Chapter 144: 【three Phases】 And 【anti-law】
Under the Captain’s explanation, Yuan Zhu gradually understood everything.
If asked what the greatest gain from this mission was? For him, it was naturally the massive upgrade of the [Boss Template], as well as completing the most important Seal Casting for the [Holy Light System].
But from the angle the Captain discussed, the greatest gain this time was the [Shadow Dream Hole] that he did not value.
He certainly knew that the [Dream Hole] was very precious, involving secrets of Heavenly Rank Experts, and even having some connection to the World Will.
But unfortunately, although this thing belonged to him, he could not take it away. Like the [Shadow Domain], it was immovable property. Especially the [Domain], where he enjoyed 100% property rights, but this [Shadow Dream Hole] was in limbo, with a share of investment from the World Will inside, making it a joint venture relationship.
Now returning to [Happy Home], only his personal power was real and substantial, while other industries could be sold off as long as the price was high.
The Captain nodded: “Hearing you say that, I already know what the [Dream Hole] is. It is indeed very valuable.”
Yuan Zhu reacted: “Could it be that the Real World, or other Bubble Worlds, also have [Dream Holes]?”
He originally thought the [Dream Hole] was a unique product of Insect Cultivators shattering the void, but he soon realized that the Underground World first had ‘Dream Holes’, which led to Heavenly Ranks, and then more Heavenly Rank Supreme Experts opened new ‘Dream Holes’, solely to connect and communicate with the [Nightmare Layer].
So, does only the Underground World have the [Nightmare Layer]? Of course not. Countless ‘Bubble Worlds’ float and soak in the [Nightmare Bubble Layer], so it was only natural for other worlds to have ‘Dream Holes’.
The Captain replied: “The [Dream Hole] you speak of is called the [Erosion Gap] in the Nightmare School. Its essence is a fissure that penetrates and connects ‘dream and reality’. But the [Erosion Gap] itself is not as stable as a ‘Dream Hole’, nor is it a circular constant hole; it even naturally heals under the influence of the Real World.”
“In the [Nightmare School], every [Erosion Gap] overlaid with specific solidification rituals can be understood as drilling a hole in a wall and installing fixed bolts. If one roughly understands a [Dreamland] clinging to the Real World as a building, then its infrastructure foundation is built on countless fixed bolts named [Erosion Gaps], securely anchoring this building to the thing called ‘reality/world’.”
“And the camp you mentioned, as well as the [Shadow Dream Hole] as the core of the territory, in my view, infinitely approaches the prototype of a [Dreamland]. The ‘Shadow Demon God’ behind you should have experience invading Bubble Worlds, with very mature methods. If it is willing to cooperate and share the [Shadow Dream Hole], I would be very happy to invest in your ‘camp’.”
Yuan Zhu, who had no experience in colonizing and developing ‘Bubble Worlds’, braced himself and replied on behalf of the other ‘angel investor (Tiger Demon King)’ behind him: “Cooperation is absolutely no problem! That is a very approachable and friendly existence.”
The Captain’s gaze toward him changed slightly: “Oh? Are you sure? I mean sharing the other’s authority, including the [Shadow Dream Hole], which seriously interferes with the other’s sovereignty and interests. If the profit sharing is uneven in the future, that would be a huge hidden danger.”
“No problem, cooperation naturally requires sincerity. This territory can completely go the joint venture route, with [Happy Home] taking half and splitting the revenue evenly.”
Yuan Zhu wished to bring in more forces. In the Underground World, he had been working hard to cultivate the Little Girl, forcing this 12-year-old underdeveloped child laborer to stand in a three-way balance with the Left Lord’s Half-Step Heavenly Rank Great Perfection and Shopkeeper Lu.
Then, he artificially created three camps with different stances: [Shadow System, Holy Light System, Traditional System]. And before returning, he massively promoted all non-Cicada City Cicada Tribe foreign workers in the camp…
He did this only to pull in, suppress, balance… turning [Animal Husbandry Village] into scattered sand, which would benefit his [Monarch Offline System].
If the Mao Mao King could also descend powerfully and become a major shareholder to counter the pressure from other Insect Cities, he would be even happier, clapping and cheering.
As for half the profits being taken? This broken territory was all created by him through blind luck, with costs infinitely approaching 0. Now becoming a rentier collecting regular dividends, what was there to be dissatisfied about? He was extremely satisfied.
