Voodoo Stitched Monster (Third Update)

"Has Fatty's hibernation ended? I wonder if he's successfully evolved."

Bai Xiaowen had already set up the ritual framework to activate the Internal Isolation Array, following the steps recorded on the animal hide. When Fatty woke up, he also simultaneously received a notification from the Spirit Realm Rules:

"Your summoned creature: Stitched Monster has used the Voodoo Core, its dormant phase has ended, and its evolution has been successful."

"The Stitched Monster can evolve into: Voodoo Stitched Monster. Select 'Confirm' to upgrade to the Voodoo Stitched Monster template. You can also select 'Cancel' to keep the original Stitched Monster template."

Bai Xiaowen first looked at the attribute panel of the Voodoo Stitched Monster.

[Voodoo Stitched Monster (Elite Tier Level 5)]

[Race: Undead Species / Corpse Demonfolk]

[Attributes: Strength 28, Agility 13, Constitution 35, Spirit 9]

[Skill 1: Bloat: Passive, Voodoo Stitched Monster gain an additional 100% Life Value, and their armor and magic resistance are zero by default. When Voodoo Stitched Monster takes physical damage, they will suffer additional bleeding, losing a fixed 3 Life Value per second. This effect can stack, up to a maximum of 5 stacks.]

[Skill 2: Corrupting Blood: Passive. While the Voodoo Stitched Monster takes bleeding damage, nearby melee enemies will also be affected by Septic Venom, with their movement speed reduced by 5% and they taking 3 points of poison damage (spell damage) per second. This effect can stack, with the number of stacks matching the number of bleeding stacks on the Voodoo Stitched Monster.]

[Skill 3: Meat Hook: Omitted.]

Bai Xiaowen took a closer look and found that the Voodoo Stitched Monster was stronger in terms of attributes than the previous Stitched Monster, but the increase was not significant. The main Transformation were in the skills.

The fact that the Meat Hook skill was retained is already a good deal. The remaining two skills were changed to "Bloat" and "Corrupting Blood," which have a decent combined effect.

Looking at the Bloat skill alone, it's somewhat weaker than the boss Voodoo Colossus. Not only does it have zero armor and resistance, but it also suffers additional bleeding damage. However, this negative effect prepares for the second skill, Corrupting Blood. Taking damage will inflict considerable AOE poison damage on surrounding enemies. If stacked to 5 layers, it will deal 15 points of poison damage per second to melee enemies, and reduce their movement speed by 25%.

This is essentially a battle of attrition against melee enemies to see who has the longest health bar. Against enemies of the same level and type, it's quite difficult for Voodoo Stitched Monster to surpass 700 Life Value points.

However, they are at a significant disadvantage when facing enemies with ranged physical attacks. Of course, Bai Xiaowen will not allow Fatty to bleed out by the enemy's ranged attackers when commanding his summoned creatures in battle; this depends on the art of command.

Bai Xiaowen confirmed, and amidst the flashing light, the Stitched Monster officially evolved into the Voodoo Stitched Monster, its body becoming even more bloated and enormous, already bearing some resemblance to the Voodoo Colossus.

Not long after, Shi Haiyan and his group, who had gone to the nearby mud pit to kill the Marsh Hydra, returned in triumph. Although the Marsh Hydra was a rather troublesome Elite Tier monster, the sheer number of awakened beings overwhelmed them. They swarmed forward, and even if the Many-Headed Snake had two more heads, it couldn't withstand their onslaught.

After obtaining the gallbladder of the Marsh Hydra, Bai Xiaowen immediately began the ritual, opening the door to the Internal Isolation Array.

The Many-Headed Snake squeezed out bile from its gallbladder, which dripped down. A wisp of black mist rose slowly from the runic markings formed from Drowned One's Bone and Netherworld Grass.

A black phantom of a Many-Headed Snake appeared in the air, then split apart, revealing a vertical black line in the void. The black line then slowly thickened, and a black portal of light expanded from nothing, eventually forming a stable gate.

"This is the entrance to the Snakefolk Tribe. Just a heads-up, the Snakefolk Tribe is much more dangerous than the Lobsterfolk village. Be prepared to return at any time," Bai Xiaowen said.

Everyone agreed, their expressions a mixture of excitement and unease.

This feeling was somewhat like uncovering a hidden quest in the Spirit Realm —the rewards were plentiful, but the risks were high. Although Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi were already quite familiar with hidden side quests, the others didn't have much experience in uncovering them.

Fortunately, with Bai Xiaowen, a great expert, in charge, everyone's mind was relatively calm. Following behind Bai Xiaowen, they stepped into the black light gate.

For a moment as they stepped through the portal of light, everyone experienced a dazed feeling, but this feeling quickly dissipated.

"Huh, it seems like the surrounding environment hasn't Transformation at all," someone remarked, seeing that the swamp beneath their feet was still covered in mud.

"The Ghost Mist seems to have thinned out a lot; we can see much farther now," an Awakened One said, looking up into the distance with a hint of delight.

"Look closely, the Lobsterfolk's huts are gone," Bai Xiaowen observed the surroundings, gathering intelligence faster than anyone else present. He surveyed the area and stated confidently, "This is the hidden space of the Snakefolk Tribe. This space exists as an extension of the Dead Spirit Lake Treasure Ground Space... I can already see the Snakefolk Tribe's buildings in the distance. Everyone, be careful..."

Before Bai Xiaowen could finish speaking, a hissing sound rang out, and a patrol of Snakefolk discovered the uninvited guests and quickly pounced on them!

The leading Elite Snakefolk warrior shouted in Old Latin, "Outsiders! How did you get in?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances. Only Bai Xiaowen seemed capable of engaging in a conversation with them, but he was too lazy to explain and simply waved his hand, saying, "Don't waste time talking to them. Let's finish this quickly, lest we make a Snakefolk Tribe sends reinforcements to trap us here."

The group understood and drew their weapons, rushing forward.

This Snakefolk patrol consists of a female Snakefolk priestess and three male Snakefolk warriors, all of whom are Elite Template.

The female Snakefolk priestess, after casting Mud Shell Shield to protect her allies, suddenly pulled out a conch shell and blew on it, the sound deep and drawn-out. Clearly, she was sending an alarm to the tribe.

Entering the territory of the Snakefolk Tribe so rashly, with so little basic intelligence, meant that a sneak attack was impossible; the only option was a direct confrontation. That's why Bai Xiaowen went to the trouble of assembling several awakened individuals from Shandong University.

"Oh no! The Snakefolk Tribe has sent out a warning signal; reinforcements are on their way!"

Bai Xiaowen said in a deep voice, "These four Elite Tier are yours to deal with. Shu Yi and I will go and intercept the reinforcements."

Shi Haiyan and the others were naturally delighted. With their strength, they could handle these four Elite Tier, although it might take a while.

Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi rode on Rageclaw, bypassing the Snakefolk patrol and advancing quickly. In the distance, they heard the echoing horns sounding from within the Snakefolk Tribe.