CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: ADVANCEMENT TO 2 STARS, A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

The second ambush, Lear orchestrated the layout with even more composure.

Haggs raised his saber and went forth, returned, entered the circle, launched a surprise attack, and hunted.

A series of steps left the swamp poison frogs with no chance to fight back.

Wave after wave of ambushes proceeded smoothly.

But after the fourth wave, when the swamp poison frogs saw their numbers halve, they suddenly realized what was happening.

Their vigilance heightened to the extreme.

No matter how Haggs provoked them, they were no longer lured in.

When Haggs returned to report, Lear saw that the evolution level of the wetland lizard-men had reached 99%, and he fell into deep thought.

Just one last wave was needed to boost the potential of these 15 teams of wetland lizard-men to 2 stars.

No need for much... the corpses of two teams of swamp poison frogs were enough!

Increasing potential by 1 star would double their combat power.

And now, the enemy’s numbers were just over one hundred... their numerical advantage had already been erased.

A dangerous glint flashed in Lear’s eyes, gradually becoming sharp.

"Haggs."

"Sovereign!"

"Focus your strengths, hunt down some swamp poison frogs... I want their bodies!"

Haggs’ eyes immediately turned ferocious.

"As you wish! Not a single one of these frogs will escape!"

The repeated trips ignited a strong desire for strength within this hero.

If only he were stronger, the Sovereign wouldn’t have to be so cautious!

In the end, it was because their strength was insufficient, requiring concern for casualties!

Five fingers clenched tightly into fists!

If they don’t come out, then we’ll flatten them directly.

The wetland lizard-men will never disappoint the Sovereign!

Under Lear’s will, the army quickly gathered.

Soon, Haggs appeared once again in front of the swamp poison frogs.

With a low roar, he charged alone towards the swamp poison frogs.

These swamp creatures were first startled, then became furious.

So this damn lizard-man was actually just by himself?

He had come to provoke them so many times just now, but now he dared to scorn them like this!

Courting death!

They immediately opened their huge mouths, venom splattering wildly.

The range exceeded 30 meters!

While Haggs attracted most of the swamp poison frogs’ attention, the grass on the left and right suddenly parted.

"Kill!"

With vicious eyes, the wetland lizardman warriors donned in battle armor charged madly like wolves.

The tens of meters’ distance was crossed in an instant!

The swamp poison frogs were taken aback and hastily shifted direction, venom spraying from their mouths.

But having been first distracted by Haggs, only less than a third spat out venom at this moment.

They were divided on two sides, far from forming a concentrated attack.

Sizzle~

Several wetland lizard-men corroded by the venom didn’t make a sound, their expressions ferocious as they sped up to cut into the swamp poison frogs.

Trading injury for injury, life for life.

These swamp creatures were the most fearless warriors!

Splatter~

A wetland lizard-man was pierced through the abdomen by a swamp poison frog’s tongue, their solid armor torn apart.

Blood gushed like a spring.

But still, without changing countenance, they roared and swung their steel saber.

Whack~

They fiercely hacked down, directly severing the opponent’s half shoulder.

Ah!!

The swamp poison frog let out a hysterical scream, the immense pain consuming its soul.

Pain is an inherent talent of life, necessary for avoiding danger.

But, pain is also life’s most fragile, fatal weakness!!

Pain robbed the swamp poison frogs of their power and opportunity to counter.

The wetland lizardman warrior’s claws swiped across their neck.

The major artery was torn, blood exploding forth.

The swamp poison frog staggered, falling to the ground amidst the thick blood.

The wetland lizardman warrior’s steps didn’t halt, roaring as they charged at the second target.

That frenzied attitude infected Lear behind them.

These were his warriors, pure warriors, fighting for him, even facing death for him!!

No one could trample on you!

Magic power surged, one Swamp Blessing after another erupted among the wetland lizard-men.

The powerful healing technique was at present the most solid shield.

Lear was supporting them in the most direct way!

The battles were most intense wherever the healing technique focused, using maximum ability to ensure no deaths!

Each clash carved to the bone!

Under his powerful healing, the Wetland Lizardman Warriors suffered only dozens of minor injuries and seventeen or eighteen serious injuries, but none were killed!

And their desperate assault in exchange for life took out more than three of the enemy’s squads!

Seeing this, Lear decisively activated the Swamp Divine Format suppressed within the Seed of Magic.

