55: Chapter 55 Wetland Predation

Lin Muchen focused his consciousness within his Dantian, staring at that newly formed Wetland.

"System, this 72% stability looks okay, but it feels like it's lacking something."

[Analyzing...]

[Wetland Ecological Monitoring (Elementary)]

[Number of Species: 12/12 (Met)]

[Food Chain Structure: Basic (Plants → Primary Consumers → Intermediate Consumers)]

[Deficiency: Apex Predator.]

[Stability Assessment: 72% (Medium-Low).]

[Energy Flow: Weak closed loop, inefficient.]

[Core Issue: Lack of an Apex Predator to regulate population numbers. The Ecological Chain is top-heavy and prone to imbalance.]

[Suggestion: Introduce an Apex Predator suited for the Wetland environment, such as a Second-Order Demonic Beast 'Swamp Crocodile'.]

"Swamp Crocodile?" Lin Muchen grinned, "What a coincidence, I just dealt with some last time at Blackwater Swamp."

[The Second-Order Swamp Crocodile meets the criteria for a Wetland Apex Predator.]

[Length: 3-4 meters. Thick, tough hide. Excels at ambushing. Preys on Marsh Frogs, Water Snakes, and small to medium-sized fish.]

[Recommended Action: Proceed to the marked location in the rear mountain's Blackwater Swamp to hunt an adult Swamp Crocodile.]

[The System will extract its Life Data to exchange for a 'Swamp Crocodile Egg' to be introduced into the Origin Star.]

[Estimated Cost: The hunting operation requires basic preparations (Miasma Ward Talisman, antidote pills), approximately 35 points.]

[Exchanging for a 'Swamp Crocodile Egg' requires 300 points.]

[Current points Balance: 199 points.]

[Shortfall: 136 points.]

Lin Muchen stroked his chin.

"199 points, not enough."

"Hunt first, secure the crocodile. points... completing the mission should cover the rest."

He withdrew from Internal observation and opened his eyes.

"System, bring up the map of Blackwater Swamp from last time, mark the areas where Second-Order Swamp Crocodiles are most likely to appear."

[Loading map...]

[Marking complete: Three potential nesting areas identified. The 'Deep Water Pool' area has the highest Spiritual Qi concentration and the greatest probability (approx. 65%) of a Second-Order Swamp Crocodile appearing.]

[Risk Warning: The Deep Water Pool is located deep within the swamp, with high miasma concentration. Multiple Swamp Crocodiles may gather there.]

"That's the one."

Lin Muchen rolled off the bed and headed straight out the door.

The Mission Hall wasn't crowded today. He squeezed to the bulletin board and gave it a quick scan.

"System, scan for any high-point missions near Blackwater Swamp, ones that are on the way."

[Scanning...]

[Mission 'Ding 192': Collect ten 'Poisonous Mist Flowers'.]

[Location: Deep within the rear mountain's Blackwater Swamp.]

[Reward: 350 contribution points, four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.]

[System-converted points: Approximately 650 points.]

[Mission Analysis: Poisonous Mist Flowers grow in areas of intense miasma and can be used to refine antidote pills.]

[Collection points partially overlap with the Deep Water Pool area.]

[Risk: Miasma toxicity is strong, requiring continuous activation of the Miasma Ward Talisman.]

"I'll take it!"

Lin Muchen reached out and peeled off the dark green mission paper.

The Registration Deacon looked up at him. "Blackwater Swamp again? Didn't you get enough trouble last time?"

"Got lucky." Lin Muchen smiled.

"Alright, mission duration is three days." The Registration Deacon finished the entry and handed him the token. "Be careful this time. Word is it's not peaceful deep in the swamp."

"Thanks."

Lin Muchen took the token and left without turning back.

Exiting the Sect, he headed straight for the southern side of the rear mountain.

On the way, he opened the System store.

"The usual, Miasma Ward Talisman, antidote pills."

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 35 points.]

[Current points Balance: 164 points.]

[Items issued: Miasma Ward Talisman (Elementary) x1, Basic Antidote Pill x1 bottle.]

He stuck the talisman inside his robe and tucked the pill bottle into his chest, then channeled spiritual power.

That faint, glowing membrane once again covered his body.

Two hours later, the familiar scent of mud and decay hit his face.

Blackwater Swamp had arrived.

