He changed Tiwat

It's clear that Lao He's mental state became very abnormal from this point onward, and it's probably related to his record of "itchy ears."

Han Fulai recalled Lao He's previous message, in which he seemed to have written about itchy ears, accompanied by "auditory hallucinations."

This may be related to the "wishing stone".

Han Fulai had previously seen the "Wishing Stone" transformed into "Qi Nan" and had analyzed that the "Wishing Stone" might have a control system. Therefore, it seems that the "Wishing Stone" might be sending Lao He a "task" through "auditory hallucinations," asking him to help find Qi Ding's doll?

This "wishing stone" is quite good at getting people to do things... but there's a big problem with the timing.

Qi Ding made a wish at the "wishing stone" to find his toy doll, which should have happened yesterday. Why did Lao He start helping him look for the doll so early? Could it be that this "wishing stone" has precognitive abilities?

Han Fulai turned another page, and there was another strange note on the paper: "We're almost out of food, and that voice said... But, is this mushroom edible?"

The so-called "voice" must have been the work of the "Wishing Stone," but... Han Fu looked at the "Star Mushrooms" on the cabinet. Old He clearly came to the underground water area for the mushrooms, so why is he still arguing about whether the mushrooms are edible?

However, he quickly realized a possibility.

Actually, this is easy to understand. Old He has been trapped at the bottom of the mine for two years. After all, star mushrooms are plants and take time to grow. Old He, who eats mushrooms, will eventually have to wait for the sun to come out... So what kind of "mushroom" is he referring to when he writes "Can this mushroom be eaten?"

He quickly flipped through the journal; the last few pages were practically the ramblings of a mentally ill person, the handwriting was messy and illegible, and the content was basically—

"...I can hear you, I can hear you, hehe, mushroom meat...hehehe...mushroom meat, delicious...hehehe, mushroom meat..."

"Mushroom meat again..." Han Fulai muttered to himself, looking down.

This so-called "mushroom meat" probably doesn't refer to those "star mushrooms".

Just then, Old He's purple face suddenly appeared in front of Han Fulai, his bloodshot eyes staring straight at him, which startled him.

Old He then proudly presented something to him, chattering like a salesman: "This is mushroom meat, hehehe, it's delicious."

In Lao He's hand was a "tentacle" that was flashing with blue fluorescence.

Chapter 161 This thing is not for eating!

"Ah!" Zhiqiong, who was standing nearby, saw the "tentacle" and immediately screamed, jumping back a step in fright.

The "mushroom meat" that Old He was holding was dark blue in color and shaped like an octopus's tentacles, except it didn't have suckers. The skin reflected light under the illumination of the "lumenstone," looking slippery and elastic.

Han Fulai could understand Zhiqiong's feelings. After all, Zhiqiong was a girl, and seeing something like "tentacles" would always cause her a strange fear... Wait, Zhiqiong, you're not a magical girl, so why are you so afraid?

He couldn't help but glance at Zhiqiong.

“Cough… those are the tentacles of a monster! Those round… cough… monsters that look like jellyfish and mushrooms at the same time!” Zhiqiong said, pointing to the “mushroom meat” in Lao He’s hand.

Upon hearing Zhiqiong's cough, Han Fulai immediately recalled that when she explained why she was smeared with black mud, she had mentioned seeing a strange monster on her way here, and the black mud was splashed on her by the monster.

However, because Jiang Xue said that someone was following them, and Lao He appeared quickly, Han Fulai did not ask Zhiqiong for details at the time.

It turns out that the "mushroom meat" that Lao He mentioned was actually the meat of a demon.

“…This thing is not for eating!” Han Fulai couldn’t help but take a step back, blocking his way with his hands in refusal.

When Old He saw that he refused, his tone was a little aggrieved: "Mushroom meat is delicious."

After he finished speaking, he actually stuffed the "tentacle" into his mouth, chewing it until juices flew everywhere, and swallowed it in just a couple of bites. He looked so eager, as if he was afraid someone would take it from him.

To be honest, the way Lao He eats really does resemble a wild animal...

