New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 277 Becoming a Mountain King, Returning to the Human World

After the foundation-laying ceremony of the [Mountain Lord's Domain] was completed, the Tiger Demon had nothing to do, so he decided to give up.

And with an appreciative eye, it re-examined the cave, now tainted by its 'Insect Pillar' magic array and petrified blood vessels'; the beautiful and mysterious patterns brought the tiger demon a sense of familiarity and relaxation, like 'returning to the womb'; and there was also a feeling of dominance that seemed to connect it to the 'mountain peak's' bloodline...

Even the lich remains suppressed in the center of the magic circle looked so pleasing to the eye, like a high-grade ingredient waiting for the tiger demon to taste, being processed.

Unfortunately, it only carries a limited number of Insect Pillars (within its "Inner Universe"). On this trip, it only stored 12 in its "Inner Universe" for unforeseen circumstances.

It's not that the Tiger Demon lacks the ability to carry more. Rather, the Insect Pillars and Shadow Demon Insects stockpiled within its [Inner Universe] will be counted towards the [Shadow Contamination] inherent in the Tiger Demon itself.

Once overloaded, the Tiger Demon will trigger the [Ascension Impulse], begin to be repelled by the Spirit Planet, and collapse towards the [Shadow Layer]. At this stage, once it collapses (ascends), it cannot return.

If the ascension direction is locked onto the [Spirit Realm], that would be better. It is said that the [Spirit Realm] is teeming with ability users, more prosperous, and home to many of Runing City's 'enterprises, institutions, Rain Academy, and Security Bureau', making it a certain probability to return via this route.

But if you fall into the "Shadow Layer," you'll be completely in the dark, as if you've been transported to another world.

Therefore, before setting out, the Tiger Demon meticulously calculated its 'safe load capacity'. Now that 8 of the 12 Insect Pillars have been used, the remaining 4 are of little use, so it simply gave up on the job.

We'll just wait until we've gathered enough for Phase 1, then come back and do something big!

...

After stopping his work, Tiger Demon didn't rush to leave.

It first checked the time; it was already 6:45 PM. In the depths of the Misty Mountains, perpetually shrouded in fog and overcast skies, night had fallen long ago. Outside the cave, the rhythmic chanting of the undead beasts had ceased at some point.

It guessed that the "Moment of Encounter with Demons" had probably ended, and those malevolent spirits had disappeared again.

To understand the true nature of this supernatural phenomenon, it is necessary to further expand the "Mountain Lord's Domain" until it covers the core area of ​​this landscape before one can intervene and explore it.

Judging from their bloodline, these 'animal spirits' do have the potential to become [Chang Gui], truly a blessed land for me!

The Tiger Demon arrived at the entrance of the cave, gazing at the pitch-black sky. From the darkness, the forest appeared lush yet deathly silent. Apart from the waterfall and stream, there was no chirping of insects or birds; the stillness created an eerie atmosphere, perfect for filming a supernatural horror movie.

At this moment, the tiger demon, who had been pacing back and forth at the entrance of the cave, switched back to human form and sat on the back of the dung beetle near the entrance, complaining, "This kind of 'yin-qi paradise' is wonderful in every way, with mountains and water and beautiful scenery, but it lacks vitality and feels a bit like the underworld! When I become the 'mountain god' here, my first task will be to relocate a group of animals to add some vitality and get the food chain running again!"

Snake, sensing his thoughtfulness, retorted, "You saw the water here and want to become a fisherman, right? But the environment here is too detrimental to living things. The pervasive death aura will continuously erode the animals' vitality, gradually turning them into zombies and undead... How do you plan to overcome this?"

Yuan Zhu held up two fingers: "We'll proceed in two steps! First, we'll mass-produce [Chang Gui] with 'animal' shapes to enrich the species and create a false sense of ecological prosperity, making the valley lively. In addition, mass-producing [Chang Gui] in the [Law Domain] will not consume the memory of the [Chang Gui Divine Power]. On the contrary, the more Chang Gui there are in the valley, the stronger the [Law Domain] will become."

