Chapter 144: The True Plan, Rulalusi, Lord of the Great Forest of Tob (4000-word chapter)
2024-12-09 Author: Amnesty L
The Demon Snake Naga was drenched in a cold sweat, his body writhing in agony at Tang Zheng's feet.
The sensation was indescribable—his entire heart felt as if it were being devoured by countless ants, yet also as if it were being squeezed in someone's tight grip, a suffocating feeling that flooded his whole body.
The Naga race has some resistance to curses?
It looks like the resistance isn't very high, though.
Tang Zheng thought to himself as he watched the Demon Snake Naga gasp in agony.
"It seems we can communicate properly now."
Tang Zheng reached out his palm and made a grasping motion in the air, aiming at the wound he had inflicted on the Demon Snake Naga's chest with the iron sword.
Black curse energy seeped out of the wound and dissipated into the air!
The Demon Snake Naga's suffocating pain began to recede. He collapsed wretchedly on the ground, panting heavily.
His control over Curse Power was growing more and more proficient. He had been spending this time sorting through his own powers, especially the Curse Power, which was currently his most esoteric means of attack.
The vast number of Wild Beasts and Magical Beasts had not only provided Experience but also served as test subjects. He had discovered that the closer a "Curse Attack" was to the heart, the more effective it was.
"I am willing to submit," the Demon Snake Naga gasped, his eyes filled with terror and palpitations, speaking hastily as soon as he could catch his breath.
This Human before him was completely different from the weak Humans he had encountered in the past. This one could actually kill him!
The Demon Snake Naga's entire body trembled at the memory of that near-death experience.
"No, no, you misunderstand."
Tang Zheng tossed the shattered iron sword aside, pulled the magic greatsword from where it was embedded in the ground, and shook his head.
Seeing Tang Zheng's movement, the Demon Snake Naga flinched and fearfully coiled his tail, afraid that Tang Zheng would strike him again.
"To be precise, this is a cooperation," Tang Zheng said, trying to make his expression as gentle as possible upon seeing the Demon Snake Naga's fear.
However, in the Demon Snake Naga's eyes, this gentle smile was somehow even more terrifying. He knew that weak Humans were exceptionally skilled at schemes and trickery.
As for words like "cooperation," the Demon Snake Naga didn't believe them in the slightest. Right now, he just hoped this person would let him go so he could flee this place immediately!
The Great Forest of Tob was enormous. As long as he could escape, the Demon Snake Naga was confident that with his abilities, even if this Human was stronger than him, he would never be found.
"Are you interested in ruling the entire Great Forest of Tob? The Western Dominator, Demon Snake Naga..." Tang Zheng began gently, pausing at the end.
"Rulalusi Spe'nia Aeindrun," the Demon Snake Naga uttered in a small, hoarse voice, clutching his fractured arm.
"Oh, alright," Tang Zheng shrugged, then continued, "I've already cleaned up Troll Gu's territory. All the powerful Monsters and Wild Beasts have been dealt with, including that massive horde of Ogres under Troll Gu."
"Now, if you want it, you can easily rule that territory."
The Demon Snake Naga's serpentine pupils widened as he stared in disbelief at the smiling Tang Zheng before him.
He suddenly recalled that on his way here, he indeed hadn't encountered any strong Wild Beasts or Monsters. Especially in the area of the forest fissure, the ground was stained red with copious amounts of blood, and the remnants of destruction were everywhere.
*Gulp~*
"My domain is in the far west, with the Forest Sage King's territory in between," the Demon Snake Naga said instinctively, his throat bobbing as he shrank back.
Ruling the entire Great Forest of Tob!
This was something the Demon Snake Naga had never even dared to dream of. His power was inferior to both the Forest Sage King and Troll Gu, so he had never entertained the thought.
In fact, if the Forest Sage King wasn't solely focused on eating and sleeping, and if Troll Gu wasn't a muscle-brained fool, one of those two would have likely already ruled the entire Great Forest of Tob.
"I can help you deal with that, too."
Tang Zheng said with a smile, seeing the obvious temptation in the Demon Snake Naga's eyes.
At these words, an ardent light couldn't help but flash in the Demon Snake Naga's pupils. The thought of escape he'd just had was instantly cast to the back of his mind.
But very quickly, the Demon Snake Naga came to his senses. Why would this terrifyingly powerful Human do this? He didn't believe the man would help him for no reason.
"What do I need to do?" the Demon Snake Naga asked in a low, hoarse voice.
