Nilly's suspicious voice came through, "Hey, you're not thinking up some plan to screw over your allies, are you?"
Chen Yu was as calm as an ice ball.
"Of course not. Dealing with these goblins is simple. We just need to set up defenses at the edge of the Fluorescent Forest."
"That's it?" Nilly sounded somewhat disappointed.
"I thought you'd come up with a better suggestion."
"You've seen the terrain around the Fluorescent Forest, right? Aside from annoying rocks everywhere, there's practically no natural, defensible terrain that can effectively hinder those green-skinned creatures' tide-like assaults."
Chen Yu instinctively wanted to bounce, but found his body stiff and immobile, so he just said directly:
"If there isn't any, then we'll build some. Before the goblin army invades, we'll select a suitable location at the forest's edge and build a sturdy bridgehead, specifically for resisting and wearing down the goblin attacks."
Nilly, far away, couldn't help but poke his doppelganger, transmitting the sensation back. "Easy for you to say. We Stone Descendants have inherited the Shadow Path and assassin arts through generations, not bricklaying and engineering."
Chen Yu suppressed his bouncing instinct. "Stone Descendants aren't good at it, but we Slimes are."
"In fact, if our allies are generous enough, the Slime Kingdom is willing to provide military aid to Stone Fortress, dispatching our architects to help you build a solid defensive line at the edge of the Fluorescent Forest."
"Oh, so that's your goal." Nilly's shadow swayed, looking as if she had seen right through him.
But she didn't outright refuse. Instead, she used a sly tone: "However... if you truly have the capability and are willing to help block those annoying green skins, I might try to persuade those old fossils in the family who are more stubborn than stone. Make an exception to allow the Slime Kingdom's army to enter Gore and assist with the defense."
"How about it? Tempting, isn't it? This is a rare show of trust from us Stone Descendants towards outsiders." Her tone was full of allure.
Chen Yu's heart remained utterly placid.
Although he didn't know why she agreed so readily this time, it was clear this guy was probably trying to freeload off him again.
He signaled Little Ka beside him to use its claw to pat the shadow Nilly had projected, expressing his displeasure.
"This time, payment is mandatory."
Chen Yu emphasized, "Our army has to pass through an unstable planar rift to enter Gore, which itself carries huge risks. It's easy for accidents to happen during the teleportation, or for our tracks to be exposed prematurely."
"I won't do it without compensation."
Nilly's shadow made a shrugging motion, her tone sounding innocent: "Alright, alright, payment it is then."
"So, dear Slime Lord, what do you need? Let me state upfront, our Stone Fortress is dirt poor. No gold coins, and magic materials are probably a stretch too."
Chen Yu was prepared and spoke directly: "Shadow creature corpses. I need a large number of shadow creature corpses. Can you get them?"
Nilly's shadow paused, her voice tinged with confusion: "Shadow creature corpses? What do you need those for? To distill phantom potions or grind Shadow Dust?"
"As far as I know, apart from some obscure necromancy spells and special alchemy, that stuff isn't very useful, and it's troublesome to handle."
"That's a Slime Kingdom secret, can't tell you." Chen Yu stated righteously.
Of course it was a secret. He couldn't very well tell her the Slime Kingdom's king was a glutton, could he?
Nilly thought for a moment, seeming to carefully weigh the pros and cons, and finally said: "Fine, we'll try to collect as much as we can."
"But, you need to move fast. No one knows when those goblins might suddenly attack."
"Pleasure doing business."
After Chen Yu and Nilly hammered out the details of their cooperation, the shadow creature directly "whooshed" away, leaving only Yano in place.
He hurriedly reported the results of yesterday's meeting with the Stone Descendant ancestors.
"Actually, how to command the Gargoyle Legion isn't clearly recorded even in the ancestors' inheritances."
"Ancestor Castor was at a critical juncture where the family faced life and death, and he ventured deep into the gargoyle nests within the depths of Gore."
"No one knows what happened. When he returned, he had already ascended to the supernatural and led the subjugated Gargoyle Legion to turn the tide of the war."
Yano summarized: "So, to uncover this secret, later Stone Descendants must personally enter the depths of Gore, retrace the path the Grand Duke once walked, to possibly find the answer."
Chen Yu was taken aback upon hearing this.
These Stone Descendants themselves didn't know the trial content to become a Grand Duke?
No wonder they had strictly followed the Shadow Assassin career path for so long. They were probably afraid of missing some necessary condition, leading to trial failure.
And indeed, since Grand Duke Castor, the Stone Descendants had never successfully cultivated a second Stone Scion Grand Duke.
"What's your thought?" Chen Yu asked.
Yano took a deep breath. "I want to give it a try."