A mysterious, dark, and sacred aura surged forth.

It enveloped the corpses of the Swamp Toads.

Streams of life energy were extracted and merged into the bodies of the Wetland Lizard-men beside him.

These fierce warriors immediately felt their internal power surging.

Deep within their bloodlines, certain dormant, ancient powers slowly awoke.

Their bodies, growing from one meter seventy, gradually elongated, and their already bulging muscles expanded by another circle.

It halted only when they reached one meter eighty.

Their claws emitted a chilling gleam, sharp as knives, while their sturdy tails swung with a whooshing sound that cut through the air.

Their amber eyes were ferocious and tyrannical.

Their blood-red mouths slightly opened, with dagger-like fangs that sent chills down one’s spine.

Breakthrough!

Stars Potential!

Wetland Lizard-man

[Level]: Initial Tier Knight (Level 7)

[Potential]: 2 Stars (Level Cap: Level 9)

[Racial Talent]: Amphibian Life: The special lung structure of Wetland Lizard-men allows them to hold their breath for long periods and conduct brief underwater breathing.

[Skills]: Hard Scale Armor (2 Stars, Passive) - Scale armor provides steel-like defense, reducing incoming damage by 15%.

Brutality (2 Stars) - Upon taking damage or attacking, enters a state of brutality, becoming extremely violent, fearless of pain, relentlessly pursuing enemies, and increasing all attributes by 20%.

[Equipment]: Standard Armor (1 Star)

[Evaluation]: Ferocious swamp life.

The potential increased to 2 Stars, and the level cap rose from Level 6 to Level 9!

More importantly, both skills advanced from 1 Star to 2 Stars, with a clear boost in attributes.

Hard Scale Armor— Added a trait of 15% damage reduction.

Brutality— Added a trait where entering a state of brutality increases all attributes by 20%.

Overall combat power skyrocketed!

The most direct manifestation was—

The Swamp Toads, which could originally hold a slight upper hand in one-on-one battles, suddenly found themselves completely overwhelmed.

The previously deadlocked situation crumbled.

The Wetland Lizard-men frenziedly charged into the Swamp Toads. The opponent’s tongues, which could pierce through bodies, now penetrated the armor but were stopped by the scales.

Unable to break through the defense!

And with their surging power, a single swing could even directly sever a Swamp Toad in half!

Those severely injured Wetland Lizard-men, after their life potential was boosted, saw their injuries rapidly heal.

Combining that with Lear’s healing, they came crawling back from the brink of the Death God’s grasp!

Rejoining the battle.

The number of Swamp Toads was gradually compressed, decreasing rapidly.

It was as if, on the chessboard, the opponent’s pieces were being captured one by one.

While Lear, relying on powerful skills, was able to preserve his own pieces.

Haggs was also on a killing spree, single-handedly taking out two to three squads of Swamp Toads!

This Wetland Lizard-man once again displayed his hero-like strength.

Under successive onslaughts, the outcome was decided!

Although the Swamp Toads raged and resisted, it was to no avail.

Splurt~

The last Swamp Toad’s head was chopped off, finally declaring the end of this arduous battle.

At this moment, the Wetland Lizardman Warriors, covered in blood, stood amidst the scattered corpses.

Gazing around, there were no enemies left.

An indescribable aura of ruthlessness and ferocity.

An ordinary person would tremble at the knees from a glance, swallowed by nightmares.

Seeing this, Lear felt inexplicably dazed for a moment.

This was the result of his training—a warrior with 2 Stars potential, achieving Level 7!

No one could stop their advance!

No one!

A sense of accomplishment rose in his heart.

The only regret was that the Broken Divine Format he currently controlled could only enhance potential to 2 Stars.

To advance further, he must first gain Authority.

However... the location of the Authority remains unknown.

Turning his head to look around, he felt the goodwill and joy the entire swamp harbored towards him.

He could also sense what he needed was within the swamp, but he was unable to find the entrance, to push open that shrouded door.

It seems an additional opportunity is needed to trigger it...

Calming his mind, he waved his hand to regroup the army.

Ignoring the scattered remains of corpses, his gaze was directed toward the territory.

These Wetland Lizardman Warriors were rotating on the battlefield, and the five squads stationed in the territory had already reached the 95% critical point of evolution.

The gains from this hunt would allow the remaining five squads to be cultivated.

Lear showed a faint smile.

This wave of hunting was satisfying.