New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 99 [Shadow Set Combination] and Effects
It was past 7:, and the sky in Running was already pitch black. Yuan Zhu, lying in the dark, unlit "Haunted House" in his tiger-like form, felt strangely thrilling.

This feeling was like being in a spooky horror movie, and I was the biggest boss!

There's no way around it, because he possesses 'Dark Vision + Shadow Vision', which not only allows him to see things clearly in the dark, but also allows him to observe and perceive the world through the ubiquitous 'shadows'.

In addition, the entire haunted house is covered with shadow roots released by the ghost, which have completely refined the villa. Now that it has fallen into its (Tiger Demon's) hands, there is really no fear at all, only a full sense of home security.

"With nothing to do, let's open the box and have some fun!"

The ascetic practice of becoming stronger just by breathing was too boring. The Tiger Demon, who had slept all afternoon, was now full of energy. With nothing else to do, he decided to open a box of 'Goblin's Minions' to pass the time.

The skeletal snake swam along the tiger's back and nodded with interest: "Okay, okay!"

Then it crawled into the shadows, and a huge snake head emerged from the center of the floor. It opened its mouth and spewed out two balls of egg-sized "pollutants" that kept wriggling like black slime.

Snake Tail asked in confusion, "Huh? What is this thing? Why is it so small? Where is my goblin minions?"

In its mind, the ghost should be an egg-shaped demon fetus wrapped in a layer of fetal membrane, which is too different from this slime-like mud.

The Tiger Demon used his Ghostly Innate ability to gain a little perception and determined the origins of the two clumps of black mud. "They are the two goblins from the Shadow Group's three test subjects that were contaminated by the pure power of shadow. They couldn't withstand the Ghostly Innate's refining, and became two highly active clumps of 'contaminated black.'"

Skeleton Little Spicy Tiao asked curiously, "So, were they successful?"

The Tiger Demon tried to control the two clumps of black mud through his [minions], but got unexpected feedback. They actually began to move slowly according to his will.

It then conducted several more rounds of tests and, in surprise, stated, "Halfway to success. My idea was sound, and the contaminated cultivation of the two goblins in the first group was correct. The only flaw was that the goblins themselves were not strong enough, or their absorption rate for Shadow Contamination was too low, so they couldn't survive the minions' refining. But this experiment wasn't a failure, and this is what I gained."

It pointed at the black mud.

Under the Tiger Demon's control, the black mud smoothly moved to the center of his palm, then quickly contracted and shaped into a hexagonal prism with a regular hexagonal cross-section. A slender line quickly crystallized and solidified, transforming into pure, translucent black crystal.

Snake Tail's eyes glowed red, and he quickly approached, exclaiming in admiration: "Wow! So beautiful, so sparkling, like a cut black crystal. Boss, what is this treasure? Can I wear it around my neck?"

"A Shadow Goblin's [Digital Soul + Supernatural Pollution]. Too weak to survive the refining of its minions, it died midway through its glorious evolution, leaving behind a precious relic. To put it in your terms, if a fully formed minion were like a cell phone, then this thing would be its precious 'soul memory stick,' with a dash of Shadow Pollution added on."

Latiao's eyes lit up. "So, it can also be used as your 'Soul Meal Replacement' and burned to obtain high-level Soul Ashes?"

The Tiger Demon nodded, then shook his head. "That would be a shame. This thing... I have a strong feeling it can be inserted into the heads of [Ghosts] to expand their memory capacity, improving their intelligence and spirituality!"

The biggest problem with the minions is that they are stupid! They lack spirituality and intelligence.

Why can't Shadow Goblins be trained to become Ghosts? Similarly, their potential is too low, their spirituality is limited, and they can't survive this calamity.

So what is this [Digital Soul Memory Bar]? It's the essence left behind by the demonic calamity, the essence of the shadow goblins' souls, a [Soul Memory Bar] that defies fate and enlightens spiritual wisdom!
"How can such a treasure be burned to feed the [Sacred Seal]? What a waste. This thing can be hot-swapped repeatedly. Using it to change the fate of the 'accomplice' is the right way!"