If we consider the [Mountain Lord's Domain] as a tiger demon's private kingdom, a large enterprise, or an industrial park, then the [Chang Gui] are the Mountain Lord's employees, valuable human resources, and the Yin soldiers who will invade the [Yin Shi Huang Quan] in the future.

Only with the infusion of the [Changgui] soul can the [Mountain Lord's Domain] come alive and function better.

"The second step is to purposefully cultivate polluted creatures adapted to the [Dharma Domain] environment, taking advantage of the unique 'death pollution' in these mountains. For example, we can fine-tune the 'frog farming industry,' transforming the pure and unpolluted [experimental-grade frogs] into [Shadow Demon Frogs] suitable for survival in the [Frozen Pool]. With a large number of [Demon Frogs], we can feed higher-level predators; similarly, the frogs also need food, so we can hatch the 'insect eggs' brought out from the [Feathered World]."

"I'm not only going to introduce high-quality animals, but also transplant all the polluted mulberry and eggplant seedlings. And the polluted roots of the fairy tree, and those dormant shadow eggplant spirits, I'll transplant them all into this landscape and cultivate them into local inhabitants! I can even beat the frog factory to the punch and establish a 007 eggplant spirit sweatshop in this Yinshan and Cold Pool! Brilliant!"

The [Eggplant Spirit] takes root in the mountainous earth by parasitizing the [Shadow Eggplant], absorbing the pollution of shadows and swill as its sustenance, and thus labors to create production value. When the [Eggplant Spirit] dies from exhaustion, it directly uses local resources to increase the 'death energy infusion', instantly resurrecting as a [Dead Spirit] to continue its 007 overtime work.

The cycle of life and death, endless and boundless... It's just too ideal! It's truly a perfect "underworld industrial park".

He didn't dare to develop the "Disease Garden" on a large scale or engage in "Eggplant Spirit 007" back then because he knew in his heart that it was the "territory" of unknown evil forces. He could secretly poach some benefits, and if something went wrong, he could always run away.

Once you establish your 'business' (the 'Dharma Domain') within the 'Garden of Disease', not to mention the possibility of being overwhelmed by the powerful 'Disease Pollution', when the victims come knocking, you won't be able to run away, nor will you be able to escape the temple.

But this Underworld Domain in the Misty Mountains is completely different. It's unclaimed land, free from any threats, shrouded in mist, and boasts unprecedented natural resources and vast territory. Furthermore, the Frog Factory provides cover, allowing for perfectly legitimate travel to and from Running, and frequent clandestine incursions into the mountains.

This place is perfect for starting a business! My birthplace!
What does it mean for a dragon to return to the sea and a tiger to retreat to the mountains? This is it.

...

Just as Zhu Zi was feeling excited and considering which industry to start with to maximize the potential of the [Mountain Lord's Domain],

Suddenly, a distant 'deer cry' came from outside the mountain, signaling to its owner.

The newcomer was none other than the auspicious white deer that the tiger demon had left far behind.

At this moment, Bai Lu traveled through mountains and rivers, using his "flying sword" to split rocks and cut trees to clear a path, and finally broke into the outer area of ​​the "Yin Sha Land".

The deeper it ventures into the 'Deathly Aura Land,' closer to the 'Frosty Pool' area surrounded by mountains, the stronger the sense of death it feels—a feeling of intense rejection and hostility towards all life.

So the white deer stopped far away outside the mountains surrounding the Cold Pool, and in the empty valley, it let out a 'deer cry' that echoed through the mountains, calling for its newly adopted mate, Lao Da.

They were terrified that their master had provoked a formidable demon deep within the 'Evil Land,' potentially leading to not only a gruesome death but also implicating themselves.

On the other side, Yuan Zhu, who was sitting in the cave, constantly writing and drawing with paper and pen, designing and planning the landscape, contacted Bai Lu directly through the Anti-Law.

He then granted the other party access to the [Power of the Ghost (Shadow Death Aura)] through the [Blessing of the Anti-Law]. This gave the [White Deer] the ability to temporarily adapt to the 'Blessed Land' environment and breathe and utilize 'death aura'.

