New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 119 [Corpseed] and [Cocoon Moon]

After reviewing the progress of the [Trichoderma breeding], Yuan Zhu did not intend to interfere, and decided to leave the professional issues to professionals.

He is a novice in raising insects, so he just needs to direct the little sister to do it with his mouth.

So he asked, "Little Cicada, can those 'Mao's Worm' food seeds I gave you be cultivated in the underground world?"

The [Furry King]'s eggs have hatched, and they're even thriving on the purple leaves from the 'Reverse Life Garden.' This is certainly a good thing. But before they left, the captain had provided a supply of caterpillar-specific ration seeds, and he planned to replicate them.

By then, he would have two major categories: [True Qi Trichoderma and Shadow Trichoderma]. They would then feed on native plants and specially supplied rations, producing at least four different types of raw materials.

Differentiation of raw materials inevitably leads to differentiation of fabrics. What is this? This is technological innovation, industrial revolution, and enhanced competitiveness!

I will open up markets for the company, I will add new product categories for the company, I will establish upstream enterprises for the company and continue to innovate materials, I will monopolize raw materials for the company to ensure stable prices and supply... I will force [Maomao Wang] to encroach on the company's shares step by step, and I will eventually take charge of the loyal [Maomao Wang Happy Home]!
It all started with showing off his talent. Therefore, he took the tasks assigned by the captain very seriously and was determined to strive for perfection.

Upon hearing this, the child sister replied, "I tried to stimulate a small batch of seeds. However, plant seeds have a poor affinity with 'true qi', and all of them lost their vitality. So, fearing a waste, I didn't try again. I plan to try again after I've mastered the basic planting techniques. Or, I can ask Commander Zuo to hire a technician with the ability to cultivate spiritual plants, and I can help. If you give me the chance, I can quickly learn from them."

In the underground world, cultivating spiritual herbs and medicinal herbs is a crucial skill, originally reserved for alchemy families. However, with insect cultivators continuously deciphering and optimizing the Kunlun alchemy classics and recipes, coupled with the enormous demand for elixirs among Qi practitioners, the insect alchemy technique has become widespread, matured, and leaked.

Nowadays, [Alchemy] is divided into low-level "insect breeding, insect medicine preparation, corpse planting, spiritual plant cultivation, and medicinal material preparation"; and high-level [insect furnace making, pill fire control, and true alchemy].

People with alchemy skills are rare and precious, and are often strictly controlled and protected.

It is not uncommon to find 'technical workers' who are proficient in growing spiritual herbs. They even have freedom, similar to senior white-collar workers, and are hired by different gangs and different insect cities.

Xiaohaijie's dream of refining elixirs started with "three years of raising insects and five years of growing grass."

Yuan Zhu also understood that the 'normal seeds' provided by the captain needed to participate in photosynthesis in order to survive and grow.

But the spiritual herb farming industry in the underground world has completely mutated. It primarily relies on "plant-attributed zombies" with [immortal zombie whiskers] all over their bodies to provide nutrition. Similar to mushroom farming, spiritual plants are cultivated using the same method as winter insects (corpses) and summer grasses. The scientific name is [corpse species], and it's completely uncanny.

After all, in this barren underground world, there is no more nutritious culture medium than a corpse with [Fairy Zombie Whiskers (polluted roots of the Fairy World Tree)] all over its body!
Flesh and blood are already full of nutrients, and the bodies of practitioners are even more nutritious. They are then contaminated by the 'immortal zombie whiskers' and processed into zombies. The anti-corrosion process preserves them for a long time. At the same time, there are a large number of 'immortal zombie whiskers' rich in spiritual energy that provide trace amounts of fairy tree substances.

This kind of amazing culture medium can naturally produce good things.

The stronger one's cultivation was during life, the more nutrients they would naturally gain from becoming flesh fields after death. Those spirit insects that died suddenly from the 'Immortal Zombie Whiskers' were also top-grade small cauldrons (flower pots).

According to Commander Zuo, there's a super morgue in the lower city of [Chan City]. The spiritual energy inside is exceptionally rich, and each floor is filled with shelves upon shelves of flesh flower pots (zombies) that have actively induced [Immortal Zombie Beards] to die suddenly. A variety of exotic flowers and plants grow from their pores, and the air is filled with a strange fragrance. The speed of cultivation here is several times faster than in a training room.

