claws, killing it. The boar had a 'metal core' embedded in its skull, which was gradually fusing with its flesh and brain tissue and 'metallizing' its skeletal structure.

Then, the tiger demon spewed out several sharp wind blades from its nostrils, skinning and deboning the six-legged wild boar. It first dug out the mechanism that exuded an 'alchemy aura' and discarded it; then it cleaned out the internal organs. Finally, it swallowed the heavily metal-contaminated alchemy pork chops and meat, eating them as dessert.

...

The current Tiger Demon is no longer the clueless newcomer she once was. Gradually integrating into the Spirit Planet, she no longer rejects, shuns, or guards against the omnipresent 'polluted energy'.

Viewing various forms of pollution from a local perspective, after adapting to local customs:
Where is there any 'pollution, distortion, depravity, or demonic possession'? They are all just various kinds of 'high-energy nutrients'.

However, some substances are suitable for one's constitution and are more easily absorbed, thus becoming nutrients. Others are unsuitable, exhibiting toxicity or side effects, and must be discarded.

Just because humans cannot digest and absorb oil and nuclear fuel, and cannot replenish their energy through charging, does that mean that oil, nuclear materials, and coal are worthless?

In Duling, the various "sources of pollution" can actually be seen as natural laws, energy systems, or miniature celestial laws. They coexist and influence each other, constituting this 'super-polluted world'.

Because pollution is everywhere, it is not considered pollution; instead, it is regarded as various 'new energy sources and nutrients'.

Given its current status as a 'high-energy pollution aggregate', the Tiger Demon is considered to be at the top of the food chain in the Misty Mountains. The 'polluted creatures' it plunders and captures are all lowly trash.

The 'polluted energy' they carry and nurture pose no threat to the Tiger Demon. In its eyes, there is nothing it cannot digest; it's just that some 'polluted life forms' evoke an instinctive aversion and disgust in the Tiger Demon (which is extremely unfavorable to 'shadow'), so it doesn't take them.

The remaining contaminated creatures, such as this wild boar deeply corrupted by 'alchemical pollution,' with excessive heavy metals and a gradually 'mechanized' brain structure, are, in human form, inedible and indigestible poisons to Yuan Zhu.

But in the tiger demon's eyes, it became a nutritious feast rich in 'mysterious trace heavy metal elements'. It would eat it and digest it using its [Universe Within]. The [Immortal Scripture] would obtain a data sample of the 'Alchemy Pollution Beast'; the tiger demon could attempt to absorb the unknown pollution; even if it couldn't digest it, it could excrete it as feces.

Alternatively, this 'alchemical contamination' could be donated to impoverished hybrid orc students through the 'Anti-Law' as an 'Educational Fund' to support their extraordinary dreams.

(The five orc brothers: "Big Brother, we follow the [Power Path], we're all muscle-bound! What do you mean by constantly forcing us to use 'garbage pollution' that we don't even need to raise the debt ceiling?")
After consuming the pork containing excessive heavy metals, the tiger demon discarded the internal organs, skin, and skeleton in the forest and continued its journey to find the 'Mountain King's Cave'.

However, as it became more familiar with its surroundings and gathered more and more information about the 'polluted creatures,' the Tiger Demon's enthusiasm waned. It moved slowly and lazily, beginning to appreciate the beautiful scenery deep within the Misty Mountains.

Nestled deep in the desolate mountains, the natural scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, truly evoking the feeling of a blessed land.

The tiger demon swayed its massive body as it began to climb yet another strange peak blocking its path, muttering to itself:

"Snake, you said that the number and variety of rodents and mushrooms in this forest are enormous, so why are 'Rat' and 'Mushroom,' who are also [Destiny Masters], so insignificant? I can't even detect any trace of their pollution. The remaining nine of the Twelve Destiny Masters are also so invisible. Spider, Fish, Moth, Sheep, Peach, Crow, Melon... where have they all gone?"

As Yuan Zhu's knowledge base grew and his understanding of extraordinary knowledge deepened, he belatedly realized that the [Twelve Fate Masters System] was quite interesting.

The twelve [Deities of Fate], unrelated to each other and from different [Pollution Systems], are forced to work together, forming a group to create a [large foundation] encompassing 'twelve sources of pollution'.

It was regarded as a supreme "rule of heaven" and installed in the underlying logic of "Duling Star," open to all intelligent life free of charge.

