Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 814 Lingxi
Xiao Ran's consciousness followed silently behind, with the three figures appearing one in front and two behind.

Lingxi's pink consciousness was very conspicuous, and it went straight into the interior of a huge fungal mass.

This clump of hyphae has an exquisite structure, resembling a giant jellyfish umbrella. Countless slender pheromone components extend into spiderweb-like tendrils, connecting with other areas to form a complex network core.

Xiao Ran spread her mental energy slightly and immediately sensed the pheromone fluctuations surging like a tidal wave.

Ideas of transactions, negotiations, presentations, and demands intertwine and collide, creating a chaotic yet orderly atmosphere.

"So this is the trading area I'm looking for." Xiao Ran couldn't help but smile wryly upon seeing this.

This was somewhat of a lucky accident, but with the help of the Eastern Tomb Master, collecting the quest items wasn't difficult.

Xiao Ran spread her mental energy and quickly found Lingxi's whereabouts.

She parasitizes within the hyphae of the second layer, constantly sending out various pheromones.

These pheromones are all public information, and Xiao Ran can easily read them.

Looking at the contents, it was also about collecting materials, but the materials collected were different from those collected by Xiao Ran and Wu Man. Judging from the reward given by Ling Xi, they shouldn't be considered valuable items.

If that's all, why would they be being followed?
With that in mind, Xiao Ran decided to go and see for herself.

After all, no matter what Lingxi's purpose was in coming here with them, she had been helping out the whole time.

Xiao Ran felt it was unreasonable for her group to stand idly by after they had already tricked her once.

Lingxi didn't buy much here. After deciding on the items she needed and making a deal with the seller, she left in a hurry.

The items purchased here are not traded on the spot. Instead, after you confirm the purchase, you leave your pheromones, and the other party will deliver the spores you need based on your pheromones.

This is similar to the process of ordering takeout in real life.

After Lingxi left, the two shadowy figures immediately followed.

Xiao Ran followed behind, and after passing through the lush mycelium in front of her, the pheromones around her gradually became less dense.

There were quite a few large fungal balls here. Xiao Ran observed them briefly and found that these fungal balls were much smaller than herself and were completely chaotic inside, but they looked very lively, just like a community.

Some of the fungal balls were even connected in parallel, with various resources being exchanged between them.

Deep inside, there was a very special fungal cluster. This cluster shimmered with a pinkish glow, and it was easy to guess that it was the fungal cluster created by Lingxi.

It's not a very large establishment, but for a girl like Lingxi Renjia to be able to gain a foothold here, she has already surpassed many others in that respect.

Before Xiao Ran could get close, she could feel the extremely angry emotions emanating from the fungal cluster where Lingxi was located.

"Get out! Get out of here!!"

Xiao Ran sensed that the two clumps of fungi that had been following Lingxi had already entered Lingxi's fungal clumps and were beginning to try to squeeze Lingxi out.

"So there are scoundrels here too?"

Seeing this, Xiao Ran couldn't help but feel helpless about Lingxi's bad luck.

However, these two guys are clearly not as strong as Lingxi, so it's only a matter of time before they are kicked out by Lingxi.

But at that moment, Xiao Ran clearly sensed that other fungal inhabitants around her seemed to be starting to stir.

After all, opportunities to directly plunder others are rare, as many fungal groups are equipped with a large number of fungal citizens as guards.

Lingxi, being a completely independent individual, is obviously a very easy target to bully.

"Oh no, these guys are planning to take advantage of the chaos."

Whether in a tomb full of mycelium, a lost city, or even in reality, what's truly frightening is someone taking the lead.

Once someone starts this trend, many others will immediately follow suit and join in the commotion.

Even in a society governed by the rule of law, such situations still occur frequently, for example, when someone's crops are ready to be harvested.

Rumors started spreading in the village, saying things like it was being given away for free.

Everyone knew it was fake, but they all kept silent, waiting for someone to start so that everyone would rush in, grabbing whatever they could, regardless of whether it was free or not.

Now that someone has taken the lead, how could these neighbors possibly give up such an opportunity?

Before anyone could react, six or seven streams of consciousness began rushing toward Lingxi's fungal nest.

With so many consciousnesses surging into Lingxi's fungal ball, they would be enough to immediately squeeze her soul out. At that time, the resources she had painstakingly collected in the fungal nest would be wiped out, and she would probably have nowhere to cry.

Lingxi clearly realized this as well, and immediately began to take drastic measures, first aiming to kill the two scoundrels who had rushed into the fungal ball with lightning speed.

