"At least the Black Tooth Empire has retreated. It's feeble due to long-standing problems and loses a few battles every year." An old Lizardman, his scales tinged white, chewed on a dried mushroom, his eyes half-closed in enjoyment.

This mushroom had a calming effect and could also stimulate the Elemental Bloodline.

"Indeed, but we still have to believe in the empire," Wang Linchi chimed in.

It was his third day since entering the second layer, where he had managed to blend into a small border town of a Lizardman empire.

There were currently two Lizardman empires: the Black Tooth Empire and the White Claw Empire.

The empire Wang Linchi currently resided in was the White Claw Empire.

His disguise wasn't an issue. He had skinned and deboned a Lizardman to create a mechanical-like skin suit for himself, and after learning their language, script, and customs, he had easily assimilated into their community.

Speaking of the Black Tooth and White Claw Empires, they were once a single entity, originating from a Lizardman empire at its peak called the Golden Pupil Empire, which split into two due to upheaval.

However, in truth, both empires originated from the same stock. Whether it was the Black Tooth or the White Claw, the founding emperors of both empires were royal descendants of the Golden Pupil Empire.

If only one had emerged, the Golden Pupil Empire would have continued. However, two princes rose, and since neither would acknowledge the other's authority, conflict erupted.

As they fought on, the hatred between them deepened and persisted.

Wang Linchi had also studied the map. The second underground layer was nearly a hundred times smaller than the first.

So currently, the second layer was occupied by only the Black Tooth and White Claw Empires, which were engaged in a ferocious territorial dispute.

The Lizardmen on the first layer were oblivious to this unfolding situation.

The rapid development of Magic Enchantment Technology was also due to the ongoing war.

Fortunately, Lizardmen reproduced quickly, and without outside threats, they had managed to survive the high casualty rates; otherwise, they would have perished long ago.

Even in the current situation, regardless of whether Black Tooth or White Claw won, the legitimate lineage remained unchanged.

"Believe my ass! I haven't received this month's Salary Silver yet," the old Lizardman cursed.

Most inhabitants of this border town were soldiers, ready to fight any enemy invasions. They had just repelled an attack from the Black Tooth Empire, but the promised grain and Salary Silver hadn't arrived yet, causing discontent among the White Claw soldiers.

"Well, you can still afford the Illusionary God Mushroom," Wang Linchi chuckled.

"What choice do I have? I can't do without it." The old Lizardman dug another dried Illusionary God Mushroom from his waist pouch and chewed on it.

Lizardmen were omnivores, not carnivores, and had an incredibly wide diet.

The Illusionary God Mushroom was one of the reasons for the decline of the White Claw Empire and, paradoxically, one of the tools they wielded against the attacks of the Black Tooth Empire.

After being air-dried, the mushroom had calming and addictive effects similar to a five-stone mixture. It also harmed the body, but it gave the Lizardmen fearlessness, excitement, and temporary frenzy on the battlefield, making it a military staple.

During combat, every Lizardman consumed about ten Illusionary God Mushrooms, which turned them into crazed beasts on the battlefield.

But this was a custom that had only appeared in the last decade. Ten years ago, the White Claw Empire was on par with the Black Tooth Empire in terms of both military and economy. The battles had been evenly matched, unlike the defensive stance they currently adopted.

While their victory rate was now significantly higher than before, these were all defensive battles. A loss meant losing a city. However, with logistical support, victories naturally outnumbered defeats.

With an infirm body full of wounds, the elderly Lizardman relied on the Illusionary God Mushroom for pain relief. Not taking it would not only trigger withdrawal symptoms but also cause physical discomfort.

"I heard you're planning to go to Claw Cliff?" the old Lizardman asked after swallowing his mushroom.

"Yes, any suggestions?" Wang Linchi asked.

Claw Cliff was the Royal City of the White Claw Empire, built on a massive cliff, and it was the most prosperous place in the entire empire.

"It's a lovely place, if you have Claw Coins. If not, then slums are more beautiful than Claw Cliff," the old Lizardman said, sounding as though he had been there before.

Claw Coins were the currency of the White Claw Empire, made from a unique type of smelted metal.

"No, I'm not going for enjoyment; I plan to learn the Magic Enchantment Technique," Wang Linchi said calmly.

Money had never been an issue for him, but he couldn't admit it.

"Magic Enchantment Technique? That might not be so easy."

