Chapter 319: Shadow Legion, Working Dream Team
After the ‘continuous damage’ transmitted from the Domain gradually stopped, in Yuan Zhu’s monitoring, the Domain spontaneously drew pollution from the Misty Mountains and Shadow Dimension, converting it into ‘shadow spiritual power’ for self-repair and healing.
Throughout the entire process, he did not intervene in any way, simply observing from a pure third-person perspective. The Domain completed all of this naturally, like breathing.
Snake Snake suddenly analyzed at this moment: “Boss, I have some thoughts on our home Domain’s encounter in different time and space (being attacked, continuous blood loss)! Normal ability users, after stepping into the Gate level, only have one single ‘gate’. And when not in use, it hides beside or inside the ability user. Only when the portal opens does it manifest in another world, where it can be observed and contacted (attacked) by life from the opposite world.”
“But all this is different when it comes to you! Our home Gate is also just one, yet it was split into two by the Grotto-Heaven Space, becoming ‘front door’ and ‘back door’. You can still reach the otherworld directly through the front door you carry with you, but the ‘back door’ of the Grotto-Heaven Space won’t disappear. Instead, it persistently manifests in the other world, becoming a constant, contactable target or bullseye.”
At this moment, the virtual white-haired loli snake image propped up her chin: “Our home Grotto-Heaven Space is continuously suffering attacks from the other side. It’s very likely that this ‘back door’ has caught the attention of native life in the other world, and they want to pry open the door to invade and occupy the Grotto-Heaven!”
Snake Tail’s analysis was spot on, and Yuan Zhu couldn’t help but nod in agreement: “Interesting. But in my judgment, the Grotto-Heaven Space doesn’t fully exist in the world behind the door; it’s stuck in the interlayer between the present world and the other end. However, the ‘back door’ you mentioned is likely continuously manifesting on the other end… Specifically, you can reference the Nightmare Layer’s ‘shadow dream hole’!”
His Mountain Lord’s Domain deeply drew from the Eclosion World’s Shadow Domain. Even the Gate takes the shape of a shadow dream hole, and the Grotto-Heaven Space’s ‘back door’ naturally connects to the false ‘Nightmare Layer (different time and space)’.
However, the genuine shadow dream hole continuously receives pollution influx from the Nightmare Layer, acquiring an endless supply of Nightmare Power; in contrast, his ‘back door’ requires payment to open. When closed, it still suffers continuous attacks from the other side…
Yuan Zhu pondered: “Looks like training a Shadow Legion is imperative.”
To resolve the crisis on the other side of the Gate, the best approach is to cultivate a batch of Ghost Companions to serve as ‘security + drones’, then deploy them through the Grotto-Heaven Space’s ‘back door’ into the opposite time and space to scout and gather intelligence on his behalf.
Then, cultivate a ‘shadow system’ Demonic Legion. Send them over the same way, take root on-site, and convert them into guard teams + patrol teams. While guarding the Grotto-Heaven Space’s portal in the other time and space, they assist him in deeply exploring the otherworld and collecting cultivation resources.
The advantages of cultivating a Ghost Companion Legion (Shadow Legion) are naturally speed, efficiency, absolute loyalty + 100% compatibility with the Grotto-Heaven Space, and cheap toll fees. As long as they are within the Domain WiFi range, they get wireless mana replenishment + infinite endurance.
The drawback is that they can only center on the back door, with WiFi coverage signal as the radius, leaning toward passive defense, difficult for deep exploration, and limited intelligence.
Creating a shadow system Demonic Legion has the benefits of higher intelligence and strong subjective initiative, allowing deep exploration. But the drawbacks are many: high cultivation input costs, long cultivation cycles, expensive toll fees, and unstable loyalty. Once entering unknown high-energy pollution environments, they easily distort and twist.
When the ‘pollution erosion’ from the otherworld environment overwhelms their own data source shadow pollution, the cannon fodder exploration legion will quickly distort out of control, even with the possibility of rebellion.
To create a Ghost Companion (shadow) Legion, the best material is Demonic Giant Insects.
When he was in the Eclosion World, he quickly cultivated an excellent-performing ‘shadow magic worm legion’. If paired with the now mass-produced Brain Eggplant CPUs, they can quickly form combat power with some intelligence.
But unfortunately, on the real world side, top-tier magic worms are lacking as raw materials. Importing from the Eclosion World via Happy Home is prohibitively expensive. He can’t even afford to transport Worm Pillars, let alone waste them on ‘Ghost Companions’.
Therefore, regrettably pass!
Then, as a next-best option, the current most suitable ‘Ghost Companion cannon fodder, demonic creature legion’ is only the goblin race!
And it can’t be the old, weak, sick, or disabled; it must be young, healthy, strong ‘premium goblins’, then quickly ripened and reinforced into ‘Goblin Strongmen’ via the currently most efficient Frog System Modification.
…
Thinking of this, Yuan Zhu decisively pulled out the communication mouse from his Soul Space and dialed Lu Rang’s number.
