Chapter 439

Chapter 439: The Monster

The next afternoon.

Shortly after Stealth 3000 and Stealth 3001, the sister duo, supported each other while walking out of the room, Lin Yu stretched and emerged as well.

Though she hadn’t slept for a full day and night, no trace of fatigue showed on her face at that moment.

…

Hmm, it feels like I’ve grown closer with these two daughters again.

With over a million daughters, the task of properly caring for each one remains a long and challenging journey.

Speaking of which…

As if recalling something, Lin Yu checked her Magic Backpack.

After scanning through various items, her gaze settled on a crate of potions, though only two bottles remained inside.

These weren’t Magic Recovery Potions or other combat-assistance potions, but a special brew called Energy Potion.

Not needing to walk out supported like Stealth 3000 and Stealth 3001 was entirely thanks to these.

While similar products exist on the continent, their efficacy pales in comparison to this Energy Potion.

After all, it was personally formulated by Li Qi—a reincarnator possessing the “Unique Skill—Pharmacist”—so its effectiveness far surpasses ordinary medicines.

Mmm… though initially requesting this potion’s development was rather embarrassing.

And that guy looked utterly astonished when he saw her.

Really now… such unnecessary surprise.

In certain respects, Energy Potion’s importance is no less than magic potions! My happiness—ahem, my daughters’… our entire colony’s wellbeing hinges on this formula!

Well… I’ll go ask Li Qi for more Energy Potion later. It’s been used rather frequently recently…

This potion is simpler to brew than Magic Recovery Potions or attribute-enhancing potions. That fellow should’ve found time to prepare some for me.

…

Upon exiting, two maids stationed beside the door murmured “Mommy” and fell into step behind Lin Yu.

Lin Yu covertly observed them.

More unfamiliar daughters—their hair color suggested membership among the Acid Ants.

Beyond these two Acid Ant daughters following her, several Stealth Ants lurked in shadows guarding Lin Yu. Unless expressly requested, daughters always accompanied her outdoors.

Li Qi’s workshop lay on Foggy Castle’s second floor.

Encountering a patrol squad en route, she casually stopped the lead Iron Armored Ant. After its reversion to original form, Lin Yu swung onto its back.

With her daughter providing transport, the white-haired girl soon reached Li Qi’s workshop door.

Dismissing the six-legged Iron Armored Ant daughter (whose limbs seemed unsteady), Lin Yu tapped lightly on the door.

“Please enter.”

Hearing the response, she pushed the door open and entered.

“What brings Queen Ant to grace my humble workshop today?”

The little boy in the room glanced up at Lin Yu before resuming his tasks, his tone casual and matter-of-fact.

Like most people upon first meeting Lin Yu, even Li Qi—having lived a second life—found himself profoundly struck by her beauty. For a moment, he even suspected she too had been “abducted.”

Yet after over three years of acquaintance, he had grown somewhat immune to her allure—at least… he no longer made a fool of himself outwardly. Still, an occasional glimpse could make his heart flutter.

As fellow reincarnators and “compatriots” from the same homeland, their three years of interaction had naturally fostered a friendship between them.

…

Returning to the present,

Lin Yu waved her hand.

The two maids behind her exchanged a look before withdrawing from the room, taking the other daughters assisting the little boy with them.

They harbored no concern that Li Qi might harm Lin Yu. Despite his high level, his skills were almost entirely non-combat abilities aiding potion-making. Even with Lin Yu’s limited combat prowess, using her panel skills against him would be no different than fighting an ordinary child.

“Can’t I visit just because you’re busy? Besides, a leader inspecting work is perfectly legitimate,” Lin Yu teased once they were alone. She cherished these casual exchanges with a friend.

“Really? I find that hard to believe,” the little boy replied with a laugh.

“No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without cause. State your needs directly—I’m not as idle as you. Work awaits, and today’s quota remains unmet.”

“Very well. Provide me with Magic Recovery Potions—the highest grade available.”

“Even unasked, I’d planned to have your daughters deliver them. There,” Li Qi gestured toward a crate of potions on a nearby table. “But was descending necessary? Couldn’t a daughter have fetched them? They’d gladly run such errands.”

“I… fancied a stroll,” Lin Yu answered, collecting the magic potions into her backpack. “Ah, regarding Energy Potions… do you have any left?” Her cheeks flushed faintly despite her nonchalant tone.

“…”

Li Qi regarded her oddly.

“Now it makes sense. For the lazy to descend personally over Magic Recovery Potions? So this was your true aim,” he emphasized the final words. “Rest assured—I’d sooner forget my own name than your ‘happiness.’ Prepared long ago.” With a teasing smile, he indicated a direction.

Indeed, Lin Yu discovered a small crate of Energy Potions there and stowed it away with inner delight.

“Hmph! What does a brat know of ‘happiness’? Last life, you were probably untouched!” *Though… same as me.*

After this verbal strike, Lin Yu noticed crates of empty bottles beneath Li Qi’s feet while turning to leave. “All those for today? Isn’t it excessive?”

“Practice refines skill. My potion-crafting efficiency far surpasses before.” Li Qi paused, then added solemnly, “Since we’re bound together now, I’ll spare no effort—only full commitment.”

…

…

Days later,

major news arrived from Deta Empire’s sentinel anthill.

A monster had emerged within the empire—referred to as “a” because its form resembled a colossal ‘mountain of flesh’ stitched from innumerable limbs.

This flesh mountain displayed no independent intellect, driven solely by primal bloodlust. Its amalgamated limbs could form tentacles gaping with maws, emerging like man-eating flowers to seize and consume all life. Similarly, it generated new muscular legs for locomotion, devouring every trace of monsters and humans alike—living or dead—in its path.

Multiple Deta villages had already fallen prey to this entity dubbed “Devouring Demon Mountain.” By human classification of powerful monsters, it ranked as a mobile cataclysm capable of annihilating small nations and threatening great powers—likely an S-class entity akin to legendary beings like the Lord of the Forest or Lord of Mountains.