CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: NEW INTEL—MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

On the evening of the 9th, after detecting the Two-headed Ogre’s territory, Lear did not continue searching and returned to Weilu City.

At this moment, a group of Mud Swamp People were drawing water from the foul-smelling mud into wooden barrels to settle and filter it.

Their lips were dry, their complexion sallow, and as they looked at the muddy water in the barrels, they occasionally swallowed saliva.

But they would rather endure thirst than drink the boiled water filtered from the sludge.

On the other side, a large pot was set up on the grass, water bubbling and boiling, with an iron pot filled with cold water placed on top of it, as the steam quickly condensed under the iron pot and dripped into a wooden basin... distillation.

This operation was able to provide some relatively odorless clean water.

But this large pot, to supply hundreds of people... was not enough even if it was smoking hot.

"Sir..."

Bain hurriedly stepped forward to salute as he saw Lear return.

Lear looked at the crowd collecting water and said in a deep voice.

"Set up two more pots, the supply of clean water can’t stop."

Bain immediately complied.

"I’ve already sent people to gather firewood."

Lear nodded, knowing this was just a temporary measure; finding a suitable water source was key.

His head ached.

Not in the mood for conversation, he instructed Bain to make arrangements and silently went to the central area to watch the Vine Fairies cultivating Starry Sky Vine.

Each day, the building changed, filling him with anticipation.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the stars shone brightly.

The busy Mud Swamp People had fallen into a deep sleep, with only the Wetland Lizard-men in the outer regions still awake and keeping watch.

Lear, unable to sleep, came to the central area to watch the Vine Fairies build houses, waiting silently until midnight.

The time on the Intelligence System quietly ticked from August 9th to August 10th.

A new prompt appeared immediately on the Intelligence System—

[The Intelligence System has cooled down and can refresh intelligence, refresh now?]

Lear felt a surge of excitement!

Refresh.

The moment he confirmed, five pieces of intelligence quietly generated.

[1. 5 kilometers southwest, a patch of Rose is growing, with up to 12 varieties. (1 Star)]

[2. ↑10 kilometers to the north, a Foul Giant Demon occupies a relic building that appears on the 15th of each month and disappears on the 20th. (2 Stars)]

[3. Corrupt Beastmen discovered that drying Black Dragon Broad-leaf Grass and mixing it with blood to create smoke would cause Mire Wasps to fall into a coma, though the smoke only induces a ten-minute coma. They suffered heavy casualties due to poor time management. Adding Earth Dragon Dung greatly enhances the effect. (2 Stars)]

[4. 20 kilometers northeast, among the hills where vines grow, lives a group of Bubble Beasts. The bubbles they exhale can filter impurities from sludge, providing clean water. (3 Stars)]

[5. ↓Within a muddy pond 10 kilometers south lives a group of Dragonblood Red Fish, extremely delicious with bone and thorn-free flesh. (3 Stars)]

One piece of 1 Star, two pieces of 2 Stars, two pieces of 3 Stars!

This refresh of intelligence was immensely valuable.

Lear was in great spirits.

He carefully reviewed the first piece... Previously, the intelligence mentioned Firina was seeking more varieties of Rose to make a breakthrough.

That area had 12 kinds; next time he returned to Lorand City, it would make a great gift.

She probably wouldn’t be stingy with a return gift, right?

She was the Princess of Lorand City, the Flower of the Northern Territory. Ah, the borrow limit, ridiculously high.

The second piece of intelligence was about the Foul Giant Demon, which occupied a relic building that appears on the 15th and disappears on the 20th each month... No wonder it was hard to track recently.

Relic buildings were passed down from Ancient Ruins and might hide great treasures.

The Noel Main Plane has a long history, having experienced eight God Wars. Destroyed civilizations, buried cities, and numerous shattered planes are numerous.

Over time, some were covered by earth, and some flowed into Dimension Planes.

Under certain circumstances, these Ancient Ruins would reveal themselves.

They might contain treasures that could make a King tremble, or Divine Artifacts of Ancient Gods... or, perhaps, extreme horrors.

The relic building occupied by the Foul Giant Demon certainly held something valuable... otherwise, it wouldn’t live so extravagantly.

It must be investigated.

The third piece of intelligence piqued Lear’s interest.

No wonder those rotten Beastmen dared to target Mire Wasps; there was such a secret.

The subsequent tip was interesting... Earth Dragon Dung could significantly enhance its power.

What a coincidence!

He still had some genuine Dragon Dung, far superior to Earth Dragon Dung.

The Mire Queen Bee... a treasure able to activate talents, he was determined to get it.

The fourth piece of intelligence—3 Star value.

Bubble Beasts, capable of filtering mud to obtain clean water.

Lear took a deep breath, feeling much of his stress from recent days dissipate.

The Intelligence System indeed triggers based on his recent encounters.

This piece of intelligence solves a major problem.

Attempts to find a water source had yielded nothing, becoming an obsession.

