Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 337 Experiment Log
The thin mist felt like a stream flowing between my knees, and with each step I took, I could feel the damp coolness seeping into my leather boots.

The canyon was dimly lit with very low visibility.

Fortunately, Xia Nan has some night vision and excellent perception, which allows him to easily distinguish the differences in the scenery on both sides, so that he does not get lost.

The scattered fog lamp grasses, their blue and white fluorescence shimmering in the mist, are like lights guiding the lost, stretching all the way to the deepest part of the canyon.

The light emitted by these fog lamps is different from the candlelight used by intelligent beings to illuminate things. It appears more natural and soft, and does not dispel the surrounding fog. Instead, it seems to blend into it, allowing the blue and white fluorescence to scatter and diffuse within it, like floating light mist.

Xia Nan felt that this feeling was very good, giving people a quiet and unique atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the flowering period of the fog lamp grass is very limited, and for most of the year it is no different from roadside weeds.

Otherwise, I could pick a few flowers and put them in a flowerpot on the windowsill of my hotel room. After training, I could enjoy them and relax.

The side of the canyon closer to Foglight Village should be much deeper than the other side. We cautiously explored forward, keeping an eye on the potential dangers around us.

After walking for several tens of minutes, Xia Nan finally arrived at the deepest part of it—the towering rock wall that divides the entire canyon in two, into inner and outer sides.

I thought this trip was over, as there was nothing special about the canyon except for that fog lamp monster.

He didn't expect that after exploring for a while, he would notice the strangeness of the rock wall next to him.

It wasn't a seamless whole; hidden by clumps of weeds and drooping vines, an inconspicuous crack was faintly visible in the light curtain woven from mist and blue-white fluorescent light.

Xia Nan keenly sensed something strange about it.

Subconsciously, I moved closer, parted the weeds and vines to the sides, and peered inside, where I could faintly catch a glimpse of light.

Heart can not help but move.

The next second, he had already turned his body sideways and squeezed into the crevice.

The damp stone wall rubbed against the chainmail, producing a faint, crisp metallic sound.

The narrow passage was of average length, but after moving a few steps to the side and turning a corner, the scene before you suddenly opened up.

What comes into view is a small hollow surrounded by rock walls, probably less than half the size of a basketball court.

And at the innermost part, against the rock wall, stands a small wooden house.

Its shape is natural, almost blending into the dark gray rocks on both sides. The roof is covered with thick moss, and unknown green vines climb on the surface of the wooden exterior walls. The wooden door is rotten and dilapidated, having long lost its original function, and hangs diagonally on one side of the door frame.

Several stalks of fog lamp grass were planted together on the muddy ground near the entrance, like lamps in front of a door. Their fluorescent light flickered and intertwined, which was the source of the light that Xia Nanfang had glimpsed through the cracks in the rocks.

Xia Nan didn't rush to get closer; he observed from a distance.

Only after judging from the rampant weeds growing at the entrance of the house and the muddy, unmarked ground around it that no living things had been around for a long time, did they feel a little relieved.

He slowly approached, carrying a straight sword.

The cabin was cramped and damp, filled with a musty smell of earth and decaying wood; dim light seeped through the cracks in the roof and walls, barely illuminating the interior.

In the corner lay a pile of long-rotted branches and dead wood, whose shape suggested that it had once served as a "bed." Near the edge of the windowsill, on a rough stone table covered with a thick layer of dust, lay several broken earthenware jars, with some dried, unknown residue solidified on the inside of the jars.

Xia Nan stood at the doorway, trying to keep the things inside as they were when she arrived as possible.

After looking around carefully several times, he began searching for anything useful.

But a strange feeling crept into my heart.

This side of the canyon is a dangerous forbidden zone that the villagers of Foglight Village are not allowed to enter.

Even the most mischievous and rebellious children, under the almost coercive indoctrination from a young age, never dared to approach.

In this context, deep within the canyon, stands a wooden house that is clearly built by intelligent beings.

Could it be... built by villagers who were sacrificed and sent into the canyon during past sacrificial ceremonies?
No, it's highly unlikely to be like that.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Xia Nan dismissed it.

With the strength of ordinary villagers, they would have no ability to resist the monster with a challenge level between 2 and 3.

Based on the intelligence and bloodlust displayed by the Fog Lantern Monster during the battle, Xia Nan didn't think it would be kind enough to spare the sacrifice.

