Old Mushroom Garden, or rather now the Cave Dwellers' Training Base.

Two Pukis were following a Cave Dweller step by step, while the other Cave Dwellers were watching this training session.

"That's right, just like that, hold steady!" Norris held the Yellow-covered Book, commanding through the Fungal Network, "Puki's legs are short, take smaller steps so they can keep up with you."

Of course, many of the key points were quietly reminded to him by the Yellow-covered Book.

"Now try having Puki use the Mushroom Cannon to attack the target."

The target was a large rock that had endured much damage, its surface already covered with potholes from the cannon impacts.

The training Puki only carried a [Mushroom Cannon Level 1], so there was no worry about the target being destroyed.

The Cave Dweller pointed a spear at the target, and the two Pukis also aimed their Mushroom Cannons in that direction along with the action.

In fact, this action was completely unnecessary, as controlling Puki required only a clear thought, but these Cave Dwellers were used to accompanying commands with bodily gestures.

Bo-bo—

Two shots of Mushroom Cannon broke through the air, one hit the target crookedly, while the other flew off the edge into the distance.

This was due to the lack of [Precision], and besides, the practice focused on the Cave Dweller controlling Puki, so whether Puki hit or not was irrelevant.

Norris nodded in satisfaction, ready to commend them, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Cave Dweller suddenly grip the spear tightly, pointing it directly at the Puki that shot askew, with the intent to stab!

"Hey! What are you doing? Stop it!" In a hurry, Norris shouted directly without going through the Fungal Network.

The Cave Dweller froze all over, immediately standing still like being pinned to the ground, obediently waiting for his next command.

This arrogant yet obsequious attitude, only daring to show off in front of Puki, made Norris roll his eyes.

Norris realized that regardless of whether these guys were once supervisors, once they gained control over Puki, without exception, they developed this habit—liking to show off in front of Puki.

Could this be some instinctual behavior ingrained in them?

How to correct this?

Norris felt it was a headache.

Scolding them face to face, they were all docile and compliant.

Yet the minute he turned away, when unnoticed, every so often, the Puki left in their care would "mysteriously die" one or two. This situation truly gave him a headache.

While reprimanding the Cave Dwellers, Norris picked up one of the Pukis with his claws.

All the Cave Dwellers instinctively huddled together, not daring to look at that dark figure.

The exiled Xiao Hai, while gnawing on a Puki, stared blankly at Norris's gleaming figure.

That piercing gaze made Norris feel a chill down his spine.

Lin Jun instructed her to stay in the Old Mushroom Garden for two days without roaming, leaving her with nothing to do but eat and sleep. The days were quite dull.

But there was no other way, diving headfirst into the Rift and saying goodbye was something Lin Jun believed Xiao Hai could truly pull off.

Once this storm passed, it would be best to quickly bring Xiao Hai back up.

Actually, Louisa was also in the Old Mushroom Garden at this time, but she had been intentionally avoiding Xiao Hai.

At this moment, she was leaning against the rough outer wall of Snail Wood, sleeping sweetly.

"So idle~" A vague murmur slipped from her lips.

This was not a complaint but a heartfelt sigh of happiness.

Lin Jun had transferred all the Pukis, and now the expedition team was left with only her as the lone commander, so they couldn't continue advancing.

No threat of death, no battles, no tasks, no hunger, no mushrooms growing, and, most importantly, no boss's watchful eye...

How long had it been since enjoying such leisure?

Such days, a bit longer wouldn't be bad!

Of course, hopefully lasting until the stored food ran out—any longer and they'd go hungry.

------------------

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A few more shots of Mushroom Cannon slammed harshly onto the teetering Divine Barrier.

The already overburdened golden Light Curtain shattered in response, turning into countless beams of light fragments.

The Church Warrior maintaining the barrier took a heavy blow, grunted and stumbled backward, being quickly supported by a quick-witted companion at their side.

