CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: DISTURBANCE IN THE MIRE

Lear’s voice grew grave.

"Any other information?"

Bain was also a bit troubled, smiling wryly.

"Sir, nothing more..."

Courtship, this matter was alright for the older Mud Swamp People, but for those young, hot-blooded half-grown lads, it was an enormous temptation.

Who could withstand such a test?

But the problem was... there weren’t any Mud Swamp People in the vicinity.

Everything about this matter felt off.

Lear nodded.

"Ensure that the Mud Swamp People going to cultivate the farmland form teams of five, so this doesn’t happen again."

"Find the Mud Swamp Person who heard the singing yesterday and lead the way. I’ll immediately take a team to investigate."

"Yes!"

Soon, two Mud Swamp People cautiously came to report.

Lear wasted no time, taking them and the 15th squad of Wetland Lizardman Warriors to set off.

The farmland is the root of the territory, anything can go wrong, but not here!

No unexpected events must happen.

The stock of grain on hand, including the hunting yield, could barely last for six months.

In the short term, there’s no lack of food and drink, but it can’t be endless.

And if the territory wants to expand, the most basic food needs must be secured.

The farmland is just 5 kilometers from the territory, reaching there briskly in about 40 minutes.

It’s a vast irregular muddy field, the terrain flat.

Its diameter exceeds two kilometers, and the entire area’s size is over a thousand acres.

The ground is fertile, dark silt, with large areas already structured.

The yield of Swamp Wheat is about 600 kilograms per acre, maturing in 3 months.

Moreover, it can grow vigorously regardless of the cold or the heat.

It can be planted all year round.

Taking into account any reduction from natural disasters or man-made calamities, four seasons of wheat can yield at least 2000 kilograms, that is, two tons.

This thousand-acre area, fully operational, can yield 2000 tons of food.

One ton of Swamp Wheat is enough to sustain three adults for a year.

This 2000 tons can support at least 6000 people.

For Weilu City, its value is immeasurable.

As long as this farmland is developed, there will be no worries about food for a long time.

The greatest advantage of an agrarian civilization lies in... having a stable supply of food.

This may seem insignificant, but it’s a dream that many roaming races in the wilderness dare not dream of.

Only with stability can development occur on this foundation, this is the cornerstone of civilization.

At the moment, there are still about ten Mud Swamp People in the farmland, and seeing Lear’s group, they immediately stepped forward to greet.

"Good day, Sir~"

Their tone was full of apprehension.

As if they were afraid Lear might blame them.

Lear nodded.

"Continue working, don’t worry."

Saying this, he looked towards the two Mud Swamp People leading the way.

"Where was the singing heard yesterday?"

The older Mud Swamp Person pointed cautiously towards the south of the farmland area.

"Sir, it was in that direction... At that time, four or five people heard it, only Hanno went missing..."

"Anything else abnormal?"

"No... when we arrived in the morning, we didn’t hear the singing again."

"We searched this morning, and that area, beyond the grass, there’s just a pond, nothing else was found."

"We didn’t search further beyond."

Lear’s gaze was stern.

"Haggs, alert at the highest level... search to the south."

"Yes!"

With that, he looked at the two Mud Swamp People.

"Accompany the team forward."

Without waiting for their response, he immediately led the team onward.

The Wetland Lizardman Hero dispatched three squads, spreading out while the army arranged in a defensive formation and advanced southward.

This matter, although seemingly trivial, was happening in the depths of the wilderness’s swamp.

Any anomaly could potentially hide a significant danger behind it.

Lear would not reduce his vigilance because of it.

Beyond the muddy field, tall grass stood a person’s height.

Broadleaf grass, its leaves growing like saws, could easily cut the skin if unprotected by clothing.

This expanse of grass stretched three to four hundred meters before ending.

Parting a clump of tall grass, the view suddenly opened up.

In front was a pond a hundred meters wide.

The water quality wasn’t clear, emitting a scent of vegetation and algae.

While slightly fishy, it wasn’t unpleasant.

