The Yellow-covered Book’s abilities are quite interesting. Previously in the Mushroom Garden, it had no opportunity to showcase its capabilities, and Lin Jun would not have given it the chance.

This time, Knight Puki observed the process of controlling the Giant Beast Bone Field and its surroundings, gaining further understanding of its skills.

In the initial stage, its method of influence was rather crude; the target must personally gaze at the words on the book’s pages for it to enchant the target to some extent.

Then, through repeated interactions, it continuously deepens the effect of enchantment, quietly guiding emotions, amplifying the greed, ambition, fear, or loyalty within those enchanted, thus seemingly inadvertently influencing their choices at critical junctures.

The conditions and effects of this are even less effective than those of Enchanting Demons, who only need the target to look at her unguardedly to attempt a spirit invasion and forcibly control the target.

However, when the number of enchanted individuals in the same area accumulates to a certain level, a certain qualitative change occurs. An invisible spirit field begins to form and spread.

Just like the busy soldiers and civilians in the Giant Beast Bone Field.

Soldiers during patrols unconsciously double-check the rune carvings on the outskirts of the ceremony; craftsmen are exceptionally focused while polishing bone materials, striving for perfection; even civilians transporting earth and rocks walk more urgently than usual.

Upon close observation, almost no one is slacking off, no one complains of delays; everyone is working in full force towards the common goal of "completing that ceremony" with astonishing efficiency.

Strictly speaking, they’re not even enchanted; they’re simply working harder under the influence of the spirit field.

This is the source of the mysterious discomfort Viscount Comac subtly captured when he first entered this place.

This change is extremely subtle; to those affected, they are unable to perceive anything unusual, merely feeling "recently full of energy" or "wanting to make a good performance."

Their thoughts remain autonomous, their reasons still satisfactory, only that all those reasons vaguely point in the same direction.

Unless powerful external forces intervene, no one exposes this invisible veil and makes the group aware of its peculiarities, this widespread spirit field will continuously deepen, infect, assimilate, and gradually extend outward.

Eventually, it might brew into a solid spirit structure akin to collective obsession or faith, wherein all affected individuals in the area become captives of the Yellow-covered Book.

Of course, the speed of this process is not fast; there are many opportunities and accidents that can disrupt this process.

But the concealment of a widespread suggestion compensates for this weakness.

For someone who doesn’t understand the Yellow-covered Book thoroughly, even if they perceive something is amiss, it’s challenging to find the source and solution.

Unfortunately, I can’t dissect the Yellow-covered Book.

Otherwise, acquiring such capabilities could greatly enhance work efficiency if used in the Fungus Castle!

Of course, this thing also has its flaws.

For instance, the Yellow-covered Book cannot leave the range of this spirit field.

Once it leaves, all suggestions and enchantment effects will gradually weaken, and people would likely return to normal in a natural state, even unable to recall why they were so energetic before.

Moreover, it is extremely fearful of "decapitation" tactics.

Interestingly, the Empire possesses the ability to locate the Yellow-covered Book, which is no surprise why it was defeated and sealed.

...

The Yellow-covered Book is naturally more aware of its own weaknesses than anyone else, thus it is being extraordinarily cautious this time.

Apart from procuring materials under the guise of excavation to arrange a Magic Ceremony, it hasn’t done anything else, fearing the knowledgeable elites in the Empire would discern its intricacies relating to the Holy Scripture.

The Yellow-covered Book not only comprehends its own situation, but also understands the boss.

If it were discovered by the Empire or even captured, those Pukis wouldn’t cry out "companionship" or "friendship" to rescue it; its ruler would mercilessly crush its core with his deformed soul to ensure no secrets are leaked.

Exposure equates to death. This deep mission within the Empire’s core is nothing less than a life-or-death gamble for the Yellow-covered Book.

Yet, for the possibility of owning a soul truly belonging to itself, even if it’s just a sliver of hope, it can only fight with all its might!

If starting purely from the Yellow-covered Book’s will, if this world weren’t heading towards doom, it might prefer waiting for its master from three hundred years ago, that sealed Lord Demon King, to one day find it and fulfill the promise that transcended the long passage of time.

But, there’s not much time left.

It has also tried to release the Lord Demon King, but failed.

The Empire’s recent frenzied Slime eradication made it vaguely suspect that a part of the Demon King might already have unsealed... yet, that’s far from enough.

Time is really running out.

Not to mention other places, just within the Puki Dungeon and Tide Sanctuary that the boss controls, entering rashly with an incomplete Demon King might be dangerous.

Furthermore, speaking of other parts, even within the Puki Dungeon and Tide Sanctuary the boss controls, intruding recklessly with an incomplete Demon King could be dangerous.

To become complete again, reaching the stage where it can help mold a soul, who knows how many twists and pulls will be required.

It can’t wait any longer.

Thus, it has no choice but to pin its hopes on that wicked, greedy, aberrant boss...

...

Lin Jun doesn’t know how the Yellow-covered Book might be contemplating him.

Regarding the progress of the ceremonial layout at the Giant Beast Bone Field, Lin Jun is quite satisfied.

The purpose of this Magic Ceremony is to transfer the destroyed underground city’s auxiliary space to the Northern Territory using the coordinates provided by Divine Wood.

The construction progress of the magic ceremony corresponding to the Northern Territory is even faster than that of the Bone Field.

Once completed, Lin Jun could fearlessly study the Abyss, a place filled with possibilities.

Then, as for the Northern Territory.

Perhaps due to a dragon flying by not long ago, Duke Eugene’s troops, originally ready to set out, are now holding back, perhaps fearing bad luck from encountering the Red Dragon in the wild.

Lin Jun originally intended to delay one day at a time, so with them holding off, he was glad to take it easy, and wouldn’t provoke them actively.

After eliminating the Red Dragon, the soldiers’ morale at Fungus Castle changed significantly.

However, the mental uplift couldn’t change the predicament of Fungus Castle soldiers mostly wearing leather armor.

Although Puki Master primarily relies on directing Puki in battle, enhancing the protection at command nodes is quite essential.

At least, don’t let the command nodes be lost because of a few stray arrows like now.

Coincidentally, the first batch of Dwarf craftsmen have stayed here for two months, exhaustively consuming a large chunk of minerals, improving forging skills, and accruing considerable contribution point debt.

Lin Jun timely offered them an opportunity to quickly repay their contribution point debt and even earn a handsome profit—bringing more blacksmiths over!

They gain significant contribution points for each apprentice they bring over, and more for an official blacksmith!

Of course, they could also choose to escape the Fungus Castle, relying on the skills honed in these two months to secure a formal blacksmith job in the Mountains, ignoring Lin Jun’s debt.

However, having experienced the endless supply of minerals for practice, almost no Dwarf wants to return to the stingy days of the past, with many even contemplating bringing their families to Fungus Castle.

In reality, even if they really defected, Lin Jun wouldn’t mind.

Anyhow, the Fungal Mat has begun spreading in the Mountains, occasionally having a few rogue debtors adds some fun.

Of course, the sincere Puki wouldn’t verbalize these threats.

Ultimately, most Dwarves chose to return to the Mountains to recruit, while Lin Jun sent Puki to escort them, waiting for them to bring back good news.

Everything in Fungus Castle is running smoothly; only after Inanna returned to the Duke’s Mansion did a minor situation arise—Alama seems finally determined to find a match for her daughter.