Looking at Lao He's distorted face, Han Fulai finally understood why Lao He had become like this—it was probably because of eating this kind of "mushroom meat".

Putting aside whether the monster's flesh is edible, the monsters at the bottom of the Layered Rock Abyss may have been contaminated with "black mud." Perhaps Old He is in this state because he ate the "black mud" inside the monster—and he ate it raw!

Han Fulai even suspected that if Lao He continued like this, he might turn from a human into a monster!

"Stop eating this stuff. Old He, come on, let's go back!" Han Fulai said, grabbing Old He's arm.

However, with a light flick of his wrist, Lao He nearly caused Han Fulai to trip and fall.

It should be noted that Han Fulai's physical condition is far beyond that of ordinary people. Although his strength is not as great as Shen He's, who is born with superhuman strength, it is at least comparable to that towering "mining superstar" Lao Tu. However, Lao He's strength is actually much greater than his.

Although Han Fulai did not use his immortal power, Lao He's strength was not something a normal person could possess.

With such power... his body is probably already close to that of a demon.

Han Fulai's eyes narrowed, and he was about to use his immortal power to forcibly subdue Lao He when he saw Lao He suddenly sit down on the ground and wail like a child: "I won't go! I don't want to go to a place without 'mushroom meat'! I want 'mushroom meat'!"

"This...didn't you just eat this...?" Faced with Lao He's dementia-like behavior, Han Fulai was also helpless.

"Without 'Mushroom Meat,' you can't go anywhere; with 'Mushroom Meat,' you can go anywhere!"

Old He's speech was illogical, but Han Fulai still understood the general meaning: Old He was afraid that if he followed them, he would never be able to eat "mushroom meat" again.

But on the other hand...

"If there's 'mushroom meat,' would you be willing to come with us?"

The one speaking was Zhiqiong.

"Hmm... 'Mushroom meat' is fine." Old He stopped fussing as soon as he heard there was candy.

"Then tell us where you found the 'mushroom meat,' and we'll help you get the 'mushroom meat'!"

Zhiqiong worked incredibly hard to help Jinwu bring Lao He back.

"Good...hehehe...mushroom meat!" Old He immediately beamed with joy.

He picked up the half-shovel from the ground and walked out of the treehouse first.

It seems that this "mushroom meat," which is the meat of a Warcraft beast, may be "addictive," causing consumers to develop dependence symptoms like Lao He's.

However, for Han Fulai, as long as he could coax Lao He back, that would be fine. If Lao He was willing to go back with them if they gave him "mushroom meat," that would be even better. Moreover, he also wanted to see for himself what this so-called "mushroom" was. To solve the anomaly in the Layered Rock Abyss, one can never have too much information.

Han Fulai put away the logbook on the table and followed Lao He.

Old He led the way, guiding them through a dense network of waterways towards a small island a little further away.

The island was covered in dense white fluorescent light, all of which were the "star mushrooms" they had seen before. As soon as Old He approached, he started to chuckle strangely, the sound of which sounded exactly like "dinner is served."

Clearly, this place can be considered Lao He's "canteen".

Old He walked up to the "star mushrooms" and started digging in the soil with a shovel. In just a short while, he dug up a large pile of "star mushrooms" while laughing strangely: "Hehehe, mushroom meat, hehehe, pick more."

Zhiqiong raised her camera, while Han Fulai and Jiang Xue simultaneously drew their weapons. They both sensed that the atmosphere here had become unusual.

Han Fulai felt that the air here had become thick and heavy, while Jiang Xue's feeling was more specific; he sensed a large amount of water element gathering.

As if in response to their feelings, a large number of blue monsters suddenly emerged from the pool and from the crevices in the rocks.

They suddenly appeared from the water and underground, some rolling on the ground like footballs, while others floated in the air less than half a foot off the ground like balloons.

As Zhiqiong previously stated, they resemble blue mushrooms, with round caps and white cylindrical bodies, and indentations on their bodies that look like eyes and mouths. Furthermore, these mushroom monsters have jellyfish-like blue tentacles growing beneath their blue caps, which are the "mushroom meat" that Lao He was holding earlier.

