Chapter 286 - 259: An Idea for Farming Shape-shifting Monsters

Chapter 286: Chapter 259: An Idea for Farming Shape-shifting Monsters

Shire had previously asked Agatha and the Mother Tree. He even tried to ask that so-called will of the forest about how exactly the Feathered Serpent Evil God had come into being.

Unfortunately, neither Agatha nor the Mother Tree could give him an answer. As for the will of the forest, it was as if it had suddenly gone deaf and mute, giving no reaction whatsoever.

’If I knew what this thing’s deal was, I might be able to find a way to deal with it.’ Shire crossed his hands over his stomach and leaned back. ’It probably has several thousand goblins over there, and who knows how many Petrifying Lizards. It’s all so tempting.’

But he was up against an Evil God, after all. Garments made from its Snake Shedding alone could allow goblins to both dive underwater and fly. That was far more potent than those Magic Scrolls. Besides, Magic Scrolls came in general-use and magic-user-only versions. In Yangjiao Town, you could only buy the ones for magic users, and they only contained the most common, unremarkable spells.

’Could I beat this Evil God into submission and make it serve me like a dog?’ Shire twiddled his thumbs as he schemed. ’After all, I have a Demon Lord backing me. Lust’s power is definitely greater than the Feathered Serpent Evil God’s, but I just don’t know if I can convince Lust to help.’

After weighing the pros and cons again and again, Shire had to abandon the idea. If that day ever came, Lust would probably help the Feathered Serpent get rid of him, then force the Feathered Serpent into a contract. From any perspective, employing the Feathered Serpent was a much better deal than employing him.

’But the current situation is also a bit of a headache.’ He frowned, his gaze focusing on the wood-carved map on the wall. ’I’ve expanded too quickly. It’s been less than three months, and I already have over 1,300 subordinates. Including the little goblins and the Fulus, this Fortress is already filled to the brim.’

He recalled when he’d first taken over the Fortress from the Heart Stealer, full of ambition. Back then, he had planned to advance slowly and steadily, thinking to "build high walls and stockpile grain." But things had moved too fast. Sometimes, opportunities even came looking for him, like the Unicorn, "Big Golden Fur," currently taking a stroll outside. It had come to him of its own accord.

’I’ll have to have One-Eyed lead some people to dig out some underground space for now.’ Shire snapped out of his thoughts, returned to his desk, and wrote down "100." ’One hundred goblins, paired with some Worker Ants and Iron Tools, should be fine. I’ll leave this Fortress alone for the time being. It is, after all, a structure from the Ancient Times. If those guys dig carelessly and cause it to collapse, it’s all over. We’ll start by digging out the underground part of the Tree-man Domain.’

The underground laboratory that belonged to the Fallen Druid Vissans had now been completely cleared out. They had even dug a tunnel that led directly to the Tree-man Region. Buck Teeth now took the tunnel directly when he led his people to give the Tree-men their "massages." Unless Adventurers intentionally trespassed into the Tree-man Region, it was very difficult to find any trace of the goblins in that area.

’I’ll expand that area and dig out more underground space. Even if my subordinates all move to the City of Ten Thousand Races in the future, that area can still be used for storage.’ Shire tapped his notebook, having tentatively assigned the personnel. ’I’ll choose some of the weaker, more timid subordinates to go over. As for the digging, with the old-timers there to teach them, it shouldn’t be too difficult.’

"Next up is the work for the old-timers." He wrote a few items in his notebook: Shape-shifting Monster breeding, preliminary herb processing, and assisting with the Red Bull Mushrooms.

These jobs required a certain degree of technical skill. In the past, Shire had guided the clan members through the processes many times, finally getting them fully practiced. He had made sure they wouldn’t be eaten by the Shape-shifting Monsters, wouldn’t mix up or ruin the herbs, and wouldn’t destroy the little goblins’ hard-won efforts. But the newly arrived goblins couldn’t be assigned to these posts directly. After all, they hadn’t been "trained." If they were rashly put on the job, they’d probably just end up as an extra meal for the Shape-shifting Monsters.

"I can only rely on the old hands for these tasks." Shire rubbed his cheeks. He knew that if he took the City of Ten Thousand Races in the future, the Fortress would certainly be converted into a full-fledged Red Bull Plantation. At the same time, as his numbers grew, breeding the Shape-shifting Monsters would also require more personnel. Fortunately, once those things turned into chests, they liked to just lie on the floor, motionless, which made them relatively low-maintenance.

’Is there a way to improve the Shape-shifting Monsters?’ He looked up at the ceiling. ’I’ve seen how humans breed cattle and horses. They always find strong males to breed with the mares and cows. Could I make the male Shape-shifting Monsters stronger?’

Shire desperately wanted the Shape-shifting Monsters to pledge their allegiance to him. That way, he could bestow the Blessing of the Evil God upon one. After it grew to twice its original size, he could then have it breed with the female Shape-shifting Monsters. He was confident this would produce a superior next generation of the creatures, and they would also yield more grease.

Unfortunately, the plan was stuck on the very first step: making the Shape-shifting Monsters pledge their allegiance. Their brains were tiny, completely incapable of understanding concepts like "I am your leader," or "You must obey me." ’This kind of ferocious creature is completely untamable. It’s nothing like Rubus. Heck, never mind a Star Realm Dog, it’s not even comparable to the big, brainless ants.’

Speaking of Rubus, he was living quite the life. He was now surrounded by seven Star Realm Dogs of various colors, all of whom appeared to be female. In fact, one of them was already pregnant with pups. Evita, the Centaur Clan Leader, had even asked Shire several times if they could have a few of the pups once they were born. Such creatures, she said, were practically essential for night patrols.

Shire had agreed without a second thought. It was just that whenever Rubus was brought up now, Agatha would grind her teeth, looking for all the world like he had stolen something from her. Shire could only offer an apologetic smile in response. Yet, this development also brought Agatha joy. After all, they had temporarily broken through the summoning barrier for creatures from the Star Realm. If they could successfully breed Star Realm Dogs in large numbers on the material plane, it would be another way of "breaking through the Boundary Wall."

As for whether the Feathered Serpent Evil God would get angry about him bestowing the Blessing of the Evil God on a Shape-shifting Monster, Shire figured it probably wouldn’t. It should be used to his antics by now.

"That settles the division of labor for the clan." Shire put down his charcoal pencil and stretched his arms high. "More people means more things we can do. Unfortunately, it also means we need more supplies and more space."

Uncle Musa had left him a large sum of money, funds for purchasing Red Bull, all paid in full. This left Shire’s coffers flush once more. He had also already told Mary to max out their production orders and get all of Yangjiao Town working. Once he conquered the Feathered Serpent Kingdom, he would be able to bind the entire economy of Yangjiao Town to his own.

"Time to go check on the guys’ training." Shire hopped off his chair, rubbed his wrists, and walked out of the stone house with his hands clasped behind his back. He then saw what looked like a dark shape in the distance, hopping rapidly between patches of shadow as it moved toward him.

"What is that?" Shire instinctively reached for the Hand Crossbow at the small of his back, but a goblin emerged from the shadows. It was Broken Tooth.

"Leader, they’re here."

"Who’s here? The Feathered Snake Goblins?"

"No. It’s a big... a big..."

"A large number of Feathered Snake Goblins?"

"No, an elephant."

"An elephant? What’s the problem?"

"It’s huge. Huge." In front of Shire, Broken Tooth stretched his arms out as far as they could go, trying to demonstrate the elephant’s size.