CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: WATER SOURCE CRISIS

Mire Wasp

[Level]: 5

[Potential]: 1 Star

[Racial Talent]: Poison Needle, the needle at the back carries highly poisonous venom, causing immense poison element damage to enemies and a paralysis effect.

[Skills]: Quick Flight (1 Star) Flight speed increases by 40%.

Piercing (1 Star) The tail needle has powerful piercing ability, causing armor-piercing damage to armor.

[Evaluation]: Wasps with highly poisonous venom, if commanded by a queen bee, they become extremely terrifying.

All of them are Level 5, there are tens of thousands flying outside, and considering those hidden inside the nests, the estimate of over a hundred thousand is conservative.

This horrifying scene made Lear’s mind emerge with a question... what gives those corrupt beastmen the courage to covet such a massive swarm of Mire Wasps?

A single Mire Wasp isn’t much, but a swarm of a hundred thousand, each the size of a fist, is a whole other concept.

Once they attack, it’s a death storm that blots out the sun.

Moreover... The Mire Wasps have a queen bee capable of controlling the swarm.

Even racking his brain, Lear couldn’t figure out who gave those corrupt beastmen the courage to target the Mire Wasps.

After observing silently for a while, he didn’t get any closer and signaled everyone to retreat.

After getting away from this area, Lear opened the Magic Map and marked it.

This is a high-level monster stronghold that can’t be taken down for now.

He planned to accumulate some strength and come back later.

He then turned in the direction towards the foul giant the swamp treant mentioned.

But the information given by the swamp treant was too limited, and even after hours of searching, there were no signs of the foul giant.

Instead, they encountered a group of half-fishmen.

The sheer number of two squadrons increased the potential progress of the Wetland Lizard-men to 83%.

A small harvest indeed.

At dusk, as Lear watched the sun gradually sink into the swamp, he didn’t linger and began his journey back.

Returning to his territory under the radiant evening sky.

He immediately noticed that the vines, which were only two meters tall in the morning, had grown to three meters, showing signs of wrapping around.

The progress was astounding.

And the plump Vine Fairy was still diligently emitting light, guiding the growth of the Starry Sky Vine.

These little ones are truly treasures.

Lear smiled with delight.

After having dinner, he called for Bain.

This Mud Swamp Hero was still in high spirits.

The performance of the Vine Fairy gave him hope of achieving his dreams.

Over the past two days, all the Mud Swamp People were organized to conduct detailed discussions and validation of the planning and construction of Weilu City.

The Mud Swamp People are natural artisans, each having their own perspectives in these areas, and with collective wisdom, the primitive plans were gradually refined.

After listening to Bain’s enthusiastic report, Lear praised him generously.

Bain’s face flushed with excitement.

"My lord, the territory’s construction has gradually gotten on track, next, we should begin cultivating farmland and planting crops."

"The Noah’s Rice we brought can sustain us for five months, and the fastest maturing Swamp Wheat takes three months to mature... We need to allow for some buffer time."

After venturing deep into the wilderness, beyond the lurking dangers, the more important issue is the difficulty in maintaining trade connections with the outside world.

Relying entirely on purchasing food from outside places too many constraints.

While the population is still small, it’s manageable, but if it keeps growing, the logistics alone make this option impractical.

Cultivating farmland is an essential choice.

"I had people survey the surroundings, ↓ downstream to the south, 5 kilometers away, there’s a large area of silt accumulation which can be developed into farmland."

"The soil in this area is very fertile, coupled with the supply of marsh mud and water from upstream, it surely will yield a bountiful harvest!"

Bain spoke with confidence.

For this trip, they brought enough seeds – Swamp Wheat.

With some minor development, they can proceed with planting.

Lear nodded, and gave some serious instructions.

"Start arranging people to develop farmland from tomorrow... Make sure to bring the Wetland Lizard-man for vigilance."

"Retreat immediately if there’s danger, you are the territory’s most important asset."

Upon hearing this, Bain felt warm inside.

My lord is truly considerate toward his subordinates... Recalling the bleak days of slavery before coming to Lear with uncertainty, his inner emotions were intense at this moment.

