This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 261. Fusion
Inside the stone house, Xinghuo bent down to examine the magic array on the ground.

The lines of the magic circle outlined intricate patterns on the stone slab, with the newly added energy-charging magic circle perfectly nested within it, creating an impeccable structure.

The three magic pool puffies, which serve as backup sources of magic power, also settled down at the node.

At this moment, the mycelium spread all over Xinghuo's body along the magical patterns on his body, and he had already become a member of the fungal network.

Inside the main tent, the hunter analyzed the tribe's current situation for him, making him realize that they actually had no other choice.

Whether he likes it or not, whether he has doubts or not, unless he abandons the tribe and flees south alone, assimilation into it is his only option.

Upon connecting to the microbial network, he finally heard the voice of the being known as "Boss." Contrary to expectations, he wasn't unfathomable or inscrutable; instead, he seemed... lively.

The word sounds strange here, but that's certainly the impression Spark gives.

The eldest son was curious about the mysteries of the cradle, the details of the newborn ceremony, and even the tribe's lost history.

Regarding history, there are no longer any survivors in the tribe who lived through the period before settling in the far north. All he can say are fragments of stories he heard from the older generation.

Fortunately, he was familiar with the cradle and the newborn ceremony. Since he had already made the decision to submit, he revealed everything without reservation.

He explained in great detail the construction principles of the magic array, the nodes of energy flow, and every step of the ritual.

Unfortunately, the mushroom on the other side couldn't understand anything after hearing a third of it, and was too embarrassed to call a stop, so he could only say "uh-huh" to pretend he understood.

After painstakingly pretending to understand, Lin Jun raised a question: What would happen if, during the ritual, the demon was given a skill first, and then the same skill was inscribed on it?

Lin Jun tried, but couldn't apply the same skill to a demon that already had the skill engraved. But what if the order was reversed?

That's why Xinghuo is doing what it is doing now.

To be honest, Xinghuo is deeply opposed to this practice that is almost a desecration of tradition and uses the newborn ceremony as an experiment, even though there is no theoretical danger.

However, he managed to suppress these personal emotions very well.

This time, the process went exceptionally smoothly. The magic power provided by the Magic Pool Puji was inexhaustible, and new Puji could be replaced at any time, completely solving the problem of insufficient magic power in the magic circle.

As far as Spark knows, having magic extracted is a painful experience, but it seems that Puji doesn't have this problem.

The Puji performed a strange "blessing ceremony" in front of him.

First, several puffs together stomped on the newly born demon offspring, making a "puff puff" sound all over the room. Then they sprinkled spores on it, and once it came into contact with the fungal carpet, it seemed to be done.

Overall, it is indeed very simple and convenient.

Then it was his turn to inscribe the magic runes.

Still at [Cold Resistance LV8], a lipworm delivered by Puji was slaughtered outside.

When Xinghuo finished engraving the last demonic rune on the demon's face, the deep blue demonic runes all over the boy's body were activated, bursting out with a dazzling light. The depth and refinement of the runes even surpassed the runes on Xinghuo's own body!

Xinghuo had no time to examine the differences in detail. He let out a long sigh of relief, as this was the first time he had successfully completed the inscription of the magic rune.

Lin Jun also got the answer to her question.

【Cold Resistance LV9】

The panel of the newborn demonic offspring displays a level that even Lin Jun herself has never reached!

Proficiency... it's increased!

This, this, this, this!
This demonic lineage is perfect for me! Former Demon King! Well done!

Lin Jun now wants to break the seal on the dungeon and properly thank the one-sixth Demon King!

At the same time, an idea popped into my head involuntarily.

What would happen if... two level 10 skills were combined?
Just imagining those infinite possibilities made him itchy and eager to verify them immediately.

Unfortunately, demons can only inscribe passive skills, and Lin Jun has very few LV10 skills. Powerful demons with LV10 skills are even rarer.

Lin Jun did try to use Puji to replace the sacrifice, but unfortunately it failed. Apart from the little bit of life energy of Puji itself, no skills were extracted.

If only some suitable materials could fall from the sky...
-
Empire, Demonic Territory, Galbatai.

Gray walked along the corridor, his gaze sweeping over the familiar figures of his kind on either side. The tension that had been building for months finally began to ease slightly in this familiar environment.

He had just returned from a long journey, his footsteps traversing the ice fields and permafrost of the far north, delivering the Empire's recruitment orders to every settlement.

His Majesty had Viscount Hao, who was traveling with him, to report back, while he needed to report to the clan chief.

As he passed the training ground, a commotion and a series of dull thuds caught his eye.

Inside the arena, a lopsided duel is unfolding, with an exceptionally tall demon covered in dark magic patterns being besieged by twenty of his own kind.

He neither dodged nor blocked, but simply withstood the barrage of attacks with an incomparably ruthless attitude. Every swing of his arm or kick sent the attackers flying like rag dolls.

boom!
The last person was grabbed by the neck with one hand and slammed hard against the hard stone wall, instantly losing consciousness.

After dealing with everyone, the tall demon turned his head and looked at Gray above him, a not-so-friendly smile spreading across his face.

"Grey? Finished the grueling work in the far north?" His voice boomed, laced with undisguised provocation. "You're back after all this time, why don't you stretch your legs a bit? Let me see if you've improved at all."

As he spoke, he even beckoned with his finger in utter contempt.

Gray's face instantly darkened.

The demon below is called Galen, whose strength has reached LV60. When the two were both at the Diamond level, he had more losses than wins. Going down now would only bring him further humiliation.

He didn't respond to the harsh provocation, but merely glanced coldly at Galen before turning and leaving, leaving behind Galen's unrestrained laughter.

Gray made his way to the central hall of the castle, where he knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and began to report the details of the mission to the demon chieftain who sat casually not far away.

However, he had barely begun when the figure in the seat raised his hand to interrupt him: "Skip everything else and just talk about the demonic part."

“Yes!” Gray succinctly explained the current situation of the far northern demon tribes and the three-month deadline he had given them.

"In your opinion, they will eventually accept the empire's offer?" The patriarch's voice was unreadable.

Grellie paused for a moment: "They are clearly unwilling to hand over the cradle. I think they are very likely to move south due to circumstances. But to directly swear allegiance... is unlikely."

A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the sound of the patriarch's knuckles tapping on the armrest. After a moment, the order was given: "Send Galen to the far north. Gray, go and fetch him now."

Gray raised his head slightly and asked, "Chief, what do you mean...?"

“A tribe with only two Diamond-level members left, one of whom is a cripple, so weak that it wouldn’t be surprising if they were wiped out silently at any time. Their lives or deaths are insignificant, but if all the magic cores are lost, it would be an unacceptable loss for the entire Demon Race. Send Galen; if they submit, escort them back; if they still can’t see the situation clearly…” The chieftain’s voice paused, a hint of coldness in it, “Then ‘recover’ as many magic cores as possible!”

(End of this chapter)