Unfortunately, this is not reality; this is the Tomb Kingdom. Although Lingxi is a D-level professional, she is like a tiger with its teeth pulled out here, unable to unleash her full strength.

The two guys who rushed into the Lingxi Fungus Ball were clearly veterans. After entering, they dodged left and right, constantly changing positions, giving Lingxi no chance to attack them.

If they can delay until other fungal members join in, then it's a foregone conclusion that they'll divide up the resources inside this fungal ball.

However, at this crucial moment, to their utter surprise, Xiao Ran made her move.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran appeared and blocked the way in front of Lingxi's mushroom ball. Facing the oncoming mushroom people, Xiao Ran didn't even bother to say a word, and his immense willpower crushed them.

Although this was only a wisp of his spiritual power, not much, with an intensity of only about twenty points, it was enough to deal with these fungal people whose average spiritual power was only five points.

The few people who were at the forefront had no chance to resist Xiao Ran's will, and they couldn't even escape.

This scene undoubtedly sent a chill down the spines of the other mushroom growers, filling them with fear.

I have no idea where this killer came from.

"roll!"

Xiao Ran released a wisp of pheromones, and in an instant, the fungus people surrounding her scattered. Even the several fungus clumps around her rose up from the ground and kept their distance.

Then Xiao Ran used his spiritual power to directly enter the fungal ball behind him, and his spiritual power expanded, directly and forcefully occupying most of the space inside the fungal ball.

"Ok??"

This unexpected turn of events shocked the other two bastards. A pheromone wafted towards Xiao Ran: "Brother, you've gone too far. Taking some each is enough. You've taken half!"

However, Xiao Ran's answer was very direct; her mental power was like a huge slap, sweeping straight over.

It made a "snap!" sound.

The mushroom dweller was instantly locked onto by Xiao Ran's consciousness. Before he could even dodge, he was crushed by Xiao Ran's mental power.

As Xiao Ran made his move again, the other person belatedly realized what was happening, but before he could even beg for mercy, Xiao Ran crushed him.

After dealing with those two, Xiao Ran sent a pheromone signal to Ling Xi, who was still terrified, and said, "What, you don't even recognize me?"

"you!!"

Upon seeing the pheromones before her, Lingxi remained silent for a few seconds before tentatively replying, "Are you Durian?"

"Ha, isn't that a pretty accurate recognition?"

After confirming Xiao Ran's identity, Lingxi finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then said angrily, "You two, why did you abandon me? Even if you thought I was a burden, you should at least have told me."

Lingxi complained to Xiao Ran, full of grievances and resentment. She was a girl who had been abandoned in this place, without even the ability to protect herself, and for a long time she hadn't even figured out the rules here.

It's inevitable to feel a lot of grievances.

Xiao Ran did not respond to Lingxi's complaints. He waited until Lingxi had finished venting before speaking, "I only have one question for you."

"What?" Lingxi suddenly tensed up, because only now did she realize that Xiao Ran's mental power was firmly locked onto her.

It seems that with just a single thought, one can easily erase oneself.

Xiao Ran then passed his pheromones to Ling Xi and said, "I'm only giving you one chance to think carefully about what your purpose is in following me here. Think it through before you speak."

The chilling message from her pheromones finally made Lingxi realize the intense sense of crisis. She knew very well that if Xiao Ran made a move here, she might really be annihilated.

Thinking of this outcome, Lingxi's mind became tense, like a wound-up spring. She revealed her purpose without hesitation.

“I admit that I have my own selfish reasons for following you, but these selfish reasons do not conflict with your goals. In fact, the High Priest King has also heard about this tomb kingdom. It is rumored that our witch family’s great secret is hidden in this tomb. So, the reason I followed you is simply to see what this secret is.”

Lingxi explained to Xiao Ran in the most sincere tone.

This goal is also a special task for Lingxi herself. Once this task is completed, she will be eligible to advance to the C-level beginner level.

That's why she took such a big risk to get involved.

Xiao Ran was quite satisfied with the result Lingxi gave him. His mental energy was constantly focused on Lingxi's emotional fluctuations. At this moment, she was like someone who had been stripped naked, with nothing to hide. If she lied, he would be able to detect it immediately.

This is also why Xiao Ran chose to press for answers at this time.

Seeing that Lingxi had already made the matter public, Xiao Ran withdrew his focus from her.

"You could have explained this task to us earlier, so we wouldn't have distanced ourselves from you."

