The Radiance of the Lamp Tree had an excess of over 20 crystals, and Su Han was waiting for the opportunity to fuse them all at once with the Ancient Worm Tree.


    Although the skill from the Radiance of the Lamp Tree mainly manifested as supportive rather thanbat effects, there had been no significant improvement in power for the time being.


    However, Bai Qn''s reminder today made Su Han ce more importance on one aspect.


    "Everything originates from spiritual energy, which is closely linked to emotions, the soul, and the mind. Hence, the ability of the Lamp Tree to absorb emotional power should not be underestimated. It seems I need to pay more attention to collecting the Lamp Tree''s crystals in the future."


    Su Han''s eyes flickered slightly as he continuously pondered how to collect more Lamp Tree crystals—perhaps he could even trade for them, if there were excess Lamp Tree crystals in South City.


    That''s not right. If I have something that South City needs, then requesting some Lamp Tree crystals in exchange wouldn''t be excessive, right?


    Old Guo, it''s not that I want to manipte my teammates. It''s just that I''m too eager to progress.


    ....


    Time passed bit by bit, and the fusion of the materials by the Ancient Worm Tree was slightly faster since it was only its second time fusing with the Lamp Tree Crystals.


    As the quantity of materials required wasn''t yet exorbitant, about an hourter, the Fusion Degree gradually reached 100%, leaving only a crystal the size of a thumb out of the more than twenty Lamp Tree Crystals.


    [LV2 Lamp Tree Crystal Fusion Complete, Ancient Worm Tree Gains Skill: Ancient Tree Crystal]


    With thepletion of the fusion, the Ancient Worm Tree''s overall size surged by a few meters from its original height of around 40 meters,  its trunk became more robust, and its presence grew slightly stronger.


    Its strength had increased, but it was evident that this skill was not focused on attack. There was a faint shimmering color between the branches, strikingly simr to emerald diamonds.


    The Ancient Tree Crystal, utilizing the body''s spiritual energy to transform into a light simr to the Lamp Tree Crystal, disperses fog and can promote nt growth. Moreover, it is gentler and more likely to induce evolution.


    A mature Ancient Tree Crystal, at least the size of a fist, could be used for about a month; unlike Lamp Tree Crystals, it has an energy decay period.


    But this was enough, as Su Han smiled, seeing it as a perfect substitute and a support for major pioneering ventures.


    "With the fields cultivated using the Ancient Tree Crystals instead of Lamp Tree Crystals, the leftover Lamp Tree Crystals will all be mine. Now I''ve just gained the ability to transform spiritual energy into crystals. Maybe after further fusions, I''ll acquire the ability to absorb emotional power or even transform into a more powerful ability?"


    Su Han pondered the possible developments in his mind, but regardless of the specifics, the birth of the Ancient Tree Crystal would greatly elerate the pioneering progress.


    After all, it could take seven to eight days to produce a chicken egg-sized Lamp Tree Crystal even with everyone''s contributions.


    Of course, the size of the Lamp Tree Crystals varied with different environments and circumstances.


    But the speed was still a bit slow.


    With twenty-three Lamp Trees in the camp, ording to Professor Bai Qiuwen''s theory, the natural urrence of a Lamp Tree was very unlikely.


    Since I can''t cultivate them myself, I am dependent on the existing Lamp Trees to produce crystals. It could take half a month or even more to umte enough for the next wave of fusion.


    Because the camp''s pioneering also required Lamp Tree Crystals.


    But now, having a substitute means umting speed can be increased, and this thing is key to strengthening control over the camp.


    Maintaining the production cycle needs the nts to be enveloped in the Lamp Tree''s radiance; if most Lamp Tree Crystals are reced with Ancient Tree Crystals, and with a decay period of one month, it means a monthly recement.


    If there isn''t a continuous supply, then production will cease.


    Undoubtedly, the status of the Ancient Worm Tree in the territory has risen again.


    The fusion of the Ancient Worm Tree was done, but the fusion speed of the Scorpion Spider Demon posed some issues.


    It took three hours toplete the fusion of the Hundred-Eyed Monster, achieving a Fusion Degree of 31%. One could imagine, though it was only a Second Order Low Grade.


    However, the strength of the Hundred-Eyed Monster was very close to a Second Order Intermediate, and its natural instinct to resist during the fusion process was very strong.


    This resistance wasn''t just a matter of strength; inherently, in terms of spiritual and mind power abilities, the Hundred-Eyed Monster was undeniably stronger than the average monster.


    This was also the direct reason for the longer fusion time; the living Hundred-Eyed Monster resisted even more.


    Once the fusion with the Hundred-Eyed Monster wasplete, it was gradually approaching evening, and Su Han didn''t continue to wait. Instead, he let the Scorpion Spider Demon go directly to fuse the bodies of the Eye Beasts.


    The Eye Beasts, being of the same kind as the Hundred-Eyed Monster, their flesh was the best material for transformation.


    A whole night passed, and finally at dawn, the Scorpion Spider Demon hadpletely fused the bodies of several hundred Eye Beasts; the progression of the fusion finally reached 100%.


    [Hundred-Eyed Monster 100% Fusion Complete, Scorpion Spider Demon Gains Skill: Crimson Demon Eye]


    As the fusionpleted, the bulky frame of the Scorpion Spider Demon suddenly began to sprout crimson eyeballs.


    One on the left shoulder, another on the right shoulder, strikingly crimson, with pitch-ck round pupils, reminiscent of the mournful eyes of the wrongfully dead. Within these eerie, mournful pupils, there was also a fierce, brutal killing intent.


    Once the Crimson Demon Eye appeared, it moved about on the body of the Scorpion Spider Demon like a living creature, seemingly monitoring everything around, as though targeting any potential prey.


