Chapter 207: Shadow Tide Water Lizard
Chapter 207: Shadow Tide Water Lizard
Drip, drip—
In the dark underground, water droplets seeped from the rocks, suspended in mid-air just before hitting the ground.
A pink tongue suddenly appeared from the side, curling around the droplet and drawing it into its mouth.
This was a soft and agile tongue, with tiny bumps and sticky substances at its tip.
However, its owner was not a frog.
If someone were to hold up a torch here, they would discover that it was a Wrinkled Skink, its scales seemingly stripped away.
Due to its long-term subterranean lifestyle, its body had turned nearly transparent, allowing its internal organs to be visible without even flipping it over.
"Sssss—"
The nearly transparent lizard let out a thin, hissing sound.
From the darkness behind it, more faint footsteps echoed, belonging to dozens of its kin, all with similar transparent bodies.
These subterranean creatures were naturally Monstercraft.
However, they were not patrolling their Territory, but had instead crossed their original boundaries, advancing towards their neighbors' domain with a fierce glint in their eyes.
"Sssss—I can taste their scent in the air."
"We're close!"
"Those greedy Molefolk, just ahead!"
The hissing lizard was known as the Shadow Tide Water Lizard.
They were a species that had lived deep within the Thousand Mountain Stone Forest for generations, primarily feeding on blind fish and insects.
A year ago, their leader had fallen in an underground battle.
Without their Fifth Stage leader, life underground became much more challenging, and even their normal migration patterns were disrupted.
After lurking in the area for a while, they finally got their chance a month ago.
The Molefolk, who had originally inhabited this area, had a leader whose strength was close to the peak of the Fifth Stage. However, in an attempt to advance to the Sixth Stage, they lost their life.
This was an opportunity for the Shadow Tide Water Lizards.
Both groups had lost their leaders, and if they could quickly initiate a battle and seize the other's Territory, they could settle in and accelerate the birth of a new leader.
Thinking this, the leading Shadow Tide Water Lizard's heart swelled with excitement:
"They've occupied Three Pillar Lake for too long; it's time for them to make way."
"We're almost there, we're almost there!"
"We must give birth to a new leader as soon as possible!"
In the dark underworld, the Shadow Tide Water Lizards advanced swiftly.
Due to the geological structure, the underground space of the Thousand Mountain Stone Forest was filled with numerous tunnels and caverns. Before long, they arrived at the Molefolk's Territory.
However, one final step remained.
A thick earthen wall separated the Molefolk's Lair from the external tunnels. This was the last obstacle to overcome before launching their attack.
"Sssss—"
"Dig through it, charge in, kill!"
The leading Shadow Tide Water Lizards immediately pressed themselves against the earthen wall.
Having adapted to the underground environment, they possessed a unique organ—a webbed claw.
This claw allowed them to swim quickly through water and, if faced with obstructing soil or small rocks, could easily clear a path.
Scratching sounds filled the darkness as the Shadow Tide Water Lizards moved rapidly, their webbed claws excavating the earth with each strike.
The digging sounds were dense and rapid.
In the blink of an eye, the Shadow Tide Water Lizards managed to dig a small hole through the wall. After their kin behind them cleared away the excess dirt, they broke through the wall in just a moment.
"Squeak?"
On the other side of the earthen wall, a young molefolk stood.
In the vicinity of Three Pillar Lake, the molefolk had always been the most powerful clan.
This young one, completely unaware of the leader's demise, didn't realize what it meant for their clan. So, upon sensing the sound of digging in the soil...
Instead of thinking about potential danger, it approached with the laxity of its past life, curious to see what was happening.
"Hiss!"
In an instant, a pink tongue coated in mucus wrapped around the young molefolk.
An irresistible force pulled it towards the mouth of a Shadow Tide Water Lizard, and then, with a few careless smacks of its toothless mouth, the young molefolk was swallowed alive.
The Shadow Tide Water Lizard that had swallowed the baby molefolk whole spoke:
"Kill!"
"Kill them all, this is ours!"
Dozens of Shadow Tide Water Lizards surged forward in unison.
They entered in single file, invading the molefolk's lair, and slaughtered every living creature they saw.
Molefolk, these magical beasts, primarily possessed agile movements and resilient fur, and attacked enemies with their exceptionally sharp claws and teeth. Only upon reaching the third and fourth stages and beyond would they begin to acquire the ability to manipulate soil and rock.
In the current molefolk population, this ability was only possessed by a few exceptional individuals.
In contrast, the Shadow Tide Water Lizards, after a year of tough survival, were now the elite of the elite.
When such a group suddenly launched an attack on the molefolk...
The battle was almost one-sided.
Wherever the Shadow Tide Water Lizards went, all molefolk were slaughtered.
The younger and smaller molefolk were swallowed whole, while the larger ones were overwhelmed and torn to pieces while still alive.
After a few more minutes...
The molefolk guards who were originally on sentry duty above ground also noticed the anomaly in the underground lair.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, they all returned beneath the surface.
However, after a few minutes of carnage, the Shadow Tide Water Lizards had occupied most of the advantageous terrain in the lair, and these guards, who were supposed to protect the lair, became the ones who needed to conquer it.
The molefolk who were ambushed suffered heavy losses.
In the face of a one-sided battle, one Shadow Tide Water Lizard sensed a problem.
Molefolk indeed assigned guards to protect the upper lair.
But in the underground of Thousand Mountain Stone Forest, there should also be molefolk responsible for security.
But as they launched their attack, these molefolk guards mostly gathered above the lair, as if guarding against some unknown threat.
"Ssssss—"
"Something on the surface?"
One Shadow Tide Water Lizard felt uneasy.
Although the area around Three Pillar Lake was occupied by underground races, the most valuable asset was still the lake itself on the surface.
If something happened there...
Their plan to quickly produce a new leader would be in trouble!
And they couldn't quickly gain the protection of a powerful being.
Even if they could occupy the molefolk's territory, their future wouldn't have a favorable outcome.
The best-case scenario...
Would be to hide and escape in the underground of Thousand Mountain Stone Forest, just like they had for the past year.
"No!"
"We must eliminate the threat!"
This Shadow Tide Water Lizard sensed the problem.
It immediately hissed a few times, calling several of its kin with decent combat prowess.
Then, they forced their way through the battle zone, climbing from a damp hillock to the surface.
"Sssss?"
The Shadow Tide Water Lizard couldn't comprehend the sight before them.
Because there were no other magical beasts vying for the territory.
Instead, two humans, a man and a woman, stood there, staring at them with bewilderment.
(End of Chapter)
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