New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 115: Mission and Entrepreneurship

After a conversation with the newly recruited employee, Yuan Zhu realized that lacking local knowledge, it would be difficult for him to disguise himself as a master of the Immortal Sect. But then he thought, there was no need to pretend.

The purpose of this mission is to help [Maomao Wang] expand the market; by the way, to establish a small startup company of his own in this world.

And at this moment, he has achieved it perfectly!

The cultivator who had "taken over" to him was the most powerful figure in Chan City, second only to the city lord. He was powerful enough to hold the same status as a sect's "Red Stick" (a kind of offering sacrifice), and commanded a group of elite warriors to maintain law and order. Within Chan City's central district, he had his own tax district.

With this close minister, he has become a hidden small shareholder of Chancheng.

He could use [Shadow Dream Hole] as bait, let the other party serve as the link between him and [Chan City], become his spokesperson in the bubble world, and set up a shell company in the name of the other party.

In addition, there was the shop owner who was under his control. He directly transformed himself into an agent and then recruited a group of cheap grassroots people, and the insect breeding company was established.

...

There was no conflict or contradiction between him and [Chancheng]. With a middleman as a lubricant, as long as he could understand Chancheng's needs, he could conduct a normal transaction.

Yuan Zhu had long since learned that each insect city wasn't completely self-sufficient. The underground world was too barren, and each city had a few unique core products. Trade took place between the cities, each taking what they needed.

In addition, they will accumulate cultivation materials by exploiting the lower classes, trade with the Immortal Sect and the Technician Alliance, and exchange large quantities of elixirs, magic arrays, high-end food, luxury goods...what is needed to maintain their rule.

Therefore, he was 90% confident he could establish a trade partnership with Chancheng. He could bring in cheaper, higher-quality food, water, clothing, and medicine; all he wanted was insect farming, which was the other party's specialty. It was a win-win situation.

After figuring this out, Yuan Zhu completely relaxed: "I understand what you want. To be honest, this [Dream Hole] can be given to you for use. My goal is also simple, to establish a trade cooperation with [Chan City]. I don't even need to cooperate with Chan City, I just need to cooperate with you."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Fan quickly said with a look of loyalty, "I have already surrendered to the Immortal Master. Everything I have belongs to you. You are at my command."

Yuan Zhu waved his hand. He didn't want to rely on backward people. He wanted to take the capital route that stimulated subjective initiative. "That's not necessary. Do you know my background?"

Zuo Fan hesitated for a moment. Since Yuan Zhu stopped acting, he changed his approach and continued to cooperate. He asked bluntly, "Are you from the [Nightmare World]?"

"Wrong! It's not the Nightmare Dimension, but the Outer World. I came from another world. Have you ever heard of the Outer World?"

Zuo Fan nodded, "Of course. Our world is so devastated because a [Death Legion] from outer space broke through the boundary and descended, launching a conquest against the Immortal Sect. They eventually cut down the Immortal Realm Tree, tore apart the sky, and triggered a great destruction. Also, it is said that more than 80 years ago, a group of outsiders descended on other insect cities, causing considerable unrest. years later, I didn't expect another celestial being to descend. It seems that [Shattered Void] does exist!"

At the end of his speech, Zuo Fan became extremely excited, with light in his eyes, as if he had found a new direction for his struggle.

Yuan Zhu guessed that the second group of descenders should be the gods who sold information to the captain: "Broken void? You want to leave this world?"

"Who wouldn't want to escape this apocalyptic world? Today, the underground world seems to be revitalized, martial arts flourish, and Qi cultivation is experiencing a new golden age. But all of this is based on refining the 'roots of the Immortal Realm Tree.' There are more and more cultivators, and Heavenly Rank experts have emerged in large numbers over the past 30 years, but no one has yet been able to break through the void and ascend to the legendary Immortal Realm. Only as a last resort, do they venture into the endless nightmare in search of a glimmer of hope."

"There are more and more powerful people, but they can't find a way forward. The demand for cultivation resources is becoming increasingly huge, and they are intensifying and more harshly oppressing the lower classes, hoarding resources to maintain their rule. They are monopolizing the channels for advancement and denying us any chance to rise. The total amount of immortal tree roots is limited and non-renewable, and they have been rotting and deteriorating for hundreds of years... The demonic disasters on the surface and underground are also becoming more severe. If I have the chance, I will definitely escape this prison!"

Yuan Zhu asked again: "Then becoming stronger or leaving, which one do you choose?"

"Of course I will become stronger first and then leave! As long as the Immortal gives me a chance, I will work hard, live up to your expectations, and prove my own value! I am worthy of your trust." Zuo Fan promised solemnly.

Even a fool knows the other party won't let you escape in vain. And even if you do ascend, you'll still be unfamiliar with the upper realm and will need to rely on the other party's network of connections. So, of course, you have to become stronger. Only with strength can you be valuable. Whether you're being used or facing the unknown world after ascending, you must have sufficient strength.

Yuan Zhu said with satisfaction: "It seems that you have figured it out. Work hard. This is a great opportunity for you."