A brilliant smile spread across Tang Zheng's face. He glanced at the stupefied Troll Gu at the cave entrance, then looked back at the Demon Snake Naga. "As I thought, I prefer conversing with intelligent races."
"Raise Goblins for me throughout the entire Great Forest of Tob."
"Huh?" The Demon Snake Naga was dumbfounded, thinking he had misheard.
He had considered all sorts of schemes and plots from the Human before him, but he had never imagined this would be the goal.
"That's right. You just need to help me raise Goblins."
Tang Zheng nodded, indicating that he hadn't misheard.
As his own level rose, Tang Zheng had long begun to consider the problem of acquiring Experience. Although higher-level creatures yielded more Experience upon death, Tang Zheng knew very well that the Otherworld was not a game; powerful creatures did not respawn after being killed.
Furthermore, if these powerful beings died on a large scale, it would inevitably attract the attention of the True Dragon Lords and various other factions.
But obtaining Experience was a hurdle that could not be bypassed.
If rabbits were one of the most prolific breeders among ordinary animals, then Goblins were the representative of the fastest-breeding Monsters!
With sufficient food, Goblins could mature in just two to three months and could reproduce at least three times a year.
"It's actually true?"
The Demon Snake Naga said blankly. He found that he couldn't keep up with the Human's line of thinking at all, nor could he comprehend why he would do such a thing.
"Oh?" Tang Zheng gave the Demon Snake Naga a surprised look.
"I can tell if someone is lying," the Demon Snake Naga said in a small voice, his wrinkled, aged face trembling under Tang Zheng's gaze.
"So the Naga race has such an ability," Tang Zheng raised an eyebrow and spread his arms.
"I originally chose Troll Gu. After all, a lower-tier race like Goblins can be easily controlled by a higher-tier species like the Trolls."
"Clearly, he was not a good partner."
Tang Zheng was indeed a little disappointed.
"I am willing to serve you, Lord," the Demon Snake Naga said, his tone laced with excitement.
The opportunity to rule the entire Great Forest of Tob was right before him, and the price was merely raising Goblins. In the Demon Snake Naga's view, there was no reason to refuse.
Besides, his current situation didn't allow him to refuse.
"I told you, it's a cooperation."
"There is a Hobgoblin race in this forest called the Jick Tribe. You just need to rule them, and you can easily control the common Goblins."
Tang Zheng reminded him once more before his smile vanished, his gaze turning chilly as he stared at the Demon Snake Naga.
"Of course, I hope that no one other than you and I knows about this cooperation. As a prerequisite for our partnership, I've left a little something in your heart."
As Tang Zheng's words fell...
"Aahh!!"
The Demon Snake Naga felt his heart clench. The sharp pain and suffocating sensation of ants gnawing at his heart surged through him once more, causing him to cry out in agony.
But just as quickly, the feeling vanished again.
The Demon Snake Naga gasped for air, his face once again filled with terror.
This was a trace of Curse Power Tang Zheng had intentionally left behind in the Demon Snake Naga's heart. It was very faint, not even enough to pose a real danger.
It was a small trick he had developed in his application of Curse Power.
That last jolt had completely consumed the residual Curse Power, but the Demon Snake Naga didn't know that.
"Rest assured, you only need to help me raise Goblins for four years. After four years, I will personally remove this power for you."
A gentle smile returned to Tang Zheng's face. "Your ability should tell you that I'm not lying, right?"
"Lord of the Great Forest of Tob, Your Excellency Rulalusi."
"I am willing!"
Hearing the words "Lord of the Great Forest of Tob," the Demon Snake Naga prostrated himself on the ground, both thrilled and terrified.
...
After the matter was settled, Tang Zheng let the Demon Snake Naga leave on his own, telling him to gather the powerful Wild Beasts and Magical Beasts from his territory.
Naturally, he had no intention of letting go of the Experience in that region.
As for whether the Demon Snake Naga would have any ulterior motives?
Tang Zheng didn't care in the least. Even with subordinates of the same Human race, one could not guarantee their loyalty, let alone a demi-human of a completely different race.
He just needed to ensure the Demon Snake Naga would do as he was told. And after four years?
The Demon Snake Naga would no longer be important.
"There are still too few useful hands," Tang Zheng sighed to himself and returned to the cave entrance.
He stored the wooden bucket full of blood in his item box, then took out another large wooden barrel and placed it beneath Troll Gu to continue collecting blood.
