185: Fungus Man

Chapter 183: Shroomfolk

Soon after entering the forest, the two saw a wild wolf wandering on the path.

The wolf was in an extremely strange state: murky drool constantly flowed from its mouth, large patches of fur had fallen off its body,

Its exposed skin was an abnormal bluish-purple, and it walked with a somewhat limping gait.

These were typical signs of fungal infection.

"Before the infected completely transform into fungal creatures, they perceive the world through their original five senses," Arthur explained in a low voice. "Invisibility can prevent them from being discovered."

He lightly stepped around the wild wolf.

Xiao Lingdang nodded, and a faint glow emanated from her fingertips as she cast an invisibility spell on herself.

"I'll fly up; the view will be better from there. If there's danger, I'll imitate a bird's call."

The Pixie said, flapping her wings and flying out from under the invisibility cloak.

Fairies like Xiao Lingdang are naturally able to cast invisibility spells.

This was one of the reasons Arthur chose to bring her along.

Arthur continued forward, carefully observing his surroundings.

In fact, with a little attention, one could distinguish areas infected by fungi.

To attract large animals and convert them into hosts, these fungi often display extremely vibrant appearances.

Some appeared in an eerie bright purple, while others glowed a luminous green, forming a stark contrast with the normal vegetation in the forest.

He advanced a little further, and Xiao Lingdang, flying ahead, let out a few bird calls.

Arthur immediately stopped and waited quietly.

A moment later, Xiao Lingdang ducked back under the invisibility cloak and said, "There are two alligators in a mud pit not far ahead. I can't tell if they're infected or not."

"Also, I saw a large snake coiled around a tree trunk."

"From its appearance, it seems to have completely turned into a mushroom."

Arthur looked around and asked, "Besides this path, are there any other ways to go around?"

"Those trees on the other side, I see they are severely infected with fungi."

"Their branches are covered with thick mycelium; if we go that way, something bad might happen."

"I'll go ahead and scout again to see if there are any other passages." Xiao Lingdang said, then flew into the sky again.

Soon, she returned: "Go to the far left; there's a wetland there that looks fine."

So, Arthur changed course and walked to the far left, quickly arriving at the wetland.

As Xiao Lingdang had said, it was unusually calm here, seemingly undisturbed by the fungi.

But just as Arthur felt a flicker of doubt, three short figures suddenly appeared on the opposite bank of the wetland.

"Oh, it's those mushroom people again." Xiao Lingdang's tone held a hint of displeasure. "They're really persistent."

"These ones are different," Arthur said softly.

"Different? How are they different?"

"To me, all these mushroom people are the same."

"They are Shroomfolk," Arthur patiently explained.

Shroomfolk are creatures resembling humanoid mushrooms, typically living in underground caves filled with mold and mushrooms.

Although they also belong to the fungal kingdom, they are distinctly different from aggressive fungi.

Shroomfolk can not only communicate with people but are also not inherently evil.

"Look at that one." Arthur pointed to the smallest of the Shroomfolk.

The Pixie looked in the direction he pointed and soon noticed something unusual, "Someone bandaged it!"

A smile played on Arthur's lips: "I think the survivors from the farm must have been rescued by these Shroomfolk."

"Are you that sure?"

"Let's follow them and see; they can't see us anyway."

"Arthur, I said before, mushrooms—"

"No, Shroomfolk, like us, have normal eyesight."

The Pixie tilted her head and asked curiously, "Where do you know so many things from?"

"Could it be that you, like the Princess, have traveled to other worlds?"

"From books, little one," Arthur replied. "Knowledge is power."

As the two spoke, the Shroomfolk had already begun collecting mud from the wetland.

Arthur and Xiao Lingdang found a fallen dead tree to sit on, quietly waiting for them to finish.

"They won't work for too long," Arthur said with certainty.

"Why?"

Arthur looked up at the sky and explained, "The sun will be out soon."

"Shroomfolk hate sunlight; if they stay in the sun for too long, they will die."

"Alright, but what do they need this mud for?"

"Probably for cultivating mushrooms; wetland mud is usually quite fertile," Arthur guessed.

They didn't wait long. Lacking proper tools, the Shroomfolk could only carry the mud back with their hands.

"They look so silly, like a bunch of ants." Xiao Lingdang stuck out her tongue.

Arthur chuckled, stood up, and followed them.

After walking for a while, the two saw a cave entrance.

After the Shroomfolk entered the cave, Xiao Lingdang volunteered, "I'll go scout ahead."

Arthur nodded in agreement.

A moment later, Xiao Lingdang flew back, excitedly saying, "It's very big inside, and wide too."

"And—and there's a group of people, humans like you, not mushroom monsters."

"Though I'm curious how they manage to coexist peacefully."

"The person we're looking for is likely in there." Arthur took off his invisibility cloak. "Help me pass a message: ask if Cassandra is still alive."

"If she's alive, tell her her daughter has come to find her."

"No problem!" Xiao Lingdang said, then flew into the cave again.

Soon, voices came from inside the cave.

Although Arthur couldn't make out the exact content, he could sense that the speaker was very emotional.

Rapid footsteps grew closer, and then a woman emerged from the cave with two tall Shroomfolk.

"Who are you?" the woman asked warily. "Where is my daughter?"

Arthur calmly replied, "I guess you must be Cassandra."

"Your daughter is on the other side of the marsh."

"Ge'ertu'da, right? She commissioned us to find you."

"Us?" Cassandra frowned slightly. "How many of you are there?"

"And how did you get here?"

"The Plantation is full of Undead; there's no way you could have made it through."

"I not only passed through the Plantation but also laid your husband to rest."

"After you killed him, he possessed the scarecrow."

Hearing these words, Cassandra's face showed panic: "Who exactly are you?"

"Why—why do you know so much about my family?"

"I am the new Baron of Qingfeng Valley."

"A few days ago, I dispersed the fog and also killed Jean and Luke."

"Most of the Undead in the Plantation have been cleared."

Hearing this, Cassandra completely panicked, saying flusteredly, "This—this is impossible."

"No one can, damn it, I—I can't believe you, you might be someone sent by the Candy Family!"

"Unless I see my daughter, I will never believe it."

Arthur looked up at the position of the sun, estimated the time, and said, "You have two choices."

"Either follow me through the woods to see your daughter, or I'll go back and bring your daughter here."

"But I must warn you, the latter will take a lot of time, and the woods are very unsafe."

This will put your daughter in danger; are you willing to take that risk?

"Also, I don't plan to stay here overnight."

"So, you probably only have one choice."

The woman shook her head helplessly, "I can't leave; they won't let me go."

Arthur looked at the two Shroomfolk and said calmly, "I suppose things wouldn't be that simple."

"Alright, you two, take me to see your King."