Without food, hunting could suffice, but without clean water, life couldn’t go on even for a day.

Living off distilled water wasn’t a long-term solution.

A truly deserving 3 Star value intelligence!

Upon reading the fifth piece, Lear’s gaze shifted slightly.

Dragonblood Red Fish, the name itself implied significance...

Farmland was being developed, but one couldn’t live on bread alone, right?

Meat, eggs, no milk, but there must be protein.

The Swamp lacked potable water but not water itself; catching some fish might allow attempts at farming them?

The intelligence value is as high as 3 Stars, these Dragon Blood Red Fish are clearly not ordinary goods.

This time, a huge gain, so satisfying.

A satisfied Lear returned to his tent and slept soundly.

The next morning, he gathered the army and searched northeast.

Today’s target is the Bubble Beast.

Everything else can be postponed, but there’s no way to go without water.

Distillation can quench thirst, but there are too many people and not enough wood around to use as fuel.

According to intelligence, the Bubble Beast lives on a small hill growing with vines, just in case, he brought along 5 Vine Fairies.

Perfectly suited for the task.

Stepping into the swamp, the morning carries a light mist, the air is very moist and feels quite comfortable.

The 5 Vine Fairies flapped their green, vine-stitched wings, buzzing around Lear.

Occasionally rubbing against him or resting on his shoulder.

Their giggling was constant.

With him around, these little ones feel secure even away from the vines.

The fierce Wetland Lizard-men, upon seeing this warm scene, softened their gazes.

About ten minutes after leaving Weilu City, the Wetland Lizard-man scouting ahead let out a piercing scream.

Enemy attack!

Lear’s eyes sharpened, and he quickly led his people forward.

After moving forward about two hundred meters, in a sparse forest, a squad of Wetland Lizard-men stared viciously ahead.

Lear focused, and in his sight appeared more than a dozen robust figures.

Gray-brown skin, hair as dense as a forest.

Human-like faces, but with eyes filled with ferocity and savagery.

Standing over 1.8 meters tall, draped in clothing made of leaves, holding hardwood spears and stone warhammers.

These figures give a primal impact.

As if stepping out from primitive, savage lands.

At this moment, they controlled two unconscious Lizard-men.

And the Wetland Lizard-men also held a captive whose features were indistinct.

Barbarians

[Level]: Middle Tier Knight (Level 7)

[Potential]: 2 Stars

[Racial Talent]: Barbaric Physique, possessing a robust body, enduring far beyond ordinary people, strength increased by an additional 35%.

[Skills]: Battle Cry (2 Stars) shouts exude a heartening effect before an attack, boosting one’s own strength by 20%, if the number of those shouting reaches 10, strength gets an additional 20% boost.

Beast Instinct (2 Stars) possessing an innate intuition, can sharply detect impending danger.

[Evaluation]: They are the hunters on the Wilderness.

Stars potential, Level 7 Middle Tier Knight——

Barbarians.

Barbarians are different from another common race on the Wilderness——the Barbarian Race.

The Barbarian Race’s civilization is more advanced, owning numerous wilderness territories and towns.

Barbarians roam the Wilderness like primitive people.

The number of Barbarians is generally small, even three to five hundred is rare.

More commonly, they form small groups of ten to twenty people.

However, judging by their appearance, they had just entered the swamp.

Seeing Lear’s group approaching, the Barbarians’ expressions visibly changed.

But upon seeing the Wetland Lizard-men holding their unconscious comrade, they suddenly became restless again.

Speaking in a barbarian tongue unfamiliar to outsiders.

A Wetland Lizard-man whispered.

"Sovereign, we just arrived here and discovered traces of these Barbarians... They directly launched an attack on us."

"Fortunately, our companions hadn’t dispersed, and we forcibly captured the unconscious barbarian they were protecting."

"This barbarian seems to have a high status and position; after we captured him, they dared not attack us further."

Lear glanced at the unconscious Barbarian, not noticing anything different, nor any difference in attributes.

Hearing their discussion, the strongest Barbarian leader stepped forward two steps and spoke in a somewhat awkward common language.

"Human, please release our companion... I am willing to exchange him for yours!

At his side, the Level 7 Hero—Haggs’s gaze turned cold.

"Sovereign, Barbarians are never trustworthy..."

Hearing this, the Barbarian leader rebuked angrily.

"Lizard-man, do not compare the Hisham clan with other Barbarians!"

"The Chieftain taught us that keeping promises is a virtue Barbarians must possess!"

"I can swear on behalf of the Hisham clan for you!"

"Moreover, we’re here to seek territory in the surroundings and establish trade, not to make enemies!"

Chieftain? Hisham clan? And... establish trade?

This guy wasn’t lying.

After merging with the Divine Format, Lear has an extraordinary perception of others’ emotions.

Whether someone is lying, whether there’s malice, one glance and he knows.

He curiously sized up these figures.

A barbarian clad in leaves wanting to establish trade?

He felt an inexplicable sense of absurdity.