New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 107: Escape into [Cicada City]

Faced with the two children's suicidal requests, Yuan Zhu made a decision after a brief thought: of course it is to help others!
He had always been interested in the Qi-refining techniques of the underground world. This was the first time since crossing over that he had encountered a system that closely replicated the "cultivation philosophy" of his previous life on Earth. Barely one of them.

Although the entire process of cultivation relies heavily on [Tao seeds (insect eggs)] as the foundation, it is the most suitable method of cultivation in his mind.

No matter what other ones they are, [Huangtian, Buddhism, Kunlun, Sword Immortal], they seem to be covered with a layer of "Immortal and Buddha" skin, but their core is not as authentic as [Zerg Qi Refining Technique].

Breathing in and out; refining Qi in the Dantian; opening the twelve meridians; concentrating the acupuncture points of the Circulation; building a bridge between heaven and earth; Qi condensing into Dharma images; the true meaning of martial arts... What a high-level martial arts hero! Traditional cultivation of immortality!
There must be a time traveler who has published related high-level martial arts novels in Duling, and they have been widely circulated. The realm of cultivation has been deeply rooted in people's hearts and has deposited a valuable treasure in the subconscious of the human group.

Only then will it be spotted by the [source of pollution] and used as its own outer packaging.

Yuan Zhu boldly guessed that the source of this pollution was [Yuhuaxian (system)]!
...

Now, the brother and sister wanted to add the [Holy Cough] to the lungs as a cultivation variable, making a second magical modification to the [Qi Refining Technique]. He was also happy to see it succeed. This was a natural guinea pig, and it was also an opportunity for him to observe and explore the Qi Refining Technique.

Those who frequently consume pollution know that the [Pollution System] cannot be cultivated simultaneously (not including the [Three Phases]). However, each pollution system can try to devour and absorb a small amount of other pollution, allowing itself to gain characteristics and thus achieve growth and evolution.

For example, his own [Tiger Demon] absorbed the [Aura of the Yellow Springs] in the Xiaoxihong Realm, optimized and improved the [Ghost] magical power, and made the shadow ghost have the characteristics of "undead", making it more nefarious.

After absorbing a large amount of disease ashes, the [Holy Seal] also developed a [Holy Cough] with disease characteristics, and its resistance to disease pollution increased greatly.

Similarly, the underground world's already well-established [Zerg Qi Refining Technique] wouldn't be reverse-contaminated or purified by a mere [Holy Cough]. As long as the variables were properly controlled, the two siblings were fully capable of absorbing the [Holy Cough] and using it for their own benefit, developing a [Holy Cough Breathing Method] embodying the unique characteristics of the Yuan family's Holy Light.

And this is also what Yuan Zhu wants.

If the two of them can really come up with the [Insect-type Holy Cough Breathing Method], then I will also have an opportunity to use the [Holy Cough] to observe, spy on, and analyze the operation of the [Qi Refining Technique], or can I come up with the [Holy Light Version or Shadow Version] of the breathing method?
Holy Light wasn't a big deal; the Sanctuary had a complete cultivation system. Even adding [Qi Refining Elements] was just icing on the cake, a step towards a more personal style. But [Shadow Element] was different.

His [Shadow System] relies solely on his 'Deformed Spiritual Roots' to propel him forward. The Shadows inherit whatever abilities the [Boss Template] possesses. There's no cultivation method, no system at all. When the potential of his Deformed Spiritual Roots is fully redeemed, what will he do next?
Since the [Deformed Spiritual Root] originates from the Immortal Universe and possesses the potential for cultivation, why not also incorporate the [Qi Refining Technique], which also shares the same Xianxia style, and create a "Shadow Qi Refining" technique? This would allow the [Tiger Demon] to cultivate and become stronger.

What I, Yuan Zhu, am best at is stealing from the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture], copying cultivation data, and completing a 1:1 shadow replica! Perfect.

...

After thinking it through, he looked at the two siblings and nodded in agreement: "Okay! Since you are willing, I will teach you the [Holy Cough] seal. It will strengthen your body and purify your breath." Once the Holy Cough is swallowed into the lungs, your life will be in my own hands.

For these children who live in a high-concentration, complex pollution environment, using the [Holy Cough] to parasitize the lungs and expel other pollutants to purify their breathing is actually a merciful method and the best choice.

