CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: UNEXPECTED INCIDENT

Soon, the Wetland Lizard-man finished harvesting all the poison sacs and conveniently piled the corpses together.

Resulting in a towering mountain of spiders.

Each with their bellies turned up, their bodies covered in bristles appeared especially fearsome...

Lear’s eyes moved slightly.

The Wetland Lizardman Warrior has already ascended to 2 Stars Potential, reaching the limit, unable to continue rising.

Yet the level is still at Level 7, while the level cap for 2 Stars Potential is—Level 9.

If potential is likened to a container, then strength is the water inside the container, which can fill up to a certain point until it can no longer contain more.

The level is the scale on the bottle, allowing one to know how much water is held.

To hold more water, one must widen the container.

Now, the container can no longer be widened, but more water can still be packed into the bottle.

A thought arises.

Utilizing the Divine Format to transform the spider corpses entirely into Life Energy, surging into the Wetland Lizardman’s body.

The aura of these fierce warriors soared up another notch.

An upgrade progress appeared behind the level—35%.

Clearly, upgrading the level requires much less Life Energy than improving potential.

Lear felt quite pleased.

Continued searching.

Over the next two hours of exploration, there was no trace of the owner of the three-toed footprints.

Suppressing the emotions within, Lear followed the Magic Map, arriving 20 kilometers north.

A location where the Foul Giant Demon might appear.

On the 15th, the building occupied by the opposing side will reveal itself... For now, scout the surroundings thoroughly.

This area has a hundred-meter wide meadow with evident traces.

With some attention, one can discern the clues: fewer activity marks on the edges, but densest at the center.

Normally, one might not mind these.

But with definite information, one need not overthink to deduce the presence of the Foul Giant Demon...

After a moment of observation, Lear suddenly smiled.

Knowing when the enemy appears, at what location, and during this process... he wouldn’t be disturbed.

What kind of enemy is this?!

They’re just a herd of prey waiting to be slaughtered!

Gazing at the poison sac in the Wetland Lizard-man’s hand.

"Haggs, do you know of other highly toxic plants in the swamp?"

"Preferably ones that can harm through smoke..."

The actions of the Wetland Lizard-man fully opened his mind, unable to match in raw power, alternatives must be used.

An information gap is a natural advantage.

Attacking one’s shortcoming with another’s strengths is the best strategy.

Haggs became enthused.

"Sovereign, the swamp is abundant with poisonous plants and insects, just those I know are no fewer than twenty types. However, outside the Red Spot Spider, I haven’t tried others for poison fog erosion..."

Lear nodded.

"Collect some, try them all when we return."

There’s still enough time over the next few days.

"Yes!"

Haggs immediately relayed the message, instructing the Wetland Lizard-men to keep an eye out for toxic insects and plants.

The location of the Foul Giant Demon showed no signs of life, though occasionally ravaged white bones could be seen.

This area is their hunting ground.

After familiarizing with the terrain, Lear felt assured.

Glancing at the sky, it was already afternoon, with a journey of 20 kilometers, returning to the territory would be after dark.

Today’s harvest was quite satisfactory, choosing not to linger any longer, he headed straight back to the territory.

Before sunset, when the setting sun stained the clouds red, he re-entered Weilu City.

Vine Fairy was cultivating the Starry Sky Vine, while Mud Swamp People were arranging the land, some gathered at the fishing grounds to the north, while those opening up fields to the south had just returned.

Everyone was busy.

Seeing Lear return, Bain, sweating profusely, immediately approached from the fish farm, mud covering his feet.

After paying his respects, he immediately reported progress.

"Sir, the fish farm has been divided into four small fish ponds with Dragon Blood Fish evenly distributed for breeding."

"We’ve prepared fodder, meat, worms, and other fish feed, starting attempts to feed and raise."

"But the Dragon Blood Fish have been overly frightened, and so far haven’t started eating."

Lear nodded.

"Good, take good care of them, possibly they’ll become an important specialty in our future."

If Dragon Blood Fish can be successfully bred, it could definitely become an inexhaustible gold mine.

Bain patted his chest and spoke loudly.

"Sir, rest assured! The task will surely be completed!"

Lear nodded slightly, continuing.

"Have the Barbarians made any moves today?"

Today’s hunt didn’t include them.

Bain shook his head.

"I’ve divided the Barbarians into several groups, opening up fields, dividing fish farms, leveling land..."

"Also having people secretly monitoring them, no unusual activity observed."