In addition to this [Immortal Grass Building], there are several [Spiritual Grass Buildings], which are filled with layers of large spiritual insects that died from the "Immortal Zombie Beard". The average size of a basketball, reduced to neatly arranged flower pots, grows spiritual herbs of slightly inferior quality.

My scalp tingles just thinking about it. This scene is even more outrageous than that of a zombie uncle.

But then he thought, there's no better way to grow insects in this underground world besides [Corpse Planting]. So he dug out a "Planting Insects Scroll" from the shopkeeper's belongings and gave it to the little girl.

After the other party finished reading with Qi silk, a bunch of incomplete basic planting knowledge was infused into his brain. He was eager to try and used the "corpse of spirit insects" to cultivate normal plant seeds, but as expected, he failed.

After understanding the whole story, Yuan Zhu encouraged him, "Don't lose heart. I've decided to take a two-pronged approach. I'll continue to acquire more [Corpse Seeds. Insect Slips] for you, and I'll also hire professional planters. You can follow along as their assistants and learn from them. Even if these seeds don't survive, you can still learn to grow some of the 'spiritual herbs' native to Insect City. I can afford this small expense."

"Mmmmmmm!"

Hearing this, the little sister felt relieved. She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes full of anticipation and desire.

After inquiring about the progress of the experiment, Yuan Zhu began to inquire about the 'little white mouse's' cultivation experience: "Are there any unusual symptoms in your sister and brother's practice of the [Breathing Method]? Do you have any special feelings about the [Holy Light]?"

"After my brother's modifications, the [Breathing Method] runs very smoothly. The [Holy Light] gives me a warm and comfortable feeling. Especially after you, Boss, gave up control of the [Holy Cough]. I successfully refined and controlled this 'blessing'. The burning sensation I used to feel when breathing disappeared, and my true Qi took on a faint warmth."

"Also, I can clearly feel my body temperature rising, a bit like having a fever when I'm sick, but it's not uncomfortable. Instead, I feel more energetic and healthier. I used my 'Qi Silk' to observe my entire body, and I felt what you, Boss, described as 'the increased efficiency of New Morning Worship.' This has invisibly accelerated my lifespan a bit, but this price is acceptable, as the new true Qi can more easily capture and repel the corrupted spiritual energy I inhale, the iron poison in my food, and the immortal zombie whiskers."

"I have an idea. Boss, if you brand me with the [Holy Cough] once more, my body's resistance might be able to withstand the 'corrosion of the Holy Light.' Instead of completely refining this 'blessing,' I'll continue to use my lifespan to nourish it. This way, I can continuously refine the emanating 'Holy Light Power,' further enhancing the properties of the [Holy Cough True Qi], and ultimately, giving me the ability to burn the 'Immortal Zombie Whiskers.'"

The more Yuan Zhu listened, the more familiar it sounded. Wasn't this just a [Low-Profile Stigma]? Constantly risking his life to fuel the [Holy Cough], the power of the Holy Cough was absorbed by his True Qi, further exacerbating the Holy Light pollution and ultimately granting his True Qi the ability to incinerate the pollution (the Immortal Zombie Whiskers).

He thought for a moment and rejected the idea, saying, "Your idea is bold, but I don't recommend it. I can give you another [Holy Cough], but you must refine it as soon as possible and don't try to maintain it in your body for a long time. If the ratio of [Holy Light] exceeds [True Qi], I'm worried you'll burn yourself. Your foundation lies in [Tao Seed], not [Holy Mark]. You can use a small amount of Holy Light for pollution, but if you use too much, you'll inevitably lose control."

"Is that so? Then what proportion of 'Holy Cough' should I control?" The little sister is very adventurous and intends to enhance the true Qi attribute to the extreme.

Yuan Zhu didn't know either, so he replied, "Don't worry, just dictate the Holy Cough Breathing Method you summarized to me. I'll go to the dungeon to get a test subject and explore the way for you and your brother."

"Okay!"

Although his younger brother Jun has a talent for cultivation, he lacks the ability to express himself, so he can only teach his sister through "Qi silk demonstrations." Once the younger sister learns, she can accurately describe it.

...

