Time slowly passed, and Wyden's group finally obtained five more water stones, all of which were presented to Nexus, who then used his mycelium to absorb all the water-attribute mana from the stones.
With the absorption of five water stones, his affinity with the water element rose continuously until it reached a critical point. Nexus felt like something inside him exploded, and with his control, mana was injected into a nearby Morningstar Mushroom, altering its constitution.
Soon enough, the Morningstar Mushroom was fully transformed. Nexus' water affinity was transferred to it, and with his will, the mushroom released the mana contained in its [Energy Sac]
This time, unlike the normal Morningstar Mushrooms that released a pure beam of mana, similar to the mushroom equipped with a water stone, it released a strong jet of water.
With Nexus' affinity with the water element reaching a critical state, he can now endow the energy beam that he and his mushrooms could release with it, increasing power and lethality.
At the same time, if a drought were to affect the tribe, Nexus can create water jets to supply the tribe with water.
Absorbing all twenty water stones really was not for nothing. Although the water jet of the modified mushroom was still weaker compared to the water jet that a water stone-equipped mushroom can release, the strength was still considerable.
Normal Morningstar Mushrooms can kill an early-level Transcendent, but that is provided the target was not prepared. If they were, all three water jets might need to be used for the kill.
As for a mushroom using a water stone, they can easily kill an early-level Transcendent even if the target was prepared.
For this new mushroom variant, its strength was more than the normal Morningstar Mushrooms, but still fell short compared to when using water stones.
Now, what if a modified Morningstar Mushroom even used a water stone? Perhaps a high-level Transcendent can be killed easily.
Compared to obtaining water stones, creating these modified mushrooms only requires Nexus' mana. The tribe has now gained another capable weapon.
"At this rate, I just need to modify thirty more Morningstar Mushrooms before I reach the mid-level Transcendent as well"
As of the moment, Nexus has already grown more than a hundred Morningstar Mushrooms. Both the quantity and quality of his mushrooms can help his realm advance.
If he were only to grow normal Morningstar Mushrooms, he would need two hundred to reach the mid-level. But now, that number was lessened a bit with the emergence of a superior variant of mushrooms.
"If a tribe's nymph were to obtain a water-type innate magic when reaching the Transcendent Rank, it's better if they were to assimilate with a water-attribute Morningstar Mushroom."
"Hmm, since the water stones increased my water affinity, if I absorb treasures of the other elements, can I create more mushroom variants?"
Nexus took note of this for now. Just obtaining water stones alone already requires the speed of high-level transcendents. Other elements might not be any easier.
It was better to take one step at a time.
Nexus converted a few more mushrooms and gave them to Wyden's teams to ensure their safety while they are outside.
—
After Nexus recharged the Morningstar Mushrooms of Wyden's team, the three head out of the tribe once again to catch more water stone fish.
But this time, aside from the mushrooms in their hearts, they have additional mushrooms safely stored in their pockets.
"Wyden, are you okay?" Lino can't help but ask. The Totem's favoritism was apparent.
As the tribe's chief, the nymph expected the Guardian Totem to favor Wyden more, but that was not the case.
"I am fine. Whether Rezar grows stronger than me or even if he succeeds me as the Chief, it doesn't matter. Everyone is family. His strength is our tribe's strength. It was his own fortune that he obtained the Guardian Totem's blessings. We should be happy for him" Wyden reassured them while shaking his head.
For him, it doesn't matter who will be the chief as long as the chief can help make the tribe grow. If Rezar will replace him as the chief in the future, Wyden is willing as long as he can see that Rezar is worthy.
Everyone in the tribe is family; there is no reason to be jealous of the blessings that one's family member received.
He just really hoped that the Guardian Totem and Rezar would not go down the wrong path. If that were to happen, then…
"Hmm, that's correct. It seems like we were short-sighted."
"Even though Rezar can be a bit extreme, in the end, all he thinks about is the tribe."
The two agreed, and the slowly growing negative emotions they had toward Rezar immediately vanished.
Nymphs are naturally kind, and it was easy for them to be happy for their own family member, especially when someone like Wyden was leading them.
The three continued on their way back to the river, and it didn't take long before they arrived.
They were about to dive into the water again when all three of them sensed danger.
The nymps wielded their wooden poles, intending to block the projectiles flying at them.
"Argh!!" All three nymphs groaned after the projectiles met their wooden poles.
Aside from Wyden's pole, which was enhanced with the help of his innate magic, the other two nymphs were injured.
Their wooden poles broke, and the residual energy from the projectiles landed on their chest, causing them to cough up fresh blood.
Even Wyden, who was unharmed, felt a strong impact, and his arms were numbed for a moment
"Oh? They actually survived that? Quite impressive"
From the nearby trees, a female lizardman walked out along with three more lizardmen.
The female lizardman exuded an aura belonging to a mid-level Transcendent. Of the other three lizardmen, one was even a high-level Transcendent, while the rest were also mid-level.
Seeing these four lizardmen caused the faces of Wyden's group to turn ashen.
It hasn't been that long since Sheino was attacked by lizardmen. She hasn't even recovered yet, but now, the nymphs encountered the lizardmen once more.
It seems like the lizardmen's tribe was closer than they originally thought. From the looks of it, this tribe might be more powerful than the tribe they had annihilated.
"Larrak, it seems like your magic is getting rusty. You have to train your skills more" the high-level lizardman joked, causing the female lizardman named Larrak to glare at him.
"Hmph, they were just lucky" she said with a snort.
Considering that their group consists of three mid-level Transcendent and one high-level Transcendent, they didn't take the three nymphs seriously.
After all, lizardmen are generally stronger compared to nymphs at the same level. Not to mention, they even have a high-level Transcendent with them.
"Prepare for battle" Wyden said while wielding his wooden pole. Lino and Ygro can only do the same, although their own weapons were already damaged from the sneak attack earlier.
"Hahaha, they have guts. Not even trying to run away, unlike the two nymphs we met before" another lizardman commented, causing the eyes of the nymphs to darken.
Could these four be the same lizardmen that almost killed Sheino?
If that is the case, they cannot be forgiven!
"Hahaha, let's just go ahead and capture them and force them to spill the location of their tribe. It has been a while since I got a taste of a female Butterfly Nymph" the high-level transcendent muttered while licking his lips.
It was too bad that all three nymphs they met were male. If not, he might have the chance to satisfy himself today.
"Make sure to leave that nymph to me. I like his face!" Larrak lewdly said while pointing the staff she was wielding at Wyden, causing the latter's heart to turn even colder.
With that, the three male lizardmen launched themselves at the three nymphs, thinking that this would be an easy fight.
What they didn't expect was that these nymphs are not just normal mid-level Transcendents!
Wyden and the others immediately entered their blood boil state, their aura rising and breaking through a small realm, which caught the lizardmen off guard.
What had just happened? Aren't these nymphs only at the mid-level? How come they suddenly reached a high level?
The lizardmen didn't have time to investigate as the nymphs already clashed against them. The nymphs' wooden poles met their spears, sending sparks around them.
"Hmph, their strength is just artificially inflated" the high-level lizardman said coldly as soon as he clashed against Wyden.
"So what, it's still three high-level Transcendents against your group!" Wyden replied, causing the lizardman to laugh loudly.
"Hahaha! Don't think that with your inflated realms, you can defeat us. We are not as weak and ignorant as the lizardmen tribe you annihilated!"
Wyden soon learned the difference between these lizardmen and the lizardmen he had killed before in a hard way.
The enemy suddenly exploded with more strength, sending him flying in the air.