For example, if the Guardian Totem is a Fire Spirit, would the tribe dare to sacrifice water stones to it?
Due to the conflicting elements, the tribe would not do that. Even if they do, it might not provide a positive effect.
Even if Guardian Totems can gain abilities through sacrifices and faith, it was still on the premise that the Totem can actually accommodate the ability.
A Fire Spirit wouldn't be able to control water. As such, even if the tribe were to sacrifice thousands of water stones and provide an abundance of faith, the Guardian Totem still wouldn't be able to obtain a water-type ability.
Every race only has a certain type of power they can learn or obtain based on their physical body compatibility. You couldn't expect a fish to suddenly use a claw attack when it doesn't even have a claw, nor would you expect a rat to move and slither like a snake.
"I need twenty water stones. My water affinity will reach a critical point once I absorb twenty water stones" Nexus judged while absorbing the remaining water stones, only leaving behind the first stone he received.
Water might not be the most compatible element for him, but it was still highly compatible with him.
After all, even mushrooms needed water to grow. Not to mention, his original blood boil ability deals with blood, and blood contains a lot of water.
The weekly sacrifice and prayer continued for some more time before the nymphs returned to what they usually do, giving back Nexus's peace.
—-
Time passed once again, and today, the nymph Poline finally laid her eggs, although laying eggs might not be the most appropriate term.
Nature seems to still have some level of love and care for the nymphs, as laying eggs isn't exactly painful or hard for them.
Poline only felt a heat coursing through the back of her palm before the eggs popped out from it.
Just like that, she released three eggs amidst the cheering of the tribe. All of them looked at the eggs lovingly, some even began caressing the eggs; they could not wait for the tribe's newborn to emerge.
"This is indeed a world of magic. The reproduction method of these nymphs is too unscientific" Nexus mused.
Forget about the non-sexual way the nymphs make babies. Even the laying of eggs part is simply the eggs flying out from the back of the mother's palm.
Not to mention, the eggs are huge. They can definitely fit a human baby several months old. How did such large eggs even come out of a nymph's palm?
Nexus can only shake his head while watching the nymphs cover the eggs with leaves and vines to keep them warm.
Eggs needed heat for the nymphs to properly hatch. If the temperature is too low, the babies might not survive and die before they can even come out of their eggs.
"Hatch and grow up soon. I need more worshippers" Nexus muttered, a bit dissatisfied with the rate of faith generation.
The first few waves of faith gave Nexus an extended vision, but perhaps that was because he had just become a Guardian Totem. But after that, he felt that to gain more power through the faith he is absorbing would take a really, really long tim,e considering the nymphs' current population and strength.
As of the moment, the larger Nexus's mycelium network grew, the weaker the effects faith has on him.
His mycelium's range dictates the amount of mana he can absorb at a time, and with his steady growth, he is now absorbing more mana than ever before.
Compared to mana, the faith he gains from the nymphs doesn't change much. Their faith grew stronger, but still falls short compared to Nexus' own growth.
He cannot wait to have thousands of nymphs under him. By then, the faith generated should be more substantial.
Nexus was about to turn his attention back to growing mushrooms when he heard the commotion in the tribe, and he returned his gaze to them.
It turns out that six more nymphs became fertile! The butterfly tattoos on their palms appeared once again.
"I can also have babies, too!" A nymph exclaimed happily. She was both happy and envious of Poline for laying eggs and having baby nymphs soon.
But now, unexpectedly, she also became fertile and could make her own babies!
Poline's eggs were already enough to make the tribe happy, and now that six more nymphs can reproduce, the tribe became even happier.
Ever since they gained a Guardian Totem, their days have been getting better and better!
These blessings are all thanks to their gracious Guardian Totem. As such, according to the tradition of the tribe, all six nymphs decided to conceive in Nexus's presence.
"This… they don't really need to do it in front of me" Nexus sighed internally after sensing the nymphs' intention, and he couldn't help but speak to them.
"The tribe is now covered with my mycelium. The whole tribe is my territory and contains my presence. You may conceive anywhere inside the tribe" Nexus said, and the nymphs bowed at his direction after hearing his words.
He used the majority of the mana he devoured from the ten water stones to grow his territory large enough to cover the whole tribe.
As such, they don't really need to present themselves to his main body anymore.
As of the moment, things are still manageable since there are only around thirty nymphs. However, with the rate at which nymphs grow, it might not be long before their population reaches hundreds or even more than a thousand.
Nexus doesn't want them to crowd around his main body since he prefers peace.
With the nymphs obtaining Nexus' blessings, the six fertile nymphs turned to look at each other. It was a pleasant coincidence that three of them are men and three are women.
For the nymphs to reproduce, both male and female must be fertile.
Soon, the six nymphs went to each other, locking their hands together to conceive eggs.
"Wait… are those nymphs actually couples? Was there such a coincidence in this world?"
While Nexus constantly watch the tribe, he mostly doesn't bother with their personal relationship with each other as long as they are harmonious.
Aside from Poline and Erna, he didn't know that there were other nymphs that are a couple. Are all six nymphs that became fertile couples?
Does having a partner make it easier to be fertile?
A million thoughts swirled inside Nexus' mind before he was stupefied by the next thing he witnessed.
The female nymph from earlier that was envious of Poline successfully conceived an egg with a male nymph.
However, on the leaf mark at the back of her palm, there was only one egg, much to her disappointment.
The tribe is always supportive of reproduction. They are encouraged to reproduce whenever they are fertile to not miss out on the chance.
As such, this female nymph wanted to at least also have three eggs. Unfortunately, she only conceived one egg, but she was also fortunate.
The butterfly tattoo on her palm actually didn't vanish. This means that she is still fertile and she could make more eggs!
To her delight, one of the male nymphs is also still fertile. In excitement, she went to that male nymph, their fingers interlocked together.
A new leaf mark appeared on the back of her palm, and on it, two more eggs can be seen.
"T-this…" Nexus was flabbergasted. He felt like he just saw an unfortunate and poor nymph cuckolded in real time.
However, that poor nymph doesn't even look bothered. In fact, he was happy to see more eggs!
Just what the hell is wrong with the culture of these nymphs!
Curiosity ate Nexus. He wanted to know exactly what happened. Even though he witnessed things personally, he was still confused.
As such, he called for Rezar, the nymph he was the closest to. This kid's personality and temperament were much to Nexus' taste. As such, he often provided guidance and taught this young man, molding him to his preference.
Rezar immediately stopped what he was doing, and he went to the Guardian Spirit's main body and bowed his head at him.
"Your Highness, you called for me" Rezar said respectfully, and now that he was here, the Mushroom Spirit could not help but be a bit embarrassed.
If he were to ask about the personal relationship of those nymphs with each other, wouldn't he sound nosy?
He wouldn't be any different than the gossipy aunties next door. But he really is curious!
Could it be that cheating is normal to the nymphs?
As a Guardian Totem, Nexus doesn't want to lose face, and he decided to tackle the situation in a more roundabout way.
"Yes. I am pleased to see more nymphs about to be born soon" Nexus started, and Rezar's face darkened.
"I apologize, Your Highness. I will make sure that I will become fertile soon and gift you many nymphs."