Chapter 252

I almost forgot about this.

But need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes 「」 which are quotation marks. Should we keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, preserve meaning. The quotation marks are punctuation; we can translate as English quotes? Usually we would keep the meaning: "I almost forgot about this." The Chinese 「」 are like quotation marks indicating spoken or thought. We can render as "I almost forgot about this." No need to keep the Chinese quotes. We'll output English sentence.

Inside the mechanical transport warship, Su Hao patted his head, withdrew three transcendent fourth‑rank infinite cells from his storage bag, and fused them into a transcendent fifth‑rank infinite cell.

Translate: "Inside the mechanical transport warship, Su Hao patted his head, took out three portions of Supernatural Grade Fourth Rank Infinite Cells from his storage bag, and combined them into Supernatural Grade Fifth Rank Infinite Cells."

We should keep the translation of that phrase as "Inside the mechanical transport warship". Good.

If all goes well, when he returns next time, the Synthesis Heart's proficiency will reach Great Accomplishment, allowing us to perform synthesis on the Black Dragon's heart.

Translate: "If nothing unexpected happens, by the time he returns next time, the proficiency of the Synthesis Heart will be able to reach Great Accomplishment, and then he will be able to perform synthesis on the Black Dragon's heart."

The note explains that the proficiency of the Synthesis Heart translates to reaching Great Accomplishment and enabling synthesis on the Black Dragon's heart.

So during this time, it's best to duplicate the Black Dragon's heart three times for later synthesis.

Translate: "Therefore, during this period, it is best to duplicate the Black Dragon's heart into three copies for future synthesis."

However, copying a transcendent fifth‑rank Black Dragon heart cannot be done with only transcendent fourth‑rank infinite cells; we must first synthesize transcendent fifth‑rank infinite cells.

Translate: "However, to duplicate a Supernatural Grade Fifth Rank Black Dragon's heart, relying solely on Supernatural Grade Fourth Rank Infinite Cells is insufficient; one must first synthesize Supernatural Grade Fifth Rank Infinite Cells beforehand."

Then, with enough energy and corrupted flesh, we let the infinite cells self‑amplify to copy the Black Dragon's heart.

Translate: "Then, using sufficient energy and corrupted blood flesh, have the Infinite Cells undergo self-enhancement to duplicate the Black Dragon's heart."

After synthesizing the fifth‑rank infinite cells, Su Hao turned back, found Iron Lump again, sent him back to the tribe, and handed over the fifth‑rank infinite cell to Grandpa Andrew.

Translate: "After synthesizing the Fifth Rank Infinite Cells, Su Hao turned back, found Tie Geda again, had him return to the tribe, and then handed this Fifth Rank Infinite Cell over to Grandpa Andrew."

After taking the third‑rank necromancer's potion last time, Grandpa Andrew's strength has recovered to transcendent second rank and is still recovering; he will reach transcendent third rank in a few days.

Translate: "After taking the Third Rank Necromancer's Magic Potion last time, Grandpa Andrew's strength has already recovered to Supernatural Grade Second Rank, and is still continuously recovering; he will be able to recover to Supernatural Grade Third Rank in just a few days."

Therefore, Su Hao put Grandpa Andrew in charge of all blood‑and‑flesh‑related affairs at the T235 experimental base, including the hellish creatures.

Translate: "Therefore, Su Hao entrusted all blood-and-flesh-related matters in the T235 Experimental Base, including the Hellish Demonic Creatures, to Grandpa Andrew to be in charge of."

This naturally includes the propagation of corrupted flesh, as well as the proliferation and material replication of infinite cells.

Translate: "Naturally, this also includes the reproduction of corrupted blood flesh, as well as the proliferation and material replication of Infinite Cells."

After settling these matters, Su Hao left the dwarf tribe once more.

Translate: "After finishing these arrangements, Su Hao once again left the Airen Buluo."

As for today's final synthesis, Su Hao used it to synthesize demon bone shards.

Translate: "As for today's final synthesis, Su Hao used it to synthesize Demonic Shattered Bone."

The third‑rank necromancer's potion is now in hand, and the third‑rank blood mage's potion will be ready to brew shortly.

Translate: "Now the Third Rank Necromancer's Magic Potion has been obtained, and the Third Rank Blood Mage's Magic Potion can be refined in not much time."

The main material needed to craft the third‑rank healer is the sutured nerves of the gathered monster; with sufficient incentive, we should obtain news of this material soon.

