Chapter29: Exploration

As Lei Jiu exclaimed, a cluster of over ten boulders, each with a radius of more than one meter, condensed and hovered a few meters above their heads, poised to descend. In that moment, Nangong Dian's words echoed in Lei Jiu's mind: "Warcraft are essentially magical beasts. As they evolve, their bodies grow stronger and larger to withstand elemental damage."

Before he could issue further instructions, the boulders plummeted. Just as Lei Jiu braced for impact, ten white thunderbolts struck the boulders successively. With a resounding rumble, the boulders disintegrated one by one, leaving no debris behind.

Beside him, nicotine extinguished the smoking ends of his fingers. "Thank goodness there were only ten falling rocks. My fingers barely sufficed, and there wouldn't have been time for a second round of spellcasting."

Lei Jiu blinked in bewilderment. "How did lightning shatter the boulders? And where's the wreckage?"

"These wild boars possess earth-based magic. The massive boulders that nearly flattened us were their rock-falling techniques, akin to intermediate-level spells. As for why lightning dispersed the boulders... Well, magic comprises elemental forces. When the magical cohesion is disrupted, the elements revert to their original state and disperse, leaving no debris."

"What if we hadn't fought back?"

"Failed to disrupt their magic? Impossible. These three magical beasts are mid-level, and their spells can be neutralized with a mere flick of a finger."

"Certainly... I was just curious," Lei Jiu mused, though he couldn't help but notice nicotine's use of ten fingers rather than just one.

"In fact, even without my intervention, Luo Zheng and the others could've smashed this level of rock-falling magic with their fists. But in doing so, they'd bear the brunt of the boulders' impact, allowing the wild boars to escape. With our strength, it wouldn't have been prudent to refrain from action. However, Islander, you would've become a sitting duck."

Lei Jiu chuckled wryly. "Am I to be a cake now? Your humor is chilling..."

"Indeed, if we allow ourselves such indulgence. It's just... your thoughts?"

"Lei Jiu pondered the idea of wild boar mounts, despite their unconventional nature. "Wild boar mounts?"

"In our era, there were goblinsâ€"short, intelligent creaturesâ€"who domesticated wild boars and formed organized cavalry units. However, their mounts were ordinary wild boars, lacking the strength to..."

"Goblins? Were they much shorter than humans?"

"Yes, considerably so."

Lei Jiu nodded, envisioning the logistical challenges of riding a wild boar of equal height. "I see..."

Nicotine gestured again toward the struggling wild boars, summoning ten more thunderbolts. As the roars echoed, the hopes of the wild boars were once again dashed by nicotine's lightning.

Lei Jiu found himself torn. Initially resigned, nicotine's words reignited his interest. Though wild boar cavalry seemed unconventional, their charging power, combined with their status as Warcraft, intrigued him.

"Islander, just end them. I know naught of taming wild boars, let alone monstrous ones!"

Lei Jiu observed the three big wild boars, still struggling, and the smaller ones retreating. Finally, he shook his head. "Luo Zheng, release them."

Upon hearing the order, Luo Zheng and the militiamen let go, allowing the big boars to rise and retreat. They halted dozens of meters away, grunting as they waited for the smaller boars to join them.

After their departure, Lei Jiu directed the team to resume their exploration down the mountain. In a valley, they stumbled upon Resilient Heart Ling, an herb known for its body-refining properties.

Though unable to transplant the spirit grass due to limited resources on Huanghuang Island, they left the tenacity heart lings in place, knowing they'd merge with the island in over half a month.

Further exploration led them to hematite ore on the mountainside, a valuable resource despite its current lack of necessity.

As they reached the seaside, they boarded a paddle boat to rest.

"Luo Zheng! Beginning tomorrow, you'll commence training on Island 1 until the next island merger. If you have downtime, wrestle with our new boar friends."

"Understood!" Luo Zheng accepted the order, recognizing it as valuable training. With no formal military camp, he'd need to find a suitable location for their exercises.

Nicotine glanced at Lei Jiu, discerning his unspoken determination. He refrained from comment, understanding the islander's reluctance to resort to outright slaughter.

With a brief rest, the expedition team embarked once more, rowing toward the next small island.

By evening, Lei Jiu and his party had safely returned to the island. Having explored all five remaining islands in the first chain, they found little of interest beyond the first.

While the other islands boasted resources like arable land and coal mines, they lacked the gypsum, marble, or precious metals Lei Jiu sought.

Apart from Island 1, integrating the other islands would yield little immediate benefit to Huanghuang Island. Lei Jiu contemplated the need for advanced reconnaissance to gather more information on the outer islands.

Unwilling to gamble and preferring informed decisions, Lei Jiu acknowledged the importance of intelligence-driven adventures.

Now, it was time for nicotine to prove its true worth.