https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-243-Failure-to-Obtain-a-Rare-Class-Occupation/12850394/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-245-When-It-Comes-to-Team-Wipes-They-Come-Swiftly/12850396/
Chapter 244: The First Phase of the Shadow
Chapter 244: The First Phase of the Shadow
"Professor Li, have you made any new discoveries recently?" Qingjiao, thick-skinned as ever, arrived at the archive room with a small gift for Qin Muye, opening with that question.
Qin Muye yawned, "Captain Qingjiao, these treasure vaults aren't something I can just point to and say they're there. We've already gone through all the archives and the main office; there's only a bit of uncertain scraps left. Even if we went to check, it probably wouldn't even cover your fuel costs."
Perhaps because this place was once a gap in the Shadow Realm, it was heavily fortified with many strong individuals and a fierce local culture, leading to a significant number of treasure vaults. Qin Muye naturally had the Evangelical Goblins take them all.
However, he didn't reveal everything. Since the last time, he had been doling out information bit by bit, like squeezing toothpaste.
Otherwise, if he gave them too much too often, they might end up feeling entitled, so he naturally kept it quiet for a while.
"Professor, don't say that. I don't mind at all. After all, the fuel costs aren't coming out of my pocket. As long as I can find a Shadow Stone, I'll break even. If there's anything, I'll treat you to a big meal, Professor," Qingjiao said with a sly grin.
People like them weren't short of money; what they lacked more were resources for cultivation. So they wouldn't be as naive as Black Eagle and others, planning to sell Shadow Stones for money.
"Tsk, a low-grade Shadow Stone costs a hundred million on the market. Captain Qingjiao, you're only treating Professor Li to one meal? I'd say at least two meals are in order," two men walked in, one of whom spoke up. His codename was Ye Bai, a captain in the local Shadow Management Bureau.
The other man, who came with him, was also a captain named You Yu.
Their codenames were derived from their Shadow Suits, as was the case with most people.
"Go away, don't fan the flames. It looks like you've had some good luck, coming here to give gifts," Qingjiao teased.
The two men pursed their lips, ignoring Qingjiao, and instead placed their gifts down. "Thank you, Professor Li, for your guidance. Please accept these small tokens of our gratitude."
Qin Muye took a look and was quite pleased. There were quite a few good things, including Shadow Stones and some peculiar materials.
"Hmm, you're thoughtful," Qin Muye said.
The two men then thanked him and left, giving Qingjiao a look that said, "You're not playing by the rules."
Clinging to someone like a leech wasn't as effective as giving a gift.
This made Qingjiao feel quite awkward. He had forgotten to bring a gift last time, and besides, there wasn't anything good last time, just a few Shadow Stones.
"Cough, Professor Li, I just remembered I have some business to attend to at the station. You carry on, carry on," Qingjiao said reluctantly and then quickly left.
Qin Muye didn't stop him. He didn't have the time to spare. Despite being able to banter with them, his mind was mostly focused on his shadow, which was currently in the phantom phase.
His mind continuously received data transmitted from the shadow and used it to further adjust and refine it.
He had discovered that the formation of shadows and their types were not entirely random but evolved based on the host's mental and spiritual state, ultimately becoming a suitable Shadow Suit for the shadow user.
This process was like an information exchange, with the shadow continuously reading the host's data, much like self-learning and evolving. The difference was that the shadow would not develop its own consciousness or intelligence until it returned to the Shadow Realm. Instead, it primarily evolved through the host's body.
Like Qin Muye's shadow, which appeared unchanged, this was because Qin Muye was not the one being read but the one transmitting data.
The shadow would be random in the hands of others, but with Qin Muye, he had the corresponding permissions, allowing him to further develop it, shaping it into whatever form he desired.
Wishing for whatever abilities he wanted was impossible. His capabilities were limited, and he couldn't just do whatever he pleased. Otherwise, why not wish for invincibility?
He would need the ability to do so.
The prerequisite was that he had to know and then program the shadow accordingly.
