Chapter 322: Useless Son-in-law Devours His Master, Orcs Reveal Their Rebel Nature
After hollowing out the entire first floor of the Haunted House, the Tiger Demon did not continue to intensify its exploitation and devouring of the second floor. Instead, after driving the three Eggplant Head Ghosts into the Door Space-connected Grotto-Heaven Space, it decisively cut it off and closed it.
“Hoo—!”
After exhaling lightly, the Tiger Demon looked at the circular cabin door floating in front of it and sighed: “The distance is too far; this consumption is a bit exaggerated.”
Its earlier opening of the Door action was no different from the orthodox exploration of the space-time behind the Door. It just swapped the coordinates [1]’s Shadow Dimension for the private Grotto-Heaven Space opened and hosted by the Yin Mountain Dharma Domain.
Even so, the consumption to maintain the Space-Time Door was still enormous. It squeezed the Haunted House for energy on one side while emptying the Haunted House’s accumulated Shadow Assets on the other.
Therefore, the Haunted House’s endurance as a power bank plummeted rapidly. After it emptied half of its savings, a paradox arose, making it unable to maintain and empty the other half (second floor).
This time, it had to reluctantly stop!
…
“Buddhuddhuddh!”
The last Eggplant Head Ghost, who personally witnessed the three brothers ascend to the Upper Realm (Door Space) but missed out itself, anxiously pounced forward, yet dared not use too much force as it gently pawed at the Tiger Demon’s fur.
Just like a monkey flattering the king of beasts by picking lice, anxious yet restrained.
The Tiger Demon ignored it, merely glancing at it before its mind stirred. The shadows beneath it instantly came alive, baring fangs and claws as they lunged from the ground, transforming into a gaping maw that swallowed the bewildered Eggplant Head Ghost into the Universe Within The Belly, returning the Ghost Companion to position.
With the Eggplant Head Ghost gone, a “+1” information prompt appeared on the Tiger Demon’s Ghost Companion Divine Ability ledger.
As the Tiger Demon successfully condensed the Door, both its strength and realm elevated a major level. The capacity of the Ghost Companion Divine Ability, and the quality of Ghost Companions it could bear, expanded dramatically.
At this moment, the Tiger Demon perceived the Eggplant Head Ghost’s strength intensity and compared it to the Ghost Companion Divine Ability. It felt no burden or pressure whatsoever; for goods like this, it could carry three-digit numbers on its person!
Even if switched to more powerful Shadow Magic Worms, it could now carry 50-60 on its person, ushering in a surge in comprehensive strength.
…
After breaking through to Door level, not only did the Ghost Companion Divine Ability expand wildly; even the increasingly prominent Ascension Impulse from before rapidly receded.
This phenomenon surprised it greatly.
In theory, the stronger the strength and the heavier the pollution, the more rejection from the Real World, leading to intense Ascension Impulse.
According to its investigation (blind inquiries), many ability users in the mid-to-late Seed level could no longer withstand the attraction and summons from the Spirit Layer, nor adapt to the Present World’s thin Polluting Energy, and thus chose (passively) to ascend in broad daylight.
Yet with the birth of the Shadow Door, the Tiger Demon’s constant Ascension Impulse miraculously cleared to zero?!
The original sensation of sinking into quagmire and degenerating into the Shadow Layer once the Tiger Demon Stance was activated and Shadow Power overused was completely gone.
This situation was extremely counter to Common Sense, unreasonable.
Snake Snake spoke softly: “Could it be… that you have actually Ascended? The Door is the ascension channel.”
Tiger Demon: “Huh?! How have I already Ascended?”
Snake Snake explained: “In the Supernatural Knowledge you recorded, it is clearly stated that as long as one has the will, anyone can ‘Ascend’. Conversely, those Supernaturalists forcibly Ascended (rejected) into the Spirit Layer at Seed level will have their accounts canceled by Du Ling Star (Main World), gradually losing their Pale Species identity to become Polluting Lifeforms of the Spirit Layer, registering new (Spirit Realm) accounts.”
“Such ‘Ascenders’, once Ascended to the Upper Realm, immediately lose their original registry and can never return to Du Ling Star. The stronger the strength, the higher the Pollution Index, the greater the rejection force from the Human World (Du Ling Star). Only those who thoroughly resist the ‘Ascension Impulse’, successfully opening a Door in the Present World with thin pollution, have the qualification to anchor Du Ling Star via the Door and retain their registry. And in the Spirit Layer, they can resist the Main World’s repulsive force to forcibly reverse-return to the Human World.”
