Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

"Cooperation?"

Richard inwardly chuckled. The relics of the Mother Insect God held by those insects were incredibly valuable, and he didn't believe these two wizards would willingly share them. Their proposal for cooperation was likely a ploy to use him and Ellie as cannon fodder.

Black wizards often climbed over their peers' corpses, feeling no remorse for betraying allies. However, Richard was also a black wizard, and he had no qualms about using these two as pawns himself.

Feigning contemplation, Richard eventually said, "Cooperation... is possible, but I have one condition."

"What condition?" asked the puppet wizard.

Richard smiled slightly. "If we're to cooperate, we need to share information. These insects came from above. How many are there? What types of insects? What are they carrying? I assume you two, who have been tracking them, know more than someone like me who has only been following traces."

Although Richard was well-informed about the insects, he set conditions to make the deal seem genuine.

The two puppet wizards exchanged a glance, communicating silently through mental waves.

"Should we share the faith equipment information?"

"Yes, but not too easily. These two must know something. We should get some intel from them..."

Noticing their silent exchange, Richard wasn't worried—he knew they would agree to his terms.

The insects were formidable, and the heavily injured second-tier insect was particularly intimidating. Without Ulysses' support, Richard wouldn't have dared to pursue them so recklessly.

The teachings of the Garon Club's black wizards echoed in his mind: a black wizard must restrain their greed.

These two wizards were only first-circle wizards. No matter their skills, they weren't stronger than him and Ellie. To have any chance against those insects, they would need to ally with Richard and Ellie.

"We can share information," the puppet wizard finally agreed. "But you must share yours too."

"No problem," Richard agreed readily. "I have information about this Mushroom Field."

With the deal struck, both parties exchanged intel.

According to the puppet wizard, they were tracking the insects for a piece of faith equipment, extremely rare among the Black Crystal Insectoids and of great research value to wizards.

Besides this, the insect group numbered around twenty, comprising various types. They had seen not only warrior and priest insects but also a smaller proportion of a third type—the Spider Knights.

The puppet wizard spoke highly of the Spider Knights, describing them as agile and powerful, with significant advantages in the narrow terrain of the hives.

In the upper hive, a newbie wizard was reportedly sliced to pieces by two Spider Knights.

Richard neither agreed nor disagreed.

Spider Knights indeed had a strong element of surprise.

After the puppet wizard shared his information, Richard provided details about the Mushroom Field.

His information was cautious; he only mentioned the need for a flesh sacrifice to enter and the prohibition against causing large-scale destruction. Nonetheless, these two points were enough to satisfy the puppet wizards.

Unaware of the Mushroom Field's specifics, their entry without Richard's information would have been like sheep entering a lion's den.

"It's a good thing we learned about this, or we'd have been in trouble," the puppet wizard said with relief.

"No problem, we're all on the same side."

Having exchanged information, they introduced themselves. The two puppet wizards were brothers: the speaker was Sokul, and the silent one was Sodo.

Both had participated in a planar war before; while not as experienced as Lawrence, they were still formidable.

Sokul retrieved a warrior insect from his slave pouch. This insect's limbs were broken, and its body bore numerous wounds, some still oozing green fluid.

When he pulled it out, the insect trembled and struggled, its mouthparts emitting cries, seemingly cursing something.

"Good thing we caught a live specimen earlier, or we wouldn't be able to enter," Sokul said, tossing the warrior insect into the Mushroom Field.

The field treated all sacrifices equally, consuming the warrior insect just as it did the Spider Knights. With the insect's flesh devoured, tendrils formed new limbs from its remaining body.

Sokul gestured for Richard to join him in entering the Mushroom Field.

...

Upon entering, Richard immediately sensed a change in the environment. The abundant vitality of the middle hive became even more intense and chaotic in the Mushroom Field.

This vitality made Richard's cells hyperactive, but it was a dangerous change.

As everyone knows, cancer cells are also hyperactive.

