Chapter 59: Fungal Wetland
Eternal Life Island, East Side.
This area was a swampy wetland, exceptionally muggy and hot. Many suspicious objects floated on the murky water surface. Water plants and small-leaved vegetation were common. Some rodent or bird carcasses floated on the water, decomposed by fungi, with slender mushrooms sprouting from the corpses.
This was the domain of fungi. One could either coexist with them or become their nutrients. The Scaly-Scaled Crocodiles were the masters of coexistence with fungi.
Contrary to imagination, the Scaly-Scaled Crocodiles' bodies were not covered in fungi. The relationship between the two was similar to that of ordinary crocodiles and toothpick birds—more of a companionship than mutual interference or symbiosis.
Why did the Empress retreat? One major reason was being forced back by the fungi in the Giant Crocodile Zone. Pirates were fighting the Scaly-Scaled Crocodiles when mushrooms suddenly sprouted on their bodies, then exploded. After the fungal spores scattered, other nearby pirates quickly turned into mushrooms too.
In the Giant Crocodile Zone—no, it was more fitting to call it the Fungal Wetland—getting injured was extremely fatal. A minor wound would lead to severe fungal parasitic damage. After sustaining a certain amount of fungal parasitic damage, the wound would rapidly sprout mushrooms, and eventually, the entire person would become a giant mushroom.
This was the supernatural fungus of this place. Regrettably, the technological level of this world was too backward. If they had selected a few relatively mild types of supernatural fungi that wouldn't erode living creatures and cultivated them, the resulting mushrooms would have a flavor beyond imagination, providing immense benefits when consumed.
A not-too-pungent stench spread. Su Xiao waded through knee-deep murky water. With each step he took, his foot sank into the sludge at the bottom.
Su Xiao surveyed his surroundings. It was very quiet. He had already ventured deep into the Fungal Wetland but still hadn't found the Giant Crocodile herd. Earlier, the Empress's people had killed dozens of Giant Crocodiles here, alarming these cold-blooded creatures.
According to Bubu Wang's count, there were still 53 Giant Crocodiles left, including one Overlord-level Giant Crocodile. This was also why Su Xiao chose to clear this area.
In Su Xiao's storage space, he already had two Overlord Essences. He needed one more to exchange for an Overlord-level piece of equipment. Killing the Overlord-level Giant Crocodile in the Fungal Wetland would likely yield an Overlord-level chest, which had a high probability of producing an Overlord Essence.
Opening an Overlord-level chest could yield various rewards, such as growth-type equipment or Overlord Essences. If one's luck was explosively good, it could directly produce an Overlord-level piece of equipment.
As for directly obtaining an Overlord-level piece of equipment, Su Xiao chose to ignore that possibility. He had never imagined such good fortune would fall on him. As long as he didn't get anything bizarre, he would already be quite relieved.
"Woof."
Bubu Wang, who had transformed into an anti-aircraft gun, barked. The reason for this description was that Bubu Wang's Charm Attribute was high, and various small aquatic creatures in the murky water were willing to "greet" him. At the moment, Amu was carrying Bubu Wang on his shoulder. Bubu Wang's body was stretched taut, afraid of falling into the water. From a distance, it looked like Amu was carrying a dog-headed cannon.
As soon as Bubu Wang's bark fell, Su Xiao signaled everyone to stop moving forward. Bubu Wang had sensed the Giant Crocodile herd, just ahead.
A total of 700 Cursed People spread out, vaguely forming a semi-encirclement formation.
"Bubu, the distance to the Giant Crocodile herd."
Su Xiao spoke as he slowly drew the longsword from his waist. He would naturally join the battle against the Giant Crocodile herd.
"Woof!"
Bubu Wang barked loudly, meaning it was just 20 meters to the side. Earlier, it hadn't sensed any living creatures there, thinking it was just a rotten tree stump in the mud—not a trace of life aura.
Splash!