Xiao Ran's words were undoubtedly a way of removing the label from Lingxi's head and putting it back on Lingxi's own.

Lingxi was momentarily stunned and didn't react. After a moment of bewilderment, she apologized to Xiao Ran, "I'm sorry, because of Uncle Zhao, we..."

Xiao Ran immediately understood why Lingxi had kept it a secret; ultimately, it was because she was afraid that Zhao Qingming also wanted to obtain the secret of this witchcraft.

"You underestimate me, Master Zhao. Fine, that's settled then. Can you show me around?"

Xiao Ran was afraid the girl would realize what was going on, so she simply changed the subject.

It was only then that Lingxi belatedly realized what was happening, and she hurriedly invited Xiao Ran to visit her mushroom balls.

The fungal ball wasn't big; in fact, for Xiao Ran, it was the kind of simple thing that she could see right through.

But Lingxi still earnestly introduced the results of her research.

"This is a mycelium culture solution that I formulated myself. The mycelium grown from it will have a very strong fragrance, similar to the perfumes we have back home. Don't underestimate this stuff; it's in high demand right now."

"And this, these spores are highly poisonous and can kill nearby mycelium over a large area."

Lingxi proudly presented Xiao Ran with the fruits of her labor, which she had painstakingly prepared.

Xiao Ran observed the spores that Lingxi had studied and discovered that this girl was quite capable, which allowed her to gain a foothold here.

She and Wu Man simply had different research interests.

"Very good. How has your mission progressed?"

"Of course!"

Lingxi proudly introduced another item of hers to Xiao Ran: a special spore.

Xiao Ran didn't pay attention at first, but after carefully sensing it, she discovered that there was actually a faint life inside the spore.

"How about that? You were startled, weren't you? This is the new Gu I've developed. Although it's not an insect, it's still a Gu. You should say it's a bacterial Gu."

Lingxi's spirit exudes a sense of pride.

"Can bacteria be used to create poison?"

Xiao Ran couldn't help but look at Lingxi with new respect. To be able to manipulate Gu worms to this extent showed that Lingxi's talent in this area was no less than Wu Man's.

"Of course. In theory, bacteria are the most powerful poison. As long as I can control bacteria, all organic matter can become my target."

"Haha, that's impressive."

Xiao Ran rarely praises others, but at this moment she had to admire Ling Xi's idea.

If successful, Xiao Ran could conclude that among professionals, this girl's strength was absolutely not to be underestimated.

After touring the area, Xiao Ran casually inquired about Lingxi's future plans, "What are your plans for the future?"

"As you can see, I'm all alone here and vulnerable, making me an easy target. If you're willing to take me with you, I'll go with you. If you don't want me to follow you, I'll find another place and develop on my own."

Lingxi's words made Xiao Ran blush with embarrassment. He laughed and said, "How could that be? Let's go. I'll take you home. But let me make this clear from the start: while you'll get some benefits by coming with us, the danger will be extremely high. Our mission is different from yours in terms of difficulty and risk. Think it over carefully."

Lingxi thought for a moment and asked in return, "Then... are you short of resources?"

"Enough."

"Then I'll go!"

Upon hearing Xiao Ran's promise, Ling Xi agreed almost without hesitation.

Then Xiao Ran led Ling Xi toward his true form.

Lingxi wanted to take her fungal ball with her when she left, but Xiao Ran refused.

He told Lingxi that the mushroom ball was meaningless, that his environment was better, and that he only needed to bring his own belongings.

Lingxi was obedient and only took away a portion of the supplies that were quickly transferred to her location before following Xiao Ran to the northwest corner of the Eastern Tomb.

Seeing the desolate scene, Lingxi carefully sensed her surroundings.

But with her limited mental strength, it was impossible for her to discover Xiao Ran's whereabouts.

So she could only look at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran's mind stirred, and the cloaking mycelium gradually returned to normal.

As the invisibility effect gradually disappeared, Xiao Ran's enormous body appeared before Ling Xi.

The previously perceived empty area was suddenly filled with a colossal object!

It's not just a description, but a real, spiritual feeling of being crushed by a mountain!

The massive, mountain-like golden body is not a smooth sphere or a simple mountain shape, but is covered with layers upon layers of gnarled and robust mycelial structures.

These mycelia were so thick they were suffocating, and they had a restrained and heavy dark golden luster, even though Xiao Ran seemed to be trying his best to conceal his aura.

That overwhelming spiritual pressure instantly brought Lingxi's consciousness to a near standstill.

(End of this chapter)