Chapter Summaries

Semiya hunted down a corrupted Lizardfolk and learned that Priest Zulok had driven her younger sister Seja into the depths of Swamp Forest. Shazak persuaded Semiya to help the Rotten Moss Tribe secure a human caravan’s food before they searched for Seja.

• Semiya killed a corrupted Lizardfolk who revealed that Zulok had colluded with the Gnolls and sent Seja’s Hunting Squad into the swamp.
• Semiya vowed to find Seja, but Shazak insisted she help the Rotten Moss Tribe resolve its crisis first.
• Shazak explained that corrupted Lizardfolk had attacked a human caravan from Iron Boot Town and that its merchant was fleeing.
• Shazak urged Semiya to help recover the caravan’s food and preserve trade with humans so the tribe could later search for Seja.
• Semiya agreed and followed the Hunting Squad.

Chen Yu gained Toxin Resistance and Tough Carapace after digesting poisonous creatures, then discovered he could make a healing Detoxifying Spirit Liquid. He arranged to sell it with Shao Qingsong and asked him for a book on talisman-making, before Seja returned in a panic.

• Chen Yu examined his new talents and found that his slime membrane provided flexible defense while Toxin Resistance let his magic organ produce liquid that neutralized poison.
• Chen Yu returned to his hut in Xuxuantian to eat and encountered Shao Qingsong, who had come back injured from Ten Thousand Poisons Cave.
• Chen Yu gave Shao Qingsong a bottle of Detoxifying Spirit Liquid, which reduced the swelling on his face and impressed him with its healing effect.
• Chen Yu and Shao Qingsong agreed to sell the liquid instead of corrosive slime, with Shao Qingsong planning to market it near Ten Thousand Poisons Cave.
• Chen Yu asked Shao Qingsong for a book on talisman-making, then studied his Maze Formation Diagram after Shao Qingsong left.
• Seja emerged from the poisonous mist in a panic around noon.

After Seja discovered Abnormal Mana gathering in the Swamp Forest, Chen Yu led her and a Stinger Bee swarm along a Forest Path toward the forest’s edge. With a torrential rain and Mana Riot approaching, they reached Seja’s tribe’s hunting grounds and found the smell of human blood near an abandoned shelter.

• Seja warned Chen Yu that Abnormal Mana was gathering in the forest and could trigger a Mana Riot, so Chen Yu decided to help her leave the swamp and open a Forest Path.
• Chen Yu and Seja set out with the Queen Bee and Stinger Bees, who drove off Demonic Beasts as the group advanced through the swamp.
• Chen Yu defeated a Swamp Poison Frog with Lesser Arrow Technique, and repeated encounters helped several of his skills and talents level up.
• On the third day, Abnormal Mana spread over the Forest Path and restless Demonic Beasts overwhelmed the Stinger Bee Formation as dark clouds and rain signaled the approaching storm.
• Seja recognized her tribe’s hunting-ground marker near the forest’s edge and told Chen Yu that only thirteen Stinger Bees remained.
• Seja led Chen Yu toward an abandoned shelter to wait out the torrential rain, then noticed the smell of human blood nearby.

Seja and Chen Yu witnessed the Rotten Moss Tribe’s hunting party being overwhelmed by the Corrupted Lizardfolk, until Semiya arrived and turned the battle around. Semiya’s fierce fighting left Chen Yu questioning how she and the timid Seja could be sisters.

• Seja and Chen Yu found the corpses of human adventurers and followed the sounds of fighting to a nearby battlefield.
• The Scaleclaw Tribe’s Corrupted Lizardfolk ambushed the Rotten Moss Tribe’s hunting party and drove its warriors toward defeat.
• Semiya appeared, killed a charging Corrupted Lizardfolk with a spear, and struck fear into the Scaleclaw hunters.
• Semiya killed several Corrupted Lizardfolk with her tail, Bone Blade, and spear, allowing the Mossrot warriors to counterattack.
• Chen Yu questioned whether the powerful Semiya was Seja’s older sister, and Seja blushed and tried to show off her own strength.

Chen Yu parted from Seja, who reunited with her sister Semiya after Semiya killed the Corrupted Lizardfolk pursuing her. He waited out the torrential rain in an abandoned Shelter, then returned toward Oak Territory along the Swift Bee Forest Path.

