New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 102 Brothers and sisters?

"Are we lost?"

Trapped in a dark underground maze, with turbid and toxic air, and sensory signals severely blocked... Yuan Zhu was like a headless fly, wandering around aimlessly for two hours, but still couldn't find a way out to the surface.

At first, he pretended to be human and explored the area, hoping to stumble upon his lost companions. After 40 minutes of searching without success, he grew increasingly irritable, and finally gave up completely, switching to Tiger Devil form and running wildly, manipulating the shadows like tentacles spreading across the ground, spreading and exploring the area.

The more I searched, the more headache I got.

Instead of finding an upward exit, he constantly encountered crooked forks in the road, numerous downward slopes, paths only suitable for one person, dead ends, ventilation holes the size of thieves' holes, dark and deep dog holes, densely packed rat holes, and even tinier insect holes...

The entire underground space was incredibly complex, beyond imagination. A twisting, winding, multi-layered structure, devoid of any markings, and permeated by the ubiquitous "roots of pollution," emitting a force field that shielded against infection, polluted the mind, and distorted one's sense of direction. The feeling of oppression was overwhelming.

The more he walked underground, the more anxious and irritable he became, almost to the point of developing claustrophobia.

"What the hell! Another dead end?"

After discovering that the passage in front of him was getting narrower and narrower and that the huge tiger body was stuck and unable to pass through, the tiger demon instantly became furious and used one claw to smash the cave wall, causing it to collapse and break.

A large number of capillary roots buried deep in the soil were cut off, and a purple-red, highly toxic and polluting smell immediately wafted out.

“Fuck fuck fuck!!!”

Faced with the sudden eruption of corrupt spiritual energy, the Tiger Demon's face changed slightly, and he instantly turned into a ball of shadow and shot backwards a hundred meters away. Then he turned around and ran, escaping into the darkness without looking back.

At first, it stubbornly tried to resist the "corrupt spiritual energy" and wanted to see if it could digest and absorb it with its [Universe in the Stomach]. However, after trying a few times, it could not bear it anymore and exhaled it all out of its body.

He discovered that the "roots of pollution" in this underground space were not only extremely toxic, corrosive and poisonous to all living things, but also possessed a kind of decaying activity, similar to the centipede's death but not its stiffness. This was a complex compound of multiple pollutants, making it extremely toxic.

Once ingested in excess, not only will it be impossible to digest, but it will also continuously weaken the health bar. Furthermore, the pollution contained in these polluted roots can condense into a group, and regenerate under the influence of the underground root network.

This "revival" is not a resurrection, but an outburst of decaying vitality, trying to corrupt and transform the tiger demon's body, and the "spiritual energy" pollution breeds "tiny roots" that parasitize inside, accelerating the decay and fermentation of flesh and blood tissue.

It's simply a life-killer!
Even if the tiger demons try to destroy this pollution, they will resonate with the root network in the underground environment. Using a technology similar to "wireless charging", they can replenish the pollution out of thin air and fight the tiger demons with greater strength.

In desperation, they can only spit out the pollutants and retreat.

Xiao Latiao then said, "Boss, calm down! I'll play some light music to soothe you. Your mental fluctuations are very abnormal right now. You're under the influence of the 'Corrupted Spiritual Root Network.' This underground space is shrouded in a vast magnetic field of polluted roots, constantly interfering with and distorting your soul. I suggest switching back to [Holy Light] mode to cool your soul. Holy Light has very high mental resistance, so as long as you don't release it, it'll be fine."

The Tiger Demon heeded the advice and switched back to human form, starting to cool his brain, his irritability subsided considerably. But upon seeing the pitch-black, endless tunnel, his inexplicable anger and depression surged again.

He didn't mind the dirt, so he leaned against the cave wall, took out a bottle of water from his backpack and started drinking. "Damn it, when will this end? I've been wandering around underground like a mouse for two hours. This place is so barren, except for slime molds, small mushrooms, and reptiles. There's not even a mouse to be seen."

"Don't worry, boss. I've created a 3D map of the path you've taken. I'll never go the wrong way or backtrack. Your inability to find your way out isn't due to getting lost. It's simply because the underground tunnel system is vast and complex, coupled with interference from the root network. Based on the data I've collected and analyzed, the scale of the 'underground world' is unprecedentedly vast! We're probably on a 'country road' between cities, which is why we haven't run into anyone yet."

Yuan Zhu: "Country road?"

"Yes, the main tunnel is very spacious. We've walked for at least ten miles and still can't see the end. And every so often, there are forks in the road, and the downward passage splits into more paths... This means this isn't a secret underground passage from A to B at all, but more like a complex underground kingdom. If this is a provincial-level underground world, then do we want to be left on a rural road in the wilderness, searching for a city on foot?"

Yuan Zhu once again surveyed the confined underground space, the shimmering moss at his feet. "If it's a country road, there will always be rural areas along the way, right?"

"This is a barren underground world, what's the point of a rural village... Hey hey hey?" Little Latiao was suddenly stunned and said in surprise, "I think I found traces of humans!"