Mud and water splattered. A black Giant Crocodile suddenly sprang up. That's right, its upper body shot out of the water. With a backward-leaning, head-tilted posture, it bit at a Cursed Person.
This Giant Crocodile had been lying in ambush here. It wasn't Bubu Wang's oversight. Even a contractor specializing in Perception-type abilities would have thought it was a rotten stump. Crocodiles were naturally adept at concealment, let alone a supernatural Giant Crocodile in a high-risk zone.
The Giant Crocodile's massive jaws opened wide. Its teeth were uneven but exceptionally sharp. A crocodile's teeth weren't for chewing but for deeply piercing into prey to prevent escape.
With a crack, the Cursed Person bitten by the Giant Crocodile had their chest nearly crushed flat, all ribs broken. A crocodile's bite force was unquestionable; their oral structure ensured their bite force was at the top of the natural world.
Mud and water splashed. After the Giant Crocodile succeeded in its attack, its four thick, short legs bent backward, and it began the signature move of all crocodiles: the death roll.
Splash! Splash!...
Water sprayed everywhere. This creature, over 13 meters in length and nearly 2 meters tall when standing, began spinning in the water. As for the Cursed Person it had bitten, after just a few rotations, the lower half of their body was flung away.
A whooshing sound of breaking wind came. Chains clanked. The rusted anchor swung down and crashed onto the Giant Crocodile's head. The Giant Crocodile's mouth opened wide as it twisted its head and let out a roar.
A dark green figure rushed out. The moment the Giant Crocodile opened its mouth to roar, the ghostly shadow plunged into the crocodile's mouth. Its dagger was too short; destroying the enemy from the inside was wiser.
The Giant Crocodile began thrashing in the murky water. Over a dozen Cursed People rushed forward, surrounding it completely.
The Giant Crocodile swung its long tail in the water, thrashing wildly. The uneven crocodile skin on its back was like armor poured from molten iron. Its brownish-green eyes exuded a chilling coldness.
Boom, boom, boom...
A series of booming sounds came from the surroundings. Looking around, dozens of Giant Crocodiles charged in from all sides. These Giant Crocodiles had been lying in ambush here all along. This was no longer just a matter of having some intelligence.
First, some of these Giant Crocodiles had chosen to expose themselves actively, luring Bubu Wang from afar. This was the first ring of the trap.
The Giant Crocodile lying in ambush in the water was meant to delay Su Xiao and the others, or rather, it was a sacrifice. This was the bait of the trap.
The final ring of the trap was the Giant Crocodiles lurking around forming an encirclement, trapping Su Xiao and the others inside.
Among the approaching Giant Crocodiles, there was one of exceptionally massive size. The crocodile skin on its back was black with a hint of gold. This golden tint was a rare supernatural fungus. Normally, it survived on the life force provided by the Giant Crocodile leader. When needed, it would feed back a stimulating, harmless energy to the Giant Crocodile leader, essentially acting as a natural stimulant and painkiller.
The Giant Crocodile leader's gaze was icy, but within that coldness, there was something different—intelligence.
"What the hell?"
Baha looked around, somewhat dumbfounded. It had been observing on the island recently. The supernatural creatures in other zones were at most slightly intelligent. But this Giant Crocodile leader seemed to understand tactics? First lure the enemy, then encircle, and finally annihilate?
"Roar!!"
The Giant Crocodile leader let out a roar. Layers of black air waves spread out. Hearing this sound, one felt their entire body vibrating—it was the moisture inside them vibrating.
A very peculiar scene unfolded. One by one, Giant Crocodiles rushed past Su Xiao from both sides, attacking the Cursed People. They charged forward with their massive jaws wide open, only waiting to bite down once they got close.
None of the Giant Crocodiles attacked Su Xiao. The Giant Crocodile leader waded through the murky water, finally stopping a dozen meters away from Su Xiao. Judging by this posture, it clearly intended to duel Su Xiao one-on-one.