After obtaining the first-hand [Holy Cough Breathing Technique] secrets, Yuan Zhu gave the little girl another [Holy Cough] to help her consolidate her foundation. Then, he turned and headed straight for the dungeon, where sixteen ordinary death row prisoners and five Earth-level prisoners were held. They were all gifts from Commander Zuo, and each of them had a reason for their death.

Some were either deeply contaminated, beyond repair; others, long-term exposure to miasma, driven them insane and driven to indiscriminate slaughter. Some were actively fed large quantities of "Immortal Zombie Whiskers" in preparation for sale to immortal sects to be refined into Daoist warriors; others were severely demonized, on the verge of becoming "human cocoons." Furthermore, Xiao La Tiao vowed to shoulder the blame for the prisoner, taking on all the sins without feeling guilty. Therefore, Yuan Zhu felt comfortable using them as training grounds, feeling no guilt at all.

Among them, 16 ordinary prisoners had all twelve meridians mature in their bodies, representing the "peak of perfection in the human realm." However, the two siblings were still in the early stages, with their meridians underdeveloped.

The other five Earth-rank cultivators were significantly weaker. Not to mention Commander Zuo, who was nearing the maximum level, they couldn't even match the shop owner. Even so, Yuan Zhu briefly demonstrated his abilities with the Tiger Demon Stance, but sensing the immense difficulty of transforming an Earth-rank cultivator into a "minion," he paused the project.

Earth rank, converted into the Holy Light system, has surpassed the "One Seal (Soul Crystal)" and reached the level of [Seed]. The Tiger Demon cannot be refined in a short period of time, and it also occupies the memory of [Abdomen Qiankun], delaying other attempts.

"Then... let's start practicing with ordinary bugs!"

Just as he was about to take action, the [Shadow Dream Hole] connected with his spirit suddenly trembled. Commander Zuo, who was in the inner space, began to call out to the owner of the Dream Hole: The training has ended, and I need to go out.

As the best partner, Yuan Zhu immediately dropped his work and ran to open the door. He wanted to make the other party feel his sincerity through every detail of his actions.

Before Zuo Fan could feel any worry, the [Shadow Dream Hole] was opened at the speed of light, and he walked out of it with a look of satisfaction.

Yuan Zhu was the first to ask with concern: "How is your training? Is it going smoothly?"

"Good! Very good! It feels great!" Zuo Fan praised three times in a row, his expression excited and not pretending. "I borrowed your [Dream Hole] to touch and sense the 'nightmare' outside the world for the first time, and absorbed a [power from the outside world] that is compatible with the 'shadow', and refined it into my true qi."

Commander Zuo, gradually calming down, spoke with some doubt, "I discovered something strange during my training. Your Dream Hole is very different from the one in Insect City. The 'Alien Power' it absorbs is filtered and restricted by the 'Shadow'. Fortunately, I have refined the 'Shadow Eggplant Silk' within my body and selected the 'Shadow' as the 'Alien Power'. This time, it perfectly combines with the 'Alien Power' absorbed by the Dream Hole, and there is no conflict."

From Zuo Fan's explanation, Yuan Zhu learned that the 'Dream Hole' of the Insect City was connected to the [Nightmare Layer], and could randomly contact and absorb any kind of polluting power.

When Zuo Fan was practicing in seclusion in the [Shadow Dream Hole], Yuan Zhu also intercepted a large amount of what he called "extraordinary power". However, these energies were not [shadow power], but could be perfectly integrated with [shadow], giving it the derivative attribute [nightmare].

As products of the [Shadow Power], the Tiger Demon's [Hidden Ghosts] possessed plant attributes, and after consuming the Diseased Goblin Plug-in, they also acquired disease attributes. If he successfully transformed the condemned prisoner into a ghost, it would inevitably inherit the [Insect Attribute (Tao Seed)] attribute... but they would all be the Tiger Demon's Shadow Heirs.

Similarly, the Shadow Dream Hole, by discharging waste into the Nightmare Layer, absorbed the matching Nightmare Power. After being absorbed by the Shadow Dream Hole, it became the (Shadow) Nightmare, which Zuo Fan refined into his Innate Qi, a fact he found immensely satisfying.

However, Yuan Zhu did not rashly contact and absorb this [Nightmare Power], but stored the excess energy in the [Shadow Dream Hole] and continued to observe the changes in Commander Zuo.