Lear was very interested in the Barbarian Territory, but since Weilu City had not yet developed, it was a bit early to talk about trade.

So just keep these guys in soft confinement for now.

But they can’t be fed for free; after all, they are strong labor force, and not letting them work would be too wasteful.

Now is the time when manpower is lacking, and the Mud Swamp People aren’t as strong as these folks.

Let them toil for a few months first...

Right now, he’s unwilling to let them go.

"Sir, we’re too short on hands right now... If we could capture some slaves, that would be great."

Bain sighed.

The territory has nothing; everything needs construction and development. The Wetland Lizard-men are responsible for security and can’t participate in production.

The Mud Swamp People are the main labor force, but there are too many matters to handle, and these hundred or so people simply can’t manage.

Lear nodded.

This indeed needs consideration, but it requires finding suitable candidates.

With the Divine Remnant skill, loyalty wouldn’t be a concern.

But inside the swamp, there don’t seem to be many fit for enslavement?

He looks down on the foul-smelling Half-Fishman, who also isn’t suitable.

Species like the Mud Swamp People and Wetland Lizard-men align more with Weilu City’s positioning and future development.

Thinking this, he also felt a bit of a headache.

A blank territory, lacking everything...

He could only keep an eye out later.

Temporarily setting this aside, Lear informed Bain about the Foul Giant Demon affair, and finally said.

"Do you know of anything highly poisonous in the swamp?"

Having already witnessed Lear’s various mystic feats, the Mud Swamp People hero wasn’t that shaken inwardly.

He found nothing strange about why Lear knew of structures hidden in the void.

How could he imagine the prowess of the Sovereign?

With a hint of thought, he said.

"Highly poisonous things... the swamp is not lacking, I know not fewer than twenty kinds!"

"But for using smoke to create poison mist, that will require some experimentation."

"Sir, when I have them collect Black Dragon Broad-leaf Grass, I’ll also have them gather those poisonous flowers and insects!"

Lear said in a deep voice.

"If an ambush can be set in advance, they will be prey ready for slaughter!"

"On the 20th, the Foul Giant Demon’s structure will become hidden again."

"To hunt again, you’ll have to wait until next month."

He felt a sense of urgency within.

The swamp isn’t safe; he needs to clear as much of the nearby dangers as he can.

The Foul Giant Demon is too close to Weilu City; once it appears, it will inevitably discover Weilu City.

No one knows what will happen then.

The danger must be nipped in the bud!

"Yes!"

After a brief communication, Bain finally left. There was plenty to do; he couldn’t stop.

Lear then turned and headed to the central area.

At this moment, the Vine Fairy, having given birth to a baby, was happily weaving through the vines, accelerating the growth of the Starry Sky Vine.

Weaving these sturdy plants together.

Looking from the outside, a building seven or eight meters high was thriving, growing upwards.

A diameter of two hundred meters doesn’t feel different on flat ground, but now that it’s taking shape, it immediately seems grand.

Though by this pace, the top won’t be completed until around the 20th, it’s already starting to show its splendor.

Moreover, this building is alive!

The only pity is that the baby of the Vine Fairy takes half a year to hatch; otherwise, with forty or fifty Vine Fairies working simultaneously, the construction speed could practically reach the heavens!

He’s quite looking forward to this sight.

On the next day, August 13th, there were two days left until the next intelligence update and the emergence of the Foul Giant Demon.

In the morning, after waking up and a simple freshening up, Lear gathered the army for hunting.

As the army was gathering, Bain, with a nest of disheveled hair, approached with a serious expression.

"Good morning, Sir."

After bowing with a hand-over-chest salute, he said solemnly.

"Last night, a Mud Swamp Person who was cultivating farmland did not return."

Lear’s eyebrows slightly arched.

"Have you sent someone to search?"

"At dawn this morning, we urgently sent someone out, but just received a report... still no trace of him."

Lear’s tone became serious.

"What’s the reason?"

"Sir, companions who returned with him said they heard the Mud Swamp People’s courtship song at sunset."

"That kid’s expression was a bit off at the time, but was stopped by elders. When he returned, he lagged behind... When they got back to the territory, they realized he was missing."

"It was thought he’d return by himself at night, but there was no sign even until midnight."

Bain’s tone became heavy.

"Sir, the Mud Swamp People’s courtship song isn’t for this season; November is the Mud Swamp People’s breeding and courtship season."

"This clearly has a problem."