"Huh? Then I have to give it a try."

The snake's tail immediately snatched a [Shadow Soul Memory Bar] from the tiger's claws, and manipulated the shadows around it to wrap and engulf the crystal pillar like water, swallowing it in one gulp.

After studying it for a moment, Snake Tail exclaimed in amazement, "Boss, it really is! It can be used as a storage device for the 'digital soul program,' and can also be inserted into the brain of a ghost to run the built-in program. How amazing!"

The Tiger Demon, however, adopted the expected pretentious tone, "This makes perfect sense. It's a ghost that died young, a solid, digital soul tainted by shadows. It's perfectly legitimate to use it to expand the brain. The decision is yours, awaken!"

As he spoke, the Tiger Demon thrust the remaining "crystal pillar" in his palm into the head of the eggplant-headed ghost closest to him.

The hexagonal crystal pillar punctured its head, spurting out a large amount of tomato-juicy brain matter. The ghost shuddered, touched the back of its damaged head, turned around, and continued to stare at its king (the tiger demon) with a dazed and stupid look, not understanding what was happening.
“Buddha…Buddha? (°ヘ°)夢夢?!”

The tiger demon fell into deep thought: "Hmm..." "(°ヘ°)?"

For someone like the congenitally mentally retarded Nightshade, even if his soul were expanded, it wouldn't be of any real benefit. Because no matter how fast his brain worked, a mentally retarded person would still be mentally retarded, and there would be no noticeable improvement.

If you want to make it change, you may need to write the corresponding auxiliary program into the [Soul Memory Bar] in advance and force load the artificial intelligence to get feedback.

Huh...? Why is it increasingly looking like the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture] is secretly installing the [Client (Immortal Scripture)] on the indigenous people?

Yuan Zhu immediately thought of the [Xianjing Client] and the [Game Navigation Wizard] on his body.

Now, he also has the ability to mass-produce [Gnome Brand Memory Sticks]. Xiao La Tiao can use the [Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture] to write a more incompetent "artificial mentally retarded program", which can be loaded into the souls of other ghosts.

[Tiger Demon + Ghost Henchmen + Spicy Strips], it is interesting that they can spontaneously evolve into a low-profile version of the Great Wilderness Immortal Scripture.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! We've successfully found a way to unlock the intelligence of the [Henchmen]! Not only can we unlock intelligence through 'memory sticks,' but we can also recycle them promptly. By continuously updating and optimizing the Henchmen's intelligent algorithms through the immediate feedback of a large number of Henchmen users, we can achieve even stronger 'artificial intelligence' and achieve a leap forward for the entire Henchmen population."

Given the lack of basic attributes and intelligence of the minions, Yuan Zhu can continuously provide feedback and optimize the artificial intelligence algorithm through a large number of 'shadow memory bars'.

By then, there would be no need to train the minions. All that was needed was to mass-produce "memory sticks" and uniformly install the latest algorithms. The junk minions would then collectively ascend on the spot, developing their performance to its highest level.

Once a henchman dies in battle, these "soul memory sticks" are immediately recovered and reinserted into the brains of new henchmen. Even the henchman's own shattered "digital soul" can be recycled and made into a large number of new memory sticks, which can be installed in more new henchmen.

There will be no end to the descendants.

Xiao La Tiao exclaimed in amazement: "This is a very efficient training method, much better than the authentic Tiger Demon."

The original Mountain King's minions had intelligence determined by nature, growing with time and tempering, and vanishing into thin air upon death. Meanwhile, the Shadow Tiger Demon enjoyed the benefits of a digitized soul.

Pulling out the 'Crystal Memory Bar' from the Eggplant Head Ghost's brain, the Tiger Demon was satisfied with the results of this set of experiments and said to Tail, "Continue!"

The snake opened its mouth again and spit out a very elastic spherical object the size of a baby's fist. It landed on the wooden floor and even bounced several times, bouncing farther and farther.

Soon, it was picked up by an eggplant-headed ghost, who held it in his palm and hopped over to the tiger demon. He excitedly presented it to the tiger demon, shouting incoherently: "Eggplant! Eggplant! Eggplant!!"