It’s only with comparison that one realizes the difference.

His gaze became more determined.

He will spare no effort in building Weilu City for his lord!

After discussing the matter of farmland reclamation, Bain talked about another crucial issue—water source.

"Although the swamp is not short of water, the bacteria in the water are widespread and not suitable for direct consumption."

"As you mentioned before, boiling it before drinking has reduced instances of diarrhea and illness among the people, but the swamp water tastes too foul and is not suitable for long-term living."

"More urgent than farmland reclamation is the need to find a clean water source."

Hearing Bain’s serious words, Lear’s gaze slightly tightened.

Without food, hunting and fishing are options, but without a clean water source, it could be deadly.

"In these days of exploration, I will focus on searching for a water source."

"Is there anything else that needs solving?"

"Lord, the manpower we currently have is barely enough, but if the territory expands, it will be far from sufficient..."

The Mud Swamp People number only a hundred, and Wetland Lizard-men, as warriors, cannot participate in production.

With such a vast territory, only a hundred laborers, it is definitely not enough.

Lear nodded.

"I’ll make arrangements for this matter."

With the divine skill Divine Remnant, there is a way to solve the manpower issue.

But with races like the Half-Fishman, covered in slimy foulness, it’s truly nauseating; he looks down upon them.

After finishing the conversation, watching Bain’s departing figure, Lear took a deep breath.

An empty Weilu City, lacking everything.

Comrades must continue their efforts.

Calming his mood, he stepped out of the tent, and stars were already gleaming in the sky.

Unconsciously, he turned his gaze to the central area.

One by one, the Vine Fairies lit themselves up, becoming lights manipulating the Power of Starlight, accelerating the growth of Starry Sky Vine.

This has already become a sight of Weilu City...

After instructing Haggs to arrange personnel for guard duty, he returned to his personal tent for a deep slumber.

On August 8th, farmland to the south began being reclaimed in the morning.

A total of 50 Mud Swamp People participated, expected to start cultivation by the 20th.

Swamp Wheat requires only abundant fertile swamp sludge and water, it can be cultivated year-round, indifferent to season, even growing in winter.

Moreover, it matures in just three months, making it the most common and excellent crop of the swamp.

Once outside the swamp, this wheat loses its unique traits, and yield decreases by half.

This is a crop unique to the swamp, rarely cultivated externally.

For two consecutive days, on the 8th and 9th, Lear searched and hunted around Weilu City.

The Foul Giant Demon mentioned by the Treant was nowhere to be found, but on the afternoon of the 9th, 15 kilometers east of the territory, traces of Two-headed Ogres were discovered.

This is a vast clan of over 70 heads, with an average level reaching 10.

Average height reaches two and a half meters, like little giants.

Two hideous and ugly heads grow on their necks, inducing chills.

They wear beast skin clothing, their bodies strong and muscular, like balloons inflated to their limits.

The weapons by their sides are all stout trees.

On the gathering place of the Two-headed Ogres, roughly ten crude wooden huts were built.

Lear even discovered that they fenced off a patch of grassland, enclosing something inside.

However, thick grass made it impossible to see clearly.

After discovering the Two-headed Ogres, Lear did not rush to act but slowly retreated from the region.

The level difference is too great, attacking this wild creature gathering site would come at a huge price.

Current strength is insufficient!

This sparked a sense of urgency within him.

The Two-headed Ogres have already built homes and settled, they will surely continue exploring outward, occupying land.

Weilu City being discovered by them is only a matter of time.

He needs to resolve this danger as soon as possible.

Besides the threat of the Two-headed Ogres, Lear is still troubled by the unresolved water source issue.

Extensive area searches in the past two days yielded no clean water source.

Originally stored clean water ran out by the night of the 8th, with only half a barrel left in his tent.

Everyone began filling buckets in the swamp, letting the water settle, filtering again with cloth the next day, followed by boiling for drinking.

But the stench and bitterness of the swamp’s mixed water remain strong, simple treatment is far from removing them, make it hard to swallow.

Lear did not anticipate that the expected swamp monster threat did not have much impact, yet the least conspicuous issue, water, was the first to cause problems.