While gathering some plants nearby, Leroy made sure to keep a lookout for that specific Sucking Plant. The Hamlet Leader Votley had given him a little more info in regards to the creature after Leroy inquired further if they needed to treat the Teacher or anyone else again.
Apparently, the females of the species planted their seeds inside and then strangled the subject, they would then extract them after using the individual's seed to fertilize the body into the ground and eating enough of the organs to take care of the young.
The males however of the species made it extremely difficult to survive. They did not eat the organs more than a test to see if the body was viable or just wrap the person up if they themselves were not strong enough or were incompatible, they implanted much smaller eggs into the host that took months to gestate. Slowly eating all the nutrients inside the body away and depriving the host of their Qi the entire time.
Votley was very clear they looked out and dealt with a male and one that was assured of its success. Which begged the question of how far advanced were the plants in this Dimension.
'The Afterlife Backdoor Terminal said this place would be easy... yeah that is not looking that way at all. I have a few leads on a few artifacts but nowhere near strength to get any yet, need to have stronger cultivation and more contacts to help.' Leroy had already pushed his body once with exercise today and needed to finish running the Cultivation picked from the books to help himself. 'It would be great if I understood them better and if anyone in the Hamlets did as well. Stupid unwritten rules about asking people for guidance is dumb as hell.'
One thing he was not about to do is to worship someone as a master and pledge all that nonsense. Had to many Martial, Thievery, Cooks, and Artist Masters back when the unit was assigned questionable training by the government. Leroy's sense of self just wouldn't allow that to happen after everything they were put through.
He would most likely would be killed for not submitting.. they did value that type of thing greatly in this Dimension from what he found.
At least he would die on his own terms. It might be the way back to the Afterlife Backdoor Terminal where he can find out what happened with the purchasing of advantages.
"Haa, this is about as far as we should go according to the maps."
"Rawwr." The Old Tiger growled in agreeance. Its ears twitched as it moved to be in front of him a little.
Up ahead through the path, a group of people all dressed the same in martial robes came through. Riding a red bull-drawn carriage a boy or a possible preteen was strapped down. Green Pustules adorned his face that was visible.
By the looks of it, his family members were ripping the Pustules open and taking out eggs. If not for the gag in place, the boy would have bitten off his tongue the way they worked so aggressively.
Leroy and the Old Tiger moved far away to prevent them from being anywhere near in the way. It was a shame that the group was in such a rush that he couldn't offer some aid or instructions on how they were treating him wrongly.
"Since they came from that direction... then that is not the way to go. According to the map I pieced together, there is a mine that is open to the public that way. Of course, almost everything inside is supposed to be all gone already." Leroy checked the markings before taking a left as he moved. He was on the right trail but he still didn't see any plants to gather. "Might have to move to a different Hamlet for a while."
The Old Tiger just growled in annoyance. The area it patrolled was of course part of the local "Streak" assigned to this Hamlet. Not that he was too important in his old age and the area was under a few younger Blacktigers.
'Should I lead him to a good area with more bugs for him to eat?' The Old Tiger mused ways to make Leroy stronger or at least ways for him to feed himself and then work out again. If the human broke through again then it obtains more to heal itself in the process. 'By the looks of his actions the last few days, he is already aware that drastic measures will be needed to help cultivate his organs.'
If not for being old and needing to rest more, the Old Tiger would know more of what Leroy had researched.
It didn't take long for them to come across more people on a different path. At least they were familiar with one of them.
"Hamlet Leader Votley," Leroy moved up to the side of the man. "didn't know you were out gathering as well. What happened to spending the days reading and cutting down trees?"
From Leroy's understanding, the man was reading all the books that he transcribed before and was only going to sell them after he was done.
"My friend, I was cutting down the biggest tree in the area when these esteemed people asked for help." Gesturing at the encirclement of people, one thing Leroy took in was that a lot of them look injured in the same way. "Our new friend from before was not the only one caught by a Sucking Plant. Well, the group of teachers he was with all got out scot-free."
The people they passed before were not in the mix but some of these people had the same clothing as them. The strongest among them however was only at the Qi Condensation Realm Peak. Not as injured as the rest he didn't inspire confidence with the constantly worried look.
"We came across some people like them earlier. They had some red bulls pulling a carriage. It was pretty bad and I doubt the person they were taking care of will be ok." Leroy paid no mind to the gathered people and spoke to The Hamlet Leader about what they came across freely. Especially how the treatment was going to cost the other his life if not an agonizing death. "Do these types of gatherings have fine craftsman by chance?"