• Chen Yu sent Seja back to her people, and she promised to visit again with Gray Grit Crystals and beetles.
• Semiya pursued the Corrupted Lizardfolk, then killed three after Seja and the rotten-moss hunting party intervened with Vine Entanglement.
• Semiya joyfully reunited with Seja, who concealed Chen Yu's existence, and took her away from the swamp.
• Chen Yu decided to avoid the Lizardfolk tribe and sheltered with eight Stinger Bee Soldiers in a concealed stone cave.
• Chen Yu waited through the storm while practicing with Talisman Scrolls, then returned toward Oak Territory along the Swift Bee Forest Path as the rain eased.

Chen Yu returned to Oak Territory, moved Slime Mother and the Little Ones into a larger nest, and began fortifying the territory. After the Stinger Bees and Slimes helped lay the foundation, he activated an Illusionary Formation that concealed Oak Territory from outsiders.

• Chen Yu returned to Oak Territory and found that Demonic Beasts had wrecked Seja's camp, while the Stinger Bee-maintained grounds and Moss Monsters remained.
• Chen Yu brought Slime Mother and the Little Ones from their cramped nest to the larger former beetle nest beneath the oak tree.
• Chen Yu expanded Oak Territory to include four oak trees, assigned areas for Slimes, Moss Monsters, and Seja, and ordered the Stinger Bees to begin construction.
• Chen Yu, Slime Mother, the Little Ones, and the Stinger Bees buried stones to create the Illusionary Formation's foundation.
• Chen Yu buried a Gray Grit Crystal in the nest and activated the formation, which shrouded Oak Territory in mist and kept a Moss Monster from finding its way inside.

Yano Belmont struggled to provide for his family while his inherited Petrification Disease advanced, and he left to trade with the Lizardfolk despite Laura's pleas. After Gray-scaled attackers destroyed his caravan, he woke injured and lost in Swamp Forest, where he fled toward another cry of slaughter.

• Laura argued with Yano about his plan to trade grain and salt at Reed Riverbank, then took the children and left for her mother's house in Havensstone.
• Alone in the inn, Yano saw the stone patches spreading across his fingers and resolved to go so his family could have money for the future.
• Yano awoke from the memory in Swamp Forest, where he had lost his cart and companions in an attack by Gray-scaled creatures.
• After two days lost in the forest, Yano took a dagger and tried to find a way back to Iron Boot Town.
• Yano heard a creature's anguished cry from the woods and fled blindly into the forest.

Chen Yu completed his first Stone Fortification Talisman but could not find suitable materials to draw talismans in Zeyarila, so he prepared to explore deeper into the swamp. A Stinger Bee reported a human in danger, and Chen Yu encountered Arno Belmont, who begged the shadowy figure to save him in exchange for his soul.

• Chen Yu completed his first Stone Fortification Talisman after several failed attempts and learned that he still needed practice to draw other talismans.
• Chen Yu found that he lacked materials to draw talismans in Zeyarila and decided to explore deeper into the swamp with thirty Stinger Bees.
• A Stinger Bee reported that humans had entered the swamp, and Chen Yu went to investigate.
• Arno Belmont fled Gray-scaled Lizardfolk into the Swamp Forest Path as his Petrification Disease worsened and left him near death.
• Arno remembered his wife Laura and their children, then pleaded with a grotesque shadow in the mist to save him and offered his soul.

Chen Yu returned to the petrified Yano and used the Guiyuan Needle Technique to treat his strange illness. Yano woke after Chen Yu left him a list of goods to bring on his next visit.

• After exploring the swamp and raising his Toxin Resistance to Lv.3, Chen Yu returned to check on the unconscious Yano and found him still barely breathing.
• Chen Yu asked Shao Qingsong about Senior Sister Gong, then visited Gong Xiaoshuang at Corner Medical Hall to learn that Yano's symptoms could be treated with the Guiyuan Needle Technique.
• Chen Yu drove stingers into Yano to place thirty-six needles, missing repeatedly before guiding Spiritual Power through them to restore color and warmth to Yano's body.
• As Yano began to recover, Chen Yu left a deposit and told him to bring Demi-human Language Books, Common Language Books, Ink for Writing Magic, Cream Cake, chocolate, and candy next time.
• Yano woke gasping and remembered the demon's voice promising to take his soul.

Arno Belmont recovered temporarily from Petrification Disease after accepting a demon’s help and received valuable Stinger Bee Pâté, but he left the swamp fearing what he had agreed to. Meanwhile, Chen Yu ventured deeper into the swamp, killed a Glow Mushroom Person, and swallowed it despite its hallucinogenic effects.