Translate: "The main material needed to refine a Third Rank Healer is the suturing nerves of the Suture Gather Monster; with sufficient profit motive, it is estimated that news of obtaining this material will not be long in coming."

So now we can begin preparing the materials needed to synthesize these three potions.

Translate: "Therefore, taking advantage of the present, one can begin preparing the materials needed to synthesize these three magic potions."

The third‑rank necromancer's potion requires synthesis with demon bone shards.

Translate: "Among them, the Third Rank Necromancer's Magic Potion requires synthesis with Demonic Shattered Bone."

The third‑rank blood mage's potion requires synthesis with a scarlet heart.

Translate: "The Third Rank Blood Mage's Magic Potion requires synthesis with the Crimson Heart."

However, both materials are currently only transcendent first rank; even if infinite cells can copy higher‑rank materials, we must first synthesize a copy.

Translate: "However, these two materials are currently only available at Supernatural Grade First Rank; even if Infinite Cells can replicate higher-grade materials, one must first synthesize a batch."

To synthesize first‑rank materials up to third rank, and even after synthesizing some materials, the transcendent rank may not yet have increased.

Translate: "To upgrade first-rank materials all the way to third rank, and even after synthesizing some materials, the Supernatural Grade has not yet increased."

Therefore, even with infinite‑cell assistance, we need several opportunities to finish preparing the materials.

Translate: "Therefore, even with the assistance of Infinite Cells, several opportunities are still needed to finish preparing the materials."

Thus, over the next two days, Su Hao devoted all his synthesis attempts to crafting potion materials and energy crystals.

Translate: "Thus, over the next two days, Su Hao used all his synthesis opportunities solely for synthesizing magic potion materials and Energy Crystals."

By the evening of the second day, the mechanical transport warship carrying Su Hao arrived at the mission's destination—

Translate: "By the evening of the next day, the mechanical transport warship that Su Hao was aboard arrived at this mission's destination—"

The Calamity Swamp.

Translate: "Calamity Swamp."

This swamp covers an area the size of a medium‑sized city and is perpetually shrouded in green poisonous gas.

Translate: "This is a swamp whose area is as large as a medium-sized city, perpetually shrouded in green poisonous gas."

From above, aside from the mist of green toxic gas, nothing else is visible.

Translate: "Looking down from the sky, aside from the mist composed of green poisonous gas, nothing else can be seen."

Trying to locate the bloody octopus's blood pool from the sky is obviously unrealistic.

Translate: "Wanting to locate the blood pool where the Bloody Octopus resides in the sky is obviously unrealistic."

Su Hao had anticipated this and did not feel too regretful.

Translate: "Su Hao had long anticipated this and did not feel overly regretful."

The Calamity Swamp is very large; relying on conventional search methods would inevitably take a lot of time.

Translate: "Calamity Swamp is vast; if one were to rely on conventional means to search, it would inevitably require a great deal of time."

Fortunately, Su Hao commands many pale skeleton warriors, and also has numerous stronger beings capable of flight—the pale bone dragons.

Translate: "Fortunately, Su Hao commands many Pale Skeleton Warriors, and there are also many stronger beings capable of flight—the Pale Bone Dragons."

By dispersing them and conducting a carpet‑style search, we can save a lot of time.

Translate: "As long as they are dispersed to carry out a carpet-like search, a lot of time can be saved."

Moreover, pale undead creatures are summons that do not tire; with enough summoning conduits and mental power, Su Hao can continuously summon them to increase search intensity.

Translate: "Moreover, Pale Undead Creatures are summoned beings that do not feel fatigue; as long as there is sufficient summoning medium and spiritual power, Su Hao can continuously summon more Pale Undead Creatures, thereby increasing the search intensity."

Subsequently, Su Hao waved his hand, and the pale undead beings behind him, in groups of ten, entered the Calamity Swamp from various locations to search for the blood pool.

Translate: "Thereafter, Su Hao waved his hand, and the Pale Undead Creatures behind him, in groups of ten, entered the Calamity Swamp from various locations to search for the blood pool's position."

According to Su Hao's orders, upon finding the blood pool, they will self‑detonate one member every second.

Translate: "According to Su Hao's orders, as soon as they find the blood pool, they will self-destruct one by one every second."

All pale undead beings are Su Hao's summons; as long as they are within a certain distance, whenever a summon dies, the summoner can sense it.

