Above the mage!

Chapter 523 Wild Capybaras

Gao De was both amused and annoyed. He rubbed Tuanzi's head and used his mind to soothe it, making it speak slowly.

Actually, the ins and outs of the matter are quite simple.

After releasing it into the swamp, Gaode not only told it not to wander too far so that it wouldn't be lost when needed, but also casually mentioned that it could explore the surroundings when it had time.

Objects such as "a ship sunk to the bottom of the water", "a beautiful and rare plant", "a glowing metal", and "a strange stone that I have never seen before".

If you find something you can collect, collect it; if not, mark it, remember its exact location, and report back to him later.

Although Tuanzi is still young and has a lively personality, it takes Gaode's instructions very seriously (according to Tuanzi itself).

Gaode Maps says a lot of things, and they're a bit complicated and hard to remember, but the clever hog has figured out a common point: anything you haven't seen before counts!
Although Daze is located within the land territory of the Golden Flower Dynasty, countless fishing boats, merchant ships, and even cargo ships come and go every day.

However, very few bodies of water have ever been truly developed, especially those underwater.

Especially hidden deep within the great swamp, in places with swift currents and dim light, are countless rare minerals, aquatic magical plants, and even ships that have sunk due to accidents.

However, there are also many undiscovered aquatic beasts lurking within.

These aquatic creatures rarely venture into shallow waters, let alone attack passing ships. They simply stay in their own little territory, guarding their own waters.

The Golden Flower Dynasty must have known that there were water beasts in the depths of the water.

However, if the other party doesn't take the initiative, they will usually choose to ignore it and not bother with it.

After all, eradicating these aquatic beasts deep in the waters is no easy task, and it comes at a great cost.

This can be considered a way of getting along; if you don't show your face, I won't go looking for trouble with you.

But the premise is that you cannot provoke these water beasts.

Most creatures living along the ley lines have a very strong sense of territory. They do not allow any other beings with extraordinary power to enter their own little patch of land, otherwise they will be regarded as intruders and attacked.

But Tuanzi had no idea about these intricacies.

It grew up in Biboting, where it ate communal meals and played group games.

He simply followed Gaode's instructions, using the location where Gaode released it as the starting point, and explored outwards in circles.

For the first month, I was quite content, picking up pretty stones and rare aquatic plants every day, and occasionally even catching a couple of glowing little fish.

However, as time went by, it had explored all the nearby areas, and the novelty wore off, so its exploration radius expanded, gradually leading it into deeper waters.

There's no doubt that there are more good things in deep water than in shallow water, but the risk level is also much higher.

Although Tuanzi is still young, her development is ahead of her age thanks to the high-level blood food she has been fed by Gaode for more than half a year.

In addition, capybaras are naturally adept at speed and detection, so when they entered the deep waters, they really did have a bit of the feeling of a fish leaping out of the sea, allowing them to discover many "good treasures" and accumulate some wealth.

During this time, it also encountered items that were already "owned".

For example, a giant crab guards a glowing conch, and a water snake coils around a glowing magical plant.

But Tuanzi is very clever. It will never provoke or confront those fierce-looking guys that it can't beat.

Tuanzi only targets those big guys that look "easy to bully".

For example, it once encountered a slow-moving old sea turtle, and while the turtle was dormant, it snatched a glowing pearl from the side of the turtle.
Another time, it encountered a school of silver fish surrounding a strangely shaped coral. It circled around to lure the silver fish away and took the opportunity to snatch the coral away.

By taking advantage of loopholes and using clever tactics, it managed to thrive in the deep waters for two months, showing a bit of the magic of the devil.

Until half a month ago, Tuanzi finally got her comeuppance and suffered a setback.

According to it, it suddenly discovered a peculiar patch of plants in a deep area with a relatively slow current:

It grows in segments, covered with a hard brown shell. Once peeled open, the inside is white and tender flesh with a faint fragrance. A large patch of it spreads on the bottom of the water, like a small "underwater bamboo forest".

Based on Tuanzi's description, Gaode's first thought was lotus root.

However, lotus roots have relatively high requirements for light and oxygen, so theoretically they should not be able to survive in deep water.

But then he thought again that this was just how lotus roots normally are.