“This act, in ancient traditional myths, is called Descending to the Mortal World! As the saying goes: Ascension is easy, descending is hard. The Heavenly Court has 100,000 Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, but those who can freely descend to the world are few and far between. The Door is a comprehensive symbol of ‘strength, status, realm’; only geniuses who withstand Du Ling’s repulsive force before passive Ascension, actively condense the Door, and anchor the Present World, can communicate Du Ling Star via the Door, withstand the pressure, and return to the Human World.”
Tiger Demon: “There’s such an operation? So my situation is very off! By your words, most ability users are forced to Ascend to the Spirit Layer before opening the Door. And only in the higher-energy environment can they open the Door, right?”
Snake Snake: “The information says so.”
“Then, after opening the Door in the Spirit Layer, where does the Door lead?”
Snake: “This… let me guess: it should lead to the time-space where one’s own Pollution System’s Origin is located.”
Tiger Demon: “Although I condensed the Door, I feel no oppression or repulsive force. By your reasoning, ability users with a Door can at most retain Du Ling registry, yet still be rejected into the Door’s other end due to excessive Pollution Degree. To return to Du Ling, they’d have to endure immense pressure, reverse-open the door, constantly bearing Du Ling Star’s rejection. But my current feeling is the opposite: opening the Door is extremely difficult, with huge pressure and risk on the other side, requiring full effort to push open. Whereas in Du Ling, it’s effortless, no pressure at all. It’s completely inverted!”
Snake: “I’m puzzled too; our current state completely mismatches the recorded information. So I boldly speculate this is the Mountain Lord’s Domain’s fault. You didn’t open the Door through normal strength; rather, through Domain opening + Deed’s high status, you were reverse-gifted this Door.”
“The Mountain Lord’s Domain can be seen as a larger Tiger Demon shell; its essence part (Grotto-Heaven Space) has sunk into a Different Dimension due to excessive Pollution Concentration, completing Ascension. Instead, the Tiger Demon true body is more like a drop in the Domain’s ocean. Your free activity in the Real World is because the Domain + Grotto-Heaven Space is bearing the load for you.”
…
After hearing Snake Tail’s analysis, the Tiger Demon raised its claw again, touching the Door before it; its fingertip felt the thick, metallic solidity—extremely sturdy.
Immediately after, a magical scene appeared.
Numerous guesses and doubts arose in the Tiger Demon’s mind, all answered by the Door. This thing (Door) was like an emotionless, mindless Program, able to draw on the host’s Knowledge Reserve to answer some questions.
The Door was not just a Space Door leading to different worlds, but also a symbol of certain status, somewhat like a Godhead in fantasy worlds.
Without involving the Mountain Lord’s Domain, the Door itself could greatly draw Shadow Spiritual Energy to assist the host’s rapid Cultivation.
Secondly, the Door could record the host’s Supernatural System, gradually evolving exclusive ‘private rules’ toward transformation and Sublimation to the Pollution Root. This was very ‘Godhead’-like.
Additionally, its sturdy structure could serve as a ‘shield’ for defense. But intuition told it that using the Door as a ‘shield’ wastefully would incur an unbearable Price if damaged.
Finally, as Snake Snake said, this Door’s appearance helped the Tiger Demon share a considerable portion of resistance against Ascension Rejection. It was like a protective umbrella, allowing the Tiger Demon to wield more Power in Reality without worrying about forced Ascension.
But this function was closely tied to the Domain’s existence, not a standard Door function.
If the Mountain Lord’s Domain (Yin Mountain cluster + Cold Pond) was real estate on Du Ling Star (Present World); the Grotto-Heaven Space was assets opened in Different Time and Space. Then the Door was the Tiger Demon’s account.
Because of the Domain’s existence, it provided guarantee for the Tiger Demon’s activities in the Human World. But this ‘guarantee’ wasn’t permanent; as the Tiger Demon’s strength rapidly improved, the Ascension Impulse would reappear, eventually forcing it away.
……
Shaking its head to stop pondering Door issues, Yuan Zhu switched back to Human Stance and went all the way to the top-floor Attic.
After entering the Disease Garden via the mirror, he saw Yuan Tiao training the Half-blood Orcs and force-worker Goblins.
At this time, the Orc five brothers had two fiercely clashing in combat. Their Martial Arts moves weren’t particularly refined, but the actions were swift and powerful, carrying a primal ferocity—very exhilarating.
The three Orcs standing nearby watching now displayed Essence, Qi, Spirit utterly different from before. As if gaining a confident Temperament, even upon noticing Yuan Zhu’s gaze, courage surged in their hearts to meet it directly.
They actually looked over without evasion?!
