Merchant From Earth in the Magical World

Thunderous Swamp was a forbidden zone for non-swamp creatures, filled with unseen mud pits where Pythons, lizards, crocodiles, and various other magical beasts lay in wait for prey to fall into their traps. Omnipresent poisons and hunters displaying their unique abilities were common; even some plants had evolved the ability to prey on animals. It could be said that in such an environment, only meticulously selected elites could survive. Humans, Orcs, and Elves dared not meddle with Thunderous Swamp—a conclusion reached through many lessons written in blood.

Yan Xing dared to venture into Thunderous Swamp because he possessed a group of swamp creatures—Werewolves. He also brought a large quantity of survival tools and medicines from the real world. His equipment included unmanned drones for aerial reconnaissance and cameras mounted on individual helmets. Furthermore, Chui Chui could perform big data analysis of surrounding safety levels based on the filmed footage.

As military strategy dictates, "Despise your enemies strategically, but take them seriously tactically." The advanced civilization at his disposal gave Yan Xing, leading a near-modern military force, full confidence in conquering Thunderous Swamp.

However, when it came to the specifics of troop deployment, he was extremely cautious and meticulous. Although Chui Chui had established a relatively safe marching route through several days of high-altitude reconnaissance, Yan Xing still dispatched Werewolf Beast Tamers leading Combat Werewolves, accompanied by Poison Flies and Carnivorous Birds, to repeatedly scout the path ahead.

A specialized unit was tasked with obstacle removal, clearing the path, laying roads for the main forces to traverse easily, and building bridges. Simultaneously, several small mixed combat squads were deployed on the flanks of the main force. Any magical beasts or dangerous creatures discovered were either killed or driven far from the road. Only once safety was confirmed did the main forces proceed, protecting the supply train as it passed through.

After covering a certain distance, Yan Xing arranged for the construction of secure campsites for the resting use of personnel following behind. Behind Yan Xing's main force was the Werewolf logistics support unit, led by Clan Leader Li Zhua. After the main force's thorough clearance, this forcibly opened route would enjoy a period of safety. The primary task of the logistics support unit, led by Clan Leader Li Zhua, was to widen this road.

They were also to use the camps left by the main force to construct armed strongholds with defensive capabilities. Relying on these strongholds as nodes, they then organized a road patrol unit and a road reinforcement team. This road was being built as the permanent main artery for Eternal Domain to penetrate deep into Thunderous Swamp.

Drawing on their experience from constructing the canal and road from Eternal Domain to Red Mud Wetland, the Werewolf Tribe of the Eternal Domain faction had developed capabilities for large-scale engineering cooperation and coordination. The use of woven bags meant that Eternal Domain's engineering troops did not need to carry large amounts of heavy construction materials when urgently building campsites and roads. By filling bags with local soil, stacking them, and reinforcing them with timber cut from nearby, they could rapidly construct fortifications to protect these sites.

Finally, they erected a barbed wire fence along both sides of the road, equipped with a bell alarm system. Unmanned drones provided aerial monitoring while Werewolf Warriors patrolled on the ground. As long as they didn't face a large-scale attack, ordinary magical beasts and small communities of swamp creatures would hardly threaten the road's safety.

Yan Xing's purpose in entering Thunderous Swamp this time was to expand his influence into its core area by mediating the conflict between the Werewolves and the Lizardfolk. But how could he root this influence in the core of Thunderous Swamp? That was a significant problem. He couldn't afford to see his influence wane rapidly after helping the Werewolves and Lizardfolk cease fighting, possibly not even able to preserve the benefits gained!

This road, built as they advanced, was essential for Yan Xing to maintain his influence and protect his core interests in the heart of Thunderous Swamp. Indeed, the crux of Yan Xing's strategy for entering Thunderous Swamp was the construction of this road. Once it was finished, no matter Yan Xing's location, his influence could be directly projected into the heart of Thunderous Swamp.

Currently, most Werewolves and Lizardmen in the central region of Thunderous Swamp were concentrated near Blood Crown Mountain. Yan Xing led his troops there, proceeding unhurriedly. If they encountered Werewolves or Lizardmen along the way, it would be simple enough to have them clear the road. But if any dared to provoke them... All those who delay my road construction, without need for a report, are to be directly annihilated!

Yan Xing led his army towards Blood Crown Mountain with great fanfare, making no attempt at concealment. Both Werewolves and Lizardmen sent envoys requesting Yan Xing to halt his advance, but he refused. The Werewolves' reaction was relatively calm, as Yan Xing had made it clear he was carrying the slingshots they had purchased. "If you don't let me go to Blood Crown Mountain, you won't get your slingshots," he stated.

The Lizardmen's reaction was far more intense. After all, although Yan Xing was human, most of his army consisted of Werewolves. These Werewolves, hailing from the fringes of the swamp, were clearly en route to support the other Werewolves' assault on Blood Crown Mountain. Moreover, their equipment looked very sophisticated. If we can eliminate them in the open, it will naturally reduce the pressure on us Lizardmen at Blood Crown Mountain, they thought. Consequently, an ambush targeting Yan Xing's troops was quietly prepared on the essential road leading to Blood Crown Mountain.

However, Yan Xing possessed an unmanned aerial reconnaissance craft that didn't play by conventional rules. This type of craft could stay aloft for extended periods, continuously gathering ground information for several hours, making it far more efficient than aerial scouts riding flying creatures. Chui Chui, controlling the high-altitude reconnaissance craft, even managed to discover a Bipedal Flying Dragon dispatched by the Lizardmen before their own presence was revealed.

The Bipedal Flying Dragon had little relation to the ultimate creatures of the Dragon Clan; it was a Tier-Eleven flying creature among the swamp forces, possessing lizard-like hind limbs and a pair of fleshy wings in place of forelimbs. As the pinnacle creature of the regular units in the swamp, the Bipedal Flying Dragon was a dominant force within the swamp regions. Consequently, this particular Bipedal Flying Dragon flew arrogantly, occasionally screeching to assert its presence.

A Lizardfolk Hero rode on the back of this Bipedal Flying Dragon. He controlled it to skim over Yan Xing's troops, conducting aerial reconnaissance on the Werewolf reinforcements his side intended to ambush. The Lizardfolk Hero looked down at the marching army below; their equipment somewhat exceeded his understanding. But since there are humans among these troops, he mused, it must be that some Werewolf Tribe in the south has betrayed the swamp and defected to the humans, thus obtaining human weapons and armor.

Ignorant humans... Do they think that by taming some Werewolves, they can enter Thunderous Swamp? We will soon make them understand that the swamp belongs to the Lizardmen. Even the Werewolves are invaders, destined to be consumed by the swamp eventually. Go on, go on! Ahead lies the road to your doom, where your corpses will become food for magical beasts. Your weapons and armor will only make us Lizardmen stronger!