"System, navigate to the Deep Water Pool, avoid known First-Order crocodile nests."

[Navigation activated.]

[Route planned. Estimated travel time: forty minutes.]

[Continuously scanning environment...]

Lin Muchen stepped into the muddy water. Following the pale blue path line that appeared before his eyes, he trudged in, one heavy step after another.

The deeper he went, the thicker the miasma became.

The Miasma Ward Talisman's light membrane flickered faintly, barely holding on.

The surroundings grew increasingly desolate.

Twisted, dead trees, murky puddles, and the occasional glimpse of one or two Water Snakes swiftly swimming past.

"We're here."

Lin Muchen stopped.

Ahead was a massive pool, its water surface a dark green, bottomless.

The pool's edge was piled with dead branches and sludge. The stench in the air was thick and suffocating.

"System, scan."

[Scanning...]

[Detected Spiritual Qi fluctuations of large reptilian creatures. Quantity: Three.]

[Locations: Two lurking at the bottom of the pool, one concealed in the mud at the pool's edge.]

[Targets confirmed: Second-Order Yao Beast 'Swamp Crocodile', length 3.5-4 meters.]

[Warning: The three Swamp Crocodiles are positioned in a triangular formation, supporting each other. Attacking one may trigger a group assault.]

[Suggestion: Use the Natural Affinity talent to disrupt their judgment, divide the battlefield, and defeat them one by one.]

"Three of them..." Lin Muchen licked his lips. "A bit tricky."

He activated his Natural Affinity talent, slowly spreading his perception outwards.

Three distinct, cold, murderous, and fiercely territorial emotions emanated from three directions.

The two at the bottom of the pool were relatively calm, as if sleeping.

The one in the mud at the edge was more active, seemingly on alert.

"Take out the awake one first."

Lin Muchen slowly approached the pool's edge, stopping about twenty meters from the lurking crocodile.

He pulled out a piece of leftover beast meat, produced by the Origin Star, from his Storage Pouch.

This meat contained faint spiritual energy, attractive to Yao Beasts.

He threw the meat onto the muddy ground, then retreated ten meters, holding his breath.

The mud shifted slightly.

A pair of cold, yellow eyes peered out from a crack in the mud, fixed on the meat.

A few seconds of hesitation.

*Splash!*

Mud exploded as a giant Swamp Crocodile, a full four meters long, charged out. It swallowed the meat in one gulp, then sharply turned its head towards Lin Muchen's direction.

It had sensed the presence of this "two-legged creature."

But... something felt odd.

This "two-legged creature" carried a scent that made its very Bloodline tremble faintly.

Like facing a higher-level existence, or perhaps facing the swamp itself?

Seizing the moment, Lin Muchen pushed his Natural Affinity to the maximum, blending it with the imposing aura of the Five Elements Cycle, and pressed it all down upon the creature.

The crocodile's charge faltered.

A flicker of confusion passed through its cold, yellow eyes.

In that split second.

Lin Muchen moved.

His speed surged. The spiritual power of the ninth layer of the Qi Refinement Stage was fully unleashed. The star dagger appeared in his palm, starlight coalescing.

Target: The crocodile's relatively vulnerable eyes!

The crocodile instinctively closed its eyes. Simultaneously, its thick tail swept violently across, splattering mud and water everywhere!

Lin Muchen had anticipated this. Pushing off with his feet, he leaped into the air, avoiding the tail. As he did, his wrist twisted.

The dagger didn't aim for the eyes.

Instead, it slid downwards, piercing precisely into the small gap connecting the crocodile's neck to its body!

*Thud!*

The dagger sank to the hilt!

"Roar——!"

The Swamp Crocodile let out a piercing shriek, thrashing wildly, blood gushing out.

But Lin Muchen held the dagger firmly. Using the momentum, he swung his body, flipped, and landed on its back. His other hand formed a fist, energy from the Five Elements Cycle gathering upon it.

The Fire Attribute Node lit up!

"Fire overcomes Wood. No matter how thick your hide, you're still of the Water-Wood element!"

He punched down!

His fist glowed with a crimson light, smashing onto the back of the crocodile's skull.

*Sizzle——!*

A smell of scorching flesh rose.

The crocodile's struggles instantly weakened by half.