The Captain was unaware of Yuan Zhu’s relationship with [Animal Husbandry Village], only thinking it was the work of a shadow god and demon communicated through an ‘Evil God ritual’.
He did not expect that a mere newcomer who had just accepted pollution would have the qualification to make decisions for a Demon God capable of projecting power across [Bubble Layers].
“It seems I underestimated you.”
The Captain quickly recalled the details of Yuan Zhu’s last proactive contact:
First, expressing the intent to sell a sealed [Disease System] Pollution Garden, seeking a taker; second, inquiring about acquisition methods for the higher version of [Anti-Law]; then, right after branding the Holy Mark, the [Seal Casting] progress surged; finally, showing ambition to cultivate a second ‘Pollution System’.
Originally, he guessed the other had good luck and found the remains of some ‘Disease System Demon God’ in that [Disease Garden].
Using [Holy Light] to restrain and purify pollution to quickly get stronger; while also eyeing ‘Disease System pollution’, overreaching to swallow an elephant and monopolize the ‘Pollution Root’.
But now it seemed the other’s path was even wilder, clearly backed by a ‘Shadow System Demon God’.
Not only fully authorizing him to manage the [Shadow Camp], but also helping him rapidly cultivate to complete Seal Casting, and even putting the [Disease Garden] up for sale… this was clearly to protect the other on the path to [Anti-Law].
This was practically the treatment only a real dad could provide!
Facing the Captain’s strange gaze, Yuan Zhu did not know what the other had imagined? Helplessly, he scratched his head and responded with a silly smile.
“Since you can make decisions, I will soon enter this ‘Bubble World’ to inspect your camp. If conditions are suitable, I will build a connection channel between the [Shadow Dream Hole] and [Happy Home] to facilitate future supply transport. Do you have a token to communicate with and control the [Shadow Dream Hole]?”
“Yes, yes!” Yuan Zhu nodded repeatedly, pulling out a black hexagonal crystal pillar. He manipulated the [Shadow Uniform] to casually input related control permissions and gave the Captain control over three [Worm Pillars].
As for whether the other could use this ‘permission’ to reverse infiltrate and crack, ultimately controlling the entire [Shadow Domain], he did not care at all—as long as the Captain was willing to pay.
Taking the black crystal pillar (Ghost Companion memory stick), he examined it briefly. Confirming it was something he had never seen, somewhat incomprehensible, containing unique ‘advanced pollution rules’, and embodying multiple composite pollution attributes like [Soul, Yellow Springs, Shadow].
This all indicated that the Demon God behind Yuan Zhu, regardless of strength, was of high stature. And full of confidence in its own power, granting such broad permissions even to a weak agent.
He inexplicably thought of the Mao Mao King behind him, similarly regardless of strength, and handing over management rights of [Happy Home] to him.
Emm… comparing himself to Yuan Zhu, was that somewhat insulting himself?
After receiving the black crystal, the Captain changed the topic: “Now let’s talk about your follow-up rewards. Investment in the camp side, chips paid to the Demon God behind you, and future profit sharing, we will discuss after I return from the Bubble World. Now, I will give extra rewards for your performance in this mission.”
“Oh?”
Yuan Zhu perked up; he loved hearing this!
“You have completed [Seal Casting], backed by an unknown Demon God, condensing Soul Crystals is effortless. Weren’t you inquiring about [Anti-Law]? I can provide the complete [Three-Phase Power] and [Anti-Law] ascension ritual. From initial contact and condensing [Anti-Law Rules], to all subsequent content for ascension to godhood. How about it?”
Yuan Zhu looked at the other in disbelief: “You’re giving me everything so easily?”
“This knowledge is the least valuable. [Holy Light, Kunlun, Buddhism…] all have their own circles and world clusters beyond ‘Du Ling’. And the [Space of Gods] is the circle of [Anti-Law Demon Gods], a loose alliance created based on the [Nightmare Bubble Layer]. Thus, knowledge from other systems may be hard to obtain, but for [Anti-Law], as long as your strength is sufficient, they will eagerly deliver the relevant cultivation knowledge to you.”
“But I still need to remind you: once you contact [Three-Phase Power], no matter how excellent your usual style, reputation, character, or thought rating, your credit rating will drop sharply. Once you cross the final step and gather three Supernatural Systems, you are likely to be blacklisted by multiple forces and become a key surveillance target.”
Yuan Zhu asked: “Because of the [Instigator]?”