Whether it intends to delve deeper into this power and incorporate it into its own "pollution system" is another matter entirely.

The most typical example is 'Nie Yin'.

The Frog Girl remains highly wary of her employer, Yuan Zhu, channeling all power related to [Shadow Contamination] into her [Uniform] for indirect research and use. She herself avoids excessive contact with [Shadow Contamination]. Her goal is to one day, once she makes up her mind, immediately sever all ties with [Anti-Law]. From then on, she will never use a single trace of Yuan Zhu's [Shadow Power], and will instead earn 'wealth' through other means to repay her debt ([Anti-Law Favor Loan]).

However, it's clear that neither the five orc brothers nor the wild white deer possessed this level of vigilance, nor the ability to contend with the [Anti-Law Dominator]. (Too low in education, or lacking in advanced intelligence.)
...

When Yuan Zhu saw the White Deer, the deer had already swum across the cold pool and was excitedly bouncing around in this 'polluted and dangerous place' that had turned from fear to familiarity, and then skipping along the stone steps all the way to the entrance of the cave.

Upon sensing the 'Shadow Magic Array' of [Nine Palaces-1], the white deer cried out joyfully in succession. In contrast, the two fawn heads on its neck were listless, drooping and dispirited.

Yuan Zhu conducted a thorough inspection of the mount using the [Anti-Law + Immortal Scripture] and confirmed that it posed no major problem to the 'Infant + Deer-Head Sword'.

Whether as independent 'polluted life forms' or 'living sword embryos' of 'sword-type pollution', they are not suited to the environment of 'Yin Sha Land'.

Under normal circumstances, one should fly away from the [White Deer] and choose to run away. Otherwise, staying here for a long time will gradually erode one's vitality, leading to a slow death.

But the turning point lies with [Bai Lu].

This 'parasitic mother + foster father' has obtained the right to settle in the mountains, and can absorb 'shadow death energy' through the [Anti-law Blessing].

Strictly speaking, Tiger Demon's [Shadow System] and Yuan Zhu's [Anti-Law. Shadow] are two independent systems. However, both are anchored to Tiger Demon (the root of shadow), resulting in a great deal of overlap and thus a close relationship.

Yuan Zhu's granting of the White Deer the ability to breathe 'Shadow Death Qi' through the [Anti-Law] was essentially a way of undermining the [Tiger Demon] and forcibly creating a backdoor loophole in the [Mountain Lord's Domain].

All of this was under the control and surveillance of the "Tiger Demon," who chose to ignore and let it run rampant. He was playing the long game, hoping to catch a bigger fish.

It's like wanting to develop the economy in a poor country that's in dire need of rebuilding, but lacking strong capabilities, so you can only let some 'outsiders' take advantage of loopholes, which in turn accelerates economic development.

The white deer, which suddenly adapted to the environment of the Yin Sha Land, had long been accustomed to being cut and tortured by the 'Deer Head Sword' and had been providing them with nourishment for a long time, feeding them with its own flesh and blood.

Therefore, you only need to maintain this state for a period of time. The [Deer-Headed Sword x2] can adapt to the environment with the help of the 'nanny host', and breathe in and out the 'shadow death aura' with the nanny, gradually becoming an elite monster and familiar under the rule of the [Tiger Demon].

...

Yuan Zhu then reached out and stroked the white deer's soft-furred head: "Very good. From today onwards, you will be stationed here. There are no animals in these mountains, so you are safe and can graze to your heart's content. When you want to eat meat, leave this [Yin Sha Land] to hunt outside. When you rest, return to this cave and use the 'magic array' to accelerate your cultivation."

"Yo!"

With a "brain-egg CPU" stuck in its head, the white deer, who had been forcibly enlightened, responded happily.

It understood that this cave was of a much higher level than its previous lair.

Although the 'shadowy deathly aura' here makes it feel awkward and uncomfortable in every way, it is not insurmountable. If it stays here for a long time, it can even gain benefits far exceeding those of its previous 'nest (Sword Peak Mountain)'.

