Chapter 526, Section 525: The Forest of Puji
After embracing, the two puppies quieted down.
Of course, judging from the way their tentacles are flailing around, they're not really quiet; they're just having a private chat within the fungal web.
"Brother, why are you here?"
I remember when I went back to the Mushroom Garden with Pink Puji, Number One was still ambitiously talking about becoming the "representative of the Northern Mushroom Clan" and instructed it to try to win over Pink Puji and Number Ten, and also take care of the newcomer, Little Fourteen, to bring them together.
It also outlines a blueprint that "the North and the Kingdom are in harmony, and the future is entirely in the hands of the Mushroom Clan."
How did the "representative of the Northern Mushroom Clan" suddenly appear in the Elf Forest?
"Fourth brother...sigh." A long sigh came from Number One's mind, his mushroom cap drooping slightly, revealing a heavy feeling of having suffered many setbacks.
Number One, looking heartbroken, slowly explained the reason.
In its narrative, the great Fungus Lord had originally intended for it to serve as the representative of the North. But at this crucial moment, the treacherous Number Two suddenly launched an attack, openly questioning the Fungus Lord's decision and attempting to seize the position.
"That despicable bastard!" Number One's thoughts were filled with rage. "How dare it question the will of the Fungus Lord!"
The benevolent mushroom master ultimately decided to give them a fair chance to compete: each side would lead their own forces in a contest.
Although the fourth brother, who was the most skilled fighter at the time, was sent away, the number one still possessed formidable strength that was no less than that of the number two.
Number One has Number Five, Number Six, and Number Eight under his command.
Number Two has Number Three, Number Seven, and Number Eleven under his command.
To ensure stability, Number One also secured temporary support from Number Thirteen by making certain promises.
The Bacteria Master stuffed the silver scales of the tailless lizardman into both of their bodies in front of the Black Demon.
They originally had a great chance of winning. Although number five was not good at fighting, his ability to hide was superb, not to mention that they had a lot of mushrooms.
Unexpectedly, Thirteen had already been bribed by Number Two, which led to the death of the poor Number Five.
They disregarded the rules and followed Team Two to surround Team One and their group, using numbers to outnumber them!
Although all the Puji had their scales stolen by the black demon who noticed the commotion and rushed over, Number One still lost the match first.
The position of "Representative of the Northern Mushroom Clan," which is closest to the mushroom garden and the mushroom master and symbolizes the highest authority and glory, ultimately fell on the proud mushroom hat of Number Two!
As for Number One, it was banished to this forest to rule over these long-eared humans who clearly had little future...
Thinking of this, the mushroom cap of number one tucked in even more tightly, and one of its tentacles wrapped tightly around the tentacle of number four. Its thoughts were filled with sorrow and resentment: "Fourth brother, now that little mushroom number two is in power, it is arrogant and dares to try to enjoy the favor and glory of the mushroom master all to itself... Whenever I think of this, my mycelium feels a stinging pain!"
"Big Brother!" came a firm reply from Number Four's mind immediately, "I will always support Big Brother!"
Number One nodded with satisfaction at the mushroom cap, then lowered his mind and asked, "How's it going on your end? Is it going smoothly to win over Pink Puji and Number Ten? Are they... willing to obey your orders?"
Number Four's mushroom cap subtly shifted at a small angle, and there was a very brief hesitation in the transmission of his thoughts: "Almost...almost, it went smoothly."
"Good! You truly are my good fourth brother! I knew you were the most reliable!" Number One's spirits were immediately lifted, and his mushroom cap stood up straight.
The two mushrooms' long and secret conversation finally came to an end.
When they came to their senses, they found that the forest clearing was already empty. The delegation and the elven leader Eko had left, and only one elven ranger was left behind, squatting idly under a tree not far away, waiting for them to finish their conversation.
...
The moment Inanna stepped into the Elf Forest, she almost thought she had stumbled into a woodland on the outskirts of the Mushroom Capital, deeply covered by fungal carpet.
As far as the eye can see, the tangled mycelium forms glistening mushrooms among the ancient tree roots, their various shapes appearing and disappearing in the light and shadow of the forest.
If it weren't for the fact that every tree here is so huge that it takes ten people to hug it, and that its canopy soars into the clouds, she would really think she had returned to the vicinity of Mushroom Capital.
Not only was Inanna surprised, but everyone in the delegation was also surprised to see the profession of Puji Master here, not to mention that Eko, who commanded the Elf Rangers, was one of them.
You should know, this might be the highest-level Puji Master in the world right now...
Moreover, the elves seem to have developed a Puji culture that is quite different from that of the kingdom.
Unlike human Puji Masters who pursue the maximum number of Puji they can control and crave to be surrounded by hordes of Puji to show off their status, the relationship between elf Puji Masters and Puji is more like that of domesticated pets.
They don't pursue quantity; instead, they prefer to carry a single Puji, and it's even fashionable to wear the Puji on their head.
The types of animals raised also differ.
The kingdom has all kinds of pouches, but the elves, perhaps because they live on tree trunks, tend to prefer pouches with small wings.
Despite the many differences, Inanna felt a slight tingling in her nose and quietly wiped away a bit of moisture from the corner of her eye with her finger.
She was genuinely delighted that Puji was accepted so naturally and harmoniously by the elves.
Sword Saint Puji had the illusion that he had been dead for more than ten years before being resurrected. It wasn't like this when he came here last time, was it?
And Eko... what's wrong with this guy?
Surely I didn't go too far in our last fight, so much so that even the elf's secret medicine couldn't save me, and I ended up having to rely on mycelial parasitism to save my life?
The Sword Saint had countless questions in his mind, but he couldn't ask them directly.
There are old acquaintances here who know "Elvien". Although transmitting thoughts through the fungus network is different from speaking directly, one's identity may be exposed if one is not careful in conversation.
Putting aside the reactions of those old elf friends and that unpredictable fungus master, just the fact that the news has leaked means that Alama will probably immediately abandon the defensive line and chase after them with his family heirloom greatsword...
Well... saving face for the "deceased swordsman Elwyn" is obviously more important than satisfying that tiny bit of curiosity.
It is, and must be, number fourteen!
The Sword Saint, who was being held in Inanna's arms and receiving her routine rubbing, thought to herself.
...
However, as the group continued onward, they discovered that the elves' acceptance of Puji was not entirely unconditional.
A group of people dressed in uniform, clearly belonging to the elven government, were systematically casting nature magic in a specific area of the forest. Soft green light flowed from their hands, and wherever it passed, the overly lush fungal carpet slowly receded, revealing the original soil beneath.
Such a scene cannot be seen in the kingdom.
The delegation was eventually settled in a side hall on the side of the palace to rest, and the other elven leaders did not appear immediately.
This wasn't because the elves were deliberately giving the kingdom's delegation a hard time; it was just bad timing, as they were holding an important meeting.
The core topic of the meeting was the issue of forest ecological balance and the prevention and control of fungal carpets.
(End of this chapter)
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