Lin Muchen seized the chance to pull out the dagger and stabbed again, finishing the vital strike.

[Successfully killed Second-Order Yao Beast 'Swamp Crocodile'.]

[Obtained Materials: Swamp Crocodile Hide (Intact) x1, Crocodile Teeth x12.]

[points Settled: +150 points.]

[Current points Balance: 164 + 150 = 314 points.]

"One down."

Lin Muchen gasped for breath, pulled out the dagger, and warily looked towards the pool.

The two crocodiles at the bottom had been disturbed by their companion's death and the scent of blood.

The water surface began to churn.

Two enormous, dark shadows slowly rose.

"System, where are the Poisonous Mist Flowers?"

[Scanning...]

[Poisonous Mist Flower growth points located on the opposite shore of the pool. Three clusters total, marked.]

[Suggestion: Collect the Poisonous Mist Flowers first, then deal with the remaining crocodiles, to avoid damaging the spiritual plants during combat.]

"Makes sense."

Lin Muchen glanced at the churning water surface; the two crocodiles hadn't fully surfaced yet.

Pushing off with his feet, his body drifted lightly across the pool's surface, landing on the opposite shore.

Three clusters of purplish-black flowers grew in the mud, faint poisonous mist swirling around their petals.

"That's them."

He quickly gathered them, obtaining ten Poisonous Mist Flowers.

[Collected 'Poisonous Mist Flower' x10.]

[Mission 'Collect Ten Poisonous Mist Flowers' completed!]

[points converted: +650 points (estimated).]

"Excellent!"

Just as Lin Muchen finished storing the flowers.

*BOOM!*

The water surface behind him erupted violently!

Two even larger Swamp Crocodiles burst out simultaneously. Their cold eyes locked onto him, boiling with killing intent.

"Two against one?" Lin Muchen smiled. "Perfect, time to try a new move."

He circulated his Cultivation Technique. Five points of light within his Dantian simultaneously brightened.

The Five Elements Cycle, mutually generating and flowing.

A pure, potent energy, carrying the aura of the Five Elements rotation, surged through his Meridians towards the star dagger.

The starlight on the dagger instantly transformed into a flowing, multicolored light.

"Come on!"

Instead of retreating, Lin Muchen charged forward, meeting the two crocodiles head-on.

His Natural Affinity talent was fully active. The aura, mixed with the imposing pressure of the Five Elements, spread out like a large net enveloping the crocodiles.

The two crocodiles' charge faltered once again.

In that moment of hesitation.

Lin Muchen was already upon them.

The dagger traced a multicolored arc.

*Thud! Thud!*

Two muffled sounds.

Blood blossomed simultaneously from the necks of the two crocodiles.

The energy of the Five Elements rotation directly tore through their tough hides and muscles.

[Successfully killed Second-Order Yao Beast 'Swamp Crocodile' x2.]

[Obtained Materials: Swamp Crocodile Hide (Intact) x2, Crocodile Teeth x24.]

[points Settled: +300 points.]

[Current points Balance: 314 + 300 = 614 points.]

"Done."

Lin Muchen flicked the blood off his dagger and looked at the System panel.

614 points, plus the mission reward of 650, totaling 1264 points.

Enough.

"System, extract the Life Data from these three Swamp Crocodiles, exchange for a 'Swamp Crocodile Egg'."

[Extracting data...]

[Extraction complete.]

[Exchanging for 'Swamp Crocodile Egg' (can hatch into a juvenile Swamp Crocodile), consuming 300 points.]

[Exchange successful.]

[Current points Balance: 614 - 300 = 314 points.]

[Item issued: Swamp Crocodile Egg x1.]

"Introduce it into the deep water area of the Origin Star's Wetland."

With a thought from Lin Muchen.

That mottled crocodile egg appeared in the deep water area of the newborn swamp on the Origin Star's Wetland, slowly sinking to the bottom.

[Swamp Crocodile Egg successfully deployed.]

[Hatching countdown: 72 hours (Origin Star time).]

[Wetland Ecological Monitoring updated...]

[Apex Predator introduced.]

[Food chain structure perfected: Plants → Primary Consumers → Intermediate Consumers → Apex Consumers.]

[Ecological Stability Assessment: 72% → 85%.]

[Energy Flow: Formed a complete closed loop, efficiency increased.]