What's more, if one can refine and master the [Holy Cough], even the last bit of side effects will be gone.

The out-of-control horde of coughing goblins in the Garden of Disease was a classic example. He successfully reversed the Holy Cough into a disease. However, he was still more skilled, defeating them all and completing the refining of the [Ghosts].

"Who comes first?"

At this time, the younger brother Jun stepped forward and stood in front of the weak sister: "Me!"

Seeing that her sister was about to speak, Cicada spoke first: "Sis, your physical fitness is too poor, so I will try it first. When I summarize better breathing experience, you can try it again."

Although the younger brother Jun always behaved submissively and obeyed the younger sister's orders, he was very responsible after making a decision. He would not allow the younger sister to refuse and would make the decision first.

After thinking about it, he stopped trying to be stubborn and agreed to this approach.

Yuan Zhu, who watched the entire process, found the child to be a very mature and stable child (12 years old). Aside from being a bit timid, weak, malnourished, skinny, with protruding eyes, and prone to kneeling due to fear of death, she had all the advantages.

She's quick-witted, observant, discerning, and articulate. She's also very intelligent and decisive. According to her younger brother, she possesses a sophisticated "Chi-silk micromanipulation" technique, allowing her to raise insects 3% more efficiently than her peers. This allows her to conserve a significant amount of food to support her younger brother, Jun (8 years old), whose developmental abnormalities are evident.

Even the [Holy Cough Breathing Technique] was a sudden inspiration after she had briefly endured the Holy Light twice, and she dared to think, dare to act, and dare to risk her life. Yuan Zhu immediately realized that this was a talent and had the idea of training the little girl and fostering an indigenous spokesperson in the underground world.

Children, being young, are easily deceived and fooled, have low demands and are easier to satisfy and control. However, everything will have to wait until the [Holy Cough Breathing Technique] succeeds and they demonstrate their value in training.

...

Next, Yuan Zhu simply measured his brother Jun's physique and found that he was unexpectedly strong.

Excluding the extraordinary power brought by [True Qi], in terms of physical fitness, coordination, reaction speed, and physical strength alone, they are all superior to this 18-year-old big brother (in human form)?!
It gave him the illusion of randomly discovering a Xiang Yu or Li Yuanba in some corner of another world. Are all children from other worlds these days so incredibly developed? Or am I just a special case?
A [Holy Cough] hit his lungs. Didi Jun endured the pain, sat cross-legged on the floor, and began to meditate and breathe, re-condensing the 'Holy Cough True Qi' through breathing techniques.

The little girl also quickly snapped her fingers, shooting out the only remaining Qi thread in her body, hitting the curled-up tube worm on the roof, and inputting all her true Qi into it.

Then, the tube worm that looked like a tattered belt naturally hung down, and one end that was connected to the soil merged with the ubiquitous "roots of the fairy tree", extracting, refining, and filtering the polluted spiritual energy, and then released it through the other end, spewing the roughly processed "spiritual energy" above my brother Jun, who inhaled it.

Yuan Zhu: So this is the [breathing method]!

Using [Tube Worms], they simply filtered the "corrupted spiritual energy" left by the Immortal Realm Tree, breathing it into their lungs, and refining it into true qi. Although not belonging to the [Kunlun System (Spiritual Roots)], they relied heavily on the spiritual energy resources of the Kunlun Immortal Path, making them a different kind of "outer sect disciple."

Seeing his younger brother Jun practicing Qi-refining with such mastery, Yuan Zhu felt a little jealous. This was the cultivation he had in mind!

How can burning garbage and eating ashes (forging a seal) be considered cultivation? Cats sleeping (passive enhancement of shadows) is even weaker. While it's relaxing and comfortable, it's demonic and unseemly.

