【Open Yuan Treasure Scroll Lv.5 → Nine Ramparts Life Palace Formula Lv.1】
Within the oak territory, Chen Yu tried hard to squeeze out a serious expression, holding an oak branch with his gel, muttering incantations in his heart as he hopped and circled around a patch of muck, as if performing some primitive sacrificial ritual, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
"Transform for me!"
The oak branch pointed downward, touching that lump of muck.
【Transform Mud into Stone】
Immediately afterward, an astonishing scene occurred.
The muck that had been slumped on the ground quickly drained its moisture, compressed itself, took shape... and finally became a dark brown mud brick.
Whether picked up and smashed, or chopped at, it was no different from hard granite.
This was the accompanying mystical art of the Nine Ramparts Life Palace Formula—Transform Mud into Stone.
Of course, his abilities weren't limited to just this.
Chen Yu began muttering mystical incantations again, then pointed the oak branch held by his gel toward the oak tree's roots.
"Grow!"
【Accelerate Wood and Shape Form】
In just an instant, the oak tree roots emitted cracking and popping sounds, breaking through the soil, winding up around the oak tree, then connecting with the bark one by one to form root stairs.
After the stairs were completely formed, Chen Yu put down the oak branch and tried hopping up step by step, passing by the busy Poison-stinger Wasp nest, and soon climbed to the top of the oak tree.
Enjoying the unobstructed sunlight above and the open view before him, Chen Yu was so moved he bubbled, immediately feeling that the forty spirit stones spent on exchanging for the mystical arts were worth it.
"Transform Mud into Stone" and "Accelerate Wood and Shape Form" both belonged under "Nine Ramparts Life Palace Formula Lv.1" and wouldn't be displayed on the panel.
The replaced "Open Yuan Treasure Scroll Lv.5" hadn't disappeared, but had been inherited.
Chen Yu stood at the high point looking out over the entire oak territory, and even the entire swamp forest.
A bold idea emerged in his heart.
Using trees as framework and stones to build walls, he could completely transform the oak territory into an impregnable fortress, and even undertake massive construction projects around the swamp periphery, building maze-like ruins to attract adventurers to continuously visit the swamp and drive away those Corrupted fellows.
This was a massive project.
Wasn't this exactly the kind of major infrastructure construction that his senior brothers in Xu Xuan Heaven craved?
Too bad this project had been contracted by him alone.
Poor civil engineering senior brothers.
...
Reed River.
With meltwater from the snowy peaks flowing in, the river was much more abundant than during the Winter Year, rushing noisily as it washed over the newly sprouted tender green reed shoots along the banks, also bringing the fresh scent of pine wood from upstream.
The old beaver "Gnaw-gnaw" soaked in the bone-chilling cold water, couldn't help but shake its thick, glossy brown fur and sneeze.
The icy river water washed over its paws, but couldn't extinguish its busy soul.
Spring!
This was the golden season for beavers!
Also the busiest season.
"Crunch! Crunch!"
It had its eyes on a small poplar tree, gnawing at it with powerful front teeth, wood chips flying like snowflakes.
Its small eyes were focused and bright, its tail rhythmically slapping the water surface, splashing cheerful water droplets. Almost there, this branch could soon be dragged back to its precious dam...
Just then, an unusual vibration came from the distance, clearly transmitted through the riverbank soil.
Followed by dull clip-clopping sounds and the rolling sound of wheels crushing grass, breaking the riverside tranquility.
"Gnaw-gnaw" warily raised its head, its moist black nose sniffing hard—it was the smell of dust! And... that annoying two-legged creature's scent! That annoying two-legged creature's scent!
On the dirt road leading to the swamp forest, an open carriage pulled by two sturdy draft horses was kicking up a trail of dust as it sped toward them.
More of these strangely shaped human adventurers!
"Gnaw-gnaw" discontentedly flicked its tail, sending several water droplets flying far away, its mood instantly turning gloomy.
Ever since spring arrived and the ice and snow melted, this road leading deep into the forest had become lively.
These guys wearing metal shells, carrying strange sticks and glowing stones, came in groups of three or five, continuously pouring into the Reed River banks, then plunging headfirst into that dangerous swamp forest.
Sometimes humans would stop, curiously staring at it and its beloved dam, making gibberish sounds it couldn't understand at all.
Even worse, one or two reckless ones would curiously poke with their hands, even trying to move the branches it had carefully piled up!
Every time it thought of this, "Gnaw-gnaw" got so angry its front teeth itched, wishing it could rush up and take a bite at those restless fingers!
Its precious dam, that was the home it had built tooth by tooth, sweat by sweat, one branch and one mud clump at a time!