To the Tiger Demon, it really was a black [Brain Tomato]. At the root of the tomato brain, there were even two leaves with black capillary patterns.

It was a severely atrophied, miniature brain, composed of two tightly joined halves, forming a standard tomato shape (round), with deep grooves and dark blood vessels covering its surface. It was the size of a baby's fist, like a bouncy ball.

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
The Tiger Demon smashed the 'Dark Brain Eggplant' to the ground with all his strength. It immediately bounced high up and hit the ceiling, then fell down at a high speed and bounced back... After three times in a row, it was caught by a flying bone snake and saved.

"What is this? The accomplice has failed again? What's the point of this?"

Xiao Latiao tried to bite it gently with his mouth and felt that this "eggplant-shaped brain" was very elastic. After he bit it flat, it bounced back immediately and was not easily broken.

The Tiger Demon used his [Ghost] ability to read the function and properties of this 'brain' and explained, "The [Ghost] refining has failed again. Once again, the goblin's potential is insufficient. It couldn't make it, leaving behind only this brain deeply contaminated and corroded by the 'Shadow Eggplant'. This thing..."

The more he pondered the function of the [Brain Eggplant], the stranger the Tiger Demon's tone became: "...It can be understood as - an external CPU?"

If the 'Soul Memory Bar' is to expand the soul and improve IQ, then this 'Brain Eggplant' is to give you a new brain, a processor, so that you have the ability to think.

Xiao Latiao: "What? CPU?!" Then, she looked at the crystal pendant hanging around her neck: "Memory stick!" Then, the snake's tail glanced at the two 'Shadow Eggplant Flower Pots (the third group of goblins)' hiding in the corner, lying motionless and dying, and subconsciously said: "Data cable?" The Tiger Demon was also surprised at this moment. The 'three groups of shadow goblins' it made were completely random, without any expectations. It was just pure curiosity about what kind of minions it could produce?
All three sets of shadow-type experiments failed, with not a single ghost being created. However, the experiment didn't seem to fail. Somehow, it managed to create a [Soul Memory Bar, Shadow CPU] and two [Shadow Eggplant Seedlings].

Xiao Latiao: "Boss, do you think this is a coincidence?"

"I don't know." Tiger Demon was also thinking, this is all too coincidental. "Perhaps this is a hidden mode that was pre-programmed into the [Ghostly Divine Power]. Even without the 'Tomato Brain', other 'CPUs' can be refined through the [Ghostly Divine Power]?"

Snake Tail nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, that's right! How do I use this [Brain Eggplant]?"

Tiger Demon: "Have you seen the Calabash Brothers from my memory?"

Xiao Latiao: "Well, I just watched it, it's quite interesting, but I like "The Chinese Zodiac" more!"

"You have quite a strong taste. This [Brain Eggplant] can be used in the same way as the gourds on the Gourd Brothers' heads. Simply insert it into their heads, and the two shadowy leaves will sprout 'blood vessels and roots' that parasitize the brain, expanding computing power. Oh my goodness! Is this the embodiment of the [Loose Immortal] in my subconscious?"

Yuan Zhu suddenly realized at this moment that this [Brain Eggplant] might not be a built-in program of [Ghostly Magical Power], but a "contaminated product" deliberately refined by [Ghostly Magical Power] completely according to his subconscious.

He was thinking about something one day, so [The Universe in His Belly] carried out specific screening and refining according to his subconscious needs.

The brain-shaped tomato with its distinct grooves before him was a product of his imagination, the "Three Flowers Gathering at the Top of the Head." As for the three flowers, according to Du Ling's style, they naturally had to bear fruit.

This [Brain Eggplant] is the fruit of the [Flower of God]. Installed on the top of the head, it can refresh the mind and greatly enhance brain computing power. Paired with the 'Soul Memory Bar', it is even more powerful!

"With this 'External Brain Eggplant', I can even install the 'Soul Memory Bar' without even needing 'Haunted Ghosts', transforming other non-shadow monsters into puppets in my hands! Wait, I've got it. These two sets were created by my subconscious (distorted spiritual roots) spontaneously because I was distressed by the lack of 'Haunted Ghosts' and reliable manpower!"

