Chapter 122: Options Incentive! 83 Upon Joining
Treating the Shadow Dream Hole as a server and control backend, remotely operating the Shadow Domain for a bit, Yuan Zhu then confirmed that his Ultimate Divine Ability had indeed succeeded!
And it was a very smooth one-time completion; he didn’t even exert much effort and easily created the first Domain in his life. He was simply a genius!
A genuine Domain requires the Tiger Demon to diligently cultivate and brew it, tempering the Magic Array’s strength with his own Magic Power, constantly consuming individual Energy, driving Ghost Companions to push the Magic Array, accumulating and stacking Underworld attributes, and ultimately connecting with the Underworld.
And preserving this ‘fire seed,’ constantly growing stronger, thoroughly penetrating the Yin-Yang Realms, consolidating this Yin-Yang Channel to nourish the Domain’s growth.
Nowadays, everything is directly reversed. The Shadow Dream Hole spontaneously connects the three realms, located in the Shadow Layer, linking the Underground World with the Nightmare Layer. It spontaneously draws Shadow Power, absorbs pollution from the Underground World, and feeds back Nightmare Energy to strengthen the Domain.
So Yuan Zhu only needs to wait and let the Shadow Dream Hole operate at full power. This can reverse-temper and strengthen the still immature Domain, step by step improving the Shadow Domain’s strength until balance is achieved.
If there’s any regret or flaw? It’s probably that the mere Shadow Dream Hole has limited power. The current 1km diameter Domain area is its limit.
Compared to the even more grand Cicada City, divided into upper, middle, and lower districts with root veins crisscrossing. Compared to this small Underground Cavity, the gap is enormous.
This Shadow Dream Hole is truly too disappointing to the Kitten!
The mind healing master timely intervenes in treatment: “King, don’t be discouraged! Our Shadow Domain has a qualitative difference from Cicada City! The Domain is your absolute domain. Although it’s currently level Lv0 with experience starting from zero, as the Shadow Dream Hole diligently works for you, it will gradually raise the Domain level.”
“In contrast, Cicada City is just a mere city, with only area but professionally arranged Magic Arrays and more Dream Holes opened to maintain ecological balance. In the future, when you make big money in the Underground World, you can also purchase Magic Array services and cultivate turncoats like Commander Zuo to work for you, break through to the Heavenly Realm, open more Shadow Dream Holes, and further elevate the Domain scale.”
Little Spicy Stick summarizes: “Others build cities and manage cities, using High-Level Dao Seed to rule the people. But you are the Ruler of the Shadow Domain, the god who controls the rules!”
Yuan Zhu’s brows immediately relax: “Well said! I will now grant you management rights to the Domain. This territory, We shall govern together with Our beloved subject!”
With that, Yuan Zhu tossed 40% control of the Shadow Domain to Little Spicy Stick.
Apart from some fundamental Domain rule-setting and resource regulation decided by him, Little Spicy Stick can already exercise nearly 90% of the Shadow Domain’s daily management permissions.
As for the Simulated Dungeon, just let Little Spicy Stick play with it.
“Oh! Boss long live! Big brother auspicious! Happy New Year to the boss!” After a cheer, Little Spicy Stick eagerly drives the Semi-Mechanical Mouse that can’t contact teammates, speeding off into the distance.
Now, as long as they are within the Domain range, her and Yuan Zhu’s soul signals won’t disconnect, allowing them to scurry freely, enjoying the joy of having legs.
Thus, the Semi-Mechanical Mouse hugs its head with both hands, the mechanical one-eyed pulling a red stream of light, controlling eight insect legs to scurry wildly on the ground, drilling into any hole it sees, running wild freely, extremely happy, and the scene is equally terrifying.
Is this the feeling of having legs? Is this the breath of freedom? Is this running? It’s so great!
…
Yu Jingzi possesses the Mouse, speeding into a cave and disappearing.
Yuan Zhu continues to inspect his territory. This Domain is newly formed, with no foundation or accumulation, slowly drawing Shadow Power from the Shadow Layer through the Shadow Dream Hole.
The Domain itself is a Battery, which can accumulate Shadow Pollution until it forms internal and external balance with the Shadow Layer. The absorbed Shadow Pollution can refine the existing Immortal World Tree Root Tendrils in the Soil, gradually twisting and converting them into dedicated Shadow Power ‘transmission channels + Batteries’.