"Hehehe... Mushroom monster, mushroom meat, delicious, hehehe..."

When Old He saw these mushroom monsters, he was not surprised but delighted, his eyes shining, just like a gourmet seeing a delicious meal—this is not a metaphor, he really would eat these mushroom monsters.

There are at least two hands' worth of mushroom monsters gathered here, each the size of a football. Although an individual one might be considered "cute," the sheer number of mushroom monsters gathered together still creates a strong sense of oppression.

These mushroom monsters completely ignored Zhiqiong and Han Fulai, and unanimously surrounded Lao He. It seems that this is related to Lao He picking a large number of "star mushrooms".

A mushroom-shaped monster swayed and spit out a "bubble," similar to the kind launched by the Abyss Mage Han Fulai had seen before. It looked harmless but was rich in water element. The bubble flew towards Lao He with seemingly slow but actually rapid speed, as if to engulf him.

At the same time, more mushroom monsters also spat bubbles at Lao He, which is likely a fixed attack method for these mushroom monsters.

"They're going to attack Lao He!"

Seeing that Lao He was being attacked, Zhiqiong became anxious.

"It's alright." Jiang Xue had already sheathed her sword, showing no intention of interfering.

Han Fulai also made no move. If Lao He's daily staple food was these mushroom monsters, then he must be capable of hunting these monsters. He wanted to see how Lao He would do it.

Just as the bubble was about to hit Lao He, Lao He moved.

"Mushroom monster...hehehe, well done!"

He laughed loudly, raised the half of the iron shovel in his hand, and leaped high into the air, jumping several feet high, directly over the bubbles.

The bubbles collided and dissipated into a water curtain, while Old He, like a bolt of purple lightning, struck the nearest mushroom monster with the force of Mount Tai.

With a flash of steel from the shovel, the two mushroom monsters were instantly decapitated.

Old He continued his actions without pause, mercilessly slaughtering the mushroom monsters.

His every move carried a peculiar rhythm as he dismembered the mushroom monsters' caps, tentacles, and bodies with remarkable precision... It didn't seem like a battle; it looked more like chopping vegetables in a kitchen.

In just a few seconds, Old He had slaughtered the entire group of mushroom monsters!

Chapter 162 The Law of the Jungle, Survival of the Fittest

"So strong... Old He is so strong!"

Zhiqiong couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. She couldn't believe that the old miner who had been missing for more than two years was so agile.

Old He's speed and precision in slaughtering those mushroom monsters were like that of a seasoned butcher, turning "living things" into "food" with a swift stroke of his knife. Moreover, the movements and explosive power he displayed were definitely not something an old, aging miner could possess.

Han Fulai's feelings were different from Zhiqiong's.

He has met many powerful people since he transmigrated. Although his own martial arts skills are not very good, he has seen pigs run even if he has never eaten pork. There are many people with high martial arts skills around him, such as Jiang Xue, who is standing next to him now. Her martial arts skills are extremely strong.

Compared to Jiang Xue, Lao He's skills were nothing more than peasant tricks; he had no real moves and relied solely on speed and strength.

But Lao He's eyes sent chills down one's spine—his bloodshot eyes were filled with extreme "violence," and there was a kind of madness in his eyes that devoured everything, as if everything in his eyes was just "prey" or "food"!

Old He... he might not even be considered human anymore.

"Hehehe, mushroom meat, mushroom meat!"

Meanwhile, Old He pounced on his prey like a hungry tiger, grabbing a mushroom monster he had just killed and devouring it on the spot.

Seeing the monster that was lively and energetic just seconds ago now become food in Lao He's mouth, Han Fulai felt an indescribable sense of disgust, a feeling mixed with nausea and fear. Although humans also slaughter livestock and poultry for food, eating them raw like Lao He did was still unacceptable to him, a modern person.

This behavior is just like that of a wild beast; it's pure jungle law, a naked survival of the fittest!