Little Spicy Tiao also had a sudden realization. Holding up the Brain Eggplant, he said, "First, use this parasitic skull to cultivate the 'Seven Tomato Brothers.' Then, insert the Soul Memory Bar and input the program. This will allow us to control polluted monsters other than the Henchmen to serve us. So, even if the goblins can't be trained into Henchmen, we can still obtain more cannon fodder and tools. So, what about these two Shadow Eggplants?"

The Tiger Demon's eyes lit up. "[Shadow Eggplant] is a restraining method used to restrain powerful monsters! It can perfectly parasitize flesh and blood, forming a symbiotic relationship. It actually controls the host's every move. Even if they resist, it can quickly drain their flesh and blood and vitality, leaving them weak."

Xiao La Tiao took over the conversation, "[Shadow Eggplant] has no brain, no thoughts, and can only rely on instinct to parasitize flesh and blood, extracting nutrients. Now, it feeds back to nourish [Brain Eggplant], gaining computing power and taking over its mind. Finally, it will insert [Memory Bar] to update the program and install a virtual soul... forming a linked mode! All three pieces work together to tame any unfamiliar polluted monster, slowly transforming it with shadow pollution, and then being devoured by [Belly's Universe], refining it into a ghost... one-stop service!"

Tiger Demon: "Great!"

“Kya ka ka!”, “Buddha Buddha Buddha!”

The four eggplant-headed ghosts also waved their puppet arms and cheered on the side. Unfortunately, this [Shadow Three-Piece Set] was more suitable for launching a three-hit taming combo on non-minions, and was less effective against minions.

"Get out of here, get out of here."

He opened two ordinary pieces of junk in a row, but unexpectedly triggered the "set combination effect" with the [Shadow Eggplant]. The excitement brought by this blind box opening made Xiao La Tiao unable to stop, and he urged like a gambler: "Boss, keep opening the boxes! Keep opening the boxes!"

Now, [Under the Heart] still had four Disease-type Goblin Blind Boxes left. The Tiger Demon was also eager to try, so he had his snake tail spit four times in a row, silently hoping that the four minions of the [Disease-type] would also trigger the mysterious set effect.

As a result, the four blind boxes opened by the Disease Department left him speechless.

They were: a [throat] covered in black flesh, coughing and spewing black smoke. A [throat] bulging with bone arrows. A [black heart] beating constantly, faintly emitting a red glow. And an [eyeball], brewing a high-energy reaction, with a section of its optic nerve attached to it.

Not a single ghost was trained, but instead four extraordinary organs were developed that were contaminated by both "shadow" and "disease".

They are very similar to [Brain Eggplant], but no longer have any functions such as 'soul expansion, CPU computing power, biological hard drive...', and simply inherit the 'special disease attacks' of the four disease goblins.

According to the feedback from the [Ghost], by simply transplanting these contaminated organs into the [Ghost]'s body, the Ghost's hardware can be upgraded and new bloodline magical powers can be obtained.

So the Tiger Demon gave an order, and the four eggplant-headed ghosts each picked up a 'Shadow Distortion Organ' and stuffed it into themselves.

The eggplant-headed ghosts, having swallowed their throats and sacs, clutched their necks in agony. One coughed loudly, spewing forth clouds of shadowy blood mist, bringing with it a highly corrosive effect that carved honeycomb-like holes into the floor. Another coughed violently, spewing out sharp bone arrows that pierced the walls and roof.

Looking at the other two eggplant-headed ghosts, one's heartbeat accelerated violently, and his hunched and thin body began to swell. Not only did muscles grow on his arms, but the arms of the wooden puppet behind him were also wrapped with shadow vines, becoming much thicker, like a short muscular man.

Finally, the eggplant-headed ghost's eyeballs of all sizes on its head mutated, and it began to spray outwards "shadow rays". The coughing ghosts that were hit by it had their arms withered and aged instantly.

“Kya, kaya!” “Buddha, Buddha, Buddha!”

