Stone Fortress Dungeon.
The castle area was almost completely blanketed by Mycelium Carpet now, and the upper layer had also been half-covered.
As for the lower layer, though it had the richest mana, its days were clearly numbered. Lin Jun only set up observation points there—to study the dungeon’s collapse.
Meanwhile, in a hidden corner of the middle layer, burrower Pujis had dug out a secret chamber.
It could only be accessed through the fungal web tunnels. Unless someone could dig through fifty meters of solid rock, no outsider could ever find it.
The chamber was lined with Mycelium Carpet—but unlike the usual, this one was pale green.
At the center, a slender metal rod was planted—the treasure Lin Jun had scavenged from behind the gate ruins.
Made of some unknown material, it had withstood countless years with barely any damage beyond dust—and, most importantly, it was heat-resistant.
Knight No. 2 carefully placed down the 【Sunstone (Damaged)】 on the rod.
Another Puji produced the 【Sunstone (Fragment)】.After aligning the angle just right—click!
The jagged edges locked seamlessly, and in an instant, the two fused back together!
【Sunstone (Damaged)】
The name didn’t change, but the light and heat it emitted surged violently—like a miniature sun blazing in the chamber.
The Pujis scuttled back. Even with Level 8 [High-Temperature Resistance], standing too close still scorched them.
Thankfully, the metal rod held firm, supporting the Sunstone without faltering.
The pale green Carpet, bathed in radiance, greedily absorbed the sunlight and pumped torrents of mana into the network!
Just that single fragment had more than doubled output.
This one chamber now produced as much mana as half the entire Amethyst Dungeon’s Carpet harvest.
If this was only half a Sunstone… how much could a complete one generate?
And really, Lin Jun was just using it as a core for [Photosynthesis], an improvised hack of his own.
Surely the Sunstone had true functions of its own. If only he had some “artifact manual.”
He also recalled how the fragment had weakened and harmed Little Pig.
Could it be that a complete Sunstone was once the heart of some weapon—made to counter vampires?
If so… awkward. He had no intention of provoking the Empire.
Along with the Sunstone, one clone mushroom had been brought here too, tucked under Knight Puji’s cap as insurance. His true body stayed put on Amethyst’s sixth floor for safety.
The greatest credit this time, of course, went to Little Pig.
Lin Jun had considered raising blood packs for her, but she clearly had her own ideas.
“Boss! I want to grow stronger!”
Kneeling, crimson eyes burning with desire, her declaration surprised Lin Jun.
Not a bad idea, actually.
She already had many skills, but now with mana production skyrocketing, sparing some for her wasn’t an issue.
After discussing, they settled on two new skills: 【Mana Storage LV7】 and 【Petrifying Ray LV3】.
She already had Mana Storage at LV4, but her reserves were pitiful. She had once lost to Pujis simply from running out of mana.
As for petrification—it was low-level, but a deadly surprise skill. Even turning a foe’s joint to stone mid-battle could be devastating.
Lin Jun also promised to help raise its level further. With Pujis training, reaching LV5 or LV6 was no problem.
He had even thought of giving her [Photosynthesis]—but decided to experiment on other vampires first. Too valuable to waste a skill slot.
Little Pig entered the mushroom house for her “upgrade.” Meanwhile, Norris, freshly boosted with cold resistance, rushed out and leapt into his beloved Gida.
The Gida fired 【Assault Leap LV6】—vaulting two meters into the air.
But it crashed on landing, sprawling awkwardly.
Fortunately, 【Chitinous Shell LV9】 withstood it—only a few scratches.
“Not working?” Lin Jun asked.
“No no no, Boss! It’s my fault!” Norris panicked. “Too powerful! Just need practice! It’s amazing!”
“Alright, but be careful. Don’t hurt yourself. You’re a core member of the Mushroom Garden now,” Lin Jun said gravely.
“B… Boss!”
Norris froze. His nose stung, eyes watered.
Core member!
In his heart, he’d always thought himself expendable. But to Boss—he mattered!
The warmth of being valued overwhelmed him, and he choked, “I—I’ll be careful!”
Elsewhere, by Gray’s mushroom house, a plump, “zen” Puji was helping her move.
Half of her body was buried in its soft belly as she hauled out shiny objects and carried them home with joy.
It moved treasures with great care. If a single bead fell, it would stop, gently pick it up, double-check nothing was missing, then continue.
The hoard was 30% Norris’ scales, 70% cheap glass beads, plus a few real gems Lin Jun had tossed in.
Now, with all core members and valuables transferred to the safer Stone Fortress Dungeon, all that remained was to reach the core of the deep layer—only a matter of days.
Everything was going smoothly, except one thing—
The Qis escaped!
Two hunter Pujis had scoured the snowy plains, but found no trace. After days of futile search, their mana ran out and the connection was lost.
Expected, but disappointing.
In the ruins behind the gate, Lin Jun had unearthed fragments of information about the Qis—classic wall-painting lore.
Clearly, it hadn’t just appeared here by accident.
Only two incomplete murals could be pieced together:
First—A towering fortress, walls thick as mountains, besieged by an endless swarm of insects. Many were species Lin Jun recognized. Inside, tiny defenders fought desperately—some bearing non-human traits.
Second—Over a dozen giant wooden ships at sea, swarmed by sea beasts. Countless creatures, crashing waves, ships tipping toward destruction.
Did this mean the Qis commanded underwater legions too?
Perhaps. But it had escaped. No use dwelling further.