Soon, the semi-mechanical mouse spoke: “Hello? Brother Yuan, what instructions do you have? Your subordinate will definitely get it done!”
Candle didn’t get straight to the point, but instead made small talk, first hinting at Big Brother’s past ‘small favors’: “How’s your research on the Sword Manual I gave you going?”
Hearing this, Lu Rang indeed became excited and eagerly shared: “This Deer Head Sword belongs to the ‘living sword faction’, the content is very interesting and has given me great inspiration. Unfortunately, the Deer Head Sword isn’t suitable for me; cultivating from ‘deer fetus’ takes too long, at least a year of gestation. Lately, I’ve been saving money, hoping to use the Space of Gods’ power to fuse the various sword techniques I’ve collected into a custom Exclusive Cultivation Technique tailored for me.”
Yuan Zhu was somewhat surprised after hearing this. The Space of Gods has this function?
He couldn’t help but ask: “The Space has this service?”
Lu Rang shook his head: “The Space of Gods doesn’t, but ‘sword immortal powerhouses’ from other squads in the exchange area provide this kind of private customization. It’s expensive, but with guaranteed reputation.”
Yuan Zhu felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this: “I see… Very good, full of spirit! Keep at it. I’ve run into a small issue here and urgently need a batch of young, healthy goblins. Collect as many as you can. Also, don’t waste the crippled, dying garbage; I accept all comers, paying with Insect Pills.”
Lu Rang, who had been immersed in his natal cultivation technique, furrowed his brows slightly upon hearing Yuan Zhu’s another wave of ‘goblin demand’, a faint sense of unease rising in his heart.
He couldn’t help but press: “Brother Zhuzi, what exactly are you doing with so many goblins? Can you really handle this many? No hidden risks, right? Your swallowing speed is scaring your subordinate a bit! If one day you mess up, how do I explain to the Security Bureau seniors?”
As Yuan Zhu continuously devoured ‘various goblins’ like a bottomless pit without any output, it was impossible to balance income and expenditure.
This instead made Lu Rang, who was close to the Security Bureau, often influenced by Zhou Chu, and continuously supplying ‘goblins’ to Brother Zhuzi, gradually become alert, inevitably associating it with—Evil God Sacrifice!
If Brother Zhuzi was just running some goblin sweatshop, secretly exploiting, whipping, squeezing, enslaving goblins for 007 blood-and-tears overtime, he’d feel relieved. Goblins aren’t protected animals, nor intelligent beings, but pests! They deserve harsh torment.
Unfortunately, Brother Zhuzi was just silently buying up goblins without purchasing even a single portion of livestock feed, which was suspicious. He had no intention of long-term feeding! He didn’t even care about the goblins’ health, not missing even the dying garbage.
So, the fate of these crippled, dying goblins goes without saying. Either sacrificed immediately or used as materials in some evil ‘pollution ritual’.
He had even considered the possibility of using them for cultivating Holy Light. But after learning about Holy Light’s properties, he decisively ruled it out.
Buying goblins with money and then burning them as ‘batteries’ to refine and improve Holy Light quality is fundamentally unfeasible! It could even trigger Fall Seal risk, with too low return on investment.
In Lu Rang’s view, his Brother Zhuzi, after contacting the Space of Gods and various redeemable opportunities… was gradually losing his moral bottom line and starting down the evil path!
He didn’t care about eliminating goblins, but rapidly boosting strength through evil means like mass goblin sacrifices was something he had to take seriously! Otherwise, how did Brother Zhuzi’s strength rise so fast? He had once hinted that behind him was a ‘reliable’ Demon God (Lord of Shadows).
Having figured this out, Lu Rang felt it necessary to remind this Big Brother who treated him well not to go down the path of illegal activities!
After hearing Lu Rang’s series of roundabout hints and admonitions, Yuan Zhu immediately fired back angrily: “What are you implying? Teaching me how to do things?! What the hell is in your brain? Can Holy Light Yuan Heavenly Venerable do any bad deeds?! I’m buying goblins in unlimited quantities because I’m cooperating with Rain Courtyard on some ‘magic potion’ goblin modification experiments! Now with some success, the old, weak, sick, and disabled are gradually falling short of standards; I need stronger ‘healthy goblins’ for testing!”
Lu Rang, sprayed with a torrent of abuse, nodded awkwardly: “Oh! So you’re connected to Rain Courtyard, huh? Then I’m relieved. Brother Zhuzi, wait for my news; latest by tonight, I’ll give you a reply.”
…
After ending the call, Yuan Zhu grumbled as he hung up the mouse, then saw Nie Yin, who had removed her experimental gloves, walking toward him carrying an opaque brown bottle.
“You finished work?”
Nie Yin nodded, then handed him the brown glass bottle in her hand: “Today’s work is done. This is the body tempering fluid raw material I extracted.”
