After resting for a while, Lear stepped out of the tent, glanced at the blinding sun, and took a deep breath.
The further he explored, the more pressure he felt from all around him.
The enemies identified so far are: the Foul-Smelling Kraken and the Two-Headed Ogre.
↑More than 500 rotting centaurs, level 9, are located 30 kilometers to the north.
Hidden dangers—an unknown giant three-toed footprint, and a fleeting glimpse of a flying dragon.
Now another murloc settlement and a location of dark naga have been discovered.
Although the Wetland Lizardman has reached level 7 and his strength has increased significantly, he is still far from being able to sweep through the swamp.
He needs to continue strengthening these warriors while simultaneously waging wars abroad to enslave more troops.
Swamp Fairy, Bubble Beast, and Vine Fairy were all conquered through exploration.
While they are all strategically significant, they differ from armies like the wetland lizardmen warriors who charge head-on into battle.
Lear thought for a moment and then ordered his men to summon the swamp nymphs and have them accompany the army.
These succubi can be put to use now.
Their singing is perfect for attracting monsters.
Safe and efficient.
After thinking it over, I brought along 8 more bubble beasts.
Since the plan is to enslave more swamp creatures, these adorable little guys are the best helpers.
The bubble prisons they create are a perfect match for the skill of divine lingering power.
After the troops assembled, they set off immediately.
The half-fish people's settlement is located 25 kilometers south of the city of Weilu, and it will take some time to travel there.
Crossing the farmland area, we entered the unexplored area to the south.
After going another four or five kilometers, the vegetation in the swamp in front of us was exceptionally lush.
Large patches of wild grass with slender vines intertwined on the silt, and loose silt piled up beneath the grass.
Occasionally, one can see half-exposed, yellowed skeletons peeking out from under the grass.
Buzz buzz buzz~
The buzzing of mosquitoes incessantly filled my ears, and combined with the sweltering heat, it was quite irritating.
Stepping onto the muddy ground, the wetland lizardman slightly spreads its webbed feet to maximize the contact area.
Even in soft silt, these swamp creatures can walk with ease.
Lear was different from them; his body was enveloped in magic, making him as light as a feather, and he could even walk on water plants.
Inside the swamp, his magic regeneration rate is more than ten times that of the outside world, allowing him to maintain it for an extended period of time.
ah!
Suddenly, a piercing scream brought the army to a halt.
Lear turned his head and saw a wetland lizardman lying in the mud, his face contorted as he clutched his foot and rolled around.
The agonizing screams sounded particularly eerie.
His body trembled uncontrollably, and he was even unaware of burying his head in the mud.
Haggs, his face grim, strode forward, grabbed the other person, glanced at him, and immediately looked up.
"Master, it's been bitten by the Black-spotted Red Blood Worm!"
Lear frowned.
"poisonous insect?"
Haggs's eyes were serious.
"Yes, the master of this matter is that we are not immune to the suffering caused by the Black Spotted Red Bloodworm!"
"These venomous insects are highly poisonous and like to occupy large areas as hunting grounds."
"This place is probably already teeming with black-spotted red bloodworms!"
"They live underground in the silt, and they will retreat underground if there is any major disturbance on the surface. Their burrows can go hundreds of meters underground, making them extremely difficult to deal with."
The dragon's dung is almost gone, and it's impossible to carry it all the time when going out hunting.
Without the dragon's might to deter them, the swamp's dense venomous insects could appear at any time.
Two wetland lizardmen carried their injured companion over, and Lear looked down to see a huge, exaggerated lump swelling up in the gap of his leg armor.
The scales were stretched so much that blood could be seen seeping from the gaps.
The bounty of the swamp.
Magic surged, and a healing spell slightly eased the pain in the wetland lizardman, allowing the expression on his face to soften.
"Come closer to me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the lingering power of the deity emanated.
You can vaguely sense that the insects hidden beneath the low grass and mud are quietly scurrying deeper underground.
"How do these poisonous insects compare to swamp spiders?"
Haggs shook his head.
"Although the venom of the swamp spider is strong, it is still not as potent as that of the black-spotted red-blooded worm. It is said that these venomous insects mutated after consuming the flesh and blood of dragons. Although they are not of high level, their venom is extremely potent."
How can any kind of life form be associated with dragons?
Lear's lips twitched.
He looked down at the ground, lost in thought.
It seems a shame to let such a poisonous insect go.
While pondering, he turned to look at the swamp nymph beside him.
"Can we lure out these poisonous insects hiding underground?"
The swamp succubus nodded immediately.
"Master, let's give it a try."
Although they possess inherited wisdom, they have just hatched and lack experience, and they are not sure if the song will work on the insects.
The three swamp nymphs slightly parted their rosy lips, their white teeth contrasting beautifully with them.
The next moment, a melodious and gentle singing voice came from her mouth.
Lear felt as if a pair of warm, large hands were massaging his soul.
I felt so comfortable soaking in the warm water.
rustling sounds.