The four minions were extremely excited. Their level had been slightly upgraded, and the pollution quality was higher and stronger. At the same time, their resistance to the polluted plants in the disease garden was also higher, making them more adaptable.

"I've been monitoring their data, and the backend shows that the minions have undergone positive changes after absorbing the [Disease Organ], somewhat similar to how you, Boss, received the [Stigmata]. It seems the minions have met the prerequisites for practicing the [Disease System]? Have they found a path to stable growth and improvement?"

The Tiger Demon was puzzled. "Are you saying that my [Shadow-type. Minion] has embarked on the cultivation path of the [Disease-type] next door?"

Latiao was equally incredulous: "No! It's the [Ghosts] who have found a way to steal 'Disease Pollution' from the [Disease System] and transform it into an upgraded 'Shadow System'. If we can get the [Disease System]'s cultivation methods, perhaps we can use these Ghosts to infiltrate the system and create a pirated version of the Shadow System?"

The Tiger Demon frowned. "Are you saying we can replicate the [Disease] system one-to-one and create a 'Shadow Disease Version'? Wouldn't that make me a beggar?"

The elf advised, "The founder is not shabby. First you copied, then you innovated. Only by first copying the 'Shadow System' can you be qualified to make micro-innovations. Isn't your use of [The Universe in the Belly] also a copy of [Shelter]?"

The Tiger Demon argued cunningly, "How can that be the same? [Sanctuary] is mine. I simply transplanted the spatial understanding of the Holy Light to the Shadow. It's still my understanding."

Little Spicy Tiao said perfunctorily: "Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

The Tiger Demon then looked at the four ghost minions tirelessly unleashing their "disease power." [The Haunted House] was limited in space, so he simply led them into the Disease Garden, letting them devour the "disease plants" with abandon and unleash their shadow-based disease power.

After some observation, it passed up 'Coughing Poison Mist, Coughing Bone Arrow, Fever Heart' and was only interested in [Shadow Ray Eyeball].

"I wonder if this 'Eyeball Henchman' can mass-produce [Shadow-type.Ray Eyeballs], just like feeding Shadow Eggplant to produce [Brain Eggplant]?"

Xiao La Tiao: "Do you like this 'ray eyeball'?"

The Tiger Demon shook his head: "No, I don't like it. But my [Holy Light] likes it very much."

Yuan Zhu, who tasted the sweetness of [Holy Cough], hoped to harvest more 'Disease Ray Eyeballs, Shadow Ray Eyeballs', and then burn them into ashes, melt them into [Holy Seal], and evolve similar 'ray' talents.

Just wondering if [Holy Light + Ray] is going anywhere?!
This is the true essence of Holy Light cultivation! Targeted cultivation can induce benign mutations in [Holy Light and Holy Seals], evolving powerful skills!
At this moment, his scientific spirit was ignited again, and he only regretted not having 100 goblins for his crazy experiments. Twenty lame deer and wolverines would also be helpful.

After understanding his boss's intentions, Little Latiao also became excited. "Oh my god, it's actually possible! Let me shout from the bottom of my heart: 'Boss, that's awesome!' You are the true genius of the Holy Way! If Heaven hadn't given birth to you, Yuan Tianzun, the Holy Hall would be in darkness forever."

"Buddha, Buddha, Buddha!", "Buddha, Buddha, Buddha!" The four stronger ghosts also observed the expressions and understood the atmosphere, and knelt down to worship the tiger demon.

For a moment, the disease garden was filled with rainbow-colored energy, which made the Tiger Demon Dragon very happy. He lay in the disease flowers and fiercely absorbed the spiritual energy of the "shadow layer".

This time, I'll be able to assemble at least two sets of [Shadow Sets] and control two summoned creatures from another world for my use. I'm really looking forward to it!

The four minions beside him took root and surrounded the tiger demon, filtering the "disease pollution" in the air for their king and continuously injecting it into the "diseased organs".

Whenever the disease pollution is about to overwhelm the origin of shadow, the tiger demon will send a wave of shadow aura to stabilize the attributes of the ghost.

These four pieces of trash have also grown a lot. I will bring them to the bubble world to expand the territory for this king!
(End of this chapter)