Yuan Zhu was greatly surprised: what was this? The usually timid, dodgy-eyed, black-skinned Orcs brutally beaten by Younger Brother—had they Shedding the Mortal Body and Exchanging the Bones? He actually saw a hint of defiance in their eyes? Had ‘Black Lives Matter blood’ awakened or something?
Yuan Zhu came to A Tiao’s side, who was seriously observing the match and occasionally giving pointers, and voiced his inner doubt.
Younger Brother as Coach also noticed the Half-blood Orcs’ changes and figured out the cause, reporting softly: “Since the end of the last Fighting match, they’ve undergone this change.”
Yuan Zhu: “Because of the match? They won, so they got confident?”
Snake Snake analyzed inwardly: “Probably from bravely swinging fists of resistance against human tyranny. Not only did they win the match, but they got cheers from the entire arena. Thus, their Three Views shattered and reformed, overcoming inner inferiority and fear, and under Polluting Energy’s Erosion, they developed baffling confidence, quickly unable to distinguish friend from foe.”
Yuan Zhu realized: “Got it.”
It seemed the key was the Frog System Modification’s Mental Pollution, plus being raised and enslaved by humans from youth; suddenly turning on the master, rebelliously thrashing humans and tasting sweetness, so their mindset rapidly warped. They got cocky!
At this time, Yuan Zhu used Anti-Law to perceive and read the Orc five brothers’ psychological changes.
Indeed! As Snake Snake said, they had grown confident. Half-blood Orcs’ intelligence wasn’t much lower than humans’; last night in the Arena Match, they overheard Little Girl haggling with the organizers over Appearance Fee.
Then, personally stepping onto the Arena, feeling unprecedented attention and cheers; then easily defeating and brutally beating a human in front of many to vent anger; finally earning hefty Appearance Fee… the Orc brothers also realized their own value.
During last night’s rest, they huddled together discussing, unanimously concluding they were no longer roadside disposables easily abandoned by Yuan Zhu.
Though Yuan Zhu treated them harshly and somewhat disdainfully, his investment in them was substantial: specially signing Anti-Law Contract for complete Power System Modification, hiring professional Martial Arts Coach (Yuan Tiao), providing rich nutritious Food, potions, injections, and constantly downloading updated smart Martial Arts via Brain Eggplant CPU… a heavy investment, not treatment for ordinary Half-blood Orc laborers.
Finally, in this Underground Fighting, Yuan Zhu exposed his Ambition: cultivating these five brothers to fight Arena Matches and Make Money for him! And they didn’t disappoint, easily beating opponents to win victory, glory, and money for the master.
After discussion, the Orc brothers unanimously determined their value far exceeded current treatment. They should muster courage, face the Boss squarely, bravely negotiate for advanced treatment like other Anti-Law Contractors (Nie Yin, Yuan Tang…). They weren’t discriminated mixed-blood black-skinned garbage Orcs, but noble Yuan gang core members, reserve cadres!
Thus, today’s Orcs were exceptionally confident, gazes defiant.
“???”
After reading the Half-blood Orcs’ thoughts, Yuan Zhu was utterly dumbfounded. These illiterates probably truly didn’t understand the real meaning of the Anti-Law they signed?
The thicker his investment cost, the less it meant they could act boldly; rather, the Soul-bound Debt was huger, harder to repay. Even if he were a Benevolent God, if the Orcs died early without clearing the debt, they’d still pay with their Souls.
“Whatever, let them keep being proud! Arrange several more matches tonight, let them fight out confidence, fight out defiance. I want to see if this positive mental state can accelerate Supernatural Modification progress, condense Martial Will?”
Snake Snake: “These matches we arranged ourselves—even if they Make Money, it’s from our own connections and operations. The Revenue should count as deserved Remuneration, not applicable to repaying their Anti-Law Loan Revenue, right?”
Yuan Zhu nodded: “Indeed, 60% of their match Appearance Fee is our service Remuneration. The remaining 40% converts to their food costs, medical fees, Body Tempering Fluid—even that’s not enough. Strictly speaking, not a penny of their Anti-Law Loan has been repaid… they’re owing more instead. But their strength grows stronger with each fight; they don’t lose out.”
Snake Snake: “This isn’t sustainable, right? We’re cultivating them via Anti-Law but seeking no return; I can’t stand you taking such a big loss!”
Yuan Zhu reassured: “Cultivate them more, then send to the Darkness Fighting World to truly Make Big Money. Or, after sufficient tempering, toss behind the Door for exploration Mission debt repayment. Huh, it’s a bit like Mao Mao King assigning us Missions.”
