However, that means that I need to find another worm to try and capture alive. Moving back to the ants, I cut their cores out, then cast Transport Barge, and load the corpses up. Just to see if it works, I hold all three cores in my hand and then activate absorb.

Absorb Activated! +15 Evolution Points!

I am glad that it worked, I was worried I would only be able to use a core of each type of beast once. Since it worked, that means I can grind my evolution level here and actually see what will happen. That is what I am the most curious about currently, so I am really tempted.

With the transport barge floating along behind me, I walk deeper into the desert. After walking for a few minutes I blanket the area with my mana and start looking for another worm. This time I find one in the second area that I search and take out another jar.

This time, I scoop the worm into the jar along with some of the sand it is hiding in. This is because I am wondering if the last one died because it left the sand. If the worms really are controlling the sand, then maybe they are tied to it somehow.

As soon as the worm is in the jar I start scanning, expecting more beasts to appear. This time only one beast enters my range, but it does confirm that the beasts respond to disturbing the desert. Putting the jar off to the side, I return to normal form and take out the mandibles.

The beast that comes running at me isn't an ant or a scorpion this time. It is a lizard, about my size, it is bright red and looks like a salamander to me. It charges up and tries to bite me, so I step to the side and swing a mandible at its neck.

Unfortunately, it is fast and manages to dodge back and avoid my slash. However, even as it is dodging I take a step forward and swing the other mandible. This time, it can't react fast enough and I manage to cut into its shoulder.

That blow isn't enough to kill it, but it does cripple one of its legs and slows it down. It also takes away one of its front claw attacks, so I only have to watch out for the other claw and bites. The fight against the lizard is a lot harder than the other fights, but in the end I still win.

1 Empowered Desert Lizard defeated! 250,000 Exp gained!

I drag the lizard back with me, but the first thing I do is check the worm. This time it is still alive, meaning that I was probably right about it needing the sand to live. I cut the heart and core out of the lizard and then toss its corpse onto the barge.

I also put the jar on the barge so that I don't have to worry about dropping it. It is too small for me to hold comfortably, so the chances of me dropping it are high. Before heading back to the outpost, I eat the heart and absorb the core.

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Devour Activated! +100 Agi, +10 Movement Speed!

Absorb Activated! +5 Evolution Points!

I quickly return to the outpost with the barge following behind me, piled with corpses. When the soldiers see me coming, they cheer for me as the gates open. When I pass through the gates, Sir Edvar and a group of mages are waiting for me.

Sir Edvar says "Welcome back! From how the desert retreated I am guessing that you were successful?"

"Yes, I was. I actually captured two, but the other died when separated from the sand."

Sir Edvar says "The desert only retreated by five feet once, so the capture of the other didn't trigger a retreat. How did you detect them? Was your method effective?"

"Yes, it was. It isn't easy, but spreading mana and then looking for the void does work. However, every time I have disturbed a worm the beasts of the desert have attacked. They came straight to me, so if you plan to hunt worms, be prepared."

Sir Edvar says "Good to know. I plan to create an elite unit, equipped with weapons and armor made from the corpses you brought back. They will be the ones to enter the desert and try to mimic your accomplishments."

"Interesting. Is pushing back the desert worth the investment of resources? I thought the goal was to simply keep the desert from advancing?"

Sir Edvar says "That was the plan, but that was when we believed the desert couldn't be pushed back. Now that we know it can, it is a different story. Over the years we have lost a lot of land to the desert and so have the other kingdoms that border it."

"I guess that makes sense. Well, I wish you luck. I will do what I can before I have to return to the north."

Sir Edvar says "We appreciate it. You have already done plenty by proving it is possible and giving us these corpses. You might be curious to know that the other kingdoms have verified that the desert retreated on their side as well."

"So, it retreats on all sides at once. That is interesting. It should mean that the entire desert shares a source of power. I wonder if it is the worms, or something that controls them."

Sir Edvar says "I don't know, but hopefully our study of this live worm will give us more information."

"Alright. I am going back out to hunt some more and do some more experimenting. I will return before leaving for good."

Sir Edvar says "Good hunting."

Before leaving I dismiss the barge and let the corpses settle to the ground. I also hand over the jar with the dead worm for them to study and then I return to the desert. Before I can even start searching for a worm, a worker ant spots me and attacks.

1 Empowered Worker Ant defeated! 100,000 Exp gained!

Absorb Activated! +5 Evolution Points!

I cast Transport Barge again, toss the ant's corpse onto it, and then continue into the desert. This time I plan to keep hunting until I need to head back and have dinner. If I don't keep my promise and talk to Lin in the soulscape I will be in trouble.

Besides, I need to know if the Magic Kingdom's delegation changed directions. If not then I will need to return and begin preparing to return to the peninsula. Although I am hoping that they did change directions so that I can stay here and grind for a while.

I will feel a little bad if they cause problems for the empire, but the empire can handle it. In fact, they can handle it a lot easier than Demon Hunter City would be able to. Not to mention that as an official ally, the empire has the political excuse to cause them problems.