• Arno Belmont found his body free of petrification for the moment and resolved to accept the cost of the demon’s bargain to support Laura and the children.
• Arno discovered a packet of Stinger Bee Pâté, recognized its value, and limped out of the swamp despite fearing the Gray-scaled beasts and the demon.
• After Arno left, Chen Yu returned to his territory, checked his supply of Stinger Swords, and headed alone into the poisonous fog to explore the swamp’s depths.
• A Glow Mushroom Person attacked Chen Yu with hallucinogenic spores, but Chen Yu killed it with a water arrow and swallowed it.
• Chen Yu experienced the Glow Mushroom Person’s hallucinogenic effects as his vision swayed and dancing figures appeared.

Seja and Semiya headed to the Rotten Moss Tribe for Seja’s shaman ceremony while Seja found a large Gray Grit Crystal for Envoy. In the swamp, Chen Yu advanced toward a mysterious structure, fought a Giant Leech, and discovered its powerful regenerative ability.

• Seja found a large Gray Grit Crystal on the riverbank, and Semiya urged her to prepare for the Rotten Moss Tribe’s shaman ceremony.
• Seja worried that Rotten Moss might not accept them, but Semiya reassured her that her strength would keep them welcome.
• Chen Yu ate a Glow Mushroom Person, then killed and swallowed a giant mosquito while exploring the swamp.
• Chen Yu continued toward a square, upright shadow in the mist and encountered a Giant Leech.
• Chen Yu pierced the Giant Leech with Lesser Arrow Technique, but it quickly healed its large wound, revealing its extraordinary recovery ability.

Chen Yu defeated the Giant Leech by swallowing its Magic Organ, gained the Hallucinogenic Factor talent, and reached mysterious ruins filled with gray-scaled Swamp Crocodiles. Meanwhile, Noah returned to Iron Boot Town and hurried to the inn, wondering whether Laura and the children were there.

• Chen Yu battered the Giant Leech until he discovered its Magic Organ, then swallowed the organ and began incubating its traits.
• Chen Yu rested while the Little Ones played, and his Glow Mushroom Person traits finished recording to give him Hallucinogenic Factor Lv.1.
• Chen Yu practiced drawing talismans through the night, then explored the ruins and found Swamp Crocodiles with gray scales like the Corrupted Lizardfolk.
• Noah returned alive to Iron Boot Town and hurried toward the inn, hoping Laura and the children had come back.

Arno overheard that Laura was holding his funeral and rushed to the chapel, where he found his grieving wife and children beside his grave. He reunited with them, leaving the family embracing as the sun set.

• Arno heard adventurers mock his supposed death and mention Laura’s funeral for him.
• Laura attended Arno’s funeral with Emily and Little Arno, grieving beside his grave.
• Arno raced to the chapel and called out to Laura.
• Laura recognized Arno as alive and threw herself into his arms.
• Arno apologized and embraced Laura and the children beside his grave.

Arno reunited with Laura and their children, then concealed the curse’s threat as he explained why he had to return to the swamp. He left for the Rotten Moss Tribe with trade goods and a box of offerings, heading toward the Reed River and the demon.

• At dinner, Little Arno asked whether Arno had driven the swamp’s gray-scaled Lizardfolk away, and Laura signaled him not to mention the swamp.
• Laura told Arno she had found work at a textile workshop and urged him not to return to the dangerous place, while Arno secretly worried that his dormant curse would erupt again.
• Arno told Laura he had made contact with the less dangerous Rotten Moss Tribe and was returning to strengthen their trading connection.
• Arno said goodbye to Laura and the children, then departed town by carriage for the Reed River.
• On the road, Arno checked his trade supplies and the books, magical ink, cakes, chocolate, and candies he had prepared as offerings before saying he was back.

Seja recognized that Yano was searching for the Swift Bee Forest Path and secretly gave him a map and Gray Grit Crystal. Yano summoned the Swamp Overlord at the path, only to discover that the terrifying figure was a Slime, while Chen Yu was preoccupied with the threat of corrupted beasts and demihumans.

• Shazak told Yano that the Rotten Moss Tribe did not know of a forest path that Demonic Beasts avoided.
• Seja suspected Yano was connected to the Envoy and hid a map and Gray Grit Crystal in his cart.
• Yano found the map and crystal, followed the directions into the swamp, and called out to the Great Lord of the Swamp.
• Chen Yu emerged from the toxic mist, and Yano discovered that the feared figure was a wobbling Slime.
• Chen Yu reflected on the corrupted Swamp Crocodiles threatening his territory as Yano returned.