This world contains extraordinary powers, which cannot be measured by ordinary standards. The same applies to extraordinary plants.

Moreover, the more unusual the growing environment, the more it indicates its exceptional qualities.

A lotus-like plant that can grow in deep water must be quite extraordinary.

The same is true.

Out of curiosity, Tuanzi broke off a piece and put it in her mouth. The fruit melted in her mouth, and a warm sensation slid down her throat and into her stomach.

It couldn't explain the effect of the warm current, but it felt warm all over, and its strength and energy were noticeably enhanced.

It is certain that this thing is very beneficial for its power enhancement and advancement.

Having tasted the sweetness, how could Tuanzi resist?

It was about to feast, but before it could even break off a second piece, trouble came knocking.

Yes, these things have owners.

In fact, this is the normal situation. If it didn't have an owner and wasn't growing in a desolate place, how could Tuanzi have found it?
Moreover, their owners are of the same kind as Tuanzi:
Capybara.

A group of wild capybaras have taken over this "lotus root" area.

The moment they spotted Tuanzi, the capybaras swarmed around her, numbering more than a dozen, trying to drive her away.

Capybaras typically reach the second rank after reaching adulthood.

Those capybaras who are lucky or who consume certain treasures during their growth may even advance to the third tier.

Fortunately, this group of capybaras turned out to be all "juvenile" capybaras.

Although the youngest of them is older than Tuanzi, Tuanzi has been carefully cultivated, so "underdogs overpowering their superiors" or even "one against many" is not a big problem.

Tuanzi was quite proud when she said this.

So it chased away and scattered the group of capybaras, then feasted on the spot before patting its belly and leaving.

Back in the shallow water, after several days of proper digestion, Tuanzi confirmed that the lotus roots were indeed very beneficial to her, and then swam back to where the lotus roots were.

However, this time, they weren't so lucky.

Because this group of capybaras had a leader, and it was an adult capybara. The outcome is predictable: Tuanzi was caught and given a severe beating.

Fortunately, the other party was not particularly ferocious. Considering that they were both capybaras, the other party did not kill it, but only chased it away and gave it a warning.

But Tuanzi was a stubborn pig, and after being beaten up like that, it was naturally resentful and would run over there every now and then, trying to get revenge.

Unexpectedly, the other party was unusually alert, seemingly having guessed that Tuanzi might launch a surprise attack, and had been lying in wait for her.

Tuanzi was caught red-handed and received an even more severe beating than before. It took her several days to recover.

At this point, it's no longer about the lotus root; it's about saving face.

Tuanzi itself couldn't do anything to the other party, but it had Gaode (a deity-like system).

During this time, Tuanzi had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Gaode Maps, which is why she was so excited just now.

After listening to what Tuanzi said, Gao De shook his head helplessly.

To be honest, it deserved it, didn't it?
It's obvious that in a group of juvenile capybaras, there wouldn't be an adult capybara as the leader.
That's bad enough. He'd already been beaten up, and he didn't have the strength to fight back, yet he still went over there, which only made him look like he was asking for a beating.

But how can I put it? After all, he's my own kid. If I don't protect him, who will?
Furthermore, Gao De was quite interested in the capybara herd that Tuanzi had mentioned, even more so than in the strange lotus root that could enhance Tuanzi's power.

Capybaras have many advantages, such as a relatively docile temperament, strong abilities in detection and speed, low taming requirements, and stable reproduction.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to pass through the rigorous selection process of the Sea Sentinels to become their official pet, assisting Sea Sentinel mages in completing tasks such as water battles and searching for aquatic beasts.

From this perspective, capybaras are one of the best choices if one wants to develop their own "water" power.

And Gaode Maps definitely has this idea.

If one could build their own aquatic force, they could help them find treasures in the great marshes, allowing them to reap the benefits without lifting a finger, and they could also be of assistance during missions.

Previously, this idea was just a vague thought, but after hearing Tuanzi say that there was a group of wild capybaras, the idea instantly became clear and grew wildly in my mind like vines.

If they could "recruit" this group of capybaras, wouldn't their water area influence have a solid foundation?
Perfect timing! He had plenty of the high-level blood food that was most needed for breeding capybaras.

Thinking of this, he immediately rubbed Tuanzi's head and readily agreed, "I'll avenge you!"