The grass rustled.
Lear clearly sensed that from the underground soil, life forms exuding unique auras were beginning to climb upwards.
In a short while, a few meters ahead, a dark red worm, about the thickness of a thumb and 20 centimeters long, covered with black spots, crawled out of the mud onto the short grass on the ground.
Looking around, there were over a thousand of them densely packed in this area.
Just one glance at it is enough to send chills down your spine.
Haggs's expression changed completely.
Fortunately, they didn't go too deep. If they had all climbed out, half of them would have perished here!
Black-spotted red bloodworms
[Level]: 3
[Potential]: 1 star
[Racial Talent]: Extremely poisonous. The body can produce a soul poison that cannot be resisted. After being poisoned, the soul will gradually decay.
[Skill]: Venom Sac (1 star) The amount of venom that can be stored can reach up to half of the body weight.
[Evaluation]: A venomous insect possessing terrifying toxins.
As expected of a poisonous insect, its talent and skills are both highly toxic!
Although it's not a high-grade poison, the accompanying toxins are anything but simple.
Lear's eyes showed delight.
"Gather these black-spotted red-blooded worms. Take them back to our territory!"
Searching for poisonous insects and herbs is also one of the goals of the exploration. The stinking giant monster that occupies the ancient ruins is waiting to be devoured.
The swamp banshee lived up to her 3-star potential; her song was melodious and sweet, and the insects swarmed over as if they had found some delicious food.
Lear saw a plant nearby with leaves as large as banana leaves and asked the wetland lizardmen to pick a few leaves and place them in front of him.
The black-spotted red bloodworms immediately crawled up on their own. Thousands of worms crawled up densely, making it look disgusting.
After making sure no insects were missed, the Bubble Beast blew out bubbles and collected them all.
These black-spotted red bloodworms may be disgusting, but if used properly, they can be deadly!
At least, the stinking Kraken is perfect for these little creatures.
Lear's mood improved somewhat.
Let the army continue its advance.
This incident has heightened everyone's vigilance once again.
During this time, we encountered many poisonous insects, but none of them were as valuable as the black-spotted red bloodworm.
With less than five kilometers remaining to the half-fishman settlement, the wetland lizardmen scouting ahead sent back a message—
A half-fish sentry has been spotted ahead.
Lear immediately perked up, the fatigue from traveling for several hours vanishing instantly.
Finally, we're getting to the main event!
To prevent any accidents, he waved for Haggs to go and personally take down the hidden sentry.
The wetland lizardman hero responded in a low voice and immediately disappeared from sight.
When he arrived at the front, Haggs had two bruised and battered merfolk prisoners in his hands.
These slimy creatures emitted a nauseating stench and were quite repulsive to look at.
Lear turned to look at the swamp nymph with long, pale blue hair beside him.
Without further ado, the other party immediately stepped forward.
Her red lips parted slightly, and her beautiful singing voice lingered and melodious.
Several terrified merfolk instantly lost their senses, their eyes widening in a daze as they watched the swamp banshee grinning foolishly.
Drooling dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing this, Lear couldn't help but take another look at the swamp nymph.
These magical lifeforms with 3-star potential are truly better the more you use them.
Unfortunately, there are only 3.
Moreover, it takes 20 years to develop, so even if the baby is born now, it's too late.
"How many people are there in your territory right now? Where is your chief?"
"Everyone is in the territory; the chief is leading his people in a sacrifice to the father god."
Sacrifice?
Lear raised an eyebrow.
The half-fish captives we caught this morning gave the same explanation. Are these guys really that devout?
They hold ancestral rites every few days.
The merman's tone became increasingly fanatical as he spoke.
"The great Father God will be resurrected, and the merfolk will rise to power!"
"All will submit to the feet of the Father."
"This swamp will belong to the merfolk, and the entire wilderness will be under our rule!"
The believer's piety was worthless, and the other party's almost frenzied tone made Lear frown slightly.
Just as they were about to continue the interrogation, the intelligence system in his mind suddenly refreshed with new information—
[You have learned of the resurgence of the Half-Fish God, triggering additional related information—After the Half-Fish God perished millions of years ago, only a remnant soul remained in slumber until it awoke last month.]
The merfolk of the Slime Clan were nearby, and these merfolk, once again enveloped by the gaze of their father god, began to fight for their merfolk god.
The remnant soul of the half-fish god contains a unique divinity, making it impossible to kill a god by ordinary means.
However, the Swamp Godhood can obliterate the opponent's remnant soul.
Lear's breath hitched when he saw the notification from the intelligence system.
I felt my mouth was dry and my blood rushed from my back to my brain.
The half-fish man's words about the awakening of the Father God... were actually true?!
The half-fish god, who had fallen millions of years ago, has been resurrected!!
Most importantly—he can obliterate the remnant soul of the other party.
A word that made everyone in the Nor plane tremble suddenly flashed into their minds—Godslayer!
My blood was pumping.