My peculiar companions are not demons.

Dreamweaver Silkworm

The Yellow Springs Secret Realm! Dragon Feast Ceremony! Jack's heart fluttered for a moment, but he quickly extinguished it. Not for any particular reason, because the conditions were too stringent! He had researched in the library and found that the Yellow Springs Ecological Secret Realm did not refer to the mythical Nine Hells of Yellow Springs but rather to a special ecological realm, often representing the fall of a powerful life.

Its blood, flesh, bone, and soul, through the wondrous evolution of ages, would merge into a spring called the Yellow Springs Eye, gushing out poisonous Yellow Springs water. Flowing slowly along the realm, everything it touched merged into part of the Yellow Springs River. The emanating death aura attracted a multitude of undead and poison-type extraordinary beings, constructing a unique ecology of the deceased, similar to the Skeleton Kingdom and the Hungry Ghost Purgatory.

However, the difference with the Yellow Springs ecology was that it existed between life and death, transforming deceased beings into entities resembling earthbound spirits, guarding the Eye of Yellow Springs. If the Yellow Springs Eye was powerful enough, it could even transform ancient beings that had passed away. However, such Yellow Springs Secret Realms were akin to small underworlds, perilous and considered life-prohibitive.

The Dragon Blood Insects appeared only in Yellow Springs ecology transformed from the demise of a dragon's life, with their racial potential being low-level leaders of the insect family. They carried a trace of dragon blood, capable of spewing dragon breath. When they appeared in swarms, even some top-level leaders dared not confront them head-on. Most of the time, they dwelled near the Yellow Springs Eye, drinking its water, cleansing their souls, and purifying their blood, awaiting the day they transformed into Yellow Springs Dragon Butterflies. However, most succumbed like moths to flames, dying in the poison of Yellow Springs.

Ignoring the feasibility of facing them in battle, trying to consume a group of insects that drank Yellow Springs water year-round might result in one's own pets being poisoned before succeeding. Additionally, the Yellow Springs Secret Realm was hard to come by, and the price for related intelligence was beyond what Jack could afford. The Dragon Feast Ceremony, unheard of, was likely an official secret.

James, seemingly thirsty, took a sip of wine and continued, "This Yellow Springs Dragon Wolf isn't something I made up. I saw records from the Special Sciences. Someone has successfully bred one with dragon and undead attributes, and it has the innate skill 'Yellow Springs Funeral,' summoning Yellow Springs water to corrode flesh, blood, and soul. There's even a chance for it to birth Dragon Majesty. Even after evolving, it can transition perfectly through the Dragon Feast Ceremony. Doesn't this suggest the Darkfire Wolfhound has great potential and is suitable for assembling a spiritual puzzle?"

For those who don't know, it might seem like you're ready with Dragon Blood Insects and the Dragon Feast Ceremony, and the next step is contracting and transforming. When it comes to painting grand visions, it's you experienced folks who excel! If it were a young person, they'd probably get all fired up and choose it.

However, Jack also knew James meant well. James didn't owe him anything; he was just concerned that Jack might aim too high. So, he painted a grand vision that could transform dragons, effectively planning a stable growth path for Jack. If it weren't genuine concern, who would care whether he lived or died?

Moreover, James made it clear that joining the alliance could provide channels, and with his reputable background, there was a good chance of success in the application. But with Jack having the 'Insightful Eye,' he could independently develop and didn't want to be shackled. Besides, the Darkfire Wolfhound wasn't feasible.

Not because of insufficient potential, but because of the looming threat of the Nightmare Beast. Although uncertain which kind of nightmare creature would attack, most nightmares lacked a physical form, appearing as mist in dream realms. They naturally emitted a fear aura, manipulating enemies' dreams by amplifying their inner fears to the point of breakdown. Once fully consumed, victims turned into unconscious vegetative beings. While the Darkfire Wolfhound had formidable combat power, its ability only burned in reality. The so-called dark fire had significant damage to flesh and blood bodies.

You cannot ignite yourself with a blaze to perish alongside the Nightmare Beast, right? Therefore, Jack leans towards finding companion creatures related to spiritual, soul, and dream realms, or at least possessing skills that can harm souls. So, he proactively speaks up, "Uncle , I'd like to explore other companion creatures before making a decision."

James nodded at the request, understanding that as an elder, his role was to provide advice, and the final decision rested with Jack. He pointed towards a three-eyed crow squatting in the distance, poked by Bella with a stick, and explained, "This is a high-level leader, the Three-eyed Crow, a combination of the Flying and Cursed types. Its racial skill is Death Ray, with a chance to induce instant death, but the stronger the opponent, the lower the triggering probability."

Despite its cool appearance, the attributes were not compatible, and the reliance on the probability-based Death Ray didn't align well with Jack's 'Insightful Eye.' Additionally, its only good quality, flight, was hindered by its small size, making it unable to carry Jack. It could only serve as a scout. So, Jack decided to pass on it.

James continued introducing various creatures like the Black Wolf Bird and Ice Scale Snake, but upon understanding Jack's specific needs, he seemed a bit perplexed, saying, "Spiritual and soul types, you're thinking big. These are rare attributes, usually claimed by higher-ups when they appear. As for creatures with soul-damaging abilities, there aren't many, and dream realm types... wait, there might be one!"

Jack, excited, immediately asked, "Can I see it?"

James hesitated but eventually displayed an image of a rugged and gloomy mountain cave, surrounded by intricate silver silk webs, enveloping a fist-sized silver cocoon. It emitted an illusionary silver halo, giving an unreal sensation. James explained, "This is the Dream Harvest Silkworm, a high-level leader with a potential for intellect, feeding on the dreams of intelligent beings. Its racial skill is Dream Weaving, allowing it to create defensive webs in the dreams of its owner, preventing some nightmare-type creatures from attacking."

He then went on to mention its limitations – the ability was somewhat lackluster as it only offered defense, not complete prevention. It couldn't compete with the 'Dream Eater' skill, which had a special attack against nightmare-type creatures. In combat, Dream Harvest Silkworm could only create illusions unless it could enter the dream realm. Despite its adorable appearance, it was fragile, and its only attack method was creating illusions, which proved ineffective against opponents with strong wills.

Despite the indirect sarcasm, Jack remained focused on the cocoon. While it lacked the desired 'Dream Eater' feature, the ability to weave a defensive web in dreams to guard against nightmare attacks was sufficient for him. At least, he wouldn't be defenseless against nightmares. Moreover, after contracting, he could unlock the secret food inheritance. Considering the past ability to create the 'Surrounding Vision' skill food, there might be a chance to create 'Dream Eater' skill food.

This way, he could potentially capture nightmares, turn them into skill food, and acquire nightmare skills. With the assistance of the 'Insightful Eye,' Jack was confident in researching the perfect evolution path, maybe even giving birth to a horrifying creature that fulfilled the dreams of the Dream Eater Cult, truly reversing the boundaries between reality and dreams.

Step by step, he could develop the ability to create beings in the void, seizing the authority of a creator. Besides, who says illusion-based abilities are weak? Jack proudly declared himself the first to challenge them. If he could develop dream abilities to the extreme, influencing reality through dream illusions – for instance, if injuries sustained in dreams also affected reality – then he could create a dream training camp!

Companion creatures would train even in their dreams! With enough effort, it could be a dream lasting a thousand years, rolling over fellow beastmasters. Capitalists would rejoice!

In light of this, the decision was made – Dreamweaver Silkworm!