Almost at the moment the Light Curtain shattered, another Church Warrior had already stepped forward with a low roar, triggering a brand new Divine Barrier to instantly unfold, barely covering the team once more.

Within the formation, Ranger Ai Mei's eyes were as sharp as a hawk, the bowstring vibrating as three arrows tore through the air, precisely piercing the three Pukis that just poked out to fire their Mushroom Cannons.

She flipped her wrist, instinctively reaching for the quiver, only to grab at empty air!

No more?!

Ai Mei's heart sank heavily.

She had considered fighting under the Church Warrior's protection without needing to dodge, so she brought three times more arrows than usual for dungeon exploration.

Originally thought foolproof, now they were all used up?

Tsk!

Ultimately, it was the insane frequency at which these Pukis came at them!

Looking at the staircase leading to the fifth level not far away—what now?

...

Watching as the team finally filtered through into the relatively safe staircase passage, Solalin's furrowed brows slightly relaxed.

Though the subsequent journey faced no more ambushes, the endless assaults from the Pukis clung like a bone-deep disease, leaving everyone utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, no further casualties occurred within the team.

Priest Mein trudged over from the other side of the team, eyes deep-set and wearied exhaustion almost tangible on his form.

This priest, who had followed Solalin's team on countless treks, had endurance that was certainly exceptional among his peers.

But even he now appeared utterly drained.

"Solalin, we must rest." Mein's voice came hoarse, glancing back at the team, "The crossbowmen's quivers are nearly empty. The mages and priests, however frugal, are also running out of magic power. We can't push on much further."

Solalin knew what Mein was pointing out, and she nodded.

"I was already planning to have the team rest in this staircase area, we'll just need to take turns guarding the front and back exits."

After a brief exchange with Shi Wu and Edin, both had no objections. Everyone understood that what awaited them on the fifth level was likely a fierce battle.

Resting and regrouping beforehand was the sensible choice.

Before resting, Solalin specifically activated the [Realm of Truth] and glanced at the fifth level, only to be met with nothing but Chaos— the entire fifth level was engulfed in fungal threads.

With no choice but to instruct the warriors on defense not to let their guard down, wary of possible attacks.

"You may rest!"—the message was as refreshing as a rainfall. The adventurers' taut nerves suddenly relaxed, many collapsing straight to the ground, heaving a sigh of relief.

The Church Warriors, though not boisterous, also let their stiffened backs relax slightly, and the heavy atmosphere finally eased a bit.

Unfortunately, despite their wish to rest, Lin Jun had no such agreement.

Nearly a hundred shots of Mushroom Cannon struck the defensive barrier at the staircase entrance to the fifth level all at once.

Caught off guard, the barrier and the warrior standing guard were instantaneously obliterated.

The exploding shockwave even toppled a weary adventurer, their head striking heavily against the ground, knocking them unconscious on the spot.

"Here they come." Solalin warned grimly.

Deep in the shadowy fifth level, a Fluorescent Mushroom Hat suddenly lit up.

As if triggering a chain reaction, countless fluorescences sequentially lit up, instantly unfolding a vast ocean of fluorescence before everyone's eyes.

Gulp—

The sheer magnitude caused everyone to feel a chill rise in their hearts.

A particular adventurer, faced with this sight, suddenly crumbled into despair, crouching and hugging their head in the corner, murmuring pleas for mercy.

Seeing his manic state, the others couldn't help but feel a hint of shared sentiment—such a desperate scene, going mad seemed normal…

Even Shi Wu's temple had a bead of cold sweat: "Before we set off... no one told me there would be this many Pukis…"

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on the center of the fluorescent ocean, where a Fat Otaku Puki stood.

And on top of the Fat Otaku Puki's mushroom hat, stood none other than the Puki King in the eyes of the expedition team: six tentacles waved vigorously, a crimson cloak fluttered, a silver pendant hanging under its mushroom hat, and on its back, carried a shield as big as its body—this Puki had armed itself to the teeth with human equipment!

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