Mushroom Lord in the Underground City-Chapter 268 - 260: Fusion
Inside the stone house, Xing Huo bent down to examine the array on the ground.
The lines of the array outlined a complex pattern on the stone slab, with the newly added charging array nested perfectly within, the structure flawless.
The three Magic Pool Pukis, which served as backup sources of magic power, were also lying on the nodes properly.
At this moment, Xing Huo, with mycelium spreading all over his body along the demon patterns, had already become a part of the Fungal Network.
In the Great Tent, Hunter analyzed the current situation of the tribe for him, making him understand that they actually had no choice.
Whether he wanted to or not, had doubts or not, unless he abandoned the tribe and fled south alone, integrating into it was the only choice.
By connecting to the Fungal Network, he finally heard the voice of the entity called "Boss", which was not as unfathomable and emotionless as expected, but rather had a kind of... lively feeling?
This word feels strange to use here, but Xing Huo indeed had this impression.
"Boss" was curious about the secrets of the Cradle, the details of the natal ceremony, and even the lost history of the tribe.
Regarding history, there were no witnesses remaining in the tribe from before they settled in the Far North, and what he could recount were only bits and pieces heard from the older generation.
Fortunately, he was familiar with the Cradle and the natal ceremony, and having already decided to submit, he revealed everything without reservation.
He explained in great detail the principles of array construction, the energy flow nodes, and each step of the ceremony, very thoroughly.
Unfortunately, the mushroom on the opposite side couldn’t understand after hearing a third of it, but was too embarrassed to stop him, and could only nod along, pretending to understand the rest.
After pretending to understand with great effort, Lin Jun raised a question of her own: In the ceremony, what would happen if the Demon Race was given skills first, and then the same skills were inscribed?
Lin Jun tried, but couldn’t give the same skills to a Demon Race that already had them inscribed, but what if the order was reversed?
This was why Xing Huo was doing what he was doing now.
To be honest, Xing Huo was very resistant to this approach of experimenting with the natal ceremony, which bordered on sacrilege, even if theoretically there was no danger.
However, he managed to suppress these personal emotions very well.
This time, the process was exceptionally smooth. The Magic Pool Puki provided an endless source of magic power, and they could even replace with new Pukis at any time, completely solving the problem of insufficient magic power for the array.
As far as Xing Huo knew, having magic power extracted was a painful experience, but it seemed that Puki had no such trouble.
The Pukis performed a strange "granting ceremony" in front of him.
First, several Pukis together, viciously stomped on the newborn Demon Race, filling the room with "puff puff" sounds, then scattered spores, and once touching the Fungal Mat, it seemed to be completed.
Overall, it was indeed very simple and convenient.
Next was the inscription of the demon patterns.
It was still [Cold Resistance Level 8], with a Fat Worm sent by a Puki slaughtered outside.
When Xing Huo finished inscribing the last demon pattern on the face of the Demon Race youth, his whole body was activated with deep blue demon patterns, bursting with a brilliant light, the depth and refinement even surpassing Xing Huo’s own patterns!
Xing Huo didn’t have time to investigate the difference, he exhaled a long breath, this counted as his first successful completion of demon pattern inscription.
And Lin Jun also got the answer to her question.
[Cold Resistance Level 9]
It was displayed on the panel of the newly-born Demon Race, a level even Lin Jun herself had not achieved!
Mastery... combined!
This this this this this!
This Demon Race is too suitable for me!
Previous Demon King! Well done!
Lin Jun even wanted to unseal the Underground City right now to properly thank the one-sixth Demon King!
At the same time, an idea involuntarily popped up.
If... two Level 10 skills were stacked together... what would happen?
Just imagining the infinite possibilities made his heart itch, wanting to immediately verify it.
However, Demon Races could only inscribe passive skills, and Lin Jun mastered very few Level 10 skills, with even fewer powerful demons possessing Level 10 skills.
Lin Jun tried to use Puki as a substitute for offerings, but unfortunately failed, apart from the weak life energy of Puki itself, no skills were extracted.
If only the sky could drop some suitable materials...
-----------------
Empire, Demon Race Territory, Gall Bataille.
Gray walked through the corridor, his gaze sweeping over the familiar figures of his kinsmen on both sides. The tension accumulated over months began to relax slightly in this familiar environment.
He had just completed a long trek, his footprints covering the icy plains and tundra of the Far North, delivering the Empire’s recruitment order to every settlement, having only recently returned, travel-worn.
Viscount Haao, who accompanied him, would report to His Majesty, while he needed to report to the chieftain.
While passing the martial arts training ground, a burst of noise and dull impact drew his attention.
Within the field, an unequal contest was unfolding, a Demon Race of unusually large stature, covered in pitch-black demon patterns, was besieged by twenty of his kin.
He neither evaded nor blocked, simply withstood the rain-like attacks with overwhelming force, each arm swipe or leg kick sending the attackers flying like ragdolls.
Bang!
The last person was grabbed by the neck with one hand and slammed hard against the stone wall, instantly losing consciousness.
After dealing with everyone, the tall Demon Race finally turned his head, looking up at Gray above, with a smile that was anything but friendly.
"Gray? Finished with your tough task in the Far North?" His voice was loud, filled with unbridled provocation, "Rare to be back, not going to stretch your muscles? Let me see if you’ve improved at all this trip?"
Saying so, he mockingly beckoned with a finger.
Gray’s face instantly darkened a shade.
The Demon Race below was Gallon, whose strength had reached Level 60, while during their time both at the Diamond Level, he had won less and lost more, and going down now would only be self-degrading.
He did not respond to the harsh provocation; instead, he coldly glanced at Gallon, then turned and left, Gallon’s unrestrained laughter echoing behind him.
Gray made his way through the castle to the core hall, where he knelt on one knee on the floor, bowed his head, and began reporting the mission details to the Demon Race chieftain who sat not far away in a casual posture.
However, he had just begun when the figure in the seat raised a hand to interrupt him: "Skip the rest, just talk about the Demon Race part."
"Yes!" Gray concisely outlined the state of the Extreme North Demon Tribe and the three-month deadline he had given them.
"In your opinion, will they ultimately accept the Empire’s olive branch?" The chieftain’s voice showed no emotion.
Gray pondered briefly: "They clearly do not want to give up the Cradle, I believe, pressured by the environment, their chance of migrating south is high. But directly swearing allegiance... not very likely."
The hall fell into a brief silence, only the sound of the chieftain’s fingers tapping the armrest was heard, a moment later, he gave an order: "Send Gallon to the Far North. Gray, go find him now."
Gray slightly raised his head, asking an extra question: "Chieftain, what do you mean...?"
"A tribe left with only two Diamond Level members, with one being a cripple, such weakness, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were quietly wiped out at any time. Their life and death are insignificant, but if the Demon Cores are all lost, it would be an unacceptable loss for the entire Demon Race. Send Gallon, if they submit, escort them back, if they still can’t see the situation clearly..." The chieftain’s voice paused, exuding a hint of coldness, "Then recover as many Demon Cores as possible!"