Among them, the Archangel King, Moth, from their own Sanctuary faction, also represents the position of Fate Master. Occupying the position of July, he is known as the Cocoon Moon and is in charge of the mystical concept of the Secret of Rebirth.

Regardless of their birth status or individual strength, the Twelve Fates are all regarded as 'free symbols of supernatural power' when they appear in esoteric concepts such as [year, month, Fate].

Ordinary people can use divination techniques, such as consulting the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, to calculate auspicious days and utilize the power of the "Destiny Master" to manipulate supernatural forces. This power can be used to arrange supernatural rituals, divine good and bad fortune, and predict weddings and funerals…

Unlike Earth, which lacks mystical powers and is embroiled in feudal superstitions.

In [DuLing], the Twelve Fates are truly effective. However, due to the extremely low barrier to entry and its completely free nature, much like [Thunder] which anyone can register for, the download speed is exceptionally slow.

For those with extraordinary abilities, the complex 'foundation system' of [Siming], which involves multiple [sources of pollution], requires an additional VIP membership to fully realize its value.

Among the many [Destiny Masters], the [Gourd] is also an acquaintance of Yuan Zhu. The source of the essential element of his [Beaker Power], 'Pumpkin Ashes', comes from the [Astral Pumpkin] of the outer universe.

Furthermore, behind the Fate-Bearing Peach lies the Immortal Fruit, the Peach of Immortality, which grows from the Mother Peach Tree, the root of all laws in the Kunlun Immortal Path. This can be regarded as the origin of the 'orthodox Immortal Path'.

However, in the Misty Mountains, the presence of the Fate Master is very weak.

Snake continuously sorts through the various 'highly toxic junk food' that [Tiger Demon] keeps swallowing, categorizing and classifying them into different 'tasks' and storing them in [Inner Universe] for later digestion and absorption.

Using the massive 'food sample' and the frantic knowledge-boosting of the past few months, Snake managed to deduce a conclusion from the smallest clues: "Boss, I think I've made a discovery? It can answer your question." Tiger Demon, who was just expressing his feelings without seeking an answer, was taken aback and asked curiously, "You can answer?"

“Of course! When we first entered the Little Red Realm and encountered the Buddha, Zhou Chu mentioned that the West Coast Federation, led by the Sigh, had launched several rounds of anti-Buddhist movements. In other words, in the past, the Buddhist system was one of the orthodox religions on the West Coast, but for some reason, it was suppressed and expelled.”

"Furthermore, the Sword Cultivation system appears to be a 'military cultivation system' recognized by the West Coast Federation, which must have a large number of official Sword Cultivators and a strong demand for cultivation resources. Therefore, I have reason to guess that the 'Buddha Face Pollution Traces' in this mountain range are remnants of the pollution from the once-prevalent Buddhist sects."

"Just like nuclear wastewater discharged into the ocean, even if the 'nuclear island' is completely shut down and no more wastewater is discharged, the pollution that was once discharged will not disappear. It will only be diluted and spread, causing permanent environmental pollution and leaving strange traces that are difficult to eradicate. As for 'sword dao pollution,' such a huge official army naturally needs a lot of training resources."

"This Misty Mountains are so vast and rich in resources. If we let the Sword Dao Pollution spread unchecked and allow it to contaminate each other, and then periodically go into the mountains to harvest it, these 'Sword Dao Polluted Lifeforms' will become naturally infinitely renewable resources for sword cultivators!"

After listening to Snake's analysis, Tiger Demon agreed, finding it very much in line with his values: "So, I can also spread and create my own [Shadow Pollution Resources] in the mountains?"

Upon hearing this, the snake immediately controlled the 'shadow bow tie (uniform)' hanging around the neck of the skull snake, transforming it into a black, simple line drawing of a small hand and a feather fan.

He then imitated Zhuge Liang again, laughing, "What's so difficult about that? Your Majesty doesn't even need to do it. Just when you're wandering around these mountains, if you can't hold it in and need to poop, then that excrement, brewed by you, this 'shadow pollution aggregate,' will be a deadly source of innate shadow pollution for the ordinary animals in this mountain range!"

"In your eyes, they are nothing more than indigestible, worthless garbage, excrement, and impurities... But ordinary creatures in the mountains that have been contaminated by this 'shadow pollution' and have miraculously survived will naturally transform, becoming eroded and twisted by the shadow pollution, just like other creatures contaminated with multiple types of pollution. They will embark on a path of distortion and become pre-cooked dishes of the 'shadow system'!"