Zuo Fan nodded, quickly slipping into the role of employee. This was his job in Chan City, so the switch felt effortless. "Understood! I wonder what the Immortal's purpose is in Chan City? How should I proceed?"

"My goal is simple: to establish good relations with Chan City and hire a group of people to raise insects for me. Then, I'll sell some high-end luxury goods to the upper echelons of your Lower City. Once I've gained a better understanding of Insect City's needs, I can consider engaging in subsequent large-scale trade. I can provide food, water, medicine, clothing...all of which I can provide."

Zuo Fan was a little unconvinced. This was too simple. "That's it? Lord, don't you have a bigger, deeper hidden purpose? For example, completely controlling a [Cicada City], secretly infiltrating and usurping the foundation of the 'Nisheng Xianzong', refining the [Nisheng Tree] to restore the path of Earthly Immortals, plundering the 'core technology' of the Technician Alliance, or robbing the underground ruins of the old Immortal Sect and refining the 'fragments of the former Earthly Immortal Blessed Land'...?"

Seeing his new master being too cautious and prudent, Zuo Fan had no choice but to step forward and point out a way forward for his new boss. "You need to set a few big goals to give employees like me the motivation to strive for success."

Yuan Zhu praised him. "Well said. I do have a small short-term goal: to establish my own small power. But having lived on the surface for years, I'm not familiar with underground construction, which is why I went to the Lower City to observe and learn, and then you discovered me. So, what preparations would I need to build a 'worm city'?" Hearing his boss's idea of building a city, Zuo Fan was immediately pleased. This was the lord he wanted to serve. If his strength didn't allow it, he would have long wanted to leave and go it alone.

He was quite knowledgeable about this aspect. "[Cicada City] is considered a large city in the underground world. Currently, within a radius of 100 miles, there are three subsidiary insect cities: [Ming City, Ban City, and Chen City]. To build a city underground, at least four conditions must be met: [Dream Hole, Magic Array, Spirit Root, and Ancestral Dao Seed]."

Yuan Zhu became interested: "Tell me about it."

"[Dream Holes] correspond to the weakest points in the underground world. Some underground cavities naturally contain [Dream Hole Fissures], which allow Earth-level cultivators to open the bridge between heaven and earth, cultivate the innate Qi, and achieve innateness. The earliest batch of Heaven-level cultivators were created through the original Dream Holes. Since then, more Heaven-level cultivators have actively sought out weak points in the underground world, breaking through [Dream Holes], occupying precious lands, and building cities."

"[Magic Arrays] are an essential foundation for opening up and consolidating underground space. While the underground world is already solid enough due to the presence of immortal tree roots, large-scale tunnel maze excavation and hollowing out of underground space necessitate the use of [Large Magic Arrays] for reinforcement, even utilizing the existing patterns of immortal tree roots to create magical arrays. This involves 'feng shui', a technique initially monopolized by the Immortal Sect, but later mastered by the Technician Alliance."

"[Spiritual Root] is the living 'Reverse Life Tree.' Currently, each of the four major underground immortal sects possesses a 'Reverse Life Tree.' If Insect City can pay a sufficient price, it can obtain a 'branch' and plant it within Insect City, creating a 'Reverse Life Garden' that will provide sufficient food for civilians and spirit insects, and produce resources."

"The final [Ancestral Dao Seed] is the core of ruling the Insect City. The rulers of different Insect Cities control at least one of the 'superior sources' of Dao Seeds. They use the 'Insect Egg Dao Seed' to control and suppress practitioners of the same Dao Seed. They also continuously split new Dao Seeds and cultivate new cultivators."

After hearing this, Yuan Zhu realized that he only had one pirated copy of the [Shadow Dream Hole] and was still missing three items: "Do I have to get all of them?"

Zuo Fan shook his head. "That's not entirely certain. Beneath the [Insect City], there are numerous 'tribes' of varying sizes, scattered throughout the underground. These tribes don't even have all four of the four conditions, but as long as they have a Heaven-Rank or even a peak Earth-Rank warrior protecting them, they can still survive."

"The Dream Hole's greatest use isn't cultivating Heavenly Rank experts, but rather discharging pollution. Furthermore, it also conceals a glimmer of hope for escaping Hell. Without a Magic Array, one can find a sturdy root cave to settle in, but expansion is difficult. Without Spiritual Roots, one can still find mushrooms and insects to eat, but it's impossible to cultivate large numbers of Spiritual Insects. Immortal Zombie Whiskers and Iron Poison will take effect faster, making survival more difficult. Lacking Ancestral Dao Seeds, one can trade with the Technician Family and purchase ordinary Dao Seeds, though they'll be suppressed when facing higher-level Dao Seeds."

After listening to the other party's description, Yuan Zhu felt that he had no pressure in setting up a "Explosive Maomao Tribe". Even his [Shadow Dream Hole + Tiger Domain] had met two conditions.

Although he lacked spiritual roots, his Holy Cough allowed him to eat anything he wanted, even contaminated garbage. Later, when the Hairy King opened up trade routes and smuggled food, he wouldn't be short of a bite to eat.

Now, the only thing missing is the [Ancestral Dao Seed]... "How do I obtain this [Ancestral Dao Seed]?"