"The phantom phase has limited data exchange, making it perfect to use the Demon Web data to modify the shadow."
"By the time it reaches the solid shadow phase..."
Qin Muye had a rather bold idea. He wanted to replicate the data of the genie from Aladdin's lamp into his shadow, but there were certain difficulties. After all, Aladdin's lamp was a divine artifact, and replicating its data would be no small feat.
Even if it were possible to make the divine artifact a part of his shadow, Qin Muye was not particularly attached to the magic lamp. Its value to him was limited, unlike other divine artifacts that were so powerful. Moreover, if he succeeded, he could use the Wish Spell to make wishes, potentially even achieving the effect of words manifesting as law.
"Give it a try. It would be a good opportunity to combine the techniques of the genie and improve the shadow in its solid phase."
"As for the third phase, the transformation phase, this is a critical stage with greater difficulty and a very short duration. It requires further consideration."
The duration of the phantom and solid shadow phases was unpredictable, ranging from two to three months to about a year.
Qin Muye estimated that each phase would last around two months. He could precisely control the evolution and awakening time of his shadow.
For other shadow users, using Shadow Stones could accelerate the process, speeding up the convergence. However, this method was ineffective for Qin Muye because his shadow could not obtain any growth data from him and could only receive input from him.
If Qin Muye desired, he could instantly make his shadow reach the solid phase or keep it in the phantom phase for a lifetime.
Unlike other shadow users, who had no control over their shadow's growth rate.
Taking out the Aladdin's lamp, Qin Muye began further analysis. As for the phantom phase, he had no worries. He had already controlled its variables through the Demon Web, ensuring stable growth. By idling for two months, his shadow would reach the solid phase, and he only needed to observe the data feedback from the Demon Web and compare it with the shadow's progress daily.
With the phantom phase completed, Qin Muye needed to focus on the research and development for the solid phase.
He used the shadow user system as a framework, but in reality, it had nothing to do with the original shadow users.
From the beginning, his shadow did not draw from Qin Muye but was fed specific data by him.
Qin Muye had had the Aladdin's lamp for some time. He had used a hyper-spatial transmission channel to directly retrieve the genie and the lamp from the resource warehouse.
Due to some minor matters, he had kept it in his inventory and not taken it out. He had already conducted related experiments, primarily involving the transformation of genies, the genie, and the personal Demon Web server.
Since he could stay in this Shadow World for any length of time and return only 24 hours later, he naturally could not just complete his mission and return. He needed to resolve some experimental projects first.
Researching the shadow user system was a priority because it was locally sourced and aligned with the mission requirements. Otherwise, he would be studying the personal Demon Web server for a 5th-stage spirit, which would involve the genie and the genie.
"Professor Li, are you free?" At the archive room door, Zongsi knocked and asked.
Qin Muye, being too engrossed, did not notice him but did not say anything. He slowly put down the Aladdin's lamp: "Of course, Zongsi, what's up?"
"A bit of business, though I didn't expect you to have a hobby for antiques. That's quite surprising." Zongsi glanced at the old oil lamp in Qin Muye's hand and complimented him.
"I like old things, which is why I study them. Please, have a seat, Zongsi." Qin Muye calmly placed the lamp in his pocket. If he had panicked or immediately tried to hide it, it would have aroused suspicion.
Zongsi did not think much of it and said, "The Yinshan Army incident has caused a significant stir at the headquarters. The initial investigators found more things and want Professor Li to travel north to the headquarters to assist with further investigations to uncover the origins and reasons behind this Yinshan Army."
"Preferably, we need to determine if the great famine of that year was directly related to the suppression of the dead shadows."
Upon hearing this, Qin Muye immediately declined: "Zongsi, you know me. I just want to keep my iron rice bowl and live a peaceful life. If I go to the headquarters, it won't be as harmonious as here. I might lose my job just because of a wrong word."
Zongsi was secretly delighted by Qin Muye's refusal. He had to follow the headquarters' orders, but if the person involved was unwilling to go, the matter would be much simpler.
(End of Chapter)
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