Lin Jun felt quite impressed by this Demon Tribe.
Perhaps because they've lived for long in the harsh, cold Far North, far from the Continent's conflicts, these demons' thoughts appear much purer than others.
Just like this ti when trading Demon Cores, Shou suggested that the present tribespeople use their Contribution Points collectively.
Among humans, soone would probably jump out and question, "Why don't those who aren't present have to use Contribution Points?"
But the demons didn't.
Most demons have an awareness that the tribe is more important than the individual, which may be why they've survived in the Far North.
anwhile, the harsh environnt of the Far North has made the demons both easily satisfied and incredibly tenacious.
To them, eating enough mushrooms is a good day; being able to connect with the Fungal Mat and feel its magic-filled warmth is an imnse happiness; and now, having the opportunity to retrieve a Demon Core from a deceased tribesperson is incredible luck!
In terms of labor, whether it's diving deep into the mines with Puki to extract Demon Crystals, or patrolling and clearing Demons in the slightly hot caves, they do these tedious and hard tasks without complaint, even with a sense of solid satisfaction.
Simply put, they have low labor costs, are hardworking, and have excellent individual quality—in Lin Jun's eyes, they're the perfect… well, employees.
Lin Jun is now practically in a honeymoon phase with these demons, and with the successful redemption of the first Demon Core, this harmony has taken a big step forward.
Now, about one-sixth of the tribe's mbers are connected to the Fungal Network, becoming Lin Jun's "official employees."
In Lin Jun's secret treasure trove, there still lie thirty-two Demon Cores belonging to deceased demons, a number Lin Jun was upfront about from the start.
To redeem the Demon Cores, given the current rate of accumulating Contribution Points, it'll either take a year or two to slowly save up, or more tribesn will need to "work."
But no matter the route chosen, the endpoint is clear: the entire Demon Tribe will eventually integrate entirely into Lin Jun's system.
The only difference is that the process might vary slightly.
Thus, even though the demons are still cautiously guarding their last boundary, intentionally avoiding ntioning their tribe's most core "cradle" in front of Lin Jun, Lin Jun isn't in the least bit anxious about it.
The demons need ti to digest and accept this inevitable future.
The more harmonious and amicable the relations, the smaller the shock to the demons' hearts when they finally accept this outco.
Lin Jun now has all the patience in the world.
Previously, he was spun around by the survival crisis of the Underground City, like a top spinning uncontrollably at high speed.
Now having control of the Underground City and a stable rear base, Lin Jun's mindset has beco increasingly calm.
The conclusion is already set; whether the demons accept it sooner or later, as long as they're happy, it's fine.
-----------------
While Lin Jun remains unhurried, soone not far from the Purple Crystal Dungeon is already in a frenzy.
Eleven days have passed since humans evacuated.
The camp was set up twelve miles away from the Underground City, with most townsfolk and wealthy adventurers fleeing to nearby cities, leaving behind a majority of haggard-looking refugees.
"How's the situation at the Underground City?" In a simple tent, Fa'er asked Edin, who was holding a crystal tool.
"It hasn't collapsed yet, but I checked the first layer, and it's filled with spatial rifts," Edin answered, slightly weary.
"You've been working hard recently."
"It's just my duty."
After Edin disappeared beyond the curtain, Fa'er sighed heavily before turning to Mira Belle, who was equally worried, "How long can the camp's food supply last?"
Mira Belle frowned, "Chairman Fa'er, with the current scale, we can supply for seven days, but realistically, new refugees are joining the camp daily, and four days might be the limit..."
Gathering so many refugees and suddenly stopping the food supply would cause significant problems, far worse than letting them scatter and starve elsewhere!
"Can't we ask the... Grand Chairman for help?" Mira Belle tentatively asked, her voice soft as a mosquito.
Fa'er gave her a glance, and Mira Belle imdiately fell silent.
A letter was pushed in front of her by Fa'er: "I've asked, but he can't spare any food."
Mira Belle quickly skimd the letter and exclaid quietly, "War? The army took the prioritized supplies?! What, what now?"
Lillian stayed silent, rely helping Fa'er massage the bulging veins on his temples.
Fa'er closed his eyes, pondering for a long ti: "Three days... if the Underground City hasn't collapsed by then, take a risk... send so people in to collect mushrooms."
After making the decision, Fa'er waved away the worried Mira Belle, finally picking up the bowl of cold at porridge on the table.
He quickly ate the whole bowl and smacked his lips.
"So awful..."
-----------------
Deep in the mountains next to the temporary camp.
An arrow shot through the forest, precisely embedding itself in a wild boar's neck.
"Great, we have at to eat!" Fei Ling quietly cheered, holding the bow, her excitent unmistakable.
Food at the camp was gradually running out, and it was evident to anyone. Vera decided to hunt in the mountains to help the refugees, or at the very least, reduce so of the camp's burden.
Vera instinctively glanced at the Elf beside him; since they left the Underground City area, this Elf seed in no rush to return to the forest and naturally remained with the group.
"Sirean," Vera spoke with so hesitation, "I heard Druids... don't like others eating at?"
"That's a rumor..." Fei Yin quickly whispered as a reminder.
The Elf, hearing this, smiled gently and waved his hand calmly: "That's right, it's a rumor. Not only do I not dislike it, but as a Druid, I also eat at. In fact, I haven't had at in days and feel like I can't stand up anymore! What we oppose is the needless slaughter beyond survival needs."
"I see!" Vera and Fei Ling exchanged glances, unlocking a new piece of knowledge.
With the wild boar hunted, they didn't head back down the mountain but continued climbing upward, reaching a spot where a clear mountain stream gathered into a quiet pool among the rocks.
Vera pointed to the pool and said to Sirean, "This is it. Bathing here is much better than squeezing in that murky camp lake."
Sirean looked around and nodded in agreent; the camp's lake was crowded and the quality of the water couldn't compare to this mountain spring.
Vera picked up the heavy wild boar: "You three go ahead and wash, I'll handle this guy downstream."
Fei Ling and Fei Yin imdiately cheered, eagerly starting to undo the buckles of their gear, worn for more than half a month and covered in dust and sweat stains.
"Hmm?" Vera stopped, surprised, "You're not washing?"
"Of course, I am," Sirean replied bluntly.
"Then... why not with them?" Vera gestured to the poolside, where the twins had already kicked off their shoes and started testing the water.
The Elf looked troubled: "Even if we're of different races, bathing with the opposite sex..."
Vera looked at Sirean's delicate face: "Huh?"
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