Translate: "All Pale Undead Creatures belong to Su Hao's summoned beings; as long as they are within a certain distance, whenever a summoned creature dies, the summoner can sense it."

Su Hao's mental power has now reached the initial level of transcendent fourth rank; standing near the center of the Calamity Swamp lets him sense the death of all pale undead beings.

Translate: "Su Hao's spiritual power has now reached the level of initial entry into Supernatural Grade Fourth Rank; as long as he stands near the center of the Calamity Swamp, he can sense the death of all Pale Undead Creatures."

If any squad of pale undead beings dies in that specific pattern, Su Hao will immediately feel it and can determine the approximate direction.

Translate: "Whenever a squad of Pale Undead Creatures dies in that specific pattern, Su Hao can immediately feel it and determine the approximate direction."

After all the pale undead beings have set out, Su Hao returns to the mechanical transport warship and flies deeper into the Calamity Swamp.

Translate: "After all the Pale Undead Creatures have set out, Su Hao returned to the mechanical transport warship and flew deeper into the Calamity Swamp."

Although the poisonous mist obscured visibility, at the altitude of the mechanical transport aircraft it was difficult to make out the details on the page.

However, confirming the general direction and flying to the vicinity of the central area of the Calamity Swamp is no problem, and it also saves a considerable amount of time.

Meanwhile, during the flight, Su Hao continually took out pale bone beads and summoned new pale undead creatures.

In order to speed up the exploration, all the pale undead creatures Su Hao summoned this time were pale undead warhorses and pale bone dragons.

Whenever he summoned a hundred of them, he would open the hatch and drop them down once.

Pale bone dragons can fly, so there is naturally no need to worry about falling to their death.

Pale undead warhorses possess a Supernatural Grade Third Tier physique, and since undead bodies feel no pain, even if they fall from several hundred meters in the air, they suffer no damage.

As Su Hao continuously summoned and deployed pale undead creatures, the number of undead in the Calamity Swamp kept increasing, and the intensity of exploration grew linearly.

The mechanical transport aircraft's flight speed was extremely fast; after a little over an hour, Su Hao arrived at the central area of the Calamity Swamp.

Of course, this process was not smooth sailing; along the way they encountered numerous attacks from fallen creatures.

The majority were either rankless or First Rank monsters, while the remaining few had reached Supernatural Grade Second Rank, and they had not yet encountered any Supernatural Grade Third Rank monsters.

However, even if Third Rank monsters attacked, they could pose no threat to him.

As for those First and Second Rank monsters, they could not even break through the defenses of the mechanical transport aircraft; Su Hao simply plowed straight through, smashing all incoming enemies and killing them all.

Finally, the mechanical transport aircraft, stained red with blood, carried Su Hao down to an open space in the central area.

Su Hao found a clean cave nearby, drove out the native inhabitants, and took out a concealment veil to stay inside.

While continuing to summon pale skeleton warhorses and pale bone dragons, he carefully sensed the state of all pale undead creatures within the Calamity Swamp. Whenever a pair of pale undead creatures died according to the frequency he had set, he would rush over immediately to avenge these fallen pale beings.

Although these pale undead creatures died by self-detonation, setting aside the facts, could it be that the bloody octopus has no problem at all? Time flew by, and before long it was past ten o'clock the next evening.

During this period, Su Hao used four synthesis opportunities to create a Titan Heart; after consuming it, his physique was strengthened again, though he still fell short of the upper echelon of Fourth Rank.

The remaining final synthesis was used by Su Hao to create a Titan meat chunk, preparing to synthesize another Titan Heart the next day.

He had a vague feeling that if he synthesized another Titan Heart tomorrow, the proficiency of the Synthesis Heart would reach perfection! Moreover, during this period, Su Hao also noticed that many pale skeleton warriors and pale undead mages had died; although their combat strength was somewhat inferior to that of the pale bone dragons and pale skeleton warhorses,

Nevertheless, they too possessed Supernatural Grade Third Tier combat power; if placed in the Dark Forest, aside from a few specific spots, they would not suffer losses.

However, in the Calamity Swamp, just over a day's time has already resulted in considerable losses, showing how dangerous this place is.

Even a Supernatural Grade Third Rank expert could easily meet their demise here with a slight mistake.

There are three reasons why the Calamity Swamp is so dangerous; the first is due to the natural environment.

The Calamity Swamp is filled with large amounts of poisonous gas, which is the bane of most living beings.

Without sufficient poison resistance, even a Third-Tier supernatural being who lingers there for a long time will suffer impaired combat ability from poisoning and may die.