Zuo Fan's spirits trembled, and he said eagerly, "As long as the Lord opens the [Dream Hole] to me, I will be able to successfully break through to the Heavenly Rank. Then, I will first master the unique 'Innate Qi', and then complete the armor casting. I will be able to be reborn and reverse the innate state. I will use my own unique 'life information' to rewrite and refine the Tao Seed and claim it as my own. This is the [Ancestral Tao Seed]!"

Yuan Zhu: "Heavenly Rank, do all of them possess the Ancestral Dao Seed?"

Zuo Fan nodded. "Yes. Before reaching the [Heavenly Rank], although the Dao Seed was controlled and harnessed by the cultivator, it was an external object, concealing its own life information. If an accident occurred, it would be countered, reduced to a human cocoon, and gave birth to a demonic giant insect. But after the Heavenly Rank armor is cast, the person uses the armor as a cocoon, transforming in reverse, completely refining the Dao Seed and incorporating the innate Qi information, allowing the 'Dao Seed' to transform and be reborn, creating its own Dao lineage (clan)."

Yuan Zhu looked at the other person meaningfully. No wonder Zuo Fan encouraged him to build a city. This was a display of talent and a deepening of interest ties.

He offers his [Dream Hole], the other party offers themselves, and together they start a business and build a city. As long as he helps the other party reach the Heavenly Stage, he will be rewarded with a high-level combat power + a second Dream Hole + an ancestral Dao Seed... Even if his own means and strength are insufficient later, the other party can further expand and become stronger, turning the tables.

Yuan Zhu said happily, "Very good. If we work together, we will be invincible. However, I still have a few small questions. Can you help me get a group of civilians who can raise insects without alerting [Cicada City]? Do you have a suitable location for 'building a city'? Will it attract suppression from other insect cities later? Are you confident that you can become my middleman and negotiate business with Chan City?"

"These aren't difficult. The management of Insect City is lax. Furthermore, resources are limited. The Upper City is flooded with hungry refugees, yet the Lower City pays little attention. Even many lower-class civilians are allowed to consume 'roots, slime molds, and demonic insects,' accelerating the contamination and disease of their bodies. Only corpses ravaged by the tendrils of immortal zombies have value. They can be sold to immortal sects for refining, transported to the Reincarnation Garden to cultivate cordyceps, or used to cultivate giant demonic insects... Lower-class civilians are never a problem."

"There's no suitable location for building a city. A so-called 'premium site for building a city' requires a weak spatial structure, allowing a Heavenly Rank expert to break through it and create a Dream Hole. If that's not your goal, I do know of many hidden locations suitable for establishing a tribe, where the roots of the Immortal Realm trees are extremely dense. And your Dream Hole is truly unique; it's movable, which is simply unheard of! Finally, trade with Chan City. My personal influence can meet your initial needs. As for follow-up matters, I can communicate with Chan City on your behalf. Even if Chan City isn't able to resolve the issue, I can still contact other Insect Cities for you."

Yuan Zhu clapped his hands, extremely satisfied. "Very good, it's a pleasure to work with you. I know you are very powerful, and the three items you have taken into your body do not pose a threat. But I still suggest that you do not remove them lightly. The energy (shadow) contained in these items is closely related to the 'space' you are in and the [Dream Hole]. If you can subdue and refine them, I am willing to give you permission to further control the [Shadow Dream Hole]."

At this point, Yuan Zhu also began to make grand promises, saying earnestly, "I'm only one of the first explorers. I'm destined not to stay in the underground world for long, so I need a spokesperson. And you're just the right person. After I leave, I'll need someone to control the Dream Hole on my behalf. Then, you'll be the controller of this Dream Hole. I heard you say that the Dream Hole in the Insect City is a product of breaking through space, fixed in the sky and immovable?"

"My Dream Hole is extraordinary, as you've seen. Not only can it open and close at will, it also contains a space capable of filtering the energies of the two worlds... If you truly cooperate with me, you will become the 'Acting City Lord' in the future, controlling the Dream Hole and managing Insect City on my behalf, second only to the emperor. And I won't compete with you for control of Insect City, because my legacy isn't in this world. On the contrary, I can provide you with a continuous supply of supplies, conducting trade with this world on my behalf."

Zuo Fan immediately bowed down and said, "My lord, if you don't mind, I will be your foster father!"

"That's not necessary. You're my business partner, my brother! Let's forge ahead and build great things together!"

With that, Yuan Zhu touched the wall of the shadow space with one hand and manually opened the [Shadow Dream Hole]. Decaying spiritual energy, mixed with traces of pollution, flowed back from the outside world. Yuan Zhu took his partner's hand and together they stepped out of the shadow space.

After seeing the [Shadow Dream Hole] that could really be opened and closed at will without emitting a terrifying suction force, Zuo Fan was secretly amazed in his heart. This thing was so advanced and much stronger than those hanging in the air of Chan City. He was worthy of being a celestial being from another world!
Then, he began to speculate on the 'shadow eggplant' in his body and the 'brain eggplant' on his head, and found that it indeed had a similar aura to this dark [Dream Hole].

(End of this chapter)