Even further, twisting and assimilating Polluting Energy as well.
However, Yuan Zhu thinks it’s more likely that the local Immortal World Tree Root Tendrils will gradually adapt to the Shadow Domain, coexist with it, and ultimately merge and absorb it in reverse!
Even the Disease Garden can absorb Holy Cough Goblins; can’t the Immortal World Tree Root Tendrils occupying the entire Underground World swallow a mere Shadow Domain?
He isn’t arrogant enough to think a mere Shadow Domain can perform the snake swallowing elephant, reverse-whale-swallowing the Underground World’s Root Network.
The ultimate fate of his own Domain is inevitably to be incorporated and assimilated by the Bubble World, which is also the purpose of the World Will.
By investing in the Tiger Demon, opening a new Shadow Branch for this planet’s underground Ecosystem, gaining more variables and possibilities to further perfect the world’s flaws. This is a means of self-salvation.
The essence of the Shadow Domain belonging to the Tiger Demon won’t change, nor will the Shadow Pollution as the main body, but it will inevitably be bent into the local shape, merging with the Insect System, Kunlun System, and even the surface Knight System.
Intermingling and influencing each other, evolving a new path according to the Tiger Demon’s ideas. If the Tiger Demon can’t do it, kill it and replace with a new spokesperson to continue.
It’s a bit like a local township government supporting out-of-town entrepreneurs to open Factories.
Yuan Zhu invests with Shadow Technology, providing Employment Positions for the local area, bringing new technological innovations, enhancing local enterprise competitiveness, and opening new out-of-town markets… even selling local specialties outward, stimulating new vitality in the township (World Salvation).
What the Bubble World needs to pay is merely a Shadow Dream Hole.
But Yuan Zhu has much more to consider, from Territory Construction, investment planning, recruiting Employees… On the other hand, he also bears the expectations of the Mao Mao King.
“I’m really too difficult, too responsible! Come on, engage in business!”
…
After going out, he calls Commander Zuo and Shopkeeper Lu to accompany him, bringing his right and left hands to patrol the countryside and tour the Shadow Domain.
A bumpkin Boss personally going to the front-line Construction Site, gesticulating and issuing commands.
“Old Zuo, Old Lu, I plan to use twelve Worm Pillars. Town Stones as starting points, sequentially dividing the Domain into 12 Sectors. Later, these 123 districts can be turned into Farming Areas, responsible for raising insects; those 456 districts over there can try Crop Cultivation to provide Food for the Camp.”
Lu Yan, conferred as Chief Security Officer, quickly pulls out a small notebook to record. His business in Cicada City has stopped, the shop preserved by Commander Zuo, now unable to turn back, can only wholeheartedly accompany Yuan Zhu to engage in business.
Yuan Zhu takes a deep breath; the Miasma in the Air is cleared to zero, filled with a faint Shadow fragrance, refreshing the mind: “The Domain is newly formed and already has defensive effects, providing safe shelter. Common Underground World ‘Magic Worm disturbances and pollution Miasma’ can be spontaneously cleaned and absorbed. Once the Shadow Dream Hole is opened, they can be forcibly exiled into the Nightmare, gaining feedback returns.”
While perceiving the Domain’s Basic Functions, Yuan Zhu introduces them to his two subordinates.
At this time, he specially comes to a ‘Cicada larva’ Town Stone, reaching out to perceive and touch this Worm Pillar. Formation Base.
He discovers that the Town Stone base buried in the Soil has already connected and fused with a little Immortal World Tree Root Tendrils, polluting and assimilating them, converting into exclusive Shadow Pollution transmission and storage pipelines, and still continuously expanding the range outward.
Great, full of vigor!
Not only that, he also confirms that the Worm Pillar has weak biological characteristics, able to draw Shadow and Nightmare Power, slowly growing, self-tempering, strengthening the Domain’s potential.
Each Town Stone is a core node of the Shadow Domain, Energy hub, charging station… even with huge potential to excavate and develop.
He beckons to Zuo Fan: “Commander Zuo, please come over.”
The other steps forward to the front of the Worm Pillar and asks: “What instructions does Master have?”
“Put your hand on the Town Stone, and I will grant you control of the Domain.”
“Oh?”
Zuo Fan raises an eyebrow, looking at Yuan Zhu with surprise and a hint of expectation. Starting to delegate power to him already?
