Chapter 151 - 51: [The Helmed Undead’s Choice and Insect Path Ecology]

Chapter 151: Chapter 51: [The Helmed Undead’s Choice and Insect Path Ecology]

Samael set down the Nether Copper Tree Trunk beside him and deployed the Bell-shaped Helmet Knight Armors around the camp. He planned to check on the Underground City’s construction to see if they needed his help, and to ask about the High-Level Undead while he was at it.

Yaki and several other architects were mixing concrete mortar. Amidst the RAT-A-TAT snare drum beats of the Sword and Shield Knight Armor Corpse Demons, several Undead swung Nether Copper Great Hammers, smashing Molten Stones and large chunks of Limestone found on the outskirts of the High Grass Plain into powder.

Yaki and the other architects controlled the Tree Ghost Monkeys, using shovels made of Rusted Copper Branches, roots, and wooden boards to scoop up the various Molten Stone and Limestone powders. They piled the powders together and poured in clean water, turning them into a thick, heavy mortar. Some Demon Race architects, finding the Tree Ghost Monkeys too slow, grabbed shovels and buckets to start mixing it themselves.

"Even in another world, there’s concrete mixing," Samael thought. He crafted a Nether Copper Shovel and headed over to help, but halfway there, Yaki and the other architects screamed at the same time.

"Don’t! Don’t come any closer!" Yaki shouted. "Boss, the temperature around your body is too low. It’ll affect the setting time of the concrete mortar. If it sets too early, we’ll have a disaster on our hands!"

"Oh, sorry about that!" Samael gripped the freezing Nether Copper Shovel and backed away repeatedly.

Talia had already finished excavating the Insect Path, and the Demon Insect larvae had filled in most of the Molten Stone. The pouring of the dome was about to begin.

Not far away stood Gwyneth and several other Garden Masters, who had just emerged from the Insect Path with a large swarm of Rot Root Balls.

The Garden Masters used Spiritual Energy signals to drive the Rot Root Balls, catalyzing plant growth. They had reinforced the Insect Path with intertwined plant roots and scattered a certain amount of seeds. Now, they were searching for something near the tall grass.

"Is there anything else I can help with here, Miss Hald?" Samael melted the Nether Copper Shovel, absorbed it back into his body, and stepped forward to ask.

"We are looking for suitable soil, Knight Samael." Gwyneth and several other young Demon Race Exiles had mud on their faces. They wanted to lift their skirts and curtsy, but realizing their hands were covered in dirt, they gently nudged each other instead. They pushed Gwyneth to the front as their representative, and she nodded and smiled. "We’ve filled some dirt pockets in the dome as reserved soil spaces for the dormant spore balls of the glowing fungi."

They opened their mud-stained palms, revealing shriveled fungus balls the size of pigeon eggs.

"They will grow in the reserved soil bases within the dome. During the growth process, they will expand the soil pockets, creating living spaces for other ceiling-dwelling creatures," Gwyneth explained. "Yaki and his team really hate these little guys. Because of their presence, the Underground City dome will require frequent inspections, reinforcements, and repairs in the first few years after its completion, adding a lot of extra workload for the architects."

She smiled and pointed into the distance at Talia, who was driving the Demon Insect larvae.

"However, limestone coral polyps can be found in the deeper, older rock layers underground. If we just let the limestone coral polyps live on the dome, they will secrete stony substances to reinforce the structure themselves. That way, Yaki and the others won’t have to work so hard inspecting and repairing it every year.

"Lady Talia is having the Demon Insects dig deeper to look for resources in the strata. Once the dome casting is completed, this task will also become much easier."

"That should be about enough," Gwyneth called out to the other Garden Masters, instructing them to take the Rot Root Balls and bury the last batch of soil pockets. She remained where she was, gazing at Samael.

"Did you need something?" she asked gently.

Having left the human settlements, Gwyneth had removed the gauze that disguised and covered her face. Where a light red scar had once been on her cheek, thin, dark blue scales were now faintly growing, symbolizing her identity as a member of the Demon Race.

"Miss Hald, I wanted to ask about the High-Level Undead," Samael replied. "Are there any powerful Undead in the Hai Xin Plain? Aside from the Swamp Giants and Skeleton Warriors."

Gwyneth froze for a moment.

"There are some... rumors." She shook her head gently. "Near the Oak Knight Territory and Gold-digging City, rumor has it that deep within the Heart of the Remains, there is a Bell Mist Reaper wielding a massive scythe. It shakes a small bell in the mist and mimics the speech of the living to lure adventurers close, only to slice them in two. It usually leads many low-level Undead."

"Uh... that’s a subordinate of one of my kind," Samael replied. "Anything else?"

Mentioning such creatures made Gwyneth visibly uncomfortable.

"Yes. For example, the Rotting Legion. It’s a behemoth formed by the fusion of dozens of Corpse Demons—a massive lump of flesh bearing seven or eight humanoid upper bodies, wielding bone spears, bone shields, Flesh Whips, and Rotten Flesh Crossbows that fire poisonous stingers.

"There’s also the Mud Exploder, a self-destructing little monster made of mud. Buried within its body are unstable, fermenting fluids and clotted, half-rotten plant shards. It’s practically an explosive Magic Potion Bottle, spraying mud and plant shrapnel everywhere upon detonation. These things even roam in packs and are very common in the swamps.

"And then there’s the Bone Digger Frenzy. It’s a massive, horse-like skeleton monster composed of bones and Limestone. It digs up bones, fossils, and Limestone from the soil to reinforce itself.

"As for more... perhaps there are some subspecies of Swamp Giants? I’ve only heard this through hearsay."

She shook her head.