Beneath the mottled bark, twisted branches slowly writhed, countless semi-transparent mycelia formed a network covering the gaps between branches, spreading from the chest to the limbs.

A cluster of fluorescent mushrooms sprouted from a crack on the Tree Demon's head, with tender caps that seemed out of place on the withered, wooden body.

The Tree Demon does not belong to the flesh-and-blood creatures; naturally, it cannot parasitize itself. The Tree Demon before us is simply connected to the Fungal Network through the mushrooms on it.

In terms of independence, it surpasses both Dylan and Xiao Hai.

However, Lin Jun also noticed at the same time.

The spores he scattered last time failed to take root in this Tree Demon Forest at all; the mushroom on it is probably the only outcome.

At the entrance of the forest stands only this Tree Demon, while in the deeper part, indistinct shadows sway.

Truly... interesting.

From an unknown source, roots covering the ground twisted, opening a path between the Tree Demon and Puki.

Only one root, held by Xiao Hai, tried to retract but couldn't.

"Mushroom, Dominator."

This Tree Demon, who just regrew its limbs not long ago, seemed a bit frail as it approached Puki, once again sending a message through the Fungal Network.

"The branches and leaves of the Ancestral Tree yearn for peace. Please do not bring destruction."

When mentioning destruction, the Tree Demon's head turned slightly in Xiao Hai's direction.

Lin Jun sensed a hint of fear in the Tree Demon's emotions.

So that's it, a plea for peace.

However,

"What is the Ancestral Tree? What are its branches and leaves? Are you talking about yourself?"

Upon hearing a special term from a monster's mouth, Lin Jun couldn't help but be curious.

"The Ancestral Tree is the source of all Tree Demons; we are all its branches and leaves!"

When mentioning the Ancestral Tree, this Tree Man seemed a bit excited and longing.

Lin Jun glanced towards the deeper part of the Tree Demon Forest: "Is this Ancestral Tree inside?"

He wasn't intimidated by such an imposing title.

If this Ancestral Tree is on the sixth layer, at most, it's probably like the Old Bat.

If it's not on the sixth layer, no matter how strong, it can't affect Lin Jun.

"The Ancestral Tree is not here; we are just a lost tender branch."

Tender branch?

Lin Jun looked at the old bark on it, which seemed ready to fall off at any moment...

"Alright, I get it.

But there's a question: what does your so-called 'peace' represent?"

The Tree Demon replied: "Branches and leaves do not attack mushrooms; mushrooms do not attack branches and leaves."

"Then when I need a little help, can you offer it? Of course, I will reciprocate." Negotiating, starting with small interactions, this Lin Jun could handle.

The Tree Demon paused, glanced at the other Tree Demons in the forest, then shook its head and repeated, "Branches and leaves do not attack mushrooms; mushrooms do not attack branches and leaves."

Now Lin Jun understood, this was a move for isolationism.

Lin Jun thought for a few seconds and replied, "If it's just that... I refuse."

The cold resolve was transmitted to the Tree Demon, making it fully understand that Lin Jun sought more.

In Lin Jun's eyes, these Tree Demons, as rare intelligent beings in the Underground City, easily accessing the Fungal Network without communication barriers, are quite valuable.

Lin Jun is willing to bring them in, to raise the organization's average intelligence level.

Not to mention how much help these Tree Demons, unable to leave their level, could bring him, just accumulating experience in managing other races is also very necessary.

But the premise is that you have to join the organization!

The Tree Demon's meaning was clear, even unwilling to make perfunctory contact.

Then there's no basis to discuss absorbing them.

But...

Why should it be?

Though it might sound arrogant, Lin Jun has already regarded the entire Underground City as his private asset—even though the area he actually controls is probably less than one-third.

The Tree Demons are not a force equivalent to reckon with; why should they maintain a state of a nation within a nation?

If that's the case, what makes these Tree Demons any different from other demons outside to Lin Jun?

One could even say, a bunch of intelligent but uncontrolled Tree Demons poses a kind of uncertain threat to Lin Jun, even if that threat seems very minor now.

Moreover, only the Tree Demon in front came out to negotiate with Lin Jun; all other Tree Demons hid in the woods. It's hard to say how sincere this conversation is.