Yuan Zhu says: “You also know that nowadays the Domain is composed jointly by the Shadow Dream Hole and 12 Worm Pillars. These twelve Town Stones each have authority to manage one Sector. Not only that, they can also enjoy and mobilize 1/12 of the Domain’s Energy rights.”
“Commander Zuo, you are currently opening the Heaven and Earth Bridge, impacting the Heavenly Realm. I am willing to hand this Worm Pillar to you to manage, freely drawing Nightmare Power to refine Innate Primordial Qi. Additionally, after controlling this Worm Pillar, you will also get usage rights to the Shadow Dream Hole, able to open it independently without going through me, convenient for Secluded Cultivation. Subsequently, I will transfer more Camp management rights to this Worm Pillar.”
Zuo Fan is overjoyed upon hearing this; this Boss is indeed reliable! And he vows solemnly: “I will not fail Master’s trust!”
“Mm!”
Yuan Zhu pats the other’s shoulder, then looks at the equally desirous Shopkeeper Lu but doesn’t easily promise.
Having one role model is enough. First act like a scumbag girl, tease the lapdog’s appetite, stimulate their initiative, and talk about rewards later.
…
Thus, the three continue patrolling the desolate, eerie, pitch-black Underground Cavity with no scenery, but their hearts are all fiery. Because everyone has a bright future!
Yuan Zhu continues pointing: “Though my Domain has various wondrous abilities, it currently only preserves itself. Whether it’s the gathered Shadow Power or the Nightmare Power fed back from the Dream Hole, it provides no direct help to orthodox Qi Refiners.”
“The Domain can spontaneously gather pollution Miasma, but has no purification and refining ability. It can only dump it all into the Nightmare Layer, which is of no help to ‘breathing and Qi Refining,’ even harmful, because all Polluting Energy is expelled. Additionally, my Domain seems to have no help for ‘Planting,’ only providing safe shelter. If the Food problem isn’t solved soon, the Camp’s population can’t grow.”
Zuo Fan, who obtained 1/12 management rights to the Domain, immediately guarantees: “I will continue transporting Food and purchase slaves proficient in Mushroom Planting, first reclaiming wasteland in the Camp to plant basic Food.”
Yuan Zhu complains: “Don’t forget fluorescent Slime Mold. Visibility in this broken place is too low; I want to plant glowing colorful Slime Mold all over the cavity ceiling!”
Lu Yan quickly says: “That’s easy, leave it to me!”
Zuo Fan, combining his experience impacting the Heavenly Realm with Nightmare Power (Shadow + Nightmare), analyzes and advises: “Master, perhaps we can control a batch of low-level cultivators and make them switch to cultivating Shadow Breathing Technique. This way, we can utilize the basic welfare of Shadow Power in the Camp and also deepen the bond for binding.”
“Once they enter our Camp and cultivate Shadow Breathing Technique, they won’t be able to defect in the future. Because other Insect Cities can hardly provide this unique Shadow Power. In addition, we can externally open the Shadow Dream Hole. To use the Shadow Dream Hole, they must master Shadow True Qi, ultimately binding them to our ship.”
“Also, from my observations, our Camp has only solved primary hazards: risks from Magic Worms and Miasma; but Defense is still insufficient, with risks from Demonic Giant Insects, Enter Demonic Path martial artists, search teams from other Insect Cities, Root Tumor Demon Embryos… etc. We should open the Shadow Dream Hole to recruit and attract more wild powerhouses.”
Yuan Zhu waves his hand: “The Camp never lacks defensive power; you’ve also felt the power contained in the Worm Pillar, right? As long as the Shadow Dream Hole isn’t damaged, the Camp can continuously draw power from the Shadow Layer and Nightmare Layer until internal-external balance. And I have another ability to refine Ghost Companions.”
“Each Worm Pillar can store one Ghost Companion for you to drive and use. Normally, Ghost Companions can move freely in the Domain, providing defensive power. When inactive, they can draw Shadow Power to continue growing… I call it the Twelve Zodiac Palaces!”
Commander Zuo asks: “How strong exactly are these Twelve Palaces?”
Yuan: “It depends on how strong they were in life? The stronger the death row prisoners provided by the Commander, the more terrifying the refined Ghost Companions. The stronger the Worm Pillar tempers, the stronger the Ghost Companion’s strength. The larger the Domain grows, the greater the Ghost Companion’s potential.”