"Yes they do, I can introduce you to some I know." Passing the responsibility to another from the Hamlet, Votley took Leroy and the Old Tiger away to some craftsmen. "Ready to spend that gold I take it?"
"Well it does me no good to hold onto it and I need to get stronger or gain information quickly." Leroy had his hands behind his back as they walked. In his sleeves were a few sharpened pieces of rock that could work like blades. "Especially with all the crazed plant things out there, I won't be able to rest easy if I don't have a safe method of travel."
"I understand that but what about when you head to one of the towns, then what will you do?"
"What do you mean?" Leroy had a few long-term plans but they most considered on ways to keep gaining money while getting artifacts. The short-term required and mid-term were taking too long. The first is gaining strength and a source of income that will not cause trouble. "I am all ears."
The conversation was a long one but at least a lot was gained from it.
.
Days Later-
.
Votley not so easily convinced Leroy to join in the deep jungle expedition. The bribe of several books the Hamlet had already obtained as well as some funds. Having already transcribed a majority of ones before he knew the Old Hamlet Leader may have some good stuff still, Leroy made sure to raise his guard higher against the man.
Not to mention the payment of various herbs and books on what they were used for. It was all kept in a small pouch called a Storage Bag. That was something Leroy found novel as it only took him focusing on what he put inside to pull the item out afterward.
'Enough of these herbs here can be used as a Pesticide.' Thumbing the pages of a few books and grabbing those various plants out, he extracted the seeds and ground them up into a bowl. 'Just need a little more items and these plants or gonna be mulch!'
A member of the Hamlet named Tessi had been assigned to help Leroy out to help keep him around. Tessi was younger and at the Body Tempering V Rank. He wanted to intimidate Leroy since he was a new member to the Hamlet but that was shut down quickly when the other beat him in a light spar using a choke hold and almost killing him in the process.
Not Leroy's fault since the other attacked him and try to play it off as just testing the other before they were pulled apart.
Oddly enough Tessi turned more respectful after that but that didn't mean Leroy was willing to relax around him anymore.
"Hey Doc Leroy," Tessi brushed his burnt red hair back while heading a sack over. "here are the rocks you asked for. What's it for really?"
"Use to kill plants."
The Expedition Team currently cut down a few trees as they were making good progress. The Territory belonged to that of the Clear Tang Family. Which threw a few warning bells in those from Votley's Hamlet.
"Hey, did they tell you anything else besides them that they needed help cleaning out the area?" Leroy asked Tessi. "Like I don't know about the chance of there being several Demon Plants in the area."
"No, that was not available in the Mercenary Center." Tessi rubbed his chin as he spoke about the contents. His eyes never left the mixture that was being made. "Our job just requires us to help secure the perimeter from Demon Beasts. We don't even have to risk our lives too much as the Clear Tang Family has several members here. We are just an additional precaution."
"I think we should go or let them know something weird is going on." Sealing the mixture up he gave his full attention to the other. "I mean the Hamlet is basically undefended and since we are just additional components that means we definitely don't need to be here. Besides, the situation is really weird."
"Weird how?"
"No regular plants such as fruits and vegetables. No animals or wildlife besides the domesticate or captured."
"Graawwrr!" The Old Tiger gave a dissatisfied growl.
"And those that are just moving about," Leroy said to the tiger giving a small smile. Tessi took a step to the side as he really did not want to be too close to the demon beast for various reasons. "Votley also thinks the same. We are hours away from the Hamlet and the fact the Sucking Plant made it there should be cause for concern that no one looks to concerned with."
"We have had them come through on occasions when food is scarce. You said it yourself that resources are low." Tessi gave a shrug while giving his two bits on the matter. "Leader Votley was called in to talk with a few other Hamlet Leaders maybe he will have more to tell us after coming back."
As they discussed what to do, someone they recently met came over. Tang Suo walked with confidence and poise. A few others of his Family have gathered around and looked quite agitated a few minutes before.
The discussions immediately turned loud as they started shouting and throwing accusations at each other.
Whatever they were discussing turned violent quickly.
*Bang!* A huge hand print shot out from Tang Suo. Two guard members that were having an argument with him were shot off into the deeper part of the woods. Right over the head of several Clear Tang Family guards.
"Humph!" With a disgruntled look, he dusted off his robes and turned away. No love lost by the looks of his actions. "Oh, Leroy and young... Tessi, how good to see you again so soon."
The two just looked at him with a questioning look. Mostly Tessi as he only gave an introduction when the reward was given for the help during the surgery. From what they heard and so far dealt with regarding the Clear Tang Family was pretty nice but that was pretty cutthroat the way he dealt with Family members.