These mushroom monsters were still mushrooms in appearance, but Han Fulai was thinking about a question—if these monsters were humanoid, would Lao He still attack them? Would he still eat them like that?

Probably... because for wild animals, the flesh of their own kind is still flesh.

What's even more disturbing is the addictive nature of "mushroom meat." Addictive substances are often what are commonly known as "drugs," and many "drugs" have strong hallucinogenic effects.

Han Fulai had seen the so-called "zombie bath salts" in social news before. It was an American drug that looked like bath salts. Users would become extremely violent and even treat humans as food.

Back in the day, there were people in America who had taken "zombie bath salts" and attacked passersby in the street, even biting off most of a person's face!

Moreover, their pain sensitivity is reduced, and their strength becomes abnormally great. American police shot the limbs of drug addicts in hopes of capturing them alive, but the drug addicts continued to crawl on the ground after being shot, preparing to continue attacking humans, just like "zombies" in horror movies.

It is said that when the drug addict was shot dead by the police, there were still bits of flesh from the victim's face hanging from the corner of his mouth.

After Lao He eats these "mushroom meats", will he also think of them as "mushroom meats"?

Han Fulai shook his head, clearing his mind of those restless thoughts. He cautiously stepped forward and tried to communicate with Lao He: "Lao He, is this mushroom meat... enough?"

Fortunately, even though Old He was devouring the flesh and blood of demons like a wild beast in front of them, he didn't treat humans as prey. Although his mental state was very abnormal, he hadn't completely lost his reason.

Old He smacked his lips contentedly and shouted, "That's enough! Take it all with you, eat it on the way!"

Seeing that Lao He's condition hadn't worsened, Han Fulai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't know what the monster's flesh and blood were made of, or what specific components had turned Old He into this red-eyed, purple-skinned, and incredibly strong creature. These were things that could only be known after further research.

Seeing how ravenously Lao He was wolfing down his food, he was worried that Lao He might become delirious and attack them, and he was also concerned that if he took the "mushroom meat," it might result in a "stealing food from a tiger's mouth" scenario. Now that Lao He wanted him to take these things, he could just go along with Lao He's wishes and collect the remains of these monsters and those star mushrooms to take back to the camp for research.

Han Fulai waved his hand, and golden light flashed. Immortal power spread everywhere, and all those things were absorbed into his blank divine eye.

Old He didn't react much, presumably because he had entered a state of detachment after satisfying his appetite, while Zhiqiong stood behind Han Fulai with a face full of envy.

Zhiqiong waved to Lao He, "Lao He, you promised me that you would come with us after eating the mushroom meat. Shall we go back to the camp?"

Old He jumped to his feet. "'Back to the Underworld'? What's the Underworld? But after eating the mushroom meat, I can go anywhere!"

"Ever since I ate mushroom meat, my back pain has disappeared, and I have more strength in my hands. Hehehe, I feel like I've become several years younger! Mushroom meat is even tastier than mushrooms, and the bigger the mushroom meat, the tastier it is...hehehe..."

Old He patted his muscular, purple chest muscles with a loud thud, as if he were boasting to them about the health benefits of "mushroom meat."

"We're eating mushroom meat together, so much mushroom meat, hehehe, after it's dried, we can eat it for a long... a long time..."

As they set off back to camp, Jiang Xue leaned close to Han Fulai and whispered, "Do you think Lao He, in his current state, still knows how to start a fire?"

Han Fulai shook his head. Old He was now almost like a "savage" who ate raw meat and drank blood. How could he have thought of cooking food before eating it?

"Then who do you think it was when Zhiqiong mentioned seeing newly left marks on the road?"

Han Fulai was taken aback, suddenly remembering what Zhiqiong had said before—

“There are signs that someone has lived in this area. For example, chisel marks from miners’ shovels, broken branches from trees cut by sharp tools, etc. Some of these marks are still quite fresh.”

Old He's erratic behavior has clearly been going on for some time now. He even eats monsters raw, so it's impossible for him to be doing things like quarrying rocks or cutting down trees to make fire anymore... So who left these traces?