Yuan Zhu, curious, asked the younger sister, "What's so special about these [Tube Worms]? Since they can filter out the pollution from immortal roots, why doesn't [Insect City] deploy them in large quantities to purify the 'spiritual environment' of the underground world?" Looking at his younger brother with concern, Yuan Zhu replied obediently, "Because [Tube Worms] are inherently rare and precious, the technology for their production and cultivation lies with one of the nine great artisan families, the [True Qi Family]. The True Qi Family specializes in the decomposition and utilization of 'Immortal Tree Roots' to purify spiritual energy. Inheriting a cave dwelling from a former immortal sect and cracking the magic array technology, they are able to construct 'cultivation rooms' in the underground world, creating enclosed spaces that condense large quantities of pure spiritual energy to aid cultivation. Rumor has it that the True Qi Family also possesses 'Fragments of the Cave Heaven' from the past.' These [Tube Worms] are one of the key 'foundational instruments' for deploying arrays and purifying spiritual energy. [Insect City] doesn't have the ability to produce them, let alone distribute them in large quantities. This one in our family was secretly passed down from my parents' generation."

Yuan Zhu looked at the tube worm again. It was a tattered leather tube, resembling a rotten umbilical cord with a faint trace of life. He had never imagined that this tattered thing could actually be a 'living array cultivation device'?
Yuan Zhu looked at the little girl again: "Is your dream to join the Technician Alliance and learn [Alchemy]?"

He nodded. "Yes! Alchemists are the most sought-after profession in [Insect City], earning the most money. It also requires the most meticulous control and manipulation of Qi threads, and I have a small talent for this. My younger brother is also very talented. Although he is young, his martial arts attainments are outstanding. He learns everything very quickly. As long as he has sufficient resources to quickly cultivate the twelve meridians, he can reach the [Earth Realm]. Many adventure teams and hunting teams have invited him, and even the [Insect City] defense team is interested in recruiting him. However, my younger brother also has a dream and wants to join the [Iron Arsenal] or the [Armor Casting Division]."

The little sister took every opportunity to promote herself and her brother, giving all kinds of hints and showing off her talents, for fear that Yuan Zhu wouldn't understand.

As for the [Iron Warehouse] and [Armor Casting Department], they are the other two branches of the nine major technician families, related to [Weapon Refining] and [Armor Casting].

This [Technician Alliance] was originally a just organization of indigenous people who rebelled against the collusion between [Nisheng Xianzong] and [Insect City] to oppress the lower classes.

A large group of noble practitioners with ideals and ambitions, who mastered and deciphered the "Kunlun Immortal Cultivation Knowledge", stepped forward to share knowledge and technology with each other, breaking the monopoly of the top leaders, helping the emerging insect cultivators to continuously improve various systems, and ultimately overthrowing the rule of the [Immortal Sect], allowing a large number of [Insect Cities] to be completely independent and free.

But before long, an alliance possessing a vast amount of advanced "insect technology" formed a new technology oligopoly independent of the [Immortal Sect and Insect City], a third-party force. After decades of development and expansion, it split into nine "Technician Families."

Cooperate with [Insect City] through business, technology, trade, etc., and compete with the weaker [Nisheng Xianzong] to compete for the resources left by the earthly immortal sect. Develop insect-cultivation versions of formations, elixirs, refining equipment, etc.

There are numerous [Insect Cities], and they have a good relationship with both sides. Some choose to rely on the Immortal Sect, some are simply supported by the Alliance behind the scenes, and some large cities like [Cicada City] are independent and conduct business with both sides.

Yuan Zhu felt that for this mission, there was no need to contact the passively retreating [Nisheng Xianzong]. As long as he could reach a cooperation with [Insect City] or a certain [Technician Family], he could provide a steady supply of silk raw materials to [Mao Mao Wang].

Even the indigenous people could be asked to do the work! In the underground world, there are also insect cities like the Silkworm Clan, which are proficient in weaving and are all skilled workers.

Furthermore, Yuan Zhu determined that the local nobles and powerful individuals also possessed the purchasing power to purchase luxury children's clothing. Although the underground dwellers were known as 'insect cultivators,' they were still like humans and required clothing.

The underground world is so barren that, besides humans, only a myriad of strange insects remain. There are no birds, fish, or mammals... and there are no furs. Clothing is scarce, and fuel is also scarce. Therefore, brightly colored clothing, a variety of luxury goods, and rare items are highly sought after.

According to the story, [Chan City] isn't just one, but has expanded into two smaller satellite cities. The lowest-level aristocratic district is home to a large number of wealthy individuals and families. Of course, the local wealth and money are completely different from those in the Duling realm, with refined "cultivation materials, rare metals, and elixirs" serving as hard currency.

