NOVPUBChapter 81: Chapter 83: Polluted Life Lake_1
Chapter 81 -83: Polluted Life Lake_1
“A treasure!”
The sapling, which the tree creatures have encircled in the center of the lake, is anything but normal. The fruit growing on it must be a highly precious reward!
Lin Xun stared intently at the glowing text in the game.
[Oh indecisive Apostle, what will you do?]
[1. Having been pursued once, you seem to have lost your daring spirit. Silently reciting ‘I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything’ retreat.]
[2. Since the tree creatures are all sleeping, continue to remain invisible, boldly stride into their encirclement, swim to the middle of the small lake, and pluck the mysterious fruit from the sapling.]
[3. Remain invisible, sneak behind the baby tree creatures and use the sleeve sword to get rid of them silently. Hmm? As for the large tree creature? Perhaps the lucky coins will be effective once again.]
Lin Xun looked at the three options before him, twitched the corners of his mouth, and was left befuddled.
No matter how he saw it, these three options seemed to be painted with a bright red “trap” sign.
In his helplessness, he chose to use the process of elimination once more.
The first option was to flee, which obviously would not yield any rewards, and thus could be completely ignored.
The second option was to remain invisible and recklessly run upfront to snatch the fruit.
Though the text indicated that the tree creatures seemed to be deep in sleep and he was still invisible, directly breaking into their encirclement and grabbing the fruit might very well get him found out and lead to a peaceful death.
Having eliminated two options, only the third remained.
That was to use the special effect of the sleeve sword and take out the baby tree creatures one by one.
But as Lin Xun looked left and right, he was still hesitant about choosing the third option.
The reason was simple, his intuition told him this option was also a death trap.
With the nature of the underworld game, even if the baby tree creatures did not notice Lin Xun’s assassination, one must not forget about the massive tree creature — the Fallen Primitive Ancient Tree.
If he were to alert the Primitive Ancient Tree, he would likely get crushed to a pulp before even having the chance to swim into the lake.
Lin Xun furrowed his brow, thinking it through thoroughly.
Would directly rushing into the lake, and using the ‘Subspecies Sea Dragon pearl’ to dive underwater make him immune to the Primitive Ancient Tree’s attack?
Upon contemplating it further, he felt it was unlikely.
If the Primitive Ancient Tree simply extended its thick roots into the water, he would still be doomed.
Lin Xun opened his inventory, carefully checking each item.
His eyes suddenly fell on one particular item, a gleam of realization in his eyes.
That item was the ‘Bronze Whistle’ that he had frequently been using recently.
First, he could sneak up on them while still being invisible, if he could take care of the baby tree creatures without alerting them, that would be ideal.
If he doesn’t alert the tree creatures, he could proceed with his original plan, diving into the lake and picking the fruit, even if he dies after that it would be worth it.
In case he does end up alerting them, he can stay invisible and summon the Tri-headed lion.
He can divert the tree creatures by having the Tri-headed lion flee, he can then swim into the lake and acquire the mysterious fruit.
Compared to the second option, if he could take out the baby tree creatures, his chances of picking the fruit would significantly increase.
He could only hope that if he were to be discovered, the tree creatures would be sufficiently dim-witted to be tempted away by his diversionary tactic.
After weighing all his options, Lin Xun felt this plan had the highest chances of success.
Without any further hesitation, he reapplied his invisibility, pushed the third option and decided to take out the baby tree creatures first.
[You maintain your invisible state, sneaking into the encirclement of the tree creatures quietly.]
[Dozens of tree creatures have their backs to you, they are rooted near the lake’s edge, drawing nutrients from the soil.]
[You move stealthily, creeping up behind a lucky ‘Fallen Forest Tree Creature’.]
[You hold your breath, strain your ears to listen closely, their tree heart beats rhythmically and slowly within their trunk.]
[You have found their weakness, the sharp blade hidden in the sleeve within your left limb is exposed…]
[You strike at the back of the tree creature, hitting their pulsating tree heart, twisting your left limb to intensify the damage!]
[You have defeated the ‘Fallen Forest Tree Creature’, and a small amount of experience has been added.]
[The tree creature’s leaves slowly dropped down, its death was silent and did not alert other tree creatures.]
[Due to the special effect of the ‘Widow-Maker Sleeve Sword’ equipped by the Shell, you will remain hidden after successfully executing a fatal strike.]
[Would you like to continue assassinating ‘Fallen Forest Tree Creatures’?]
It seemed that these tree creatures reacted slowly, and assassination could be carried out smoothly.
Lin Xun selected ‘Yes’.
[You stealthily moved to the side and approached the back of the next ‘Fallen Forest Tree Creature’.]
…
Lin Xun methodically took down the little tree creatures one by one, keeping count in his heart.
The experience of the Dancer also kept rising, and in no time, there was good news of the Shell’s level increase.
[Power began to surge within the Shell, the ‘Fallen Ancient Theatre Dancer’ Shell has leveled up, current Shell level: 15]
Lin Xun became even more invigorated, cutting down tree creatures one after another as if harvesting leeks.
[Power began to surge within the Shell, the ‘Fallen Ancient Theatre Dancer’ Shell has leveled up, current Shell level: 16]
Just as he took out the sixty-seventh tree creature and the Dancer Shell advanced two levels to reach level 16, the game text finally changed.
[The ‘Fallen Forest Tree Creatures’ around the ‘Polluted Life Lake’ have been cleared out entirely by you.]
[Do you want to sneak into the lake silently?]
Lin Xun frowned and read the text carefully.
From the name ‘Polluted Life Lake’, it was clear that it wasn’t ordinary water.
The ‘Subspecies Sea Dragon Pearl’ could facilitate underwater breathing, but it couldn’t isolate water by itself.
Would diving into the lake bring danger, pollution, or worse?
He had come here through many hardships, and he couldn’t afford to die and go back to the Rest Page before getting the reward.
Who knows if he would be able to reach this place again if he missed this opportunity.
Just then, the game text irrupted!
[The leaves of the ‘Fallen Primitive Ancient Tree’ on the opposite side of the lake suddenly stood up straight, the trunk’s humanoid features were quickly revealed…]
The massive tree creature must have realized that the little ones had fallen and was now waking up to seek revenge for its offspring.
No time to think!
Lin Xun gritted his teeth, quickly opened the item bar and clicked on the ‘Bronze Whistle’.
[You blew the ‘Bronze Whistle’ while maintaining your stealth.]
[With the sound of a clear whistle, you summoned the robust and fierce ‘Fallen Three-Headed Lion’.]
[You can issue simple combat commands to the ‘Fallen Three-Headed Lion’.]
Without thinking, Lin Xun immediately clicked on the ‘Retreat’ command.
[The humanoid features on the trunk of the ‘Fallen Primitive Ancient Tree’ across the lake were entirely revealed.]
[With fury in its scarlet gaze from its eye hollows, it released a thunderous roar from its large trunk mouth.]
[It uprooted its countless substantial roots with a booming sound and damp soil flying, the roots twisted and formed into two massive tree feet.]
[The ‘Fallen Three-Headed Lion’ looked at you, who remained hidden, cocked its three lion heads with a complicated expression in its six eyes.]
[The lion growled lightly, then furiously fled.]
[The ‘Fallen Primitive Ancient Tree’ took a step with its massive tree foot, stepping over the ‘Polluted Life Lake’ in one stride, chasing after the pitiful beast…]
“The plan is successful!”
Lin Xun grinned, silently praying for the little lion to hold on a bit longer.
He swiftly chose the option to dive into the lake.
[You jumped into the ‘Polluted Life Lake’ while remaining in stealth…]