"So far, not a single Shadow Assassin has successfully replicated the Grand Duke's trial. I'm thinking, perhaps the assassin profession isn't a necessary part of the ritual."
"As a Stone Descendant knight, perhaps I also have a chance to touch this power."
Chen Yu patted Yano's shadow: "That doesn't sound like something the usual you would say. Don't forget, your family is waiting for you to return safely in the White Horse Kingdom."
"When I conquer the Dark Realm someday and blow up the gargoyles' lair to find the method to become a Grand Duke for you, why take this risk now?"
Yano was somewhat moved. His boss cared for him as always. However, he still insisted: "If a fledgling forever hides under its parents' wings, it can never become an eagle soaring the skies."
"I can't spend my whole life avoiding and retreating. To become a true knight, to tread the heroic path sung in epic ballads like that of 'Northwind Sword Saint' Atlas, I must advance, face challenges head-on. No one else can help me."
"With my current strength, I believe I am already qualified to reach for that former dream. If I shrink back now out of fear of risk, I might... regret it for the rest of my life."
His voice grew low, carrying resolve: "Actually, I've been struggling with this decision for a long time. If I ultimately don't return, please... take care of Lola and the children for me."
Alright, Chen Yu admitted he had underestimated Yano.
He never expected this usually somewhat simple, family-oriented middle-aged uncle to harbor such great determination and courage deep down.
How much of his own life was taken away back then when he was forced to withdraw from the Knight Training Camp because of the Petrification Disease?
Moreover, trials are called trials precisely because they are a challenge of constantly climbing upward and facing difficulties head-on.
Perhaps Yano would be fine living peacefully as a househusband, but being an epic knight hailed as a hero sounds good too.
"Since you've decided, then go. Remember to take my doppelganger. It might help you at critical moments, at least letting me know your situation."
To be honest, with Yano's current strength as an Elite Professional, even if he encountered those gargoyles that once forced him to flee, he could handle them easily.
His Stone Scion Bloodline grants immunity to petrification effects, coupled with a knight's power and a shadow assassin's agility—he's practically born to hunt gargoyles.
Perhaps Yano's expedition deep into Gore isn't as dangerous as he thinks.
But it's still better to be more prepared.
"Wait until the Kingdom's legion arrives in Gore. It's not too late to set out after taking the things I've prepared."
"The things you've prepared?" Yano was somewhat baffled.
...
Leaving the loyal Peachy to continue guarding the planar fissure and monitoring the goblins' movements.
The orange-red sunset cast a soft glow over their returning figures. Chen Yu, riding Little Ka, returned to the Swamp Fortress just as dusk arrived.
Just as he jumped off Little Ka's back, he heard the good news reported by Little Flower, who came bouncing over with a *patji patji* sound.
Although they hadn't found the blood-sucking wasps the Queen Wasp mentioned, they had found a kind of fat mosquito that liked to store blood.
After consuming all the Magic Organs, the panel changed.
[Devour Digestion Lv.7 triggered—Partial characteristics of Blood-sucking Magic Mosquito recorded. Talent acquired: Blood Storage Lv.3]
That's it, this is the talent.
Chen Yu eagerly fed the talent orb to the Queen Wasp. Under the effect of "Rapid Reproduction," the first Blood-sucking Poison Wasp was born as night fell.
It vibrated its blood-colored wings and crawled out of the nest, curiously observing the moon overhead that emitted a cold, clear light.
Then it flew before Chen Yu, respectfully lowered its head, and gently rubbed the gel with its forelimbs as a sign of respect.
Different from other Poison-stinger Wasps, this Blood-sucking Poison Wasp was equipped with "Resilient Carapace," "Blood Recovery," "Blood Storage," and "Blood Baptism"—all support talents. It completely abandoned all offensive capabilities. Its tail also looked much larger than that of ordinary Poison-stinger Wasps, making movement somewhat inconvenient.
As the core fountain of the Blood Legion, the sole purpose of the Blood-sucking Poison Wasp was to "transfuse blood" to other poison wasps. As for attack and defense, that would be left to the Blood Poison Wasps within the legion.
In just half a day, the number of Blood Poison Wasps had already reached fifty, all equipped with "Resilient Carapace," "Blood Recovery," "Blood Molding," and "Blood Frenzy."
It's estimated that in a few more days, the Blood Legion would reach a scale and initial combat effectiveness.
As the first independent legion within the Poison-stinger Wasp swarm, Chen Yu decided to hand over the legion's command to Beet.
Beet, as the wise one among the Poison-stinger Wasps, awakened the water control supernatural ability early on and was considered outstanding even among Silver Magical Creatures.