Yano met Chen Yu in Oak Territory, where Chen Yu appointed him the rider of the Swift Bee Forest Path and treated his petrification with injections. The treatment left Yano feeling lighter, and Chen Yu sent him home with Stinger Bee Pâté and instructions to accept a courier task.

• Yano swallowed Moss Monsters to satisfy Chen Yu, mistaking the meal for a test from the demon.
• Chen Yu named Yano the rider of the Swift Bee Forest Path, and Yano accepted the title as Boss's follower.
• Yano worried that his petrification was worsening and asked Chen Yu whether he could exchange his soul for a healthy body.
• Chen Yu injected Yano with a Stinger Bee needle while using Hallucinogenic Factor to keep him still, then questioned him as he drifted into sleep.
• Yano woke feeling lighter, and Chen Yu gave him Stinger Bee Pâté as his delivery fee and told him to accept a courier task before returning home.

Yano returned with Moonlight Moss and helped spur adventurers to seek riches in the Swamp Forest, while Chen Yu prepared the swamp for their arrival and improved his talisman skills. After reaching Qi Cultivation Lv.4, Chen Yu headed to the sect’s Scripture Pavilion to claim the Earthwood Scripture.

• Yano delivered Moonlight Moss to the Adventurers Guild and offered to buy drinks, inflaming adventurers’ interest in the Swamp Forest.
• Chen Yu directed the bee swarm to plant Moonlight Moss around the swamp’s outskirts to attract adventurers.
• Chen Yu surveyed the territories surrounding his swamp and practiced drawing a Stone Fortification Talisman, but his attempts failed.
• Chen Yu continued practicing in Xuxuantian and raised his Talisman Drawing Technique to Lv.2.
• Chen Yu went to Chongshan Hall to seek the Earthwood Scripture after reaching Qi Cultivation Lv.4.

Chen Yu visited the Three Origins Sect’s Scripture Pavilion to claim an advanced cultivation method and chose the earth-and-wood Nine Terraces Palace Creation Art despite warnings about its harsh prospects. The old man then offered to sell him a Dao Voucher, and Chen Yu discovered the elder was running a side business.

• Chen Yu went to the Scripture Pavilion and met an old man who confirmed his cultivation had reached the middle stage of Qi Cultivation.
• The old man explained the differences between advanced cultivation methods and warned Chen Yu that choosing one was his own responsibility.
• Chen Yu chose the Nine Terraces Palace Creation Art, and the old man warned that earth-and-wood cultivators had few opportunities and difficult assignments.
• The old man suggested other methods and jobs, but Chen Yu assured him he would not run off with his bucket.
• The old man told Chen Yu that Dao Arts required Dao Vouchers, then secretly offered to exchange one for ninety-five Spirit Shards.

Chen Yu used Dao techniques to begin shaping Oak Territory into a fortress, while Kelvin’s adventuring party rushed toward Swamp Forest in search of treasure. The carriage entered the forest with Ella and Broom unaware that Kelvin’s confidence hid desperation over his debts.

• Chen Yu used Mud to Stone and Wood Growth Shaping, then climbed the oak and imagined building defenses and ruins across Oak Territory.
• Kenken noticed the carriage racing past Reed Riverbank and resumed gnawing on a poplar tree after it passed without stopping.
• Ella asked Kelvin to slow the carriage, and he urged the party onward, claiming Swamp Forest held valuable beasts, Moonlight Moss, and newly appeared ruins.
• Broom doubted Kelvin’s claims, while Ella warned that spring made Swamp Forest dangerous as the miasma spread and Demonic Beasts awakened.
• Kelvin concealed his fear and debt troubles, snapped the reins, and drove the carriage into Swamp Forest.

Kelvin led Ella and Bloom through the Swamp Forest to newly built ruins, where the Rookie Squad discovered signs of a Corrupted Jackal. Chen Yu watched from the swamp as they approached the monster he had prepared, while Kelvin focused on the glowing chest beside it.

• Kelvin boasted about killing a Glow Mushroom Person while Ella gathered a Water Bellflower and Bloom praised him.
• Kelvin recalled a past betrayal by a fleeing captain and resolved to prioritize survival and money.
• The Rookie Squad found ruins, and Ella noticed that the stones looked unusually new as Kelvin searched for treasure.
• Chen Yu watched the adventurers and thought about disguising the freshly built walls before they encountered his Corrupted Jackal.
• Bloom found fresh wolf dung, and the three crept through the ruins until they spotted one apparently injured Corrupted Jackal beside a glowing chest.
• Ella whispered that the jackal seemed to be alone and sluggish, and Kelvin's eyes lit up with greed.