"Block this end, use the other side connecting to the Mist Zone as the exit, and make this area the main hall..."
Chen Yu's round, bouncy body hopped around as he measured and surveyed, planning how the outpost should be constructed.
The thought that goblins might sneak over again in the middle of the night... made anxiety well up in his heart.
Uneasy, extremely uneasy.
Looks like he'd have to work overtime tonight.
At the very least, he needed to set up a Maze Formation here first.
As for formally building the outpost? That would require careful long-term planning.
First, he needed to clear a forest path free of poisonous mist from the fortress to this location, so his beetle workers could travel safely.
He also needed to find suitable living trees to serve as the outpost's framework, dig up enough swamp mud, and then transport it to the dungeon to be refined into bricks.
"Let's get to work! Let's get to work!"
He directed Little Ka, the only "employee" around who could actually do work.
Little Ka gazed longingly toward the fortress direction, as if he could still smell that sizzling, oil-dripping, incredibly fragrant Moss Monster meat from the treehouse...
But it seemed he wouldn't get to eat it tonight.
"Stop thinking about the roasted meat, Little Ka."
Chen Yu gently patted its head with his gel-like little hand.
"After we finish setting up the magic formation, I'll roast double portions for you tomorrow."
He had brought a Gray Gravel Crystal for illumination this time, which happened to be perfect to use as the Formation Eye.
As for the Formation Foundation and formation patterns, they weren't complicated and could be sourced locally.
Chen Yu got busy, arranging the Formation Foundation, carving the formation patterns... while Little Ka was responsible for helping transport some stones back from the Mist Zone.
They worked diligently for most of the night, and finally placed the Gray Gravel Crystal into the Formation Eye position. Soon, the mist in the area centered around the tunnel entrance began to show unnatural distortions and flows, gradually forming a mist barrier connected to the Mist Zone.
A crude but effective Maze Formation was complete.
Sufficient to make any goblins sneaking back in the dark wander in circles until dawn.
"Done, temporary magic formation activated."
Chen Yu looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction.
"This will have to do for tonight. Let's call it a day, and figure out how to clear the forest path tomorrow."
Chen Yu bounced back onto Little Ka's back, exited the tunnel, and returned to the swamp fortress.
As for the slime nest side, the Chubby One brothers had probably returned by now as well.
...
"Click... click..."
In the pitch-black passages of the dungeon, the Chubby One brothers carefully bypassed several skeletal soldiers dressed in tattered clothes with joints that clicked and creaked. Before long, they saw the brightly lit entrance of the slime nest not far away.
"Puji! Puji!"
Slimes inside the nest bumped into each other, transmitting pheromones, wobbling with springy elasticity, seemingly arguing about something.
On a stone, the Big Brother Slime, who appeared to have shrunk somewhat, emitted a weak buzzing sound, and all the slimes immediately fell silent.
Chen Yu also understood the meaning of that buzz—"Move house."
The slimes looked at each other, all hanging their heads dejectedly, clearly reluctant to leave the nest they had inhabited for so long.
Within the group, including Sister Slime, some slimes were still immersed in the sorrow of the Chubby One's sacrifice.
But there was no choice. Facing the threat of the Lava Demonic Bats, they could only leave this place as soon as possible. As for where to go...
A feeling of confusion spread... pairs of mung bean-like eyes turned toward the Big Brother Slime standing on the stone.
The Big Brother Slime remained silent. Just as it didn't know how to respond, a "paji paji" sound came from the nest entrance.
The metal guardian rolled in, followed by the slightly reddened Chubby One and the brother carrying it bouncing inside.
The slimes were initially very confused.
Until the Chubby One transmitted pheromones throughout the entire nest about it not being dead. After a moment of silence, all the slimes began cheering and jumping for joy, their small eyes sparkling with delight.
Transmitting pheromones like "hero," "welcome back," "so wonderful"...
Sister Slime's sorrow was instantly washed away as she embraced the two little ones.
The Big Brother Slime watched this scene, emitting a pleased buzzing sound, then rolled over and patted them.
It asked curiously, "...Slime... not die?"
The Chubby One brothers looked at each other and bumped into it.
"The King resurrected us. Come move with us, to his territory."
"King?"
As pheromones passed between them, soon the entire nest learned about the existence of this great Slime King.
"...How powerful... is the King?" the Big Brother Slime asked curiously.
The Chubby One thought carefully.
"More powerful than ten Chubby Ones combined."
"Wow..."
The slimes gasped in amazement, utterly astonished by this unfamiliar Slime King.
"The King's territory is very safe, no magical creatures can bully us there."
The Big Brother Slime emitted an "approving" buzz, but its voice sounded somewhat weak.
Soon, all the slimes, responding to their call, swallowed crystals, stored water, and formed a moving team of several dozen slimes, setting off in a grand procession.
Along the way, the slimes cautiously followed behind the Chubby One, bouncing forward, but they quickly discovered that no matter what magical creatures they encountered, they all seemed to fear them and didn't dare approach.
Even if one or two bold magical creatures occasionally came close, the Chubby One would easily deal with them.
This made the slimes worship them even more.
And the Big Brother Slime followed behind the Chubby One, contentedly squinting its eyes, as if seeing its former self.
But now, it was injured, its body very tired... almost unable to keep moving.
So it decided to stay where it was, and after everyone left, find a place alone to close its eyes.
The slimes all noticed the Big Brother Slime's unusual condition, stopping their bouncing with concern and gathering around it.
The Big Brother Slime emitted a low, weak buzz, hanging its head.
"...Leave... new home..."
"Wuwuwu..."
A sorrowful emotion spread through the air, the slimes' eyes teary, looking at it with reluctance.
Chen Yu also noticed the Big Brother Slime's unusual condition and controlled the Chubby One brothers to approach it.
"...New home... leave..."
The Big Brother Slime bid its final farewell to the Chubby One.
"The King's power, no death."
The Chubby One's nanny brother approached. It happened to be equipped with both the "Life Drain" and "Hallucinogenic Factor" talents. Its gel secreted sweet life energy that it fed to the Big Brother Slime.
The originally dying Big Brother Slime gradually opened its eyes, emitting a confused buzz. It felt the disobedient metallic liquid within its body gradually regaining vitality.
Before long, the cracks in its metallic body visibly healed, and the scattered patterns regained their luster.
It trembled in surprise several times, then emitted a loud buzz, praising the unfamiliar King endlessly.
The other slimes' eyes also sparkled with admiration for the Chubby One and the unfamiliar King.
The moving team set off again, but this time there was no sorrow or sadness, only anticipation for a better future life.
...
In the swamp forest, Little Ka's figure ran swiftly, soon carrying Chen Yu out of the poisonous mist and back to the fortress under the first rays of morning sunlight.
Being too exhausted, it plunged headfirst into the swamp as soon as it returned, falling into deep sleep, ultimately failing to eat that piece of meat it had been longing for.
Chen Yu, still full of energy, stood on the wall top, puffing out his round body, contemplating how to deal with the goblins.
The Goblin Army had already discovered the existence of the Slime Kingdom, and would undoubtedly launch more fierce attacks and sneak assaults next.
Facing this cunning, evil neighbor, without a doubt, he needed more powerful firepower.
To maintain justice and peace in Zeyarila, it seemed perfectly reasonable for him to borrow some power from beyond this world.