But cultivation isn't something that can be achieved overnight, so he intended to help it become a qualified legion commander faster.
After his command was issued through the gel network, Beet was quickly summoned back.
"My King."
Beet respectfully approached him and performed the Poison-stinger Wasp's unique rubbing ritual again.
"See these Poison-stinger Wasps? From now on, you are the commander of the Blood Legion."
"Legion Commander?" Beet was somewhat confused, but the King's command was absolute, so it immediately nodded.
Then it absorbed the vampire clan talent orb Chen Yu gave it.
In an instant, this pitch-black poison wasp's body underwent a massive transformation. Not only did its size increase by a full circle, but mysterious blood patterns also appeared on its dark carapace.
"Huh, that's strange?" Chen Yu was somewhat puzzled.
He hadn't expected Beet's transformation to be this significant. This seemed different from ordinary Blood Poison Wasps.
As if responding to the King's confusion, Beet tilted its head in thought, then waved a limb. The blood-colored light on its wings behind it brightened, and blood seeped out, coalescing into a blood spear that shot forth.
[Water Control Supernatural Ability]
[Blood Molding]
[Mana Explosion]
"Whoosh!"
The blood spear shot through the air and landed on an empty patch of ground ten meters away.
"Bang!"
A violent Mana Explosion blasted a crater in the ground, blood energy splattering like living things.
It was as if a blood-red spider lily bloomed under the moonlight, dark red blood etching mysterious patterns on the ground.
The effective range was nearly ten meters. This power was far more terrifying than the original, simple Mana Explosion, and could also cause large-scale corrosive damage. This was even more powerful than the vampire clan magic cast by vampires themselves.
"Beet, you've become more vampire than the vampires." Chen Yu exclaimed in surprise, bouncing once.
Beet tilted its head again, seemingly pondering the meaning of the King's peculiar metaphor.
Chen Yu said with satisfaction: "Excellent, worthy of the Blood Legion's commander. Coincidentally, our Stone Descendant allies need aid. You lead the legion there. Consider it a test of the legion's strength."
"Understood, My King."
Beet's serious voice came through the gel communicator. Then it led the fifty-plus legion wasps away for training.
The night passed quickly.
Early the next morning, Chen Yu dispatched the Blood Legion as escorts to protect the supplies and Slime architects. They passed through the fissure to the Ice Elemental Plane and embarked on the journey to Gore.
Under the cover of the Stone Descendants' shadows, this team smoothly traversed the unstable fissure, entered Gore, and headed towards the Fluorescent Forest.
Chen Yu originally planned to go take a look himself after the legion entered Gore, to survey the Fluorescent Forest terrain firsthand for better defensive planning.
But before he could leave, the trade team led by Anvil and Tulk actually returned early.
He expected to hear good news about purchasing enchanted equipment, but instead saw Anvil immediately jump down from the carriage.
That rugged, broad face was etched with panic as he scurried all the way to Chen Yu, panting heavily, and shouted:
"Yo-Your Majesty, we're done for! This is a huge disaster!"
This was the first time Chen Yu had seen this dwarf blacksmith look so flustered. His round, gelatinous body couldn't help but tense up.
"What happened? Did the accompanying Slime accidentally expose itself in a human town?"
"No! Nothing to do with the Slimes."
Anvil hurriedly waved his hands, swallowed hard, and said with difficulty: "It's... it's us... we... we picked up a child!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu's previously tense gel body instantly relaxed, bubbling with speechlessness.
"That's it? You found a lost human child? Just hand them over to the Ironboot Town guards or the church. Was that enough to scare you like this?"
He thought it was some sky-falling catastrophe.
"Ah, Your Majesty, it's not what you think."
"Never mind, just save me first. This matter... it's hard to explain." Anvil stamped his feet in anxiety.
After saying that, he helplessly turned around, revealing his broad, thick back.
Only then did Chen Yu notice a little girl clinging to Anvil's back.
She looked about seven or eight years old, her small face as exquisitely crafted as a porcelain doll carved by an elven artisan, with a bit of mud smudged on it.
The most eye-catching feature was the pair of ears that naturally extended from her black hair, with slightly pointed tips—the most distinctive mark of an elf.
At this moment, her small hands were tightly gripping the strings of Anvil's apron, as if it were her only lifeline.
Seeing Chen Yu, those little ears twitched. Then she stared at him with those clear, lake-blue eyes that held the freshness of a newborn lake, her gaze filled with wariness and a hint of curiosity.
The moment Chen Yu saw this little girl, his entire Slime form froze. His round eyes widened instantly in surprise, bubbling.
An... an elf child?
Anvil, you guy... went to a human town for trade and brought back an elf for me?!
"Child trafficking? Anvil, you're finished."