Yuan Zhu: "Where?"

"It's a branch path leading downwards. The rats I released smelled a strange, pungent odor, which I analyzed as insect repellent powder. They also discovered numerous footprints and signs of life."

Yuan Zhu was shocked: "Quick! Show me the way."

"Okay, go back 50 meters first. There's a small hole sloping downwards. Slide in and then move forward..."

Under the guidance of Xiao Latiao, Yuan Zhu went through a small cave in many twists and turns, pushed open the baffle covered with mud, and then the space in front suddenly became clear, entering an underground space that gradually became wider. The air was still earthy and turbid, and mixed with a strange smell of food.

someone!

He stepped lightly, his entire body wrapped in a shadowy uniform, entering stealth mode, minimizing his presence and advancing slowly. Not long after, he heard the faint sound of a conversation, seemingly between a man and a woman, both with young voices.

It was a strange language he had never heard before, yet he naturally understood the content of the words.

Female voice: "I'm full. I can't eat any more of this. I'm giving it all to you."

"But……"

"Stop talking nonsense and eat quickly. I'm at home and don't need to go out, so it doesn't matter whether I eat more or less. You're different. Not only do you have to herd, you also have to serve and practice. The full moon is coming soon. If you don't eat enough, how will you go to the surface to worship the moon? I heard that two months ago, four people died. You must be careful this time."

The man hesitated and said, "Don't worry, I have the best ears. I'll hide when I see danger. You still need to stimulate the spiritual sand, which consumes a lot of energy. Save it for later. I can eat enough outside, and I can also dig mushrooms and spiritual roots. In the Nisheng Garden, there are still brittle mantises that have not been demonized..."

A female voice screamed, "Are you going to die?! I told you not to eat those demonic insects! You'll be contaminated by the iron poison and get the puppet disease. Don't you want to live anymore? If your body is broken, how can you cultivate Qi, raise insects, and become stronger?!"

"Don't worry, I'm perfectly healthy! Look how strong I am! I'm the strongest of them all. The captain says I have talent. I'm sure I'll be able to join the Iron Army or the Armor Forging Division in the future."

Yuan Zhu was confused, but he also grasped some information.

Not only do people live here, but there's also a stable social structure, with both military service and spiritual practice, and the organizational structure is quite complex. Furthermore, these two people know how to raise insects! Great! [Mao Mao Wang] is saved.

"grumble--!"

Just as he approached quietly, the chirping of crickets suddenly rang out from a fist-sized wooden cage in the corner.

"Someone?"

"who!"

Yuan Zhu suddenly leaped up and rushed into the underground cavern, finding it utterly dark. The only light source was two wooden sticks stuck in the wall, flickering and fading. Fortunately, he had adjusted to the brightness underground. Without time to scrutinize, he spotted two figures, one large and one small, sitting opposite each other in the darkness. He rushed directly towards the larger figure, raised his hand, and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. With a smooth, flowing grip, he was about to subdue him.

Unexpectedly, the moment his palm touched the opponent, this figure flexibly twisted his neck to avoid the grab, then quickly kicked back and rolled, dodged flexibly, and quickly jumped up.

Yuan Zhu was too lazy to fight, and the shadow under his feet flew like a snake, instantly wrapping around the other person's feet and spreading upwards along his legs.

boom!
An unfamiliar energy burst out from the opponent's body, directly shattering his shadow. At the same time, he exerted force on his feet and pounced on Yuan Zhu, striking with his knees and sweeping his elbows at the same time, quickly and fiercely.

Yuan Zhu, who inherited extensive underground combat experience, dodged sideways and blocked with his right hand. As his arm collided with the elbow, he felt a powerful impact penetrate his uniform and strike his arm. It was a force like a drill, causing his arm to numb and ache.

Before he could continue, the figure's movements instantly accelerated by 4%, and he attacked again, skillfully breaking through his defensive stance and delivering a quick jab to his diaphragm, trying to disrupt his breathing rhythm.

The strange force penetrated the uniform again, but was blocked by the [Holy Light Force Field] that flashed across the chest.

Snapped!
Before the opponent could retract his fist, countless shadow tentacles shot out from Yuan Zhu's body, enveloping the opponent completely. He exerted all his strength to subdue the opponent, and countless shadows darted back and forth like snakes, twisting and entwining the sturdy figure, who was slightly shorter than himself, into a mummy in the blink of an eye.

The short shadow was so frightened that it dared not move. It huddled up quietly and cried out in a little girl's voice: "Sir, please spare my life! Please spare my life! Let my brother go. I'm willing to give everything! Please don't hurt him!"

The figure that was tangled into a thread struggled violently, and an inexplicable breath kept emitting from its body, causing the shadow bandage to continuously produce sharp black thorns, which then quickly rebounded and shrank.

Struggling in vain, he roared angrily, "Sister!"

