Swamp Area, four Pukis are cocooned in mycelium, falling into a state of [Stiffness].

The specific effect of this skill is unknown, so Lin Jun can only experiment and wait for the results.

The reason for placing the cocoons in the Swamp instead of the Mushroom Forest is mainly to avoid Xiao Hai passing by and eating them.

The Swamp has an unpleasant odor that Xiao Hai dislikes, so it's safe for hatching here.

What will emerge from this?

On the other hand, the Great Expedition is going relatively smoothly for now.

Though the Deep Area houses High-tier monsters like Flame Demons or Great Worms, they're not everywhere.

Most of the caves are still home to large numbers of ordinary demons.

With the Puki battalion and Louisa, they can strategize against most caves with minimal losses.

However, there are issues.

Given the interconnected paths in each cave, every successful capture prompts Lin Jun to assign some Pukis to defend the territory.

Otherwise, if demons were to destroy the fungal mat at the rear, cutting off connections to the frontline, it would be fatal—for Louisa.

Each cave requires anywhere from tens to a hundred Pukis to guard the fungal mat, rapidly depleting Lin Jun's once-sufficient troop capacity.

The Mushroom Garden's normal operation requires 800 in capacity, with 400 stationed on the Fifth Floor. Reducing this number further makes Lin Jun uneasy.

With the remaining capacity and the current pace, they could conquer about ten more caves without encountering a boss-level enemy before the expedition must halt due to a lack of expendable troops.

Therefore,

it's crucial to find available intelligent lifeforms to act as intermediate nodes to bolster the forces.

This is why Lin Jun strictly ordered Louisa not to kill, but only capture intelligent humanoid lifeforms.

So far, only two Minotaurs have been captured.

The Cave Dwellers, whom Lin Jun had high hopes for, have yet to be seen.

Most likely, the direction of the Great Expedition doesn't align with the Cave Dwellers' home.

To locate the Cave Dwellers, Lin Jun continuously sends scouting Bat Pukis from occupied caves into connected passages to explore, though without success so far.

But while there is no good news about the Cave Dwellers, there's definitely bad news!

Rifts... more rifts!

Lin Jun has occupied 4 caves, explored over a hundred passages, and discovered no less than six rifts.

Although they're small and the other side is void and harmless, it nonetheless gives Lin Jun the impression of living in a precarious house.

Security! Security!

Why is it so hard to stay safely in one place?

Lin Jun has even contemplated the worst—failing to seize the core, leading to the Underground City's collapse.

Having to flee outside like a lost dog and rebuild would feel really bitter just thinking about it.

Of course, Lin Jun considered other options—like making humans aware of the situation in the Deep Area?

Surely, humans wouldn't want to see the Underground City fall apart either, right?

Even if this doesn't compare to seizing the core, it's better than being homeless by a long shot.

The uncertainty is just too great...

Returning to the current situation, the two Minotaur captives have awoken, but integration is not going smoothly.

Even with [Fusion Parasite], their spirit transmitted through the Fungal Network remains resistant and violent.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

It turns out that the goodwill bonus from [Fusion Parasite] has almost no effect on the frenzied and stubborn Minotaurs.

These Minotaurs aren't unintelligent, they simply refuse to compromise until death.

Initially, Lin Jun wondered if these Minotaurs carried a warrior's honor, only subdued through one-on-one combat; but this was not the case at all.

The two Minotaurs simply harbored racial prejudice, looking down on Pukis.

They even looked down on Louisa, the Vampire.

Lin Jun couldn't grasp the root of their misplaced superiority; the Minotaurs never showed any sign of yielding from start to finish.

Eventually, Lin Jun ended up with two Minotaur puppets...

Failed integration left Lin Jun in a worse mood.

At times like these, if the Yellow-covered Book could charm Minotaurs into submission, that'd be ideal.

Unfortunately, the Yellow-covered Book is quite useless, having no way with the Minotaurs, whose language doesn't exist in its culture.

Such a useless book, what good is it?

Wait, it might have some use!

Lin Jun remembered the detection range of the Yellow-covered Book was quite large?

...

Norris was actually quite diligent, throwing himself into boosting his strength every day, training his combat abilities on the Sixth Floor almost daily.

The Yellow-covered Book assisted in identifying suitable fighting targets, allowing him to challenge beyond his level thanks to excellent skills.

After gathering experience, his level has now reached LV27, not far from Silver Level.

But today, when suddenly called to the Rift by Lin Jun, Norris looked at the Abyss below, getting a vague sense of foreboding.

"Boss, what's up?"

"Norris, have you felt that the demons on the Sixth Floor are somewhat weak lately?"

At these words, Norris nodded.

On the Sixth Floor, the highest is only Level 30, which poses little challenge to him now.

However, the Seventh Floor consists of waterways, unsuitable for someone without aquatic skills to train in.

The Eighth Floor, aside from its difficulty, doesn't have a successfully laid fungal mat, so it's not suitable as well.

"Today, I'm taking you to a new place, where you'll find more suitable demons to practice against."

"Boss, this new place isn't..." Norris' eyes were fixed on the Rift below, as if he'd already guessed.

Ah, Norris has matured, not so easy to rouse.

Seeing this, Lin Jun didn't conceal it, affirming: "It's down there!"

"But Boss, I can't fly..."

"No worries, Pukis can!"

Just as he finished speaking, four Bat Pukis grabbed Norris by the limbs, lifting him up.

Norris instinctively wanted to struggle, but Lin Jun kindly reminded him: "Don't move too much, or you might fall."

Now over the Rift, Norris immediately stiffened, allowing the Bat Pukis to slowly carry him down.

Half an hour later, upon finally reaching the bottom of the cave, Norris couldn't help but vomit!

The mental tension, coupled with keeping his body taut, made the sudden relief upon landing unbearable, causing nausea.

After resting for another half hour, Lin Jun assigned him the task—searching for signs of the Cave Dwellers with the Yellow-covered Book.

Of course, provided he doesn't leave the fungal mat's control range.

Lin Jun also transferred control of the two Minotaur puppets and 10 Elite Pukis to him.

With this setup, combined with the Yellow-covered Book's detection ability, Norris' safety was reasonably ensured.

Looking at the two creatures towering over him, Norris swallowed hard.

This was his first time seeing puppet entities, and they were Minotaurs, far stronger than him!

The feeling of casually commanding creatures stronger than himself was unlike controlling a few Pukis, giving Norris a thrilling excitement.

Knowing this was the Deep Area made Norris cautious but not fearful.

The boss set up muscle, provided the Fungal Network, and had the Yellow-covered Book for assistance.

If he didn't have the nerve to explore nearby, then seeking greater strength would be futile!

As for the Yellow-covered Book, it exhibited far more enthusiasm than during its playful time on the Sixth Floor with Norris.

[Boss, rest assured, we'll handle this task and complete it effortlessly!]

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