The Sacred Scarabs were deeply unsuited to this environment. This was the domain of Mystic Corpse Worms, and all that rotting matter was what Mystic Corpse Worms loved most.
Dole's consciousness lightly brushed against the Sacred Scarabs' faint awareness. Very soon, their resistance vanished.
Towering trees loomed overhead, while rotten leaves carpeted the ground beneath their feet. Water dripped continuously, and the surroundings were extremely damp. Walking on the ground was difficult—one step and they would sink straight in, with mud everywhere. Traveling here would probably take at least five times longer than on level ground.
Moreover, it was impossible to tell directions here. The sun was no help; the canopy overhead was nothing but leaves, completely blocking it from view.
No wonder no one had conquered this place. The conditions were simply too complicated.
Dole merely took one look and shook his head. This place truly was unsuitable for developing a power base, because there was simply no way to expand. Even if one expanded, there would be no way to govern it. Development could only proceed through scattered clusters within limited areas.
He glanced ahead, and the Sacred Scarabs dispersed to advance.
Very quickly, he discovered a human settlement. However, it was only an ordinary human settlement, like a small stockade built atop a slightly higher hill. Within the stockade, the strongest person had only reached the level of a fourth-level warrior.
Dole swept his gaze over the surroundings of the stockade. With fourth-level strength, they could only barely survive in the vicinity. The people here lived very difficult lives.
Dole spotted two Wizards, one old and one young, and both were only third-level. He shook his head slightly.
There were too few Wizards. Relying solely on warriors for protection was rather difficult.
Dole only gave them a