The more Yuan Zhu listened, the more excited he became. Isn't this more profitable?!
This damn place is incredibly poor. They can just casually bring in some 'food, luxury goods, clean water, medicine...' that the natives can't get access to from Duling, and then dump them at low prices, making a ton of money out of the difference!

Rather than promoting Maomao Wang's products and establishing a raw material cultivation area, Yuan Zhu found it easier, more efficient, and more efficient to simply become a "trader." This place was so poor and miserable, even selling lamps would make him a millionaire.

His entrepreneurial spirit was burning brightly.

...

After observing in the underground cave for another half an hour and confirming that his brother Jun's breathing rhythm was becoming more and more stable and no accidents or side effects had occurred, Yuan Zhu could no longer bear it and decisively ran away, deciding to personally enter [Cicada City] to find out what was going on.

He activated the [Tiger Demon] stance, concealed his own aura, released four eggplant-headed minions to explore the way ahead, asked Xiao Latiao to load the [Silent] command on them, prohibiting them from making any sound, and then began to explore the underground world.

With the guidance of the two siblings, Yuan Zhu no longer wandered around like a headless fly.

The reason why he hadn't come into contact with any living people before was because he was in the most dangerous area of the 'uppermost layer' of the underground world, and he was constantly looking for a way to get to the surface. Naturally, there were no living people, and even few insects.

In that transitional layer, the air was not only turbid but also mixed with miasma and poisonous gases, so even a casual "illumination technique" would trigger a riot. It was like lighting a cigarette in a closed space filled with gas, which was a suicidal act.

Now, he sank further, and with the help of the 'Eggplant Ghost' he released, he could gradually feel bits and pieces of scattered life breath.

These were the lowest class of residents in Chan City, living in the poorest 'Upper City'. They were scattered and 'diffused', with one family living in a small 'underground cave' at every certain distance.

The two siblings are one of these many "slums".

This arrangement was partly due to the desire to use the lower-level natives as "human air purifiers." By spreading them out, they could better breathe in and purify (filter) the corrupted spiritual energy escaping from the "higher levels," thus repelling the demonic insects.

The greater purpose is to serve as a human early warning device.

In the underground world, there exists a calamity called "Miasma." Once it erupts, no amount of lives can stop it. Furthermore, there are small demonized insect nests and attacks by giant demonized insects.

If every household of monks were arranged to live on the most dangerous front lines, no matter they became deformed due to excessive intake of miasma or were attacked by demonic insects, they could sound the alarm and escape in time, or be sensed by their neighbors and escape to report the situation.

Even if they are bitten or poisoned to death, the people who come to collect taxes regularly can discover it in time and report it to the [Insect City], which greatly increases safety!
After obtaining the crude map, Yuan Zhu quickly passed through the underground caves of each house, occasionally sending out the "Eggplant Head Ghost" to sneak into different "houses" to explore and observe.

In contrast, he discovered that the siblings' home was incredibly poor and miserable, their sole asset being the tube worm. While the other underground caverns were also barren, they were still quite well-equipped with tables, chairs, and bedding. Six or seven firefly sticks were stuck into the walls, and the house was filled with various wooden and insect-made furniture, even doors and locks. Despite this, their living standards remained very low, reminiscent of a backward, ancient village.

The further he descended, crossing layer after layer of tunnels, the more lively the underground world became, and the strength of the natives gradually increased. He sensed more than one 'Earth-level cultivator', whose strength and threat seemed to be no less than his own, who had the Six-Grade Saint Seal.
More and more "clean mushrooms, mosses, and fluorescent slime molds" grew on the walls and top floors around the tunnel, and the ecosystem began to become rich and colorful, emitting colorful lights and even artificially pieced together unfamiliar words.

The air was still murky, but the toxic pollution had dropped significantly, and the concentration of clean spiritual energy was beginning to rise. With long-term residence, the [breathing technique] could also be passively improved. The spiritual energy concentration here was nearly half that of a tubeworm eruption.

The city center is already bustling with activity. Doesn't the power level of [Chan City] seem quite high? It's significantly stronger than [Fuqie]'s [Xihong Temple]. Even the [Tiger Demon] can't take it by force.

(End of this chapter)