Swamp Lord with an Intelligence System

Chapter 772 - 327: Swamp, Your God Has Returned_2

Because there were no decent towns ahead, there was a tacit understanding not to erupt into conflict.

However, one could clearly sense that these two Divine Spirits were heading towards the Long Thorn Mountain Range.

The Goddess of Misfortune, though formidable, could not intimidate everyone... As the external pressure reached a certain level, Katana would inevitably face a crisis.

As Lear pondered this, his gaze became cold and sharp.

Once the Long Thorn Mountain Range is consolidated, actions must be taken swiftly; the battlefield must not be allowed to reach Katana.

If we are to fight, it must be outside the Long Thorn Mountain Range!

The main base should ideally be in a relatively safe position, maintaining uninterrupted production and living conditions.

The only way to achieve this is by extending the front lines outward.

After deciding on a strategy, Lear focused his attention on the city beneath his feet.

Stabilizing internally is crucial before external expansion. After weeks of intensive relocation, the population of Katana has surged to an immense 270,000.

This rate of expansion is like inflating a balloon, truly remarkable.

The Vine Fairy was tirelessly constructing houses day and night, resulting in tens of thousands of homes springing up within the territory.

The originally small village has now evolved into a vast vine city.

It fully deserves the description of ’prosperous’.

Once the housing issue was solved, other problems such as food, water, transportation, and employment arose one after the other.

Lear had to address these issues one by one.

Starting with water, he instructed the Vine Fairy to manipulate vines and dig deep, discovering an abundant underground river 300 meters below, and then used the Starry Sky Vine to supply water to Katana.

The food was transported from Weilu City to fill the warehouses directly.

The recent intensive farming efforts have led to stable and abundant food production.

In addition, during a blitz in the Swamp Divine Kingdom, a whole round of wheat was harvested over a 200-kilometer range.

This resulted in full warehouses; otherwise, the sudden increase in population would have been unmanageable.

Addressing the necessities, transportation was the easiest to solve. The population was divided into communities of ten thousand, with dining facilities and vine trains meticulously designed, thus resolving the issue.

After a series of maneuvers, although many villagers forcibly brought back to Katana still harbored resentment,

the military pressure, combined with free housing and food provisions guaranteed by Katana, along with the open spread of external information, heightened the sense of urgency.

The unrest was forcibly quelled under such circumstances.

In this situation, the theatrical performances by the Swamp Boggart became crucial.

Paired with the Abyssal Dark Stone, it immediately yielded excellent effects.

The Abyssal Dark Stone was inscribed with ten plays for proselytizing, but due to insufficient Power of Faith reserves, they were never widely disseminated.

Now that the Power of Faith reserves had reached a substantial level, Lear simply included non-believers in Katana to also watch these dramas.

By merely reciting ’Praise be to the Swamp’, a connection could be established.

This move, propagated by the Swamp Boggart, became well known.

Regardless of belief, everyone was curious to try it.

Just one try, and they became immediately ensnared.

The villagers who moved to Katana began developing an astounding level of affection for the Swamp Sect and Katana, the Holy City of the swamp, at an astonishing rate.

It required minimal effort for admiration to bloom exponentially.

Every day, numerous villagers became shallow believers under the influence of the dramas.

Once they became shallow believers, they naturally sought to watch the Swamp Boggart’s live performances and participate in church prayer ceremonies...

The atmosphere at these events rapidly deepened their faith.

With multiple approaches, the situation in Katana stabilized swiftly, within a few days returning to calm.

This experience provided Lear with a direct view of the role played by the Abyssal Dark Stone.

Residents didn’t need to scramble for seats at the Swamp Boggart’s performance; they could simply watch the incredible dramas from home, even while asleep.

Paired with the Swamp Boggart’s powerful performance, these unexposed villagers couldn’t resist.

The cultural impact left them utterly astounded.

Even though non-believers could watch the Abyssal Dark Stone’s dramas, it consumed a lot of Power of Faith.

But the conversion of believers happened swiftly, and initial losses were quickly recouped.

Subsequently, the Power of Faith supplied by these new and old believers not only covered the expenses but also began to increase rapidly.

Meanwhile, another good news arrived—within the Long Thorn Mountain Range, following a few days of targeted efforts by the Swamp Boggart, five villages with temples had completely embraced the Swamp Sect.

Additionally, six more villages were swaying towards the Swamp Sect.

It is estimated that within a week, all six villages will entirely become part of Katana.

Within the Long Thorn Mountain Range, there are a total of 20 temples.

Currently, 7 are under control, with 5 more readily controllable, and 6 on the verge of control, totaling 18 temples.

Only two temples are left.

But these two are the most difficult challenges.

One temple was attacked by external Demons, activating its own defense system; some villagers have already transformed into Guardian Angels.

To control this temple would require facing their ultimate soldiers... The very thought is daunting.

The other village with a temple is extremely xenophobic, attacking anyone who tries to approach.