Zuo Fan immediately thinks of the origin of these Worm Pillars. He never provided Yuan Zhu with any Demonic Giant Insects. So these Giant Worm Town Stones could only come from those death row prisoners.
He knows well the prisoners’ basic information; among these ordinary death row prisoners, there are non-Cicada Tribe Qi Refiners.
Then he thinks of the first mantis Town Stone, and the Cockroach Brothers who committed theft in the lower district. And the Water Scorpion Assassins who committed Crime in other Insect Cities, joined plunder teams, and were captured.
For a moment, his back feels slightly cold. This new lord is truly ruthless, having the skill to develop death row prisoners into Giant Worms, enhance potential, and refine into Ritual Implements for array setup.
If he hadn’t begged for mercy in time back then, would there be an unprecedented super Worm Pillar or Heavenly Realm Ghost Companion in the Camp?!
So, if he sends 12 Earth Rank powerhouses, couldn’t they be refined into even more terrifying ‘Dao Soldiers (Ghost Companions)’?
Considering this Camp’s area, only 1km diameter, guarded by 12 powerful Earth Rank peak Dao Soldiers, the defensive power is indeed sufficient, even saturated.
Understanding his Boss’s hint, Commander Zuo says lowly: “I will find a way to gather the Tribute! However… my frequent mobilization of subordinates to extract death row prisoners has already attracted some attention.”
Yuan Zhu: “No rush on that, take it slow. I have five Earth Rank prisoners on hand, enough for now. Just keep an eye out later.”
Lu Yan, always lacking chances to perform, also speaks: “Master, I am willing to return to the city to contact the Technician Alliance, find a way to procure a batch of Tube Worms to purify and refine Spiritual Energy for the Camp’s consumption. If there’s sufficient funding, I can also invite professional Magic Array Technicians to lay Worm Control Arrays for the Camp.”
Yuan Zhu: “Spiritual Energy and Food are both big problems; I’ll find ways to solve them using the Domain. But you all need to pay attention too; insufficient population will constrain the Camp’s Expansion and Development.”
The Shadow Domain is indeed great, but its essence is a product of Shadow Pollution combined with a small amount of Nightmare Power. Not deeply connected to Insect System, Kunlun System, or Knight System.
Now the Domain is spontaneously expanding and polluting the Root Network, which might digest and absorb Spiritual Energy pollution, but that requires a lot of time for gradual Refinement.
Moreover, once pollution intake reaches the limit, it must stop. Even continue investing to increase Shadow Pollution proportion to ensure Shadow dominance.
Otherwise, excessive intake of Immortal World Tree Root Tendrils would result in the entire Domain being polluted and refined by them.
Yuan Zhu continues: “Also, we can first recruit a batch of kids like the Little Mantid Siblings. In the Upper City District suburbs, a batch of missing unconcerned kids isn’t eye-catching. Once they arrive at the Camp, Shopkeeper Lu will teach them Shadow Breathing Technique, and I’ll hurry to make a batch of Shadow Eggplants to help them alter their constitutions.”
Yuan Zhu has no High-Level Dao Seed to control subordinates, nor Cicada Insects, Infant Insects, or Lacewing Insects to control life and death. Yet he can take another path, letting Ghost Companions continuously split Shadow Eggplants to parasitize bodies, then subdued and refined by Dao Seeds, granting them Shadow constitutions. Fitting perfectly with the Shadow Domain, obtaining the first batch of reserve citizens.
“Additionally, the Domain has direct connection to Shadow Dream Hole function; Commander, you also have Dream Hole control rights. You can consider creating small-scale ‘pollution riots’ in Underground Tunnels, control the scale and lead into the Camp, utilizing the Domain’s uniqueness to take them all into the Nightmare, gaining massive feedback. At that time, whether for Cultivation or further reinforcing and tempering the territory, they are top supplements!”
Commander Zuo’s eyes light up; at this moment, he also has Enlightenment about why Cicada City’s lords like incinerating Magic Worms.
They say it’s to reduce the Underground World’s pollution disasters, protect the people’s safety, and increase Pure Spiritual Energy concentration. Now it seems, more for themselves!
Expelling the black smoke from incinerating Magic Worms into the Nightmare, gaining feedback power to strengthen their own cultivation, more power injected into Magic Arrays to maintain the Lower Urban Area’s Magic Array operation!
Now, I am also a ‘lord,’ feels great!