The other party did not mind being treated as a guinea pig at all. Instead, he eagerly analyzed and communicated with the owner of [Shadow Dream Hole].

This free energy, named [Nightmare Power] by Yuan Zhu, did not have the effect of causing people to have nightmares. It only gave Zuo Fan the basic ability to survive and move in the [Nightmare Layer].

Commander Zuo excitedly said, "I have a hunch. Once I refine all my True Qi into the Innate Qi (Nightmare), I'll be able to envelop my body in True Qi and officially enter the Nightmare World to explore. This is also the opportunity for transcendence possessed by all Heavenly Rank experts."

If one wants to escape from this world, one must cultivate to the heavenly realm and control a 'Dream Hole', so that one can transform into a nightmare creature of the afterlife and escape into the [Nightmare Layer] to find a path to other 'bubble worlds'.

This method of exploration is known in the Duling as the Nightmare School. However, the Duling Nightmare School doesn't use the physical body to enter dreams, but instead uses the 'spirituality' to project the nightmare world for exploration, or pulls special items from the 'Nightmare Layer' into reality, using the powerful suppression of the home field to eliminate the 'Nightmare Species' and obtain spoils.

Lacking knowledge of cultivation in the underground world, the underworld draws upon the polluted power of the Nightmare Layer, using its limited 'Innate Qi' to briefly survive and explore within it. The risks are extremely high, but there's a glimmer of hope for transcendence.

It's like land animals developing a body-protecting bubble that allows them to survive underwater for a short period of time.

"Besides the most basic 'nightmare walking', are there any other abilities?"

Zuo Fan said confidently, "There must be one! But I've only just started, and I can't discover it yet. However, my true Qi is deeply connected to [Shadow], so it must be a type of shadow."

"Then how long will it take you to break through?"

"The power from outer space absorbed by this [Dream Hole] is too little, and my efficiency in refining it is also very limited. It will take one year to completely break through. When I absorbed the first bit of strange power from the [Nightmare Layer], I gained more knowledge in my head. For innate transformation, the twelve meridians need to correspond to the twelve phases of the moon, and the final transformation must be completed in the [Cocoon Moon]. Do you know what the [Cocoon Moon] is?" Commander Zuo asked with a puzzled look on his face.

He knew there were 12 months in a year, and even that Worm City had a long-standing custom of moon worship. Every full moon, a group of civilians would be sent to the surface (to die), where they would perform moon worship rituals to sacrifice the "worms," allowing them to enter a period of maturity and metamorphosis.

But what are the twelve lunar phases? What is the Cocoon Moon? I have no idea. This is spiritual knowledge that has been sealed away by the higher-ups of Insect City.

Yuan Zhu: "Are you sure? The [Cocoon Month] is July, the month of rebirth, the most suitable for resurrection ceremonies or limb surgery. Uh... [Big Moth] is No. 7 among the Twelve Fate Gods. Therefore, the resurrection effect is strongest in July of the Moth Year, and it is easy to resurrect. In my hometown, a large-scale resurrection ceremony is held in July every year."

Commander Zuo had no reaction to the name "Big Moth" and said he had never heard of "Easter". "It's only April now. Even if I spent a year refining all of my "Innate Qi", I would still need to wait another three months before breaking through to the Heavenly Realm."

But he quickly accepted this reality. After all, he had been stuck at his current level for many years. Now that he saw hope, a year and three months wasn't too long. He still needed to practice diligently step by step to reach his goal.

Yuan Zhu, on the other hand, also confirmed that the local 'insect cultivators' had a deep connection with the Great Moth. He wondered if he would go back and ask the Furry King if she would respond.

"By the way, when will we begin setting up the special 'magic circle' you mentioned? You said that once the 'magic circle' is established, the effectiveness of the [Shadow Dream Hole] will be further enhanced. I have already sent you the 'human pillar', so let's get started quickly."

Having tasted the sweetness of the Dream Hole, Zuo Fan couldn't wait to ask Yuan Zhu to further expand the effect of the Dream Hole and bring out the "Tiger Domain" that he had promoted in his PPT.

Yuan Zhu kept perfunctorily saying, "It's almost there, it's almost there!"

(End of this chapter)