The current lineup of basic monsters was complete, but they were a bit too focused on underhanded tactics.
Dalun Li decided to add another primary monster type.
Conveniently, he had added a magic tree to each of the two new floors, so materials from magic trees and regular wood were in ample supply.
Thus, Dalun Li combined the branches of great trees, Rotting Flesh Soil, and magic tree twigs.
[Decay Tree Monster]
[Level] lv16
[Skills] Vigorous Vitality lv4, Decay Attack lv3, Toxic lv3, Plant Control lv3, Decay Resistance lv3, Poison Resistance lv2, Hard Shell lv2, Leaf Dagger lv2, Mimicry lv2, Swamp Control lv1, Swordsmanship lv1
[Description] A monster servant created by the unknown existence, Dalun Li. It can disguise itself as a tree and use its branches and sharp leaves to attack. Its attacks carry potent toxins and the power of decay.
The Decay Tree Monster stood three meters tall, looking like a treant composed entirely of wood, with branches and leaves growing from its head.
Its legs were submerged in the mire, yet this did not hinder its movement in the slightest.
Dalun Li planned to create Decay Tree Monsters in large numbers to act as the primary monster of this large floor, operating in groups.
Naturally, he would need an intelligent species to lead them.
[Elite Decay Tree Elder]
[Level] lv16
[Skills] Vigorous Vitality lv5, Plant Power lv4, Growth Power lv4, Plant Growth lv3, Mimicry lv3, Stealth lv3, Plant Control lv3, Hard Shell lv3, Decay Resistance lv3, Poison Resistance lv3, Decay Breath lv3, Great Strength lv3, Toxic lv2, Plant Clone lv2
[Description] A monster servant created by the unknown existence, Dalun Li. It masters the powers of plants, life, and decay. It can transform trees into Decay Tree Monsters and create plant clones. It can also grow in place, disguising itself as a massive tree.
The Decay Tree Elder did not look much different from a regular Decay Tree Monster; in fact, it appeared slightly smaller. However, the bark on its surface was deeper in color, and its posture more closely resembled that of a human.
“I offer my eternal loyalty to you, my Master. I shall serve you forever.”
“Very well. From now on, your name shall be Brown Oak Emerald. All Decay Tree Elders will henceforth use Emerald as their surname, with their given names being a combination of a color and a plant.”
Brown Oak Emerald prostrated himself in the mud, appearing as though he were bearing an almost overwhelming honor.
Dalun Li’s decision to personally bestow names once again was also an experiment.
He wanted to see what kind of special power a true name directly granted by him would hold within the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
“I thank you for the name you have bestowed upon me, Master. I shall safeguard the glory of this name; none shall profane the radiance of this surname.”
All the monsters were now created.
Dalun Li felt there was no need to add any more.
He brought over the thief vines, patched them up, and put them back into service. The mimics were also essential.
Since there was almost no clean water on this floor, the water lurkers could also make a comeback.
Then there was the mandragora, his very first employee, whose seniority was second only to his own.
He gave them a round of enhancements before putting them to work.
However, the mandragora was already famous among adventurers, making it difficult to trick them again.
That was fine. He added a mental toxic mist to the mandragora, allowing them to unconsciously influence the adventurers' minds so they would fall for the trap again.
He truly was a genius. It was a sin, really, how he was constantly envious of the talent he had just a second ago and the talent he'd have a second from now.
Although the monster designs were finished, creating such a massive number of monsters for two consecutive floors would take a significant amount of time and power, even with Dalun Li’s current strength.
He would take it slow.
Dalun Li took out the materials, resolutely floated up from his pedestal, and began the creation process.
Only half a day into the monster creation, Dalun Li was interrupted.
It was a message from the Well of Eternal Imprisonment Learning Group.
They had fully mastered all the memories and knowledge of the fourth-rank Holy Light priest, Claude.
Dalun Li transferred himself to the learning room. The skeletal magic apprentices, who were circled around the Life Casket, began to flow a steady stream of information into him.
A vast amount of knowledge regarding holy arts poured into Dalun Li's mind.
The quality certainly didn't match the knowledge from Sophia, the previous occupant of the Life Casket, but it was still extremely precious.
The memories and knowledge of any extraordinary being were a literal treasure trove.
Knowledge of holy arts and the Holy Light was exactly what Dalun Li needed right now.
However, beyond the holy arts and Holy Light, Dalun Li also obtained some secrets regarding the Grey family.
These were secrets known only to the core members of the family.
For example, the number and effects of the Grey family's magical artifacts.
The number of ring seal stones, the number of seventh-rank vessels, and the number of angels.
Claude had personally met two of the Grey family's angels and possessed information on seven of the family's magical artifacts, one of which was a Treasure Grade magical artifact.
As for more central intelligence, even a fourth-rank priest like Claude was not qualified to know.
Much of this precious information sparked ideas in Dalun Li’s mind.
This was the true value of the Life Casket.
No wonder the Grey family had been so desperate when they lost it.
One particular piece of information Claude held instantly resolved many of Dalun Li’s doubts.
“So that’s how it is. No wonder those elves hate the Grey family so much.”
“This is truly... utterly depraved.”
They kidnapped and imprisoned primordial elves, forcing them to breed to enhance the Grey family's bloodline.
Furthermore, they used a Treasure Grade magical artifact to drain the bloodline and power of the primordial elves, forcibly increasing the success rate of reproduction.
By doing this, they also ensured the primordial elves had no chance to grow their power, keeping them permanently enslaved and suppressed.
They even resorted to backcrossing to increase the purity of the bloodline.
Even Dalun Li found it a bit disgusting.
This information was a top secret of the Grey family. They likely never imagined that their own Life Casket would eventually be used against one of their own.
And that it would squeeze every drop of information out of their own family member.
“A Treasure Grade magical artifact...”
The Treasure Grade magical artifact in Claude’s mind was the one used to suppress the primordial elves: the Holy Olive Branch.
According to Claude’s memories, the Holy Olive Branch looked like an olive branch crafted from gemstones, with three olive fruits hanging from it.
It possessed the power of plant life and reproduction.
It was precisely through the Holy Olive Branch that the Grey family drained the primordial elves' bloodline power, forcing them to produce offspring with potent bloodlines.
Primordial elves, beings born from the Root of the World Tree within the dungeon... Dalun Li was very interested.
The Treasure Grade magical artifact, the Holy Olive Branch...
Dalun Li was even more interested.
Was there a way to use these elves to get to the primordial elves and the Holy Olive Branch?
These elves seemed to have mistaken Zeno for one of their own as well.
Could he exploit that...?
However, one needed power to exploit such things. The few currently in the dungeon were of no use to Dalun Li at all.
He wouldn't worry about them for now; their greatest value was obediently generating daily activity for the dungeon.
But since these elves dared to attack the Grey family’s knight order, they likely had some sort of backing.
Perhaps there were even stronger elves behind them that could be utilized.
“Perhaps I can have Zeno go and test the waters first.”
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