This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 237, Section 236: Composure
Lin Jun had a very good impression of this demon tribe.

Perhaps because they have lived in the far north, far from the conflicts on the mainland, these demon descendants seem to have a particularly pure mind compared to others.

Just like this time when exchanging for magic cores, Shou suggested that the clansmen present use their contribution points together.

If this happened among humans, someone might jump out and question: "Why don't those who weren't present have to contribute points?"

But the demons did not.

Most of the demon race have a sense of the tribe being greater than the individual, and it is probably this sense of the tribe that allows them to survive in the far north.

At the same time, the harsh living environment in the far north has endowed the Demon Race with characteristics of being both very easily satisfied and incredibly resilient.

For them, being able to eat their fill of mushrooms is a good life; being able to connect with the fungal carpet and feel the warmth filled with magic is an immense happiness; and now, they even have the opportunity to bring back the magic core of their deceased clansmen, which is simply the luckiest of luck!

When it comes to work, whether it's taking Puji deep into the mine to dig for magic crystals or patrolling and clearing out monsters in the slightly hot caves, they do these tedious and hard jobs without complaint, and even with a sense of solid satisfaction.

Simply put, low labor costs, hardworking, and excellent individual qualities—in Lin Jun's eyes, they were practically perfect... well, employees.

Lin Jun is currently in a honeymoon period with these demon descendants. With the successful redemption of the first demon core, this harmony has taken a big step forward.

Today, about one-sixth of the tribe's members have connected to the mushroom network and become Lin Jun's "official employees".

In Lin Jun's secret treasure vault, there lie thirty-two demon cores belonging to the deceased demon descendants, a number that Lin Jun had revealed from the beginning.

In order to exchange for magic cores, at the current rate of contribution point accumulation, it will either take one or two years to slowly accumulate them, or more clansmen will have to join the "work".

But no matter which path you choose, the destination is clear: the entire Demon Tribe will eventually be completely integrated into Lin Jun's system.

The only difference is that the process is slightly different.

Therefore, although the demons were still carefully guarding their last line of defense and deliberately avoiding mentioning the tribe's core "cradle" in front of Lin Jun, Lin Jun was not in a hurry at all.

The demons need time to process and accept this inevitable future.

The more harmonious the relationship between the two sides, the less impact the demons will have on their hearts when they finally accept the outcome.

Lin Jun has plenty of patience now.

In the past, I was driven around in circles by the survival crisis of the underground city, like a spinning top that could not stop spinning at high speed.

Now that she has control of the underground city and a secure rear, Lin Jun's mindset has become increasingly calm.

The ending was already predetermined; whether the demons accept it sooner or later is up to them.
-
While Lin Jun remained calm and composed, someone not far from the Amethyst Underground City was already extremely anxious.

Eleven days have passed since the human evacuation.

The camp was set up in a wasteland twelve miles from the underground city. Most of the town's residents and wealthy adventurers had gone to the surrounding cities, leaving behind mostly emaciated refugees.

"How's it going in the dungeon?" Far asked Aidin, who was holding a crystal item, from inside the makeshift tent.

"It hasn't collapsed yet, but I went to the first floor and saw that it's full of spatial rifts," Aidin replied, sounding somewhat tired.

"You've been working hard lately."

"It's just my job."

After Aidin's figure disappeared outside the tent flap, Far sighed heavily and turned to Mirabelle, who was also frowning, asking, "How long can the camp's food last?"

Mirabelle said with a bitter face, "President Far, based on the current scale, we can still supply for seven days, but in reality, new refugees are joining the camp every day recently, so four days is probably the limit..." With so many refugees gathered together, suddenly stopping the food supply would be a big problem, far more troublesome than letting them be scattered and starving!
"Can't we ask...the Grand Master for help?" Mirabelle asked tentatively, her voice barely audible.

Far glanced at her, and Mirabelle immediately fell silent.

A letter was pushed in front of her by Far: "I've already asked, but he can't squeeze out any more food either."

Mirabelle quickly glanced at the letter and exclaimed in a low voice, "War? The army has prioritized the redeployment of food supplies?! What are we going to do?"

Lillian didn't say anything, but silently massaged the bulging veins on Far's temples.

Far closed his eyes and pondered for a long time: "Three days... If the dungeon hasn't collapsed by then, we'll take the risk... and send some people in to pick mushrooms."

Having made his decision and dismissed the worried Mirabelle, Far wearily picked up the bowl of meat porridge on the table, which had long since gone cold.

After finishing the whole bowl in one gulp, Far smacked his lips.

"It tastes so bad..."
-
Deep in the mountains next to the temporary camp.

An arrow pierced through the woods and landed precisely in the neck of a wild boar.

"Yay! We get to eat meat!" Fei Ling cheered in a low voice, holding up her bow, her joy overflowing.

It was obvious to everyone that the food at the camp was running out, so Vera decided to go into the mountains to hunt some game to take back and help the refugees, or at least reduce the burden on the camp.

Vera's gaze unconsciously drifted to the elf beside her. After leaving the dungeon area with them, the elf didn't seem to be in a hurry to return to the forest and simply stayed with the group.

“Sirius,” Vera began hesitantly, “I’ve heard that druids… don’t really like it when other people eat meat?”

"That's a rumor..." Fei Yin quickly whispered a reminder from the side.

Upon hearing this, the elf smiled slightly and waved his hand dismissively: "That's right, it's a rumor. Not only do we not hate it, but druids also eat meat. In fact, I haven't had any meat for days, and I feel like I can't even stand up straight! What we oppose is the pointless killing that exceeds what is necessary for survival."

"I see!" Vera and Filyn exchanged a glance, having learned a new piece of knowledge.

Having hunted a wild boar, the group did not descend the mountain but continued climbing until they reached a clear mountain stream that converged into a tranquil pool among the rocks.

Vera pointed to the pool and said to Sirion, "This is it. It's much better to bathe here than in that murky lake by the camp."

Sirian looked around and nodded in deep agreement. The lake near the campsite was not only crowded with people, but its water quality was also incomparable to the flowing water in the mountains.

Vera lifted the heavy wild boar: "You three go wash first, I'll go downstream to deal with this guy."

Fei Ling and Fei Yin immediately cheered and couldn't wait to start unfastening the straps of their gear, which they had worn for more than half a month and were covered in dust and sweat.

"Huh?" Vera stopped, somewhat surprised. "Aren't you going to wash?"

“Of course I’ll wash it,” Sirius answered readily.

"Then...why don't you join them?" Vera gestured with her chin toward the pool, where the twins had already taken off their shoes and started testing the water.

The elf looked troubled: "Even if we're different races, bathing together with someone of the opposite sex..."

Vera looked at Sirion's delicate face: "Huh?"

(End of this chapter)