If I weren't here, Lillie and Fuyuki would probably have been torn to pieces by those thorny vines by now. How could they have made it this far safely and even built such a wooden house?

perhaps……

Xia Nan had some vague guesses in his mind.

Suddenly, a slightly warped wooden plank in the corner of the room, distinct from the surrounding floor, caught his attention.

He stepped closer, bent down, and without actually touching it, just a few inches away, gently brushed his palm across the wooden board.

The dust that had accumulated on its surface was gently swept aside by the invisible pull of gravity.

With fingers bent, knuckles tapped on the wooden board, carefully feeling the texture of the finger bones hitting the board and the hollow sound that followed.

Xia Nan understood, drew the short dagger from his waist, held it with his left hand, and inserted it diagonally into the gap between the wooden plank and the ground.

Use slight force.

“Crack.”

With a crisp sound, the long wooden plank was lifted up, revealing what was hidden underneath.

A bulging cloth bag and a leather notebook wrapped in oilcloth, which was relatively well-preserved.

Xia Nan's eyes lit up. He picked up the bag from below, weighed it in his hand, and then tore open the bag to look inside.

The gleaming light, symbolizing gold coins, instantly turned his dark eyes a golden hue.

That's nearly thirty gold coins!
I felt extremely satisfied.

It means that you were careful and searched carefully; otherwise, someone else might not have made this discovery.

To some extent, the small purse stuffed with gold coins alone was enough to justify the several tens of minutes he spent venturing into the canyon.

He carefully put the purse back into his backpack, without any rush.

Xia Nan used his ability to control gravity to clean the small table and wooden chairs in the center of the cabin before sitting down. He then unwrapped the oilcloth covering the notebook in his hand and turned to the first page.

……

[Flowering season month, 27th]

Damn it, why are there "Gaussian Eye Demons" on the outskirts of the Underdark...? Kra is dead, and I'm badly injured too. We've decided to retreat temporarily and continue the mission after we've rested.

……

[Summer Tide Month, 2th]

My injuries are more severe than I expected. The bewitching demon's "devouring magic ray" unexpectedly triggered the curse on me, and I need a safe place to recover.

……

[Summer Tide Month, 5th]

Lawrence ultimately succumbed to his injuries; may the goddess protect his soul and help him find peace.

The Morton kid said he was going to Barracuda Bay, where the sunshine and sea breeze could purify everything... Of course, the hundreds of casinos on the archipelago could also help purify his wallet.

I asked him why he didn't go back to Nian Shu to inherit the title. After all, with the wealth of the Morton family, even if things didn't go well, they could stay in the city and live out their old age in peace, instead of having to struggle outside like they do now.

He replied that he had stolen some family heirlooms when he went out earlier... Oh, now that you mention it, I think I saw it before, that strange silver-white metal object, I wonder what it was used for.

But these so-called relics are probably useless, otherwise Clara and Lawrence wouldn't have...

……

[Summer Tide Month, 15th]

My injuries are getting worse, and I can feel my life slipping away.

Fortunately, not long after leaving River Valley Town, I found a secluded and quiet canyon. The outer side was blocked off, and the only entrance connected to a remote village outside.

I've decided to recuperate here.

……

[Summer Tide Month, 19th]

…No! Damn it! The treatment failed, and the curse continues to worsen!

I need to find other ways to recover!
……

[The 23rd of the Xia Dynasty month]

The great god of nature heard the prayers of His most devout followers.

The fog lamp grass in the canyon has bloomed, and its light swaying in the fog... It's not just light; I can feel the mystery it contains, stirring the natural power within me.

This is a precious opportunity given to me by a great being above the divine realm. If I can guide this energy, perhaps I can not only cure this damned curse, but also take another step forward on the path of nature.

……

[Summer Tide Month, 29th]

The extraction failed...

The crushed grass juice quickly lost its energy, the light dissipated, leaving only useless residue.

Why? Is my thinking wrong?
We must find a way to preserve its essential energy!
Try soaking in a special marrow extract under the moonlight? Or... some other kind of resonance?
……

[The Moon Under the Blazing Sun, August 5th]

I found it!

So that's how it is! The transformation of the fog lamp grass requires a pure life force as a medium and catalyst!
Thanks to that girl who accidentally wandered into the canyon this morning, otherwise I'm afraid I would never have found her!
Of course, this is a necessary sacrifice for the continuation and evolution of life.

