This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 251, Section 250: Self-produced S-grade Magic Crystals

The fifth floor, Dylan's Mushroom Hut.

A wisp of light blue smoke rises gently, carrying the aroma of herbs from distant islands, mixed with powdered green mushrooms, slowly burning over hot charcoal, releasing a unique and calming fragrance.

This method of use can achieve the effect of relaxing the mind and body, without causing unconsciousness like hallucinogenic spores.

Dylan nestled comfortably in the hammock woven from mycelium, legs crossed, enjoying the long-lost tranquility.

No longer did he have to constantly worry about exposing his "Mushroom Man" identity, nor did he have to be like a frightened bird, only daring to crawl through tunnels, take black ships, or even sleep soundly. Returning to this underground city felt like coming home, allowing him to relax.

Although Lin Jun had raised his [Mimicry] to level seven, which was enough for perfect disguise, in this territory belonging to Mushroom and Puji, he didn't need to disguise himself and let his iconic green skin be fully exposed. This was true relaxation!
His worries about his daughter Bella did not dissipate, and he continued to try to gather information through intelligence brokers. However, until he obtained more concrete clues, his unnecessary anxiety only added to his troubles.

At least... no bad news came, which is good news in itself.

Although Lin Jun had asked him if he wanted to live with the others in the Mushroom Garden No. 3 area, Dylan still preferred the familiar fifth floor, even though it had changed a lot.

Although some monsters from the dense forest crevices have been added to the fifth floor, the Mushroom Garden remains Puji's absolute territory and is safe and secure.

On the other hand, the Stone Fortress was a long way away, and the journey back and forth depended on the "air transport service" of the bats. Dylan really didn't want to experience that fear of being suspended in mid-air again and again.

On the fifth floor, only the boss needs one elevator...

Dylan felt that his boss was becoming more and more powerful, even able to control the hidden room. Although he didn't know why his boss called the hidden room an "elevator," it was indeed very useful.

Originally, it would take at least half a day to get from the fifth floor to the ground, but now it only takes a dozen minutes. This time is to be on the safe side, so that the "elevator" is placed in a secluded corner on the first floor to avoid being exposed.

In short, for various reasons, Dylan chose to continue living on the fifth floor.

He wasn't alone; a group of Puji were absorbing a pile of magic crystals beside him.

These magic crystals were of mixed quality, ranging from scrap produced on the sixth floor to B-grade magic crystals dug from the deepest areas. The Puji rolled up these magic crystals, absorbed them clean, and then threw the residue aside, leaving the ox-and-horse Puji to clean up.

These second-generation scouts are born for exploration, possessing stealth, reconnaissance, and self-destruction abilities. They are extremely fast and adept at escaping.

Considering the limited combat power of individual soldiers, if they ran to the other side of the rift, they would die in two or three hits and would not be able to find any useful information. Therefore, they were strengthened with [Crystal Symbiosis]. This not only improved their abilities, but Lin Jun could even cast some spells through the symbiotic magic crystals!
It doesn't require too much consumption; just generating B-grade magic crystals within Puji's body is enough.

In this harmony.

[Skill Upgrade: Crystal Symbiosis LV7→LV8]

!!!

All the scouts stopped moving, and the fungal carpet rippled slightly, quickly forming a small bulge.

Soon, a Puji carrying the brand-new [Crystal Symbiosis LV8] skill was born.

As soon as it came out, it plunged into the pile of magic crystals, but that wasn't enough!

Soon, the oxen and horses brought in even more magic crystals, including some A-grade magic crystals that had been mined.

Lin Jun wanted to see where the limit of this skill was at level eight!

Finally, after consuming enough energy to condense five standard A-grade magic crystals, the first S-grade magic crystal, created by Lin Jun herself, was born!
It is only the size of a finger, and the entire manufacturing process involves astonishing losses. Strict cost calculations would show that it would be a huge loss, but its significance is extraordinary!
Lin Jun has finally acquired the ability to produce S-grade magic crystals independently! After the successful verification, Lin Jun immediately stopped Puji from absorbing them, as it was indeed too wasteful.

Given Lin Jun's situation, it's likely that she'll just have Knight Puji strengthen her like this, since protecting her main body is worth any price.

As for expanding its scope of use, or even achieving freedom in obtaining S-class magic crystals?
Let's wait until the skills are upgraded and the losses are reduced before making any further decisions. For now, A-grade magic crystals are enough for most situations.

Compared to that, those two battle puppets whose entire bodies are made of S-class magic crystals are truly outrageous. The guy who built this dungeon must have been a super rich guy!

Disassemble the experimental Puji and put away the small S-grade magic crystal.

The skill 【Crystal Symbiosis】is a process of absorbing crystals and adapting to oneself. Only by personally absorbing and condensing magic crystals can the amplification effect be maximized.

Non-original magic crystals can also be used, but the effect will be reduced.

Therefore, it would be a waste to give the S-rank magic crystal produced by this experimental skill to the knight.

Lin Jun plans to hand it over to Fenpuji to handle. With her family's connections and resources, she should be able to find a skilled craftsman to turn this S-grade magic crystal into a practical magical accessory, such as a ring or amulet.

When it comes to equipment crafting, Aidin does know a little bit, but he only knows how to make consumable items for casting illusions. Moreover, he usually uses C-grade or even worse magic crystals. He would feel it would be a waste to give him S-grade magic crystals to make!
After finishing these tasks, Lin Jun went back to fix the scouts, but instead of immediately exploring the rift, she sent two of them to the deeper area, where Norris, in his new Jida, had been waiting for a long time.

He successfully replaced the blade whip with a drill and now urgently needs a battle to test its power, while Lin Jun also needs to test the scout Puji's combat performance.

The reason they are in the deep zone is because these scouts are not equipped with [cold resistance].

Because the skill upgrade was delayed, when Scout Puji arrived, Norris was curled up on the creep, dozing off, holding Scout Puji, who served as the "head" of the Jida.

His gidar quietly squatted to the side, with several mycelial tentacles extending from the neck interface, connecting to the mycelial mat for energy.

The fungal carpet around Norris's head wriggled rapidly, and soon a language, Puji, was generated.

It twisted close to Norris's ear and, in a deep, repetitive, nightmare-like whisper that only he could hear, repeatedly called his name:

"Norris~ Norris~ Norris~~"

The eerie sound pierced Norris's sleep. He was fast asleep with a furrowed brow, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and his body trembling slightly.

Finally, he jolted awake and sat bolt upright!

"Ha...ha..." Norris gasped for breath, feeling a little relieved when he felt the familiar touch of the scout in his arms.

He looked around in confusion, but the language that had created the whispers had already quietly disintegrated and disappeared without a trace.

"Norris, are you alright? Did you have a nightmare? If you're not feeling well, the test can be rescheduled." Lin Jun's concerned voice rang directly in his mind.

Upon hearing his boss's voice, Norris immediately remembered the purpose of his stay. He slapped his cheeks hard to dispel the lingering drowsiness and the inexplicable chill.

"No, no! Boss, I'm fine, there's absolutely nothing wrong with me!"

Norris quickly darted into the gibbons, with the scout puji following closely behind. Feeling the scout puji's rear end pressing against his head, Norris exhaled, "Boss, I'm ready!"

(End of this chapter)