It was the fortress for resisting natural enemies and raising offspring!
How could it be a toy for these passersby?
However, today's carriage seemed particularly hurried, wheels rolling, dust flying, showing no intention of slowing down at all.
It swept past the Reed River banks like a gust of wind, heading straight for the forest entrance.
"Gnaw-gnaw's" tense nerves relaxed slightly.
Alright, consider yourselves sensible!
It muttered, with a mix of relief and dissatisfaction, lowering its head again and opening those signature large front teeth.
"Crunch! Crunch!"
...
The wheels rolled over potholes in the dirt road, the carriage jolting violently, almost throwing off the young girl sitting at the rear who was buried in studying books.
"Ouch!"
She exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly grabbing the carriage side.
The girl had fluffy, soft chestnut-brown hair, with fair cheeks still carrying some baby fat, typical features of the Anier people.
Just like the washed-out apprentice robe she wore and the plain oak staff leaning beside her, they represented being law-abiding and content.
"Captain Kelvin, c-could we slow down a bit?" The girl picked up the dropped book with heartache.
"Slow? Little sweetheart Elara, time is money! Money is life!"
The man sitting in the driver's position controlling the reins turned his head, grinning with an enthusiastic smile.
His name was Kelvin, captain of this temporarily assembled adventuring party.
In his early thirties, with fair skin and slightly curly golden short hair, high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, the corners of his mouth habitually turned upward, carrying a kind of eloquent shrewdness.
These were typical "Visaji people" characteristics—an ethnic group known for shrewdness, mobility, and business talent, with footprints spread across the continent, but rarely having fixed homes.
He wore the common ranger attire of Ironboot Town, a somewhat worn brown leather armor, with a slender curved sword hanging at his waist, the scabbard decorated so lavishly that it appeared somewhat tacky.
"Think about it, Elara, we're going to the swamp forest to make our fortune!"
"That place is filled with valuable swamp Magical Creatures and Moonlight Moss everywhere! If we're late, even the moss will be scraped clean by other lucky bastards! I'm doing this for the team's sake."
"Captain, I, Brum, have been forging in Ironboot Town for ten years, mined in the mountains, dug in the earth, how come I never heard the forest was this rich? Still find it a bit hard to believe."
A muffled voice sounded next to Elara, speaking was a dwarf.
With thick, messy, flame-like reddish-brown beard and a pair of bright, spirited small brown eyes.
He wore a heavy chainmail armor, covered with a severely worn leather apron, a double-bladed battle axe that looked heavily weighted resting casually by his leg.
Brum Stonefist, was a neighbor blacksmith Elara knew from Ironboot Town.
"Old brother Brum, this was personally said by 'Miracle' Yano."
"Gnaw-gnaw" warily raised its head, its moist black nose sniffing hard—it was the smell of dust! And... that annoying two-legged creature's scent! Annoying two-legged creature's scent!
"You must know that legendary figure, right? My third uncle's neighbor's distant cousin heard his words and, relying on the treasures in the swamp forest, paid off all his gambling... uh, all investment debts overnight! Even married a beautiful wife!"
He waved his arms, vividly describing.
"That place is filled with magical plants everywhere, rumors say some adventurers even encountered suddenly appearing ruins, where they plundered quite a few treasures."
Elara's eyes slightly brightened hearing this, she had a natural curiosity for unknown magical plants, but then slightly frowned.
"But Captain Kelvin, books say the swamp forest after spring is the most dangerous, miasma begins to spread, sleeping Magical Creatures also awaken..."
"Danger? Ha!"
Kelvin waved his hand grandly, almost hitting the carriage-pulling horses.
"With our experienced old brother Brum as the vanguard, what monster can't his 'Mountain Splitter' chop to pieces? Plus our promising Miss Elara's magic! And me, Kelvin..."
"The best guide and negotiation expert in Visaji! What danger can't we handle? Our combination is so perfect it's like granted by the gods, fortune is right before our eyes!"
Kelvin vowed confidently, his smile so dazzlingly bright, but his eyes quickly scanned the increasingly closer swamp forest entrance ahead, secretly swallowing saliva.
Actually, he was far less confident and calm than he appeared on the surface. If not for the damned debts chasing him like whips lashing him, leaving him no choice, he would never have come here.
Experienced adventurers all knew his situation, who would dare team up with him to enter the swamp forest? Only these two fools were easily deceived, readily believing his words.
Although both were complete novices wet behind the ears, he had no other choice, could only carry on with this carefully woven adventure.
He vigorously shook the reins.
"Giddyup! Friends, fortune is waving at us!"
The carriage kicked up one last cloud of dust, rushing without hesitation into the swamp forest.