"All the Magic Enchantment Techniques are controlled by the White Claw Royalty."

"If the Black Tooth Empire inherited the Golden Pupil Empire's Smelting Techniques, then we, the White Claw, have inherited the Golden Pupil Empire's Magic Enchantment Technique." The old Lizardman seemed quite proud when he spoke of this.

The weakening White Claw Empire was able to withstand the attacks from the Black Tooth Empire thanks to the Illusionary God Mushroom and, of course, their Magic Enchantment Technique.

Otherwise, relying solely on a mushroom, no matter how potent, could not generate equivalent power.

Regrettably, the existence of the Illusionary God Mushroom was also what caused the downfall of the White Claw Empire—everyone in the state, from the Nobility down to the common folk, was consuming it.

This had led to significant internal problems.

"That's why I want to learn it." He felt that he had indeed come to the right place.

"You won't succeed. Only the Royal Family can learn it." The old Lizardman shook his head, his reptilian eyes somewhat lost—this was the effect of the Illusionary God Mushroom. Unless he concentrated his spiritual power, he would remain in a state of bliss, his consciousness growing fuzzy.

"I don't know where you come from, but I'm sure you're not from the Black Tooth Empire, since they never cared about our Magic Enchantment Technique."

"And they know that outsiders cannot survive in Claw Cliff—the nobles there strongly reject outsiders."

"It's precisely because of this arrogance and disdain that the secrecy of our Magic Enchantment Technique is as 'rock-solid' as the empire itself," the old Lizardman's remark carried a trace of sarcasm.

"Oh, I see." Wang Linchi, of course, understood the old Lizardman's meaning: outsiders who went to Claw Cliff were seen as beggars, inherently inferior.

The Royal Family would never share the Magic Enchantment Technique with non-royal Lizardmen. However, Wang Linchi deduced something else: the Magic Enchantment Technique was likely being produced on an assembly line. Otherwise, even if the White Claw Emperor himself were turning screws, they still wouldn't be able to meet the demand. Though the White Claw Empire was smaller compared to the first layer, it was still immense—at least the size of a province. Therefore, supplying the military by relying solely on the Royal Family would be impractical. The most plausible explanation was that they had established a production line; how else could they mass-produce their armaments?

"Well, good luck then, young man. I hope the next time we meet, you won't be a Convict Soldier being transported in a prison cart," the old Lizardman cackled.

Convict Soldiers were cannon fodder. Losers of political struggles or battles didn't necessarily die but were instead exiled to the remote areas to serve as cannon fodder against the Black Tooth Empire.

Such a situation had not existed ten years ago when the Illusionary God Mushroom had not yet swept across the entire White Claw Empire. With the decadence over the years, the decrease in population, and intense internal strife, every frontier town now occasionally received a batch of pampered Convict Soldiers.

These Convict Soldiers died quickly and were quickly replaced; fortunately, the supply was steady.

"I'll have to trouble you to take care of me then." Wang Linchi didn't care what the old Lizardman said and stood up, ready to leave. "The Illusionary God Mushroom isn't good for you; you should eat less of it."

"Everyone knows that, but now no one can live without it," the old Lizardman muttered.

Looking at the nearly depleted supply of Illusionary God Mushrooms in his pouch, he hesitated before finally deciding not to eat another one.

That kid doesn't eat Illusionary God Mushrooms. He's definitely not a White Claw, the old Lizardman thought, watching Wang Linchi's retreating figure. He had noticed Wang Linchi's strangeness long ago. In his eyes, it was almost certain Wang Linchi was a spy sent by the Black Tooth Empire, but he didn't care. What reward could he expect for reporting it? Another Illusionary God Mushroom? It would merely mean that he, an old bag of bones, would have to join the chase. Even if Wang Linchi were captured, the credit wouldn't be his. He might even get implicated. Veterans like him, stuck on the frontiers, had long lost any hope of advancement. Especially at his age, the possibility of ever leaving this place was virtually nil. Any merit earned would just be snatched away by those higher up. The empire's decay, exacerbated by the Illusionary God Mushroom, was growing increasingly terrifying. They had managed to repel the Black Tooth Empire this time, but next time? It might not be so certain. After all, the Lizardman Marshal who had just repelled the Black Tooth Empire's attack had been recalled to Claw Cliff, supposedly for his excellent performance. His fate was now uncertain, and his replacement was an incompetent fool with little real ability.