[Note: Wetland ecosystem is now perfected.]

"Good!" Lin Muchen grinned broadly.

"System, exchange for two more forest species, get the forest ecology up to standard too."

[Scanning for forest species deficiencies...]

[Current forest species count: 10/12, lacking 2 species.]

[Recommended exchange: 'Ironwood Sapling' (40 points/sapling), 'Night Bat' (30 points/pair).]

[Total cost: 70 points.]

[Post-exchange forest species count will meet standard (12/12).]

"Buy!"

[Exchange successful.]

[points consumed: 70 points.]

[Current points Balance: 314 - 70 = 244 points.]

[Items issued: Ironwood Sapling x1, Night Bat (1 pair).]

Lin Muchen placed the sapling in a clearing in the Origin Star's forest and tossed the bats into a tree hollow.

[forest species count updated: 12/12 (Met).]

[Forest ecosystem perfected.]

[Long-term Ecological Mission Three progress updated: 5/5 (Completed).]

[Mission Three 'Establish Five Ecosystems' completed!]

[Calculating rewards...]

[Reward points: +1000 points.]

[New permission unlocked: 'Ecological Regulation' (Elementary).]

[Current points Balance: 244 + 1000 = 1244 points.]

"Awesome!"

Lin Muchen's eyes lit up.

A thousand points acquired, plus a new permission unlocked.

"System, what's 'Ecological Regulation'?"

[Ecological Regulation (Elementary): Allows for basic rule adjustments to perfected ecosystems on the Origin Star.]

[Currently adjustable parameters: Time Flow Rate (local), range 1-2x.]

[Usage Limit: Each adjustment lasts 24 hours (main world time), cooldown 72 hours.]

[Note: Proper use can accelerate species evolution and improve ecological Feedback Efficiency.]

"Time flow rate!" Lin Muchen's heart raced. "This thing is amazing."

He glanced at that Wetland area on the Origin Star.

"Accelerate the Wetland, make the crocodile hatch faster?"

[Suggestion: The Wetland ecology has just been perfected, stability at 85%. Accelerating time flow may cause ecological fluctuations.]

[More stable approach: Observe for 24 hours first. Use the ability after the ecology stabilizes.]

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Lin Muchen withdrew from Internal observation and turned to head back.

This trip's gains were explosive.

Three crocodiles, ten Poisonous Mist Flowers, Wetland ecology perfected, forest ecology up to standard, Mission Three completed, new permission unlocked, and still 1244 points saved up.

A huge profit.

His steps were light. Two hours later, he returned to the Sect.

At the Mission Hall to submit the mission, the old Registration Deacon inspected the Poisonous Mist Flowers and nodded.

"Good quality. 350 contribution points, four Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Lin Muchen accepted the rewards.

[Mission 'Ding 192' completion confirmed.]

[Reward points converted: 650 points.]

[Current points Balance: 1244 + 650 = 1894 points.]

"Comfortable."

Lin Muchen turned and left the Mission Hall, heading straight back to his quarters.

He closed the door and sat down cross-legged.

His consciousness sank into his Dantian.

On the Origin Star, that Wetland breathed quietly. In the deep water area, the crocodile egg emitted faint life fluctuations.

In the forest, the newly arrived Ironwood Sapling had already begun to take root. The Night Bats made their home in the tree hollow.

All five ecosystems were now up to standard.

Feedback Efficiency...

[Detected perfection of the Origin Star's five major ecosystems. Resonance of the Five Elements Cycle enhanced.]

[Feedback Efficiency increased: 9.03% → 9.25%.]

Another increase!

Lin Muchen grinned.

He withdrew from Internal observation and opened his eyes.

"System," he suddenly asked, "can the Ecological Regulation permission be used... for example, to accelerate the time flow in the swamp area, making the crocodile hatch earlier?"

[Theoretically possible.]

[But note: Changing the time flow rate affects local ecological balance and may cause short-term food chain disruption.]

[Suggestion: Use it 12 hours before the egg's hatching to accelerate the process, while monitoring the Wetland's ecological data.]

"Understood."

Lin Muchen nodded.

He glanced at the "Ecological Regulation (Elementary)" icon on the System panel.

Then looked at his points balance.

1894 points.

"It's time to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage."

He closed his eyes and began circulating his Cultivation Technique.