Yuan Zhu looked at a breeding tank not far away, where the housed frogs had grown to the size of an adult man’s fist. On Earth, this size would count as adult. But in Running, this volume could only be said to be just entering middle school, still in puberty.
The grilled frogs he bought from roadside stalls were 2-3 times larger, or it wouldn’t feel worth it: “They’re not mature yet, and you’re already extracting body tempering fluid?”
Nie Yin explained: “The ‘experimental frogs’ we’re farming are far from maturity standards. But with such large numbers, rejects and discards appear every day. Though they’ve lost value for further cultivation, they can still be salvaged to some extent, used to squeeze body tempering fluid raw materials, and along the way, skinned to prepare blood ink, or made into food.”
Yuan Zhu suddenly understood: “Got it, well done! Are you adapting to life now? Any needs or improvement suggestions for the Frog Factory? We’re all our own people; point out issues directly.”
After a brief think, Nie Yin said: “Now six factory buildings are successively put into use, frog spawn numbers are insufficient; need to buy another batch. Then feed production, breeding tank cleaning—no great difficulty, but very tedious. Yuan Tang and I can’t manage alone; it’s also a waste of time.”
Yuan Zhu: “I have preparations for this; can put Eggplant Goblins to use. Seal the factory buildings, ban outsiders from entering, fully enable 007 Eggplant Goblins.”
Having contacted Haunted House + Disease Garden, Nie Yin naturally knew what Yuan Zhu’s Eggplant Goblins were like, so she frowned, raised her right hand, and held up two fingers: “Two issues. One, can those ‘Eggplant Goblins’ intelligence handle frog farming duties? Though low-tech, the procedures are tedious; I don’t trust their wisdom. Two, are you sure those filthy lives parasitized by ‘shadow pollution plants’ won’t pollute the Frog Factory’s specially arranged breeding environment?”
More than Eggplant Goblin intelligence, Nie Yin worried that Shadow Eggplant Essence’s carried shadow power would pollute and destroy the Frog Factory’s sterile environment. The experimental grade frogs’ biggest selling point is ‘0 pollution’ and Du Ling Star’s Pale Species.
Once letting ‘Eggplant Goblins’ freely enter the farming area, these specially nurtured pollution-free frogs might turn into ‘shadow frogs’, value instantly zeroed.
Yuan Zhu had countermeasures for this: “Intelligence insufficient, Brain Eggplant to supplement! Don’t worry about goblin errors; once they start work, Brain Eggplants will record every move, collect work data. Then aggregate via backend (Immortal Scripture), optimize and summarize work experience, reload into every goblin’s brain. Repeat thus, summarize a set of ‘senior work experience’, achieving collective leap in work efficiency!”
“As for pollution, I have a few ideas. First, install Holy Flasks on Eggplant Goblins, use Holy Light to offset their own shadow pollution, wrap themselves with Flask Power to prevent pollution leakage. Additionally, I plan to perform Holy Light healing and baptism on the newly acquired batch of ‘old, weak, sick, disabled goblins’, purify them without further eggplant parasitism. Such ‘holy healing goblins’ should have no ‘pollution risk’, right? Finally, one more idea: simulate Shadow Uniform, manufacture a batch of isolation suits for Eggplant Goblins to wear, isolating ‘shadow pollution’ inside the suits…”
Yuan Zhu continued: “These three types of goblins can be grouped and assigned to different factory buildings for observation. Flask Goblins and holy healing goblins handled by me; the last batch of isolation suit goblins handed to you.”
Nie Yin, puzzled, pointed at herself: “Me?!”
Where do I know ‘isolation suits’?
Yuan Zhu reminded: “Frog skin! I know your talents; besides Frog School research literacy, you have unique studies in frog skin tanning, sewing; blood ink brewing, tattoo engraving fields. Frog Skin Wallet is a great work. I think you can reference your own Shadow Uniform, no need to copy, just simulate a bit of essence, tailor from frog skin, add ‘blood ink engraving’ to grant pollution isolation effect.”
Nie Yin suddenly understood: “You want me to make clothing with isolation effects from frog skin?”
Yuan Zhu nodded: “Can it be done?”
Nie Yin thought, then replied: “For ability user isolation suits, hard. But just for ‘Eggplant Goblins’ to wear, not difficult; main issue is ‘runes’. I don’t know isolation effect ‘runes, talismans’; if you can find some for reference, I’m very interested in this task!”
Whether cultivating Goblin Strongmen or Shadow Goblin Warriors, it’s all working for Yuan Zhu. Research results will repay Gratitude Loan in Anti-Law debt form.
But ‘runes, engraving, tailoring, frog skin making’ research isn’t in Gratitude Loan scope. These ideas and knowledge can accumulate as her personal system.
Yuan Zhu nodded satisfied: “Settled then! This side first to you; I’ll go check on little Tang.”
With that, Yuan Zhu left Farming Area 1, heading toward the small greenhouse. By time, Yuan Tang should be assisting and learning with senior student at this point.