"Thirty percent die because they are too weak to be nourished (their excrement is poisonous!), thirty percent become weak due to malignant distortion and aberration, and thirty percent, although they successfully mutate, do not evolve. In the end, there will always be one tenth who, contaminated by various pollutants, luckily find a new path, undergo benign mutation, and finally stand out, qualifying to become cannon fodder demons of the [Mountain Lord] and join your cave."

Tiger Demon: "..."

It sounds incredibly low-brow, but upon closer inspection, it makes perfect sense. A little pollution casually spread by the Tiger Demon is indeed a life-changing "imperial elixir" for the ordinary creatures of the local area!

In the Earth version of "Journey to the West," the White Dragon once said, "If I urinate across the water, the fish that eat it will turn into dragons. If I urinate across the mountain, the grass in the mountain will absorb the flavor and turn into lingzhi mushrooms, which the celestial servants will pick to gain longevity. How could I so easily waste it in this mortal world?"

Similarly, given the [Shadow Tiger Demon's] high-class image, being a low-budget white dragon is perfectly acceptable. Tigers are used to marking their territory by urinating, and they eat so much every day, so isn't it perfectly reasonable for them to urinate anywhere?

Snake: "You've become accustomed to the life of an ordinary person, completely oblivious to being a top-tier 'pollution source.' From the Security Bureau's perspective, the [Shadow Tiger Demon] is a walking 'forbidden pollution source.' You've already defeated 99% of the humans on [Duling Star], you should be banished to the [Spirit Realm] as a fugitive Shadow Demon God!"

Just as the Tiger Demon and the Tail were having a pleasant conversation, enjoying the emotional value provided by the snake, a faint cry for help came from the distant, mist-shrouded mountaintop: "Help... Help! Please come and save me..."

The voice was old and hoarse, weak and feeble, like a dying old man mustering all his strength for a final cry. It was quite moving.

But the problem is, how can those faint cries for help be so continuous? They never stop! What incredible stamina! Also, isn't the location you're calling for help a bit too high? What elderly person could climb such a high and treacherous mountain?

There were so many illogical things that it piqued the curiosity of the Tiger Demon, who decided to go up and take a look.

"Could this be a trap?" the snake asked warily.

Tiger Demon: "Is that even a question? It's obviously a trap! They're so careless, it's an insult to intelligence!"

Snake retorted, "Could it be that this level was deliberately set up? Under normal circumstances, people who venture deep into the Misty Mountains and reach this point have had their minds and reasones corrupted by the 'mist' to the point of being unable to think rationally. They are only worthy of this level of summons. Once attracted, they find it difficult to think seriously and are directly tricked into going up!"

Tiger Demon nodded: "That makes sense!"

Let alone ordinary people, even those ordinary ability users who are not good at the 'spirit and will' domain, and who are below the [seed] level, will be attracted by the cries for help when they come here.

"Your analysis makes me even more interested!"

Snake: "Your Majesty, please be careful!"

Having been in the mountains for so long, the Tiger Demon hadn't encountered a single 'polluted demon' that could threaten its safety. So, emboldened, it transformed into a writhing shadow and darted up the steep peak, rising swiftly like a moving shadow. Finally, it disappeared into the clouds shrouding the mountain.

The tiger demon followed the cries for help at high speed. The cries grew louder and clearer until it finally passed through a fog with extremely low visibility and saw a huge tree on a flat mountain ridge.

The cries for help came from the other side of the trees.

"Strange!" the snake muttered.

Leaving aside the Tiger Demon himself, even this skeletal snake, which has no brain and no bones, sensed that there was no 'high-energy reaction' on the tree.

The tiger demon cautiously approached, when suddenly, it caught a whiff of a sweet, numbing scent. But this 'dosage' was less potent than a bottle of Tiger Balm for it.

When he reached the other end of the tree, he saw only a withered, wooden old face embedded in the trunk, with two empty eyes and a mouth that slowly uttered a monotonous, human-like cry: "Help... Help me...!"

Pedestrians or curious animals attracted by the cries for help usually inhale these anesthetic gases, then die in a coma, and their bodies are then absorbed and digested by the tree as fertilizer.

After seeing the old man's face clearly, the Tiger Demon exclaimed, "Another product of Buddhist corruption?!"

(End of this chapter)