Unfortunately, its new home lacks the [Sword-type Contamination], which offers no benefit to its passive growth and evolution. A second mutation is the only option...

However, from another perspective, it is not a proper sword cultivator. It is merely a half-wild sword box that was modified and forced to 'sacrifice to the sword (young deer)'. It doesn't even have a [cultivation technique], let alone a pollution system, and there is no future for it to follow the 'sword path'.

Now that I have become a disciple of a master, I am fully qualified to use the power of the Anti-Law to switch to cultivating the 'Path of Shadow'.

Snake: "In my opinion, this white deer has two choices for its [Path of Counter-Law]: The first is to follow Lü Rang's example and grant it a complete sword cultivation technique to become the [Counter-Law Shadow Sword Immortal]! The second path is to completely abandon this incongruous 'passive sword path' and switch to other [shadow paths], but it must get rid of those 'parasitic sword embryos' as soon as possible."

The fact that Bai Lu is a wild swordsman is largely due to the pair of 'Deer-Head Swords'.

By torturing its host, they conveniently aligned with the sword cultivator's foundational practice of self-destruction, stabilizing the white deer's rationality and preventing it from spiraling out of control. Instead, it inadvertently gained the ability to control the 'flying sword.' At the same time, it significantly and passively enhanced the white deer's 'sword dao' cultivation.

If Yuan Zhu hadn't intervened and had been allowed to continue growing, the white deer would have become an animal swordsman without any 'cultivation techniques' or the ability to systematically construct a 'sword dao system,' but capable of freely wielding a pair of 'natal swords.' Furthermore, as it grew stronger, its intelligence was forcibly developed, making it smarter.

Its breakthrough from the [species] must be achieved by using the pair of [natal flying swords] that were transformed from 'young deer' into itself.

The sign that a sword cultivator breaks through to the [Seed] level is that they condense their [Sword Heart] and forge it into their chosen [Natal Flying Sword].

The white deer clearly does not possess a 'sword heart'. However, the [Deer-Head Sword] is a living being, possessing its own soul (sword spirit), and is bound to the same fate. It can also cultivate an alternative 'natal flying sword' through [symbiotic fusion], reaching the realm of [Sword Immortal].

At that time, the white deer will be the "living sword box," and the young deer will be the "living flying sword." This perfectly conforms to the standards of "non-sword" and "life sword" in swordsmanship.

Yuan Zhu thought for a moment and replied, "I choose the second option! It's good to remove the 'Parasitic Flying Sword,' as it's an eyesore for the 'Deer-Head Sword,' significantly lowering the [White Deer's] appearance. Moreover, the fur color doesn't match, making it look like a Frankenstein's monster. Taking it out would be too low-class and would be a loss of face for me!"

For reasons of aesthetics, style, and pretentiousness alone, Yuan Zhu decided to cut off Bai Lu's path to becoming a sword immortal! Even if she followed this path well, she would only be a 'living sword box,' with no future.

He no longer has the energy to start another branch of research called "Sword Immortal".

It possesses [Holy Light, Anti-Law, and Shadow]. [Anti-Law + Shadow] can further open up numerous pathways such as [Frog-type, Insect-type, Knight-type, Plant-type (Kunlun True Immortal/Random Immortal)...]. This not only enriches the database of [Immortal Scriptures] but also perfects the framework of the [Shadow System], tailoring a pollution system that suits the [Spiritual Spirit's characteristics] for the Tiger Demon.

...

After instructing Bai Lu to guard the Yinshan Cave in his place, Yuan Zhu was still not satisfied. So he switched to his tiger demon form and spat out eight 'Changgui.Shadow Demon Insects' from his 'Universe Within the Belly'.

Each one was then bound to its corresponding [Insect Pillar]. It's like a fully automated, intelligent new energy vehicle signing a magical contract with a charging station.

Next, the Tiger Demon appointed eight Shadow Insects, which had little intelligence, as Mountain Patrolmen. Within the maximum WiFi signal range of the Insect Pillar, they were to patrol the Yin Mountain and kill any intruders.

Only then did he show a satisfied expression and decide to go home.

(End of this chapter)