In the darkness, Yuan Zhu's tall shadow stood there, watching one person holding his head and begging for mercy, while another struggled frantically and shouted unwillingly. He felt extremely embarrassed. It was as if he was some kind of villain who broke into the house and stole money and food.

"Ahem, be quiet! I'm not a bad person, I mean no harm."

After he finished speaking, the two shadows in the cave suddenly froze. He also realized belatedly that the other party seemed to not understand what he said.

Yuan Zhu had realized from the moment he listened that the other party was speaking an unfamiliar language. However, Happy Home had given its employees the "Language Proficiency" buff, allowing them to understand the meaning of the words regardless of the language. But the other party...

"Brother, shut up! Sir, we are obedient and will listen to you!"

The short figure understood Yuan Zhu's words and very cooperatively placed his hands on the table, striking a gesture of submission and innocence. And with a single rebuke, the angry and struggling figure calmed down. He seemed quite aggrieved, and dared not retort.

Yuan Zhu asked curiously, "Can you understand what I'm saying?"

The dwarf immediately lowered his head and replied, "Yes! Yes! No, no, no, I can't. I don't understand your language, but I can understand what you mean."

? !
Yuan Zhu was amazed at the little man's reaction and expressive ability.

From the moment he suddenly attacked, to the quick exchange and control of his 'little brother', the dwarf did not scream in panic. Instead, he decisively begged for mercy and surrendered at the speed of light without any resistance, even answering questions without hesitation.

"Have you ever encountered this situation before?"

The dwarf immediately understood and denied it, "No!"

"Aren't you surprised?"

"surprise!"

Her answer was so straightforward that this time Yuan Zhu was speechless: "..."

Glancing at the cramped and crowded surroundings, he decisively abandoned the idea of releasing holy light. Fearing the two natives would be poisoned, he looked up at the source of light. It was two fireflies, about the size of steamed buns, stuck on a wooden stick, their buttocks flickering and emitting a pale yellow glow.

This thing probably couldn't increase the brightness, so he warned: "Don't move!"

"Okay! I will be a good boy and not move, and will fully cooperate with you, sir."

Yuan Zhu: “…”

He was so damn obedient, which made him even more uncomfortable. After searching for a long time, he took out a candle and lit it with a match, and then he could see everything in the "room" clearly.

On the ground, there was a dirt platform, covered with two weed mats, barely enough to be considered a bed. In the corners of the platform, there were two tattered straw cages, each containing more than a dozen beetles with metallic shells, nibbling at the tender leaves. Their pollution properties were high, even more exaggerated than the deformed white mice he had purchased from [Rain Courtyard], yet they were remarkably docile.

In front of the platform stood a table made of rotten planks. The short figure, with his hands draped over it, knelt prostrate in worship, afraid to move. He was wearing a ragged, small-sized, tattered cloth shirt, and from behind he resembled the slender build of a first or second grader.

Another boy, entangled in the shadows and no longer struggling, had a stubborn, childish expression, his eyes filled with anger and unwillingness. He had a very respectable appearance, thick eyebrows and large eyes, and stared fiercely at Yuan Zhu. He was also a little thin, but with a large frame, giving him a strong and sturdy appearance, looking about fourteen or fifteen years old.

After seeing the candle, the other party's eyes were briefly confused. When he saw Yuan Zhu in a dark uniform, he was shocked, angry, and confused...

In short, Yuan Zhu read anger, hatred, confusion, surprise, and puzzlement in his eyes... It was as if an earthling suddenly saw an alien coming to his backyard to steal cabbage, and his three views were greatly shocked.

Ignoring the intensely colored boy's hateful gaze, he continued to survey the underground space. It was shabby and shabby; two people couldn't even fit a single quilt. Two large fireflies were stuck on the wall, their bodies absorbing nutrients from the branch to sustain themselves. It was incomprehensible.

The limited utensils in the room all had insect-themed elements. There were cups made from shells, jugs made from large beetles, and some blades sharpened from shells. Even the wooden tray on the desk was filled with dried insects, presumably the food the two had been passing around.

Broken! Poverty! Misery! It felt like I had strayed into an impoverished mountainous area.

"You, raise your head."

The little man trembled slightly, but did not rush to look up. He asked, "Can I?"

His attitude was so good that Yuan Zhu had to soften his tone: "Okay. I told you, I'm not a bad person."

The little girl raised her head and it turned out to be a little girl. Her features were pretty, but due to long-term hunger and malnutrition, her cheeks were thin and her eyes were big and protruding. She looked a little scary, like Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings".

The other woman glanced at Yuan Zhu warily, then quickly lowered her head. Seeing the candle on the table, she was also stunned. But she quickly recovered and secretly looked at Yuan Zhu's clothes again. Then she caught a glimpse of the "arthropod rat" being controlled by Xiao La Tiao. She showed a ghostly expression similar to her brother's, and she was so scared that she pulled her hand back to her chest.

The little girl quickly realized what was happening and said respectfully, "Where are you from, sir? What do you need? I will tell you everything I know. I am also willing to give you all my wealth..."

(End of this chapter)