Chapter 395

Chapter 395: Dark Mushroom Forest

Midi spent roughly half an hour unlocking the magical iron chain, matching their scheduled rest period.

The two then continued their journey.

Six more hours of silent marching without any communication or sound, along with several anticipated skirmishes, brought Midi and Zaknavan to an underground river.

This river stretched exceptionally wide, its water sounds reverberating through interconnected caverns and underground spaces, carrying for dozens of kilometers.

More astonishing were the faint glimmers visible through the clear water—countless pinpricks of light dotting the riverbed.

These too were crystals condensed from Radiance of Darkness, though far less abundant and harder to gather than those from Mirage Grass.

Though impractical, these luminous specks became the river’s defining feature.

Hence, the Wolfspider tribe named it "Glow River"—the boundary of their controlled territory. Beyond lay uncharted lands awaiting exploration.

After twelve hours of forced march, rushing forward made no sense. Upon reaching Glow River, they immediately sought camping grounds.

Using environmental awareness, Midi located a hideout faster than Zaknavan—a small cavern with two escape routes. Even firelight here wouldn’t leak outside.

Both tacitly avoided open flames, instead using Demon Swordman’s "Demon Fire" to roast captured prey.

Within the shadows, Midi grew steadily more like a true Shaded Realm hunter.

Four hours of solid rest, food, and water later, Zaknavan finally broke silence: "Ready, friend?"

"Eagerly," Midi answered lightly.

Fighting spirit burned in both pairs of eyes.

Their previous journey had involved scattered magical beasts—solitary predators easily managed. Wolfspider’s regular purges prevented these low-Intelligence creatures from forming packs; groups exceeding five got hunted down by Patrol Teams.

Moreover, elder council’s pre-mapped resources—water sources, rest spots, even usable beast nests—kept their path straightforward. Supplies stayed plentiful, detours nonexistent.

Beyond Glow River? Pure uncertainty.

What magical beasts lurked there?

Where lay water or supplies?

Safe resting spots?

Even basic terrain knowledge vanished. Explorers must chart everything themselves. Resource availability? Pure chance.

With such risks, Wolfspider warriors avoided this area unless elder council ordered it. Only top slave warriors seeking faster freedom accepted such missions.

Yet Midi detected barely concealed assurance in Zaknavan’s demeanor.

"You’ve been here before?" Midi suddenly understood.

If Zaknavan hadn’t known something about the area they were about to explore, how could he stay so calm? With his cautious nature, he’d never gamble his freedom or qualification for the Black Dragon Conference on mere chance. Looking back, he’d chosen their mission without hesitation – clear proof of preparation.

Clever guy, hiding his cards well. Midi mused. But in the survival-of-the-fittest Shaded Realm, every top player kept hidden trump cards. Having such a capable and cunning companion made Midi feel reassured rather than wary.

Zaknavan smiled faintly at Midi’s observation. “Half-right. I’ve never been here, but I know what’s here.” While unknown to the Wolfspider tribe, his home City of Fierce Wind held records of this region. A City contained dozens of families in the Shaded Realm – even the weakest family outclassed a “village” like Wolfspider. What seemed remote to tribes counted as mere outskirts to cities.

Underground cities sat at trade route crossroads, gathering rumors about unexplored areas. Though the Glow River’s southern lands were unclaimed, merchant caravans had ventured here before. Zaknavan had studied those reports, now proving useful.

“Reports say south of Glow River lies a massive Dark Mushroom Forest,” Zaknavan declared.

Commonly called mushroom forests, these fungal groves replaced surface plants in the sunless Shaded Realm. These weren’t surface mushrooms pulled by hand, but evolved giants reaching dozens of meters tall – fungal skyscrapers brushing tunnel ceilings. These towering fungi hosted varied underground flora, fauna, and magical beasts, forming complete ecosystems. For resource-starved Shaded Realm, such forests meant prime hunting and gathering grounds.

The key question was the magical beasts’ strength – vital intelligence for Wolfspider’s future, but details required personal investigation. This remote borderland drew little attention, even from Fierce Wind City.

Midi’s true goals were twofold: find Mirage Grass or other Radiance of Darkness sources to boost his level, and collect rare resources for contribution points.

“Spread out!” Zaknavan signaled upon entering the fungal woods. They moved in staggered formation, the dark elf sword soul scouting ahead with his melee skills and terrain knowledge, while Midi’s Asura long-range attacks covered the rear. This formation showed absolute trust – Zaknavan’s back openly entrusted to the human.

They soon found elevated ground dominated by a thirty-meter fungal giant – the Mushroom King, its canopy scraping the cavern roof. Perfect vantage point. Grappling hooks carried them to the summit, revealing five-kilometer visibility. Though Midi’s environmental awareness couldn’t span that distance, scanning came easily.

As Zaknavan scanned through infrared vision, Midi’s mind-related abilities swept the area like autumn wind stripping leaves. Soon he commanded full situational awareness.

“This way.” Midi’s order gave Zaknavan pause. Trusting a human with his back was one thing; following their lead another. But acknowledging Midi’s powerful strength, he nodded and followed.

Midi raced east. Blood stung their nostrils. A massive python exploded from fungal cover, quad-rowed jaws gaping. Forewarned from above, Midi’s dual swords Eliminate and Kill struck its weak spot in silent arcs. Zaknavan pounced simultaneously like lightning. The beast’s legendary Vitality meant nothing against prepared hunters. Soon the serpent lay motionless, another trophy for the Shaded Realm.