The Captain nodded: “Yes. [Three-Phase Power] is like opening a blind box; no one knows the personality of a ‘Three-Phase Patient’s’ [Instigator]. But over 90% are negative and uncontrollable bad things. Even if a person has firm will and withstands the [Instigator]’s endless pollution in the early stage of activating Three-Phase Power, what about later? There will always come a day when some trigger makes them unable to endure, snapping that string, and their temperament completely changes.”
“Similar cases are innumerable; anyone choosing [Three Phases] sees a sharp drop in credit rating. Fortunately, [Holy Light] has excellent reputation in this regard; with [Soul Crystal] as the soul’s anchor, many Holy Church Monks’ [Instigators] kill the host through grinding before they can twist the host’s soul and will.”
Yuan Zhu: “…”
What more could he say? Holy Church, awesome!
He could not help asking again: “Captain, does [Anti-Law] have no side effects?”
“In the [Space of Gods], the backstage boss of every independent team is an [Anti-Law Demon God]. [Anti-Law] itself has none, but choosing this path joins you in the game of big fish eating small fish. Um… the ones around you are all big fish.”
“…” Yuan Zhu retorted, “Then will the Mao Mao King eat me too?”
The Captain rolled his eyes: “The Mao Mao King is not interested in you; worry about the [Shadow Demon God] behind you first.”
After the conversation ended, the Captain first touched the stone pillar in the hall, performed some unknown operation, then redeemed a palm-sized iron box and handed it to Yuan Zhu.
Then he looked at Meng Xiyue, who was curiously sneaking glances, and lightly pointed toward her position: “Meng Xi, come here; I have something to tell you.”
…
This time, it was Yuan Zhu’s turn to perfunctorily deal with the anti-fraud expert, while occasionally stealing glances at the female university student chatting excitedly and happily with the Captain.
Clearly, Meng Xiyue had also reached some deal with the Captain, hitting his sweet spot perfectly, with the exchange going extremely smoothly, the girl nodding repeatedly in agreement.
Finally, Meng Xiyue boldly placed her Backpack in front of the Captain, making a ‘pick any’ gesture.
Meanwhile, Zhou Chu was very curious about the ‘territory’ he had created. Upon learning Yuan Zhu had also taken in a group of orphans from the outskirts of [Insect City], she gave high praise and asked: “Why consider spreading the [Law Path] in the Underground World? After trading with the Captain, can you return here often? At that time, can you send someone to contact [Firefly] and bring my students to your territory? They will work hard to maintain order and justice in your territory.”
Soon, while Yuan Zhu and Zhou Chu discussed the possibility of hiring the [Justice Child Labor Knight Order] and salary quotes, Meng Xiyue returned bouncing happily, looking very satisfied.
“Chu Chu Sis, lend me Little Brother Yuan for a bit; private matters to discuss.”
Then Meng Xiyue dragged Yuan Zhu away and asked furtively: “Exchange info?”
Yuan Zhu gladly agreed; he had wanted to chat privately anyway: “Sure, I’m very interested in your [Knowledge School]’s ‘Skull Server’! Especially your localized ‘True Qi Skull Server’.”
Meng Xiyue said delightedly: “Good eye! Our [Knowledge School] is very strong, with localized specialty versions of Skull Servers in countries and regions worldwide. Like this time, my attempt to create an [Insect System True Qi Skull Server] in [Cao Ling City]. Sigh, I heard from the Captain that you’ve carved out an unusual territory in the Underground World, involving core secrets of Bubble Worlds? You’re not honest, kid.”
“We could actually cooperate. You help me promote and test-run ‘heads’, I’ll provide tech support to analyze Insect City’s True Qi mysteries. Plus, with this legendary experience, I secretly brought out three ‘Qi Refiners’ heads; as long as I turn them in to the Academy, mentors and professors will back me, providing higher-end tech support. I just need to act as intermediary between [Mao Mao King], the Academy, and Insect City to make a killing! Get rich together!”
Yuan Zhu nodded vigorously: “Get rich together.”
His interest in [Skull Server] lay in his ‘Brain Eggplant’ and whether the large number of ‘Shadow Magic Worms’ could be made into servers?
If possible, [Cockroach Village] would usher in a wave of ascension!
Using the Knowledge School’s ‘Skull Server’ to run dreams and provide computing power—could it create a super ‘biological dream matrix’?