    Su Han carefully sensed it, his eyes suddenly lit up slightly, and he smiled: "A psychic attack, using brutal shock to intimidate the mind, or even to kill the soul?"


    He was unsure whether the Scorpion Spider Demon could directly kill a soul, but the powerful shock was certainly no lesser than that of the Demon Eye Spider Woman and the Hundred-Eyed Monster.


    Crimson Demon Eye!


    With a thought from Su Han, the Scorpion Spider Demon sprang into action. Its thick arm lifted, the Crimson Demon Eye moved to his hand, and suddenly a red light shot out swiftly, striking an imprisoned Eye Beast.


    Without sound, only the red light moved as fast as lightning.


    The next moment, the eye beast struck by the red light howled in pain, its body stiffened, and it twitched uncontrobly before falling to the ground as if struck by a heavy blow.


    "The scent of fear."


    Through the Crimson Demon Eye, Su Han sensed the fear emanating from the eye beast. The brutal killing intent and psychic attack of the Scorpion Spider Demon inflicted severe mental trauma on the beast, plunging it into extreme fear.


    Fighting was out of the question, let alone trying to flee; it couldn''t even control its own body.


    Another one


    With just a thought, Su Han sent another beam of red light from the Crimson Demon Eye, striking the half-dead eye beast once more.


    "Boom"


    This time, the psychic attack broke through the threshold; the eye beast''s eyes congested with blood, and its head thudded, revealing a bloody fissure.


    If the psychic attack is strong enough, it can cause physical damage as well.


    It is known that the power of the mind and soul is inherently linked to spiritual energy.


    "It adds another method of attack, and it''s ranged too. Combined with the Coagtion Cannon, it makes for even richer tactics. Plus, it can be concealed beneath the Floating Pagoda ck Armor."


    The Crimson Demon Eye moved across the body of the Scorpion Spider Demon, covering all four human arms within its range. Once shielded by the ck armor, those unaware of its details would never anticipate an attack from the Crimson Demon Eye.


    The leveling up of two Angel Envoys not only enhanced strength but also provided immeasurable reciprocal benefits to Su Han.


    Although there wasn''t much change in his physical appearance, only Su Han knew the terrifying power contained within his human form—strong enough to lift tons, with tough skin and muscles, making him nearly immune to ordinary bullets without even needing the ck Armor.


    In a sense, Su Han was like a second-order intermediate monster in human form, or perhaps even stronger.


    For he also mastered skills such as Intermediate Self-healing, Intermediate Metal Control, Iron Skin, and ck Armor.


    .......


    "Su Han, the people we brought back yesterday want to leave."


    Having just finished processing the Angel Envoy''s Fusion, Yan Meiyu had already made her way ahead of time to Vi No. 9 to find him.


    "Guo Du and his threepanions?"


    "Yes, those four. Guo Du and the others want to leave, but they''re worried, so they tentatively asked me about it. However, Zhao Qian, who lost his arm, wants to stay. Even if he can''t fight, he still wants to contribute somehow."


    Yan Meiyu reported truthfully, having already seen through the thoughts of Guo Du and the others.


    "Should we force them to stay? They''re still abat force after all."


    She tentatively asked, knowing that aside from Guo Du, the remaining two were merely first-level intermediate, but still somebat power.


    "Is first order upper grade that strong?"


    Su Han asked rhetorically, thenughed and said, "Old Zhu told me that before the apocalypse, Guo Du was just a white-cor worker. By luck, he survived the apocalypse and became the leader of a small survivor enve, kept three women, and livedfortably. Being a big fish in a small pond is not an umon desire."


    Su Han''s Shanhu Vi District was naturally powerful and very safe, capable of resisting threats whether from second-grade monsters or groups of monsters.


    But, for some individuals who had gained some power, they were not content to be subordinate to others in the post-apocalypse world.


    Yan Meiyu slightly shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of indifference, "He has some strength, but it''s insignificant. With his power, he barely could fend off monsters a few times."


    Is first order upper grade strong?


    Before the official injections, in the Shanhu Vi District, aside from Su Han, those with first order upper grade strength included Bai Qn, Zhu Xiong, and Yan Meiyu. Following them were Zhang Dahai, Gan Xinglei, and Ye Kailing, who were also gradually stepping into first order upper grade.


    And regarding the reserve members, there were many others like Guo Gang, Zhao Yimin, and Xia Ning, among others.


    Now that the official injection had been developed, the entire camp''s strength was set to rise a notch after the exchange.


    First order upper grade could only be considered decent fighting power, a transitional backbone strength at best.


    Su Han nodded and said, "Have Old Zhu go with them, collect some ''tax,'' and since we saved their lives, let''s barter for materials. If they want to trade with us in the future, they can, but they''ll need to exchange goods as well."


    He paused slightly, then said, "For those unwilling to join and not yet within our expansion area, let''s gradually turn them into tributary camps. Let them collect materials which we can reim through trade."


    Yan Meiyu''s eyes brightened, immediately understanding Su Han''s intent. Establish order through military power and use trade as a means, turning these unwilling survivor enves into forerunners, gathering important materials such as cultivating Lamp Trees and nurturing crystals.


    As for disorderly gangs and those within the expansion area of Shanhu Vi, Yan Meiyu knew what to do without Su Han needing to say more.


    The former, eliminate.


    Thetter, forcefully subdue or move them further away, continuing as tributaries.


    "I understand how to handle this, I''ll go call Old Zhu now."


    "Wait,"


    Su Han stopped Yan Meiyu, saying, "Your Rot Skin Rat has reached its racial bottleneck, right?"


    Yan Meiyu was startled, then nodded, "Yes."


    "After you find Old Zhu, head over to the Ancient Worm Tree and perform the Divine Initiation Ritual on a first order upper grade eye beast."