Mushroom Lord in the Underground City

Chapter 692: Chapter 681: Supreme Mushroom Tasting Festival

The day after the victory celebration, the dwarves were set to depart; in fact, they had spent much less time in the Northern Territory than they initially planned.

Firstly, the war ended too quickly. Once the Imperial Army fell to a disadvantage, the relentless pursuit tactics of Fungus Castle made it impossible for them to reassemble any effective combat forces, and the final battle decided the victory.

Secondly, there were no wounded delaying the departure—either they died straightforwardly on the battlefield, or they were sprinkled with spores by the Pukis and bounced back to life within two or three days.

However, upon leaving, besides the war trophies and a few cans of Level 10 Delicious mushroom wine, they took another item—the latest combat puppet produced by the Fungus Castle forging factory.

Thanks to the efforts of Mark, Tolin, and those advanced dwarf craftsmen who later joined, the first combat puppet was successfully recreated, with performance meeting standards, thus proving the project’s value.

Combat puppet technology was a cooperative project between Fungus Castle and the Mountains, allowing the dwarves to take the sample back, naturally hoping they would increase investment and send more master craftsmen.

Overall, the cooperation with the dwarves was joyful for both hosts and guests, at least before they realized the real issue with the mycelium.

With the celebration over, Fungus Castle resumed operations.

A large number of prisoners were parasitized and thrown into the labor reform camp, where Lin Jun would strive to transform every demon into a qualified Mushroom Garden warrior.

For those truly determined not to change, Lin Jun could teach them according to their aptitude and send them to suitable places.

Notably, among the soldiers in Fungus Castle responsible for commanding and supervising them, many had gathered contribution points and graduated from here, making it easy for them to manage these younger generations.

The busiest after the war was Xing Huo.

A mountain of demon cores waited for him to take to the cradle to transform them into new mushroom races.

Every day upon waking was a newborn ceremony, and from morning till night, Lin Jun was ready to transform him into a Puki if he suddenly dropped dead.

Little Pig kept hiding in the command room, reviewing battles and researching new Puki tactics.

Of course, also pouring blood into the mouth of the statue in the command room every day.

Today, however, all core members were called by Lin Jun to a meeting in the underground city’s deep area—Absolute Mushroom was fully grown.

Originally just one mushroom, with the extensive infusion of magic power, it eventually branched into three mushrooms, sitting on an oversized plate in front of everyone.

In fact, Absolute Mushroom had grown at the start of the war.

However, as the fruit of Lin Jun’s levelless skill earned entirely through his own power, he didn’t want its first appearance to be too hasty.

This honor, he wouldn’t keep to himself!

Looking at the three eerie green mushrooms, continuously emitting tendrils of white steam, everyone was somewhat silent.

Only Xiao Hai, clutching his new gemstone, drooling and staring intensely at the mushrooms, looking eager to eat them.

Marshal Puki stood on the long table, pacing along the edge, his bright red cape dragging behind him.

He walked up to Little Pig: "What’s wrong? Everyone says it’s the upgraded version of Delicious Mushroom, doesn’t anyone want to try it first?"

Little Pig sat upright, staring straight ahead: "If the boss orders it."

"What are you talking about, I’d never force anyone! You’re so rigid." Marshal Puki shook his mushroom cap, approaching Norris, placing a mycelium tentacle on his shoulder, "Well, Little Norris, want to give it a try?"

Norris shrank his neck: "Boss, that mushroom is green..."

Living in the Mushroom Garden for so long, green = hallucinogenic poison was basic knowledge.

"Cowardly, that’s why you’re still single." Marshal Puki walked away, much to Norris’s relief.

[Indeed, cowardly!]

[If I had a mouth, I would’ve snatched it away. Little No, you’re questioning the boss’s judgment!]

Pink Puki looked around, just about to raise his hand, but was quietly held down by Edin, who was relaxing with his eyes closed.

He still had to bring Inanna back intact, otherwise an already displeased Alama might overreact.

Then there’s Ming, who quickly raised his hand after hearing the boss call Norris cowardly.

Marshal Puki quickly approached him: "Good, good, good, not to disappoint me, Ming, you’re braver than that tailless lizard!"

Even while being rubbed on the head, Ming didn’t forget to make excuses for Norris: "Hehehe, Brother Norris is just being cautious!"

Ultimately, the three Absolute Mushrooms went to Xiao Hai, Ming, and Old Dylan.

Old Dylan purely wanted to make a splash and find some presence after his long retirement, attending this rare employee meeting.

Besides, he was genuinely curious about what "better than Delicious Level 10" would be like.

No more than delicious enough to wriggle on the floor, it’s not like he’d grow three heads and six arms.

Having seen plenty of moments of losing composure due to eating Delicious Mushrooms as Puki’s House owner, he was no longer like the young Norris, caring about face; he could afford to lose a bit.

So, after receiving the Absolute Mushroom first, Dylan didn’t hesitate much and ate it in one bite.

"Oooh~~~!!!"

Thick white fog sprayed from all over his skin, not harming Dylan but instantly blowing up all his clothes, leaving not even underwear.

It was the massive magic power consumed during the growth of the Absolute Mushroom, compressed to an extreme form.

However, Old Dylan was too busy to feel embarrassed. His consciousness had been taken to a real and beautiful illusion realm by the Absolute.

Not only that, but when the dense white magic, erupting from his body, enveloped the entire cavern, everyone in attendance fell into it together.

Little Pig, Edin, Hunting, and others immediately became alert, but soon they found this illusion realm, though real, wasn’t dangerous.

In a room not large and slightly plain, young Dylan was bandaging the wound of a small crying girl whose palm was bleeding, while admonishing:

"I told you not to touch Daddy’s sword, luckily it’s just a cut!"

"Sigh... I don’t know if it will leave a scar..."

The scene then changed, young Dylan handed a wooden sword to the slightly older girl.

The girl’s eyes brightened while looking at the wooden sword: "I love Papa the most!"

The scene changed again, and the girl had grown to look like Bella, whom Lin Jun had seen once.

She had a real sword tucked at her waist, dressed as an adventurer.

"Father, then I shall set out."

...

Dylan’s emotions within this illusion affecting everyone were far stronger than the mutual perception of emotions in the Fungal Network, subtly eliciting resonance among them.

However, others reacted differently.

Pink Puki cried profusely, muttering "old man."

Next to him, Edin was clearly moved, but restrained his emotions.

Norris looked conflicted, his gambling father left more hardship than warmth.

While Little Pig, Xiao Hai, Hunting, and Xing Huo were expressionless, seemingly unaffected.

Lin Jun himself didn’t feel anything special.

The expelled white fog was thinning, and the scene began to blur.

Just as Lin Jun thought it was ending, the illusion, akin to a revolving lantern, changed once more.

"Boss, you also eat!"

It was the scene where Bianca, a Puki’s House employee, smiled and pushed a cake to Old Dylan.

The white fog completely vanished, ending everything, saturating the surrounding area with rich magic power.

Others detached from the scene, but the source, Dylan’s inner self and body exposed to everyone, was still lying on the ground murmuring Bianca and Bella’s names, dazed.

Gulp——

Ming looked at the Absolute Mushroom in front of him, casting a pleading look at Norris.

Norris, also not wanting to streak, stared at the blank pages of the Yellow-covered Book, unsure of what he was looking at.

Xiao Hai hadn’t thought of any of it, grabbed the magic-packed Absolute Mushroom, and stuffed it into his mouth without hesitation.

Then everyone in the illusion saw Xiao Hai sleeping on Bright Crystal, eating Delicious No. 7 voluntarily wriggling into his mouth’s mundane day...