I have conveyed the "will of nature" to the small village outside called Fog Lantern Village, and they will offer sacrifices at this time of year when the fog lantern grass blooms.

……

[The Moon Under the Blazing Sun, August 8th]

Success! The essence of the fog lamp grass has stabilized under the guidance of the life medium!

My curse and injuries stopped worsening and even showed signs of improvement.

Great God of Nature, thank you for your generous gifts!
The refined essence I've obtained is enough to last me until the fog lamp grass blooms next year. I will then enter a dormant state, hoping that when I wake up next year, the progress will be as smooth as expected.

……

The handwriting changed abruptly, as if a considerable amount of time had passed since the last paragraph.

The concept of time seems to have become blurred for the diary writer; the originally clear date markings have disappeared.

……

As the fluorescent glow of the fog lamp grass filled the room, I lost count of how many times I had woken up.

The nearby village seemed to be accustomed to the existence of the sacrificial ritual. Even though my injuries had fully healed and I no longer needed fresh life force as a medium to refine the Fog Lamp Grass Essence, they still sent young girls into the canyon every now and then.

Of course, the frequency of the rituals has gradually decreased, as their village, given its size, clearly cannot support the offerings made each year.

Interestingly, when I left the canyon a while ago to go to River Valley Town to buy supplies, I discovered that the village chief seemed to be planning to lure a monster to the vicinity of the village.

Aren't you afraid that monster will break into the village and eat them all?

These ignorant villagers are always like this, risking their lives for a little bit of insignificant power, maintaining their rule through superstition and delusional fantasies.

Of course, I won't refuse these girls who are sent into the canyon.

After all, with the nourishment of fresh life, fog lamp grass can indeed grow better.

They need nutrition.

……

The plan is progressing very smoothly.

Long-term consumption of fog lamp grass extract has created a close, almost kinship-like connection between my body and this plant.

Perhaps this can help me complete the job change and break through the level 5 bottleneck.

However, just to be on the safe side, we need to conduct a small experiment first.

……

The experiment was a success... but only half a success.

Using the blooming flowers of the Fog Lamp Grass as the core, and supplemented with the natural energy of the Druid system, I created a mutated plant-type monster.

Unfortunately, the intensity of natural energy I currently possess is insufficient. This mutated plant monster is only a semi-finished product. It is slightly more intelligent than ordinary wild beasts, but far from reaching the level of a sentient being.

Moreover, it can only regain its physical activity and the ability to move on its own during the summer tides and the hottest months of the year when the fog lamp grass blooms.

Perhaps because of the "sacrifices" I fed it during its upbringing, this monster has a particular fondness for human girls. In recent years, the sacrifices that have been brought in have all been given to it as snacks to satisfy its cravings.

Fortunately, the growth characteristics of the fog lamp grass limit its range to within the canyon.

Otherwise, if I really venture out and cause trouble, attracting the attention of the Adventurers' Guild in the nearby valley town, I'm afraid I'll have to move out of the canyon and find another place to continue my experiments.

……

Everything is ready.

I no longer need any external life-giving medium; the essence of the fog lamp grass resonates deeply with my own life force.

A deeper change is calling me.

It's not just about healing, it's about transcending and evolving!
Shedding this cursed body, it merges with the grass stems and roots, becoming a more eternal existence.

I admit it was a huge gamble.

The cost of failure could be unimaginably heavy...

But if I succeed, I will enter a new level of life, and the so-called career bottleneck will no longer exist.

Tonight, when the moon is high in the sky, the fog is thickest, and the grasses are in full bloom.

I will complete the final ceremony surrounded by fog lamp grass.

Wish me luck.

May the great God of Nature accept my soul.

……

The diary ends here.

　Book Recommendation: *The Ming Dynasty 1627*

　　"It wasn't until I traveled through time that I learned there was no Wang Chengen in the Prince Xin's mansion."

　　Zhu Youjian, who is 88 years old this year, hesitated for a moment, but still crossed out the words.

　　He thought for a moment, then changed the beginning of his memoir: "When I ascended the throne at the age of seventeen, I knew that the glorious Ming Dynasty was nearing its end..."

　　Before he could continue writing, a palace attendant reported from outside the door: "Your Majesty, an urgent telegram from the Governor-General's Office of Yinzhou."

　　"Bring it here," Zhu Youjian replied hastily, closing the memoir as he did so.

　　On the cover, four large characters were prominently displayed: —My Struggle!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)