Not to mention First- and Second-Tier supernaturals; they could walk into the Calamity Swamp and die of poisoning, passing away peacefully.

As for these pale skeleton warrior undead creatures, they need not worry about this; unless it is a poison targeting the soul, it basically has no effect on the undead.

Su Hao likewise isn't particularly afraid of the poisonous gas in the Calamity Swamp; his physique has reached mid Fourth Tier, so this level of poisonous gas basically has no effect on him.

Moreover, as a Crimson Bone Demon, he is a special kind of undead creature with a natural resistance to poison.

Second, most of the monsters in the Sinful Swamp are extremely skilled at disguise; a big tree or a mosquito could be a powerful Third-Tier supernatural monster.

Furthermore, most of the monsters here are adept at poison-element attacks; if one is accidentally bitten by them, it could lead to serious consequences.

Third, the Calamity Swamp also contains a portion of extremely powerful monsters that often occupy a territory.

These monsters themselves possess strength surpassing that of ordinary Third-Tier supernatural beings, and with the advantage of terrain, even a fellow Third-Tier supernatural being would find it hard to fight them.

It is precisely because of these two latter factors that the pale undead creatures exploring the Calamity Swamp have suffered considerable losses.

"Huh?"

Just then, Su Hao suddenly noticed that in the same direction, a squad of pale undead creatures had died one after another.

Of this squad of dead pale undead creatures, the first three died according to the death interval set by Su Hao, while the remaining seven died almost simultaneously.

"Could it be that they discovered the bloodstained octopus at the same time it discovered them, and under its attack the remaining seven died in succession, unable to self-destruct?"

Su Hao stroked his chin, showing a thoughtful expression.

Although only three pale undead creatures transmitted the correct information, this also indicates a certain probability that they encountered the bloodstained octopus or something related to it.

"It doesn't seem too far away; let's go take a look."

After a moment of contemplation, Su Hao retracted the hidden veil, walked out of the cave, went to the mechanical troop transport parked outside that was serving as bait, and flew toward the direction where that squad of pale undead creatures had died.

That location is not far from where Su Hao is; even if he goes there, it will not affect his ability to sense the pale undead creatures.

Moreover, the mechanical troop transport flies extremely fast, so it won't take long to reach the destination.

After more than two hours, a vast expanse of water appeared on the display of the mechanical troop transport.

"This damn thing is called a pool..."

Recalling the information he had learned in his previous life, Su Hao couldn't help but feel speechless.

That information said that the territory occupied by the bloodstained octopus is a pool made of fresh blood.

But in reality, this is not a small pool at all; it is a huge lake with a diameter of over twenty kilometers.

And the lake is filled with bright red blood.

However, upon further thought, Su Hao felt that perhaps the information wasn't wrong; rather, what they saw really was like that.

After all, in his previous life they had no aerial vehicles, so wanting to survey the full expanse of this blood lake was utterly impractical.

Thus, after escaping with their lives, the information they sent back claimed that the bloodstained octopus's territory was a blood pool, because they could only see a corner of this blood lake and therefore thought it was a blood pool.

"Such a huge blood lake—who knows where that bloodstained octopus is hiding."

Su Hao's brows furrowed slightly.

To find that bloodstained octopus in this blood lake with near-zero visibility, the best method is to create a sufficiently large disturbance to lure it out, then kill it in one strike.

But after all, this is the Calamity Swamp, fraught with many dangers; in the eyes of the survivors of his previous life, this place is one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

If one rashly creates too great a disturbance, it might attract even more enemies; should a Supernatural Fifth Rank monster appear, the situation would become serious.

After all, even in the Dark Forest, which is less dangerous than the Calamity Swamp, there are Supernatural Fifth Rank like Xue Nv and Chi Yun.

If nothing unexpected happens, there might very well be several Supernatural Fifth Rank in this Crimson Flame Swamp.

Thinking of this, Su Hao ultimately abandoned the plan to provoke a huge disturbance to lure out the crimson octopus.

However, even if the most efficient method cannot be used, as long as there are enough people, even though this blood lake has near-zero visibility and is enormous, finding the bloodstained octopus hiding within it is merely a matter of time.

Afterward, Su Hao gathered the pale undead creatures near the blood lake and simultaneously summoned more of them.

About two hours later, over two thousand pale undead creatures surged into the blood lake from all directions, seeking the trace of the bloodstained octopus.

(End of chapter)