There were signs of searching left by Mud Swamp People around, but aside from that, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Lear turned his head, looking around, trying to find some clues.

But all around was silent, with no traces left by wild monsters.

The clues seemed to end here...

At this moment, Haggs stepped forward two steps and reported softly.

"Sovereign, there are no residual auras around."

The Lizard-man’s nose isn’t as keen as a hound’s, but it can still detect prey’s scent. However, here, there’s nothing but the smell of grass and muddy water.

Lear frowned slightly.

If that Mud Swamp Person was lured farther away, the difficulty of the search would greatly increase.

He calmed down and extended his spiritual power, covering an area of two to three hundred meters around.

In the next instant, he suddenly looked down at the calm pool ahead.

His gaze sharpened.

Nothing seemed different around, but when his spiritual power extended underwater... it was like probing into an abyss, with no response at all.

This pool has a problem!

He waved, leading the troops away from the water’s edge.

Simultaneously, he looked at Haggs.

"In the swamp, what creatures live underwater and can sing songs?"

Haggs pondered a bit and said in a deep voice.

"Sovereign, many creatures use song to lure prey—Blood Nightingale, Enchanting Demon, Screaming Ghost, Wetland Enchanting Demon, Swamp Boggart... no fewer than twenty types."

"Half of these live in the water."

Lear’s eyes flashed with a dangerous light.

"Return to the territory immediately and bring the Bubble Beasts."

Living in the water?

Sorry, Bubble Beasts don’t care whether you are in the water or not; these little guys are specialists in dealing with water-dwelling creatures...

Haggs took the order and left quickly. Soon, a group of bubbles flew over the grass and entered Lear’s sight.

These transparent bubbles floated in the air, showing the chubby Bubble Beasts inside.

These cute creatures that looked like little dinosaurs waved continually upon seeing him, shouting in a chaotic chorus.

Lear’s eyes lit up.

This is possible as well?

Somewhat tempted, he thought he’d let these little guys give him a ride sometime later.

After you’re finished, it’s my turn... Riding a bubble is too early for kids, but just right for me.

The surrounding Wetland Lizardman Warriors watched in amazement.

Although they had seen the scene yesterday where Bubble Beasts used bubbles to pack up fish.

But seeing them stuff themselves into bubbles and fly over was quite eye-catching.

Flying, this is a dream for all surface creatures...

Pop~

The Bubble Beasts landed on the ground, and the transparent bubbles burst one by one. These little guys, led by Bob, ran over to Lear.

"Master~"

The calls came in sweet and childlike tones.

Like kindergarten kids seeing their parents after school.

Seeing these magical little cuties, Lear’s mood improved somewhat.

He gestured toward the turbid pool in front of him.

"There are unknown monsters hidden underwater... We can’t venture deeper, needing your help."

Hearing this, the little ones immediately became excited.

"Master~ Let me do it, I love catching fish!"

"I got here first, I got here first!!"

"Master~"

Seeing the commotion, Lear was both amused and annoyed.

He waved his hand.

"Everyone, get to work."

"But be careful, don’t go into the water."

"Bob, you oversee the operation!"

Bob nodded.

"Yes, Master."

He glanced at his companions.

"Don’t cause trouble for the Master!"

The other Bubble Beasts were a bit afraid of Bob and dared not make noise, immediately moving closer to the shore and starting to blow bubbles.

Seeing this, Lear had Haggs lead the Wetland Lizardman Warriors to protect these little guys.

They formed an impenetrable formation before them.

Steel sabers gripped tightly, armor gleaming brightly.

Anything moving from underwater would have to get through them first.

The Bubble Beasts emitted bubbles one after another, which caught the wind and expanded to three meters in diameter.

Plop~ Plop~

Like rolling stones, they fell into the water and disappeared.

Though there were only eight Bubble Beasts this time, each could control 30 bubbles, totaling 240... which was nothing short of impressive.

The bubbles entering the water increased, and the underwater world began to grow murky.

At the instant a critical point was reached.

Lear’s gaze sharpened.

His eyes fixed on the center—the magic energy there grew abnormally active!

Someone is casting a spell!