Richard communicated silently with Ulysses using his mental power, "Ulysses, didn't you say this place wasn't harmful?"

"Caw, there's a slight issue," Ulysses replied, his eyes glowing as he observed the space more deeply. "The residual rules here are more numerous than I expected, almost like a broken divine realm. But don't worry. I can assure you that the world lord here is definitely dead. The residual rules only alter the environment; they won't target us."

Ulysses' explanation eased Richard's tension somewhat.

As a world lord, Ulysses' perception was far superior to that of a first-tier being.

The Mushroom Field's ecosystem was peculiar. The ground was interwoven with various colored mycelium, forming a fabric-like layer. Combined with the ground, it felt soft yet elastic underfoot.

Besides the towering luminescent fungi, there were many small, colorful fungi Richard had never encountered. Their bright colors and intricate patterns were beautiful, with an allure that seemed deadly.

These unknown fungi were highly tempting for wizards, prompting them to collect samples.

Of course, they collected cautiously. Though unaware of the nature of the Mushroom Field's spirit, they preferred not to provoke it if possible.

While gathering samples, Richard felt a faint sense of being watched. This sensation was mysterious, akin to a primal intuition—a special ability developed through years of training his Adaptive Physique.

"Could it be the spirit of nature?" Richard paused, asking Ulysses mentally, "Ulysses, do you feel like something's watching us?"

"Caw, watching? No," Ulysses replied, shaking his feathers. "In this Mushroom Field, besides the mushrooms, there's nothing alive to watch you."

Ulysses' words made Richard question his instincts.

Was he just being paranoid?

Before he could ponder further, Sokul signaled him over.

When Richard approached, he saw a group of insects resting in the distant mushroom forest. Among them, a priest insect adorned in silk emitted intense energy fluctuations.

"That priest insect was hit by a second-circle master's final attack. It's likely suffering from internal backlash," Sokul whispered.

"Should we attack now?" Richard asked.

Sokul's eyes glinted with cold intent. "The priest insect is currently suppressing its injury. It's the perfect opportunity."

Richard nodded and signaled Ellie.

The four wizards readied their staves, preparing to ambush the insects. But just as they were about to strike, the priest insect opened its eyes, sensing something amiss.

The wizards halted their actions.

There is a significant gap between first-tier and second-tier beings. Even severely injured, the second-tier insect required careful handling.

The priest insect plucked a mushroom, casually tossing it to the ground. The mushroom cap spun twice, pointing directly at the wizards.

The priest insect nudged a black-armored warrior insect, speaking calmly, "Monsters are approaching from the direction the mushroom cap is pointing. Don't look, don't panic. Follow my lead."

The warrior insect's antennae twitched. It spoke softly, "Master, what shall we do?"

As a warrior insect, it didn't question the priest insect's decisions.

"Those monsters can't understand us, so don't worry," the priest insect replied calmly. "I'm injured and have little strength left. You should reposition. Let the Spider Knights charge first, then follow them. Focus on one target at a time. These black-robed creatures are different from the white-robed ones. They're resourceful and ruthless to their own kind but value their lives. Quickly killing one should scare them off."

The warrior insect nodded. "Understood, master. But we're in the Mushroom Field. If we fight recklessly, won't we anger the spirit of nature?"

"Don't worry about that," the priest insect said, waving its antennae with a knowing tone. "This is our world. The world spirit is on our side. Under its watch, even the spirit of nature must yield."

Reassured, the warrior insect stood, instructing the others to adjust their positions.

To the wizards, this movement seemed inexplicable, but Richard, skilled in close combat, quickly noticed something.

Why were the sturdy Spider Knights suddenly moving closer to them?

Richard discreetly stepped back, positioning Sokul as the frontline wizard.

The distance would not hinder their ambush but would ensure the Spider Knights targeted Sokul first.

Richard began to suspect the source of the watching sensation.

Their group of invaders... was likely being monitored by the world's primal will.

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