When Tuanzi heard that Gaode had agreed to help her, her eyes lit up instantly.

It rubbed its head against Gaode's palm happily, chirping softly, and its round body swayed in the water, almost flipping over again.

They acted immediately, and Gaode didn't play games.

He fitted Tuanzi with a new pig saddle so that Tuanzi could carry him to its place of "frustration".

Since the purpose was revenge, Tuanzi was naturally full of energy and went all out, bringing Gaode to the waters where the "lotus root" was located in less than half an hour.

This body of water is quite remote; there were hardly any boats in sight, and the surface was quiet, with only the occasional ripples left by passing waterbirds. It was impossible to tell that there were any treasures hidden underwater.

Gao De took a deep breath and then dived into the water with Tuanzi.

When we first entered the water, the sunlight shone through the water layer, casting dappled light spots on the bottom, providing an exceptionally good view. We could see even the small fish swimming in the water and the swaying aquatic plants clearly.

But the further downstream you go, the dimmer the light becomes. Gradually, the light spots disappear, and the surrounding environment becomes dark.

However, with the [Water-Net Body], the underwater environment is as clear as the lines on the palm of Gaode's hand, ignoring darkness and turbidity, and is completely unaffected.

It was clear to the naked eye that the little dumpling, which had been very active just moments before, had become cautious.

It seems that being beaten twice here has taught it a lesson and made it more wary.

Gao De also slightly reduced his movements.

He didn't think an adult capybara could do anything to him, but it's always good to be careful.

Guided by Tuanzi, after crossing a huge rock protruding from the bottom of the water, Gaode saw the lotus root forest that Tuanzi had mentioned.

Brown sections of lotus root are buried in the soft mud and sand, with green shoots emerging from the tops swaying gently in the water.
Occasionally, a few sections of lotus root emerge from the water, and when peeled open, you can see the tender white flesh inside, which also faintly glows with a magical light.

Beside the lotus grove, several half-grown capybaras were lying on the mud and sand, some nibbling on lotus roots, others playing and frolicking, their short legs flailing about, looking quite relaxed.

I scanned the map on Gaode Maps but couldn't find the adult capybara.

Is the leader not here today?

He subconsciously glanced at the little dumpling beside him.

Sure enough, Tuanzi's eyes lit up. If I hadn't been there, it probably would have rushed out by now, either to snatch the lotus root or to "settle scores" with the group of capybaras.

"This guy..." Gao De resisted the urge to facepalm.

They're still just kids.

He patted the dumpling and sent it a reassuring message through his mind to calm it down: "Don't be reckless, assess the situation first."

Tuanzi was quite well-behaved on Gaode Maps, but it still tilted its head, its little eyes fixed on the group of baby pigs playing not far away, and it even let out two soft hums, as if expressing its dissatisfaction.

After calming Tuanzi down, Gao De activated his Mandora's Eye and began to observe his surroundings.

He had a feeling that the adult capybara leader should be nearby, especially after Tuanzi's repeated provocations.

Nothing was visible to the naked eye at first, but thankfully the [Water Body] activated its power again.

"Your nervous system is more efficient at processing information about liquids, enabling it to detect abnormal fluctuations or hidden objects in water more quickly."

At that moment, the surrounding water seemed to become his extended "nerve endings".

Every tremor of the water, every tiny change in pressure, was clearly transmitted to his senses, as if countless fine threads were spreading along his skin and merging into the surrounding water.

Soon, Gaode's perception stopped in front of a patch of mud and sand in the lotus root forest.

Subtle ripples have been constantly transmitted through this silt.

That was the vibration generated by the rise and fall of the chest cavity during biological activity, which caused the water to vibrate. The frequency was slow and steady, quite different from the stillness around it.

Moreover, hidden beneath the silt is an extremely faint water flow trail, formed by the friction between the body surface and the water when the organism curls up.

If it weren't for the fact that the [Water-Body] has an extremely keen sense of liquid matter, it would have been impossible to detect it.

"Found it." Gao De knew it in his heart.

He carefully sensed the faint fluctuation and quickly sketched out the outline of the creature lurking beneath the mud and sand:
It was a large adult capybara.

(End of this chapter)