Lin Jun does not want to appear domineering. Clearly, this group of Tree Demons just needs to show some willingness for a certain degree of contact, and this conversation could have a good outcome.

What a pity.

"You won't be forced to make contact, but since there's nothing between us, why should I stop Xiao Hai for you?

Oh, Xiao Hai refers to that big black mushroom.

Here, demon-to-demon hunting is the norm. Only Tree Demons exist in your forest. I guess it wasn't willingly left by other demons, right?

Wouldn't you agree?"

Facing Lin Jun's words, the Tree Demon did not know how to respond.

Lin Jun was not in a hurry; he wanted these Tree Demons to think it over.

"This time, I'll take Xiao Hai back. I hope next time I come, I can meet more Tree Demons willing to communicate."

After speaking, Puki pulled Xiao Hai away.

In reality, with Lin Jun's current strength, he could be even more forceful, directly bringing a squad of Puki to threaten them, but that would be too unsightly.

Bringing in a bunch of resentful Tree Demons is hard to say, too, if it's a good thing.

Though the current actions are not exactly friendly, at least there's still room to maneuver.

What Lin Jun wants now is to open a doorway among the Tree Demons, even if just a small one.

As long as there's contact, Lin Jun believes, with the resources he now holds, he will definitely be able to win over a batch of Tree Demons.

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

The Mushroom Dominator left, leaving the Tree Demon standing there in a daze.

That time, its limbs were torn, but the Tree Demon did not die.

It had no name, just an ordinary Tree Demon in this forest, no different from the hundreds of others of its kind.

If there's any difference, it's that it was unfortunate enough to be guarding the gate when it encountered the destructive black mushroom.

But it was also fortunate that it did not die at the hands of the black mushroom.

Though its limbs were lost, they could regrow.

When several of them fought with the Big Black Mushroom, the other Tree Demons remained inside the forest, not coming out.

Initially, it wasn't like this.

When the Big Black Mushroom came the first time, half the forest's Tree Demons gathered, for killing all intruders was a consensus among Tree Demons.

That time, it was too far away. By the time it arrived, the Big Black Mushroom had left, leaving countless wood chips on the ground.

Second, third, fourth times...

Amid the endless harassment by the Big Black Mushroom, they understood—it was not something they could defeat.

Every fierce resistance only led to greater casualties. On the contrary, ignoring it resulted in much less damage from the Big Black Mushroom.

Thus, the form of taking turns guarding the gate, or rather taking turns being sacrificial offerings, emerged.

Anyway, every time the Big Black Mushroom came, it would leave satisfied after tearing apart a few Tree Demons.

It seemed quite worthwhile to sacrifice a few unfortunate ones on rotation to preserve more Tree Demons.

But it felt this couldn't continue, though it couldn't think of another way.

Tree Demons aren't a fast-breeding race; the number of Tree Demons in the forest is decreasing steadily at a slow pace.

Soon enough, they'll all be killed—this is what it believed.

So it did not rejoice at surviving; this merely postponed the end a little.

Until a mushroom sprouted on its own head...

Though vague, it sensed it, that enormous presence above!

The will of that presence was as vast as a boundless forest. Compared to that existence, the entire forest of Tree Demons seemed small.

That was an unbeatable existence, and even the black mushroom was only a small part of it.

It peered remotely at the colossal being, which, due to its insignificance, temporarily did not notice it, making it feel fear.

It thought of pulling the mushroom off itself so that the presence wouldn't find it.

But if it did, the fate of the Tree Demons facing extinction seemed inevitable.

The Big Black Mushroom was part of that presence, and if the Tree Demons wanted to survive, they had to attempt to communicate with it.

It tried to convey this idea to its fellow kind, but the responses through the roots were all suspicion and anger.

No matter how hard it tried to fight for it, all it gained was this chance for a solitary communication.

And now, the communication was over.

Thanks to the communication, the Big Black Mushroom didn't tear it apart this time.

But it's hard to say if the communication outcome was good.

This result felt more like receiving a final ultimatum.

It didn't know how many of its kind would want to let a mushroom grow on them.

It only knew it had to try its best to persuade more of its kind.

Hopefully not too few...

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