This couldn't be wasted.
Troll Gu's regeneration ability was stronger than that of an ordinary Troll.
Tang Zheng felt that his blood could probably be used to create even better regeneration potions.
"Right, I forgot to get some blood from the Demon Snake Naga. I wonder what kind of effect an alchemical potion made from his blood would have?"
"I'll have to get some next time."
Tang Zheng thought to himself.
Lower Fire Month, September 25th.
After more than half a month, Tang Zheng once again entered the domain of the Forest Sage King Hamsuke.
In mid-air, Tang Zheng was covered in a layer of magic power, looking down at the deep, lush forest below. With a wave of his arm, five Ogre corpses appeared in the air and then crashed heavily toward the ground.
*Bang!*
The Ogre corpses slammed into the jungle below, creating a huge crash that startled a flurry of birds and provoked the roars of Wild Beasts.
Then, he waited.
Tang Zheng's item box had been cleared of all Goblin corpses, which he had distributed to the Ogres who had worked for him earlier.
Now, his item box contained over 200 Ogre corpses.
He didn't bring the Lesser Soulhound this time. Firstly, it wouldn't be much help in the upcoming combat. Secondly, he needed the Lesser Soulhound to watch over the controlled Troll Gu.
"Charm Species" had a time limit.
He had already restocked thirty Third-Tier "Summon Angel" scrolls. He was originally supposed to be making Fourth-Tier "Summon Angel" scrolls, but to deal with the upcoming situation, he temporarily crafted a few "Charm Species" magic scrolls. He gave them to the Lesser Soulhound, instructing it to bite open a scroll and cast it again once the charm magic's effect on Troll Gu wore off.
*Rustle!*
*Swoosh!*
Sounds quickly came from the jungle below.
Floating in mid-air, Tang Zheng clearly noticed a grayish-white figure rapidly weaving through the dense jungle.
It was approaching the location of the five Ogre corpses.
*Whoosh—*
Forest Sage King Hamsuke's seemingly plump body moved with nimble speed, easily vaulting over layers of gnarled trees to arrive before the five Ogre corpses.
"Corpses?"
Forest Sage King Hamsuke stood up on its hind legs, raised a forelimb to cover its nose, and a human-like expression of disgust appeared on its face. "No wonder the disgusting smell is so strong."
"Why are there Ogre corpses here?"
Forest Sage King Hamsuke tilted its head, its eerie, glowing eyes filled with confusion in the dim jungle surroundings.
This suddenly reminded it of that human who had escaped some time ago!
He could fly!
It hated flying things the most!
*Boom!*
At that moment, the sharp sound of something slicing through the air came from above.
Forest Sage King Hamsuke raised its head to look up, but due to the thick foliage blocking its view, it saw nothing.
But the next moment!
A brilliant mana slash tore through the obscuring foliage and appeared in the Forest Sage King Hamsuke's vision.
*Bang—*
Forest Sage King Hamsuke swung a forelimb. Its five blackish-gray claws, gleaming with a metallic luster, collided with the incoming mana slash, creating a deafening roar.
An airwave erupted!
Forest Sage King Hamsuke shook its head, flicking off the broken twigs and leaves that had fallen on it, and looked up again.
The impact of the attack and the mana slash had cleared a long, narrow patch in the dense canopy above.
"It's you, you detestable human!!"
Forest Sage King Hamsuke immediately spotted Tang Zheng floating above and roared in fury.
The attack just now was clearly launched by that human!
"It blocked it that easily." Tang Zheng's eyes narrowed as he gripped the magic greatsword in his left hand.
In terms of raw strength, it was indeed a cut above Troll Gu and Demon Snake Naga.
"This makes it more interesting!" Tang Zheng's eyes focused. His body suddenly pitched forward as he shot down towards the ground.
*Boom!*
His rapidly descending figure quickly broke through the upper layer of foliage and arrived above the Forest Sage King Hamsuke.
"Fast Slash!"
Tang Zheng gripped the magic greatsword with both hands and swung it fiercely down at the Forest Sage King Hamsuke.
"This one shall kill you! I will not allow you to escape this time, you detestable human!" the Forest Sage King Hamsuke bellowed furiously, swinging its claws in response.
Thank you to book friend "Mo Xiao Wu Jiu" for the 5000 Book Currency reward!
Thank you to book friend "Jiang Feng Yu Chou" for the 1000 Book Currency reward!
(end of chapter)